Jackal Among Snakes

“Keep watch on Durran,” Argrave spoke to Anneliese and Galamon. “I told you before he’d be a good ally, but… he’s volunteering to carry Garm, he’s following us without reason… my scheme senses are tingling.”

“I was going to tell you,” Anneliese nodded. “I picked up the same… though without ‘scheme senses,’ granted,” she noted with an amused smile. “For what it is worth, I feel no malice from either.”

Argrave nodded. “Reassuring. But you don’t need to feel ill-will to put someone six feet under, just an abundance of ambition. I’d say the two of them could qualify.” Argrave put his hand to his chin. “Maybe they’re trying to probe for information, get the truth out of me… but damn, whatever happened to asking questions?”

“I’ll take the rear, then,” Galamon raised his hand.

“Right. Thanks,” Argrave nodded. Just then, Durran emerged from the portal of sand just beside them, holding Garm in his hand upright. The other hand held his glaive—he used it as a walking stick, somewhat.

“Took you long enough,” Argrave greeted.

“Why in the world did you send me off alone in this scary place?” Durran complained. “Here. Don’t know what this is, but I got it.”

Argrave received what Durran held out—it was a strange obsidian idol. “It deactivates some animated guards ahead,” Argrave lied easily. He had just wanted some time alone to speak with Galamon and Anneliese. “Unless you care to fight them?”

Durran was already looking around the new environment, barely heeding Argrave’s admonishment. He supposed he could not blame the man—the place they were in was ridiculous. The room wound about in ways that seemed to be geometrically impossible. Pillars of flowing black sand rose into endless abysses. The pathway ahead, which resembled polished obsidian, curved up to the wall, and then the ceiling further down the hallway.

“To reiterate—follow what I do absolutely,” Argrave informed Durran, his voice being the only disturbance in the absolute silence of the strange dimension. “Don’t ever run or jump unless I tell you to. If both of your feet are in the air at the same time, it’s over for you, most likely. Galamon might catch you—he’ll be taking the rear, just in case.”

Durran watched everything like it was seconds away from jumping out and biting him.

“This place is no petty illusion,” Garm noted. “All around, I see it—magic, twisting, writhing, dancing. I can’t even fathom its purpose. And its creator… Why was this built?”

“Cool scenery, maybe,” Argrave suggested, only half in jest. In the game, it had been only that: a neat, if simple, little puzzle to occupy the player’s senses. In reality… who knew?

The Alchemist knew, Argrave was certain. But the Alchemist wasn’t exactly an open forum.

Argrave and his two elven companions were not devoid of nerves, either. Argrave started to step down the pathway, trying to keep his breathing steady. He constantly repeated the advice he’d given Durran in his head as he started to walk along the wall.

Transitioning from walking the floor to walking along the walls was a powerfully disrupting sensation. One’s body was accustomed to certain constants, and yet now, before its eyes, these constants were broken. It wasn’t like his feet were stuck to the ground—no, rather, gravity itself seemed to move with the path. It was no illusion, either.

“Gods above…” Durran called out as Argrave walked further into the stretching hallway before them. “Though… the gods might not be ‘above’ in a second,” he mused as he followed, with Galamon taking the back of the party just as he’d promised.

The silence of the dimly illuminated black landscape was marred only by the sounds of their footsteps—Galamon’s metal boots, Anneliese’s and Argrave’s leather, and Durran’s wyvern scale boots each made distinctive sounds. Argrave was hyper-focusing on his steps to ensure that none would be misplaced, but he felt that focus was making him all the worse for wear. Argrave’s Brumesingers squirmed within his clothes, perhaps sensing his terror through the druidic bond.

told himself. Nothing strange, just floor. Don’t look at

nipping at his heels, and Argrave started

out. “A question for

the man answered

pressing onwards. “To follow someone into something like this—it’s not something you do for answers, especially not when you don’t know

Argrave was about to demand an answer

why you’re here, about what you’ve done… so let’s not act like the ‘how’ of these things doesn’t have value,” Durran answered back. “I’d have to be an imbecile to miss that there’s something interesting

him a lot to digest. Garm had divulged much to

spurred you to spill

me now?” the head answered at once. “As I recall, just outside Sethia, you said you’d prefer to have Durran as an ally. I

up into a large square. As they stepped out into, the abyss seemed to extend in all directions. It seemed if one reached their hand out, eternal darkness would eat it. The pathway extended

that’s it?” Argrave questioned, stopping and

from you in the past… but I meant what

longer, studying Garm’s expression. His black and gold eyes did not waver as they stared back, studying him

Argrave finally shook his head, diverting the conversation. “I mean, did you

little. Not enough for your high standards

He bent his knees downward, then jumped up, slightly rotating backwards as if doing a backflip. At once, true gravity seized him—or perhaps it wasn’t true at all. He fell

smooth and comfortable the landing had been. Durran came next, surprisingly—he landed on his knees. Galamon was third. He’d rotated too far, and ungracefully collapsed on

said, “Careful now,” as he helped her regain her balance. “How’s

then laughed once she

turned to examine the road

was the same polished obsidian, a vast jungle of uncountable different colors lay before them. All manner of

Argrave told everyone. “But don’t wander carefully. Anneliese, Galamon, you know what I’m about to say… but still, make sure you listen, just in

like this…” Durran said,

you will be staying here. There’s wildlife enough to sustain you. I will be in

ahead. “One man made this

loomed over the man. “I expect you to stay outside. Do not talk to him, do not enter his house. Even if he wanders outside, ask him nothing. If he talks to you—don’t see why he would—answer quickly, bluntly, and honestly. Be rude, be mean—I don’t care, and he won’t either—but

Durran nodded hesitantly.

that. It’s the only reason I let you come this far, dubious as your motives are. If you want to live,

even if they have to break your legs. Live like the dead. Capisci?” Argrave leaned down closer. Durran looked confused,

get it,” Durran

sake. I’ll be fine if you mess around. You’ll be

alone?” Anneliese