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.”

Mina said. “This place… these knights… it’s safe, sure, so long as you don’t step

the door. Anneliese and Argrave walked side

to Silvic, meaning we’re soon to start planning the

at Argrave. “I’d best be going,

slight bow. “Once again, nothing but thanks from

than just words, I hope. Risking life and limb for you. Let’s not

face grew serious. “I know

his, then seemed to shudder from a

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thing for Silvic to recreate the magic used to destroy

was enraged by this, it was proof sufficient for the Holy Fool that there was a conspiracy

Silvic occupied the 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 were both absent. That was either a promising

the wetlands had been arrayed atop the central table. Argrave moved it about with

of a refugee—once 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

beyond what one might expect to see in a Medieval period—though Argrave couldn’t begin to guess how, he was 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

very dangerous to traverse, especially with the waxpox writhing everywhere within. It’s not just the environment—foul beasts who can tear a man apart with ease roam the swamps, and poisonous creatures abound.” Argrave gestured towards the wetland spirit.

his beard as Argrave spoke. When another talked, his gaze jumped

“It would facilitate ease of travel, ensure that gathering food is

looked at Argrave and questioned, “The enemy—what foul manner of beasts

don’t suspect we’ll be on dryland often. The greatest enemy will be the Sentinels of the old wetland spirits—they’re all manners of beasts, natural-born chimeras in part, but they’re only in the deeper portions. Beyond that, there are manticores, blacksnout alligators, rockhide hippopotamuses…” Argrave shook his head as he recalled the most obnoxious two of all.

Orion tilted

you murdered

broke my right gauntlet and

Galamon give Orion a frigid glare, hand hovering near the two Giantkillers on his belt. Argrave fixed him with a stare of his

do believe this journey will take?” Orion questioned further. “Where is

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

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

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