Jackal Among Snakes

Their party was soon to depart on foot to First Hope from Quadreign. When Argrave had gone there originally, he’d come with only Vasilisa and her personal companions. Now, he returned with a relatively vast force of spellcasters—well over four hundred, all expertly trained and with vast reservoirs of magic. On top of that, he’d secured Vasilisa, Vera, and Hegazar as steadfast allies. But rather unexpectedly…

Svetlana of Quadreign stood before Argrave, her bags packed. Another was by her—Ganbaatar. He had no such luggage, only his blades.

“You don’t want to stay with your mother?” Argrave asked Svetlana.

“Of course I do,” the woman responded at once. “But this is work. And work isn’t doing what you want, Your Majesty. My mother wants me to stay by your side and help you where I can.”

Argrave held his hand out to stop her from talking, then pointed to the white pile of hair atop his head. “I’ve got the wig on. Call me Silvaden,” he reminded her. “Well… alright. I can think of some things I could use you for. But you, Ganbaatar. You’re coming too?”

“I intend to depart shortly after we head back south. I think it would be best to travel with you for a brief while longer,” the elf nodded.

Argrave nodded. In truth, he did want to enlist the elf. Well, the journey was to be a long one… and doubly so when they first needed to find a way to transport a bear and over four hundred men and women. He turned away from Svetlana and looked out across his large force of spellcasters, newly acquired. They were a mismatched bunch, and uncoordinated… but nothing could be done. Each was potent enough to kill hundreds on their own, provided no other spellcaster interfered.

All these new spellcasters heeded Diana’s words, which in turn meant Vasilisa’s. The prospect of gaining access to the Flame of the Tenebrous Star was too appealing for them to show any disobedience. It was a relic of the legendary Queendom of Quadreign, a nation which only fell to Vasquer because of a betrayal. Some had benefitted personally from the flame in the past, yet others only knew legends. All knew it was returned, and all knew that Argrave had facilitated it. Still, none knew that he travelled among them. And he intended to keep it that way.

“Let’s move, then,” Argrave declared. “I’d like to get there quickly.”

#####

Drawnwaters into obedience to the new regime, yet it had other purposes as well. Argrave checked in with progress there, ensuring everything advanced as he wished. After, they secured passage on a boat, cutting through the North Sea to a settlement further south. As Argrave suspected, it was troublesome getting passage for a giant bear and four hundred men. They had to wait a day for a suitable vessel—a day

walking, but sailing was faster by a large degree. Regardless, their destination was deep inland, and they made harbor at a small village

if it was possible, securing future healing for Elias and his sister. Vysenn

rich, and able to house life in abundance. Yet deeper within, beyond the verdant hillsides, there was a stark black formation billowing smoke: a cinder cone, the remnants of a prior eruption from the active

active volcano did not make Vysenn so unique, though—Argrave had read about Cerro Negro and Kikhpinych, the two volcanoes that inspired this place. Such a geological formation was not so far diverged from that on earth.

gigantic cinder cone was in sight, Argrave went to find Vasilisa at once. As soon as they were out of earshot, Argrave

her eyes. “Everyone knows about this place, Ar—Silvaden. Barbarians roam the hills, the air itself kills

exactly roam as I please in this place, and there’s a culinary masterpiece that might raise my Michelin star rating if I put it on the menu. It’d be best if I get this

to handle things personally in the north, leave Quadreign to go

not like that, but…” Argrave trailed off when he realized Anneliese was staring at him. “Well, maybe it is like that. You can rest assured—please, lead these people far, far and away from Vysenn. We’ll rejoin when we’re done. Don’t worry. Elenore knows this

it, stopping

the bear slices of meat from a moose that he’d hunted. Argrave’s Brumesingers nestled atop its back, enjoying the warmth of its fur. Maybe it was Argrave’s imagination, but he felt both Galamon and the bear seemed somewhat happier in recent days. There were cat

black beast, Galamon vouched, “The bear will

looked to Anneliese for confirmation. She, too, nodded decisively. “Who

#####

and wore a mask over her face. The man across from her was unusual in appearance. His skin was like alabaster—white and glossy, it didn’t even appear to have the texture of skin. This made the paint he bore

people might be a bit heavier,” Georgina said. “The