Jackal Among Snakes

Argrave once again felt the familiar sensation of being trapped within something that was in motion. It had been a long while since he last had the experience—the movement of the living fortress was so smooth it could be likened to travelling on a train or a car.

Hegazar, Anneliese, Argrave, and Durran held their hands to the fleshy apparatus in the back of the room, siphoning their magic into the vast fortress. It had been given a series of commands sequentially and burrowed through the earth efficiently. Argrave had done this quest enough to remember the commands, fortunately—Elenore was the one to give the quest to the player, funnily enough. It felt like much of the tension had been dissolved, yet the budding nervousness of his eventual meeting with Princess Elenore was replacing it by the second.

The rumbling sensation of movement beneath their feet ended, and Argrave felt the pull of his magic end. Hegazar was the first to retract his hand.

“Looks like we made it,” Argrave said, shaking his hand off. He didn’t like the sensation of touching that thing at all. “It seems this was a worthwhile endeavor for all.”

“I wonder what Vera must be thinking,” the Magister mused, reaching down. He pulled free the ear key, holding it close to his person. “Well, it’s no matter. Time is of the essence. Collect all that I promised you, and let’s be off.”

“What will you do to her?” Anneliese questioned.

Hegazar put the ear key into the slot closer to the door and stopped, turning his head back to Anneliese.

“What business is it of yours?” He questioned, tone passive.

Anneliese shrugged and walked forwards. “I am merely curious.”

“She has many friends. I am not sure what I will do,” Hegazar shook his head. “It requires deliberation.”

“I thought you’d kill her immediately,” Durran looked impressed.

“Told you I wouldn’t already,” Hegazar shook his head. “Violence is for savages. I can get more from her alive than dead. I just need to decide what state I’d like her alive in. A captive? Who knows…” he let out a long, almost sad sigh. “She had opportunities to kill me in the past, too. She didn’t take them. Always wondered why…”

As Argrave pondered what the Magister was getting at, he spoke the key phrase for the door and it slid open. He walked out with a confident step.

#####

Their group had hauled out a great many things from the depths of the vaults, and all of it resided in the heart chamber. It was a great mound of enchanted items of varying value. Though Argrave would have been satisfied with the set of bronze jewelry he came here to get, he definitely would not protest to acquiring more valuable enchanting items. He’d have a very adept broker to sell them off to in short order, too. That, plus the other loot they’d acquired from the Archduke’s palace or Induen’s retinue.

Galamon offloaded what few books and such he held to Argrave, Anneliese, and Durran, and then stuffed everything within rather ungracefully. The more delicate stuff was wrapped, but altogether his backpack became a misshapen mass of valuables and Order of the Rose books. He had a king’s ransom in his backpack. Altogether, an extremely profitable venture. It wasn’t a flawless trip, but it was the best Argrave could scrape together sandwiched between two S-rank mages.

departed from the living fortress just after that. Hegazar left with them. Once they reached the entrance, the stone tongue folded out for them, and into a vast network of tunnels: the abandoned

from reaching the city

offered more room to stretch than this place, though, and Argrave found himself ducking just to stand. “You’re sure… there’s a way out?” Hegazar looked

stream down. Exit won’t be far. It drains off into a lake. It’s a relatively secluded place—just a few

I thought it might be. You have potential. I suppose the two of

said simply, disregarding the

illusionist turned and walked down into the lower portions of the sewer tunnel, moving quickly and steadily

his glaive firmly on the ground and leaning on it. “This

nothing more,” Argrave shook his head. “But

questioned, looking ahead into the tunnel. She cast some light

for long. Meeting Elenore is our top priority. Once we get things settled with her… we’ll

ground so that it echoed throughout the tunnel.

any guards. But I’m more worried about this than meeting Orion or Induen.” Argrave surveyed his party. “Excellent work, everyone. We’ll take a small break, then

moment. She got the message, and as the other

#####

The both of them sat just beside their backpacks, a fair distance away from Durran and

looked to Argrave. “You will not fret that things did not

Argrave shook his head. “Ever since Induen died, things have felt less… apocryphal. I still feel rushed, stressed, but

glad,”

advice helped you out,” he finally said.

leaned against

ought to be careful,” Argrave mused jokingly. “Soon enough, you’ll do everything I can, and then I’ll

do not think I

decided to bring up the things that were truly sticking in his mind. “I didn’t realize those things bothered

yes. They

to her head. “I can see why he’s bitter. Hurt. Paranoid. I don’t want to make those same mistakes. If I did something

me a lot of comfort. Above all… I know you well, and I trust you enough to respect the actions you take that we disagree

rushing water for a long while, biting at his lip. “I guess they were

out a quiet

with Elenore,” he brought