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 as you don’t step out of line. I just…” she paused, then shook her head.

the door. Anneliese and Argrave

hands together and rubbed them. “Orion wants to talk to Silvic, meaning we’re soon to start planning the expedition. A week, maybe a bit longer, and we’ll leave camp. Going to be a bloody

looked up at Argrave. “I’d best be

slight bow. “Once again, nothing but thanks

stood up from the bench. “You’ll pay me back in more than just words, I hope. Risking life and limb for you. Let’s not forget

grew serious. “I know the gravity

kept her yellow eyes on his, then seemed to shudder from

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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 inscribed

the Holy

Holy Fool’s private quarters. There were several Waxknights present as well, but they served merely as guards rather than participants in their meeting. Durran and Magnus

had been arrayed atop the central table. Argrave moved it about with his fingers and said, “It can’t have

refugee—once I spread the word maps were

sure magic had something to do in the map-making process. The borders of the wetlands were unclear, and the primary focus was the eight fortresses that had once resided in this land. That was fine. That was

just the environment—foul beasts who can tear a man apart with ease roam the swamps, and poisonous creatures abound.” Argrave gestured towards the

scratched at his beard as Argrave spoke. When another talked, his

would facilitate ease of travel, ensure that gathering food is no great ordeal,

anything. He looked at Argrave and questioned, “The enemy—what foul manner of

only in the deeper portions. Beyond that,

Orion tilted

you murdered in

nodded, unoffended by the accusation. “Yes, I recall. She broke my right gauntlet and my skin with one blow. Powerful weapons, indeed,”

two Giantkillers on his belt. Argrave fixed him with a

How long you do believe this journey will take?” Orion

factor. There are only a few safe places to shelter here. The wetlands—you try and sleep out in the middle of them, they’ll swallow you whole,” Argrave said seriously. “The only places vaguely hospitable are the abandoned fortresses—and even then, they’re overrun by the nastiest of the Jester’s servants.” Argrave stepped away from the map. “As such, we’ll

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

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