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.”

is this?” the Margrave questioned with a growl. “An ambush? A secret

then rubbed his cheek with one hand. “If you want me to be honest… we thought you

“You thought to take

Son of a chieftain, actually. And yes, you’re not mishearing things,” Argrave

and I won’t bore you with it. But!” Argrave raised a finger. “I had to

seem swayed by Argrave’s assurances. He digested Argrave’s words in silence, ruby eyes retaining their cold glare. Eventually,

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

cut in, “If you’d like, you can confirm with the Stonepetal Sentinels that I travelled through there a little while ago.

face, perhaps trying to

at best to send someone to and from the entrance to the Low Way of the Rose,”

and he was certain the man would be abreast of most happenings throughout Vasquer. He could learn news of the plague, of Princess Elenore, and of any other unusual happenings that

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

the Low Way, that doesn’t mean what

didn’t I? I secured that betrothal with Jast, helped

Did you help her, too?” the Margrave

ready for. A father who loved

am… sorry, you know,” Argrave said quietly, keeping his gaze

he clenched the pommel of the sword on his belt tighter.

the fact that it was 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

sword’s pommel

forehead and clenched it into a fist. “You have done right by my house,

“Yes, they will,”

all of yours, will be heavily guarded and

protest. “Thank you for giving me a chance, Margrave Reinhardt. I’m eager to talk to Stain and Elias once

Margrave said bitterly, “My son isn’t here. Nor is Veladrien… or as you call him, Stain. But I’ve been in contact with him through Helmuth. Things…”

raised a

#####

where they would be residing, what he learned was harrowing. The plague, which Argrave had been certain would remain in the northwest, was ravaging the south at an alarming

further and further out of place, Anneliese…” he whispered, sitting beside Anneliese as she rested in bed.

out as she stared

up his head and looked at her.

flinched in surprise.

“Forget about

fine,” she shook her head at