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.”

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

knows besides me.” She shook her head, then looked up at Argrave. “I thought I changed a

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

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

conjured a ward that the three

the elven woman you brought from

he nodded. “Her name is Anneliese, in case you forgot. And yes, for all intents and

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

him feel much worse than he expected. The fact that Mina was desperately trying to stop herself from being emotional about it made it strike all

whom you spend the

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 and history,” he pointed to the books around the

was covered by a mask and shook her head. Argrave was still sure he saw

your spurned lover, and so he divulged everything about you two,” she shook her head. “He was trying to turn me against you, I

lifted his head up and nodded, face blanking as his half-brother’s name came out once more. Argrave spared a

he and ‘Argrave’ had no animosity between the two of them. It was clear to him that something needed to be done about this. He just wasn’t

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 masks… keep your health up…” he stepped around, searching for

at Argrave. “I figured you might have some answers about

we ought to spend some time catching

#####

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

feel less guilty, of course. He felt like he’d ruined something. He didn’t tell Mina, but he resolved

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

what he’d done to do so. That took up the bulk of the conversation, and though Argrave felt it was a

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, one of his long-term goals to propagate information

wetland spirit Silvic. He gave her a spare Humorless Mask of Anneliese’s.

he was finally alone with Anneliese,

was scared, terrified earlier?” he asked

“Desperately so,” Anneliese confirmed.

half-hoped Anneliese would interject. She always had bright ideas—things that he’d missed, perspective he lacked. But she stayed silent, offering no

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

then? Or the other brother you mentioned, Levin? Even Felipe?” Anneliese continued

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

Anneliese nodded. “Yet

of thing…” Argrave rubbed his mouth with his hand,

looked at him