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.”

this?” the Margrave questioned with a

rubbed his cheek with one hand.

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

provide,” Argrave pointed 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

I won’t 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

glare. Eventually, his head shifted in revelation, and he questioned, “How

the question. He let his answer hang in the

to say more, Argrave cut in, “If you’d like, you can confirm with the Stonepetal Sentinels that I travelled through there a little

Margrave scanned Argrave’s face, perhaps trying to discern if he

at best to send someone to and from the entrance to the Low Way of the Rose,” Argrave continued. “While I wouldn’t care for it, if it can abate your worries about me, I can stay

man would be abreast of most happenings throughout Vasquer. He could learn news of the plague, of Princess Elenore, and of

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

you were at the Low Way, that doesn’t mean

his hands out. “I helped Elias, didn’t I? I secured that betrothal with Jast, helped your whole house. Is

Did you help her, too?” the

face fell. That wasn’t the sort of thing he had a response ready for. A father who loved his children would never forget

you know,” Argrave said quietly, keeping his

of the sword on his belt tighter. “You always maintained it

sense of déjà vu as he answered, “That doesn’t change 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

grip tightened on his sword’s pommel further, and then relaxed. He raised the hand to his

his hand off his forehead and clenched it into a fist. “You have done right by my house, and I wronged you in the past by… unjustly seizing you. Your companions.

brightened. “Yes, they will,”

the same mistakes as last time, however. You, and all of yours, will be heavily

you for giving me a chance, Margrave Reinhardt. I’m eager to talk

face when he mentioned Stain and Elias. Argrave was perplexed for a moment before the Margrave said bitterly, “My son isn’t here. Nor

raised a

#####

was ravaging 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

keep getting further and further out of place, Anneliese…” he whispered, sitting beside Anneliese as she rested in bed. He hunched over his knees, staring at

out as she stared

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

and he flinched in

paused. “Forget about that. Are you

am fine,” she shook her head