Jackal Among Snakes

Argrave told Galamon, Durran, and the very out-of-place Silvic that he and Anneliese intended to check up on their books before rejoining the party to discuss what needed to be done. Silvic asked to bury Drezki, and his companions saw to that task alongside her so that no issues would arise with the Waxknights or other residents.

“Was almost like things correcting themselves,” Argrave mused as he pushed open the door, stepping inside. “Drezki… god damn it. Why did it have to end like that? I should’ve…”

“Should have what?” Anneliese pressed.

Argrave stopped beside the half-open door. “I don’t know. Should have known better. Should have taken measures.”

“People tell you time and time again that way of thinking leads nowhere. When will you heed that lesson?” she questioned.

“Lot easier to say that than to do it. Don’t deny you ask the same thing,” Argrave refuted.

Anneliese just grabbed his wrist, giving it a solemn squeeze. It reminded him he wasn’t the only one affected by the things that happened around him. He flashed a bitter smile, then said, “Hopefully that little display helps keep Durran cautious.”

“Durran is different than he was before,” Anneliese said. “I don’t think he will cause trouble as he did in the Lionsun Castle.”

“I definitely hope not,” Argrave shook his head, stepping within the room and glancing about. He took a mental inventory of all within. Everything was as neat and orderly as it had been left. Then, his eyes fell upon something he had not been expecting to see—a human figure, greatly distorted by illusion magic.

At once, Argrave raised his hand up and formed the matrix for a fast-acting lightning spell, the C-rank [Skysunder]. With a yelp, the person threw themselves behind Argrave’s bed, shouting, “Wait!”

Argrave kept his hand raised, but said tentatively, “Mina?”

Anneliese stepped within the room cautiously, coming to stand shoulder to shoulder with Argrave.

Mina gingerly raised her head above the bed, and Argrave lowered his hand with mouth agape. “What in the hell are you doing here?” he demanded.

“Last time it was a book, now you nearly throw a spell at me?” Mina said incredulously, rising up a little further.

Mina of Veden had changed a great deal from when Argrave had last seen her. As ever, she looked like a cat, but some maturity shone through on her face. Her once shoulder-length yellow hair had grown much longer than that, and her yellow eyes seemed tired.

“I never expected to deal with this situation a second time,” he shook his head. “I’ll ask again—what the hell, Mina?”

“I’m sorry, I am! It’s different this time. I was expecting you to come back, wanted to talk to you!” Mina said urgently.

Argrave scratched his cheek. “Yet you still use an illusion spell, just the same as ever.”

“Because I thought I’d win, this time,” she shook her head. “Gods be damned.”

snorted. Argrave stepped away and looked around, and seeing no one was present, shut the door. “Why aren’t you at Mateth?” he began, stepping back into the room. “Why are you here? Looking to follow the current trend, catch

don’t know, do you?” she questioned, then shook her head. “Hah. I guess it’s my world, but really, no one knows besides me.” She

dodging the question because she found it painful to answer. That alone was

arms crossed. “Why do people say you call her your fiancée?” she gestured with her chin towards Anneliese.

sighed, and Anneliese conjured a ward that the three

the elven woman you brought

“Her name is Anneliese, in case you forgot. And yes, for all intents and purposes, we are engaged. I’ve answered one of yours, now time for mine—why aren’t you at Mateth?” He

throat seized up. “Nicky sent me away. She

wasn’t exactly blindsided by her answer, it did make him feel much worse than he expected. The fact that Mina was

fiancée, whom you spend the whole night with, keeping

know what kind of twisted fantasies are brewing in that head of yours, but put them out of your mind. If there’s anything ‘heated’

one hand despite the fact that it was covered by a mask and

seemed to have mistaken me for your spurned lover, and so he divulged everything about you two,” she shook her head. “He was trying

half-brother’s name came out once more. Argrave spared a

knew of Magnus—as far as he knew, he and ‘Argrave’ had no animosity between the two of them. It was clear to him that something needed to be done about this.

did you come here, of all places? You don’t appear ill. Not yet, at least…” he glanced around the room. “You

“I figured you might

“I think we ought to spend some time catching up, then. It seems

#####

a long conversation with Mina of Veden. As things proceeded, all of them loosened up a great deal—misunderstandings were resolved, animosity was put to bed, and mutual understanding was established. Despite everything, Mina knew that Argrave alone could not be held responsible for Nikoletta’s choice. She appeared to be placing her position as the heir to the Duke before her own

Nikoletta’s choice didn’t make Argrave feel less guilty, of course. He felt like he’d ruined something. He didn’t tell Mina, but he resolved to repair what had been

Apparently, the time she’d spent with Nikoletta and Duke Enrico in a city devoted to trade and administration had enlightened her about the importance of proper management, and she used the lessons about order and efficiency learned to

up the bulk of the conversation, and though Argrave felt it was a somewhat disdainful waste of time to recount something that had no bearing on what they were to be doing, he did so. Not without complaint,

resented that Nikoletta could not keep a secret, but Mina told no others,

arranged a place to stay for Mina alongside Durran, Galamon, and the wetland spirit Silvic. He gave her a spare Humorless Mask of Anneliese’s. They agreed

finally alone with Anneliese, a fact he was

terrified earlier?” he asked her, sitting on his

“Desperately so,” Anneliese confirmed.

lowered his head, thinking in silence for a long while. As his brain spun for explanations, he half-hoped Anneliese would interject. She always had bright ideas—things that he’d missed, perspective

began, leading the conversation. “Elenore’s an option. A likely option, too—she has the resources to make Magnus move. Plenty of money, plenty of non-monetary assets. Yet…” Argrave shook his head. “I don’t know if she could terrify him as you mention. Magnus is…

Or the other brother you mentioned, Levin? Even Felipe?” Anneliese continued his train of

again, could they terrify Magnus? And what would be their motive to have him impede me, specifically? On top of all

“Yet what would be his motive

his mouth with his hand, losing himself in thought. As a stray thought

looked