Jackal Among Snakes

“If the guy who helped us with the Iron Giants and Dario are one in the same… well, I don’t feel as embarrassed as I was for looking for traps in the senate.” Melanie shook her head. “He was a master trapper.”

“That embarrassed you? I thought it was admirable. Sorry if I suggested otherwise.” Argrave shrugged.

Melanie looked back at him, hardly acknowledging his words as she continued. “Ogres occupied the place. These weren’t ordinary ogres, either—they’d been eating the cores of the Iron Giants. Though slower and sluggish than normal, their hides took monstrous strength to pierce, they felt no pain, and in death, they exploded powerfully enough to vaporize a knight in enchanted armor.” She held her gauntleted hand up, then clenched it. “In effect, Dario killed them all with traps. We were just bait to lure them. He snuck through that entire ruin, laying traps as he drafted a comprehensive plan to kill every ogre. Stealth and strategy—it was a peer to any plan I’ve seen.”

Argrave stood and thought, his mind searching for answers as to who this might be. Nothing surfaced. This man, it seemed, was another Titus. But then, he’d known Titus somewhat—the man was a dye merchant. This Dario was a complete unknown. “Enough about his ability. What can you remember of him? Of his character? Hell, what did he want? He shouldn’t have helped you without reason.”

Melanie spread her hands out. “He wanted the same thing we did—destroying the Iron Giants. He did most of the work personally, disassembling them so utterly as to be unusable.” She ran her hand through her hair, thinking. “I thought he had a grudge against ogres. He seemed to enjoy seeing them suffer, like they’d wronged him somehow. Still, I wouldn’t call him sadistic.”

“Does anything else catch your mind?”

Melanie fixed her green eyes on his. “It was a one-day encounter. He was reclusive enough that none of us even learned his name. I think that should tell you everything. Still, from the description and talents… it’s feasible they might be the same person. And your sister knows her stuff.” She looked at him. “She belongs at your side, but me? If I miss something like that, well, I’m hardly… never mind.” Melanie rubbed her eyes. “Just tired. Rambling. We done?”

“Yeah. Lay your weary head to rest, don’t cry no more.” He looked at her. She had dismissed it, but Argrave could tell something was bothering her. He spoke firmly as he said, “Listen. I haven’t known you as long as some of the others. Still, don’t think for a second that you’re not like family. Standing up to Sataistador like you did… refusing the literal godhood he promised… you’d have to brutally murder someone I care about for me to revise that opinion. And depending on who it was, I might let it pass. Maybe Elias,” he joked. “So rest easy. Tomorrow, another senate meeting awaits, and undoubtedly Dario’s intrigues will make themselves known.”

“Gee, dad, that’s just swell. Thanks for vanquishing my insecurities.” Melanie looked away from him. She spoke sarcastically, but Argrave thought he’d said the right things. He wished he could call upon Anneliese in moments like these. Melanie continued, unaware of his thoughts. “The king shouldn’t say those words so casually to his sworn vassal. An ambitious upstart like me might get ideas. Goodnight. Or whatever time it actually is.”

matter rest and reached for the Ravenstone. He spoke into it, saying, “It’s rather cramped in here, but I need you to watch over us in case of anything untoward occurring. Meanwhile, you can get ready for the search for Sandelabara. I think I’ll spend tomorrow

well. It’s taken longer than I’ve liked, but it seems to have gone well. The dwarves may help in the coming

a bat. With a wary glance, Argrave settled down into the sheets on the floor, and made to greet tomorrow. On his mind, looming larger than the Alchemist, was the

#####

Mundi. He thought that being in a foreign place, largely bolstered by democracy, might spare him from the constant shadowing of guards. Instead, they were guards seeking to protect from him, rather than just protect him.

Felipe’s corpse shone atop it. He was using some sort of magic to make it resonate and reach out to its kind. Now, they wandered, playing one large game

Sandelabara will actually tell us about Gerechtigkeit?”

returned after her dour spell last night. Perhaps she had been merely tired, just as she

Gerechtigkeit to this realm, enabling his continual return. The places such a tether might be—if it even existed—were

Alchemist employed illusion magic to talk peaceably. It did not fool Argrave, being A-rank, nor Melanie, wrapped in divine artifacts, but it did all others. The dwarves were not a magically blessed people, even though spellcasters could exist among their number. Argrave knew for a fact their most powerful spellcaster was

and Argrave proceeded past him briefly

you want to live,” said the Alchemist idly.

off again—faster, with direction, and Argrave followed with long strides. “Slow down, or I might need to

Argrave followed his gaze to a huge facility that he recognized well. It was one of the great stations that kept the city’s gates working, pumping magma in and out. Not only did it allow bridges

the Alchemist said. With no further courtesy, he left an illusory version of himself standing there, then

dwarven guards looked at him suspiciously. He walked up, head thinking quickly. “Say, tell me—how many people does it take to maintain that facility?” he questioned, trying to sound as curious