Jackal Among Snakes

There was a thin line between caution and paranoia. It was thin enough that Argrave lost sight of it completely. Maybe it was never tangible to begin with.

He felt half a fool as he wandered around Kin’s End, looking for any single person who might be a threat to him or his companions. He and Galamon scanned the building Induen stayed in from afar, checking for other people within or secret compartments where enemies might hide. They checked everywhere inside, and miles outside the town. And the conclusion?

This was likely the best circumstance he could encounter Induen.

He had only four guards—royal knights, and perhaps the finest quality in all Vasquer. All four were mages of B-rank, though low within the rank at best. Induen had not advanced to A-rank, and he was unarmored and unsupported. The only armed men in the town consisted of a militia, perhaps twenty, and all attended the wall. There were two attending Wizards of the Gray Owl, both of which manned an administrative center opposite where Induen stayed. The Tower was not accepting Acolytes at this date—they had no reason to man this place thoroughly. Even if they were Induen’s people… they were C-rank.

As that conclusion settled upon them, Argrave confronted the reality of what he was going to do. Though he spoke about putting an end to Induen permanently… the fact remained that it persisted in his mind like a dark cloud. Everything, from the irony of the town’s name to the fact he might become known as a kinslayer… it clung to him, pushing aside important thoughts.

After an hour of walking, thinking, searching… the bottom line came to him. Argrave had to face his fears for the good of the future.

He’d done it time and time again the past few months. This one, though… it felt markedly different. Maybe it was because he was premeditating a murder if he didn’t hear what he wanted to hear. Maybe it was because he had already faced Induen before and walked away with his teeth cut.

No answer came to his question as he took slow, steady steps towards the two golden-armored knights standing out front the quaint house that Prince Induen was waiting for him in. The knights caught sight of the three of them at once—Argrave, Durran, Anneliese. Galamon was elsewhere, his bow readied. Durran had the Ebonice axe. Everyone was ready for any outcome.

The knight’s eyes followed them from behind their gleaming golden plate helmets. Argrave took the lead, his finger rubbing against the enchanted ring that conjured B-rank wards just beneath his glove.

When Argrave stepped up, the two knights looked at him for a time before saying anything. He saw them focus on his eyes like they jewels then pass to his companions, evaluating.

“The prince is inside,” the royal knight on the left told Argrave.

“The bastard is outside,” Argrave returned.

The royal knight stared up at him, eyes steady.

“He’ll receive you now,” the right-side knight directed.

Argrave smiled. “You see, that’s the first mistake. Orion wouldn’t ‘receive’ me. No—I suppose that’s the second mistake. You left the windows unblocked.” His gaze jumped between the two of them. “I’m trying to recognize either of you. Were you there the last time Induen and I spoke? I can’t remember.”

Induen’s knights were so good at playing it straight that Argrave might’ve believed them if he had been bluffing.

The knight on the left side stepped forward. “You should go inside.”

“I don’t think that’s such a good idea,” Argrave said plainly.

“Why would we care what you think?” the knight on the right side stepped forward in turn.

Argrave held his arms out. “Care to find out?”

He could practically feel the tension of his companions behind him, ready to fight. Argrave himself had all of his will focused on the ring around his finger, ready to conjure something at a moment’s notice.

someone looking up at him—Prince Induen, with his icy blue eyes and manufactured smile. Memories came back… and Argrave

hair. It was an elaborate, somewhat ceremonial suit, with tassels of gold on the shoulders and gemstones for buttons. He had long sleeves. It was far from anything

enchanted, plus the necklace. Assume he’s got plenty

Induen clasped his hands together. “You ruined my surprise. You…” he stared at Argrave’s eyes. “Orion

felt like he could

Induen smiled. “You had father’s eyes, and now you’ve ruined that with some… freakish things.” When a

the question—Induen didn’t ask

we take a walk?”

reiterated, clenching his

incendiary to draw a reaction from Induen. “There’s an old

of simply killing him outright from a distance. Though he planned things to be clean, perhaps a single shot from himself or Galamon… there might be other casualties. The prince was still in a

only stood there, staring. His gaze jumped around. “This is that tribal… and your fiancée,” Induen noted, eyes landing on

glaive like a walking stick at his side. His hand

for his

after him, and Argrave watched them for a bit. Induen turned, walking backwards as if

the hill where the old, decrepit fountain waited. It was a grand, giant bowl that had once been filled with water spawned by magic. Now, it was in disrepair. Induen sat on the edge of it,

distance away from Induen as he sat on

leg over the other. “I brought your armor. The one Orion had custom-made for your companions.” Induen shrugged. “Unfortunately, my little brother is a

nice,” said Argrave, caring little in

Orion with a document bearing my magic signature,” Induen continued. “It petitioned father for legitimization. Yours, namely.

head back and

said nothing as he thought of what this meant. “Usually you

he

He adjusted his feet, taken aback. He’d never seen Induen so… compromising. He hadn’t expected to win any ground with this man—all he’d hoped for was a

by

Argrave frowned. “By whom?”

“It all started with her, didn’t it? She probably gave me Foamspire precisely intending I give it to you.

Argrave frowned. “What are

friends, agents. Mina of Veden—I thought she might be Elenore’s, but I’m certain she’s yours, now,” Induen said quickly. “You travel from place to place, achieving things that are… obscure.” Induen tapped his temple. “And then it came to

Induen was making was as cogent as he sold it to be, but he was stunned

ways

me,” Induen said. “She’s always wanted to undermine me. A kinslayer—there are few worse crimes in Vasquer. This rebellion… people wouldn’t attack me in Dirracha so brazenly. She

might have been some truth to his claims. It was

the fountain and stepped forward. “I’ve been looking for a way to sever from her… the truth is, she offers a valuable service, and she’s incredibly wealthy. The information is more important than the

maintained a cautious distance. Induen looked

have more than you let on. All I’ve heard—it’s the only way. You have information. Real, valuable information, perhaps beyond even her purview.” Induen pointed at him.

breath, Argrave gave a slow,