Jackal Among Snakes

Of late, Argrave had been perfecting the art of looking unapproachable. Having become a trending figure for his recent deeds and already being taller than near everyone around him, he attracted people to him like nothing else. He’d rather avoid people when he was as busy as he was. The fact he was infamous for murder helped with looking unapproachable, fortunately, as did Garm’s black and gold eyes.

When Argrave saw a woman he did not recognize skulking near the doorway to his room, he approached quietly and made his voice deeper than it normally was. “Can I help you?”

The woman jumped, then looked up at him, shocked. “I-I… I came here looking for you.”

“Why is that?” Argrave kept a stern face.

“The application for… for your status as High Wizard has been approved. Em—and… and for one ‘Anneliese.’ A conclave of High Wizards will witness you cast a B-rank spell, and then interview you about magic. The details are here,” she said, handing off a rolled scroll quickly as though it were aflame.

Argrave looked down at the scroll as the woman hastily left, then smiled and pushed open the door.

#####

“Quite a hefty list of Magisters,” remarked Argrave as Elias stood before him, waiting for his thoughts. “Very good. Well done,” he complimented Elias.

“The hardest part was just getting them to agree to meet,” Elias shook his head.

Argrave nodded. “If these people pay attention, they know you’re associated with me, and would know why you want to meet. The Magisters that stay in the Tower are two breeds—ones interested in Order politics, or ones interested in Order scholarship.” Argrave tapped the paper with his hand. “This mental categorization matches up well, it would seem. The scholars could care less about me. Once again, well done, Mina, Elias, Galamon,” he thanked each in turn.

“What now?” Mina crossed her arms. “Play them against each other, try and get the best service?”

Argrave wagged his finger. “Not a chance. I can’t afford information leaking about my plans. Even with an S-rank mage as an escort, I need to obfuscate my movements. Vasquer can and will tear me apart if Felipe gets a read on my path.” Argrave held up the paper. “The fellows here on this page? They’re snakes, each and all. I have to choose well, elsewise I’ll find myself wrapped by a python after they sell me out.” Argrave turned the paper back towards himself, gaze growing distant as he thought. “Anyone know when—”

The door to the room opened, and Argrave turned his head quickly. Anneliese and Nikoletta entered.

“Good timing,” Argrave complimented. “Have fun?”

Anneliese stepped closer. “It was an enlightening outing.”

“On two counts, I bet,” Argrave nodded. “Look at this, Anneliese. I’ve got an approval of our advancement test to High Wizard, and a list of opportunists. Considering you’re an Honorary Wizard only, it seems your advancement stands to be a bit different.” Argrave walked to the scroll he’d been given earlier and held it up, double-checking.

thought

rerolled naturally. “Sure. Right now, I think

my thoughts on each,” Elias raised his

sure,” Argrave nodded, though internally he was thinking about the fact that Galamon had gone

any initial ideas?” asked Anneliese, coming

took a deep breath. “Maybe Mina’s had a

her arms defensively when her name was brought up

“I’m thinking… maybe two of these meetings coincidentally happen at the same time. And maybe two of these Magisters just so happen to have a

Elias frowned.

Argrave looked down at

delicately, “You want to put two S-rank mages who

dismissed without worry.

of someone who was about to force

#####

large, ornate marble chamber. All the marble was black, veined with gold. It was a rectangular building, and all of the walls were decorated with giant statues of silver, candles at their feet. The ceiling was large and open, a grand image painted across all of it. If one were to follow it, one could see the tale of Vasquer’s founding; Felipe I riding aback the great snake Vasquer, his legion of snakes combatting an army of elves while the 96 gods of Vasquer

large granite coffin rested. Black roses budded around the edge of the coffin, their stems bright gold. A banner of Vasquer hung over the coffin’s lid. All gathered bore Vasquer ancestry, though some to a lesser degree than others. Two in particular stood above the crowd, both because

beside the king, his face displaying his anger undisguised. The king, with his long black beard and longer

him,” Orion said. “A private funeral with only family does

not sully the name of Vasquer by making royal funerals more common than celebrations in Dirracha. Induen will have a

as someone new entered.

receive Induen’s body,”

held his hand up and conjured a ward, blocking off their conversation to nearby people.

“Well… it is…”

fool searching for kindnesses,” Felipe

was badly dismembered—both hands severed, leg hanging on by a thread of flesh. Moreover, no one within the town retrieved the body,

away tears after hearing the description. Felipe

will be displayed in his

is not dead,” Orion

be saved. Best to end