Jackal Among Snakes

Riding the strange construct conjured by Magister Vera was a wholly different experience than, say, riding aback a wyvern. There, one had a visual cue—something to step upon and hold onto as it soared across the sky, even if it was a flimsy saddle and a scaly reptile. There was no such comfort from Vera’s spell, [Horizon Hunter], an A-rank wind spell solely designed for swift transportation of many people.

Argrave was suspended by thick, fierce winds as he hurtled across the vast plains. Hegazar’s illusion magic concealed their advance. The spell he used, the A-rank [Pocket of Nothing], hid much from their sight. Under its effects, it was difficult to distinguish Argrave’s fingers not two inches from his face.

Fortunately, the sense of touch was not disturbed—Argrave held on to Anneliese like she was an anchor to this dimension, much the same as she did to him. He clung on to the idea that Durran and Galamon might be doing the same thing, warding his fears away with humor.

They passed by Margrave Reinhardt’s great host and the warbands of Vasquer scattered around the Tower of the Gray Owl. Countless cities, villages, and castles that constituted a kingdom passed below them like nothing more than the road beneath a car. Everything in this world seemed so monumental on foot, near insurmountable… yet they passed it all second by second like it was nothing.

Once the wonder set in, the fear was a little less intense. Being able to do something like this… Argrave could see why the two Magisters were like they were: arrogant, self-centered. Seeing this, one thought dominated him. He wanted to replicate this. He wanted to do all of this and more. This was fun. It made him feel alive. It overshadowed some of the constant bleakness that had settled into Argrave like some parasite.

“Best keep your eyes open,” Hegazar’s voice cut in. Despite the tremendous speed at which they moved, no wind disturbed them, and all sounds carried as they might in a simple, stationary room. “You have to tell us where to disembark. Would hate to crash right into that little Dragon Palace your father makes his home. Would certainly make an awkward conversation. As much as I love to intrude on family drama, that fight might be a bit… large-scale.”

The overworld map of ‘Heroes of Berendar’ was drilled so deeply into Argrave’s head that he could place where they were in seconds. The landmarks were many and varied.

“Half an hour more, by my estimates,” Argrave returned in a too-loud shout. “It’s not the most visible thing, so we might have to search a bit. I know the path,” he assured.

If Hegazar was contented by this response, no answer came. Meanwhile, Argrave was grappling with a newfound worry brought about by Ingo’s comment.

Enemies near Elenore? Argrave thought, holding Anneliese a bit tighter. If she dies… if Elenore is gone… good lord, nearly everything falls apart. Her finances, her information, and just her damn ingenuity; if that’s lost, I’m not sure things can be salvaged.

Above it all… Argrave thought Elenore deserved better than what she had. Not all of the Vasquers got good hands dealt to them in life, but hers had to be the worst.

Shaking his head in dismay, Argrave reflected that now was no time to think of such a thing. An absent mind might let the viper find an opening—with two at his side, he couldn’t afford to think of this.

#####

“I do wonder why the Order of the Rose, with their great skill at working the earth into fortresses, might make a prominent base of theirs in a forest,” Hegazar’s ever-cynical voice cut into Argrave’s ears. “You might picture a hill… or a mountain… but who am I to wonder?”

silently,” Vera commanded him. “You’re

Magister Hegazar’s presence was like a dark cloud. They travelled along a river—if anything

finally proved itself as an

announced

the trees thinned somewhat, and the midday light rained down upon a roughly square stone just before the much larger, rounder one Argrave had seen earlier. The large gray rock was perfectly round, and smooth as a rock

though there might be a trap ahead. “Nice, smooth rock. Unless there’s a little door with a keyhole I’m missing, or an illusion that can

before the large stone. His hand hovered near it, but he shied away as though

bow in short order. “At once,” he accepted, and

this place, and she kept her distance from the small rock just as he did. Her eyes wandered the larger rock, as though

sacrifice? Quite the entrance,” Hegazar remarked, stepping to the rock Argrave stood before. His illusory body sat atop it, lounging. “Or maybe you just wanted a nice venison picnic, bathe in the sun with your little sweetheart and

before Argrave, crossing her arms and rolling up the sleeves of her gray robes. “You’re

family, I’m sure he’s had enough experience with deceit, distrust… and you fit those to

does this. He keeps everything to himself.

a little way away from Hegazar, Argrave stopped him

be able to protect you best if I know what I’m going

of him in this scenario of ‘protection.’ Evidently he

so it was a convenient excuse. When the expressions on the

“Go ahead,” Vera encouraged.

explained. “Unlike the Owl, though, Rose didn’t congregate their knowledge in one high-security place, like the Tower. Their library in the

as he explained, “Defending them, obviously, became an issue as their stores of knowledge grew larger and larger. This place… it only really

what strength?” Hegazar interrogated, his sardonic tone gone to get

artifacts, et cetera. As such… I’ll relay deliberate instructions when

warning. “When the time comes, eh? I don’t like uncertainties, Argrave. Makes me think I’m being led on,” Hegazar’s husky, deep voice

a deep breath. “We have the luxury to take the time we need. What I’ll tell you is precise—it

over his shoulder with ease. A single arrow stuck