Jackal Among Snakes

Chapter 178

There were a few reasons that Argrave had chosen to come into Orion’s hand and collaborate with him. The first was that the Prince did genuinely intend to combat the waxpox and nothing more. He had no ulterior motives, no sinister plots—nothing of the kind. He was dangerous, to be sure, but Argrave was sure he could avoid drawing any of Orion’s ire. The man was quite tolerant as long as one avoided the sore points. What’s more, Argrave wasn’t sure he could succeed without Orion’s help.

The last thing Argrave had been expecting was to deal with another Vasquer in the northwest.

Magnus’ sharp gray eyes scrutinized Argrave and those that had come with him as he drew closer.

“Magnus,” Argrave greeted. “Had no idea you were here.”

The prince looked at him. Argrave had grown used to people being taken aback or even flinching when gazing at his miscolored eyes, but he showed no such aversion. Argrave willed himself to see the magic around, and Magnus’ figure swirled with black gaseous magic. Argrave judged him at well into C-rank—it matched with his knowledge of Magnus within ‘Heroes of Berendar,’ fortunately.

The prince entirely ignored Argrave’s greeting, turning to Orion. “I think we family should take some time to speak in private,” he suggested. His voice was apathetic yet firm as ever, and he spoke quietly to avoid drawing the attention of the crowd behind him.

Argrave tensed at the suggestion. He did not wish to be isolated from his companions. Orion alone was no trouble—if he wanted Argrave dead, they probably wouldn’t stand much of a chance—but Magnus was the wildcard.

Orion took his hand from Argrave’s shoulder. “Indeed, perhaps it should be so.”

“My companions are like my family,” Argrave interrupted at once. “I trust it’s no trouble if they come?”

“But they don’t share your blood,” Orion noted coldly. “Indeed, only one shares your species... it is good you are open-minded, as many of our ninety-six gods extoll that as a virtue, but blood is blood. Blood is sacred.”

Argrave looked back at his party. A plan quickly formed in his mind, but he hesitated to go through with it. He locked gazes with Anneliese.

It’s prudent. And she’d be upset if I keep trying to shelter her.

Argrave turned his head back, taking a deep breath. “You’ll at least allow my fiancée to accompany me.”

Magnus turned his head away, expression unchangingly cold, while Orion’s whole face seemed to light up. He stepped up to Argrave and grabbed his shoulders, pulling him in. His whole party was uneased by Orion’s actions.

“Is that her? Wearing the mask?” Orion whispered into his ear, staring at Anneliese. He hunched down and stared over Argrave’s shoulder.

“Yes. Her name is Anneliese,” Argrave confirmed just as quietly.

“I am embarrassed to admit I do not know her,” he continued.

“It would be more surprising if you knew her,” Argrave pushed Orion away a little. “We met recently. I made this choice on my own, as is my right as a baseborn.”

one fist over his heart, bowing deeply. “Greetings, lady Anneliese. I am Argrave’s brother, a faithful devoted of the gods… and Prince Orion

you,” she

maintain that pleasantness,” he continued, straightening from his bow. “You

at Argrave. “Yes, Argrave and I are…

Even if you may never bear the name of

Argrave. “Come,” he commanded, voice cold, as though whatever warmth he’d displayed

and Anneliese strode

“Fiancée?” she questioned.

and exhaled. “Does this bother

she crossed

I know this isn’t a particularly romantic way of going about this, but this is what I want. Let me ask you seriously. Want to

gathered herself. “Of course I want to. But now is not the time to be lost in these matters. I certainly wish to discuss this more, but for now… Magnus—he is

a fitting description for him altogether,” Argrave nodded, refocusing himself away from

Durran gave him a little wink. “Good luck. Seems all

finger before he could say something that might provoke the large crowd still around them. Argrave gave them both a nod, then departed with Anneliese just

rundown,” Argrave said quietly, following where his two brothers had left. “Magnus is the wildcard of the family. He doesn’t care for power, wealth, or his

me to try and discern why

comes up, yeah,” Argrave

in flux…” she shook her head. “And

nodded, agreeing fully. “Exactly what I was going to suggest. Read me like a book, as usual. You…” he felt a strange surge in

the room of the keep that Orion and Magnus had disappeared into. It was a bedroom, where most of the furniture had rotted away. A new table had been set up in the center to accommodate many different documents, splayed out haphazardly. Two Waxknights stood guard inside

entered. They obeyed quickly and unquestioningly, moving past their pair and shutting the partially

stared at Anneliese, and Argrave walked to block his line of sight. He locked gazes with Argrave, and then

for Anneliese to remove it. She did for a moment, then put it back on just as

said without much inflection. “Queer choice

close the

Orion said. “Imagine if you hurt either of them with those words.” He clenched the back of Magnus’ neck tightly, making the man squirm. “We don’t hurt family. Though men forget, there are ninety-six gods in our pantheon, two of whom are patrons to elves. I will not tolerate intolerance, least of all from a member of the royal family. Be a better example to our youngest,” he finished, leaning in. His grip released, and Magnus fell to

Argrave realized, gaining some sympathy for

question, Argrave phrased it differently, directing it towards both

two been

as he pulled the fallen prince back up. He bent down and personally

nodded, then

me to know,”

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