Jackal Among Snakes

“The dangerous thing about Brium is…” Argrave trailed off as he stared out over the city of Sethia, standing atop the mound of sand that had been built by the Sand Courser.

Argrave had chosen what he thought was the ‘right thing.’ He’d endeavored to liberate the city from the hands of the Vessels, even if it did create some uncertainty and loss of time. Yet now… Sethia was the worst he had ever seen it. ‘Heroes of Berendar’ never had an outcome with such devastation, such loss of life.

“What is it?” Anneliese interrupted Argrave’s thoughts.

Argrave shook his head. “The dangerous thing about Brium is that he always fights as though the opponent is stronger: cautiously, with contingencies. All the desperation of a cornered rat. Guess that was something taught by being surrounded by two powerhouses—silver and gold.” Argrave kneeled down. “Those damned southron elves… I’d ask what they’re thinking, but I know. Honor and glory.”

“Argrave,” Galamon called out. “Skyward.”

Heeding Galamon’s words, Argrave looked upwards, scanning the blue sky marred by drifting black sand. A gray wyvern cut through the air at them. Argrave stood, readied, yet it began to slow.

Durran’s wyvern gripped onto the side of Argent, using wings and legs both. The claws against metal creaked unpleasantly—sounded like nails against a chalkboard, almost—yet the creature did stop.

“Hey,” Durran called out, shouts rising above his wyvern’s labored breathing. “I’ve got a trade for you.”

“War profiteering?” Argrave returned. “Hardly the time. I’ve got things to do.”

“Heal my leg,” he pointed down. “And I’ll take you to the skies.”

Argrave furrowed his brows, looking to Anneliese. She nodded and whispered, “He is being serious.”

Argrave turned his head back. “We want to get near the fight with Brium.”

“Gods above…” Durran shook his head. “Fine. I’ll land near the bottom of this mound—come quickly. Think I feel my damned leg bone pushing against the armor.”

Argrave flashed a thumbs up, then turned to move. Behind, Durran’s wyvern soared through the sky. Powerful winds assailed them, loosening sand, and Argrave slipped. He collapsed to his back and started to slide down the hill of sand nauseatingly quickly. The Brumesingers in his clothing yelped in terror as Argrave used all of his spatial coordination to stop from careening off the side.

The terror ended when Argrave’s feet met the ground outside Sethia. He straightened his back and shook his duster free of sand, doing his best to act as though he wasn’t on the verge of vomiting in fear. Durran’s mount landed a fair distance away, walking on its two legs towards them.

The southern tribal fell off his mount’s back ungracefully, landing on his side. Anneliese rushed down, but instead of tending to Durran, asked Argrave at once, “Are you hurt?”

“Some bruises tomorrow, maybe,” Argrave shook his head, very proud his voice didn’t waver. “Deal with him.”

Anneliese moved to Durran and started to treat his wound. The man did indeed have bone sticking out of his leg, but with everything still attached, he could be healed. Argrave and Galamon put their things in the wyvern’s saddle, preparing to ride. They paid special attention to Garm’s situation, ensuring nothing would come free. In two or so minutes, they were ready to move. It felt like hours to Argrave.

“Magic… is a thing of beauty,” Durran sighed as he tested his leg.

“Ruminate later,” Argrave directed, pointing to the wyvern. “Liftoff, pilot.”

With one final step, Durran moved towards his mount, gracefully assuming the rider’s position. Argrave got atop its back as well, followed by the other two.

“Heavy load,” Durran noted.

take it,”

“How do you know it’s a she?” he questioned as

tail,” Argrave said at

wings, the gargantuan reptile started to gain altitude. Argrave was fine with

of Silver?” Durran questioned, shouting

that,” Argrave shouted back, holding onto the back of Durran’s saddle.

wyvern’s reins in the other. He led his mount towards the distant battle between the southron elves and the Lord of Copper, where purple light and echoing booms danced about the air. Titus’ men, coupled with the southern tribals, had taken

his body shifted slightly every time it moved its wings. The wind battered at him intensely,

at eight, for he felt half of his magic was

“They’re preparing to help the

“Yeah,” Argrave answered.

of the way for the wyvern to land atop a largely ruined building.

Brumesingers emerged, finding flat ground as solace. One of them climbed up to his shoulder and nipped his ear, as

you?” called out Durran,

I’ll take things from here,”

elven magic!” a man’s voice roared out. “All the deaths, tribals and city-dwellers alike, they were caused by southron elf weapons, southron

be ignored, and Argrave turned

they are not on our side!” A

is not the time. Unity!” Many in the crowd

even now, in their battle against the Vessel! There is a reason our ancestors wiped the southron elves out. Let them fight the Lord of Copper alone. Regardless of the

something, but he was an outsider flanked by elven companions—and moreover, none of these people knew him. His voice was a foreigner’s voice. He knew his contribution would

she

the southron elves

her elbow, moving her along to the distant fight between the elves and

a bell rung out, and everyone’s attention was directed to that. Once the loud sound quieted,

the crowd. He held something to help project

Galamon noted. “Archers. We should be ready to find cover… especially if they still have

spotting them with

out. “The magic weapons used in today’s battle were not from the southron elves,” he

of things followed, but

of one man,” Titus held his hand out. “They gave this man supplies, relics of their people… and even joined the fight

southern tribals within the crowd, too,

“The elves trusted that man with their weapons… and he ordered the wholesale slaughter of

garbage! I didn’t even know the elves

was the sole point of contact between the elves and the tribes?” Titus spread his arms out. “It

bad sensation in his stomach as his

between the tribes and the

to leave the tribes and enter the city,