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.”

one was present, shut the door. “Why aren’t

you?” she questioned, then shook her head. “Hah. I guess it’s my world, but really, no one knows besides me.” She shook her head, then looked up at Argrave. “I thought I changed a lot, but you… you changed a lot,” she

waited patiently. He could tell she was dodging the question because she found it painful to answer. That

her your fiancée?” she gestured with her chin towards Anneliese. “Why are your eyes

Anneliese conjured a ward that the three of

she pointed. “She’s the elven woman you brought from the land of the snow

name is Anneliese, in case you forgot. And yes, for all intents and purposes, we are engaged.

never wrong about these things,” she said bitterly, her throat seized up. “Nicky sent me away. She said that…

fact that Mina was desperately

she continued, sniffling once. “With a fiancée, whom you spend the whole night with,

kind of twisted fantasies are brewing in that head of yours, but put them out of your mind. If there’s anything ‘heated’ going on in this room at night, it’s heated talks about magic

the fact that it was covered by a mask and shook her head. Argrave was still sure

two,”

blanking as his half-brother’s name came out once more. Argrave spared a glance at Anneliese, and she nodded as though she

It went against what he knew of Magnus—as far as he knew, he and ‘Argrave’ had no animosity between the two of them. It was clear to him

night in this keep. And… well, whatever,” he finally surrendered. “Think what you want—I can’t stop you. But why did you come here, of all places? You don’t appear ill.

looking at Argrave. “I figured you might have

taut. “I think we ought to spend

#####

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

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

they spoke of Mina’s situation. Apparently, the time she’d spent with Nikoletta and Duke Enrico in a city devoted to trade and administration had enlightened her

explain how he’d changed, and what he’d done to do so. That took 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

could not keep a secret, but Mina told no others, and it was not genuinely harmful if rumor of it did spread. It was, ultimately, one of his long-term goals to propagate information about the

alongside Durran, Galamon, and the wetland spirit Silvic. He gave her a spare Humorless

settled, he was finally alone with Anneliese, a fact he

Magnus was scared, terrified earlier?” he asked her, sitting on

“Desperately so,” Anneliese confirmed.

Anneliese would interject. She always had bright ideas—things that he’d missed, perspective he lacked.

possibilities…” Argrave 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

mentioned, Levin? Even Felipe?” Anneliese continued his

Argrave conceded. “Levin is pretty ruthless, with a certain low cunning to him. Felipe is probably too busy rallying the north and keeping his court in line, but maybe he could. Even still, once again, could they terrify Magnus? And what would be their motive to have him impede me, specifically? On top of all of that, I can’t picture how they

nodded. “Yet

Argrave rubbed his mouth with his hand, losing himself in

looked at