Jackal Among Snakes

Argrave hadn’t spoken to Galamon much at all since Garm was lost to them. Argrave couldn’t deny he was upset Galamon had gone behind his back so blatantly. They sat cross-legged amidst the sand dunes, the night sky above. The chill of winter had set in; they were well into the heart of the cold season. There was an awkward air between the two of them. It reminded Argrave of a dispute with his brother or father—they’d just avoid each other, saying only words that needed to be said…

“You look better,” said Galamon.

…until they started talking again, like nothing had happened at all. Maybe it was unproductive.

“I feel better,” returned Argrave.

But even if it was unproductive, Argrave liked things this way.

“That’s good,” nodded Galamon, white eyes focused on his armor. It was already well-maintained, but he kept it impeccably so.

Argrave stared as his hands moved, rubbing sand and oil against his armor for reasons Argrave couldn’t begin to guess. He looked around. Anneliese was taking care of something, while Durran read Garm’s writing, even now—the tribal seemed to be enchanted with it. Though Garm had left some writings related to the soul behind, Argrave still felt hesitant to read them for some reason.

His mind wandered, and he wondered what it was like to wear armor all day. Brows furrowed, he turned to Galamon.

“You think I should learn how to fight?”

Galamon paused, then turned his head towards Argrave slowly.

“…put Durran down easily enough,” he noted with the faintest smile, then focused back on his work.

Argrave laughed a little, feeling some strange mix of pride and shame. “I bet he could take me down twice as quick if the aggressor and defender switched places. But seriously… It’d be good to be versatile. If things go south…”

Galamon polished, but Argrave could tell he was thinking of an answer.

“The southron elves put it well. Magic has no ceiling.” He looked at Argrave. “Focus on it, you’ll keep getting better.”

“But things happen,” Argrave held his arms out, then uncrossed his legs. “Good to learn a trick or two, no?”

Galamon took a deep breath. “For you…” his white eyes scanned Argrave. “Your frame got bigger. I used to be your size… long time ago. I could give you advice for some things.” He shook his head. “Even still, I’d focus on learning to be agile. Magic will always be more powerful than a blade. Just dodge, get distance, obliterate them.”

“Let’s hear this advice, then,” Argrave suggested eagerly.

“Eat more,” Galamon said plainly. “You eat like a bird.”

Argrave hadn’t been expecting that. He’d been shoveling food into his mouth for the past month to the point of vomiting, and the idea of eating more now wasn’t particularly pleasant.

“Like a bird?” Argrave repeated, drawing lines in the sand. “Must’ve never seen a pelican.”

Galamon said nothing in response.

In truth, Argrave didn’t fancy the idea of learning how to fight. The few hard knocks he’d taken hadn’t been pleasant. He still shuddered when he remembered getting his cheek caved in by Induen, or the battle with Quarrus. Getting up close and personal offered the potential of a lot more of that.

a book for hours and have a blast, but exercise was different. Whether before or now, he never cared for weightlifting or running. He didn’t care about looking

his eye—Anneliese returned. He smiled and waved, and she waved back, walking towards them. His thoughts returned

to build myself up a

as well. The big

for something. She picked up her small Brumesinger,

you do something for someone, and they don’t even know it,” Galamon shook

looked at

hope you two

and me both,” he finally said. “Thought you might be against

asked,

seem like the ‘you stick with your

would be right at home in a horror movie. Eventually, he settled down, scratching his cheek. “Long time ago, you’d have me

Living in exile?”

worst,” he shook his head. “When war consumes the land, rapists, butchers, sadists—they all come out of the woodworks like rats fleeing from a

You have good people… and terrible people,” he finished. Galamon stared at Argrave for a long while, white pupils steady. “That’s part of the reason I let Garm

the sore subject was

Galamon concluded.

in her hand. Argrave’s

“We ought to retire. An early morning awaits, especially if we intend to reach Otraccia by the end of

lady.” He stood up and stretched, and his druidic bonds returned

#####

of Sethia. Perhaps that was not accurate—he stared above Sethia, at the

had to prod him to get his attention. The tribal warrior turned his head to Argrave quickly,

just…” he shook his

and it was a bit difficult to believe that clouds couldn’t be blown over Sethia. Presumably, the Vessels’ presence in the city had something to do with that—the air around them always felt dry, after

Aurum, the tower of gold,

along. “Crazy stuff. It’s white, cold, and it turns

two of them joined up with Anneliese and Galamon. They passed through a narrow bit of mountain, and beyond, the place opened up into the

seemed much, much busier than before. All in all, the place didn’t seem as gloomy as before.

woman stepped up, crossing her arms before the four of them. Much of her

the reason my father can’t

taken aback by that reaction, but he realized his eyes—Garm’s eyes—must have

spoke before Argrave could. “Set a hostile tone right off. Very

her eyes widened again—evidently, she’d not expected to see

gloves and holding her hand out. He shook it. “Why are you…? A

he nodded. “They found a spike that fits me perfectly, and they can’t wait to put my head on it. I’ll pass. A friend of

finished. “The best blacksmith for the southron

hold out her hand

think to people we trust.” She shook her head. “My father said good things

nodded understandingly. “If it’ll keep him