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.

icy blue eyes and manufactured smile. Memories came back… and Argrave might have

somewhat ceremonial suit, with tassels of gold on the shoulders and gemstones for buttons. He had long sleeves. It was far from anything used for combat. Argrave studied his hands—three rings, no

all three rings are enchanted, plus the necklace. Assume he’s got plenty of spells on hand—defensive and

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

could

had father’s eyes, and now you’ve ruined that with some… freakish things.” When a silence set in, he laughed.

somewhat surprised by the question—Induen didn’t

take a walk?” Argrave

walk,” Induen reiterated, clenching his hands together a

a reaction from Induen. “There’s an old fountain just outside town. Dried up, but it’s a pretty

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 residential district. If things weren’t clean, and Argrave and Anneliese start using B-rank spells, coupled with the royal knights… people might die. Induen or his royal knights might

His gaze jumped around. “This is that tribal… and

Durran joked, holding his glaive like a walking stick at his side. His hand hovered near

Anneliese far too long for his comfort, and then jumped back to

Argrave, walking down the street. His four royal knights hurried after him, and Argrave watched them for a bit. Induen turned,

decrepit fountain waited. It was a grand, giant bowl that had once been filled with water spawned by

Argrave called out, standing a decent distance away from Induen as he sat on the edge of

crossed one leg over the other. “I brought your armor. The one Orion had custom-made for your companions.” Induen

Argrave, caring little in light of

also sent Orion with a document bearing my magic signature,” Induen continued. “It petitioned father for legitimization. Yours, namely. You’d be named Prince

that, Induen tilted his head back and smiled.

passed through their party, and Argrave said nothing as he thought of what this meant. “Usually you hit me before giving me nice things,” Argrave

he said hesitantly. “I

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

about by the nose,” Induen

Argrave frowned. “By whom?”

intending I give it to you. She constantly stoked my anger against you. Yet now… she got heavy handed. She’s been driving me against you since

Argrave frowned.

now,” Induen said quickly. “You travel from place to place, achieving things that are… obscure.” Induen tapped his temple.

cogent as he sold it to be, but he was

a lot easier ways to do it than by using you,”

A kinslayer—there are few worse crimes in Vasquer. This rebellion… people wouldn’t attack me in Dirracha so

it, Argrave thought there might have been some truth to his claims. It was only a nugget of truth amidst misinformation,

up off 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

stepped closer, Argrave maintained a cautious distance. Induen

know you 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. “Mina of Veden. She stalled me by your directive,

deep breath, Argrave gave a