Jackal Among Snakes

Argrave stared at the Margrave beside his wyvern. Reinhardt did not advance or retreat, merely stared at them with an indiscernible expression, one hand on the pommel of the sword at his belt, and the other on the horn of his wyvern.

“Couldn’t have spotted him, Galamon?” Argrave whispered to his companion.

“There was a wall,” Galamon noted. “And you gave no time to scout. Not even with that bird.”

Argrave ground his hands together. “I know. I just want to complain.”

“That’s the patriarch of House Parbon?” Durran asked, some excitement on his tone.

“He is remaining by his wyvern in case he needs to retreat, I suspect,” Anneliese noted, ignoring Durran’s query.

“Alright, alright,” Argrave finally turned. “Nobody do a damn thing. Just stay still.” After giving that command, Argrave let out some curses. “Alright. God damn it all.”

Argrave took a step ahead, and breathed deeply, trying his best to appear confident. “The three of you will wait here. I’ll go alone, resolve things. I’m sure he won’t be spooked by that.”

“That is dangerous,” Anneliese protested.

“I’ll be fine. I got away from him once before unscathed, and I can do it again if need be.” Argrave walked away.

“Argrave…” Anneliese called out once again, and he heard her step forward.

Argrave turned and held both his hands out, palms facing her. “I’ll be fine.”

She stared, and then nodded. “Be careful,” she cautioned, not entirely satisfied by his assurance.

With a wink, he turned back to the Margrave and his wyvern. Though he walked confidently and kept his expression firm, his Brumesingers writhed within his clothing, mirroring his own anxiety. He kept his hands in plain sight, and far away from any pockets within his gray leather duster. Though the Margrave did not lower his hand from the sword at his belt, he did not flee or brace himself.

Argrave came to stand across from Margrave Reinhardt. He kept a fairly large distance between them, but he was close enough to hear the wyvern’s breathing. The Margrave glared up at him with his ruby eyes, expression inscrutable.

“Hi,” Argrave repeated his earlier greeting.

“Argrave,” Reinhardt finally said. “Barely recognized you.”

Argrave brushed one hand through his hair. Certainly, he was tanner, his hair was longer, and his eyes were much, much different. “Hopefully the change is positive.”

questioned with a growl.

that,” Argrave quickly shook his head, and then rubbed his cheek with one hand. “If you want me to be honest…

his wyvern’s horns tighter, showing possessiveness. “You thought

a chieftain, actually. And yes, you’re not mishearing

bore you with it. But!” Argrave raised a finger. “I had to get back to Vasquer. And passing through that big gate beneath the Lionsun Wall—something tells me that

glare. Eventually, his head shifted in revelation, and

earth. I travelled the Low Way of the Rose,” Argrave answered quickly, anticipating the question. He let his answer hang in the air, even though he

brows, glancing Argrave up and down. The second he opened his mouth to say more, Argrave cut in, “If you’d like, you can confirm with the Stonepetal Sentinels that I travelled through there a little while ago. While we didn’t part on the best of terms, I’m certain you can at least confirm I

perhaps trying to

Rose,” Argrave continued. “While I wouldn’t care for it, if it can

the man would be abreast of most happenings throughout Vasquer. He could

learned from repeated personal experience that things would probably be far removed from what he knew usually happened. He needed to find out how much things had deviated and adjust his plans accordingly, per Anneliese’s advice. And she was right. Slowing down to do things deliberately would always be better, even if it wasn’t optimal. Though he’d planned to gather information at Jast,

Low Way, that doesn’t

Elias, didn’t I? I secured that betrothal with Jast, helped your whole house. Is that worth

Did you help her, too?” the

ready for. A father who loved his children would never forget that someone

said quietly, keeping his

the sword on his

my fault. I cannot change what I’ve done. All I have is my words. So, I reiterate—I apologize.” He lowered his head in a bow, but kept his eyes locked with Reinhardt’s.

pommel further, and then relaxed. He raised the

dispel my headache, think clearer. Yet even here, you…” he took his hand off his forehead and clenched it into a fist. “You have done right by

brightened. “Yes, they

You, and all of yours, will be heavily guarded and watched.” Reinhardt’s gaze wandered to his

protest. “Thank you for giving me a chance, Margrave Reinhardt.

the Margrave said bitterly, “My son isn’t here.

raised a

#####

the south at an alarming rate. Elias and Stain were locked in in a siege caused by a revolt at Elbraille, where the plague ran especially rampant. The Margrave seemed to have more information to divulge, but they were led to their rooms

he whispered, sitting beside Anneliese as she rested in bed. He hunched

she pointed out as

lifted up his head and looked at her. “…comes from knowing what’s going to

he flinched in surprise. “Does

Argrave paused. “Forget about

shook her head