Jackal Among Snakes

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.”

deeply.

is pleasant to meet you,” she said after

endeavor to maintain that pleasantness,” he continued, straightening from his bow. “You are my brother’s

Argrave. “Yes,

if you may never bear the name of Vasquer… you will still be my sister-in-law. Such an

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

and Anneliese strode

“Fiancée?” she questioned.

deep breath and exhaled.

she crossed

want. Let me ask you seriously. Want to get engaged?” Argrave shifted, then added, “I’ll understand if you say no—even if we get along extremely well, it has been a brief time since we met. The last thing I

flushing from behind the Humorless Mask, but she quickly gathered herself. “Of course I want to. But now is not the time to be

a fitting description for him altogether,” Argrave nodded, refocusing himself away from the sweetness and light. “Galamon, Durran… you’ll wait here, cause

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

Durran with a flick of his finger before he could say something that might provoke the large crowd still around them. Argrave gave

left. “Magnus is the wildcard of the family. He doesn’t care for power, wealth,

try and discern why he is

comes

constantly in flux…” she shook her head. “And he wears them on his sleeve. As such,

a book, as usual. You…” he felt a strange surge in his chest, an overpowering positivity that did away with all of his negative

could not see Anneliese smile behind the solemn white mask she wore, but Argrave saw her cheeks move and knew she did. They entered into 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.

knights—leave us be,” Orion directed before Argrave had even fully entered. They obeyed quickly and unquestioningly, moving past their pair and shutting

his line of sight.

then gestured for Anneliese to remove it. She did for a moment, then put it back

said without much inflection. “Queer choice for a

seen him close the distance. Magnus staggered, coughing, but Orion held the back

in our pantheon, two of whom are patrons to elves. I will not

of family camaraderie, Argrave realized, gaining some sympathy for his

had ignored him the first time he asked this question, Argrave phrased it differently, directing it towards both Orion and

two been here together?” Argrave stepped

ago,” Orion said as he pulled the fallen prince back up. He

nodded, then

to know,” Magnus