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 meeting?

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

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

back. “He’s from one of the southern tribes. Son of a chieftain, actually. And yes, you’re not mishearing things,” Argrave continued, falling into his practiced suave rhythm. “He’s from the southern tribes. Meaning I’ve been in the Burnt Desert these past… well, it’s been a while. Two

now—don’t touch, though,” Argrave cautioned, pointing to his eyes. It wasn’t the full truth, but it was the easiest example to use in this conversation. “I came to get these eyes, among other things. It’s a very long story, and I won’t bore

eyes retaining their cold glare. Eventually, his head

the Low Way of the Rose,” Argrave answered quickly, anticipating the question. He let his answer hang in the air, even though he already knew what he was going to say

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

perhaps trying to

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

he knew, Stain was here, and he was certain the man would be abreast of most happenings throughout Vasquer. He could learn news of

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 the Low Way, that doesn’t mean what you’ve explained here is true,” Reinhardt

“I helped Elias, didn’t I? I secured that betrothal with Jast, helped your whole

daughter. Did you help her, too?” the Margrave said, dead-eyed

face fell. That wasn’t the sort of thing he had a response ready for. A

said quietly, keeping

as he clenched the pommel of the sword on his belt tighter. “You always maintained it was

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. “And if your daughter is willing to accept it, I would

grip tightened on his sword’s pommel further, and then relaxed.

to 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 my house, and I wronged

brightened. “Yes, they will,” he confirmed

make the same mistakes as last time, however. You, and all of yours, will be heavily guarded and watched.” Reinhardt’s gaze wandered

for giving me a chance, Margrave Reinhardt.

Elias. Argrave was perplexed for a moment before the Margrave said bitterly, “My son isn’t here. Nor

raised a brow

#####

or so before he and his companions were taken away to 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

beside Anneliese as she rested in bed. He

she pointed out as she stared up at the

lot of my confidence…” Argrave lifted up his head and looked at her. “…comes from knowing what’s going to

his ribs, and he flinched in surprise. “Does

it’s—” Argrave paused. “Forget

fine,” she shook her