Jackal Among Snakes

Though Argrave was perplexed that Dario had the influence to send messengers in a nation he did not belong, he could not deny that he was intrigued to meet the person behind all of this. He greatly feared the possibility of a trap, but Melanie had the ability to extract them from just about any situation, or defend from any attack that might come their way save a massive explosion. They had endured a meeting with Mozzahr in the heart of his power—Argrave was relatively sure that they could do the same thing here.

About thirty minutes before the senate meeting was scheduled to occur, Argrave and Melanie walked out to the public square. He released the Alchemist from the Ravenstone, though directed the man to stay hidden unless any danger came to light. When they entered, the looming marble statue of Alexander stood strong as it held up the dome above them. They immediately laid eyes upon Dario. He sat on a marble bench just beneath the statue, kneading his hands together in what looked to be anxiety. When he saw them, he rose.

Dario was much as he had been described. He was perhaps six feet tall, had wild dark hair and tan skin, and a lean body. He wore a dark brown cloak over his body, concealing dark armor that had complex machinery attached. Argrave could see the mechanical crossbow on his right arm, strung but unloaded, and saw strange devices on his legs that seemed like braces… or perhaps augmenters. He could see that there was something otherworldly about the metal, but his layman brain couldn’t exactly deduce what they did. He could sense no magic from them. When Dario saw Argrave, he put his hand to his chest and took a deep breath as though preparing himself for this conversation.

“Is that him?” Argrave asked Melanie.

“Yeah.” His retainer nodded slowly, keeping her eyes on the man. “Definitely him. Has a few weird things on his arms and legs I haven’t seen before, but it’s him.”

Argrave felt the need to take a deep breath just as Dario did. “Stay alert, then.”

The two parties slowly bridged the gap to meet one another. Dario didn’t have an escort of guards the same way Argrave did, and both he and Melanie paid close attention to the man and their surroundings to be sure that nothing untoward would occur.

Argrave stopped a healthy distance away from Dario. Now that they were closer, Argrave made out some details. The man looked exhausted—his eyes were sunken and had deep dark circles beneath them, and Argrave spotted dried blood just beneath his nose. To put it simply, he looked ghoulish.

you’ve already met this lovely lady—Melanie.” As Argrave watched the man, he seemed to have some difficulty meeting Argrave’s eyes. “To be honest, I thought the first thing we’d exchange would be blows, not words. It seems like you’ve been trying to sabotage us. I hope that this has all been a misunderstanding, and we can laugh it up and talk about how best to resolve this. If you need something from the dwarves, maybe we can reach some accommodation. If you have some sort of grudge, I’m happy to hear

people in the caverns beneath the mountains of the Burnt Desert, but his were especially crimson. His voice was firm yet troubled as he said, “I shouldn’t be speaking

shouldn’t be speaking to me. What does this mean?

Let me help the dwarves. Then, return to Vasquer. Whatever you intend, please do not allow it to bear fruit. Content yourself that you averted what disaster would befall these people.” He looked around at the dwarves, and then up at the

surprised by his earnestness. He shifted on his feet, searching for an answer. “I don’t know why you’re advocating for the dwarves so strongly… but I think they have as much duty as

hurt would be far greater than the Smiling Raven or Gerechtigkeit ever achieved in their existence.” His voice was hard, yet passionate. Argrave understood, now, why he only spoke to Argrave when he knew that Anneliese was absent. And behind all

come from?” Argrave asked, engrossed. “Do you speak for Gerechtigkeit?

speak and act for one who knows,” Dario shook his head, then spread his arms

Argrave accepted that silently, theories forming in his head. “If you’re telling me that the path I’m on—trying to end the cycle of judgment—is wrong, I’m perfectly open to more information. Just help

lowered his head

to talk fine,”

you

the truth what’s

hall lay, and gestured toward it. “They learn the facts, but each of the thousand have

the truth behind Gerechtigkeit, I might not agree that it’s as big