Jackal Among Snakes

Chapter 188

“You come from Veiden?” Mina questioned Anneliese, trying to start a conversation.

Anneliese stared out at the doorway which Argrave and Orion had left, nervously braiding and unbraiding portions of her long white hair. She answered Mina idly, “It depends on how you define ‘come from.’”

Mina placed her hands loudly on the dining table the two of them sat at. “You were born there.”

“I was born on a coastal village in Berendar,” Anneliese shook her head.

Mina frowned, then tapped her fingers against the table for a time, staring at the white-haired elf. She bit at her lips in quiet deliberation, then questioned, “Why did your people invade Mateth?”

Anneliese was drawn away from her idle braiding and turned to face Mina completely. Though silent for a moment, she eventually answered simply, “They thought it their duty.”

“They?” Mina repeated.

“I do not envision myself returning,” Anneliese replied.

Mina tapped her fingers on the table once again, then questioned, “Who gave them this duty?”

“Veid,” Galamon answered. Mina looked at him blankly, and so he elaborated, “Our goddess.”

Mina nodded, then placed her head on her arms on the table. “Of course. Naturally. There must be something higher than yourself giving you a reason to kill, elsewise people will have to confront their deeds.”

“Better for some to die now to establish a thousand years of prosperity,” Galamon disagreed at once.

Anneliese didn’t seem to have any stake in the matter. She rose and exited, walking to where Argrave and his half-brother had left.

“I don’t see how it is all that different from what someone like Orion does,” Mina spoke to Galamon.

Galamon stared down at her coldly. He was easily twice her size. “This is a pointless conversation. I dislike that man more than anyone else here, I’m certain, but I put that aside.”

place… these knights… it’s safe, sure, so long

the door. Anneliese and Argrave

rubbed them. “Orion wants to talk to Silvic, meaning we’re soon to start

looked up at Argrave.

lowered his head in a slight bow. “Once again, nothing but thanks from me,

back in more than just words, I hope.

serious. “I know the gravity

his, then seemed to shudder from a chill. She walked away, preparing to

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first interference with the introduction to Silvic to Orion, the promised proof offered to Orion was provided without issue. It was a simple thing for Silvic to recreate the magic used to destroy the fortress—it had already been

Holy Fool that there was a conspiracy brewing in

well, but they served merely as guards rather than participants in their

map of the wetlands had been arrayed atop the central table. Argrave moved it about with his fingers

I spread the word maps were needed, this was delivered readily.” Orion took a deep breath with a smile on his face, then exhaled. “Another sign the gods look upon this endeavor

Argrave couldn’t begin to guess how, he was sure magic had something to do in the map-making process.

roam the swamps, and poisonous creatures abound.”

Argrave spoke. When another talked, his gaze jumped to

group of your best men would be ideal,” Anneliese noted. “It would facilitate ease of travel, ensure that gathering food is no great ordeal, and keep

seemed more contemplative than anything. He looked

chimeras in part, but they’re only in the deeper portions. Beyond that, there are manticores, blacksnout alligators, rockhide

tilted

whom you murdered in

my right gauntlet and

glare, hand hovering near the two Giantkillers on his belt. Argrave fixed him with a stare

not so large. How long you do believe this journey will take?” Orion

and sleep out in the middle of them, they’ll swallow you whole,”

leaned over the table, planting his hands down. “Barring the one we reside in and the one this

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