Jackal Among Snakes

“What have you done?” was the question that greeted Argrave when he stepped out of the mystical elevator to the top floor of the Tower of the Gray Owl.

It had been a long, long way up to the top of the Tower, his feet fixed to a slab of stone as it maneuvered around other passengers taking similar rides, each going to the various floors in the tower. The ride was wondrous when one wasn’t expecting an interrogation at the end of it.

Argrave stepped out of the elevator and onto the top floor. “What was that?”

Castro stood before him. Whatever warmth his face usually had was gone, and his lips were drawn thin in a stern scowl. It was intimidating only because Argrave knew what the man before him was capable of.

“You killed Induen? You killed the crown prince, and you come here?” Castro pointed to the ground beneath him. “Do you have any idea the consequences—” Castro trailed off. “Why am I asking? I know you do. You have to know how much trouble this would cause for me, because it’s trouble that you’re deliberately placing at my feet.”

Argrave stared down at Castro for a few seconds as the old spellcaster stared at him in a fury. Then, he nodded. “Yes. I know.”

Castro let out one incredulous, shocked laugh. “What do you have to say for yourself?”

“Thank you,” Argrave smiled.

Castro turned and walked away in shock and awe, raising his hand to his forehead as though to ward off a headache. Argrave took the time to better examine the place.

Each of the lower floors accommodated dozens of rooms, with one central room connecting them all to the elevator. None of the rooms were especially small, and there was plenty of space within the tower everywhere; it was wide at all portions. The top floor, though… it had no other rooms. It was one grand apartment: the abode of the Master of the Tower of the Gray Owl.

Castro had decorated it to his whims. The back walls were all covered by bookshelves, and barring a giant bed well beyond king-size, everywhere else was filled with tables filled to the brims with oddities and riches. It was incomprehensibly disorganized, resembling a hoarder’s stash more than a grand wizard’s vault, yet everything within spoke of practicality instead of luxury.

In the very back, there was a small cluttering of things where he could faintly see a shadow moving. The shadow was a person’s, but the person was hidden behind a stack of objects.

Ingo is here, Argrave noted. Then Castro doesn’t think I’m dangerous.

“What is this they speak of?” Castro stepped back to Argrave, drawing him from his observations. “A legion of ghostly snakes? And don’t think to lie to me!” Castro shouted, his voice containing power belying his age. “I’m at my wit’s end with you!”

“It’s a spell. Can I demonstrate?” Argrave held his hands out, and when Castro didn’t protest, demonstrated [Electric Eel]. “An eel, not a snake. I can see how people might be confused.”

“An elemental spell. Work from the Order of the Rose,” Castro identified at once. “They always fancied using animals, other grandiose constructions like knights or… or mythical creatures.” Castro stepped away, shaking his head in exhaustion. “Argrave, you… you will be the death of me.”

“You’re a healthy man. You’ll live a while yet,” Argrave quipped.

His quip incited anger, and Castro stepped up to him. “Do you feel no remorse, no shame for so blatantly using the Order for your own end?”

“No,” Argrave said at once. “Because what I use, I’ll return tenfold.”

“Hah!” Castro laughed. “You made my tower a proxy for a struggle of power with King Felipe. How will you return that tenfold? Will you make ten kings my friend? I am not sure ten exist on Berendar, and if they did, not a one could compare to the influence Vasquer wields! Some… some thesis, you think that will compare at all? The locations of some fortresses from the Order of the Rose?”

Argrave reached into his coat and pulled out a packet of letters, handing them to Castro. “Anneliese and I put this together. It’s a collection of evidence that leads to irrefutable proof of something you’re just beginning to look into. They’re all leads you can follow up to find out the truth.”

Castro took the packet and held it up. “I don’t care what this says, Argrave.”

all die, then,”

packet. “Wait here,”

#####

do with helping Argrave…” Nikoletta noted as they walked

Anneliese confirmed. “Stain and Durran will collaborate to control public opinion in whatever limited capacity is possible confined in this tower. Galamon will go along with Elias and Mina as they talk to various Magisters in the tower, using his influence as the heir to House Parbon… and I hoped for your insights as to the constructions down here,” she said, turning to look down at the woman. “What do

to you about what to

considering you hoped to learn more about all of us, I thought it would

Nikoletta froze. “I…”

will not betray any of Argrave’s confidences, but I will answer what questions I can. And in return… you will tell me about this place,” Anneliese looked around, where

know?” Nikoletta asked

smiled. “Curiosity is an emotion, you realize. Deliberate curiosity with a motive is easy to read. From there… I tracked its source, deduced things. Your forthright support was the largest giveaway. Yet none of you are insincere, and that is the

by Anneliese. “Okay, then… let’s

Anneliese smiled. “Then, please.”

arms and gazing at the stone statues all around. “This place… it’s a catacomb. When a Tower Master dies, or a notable Magister,

statues in a new light. “Are they kept

shook her head at once. “Only their bodies

“Yet the statues…”

bodies,” Nikoletta shook her head. “They’re deeper down. The doors only open for important rituals, like naming a new Magister or Tower

floor. “Argrave told me necromancy was forbidden in the Order, and

necromancy. It’s something else,”

confirmed that personally?” Anneliese tilted

no I

defensiveness. “I do not accuse,

down here are hailed as heroes, and they agreed to be interred to further the Order. Even if it was necromancy,

your body to the Order,” Anneliese noted, then resumed

looked up to the elven woman as they walked. “Then… I’ll ask now. What does Argrave

is trying his best to ensure this world

does that entail?”

tilted her head. “Well… he preserves life, mostly. The Veidimen

why does he do it? What exactly set him

I do not know

surprised at that. “Has he not

fidgeted with her hands. “Argrave never

processed that. “Then… he

will,” Anneliese responded simply. “The elevator in

shook her head. “High-concentration, diligent work that requires a

wonder if

Anneliese was being serious, but she could not find any trace of anything besides earnest

question came to Nikoletta, yet she hesitated to say it. She swallowed, gathering her courage,