Jackal Among Snakes

Argrave stared at two gargantuan metal slabs, craning his neck to see the totality of them. Something that was made to contain magma certainly couldn’t be humble. Cold air emanated from the two of them, and despite the general heat of their surroundings, these metal parts created a neat atmosphere in their vicinity.

To his left, there was Melanie. She looked quite apprehensive about being here, and she toyed with the pommel of her divine weapon—a black, two-handed blade of chitin that had no point. And to his right was Trifon, looking considerably dejected. He had good reason to be—the dwarf knew that Argrave had unearthed some corruption in their Dwarven Senate. That was a source of great shame for any self-respecting dwarf, and if there was even the vaguest possibility it got back to their governing body… both twins would be ruined, forever. A capital punishment would be a light punishment, most simply.

“What will you tell the senate?” Trifon asked quietly, all of his previous boisterous manner lost.

Argrave turned. He tapped the Resonant Pillar on the ground—a staff that looked to be made of jade, two rings on its points. Though he used it as nothing more than walking stick now, this weapon had helped him beat Mozzahr. “What would you like me to tell them?”

Trifon looked at Argrave as though any of his words might be a test from a god. “Well… we were sent to retrieve two who might convey this method of forging dwarven metal, and bring them back. And seeing as that’s what’s done… maybe we can let bygones be bygones?” The dwarf asked hopefully. “I would never forget the pity shown by His Majesty. I would be your humble slave.”

An idea came to mind, and Argrave looked at his companion. “Melanie, he wants us to let bygones be bygones. What do you think about that?” He talked as though the dwarf wasn’t there, just as the twins had done to him some hours ago.

Melanie caught on, and barely kept her smile at bay as she returned her part of the act. “Bygones? They want us to make both of their illustrious careers in the senate bygones? Was that our plan? I can’t remember, Your Majesty. What did we intend to do with them?”

Argrave smiled at her. It hadn’t been easy to break these two dwarves once the truth was out. They resisted their little psychological game for a long time. But once it became clear the Dwarven Senate expected these two to return with two others at tow, it was as easy enough game to rig. To ensure compliance, Kostis, the most annoying of the two, had been detained. That was not an unusual happening for envoys, and was perhaps why two had been sent in the first place.

I can be of great help to you! I can make sure that everything goes perfectly. I brought you both, but even still, you are strangers

didn’t bring both of them. This necklace contained the Alchemist, so he brought all three of them—seven, if one counted his Brumesingers. And of course, he still had his

pendant, he heard the Alchemist’s voice pervade his mind. “You waste time

voice back into the Ravenstone. “We’re waiting for the

metal, and the promise to complete the rest. The only reason that the dwarves had even considered Argrave’s proposal was because this person had not yet completed his work. They hoped to

Melanie down. He had deliberated between Anneliese and Melanie as his partner, but ultimately the mercenary’s blessing would prove more useful to them in these caverns, and

Senate. Their vast tunnels might be instrumental in securing victory against the Chu. Through them, Argrave had some hope of genuinely reaching the continent the Chu resided on. To earn passage for a whole army, though, he’d need one hell of a silver tongue. Maybe more than silver—fragile metals tended to burn

plans, and upon looking up, he saw steam jetting outward. Trifon walked up to the metal slab. “It’s… done, then, Your Majesty. The magma moat will not remain open for any longer than five minutes. I’m sure you’ll have no trouble

smiled at Trifon’s complete turnaround in demeanor. The dwarf almost seemed sweet in these

whistled, then the metal gate dropped down quickly while gaining momentum. When it hit the bottom, it rang mightily, bouncing

must’ve been a thousand feet tall. Even from here, Argrave could feel its heat. The marble could, too—it hissed, the ice on its surface melting and rising to the air as though adding dramatic effect for the pathway. On the vast, uneven caverns that marked the path of the magma, Argrave could barely eye machinery concealed in dark recesses. They

home, you think?” Melanie asked Argrave as they walked

in good nature. “I’ll have to ask my sister about that.

When they finally made it to the other side of the pathway, Argrave heard and felt rumbling. From behind, he watched as the bridge retracted back in. He was baffled that they could so completely hide it away, even having seen it before in the game. It would be kept chilled in preparation for the next passengers. If it weren’t, it would

wide metal hallway. At the end, there was another triumphal arch. This one was small, though—too small. Trifon passed underneath without issue, and then Melanie ducked low and passed beyond. Argrave had to crouch very low. He was almost certain he would’ve fallen

Rome. Caput mundi—capital of the world. At one time, perhaps it might’ve been the center of the world. But this city before them truly was the center of this world, built amidst the planet’s core. And Argrave could not deny that it truly fit the title. The orderly beauty to the marble, the impeccable cleanliness, the towering constructions, all illuminated