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.”

just don’t want Argrave to forget who he’s helping,” Mina said. “This 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. “No

the door. Anneliese and Argrave walked side by side and strode up to

to Silvic, meaning we’re soon to start planning the expedition. A week, maybe a bit longer, and we’ll

Argrave. “I’d best be

head in a slight bow. “Once again,

bench. “You’ll pay me back in more than just words,

grew serious. “I know the gravity

her yellow eyes on his, then seemed to shudder from a chill. She

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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 into the stone

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

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

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

gave me a cartographer who once resided in this land in the form of a refugee—once I spread the word maps were needed, this was delivered readily.” Orion

far 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 once

tear a man apart with ease roam the swamps, and poisonous creatures abound.” Argrave gestured towards the wetland spirit. “Silvic can aid us in travel, but this is still enemy territory. And I do mean

his beard as Argrave spoke. When another talked, his

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

gave slow nods that seemed more contemplative than anything. He looked

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

tilted

child, whom you murdered in cold blood,”

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

two Giantkillers on his belt. Argrave fixed him with

not so large. How long you do believe this journey will

the middle of them, they’ll swallow you whole,” Argrave said seriously. “The only places vaguely hospitable are the

reside in and the one this Jester resides in… six fortresses. Will

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