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.”

their little game of whether or not she would surprise him and 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 a life-threatening

“Hah. I guess it’s my world, but really, no one knows besides me.” She shook her head, then looked up at Argrave. “I

she was dodging the question because she found it painful

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

that the three of them might speak privately. Mina

elven woman you brought from the land of the snow

all intents and purposes, we are engaged. I’ve answered one of yours, now time for mine—why aren’t you at Mateth?”

bitterly, her throat seized up. “Nicky sent me away. She said that… it wasn’t right, and that

Argrave wasn’t exactly blindsided by her answer, it did make him feel much worse than he expected. The fact that Mina was desperately trying to stop herself from being emotional about it made it

sniffling once. “With a fiancée, whom you spend the whole

are brewing in that head of yours, but put them out of your mind. If

one hand despite the fact that it was covered by a mask and shook her head.

he divulged everything about you two,” she shook her head. “He was trying to turn me against you, I know. He’s a rude

face blanking as his half-brother’s name came out once more. Argrave spared

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 that something needed to be

head back to Mina. “You know, Anneliese and I spent one 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. Not yet, at least…” he glanced around the room. “You ought to wear one of these

disclosed, looking at Argrave. “I figured you might have

think we ought to spend

#####

had 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,

feel less guilty, of course. He felt like he’d ruined

the entire night. At first, 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 about the importance of proper management, and she used the lessons about order and efficiency learned to solve the refugee crisis at

it was a somewhat disdainful waste of time to recount something that had no bearing on what they were to be

something he disclosed readily. Apparently, Nikoletta had long ago informed Mina of his fight against Gerechtigkeit. He resented that Nikoletta 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,

place to stay for Mina alongside Durran, Galamon, and the wetland spirit Silvic. He gave her

things had settled, he was finally alone

scared, terrified earlier?” he asked her, sitting

“Desperately so,” Anneliese confirmed.

spun for explanations, he half-hoped Anneliese would interject. She always had bright ideas—things that he’d missed, perspective he

money, plenty of non-monetary assets. Yet…”

brother you mentioned, Levin? Even Felipe?”

terrify Magnus? And what would be their motive to have him impede me, specifically? On

nodded. “Yet what would be his

know. He could just be worthless trash, human scum, that kind of thing…” Argrave rubbed his mouth with his hand, losing himself in

looked