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.

can take it,” Argrave shook

the reins, looking back. “How do you know it’s

tail,” Argrave said at

of its wings, the gargantuan reptile started to gain altitude. Argrave was fine with heights, but he could

of Silver?”

shouted back, holding onto the back

and the 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

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

eels. He stopped at eight, for he felt half of his magic was gone by that point. The sparking constructs easily

out. “They’re preparing to help

“Yeah,” Argrave answered.

started to bring his beast down, and Argrave soon realized where he wanted to land. Men cleared out of the way for the wyvern to land

his shoulder and nipped his ear, as though to express its displeasure at the constant rapid movement—Argrave could not

satisfies you?” called out Durran, not

things

deaths, tribals and city-dwellers alike, they were caused by southron elf weapons,

that it could not be ignored,

at our side, but they

Unity!” Many in the crowd echoed Durran’s

the Vessel! There is a reason our ancestors wiped the southron elves out. Let them fight the Lord of Copper alone. Regardless of the winner, we end

moreover, none of these people knew him. His voice was a foreigner’s voice. He knew his contribution would be

she might think of

can think of is helping the southron elves now, having

elbow, moving her along to the distant fight between the

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

He held something to help project

the roofs,” Galamon noted. “Archers. We should be ready to find cover… especially if they still have those elven

barely spotting them

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

of things followed, but Titus turned around

man,” Titus held his hand out. “They gave this man

The southern tribals within the crowd, too, caught on

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

garbage! I didn’t even know

Titus spread his arms out. “It was Durran!

his stomach

was the intermediary between the tribes

was one of few tribals to leave the tribes and enter the city, usually secretly—the tribals had no idea of