Jackal Among Snakes

“While you were gone, a development arose,” the Alchemist explained to Argrave as he stared up at King Norman, watching for any movement. “Your enemy took some inspiration from you. They’ve created a network of spirits around the exit of Sandelabara. We won’t be able to teleport outside without first dismantling it… or more simply moving past it.”

“I made that defensive network—not Argrave,” Onychinusa spoke up, annoyed. “But he’s right. If we teleport beyond Sandelabara, we’ll be whisked away to precisely where they want us to be. I have no doubt an ambush is in wait.”

“We can maneuver within the bounds of this plane,” Castro interjected. “I believe that gives us ample opportunity to escape.”

“All of you should take Sophia, get to a safe location. But I’m not leaving until this man is dead in the ground. Orion—you’ll stay here with me, we’ll fight together. Anneliese—you have to take Sophia. Alchemist—give Orion a divine weapon, and then protect Sophia like your life depends on it.”

The Alchemist reached into himself, producing a club of bone shaped like a crescent moon. He tossed it at Orion.

“There would be no greater honor than to fight at your side, Your Majesty.” Orion said smoothly as he caught the divine weapon, holding it in hand.

Anneliese called out, “Argrave, this is—"

King Norman’s patience grew thin. He dropped off the side of the castle, braced his feet against the wall, and then leapt for them with terrifying speed. But long before Norman came, Argrave had already teleported away to stand by Sophia incased in the ward.

“I’m back, Sophia. A few problems have come up. I’m going to need to give you to someone else. I trust these people with my life—they’ll keep you safe.”

Castro and Onychinusa cast powerful magic, lighting and fire respectively, yet both forces vanished when they came in contact with the white figures protecting Norman. Argrave shook his head upon seeing that. It would seem the king had inherited the magic immunity bestowed by the Heralds.

“My daddy’s trying to stop you,” Sophia stated matter-of-factly, voice trembling. She hadn’t taken off the blindfold, just as Argrave instructed.

As Argrave watched, Orion rushed at King Norman. He tried to tackle the man, and looked stunned when Norman resisted heartily with a smile on the face. He saw Norman speak when Orion stepped away. He was somewhat grateful Norman like to play with his food, if only because it gave Argrave time.

Argrave clenched his fist and said, “…yes, that’s right. But you don’t need to be worried about that anymore.”

Sophia fumbled out blindly and grabbed his leg. “I don’t want you to die, Argwave.”

“Hey…” Argrave patted her head. “I’ll be fine. I’m most worried about you. I can do anything, but you’re just a little girl. I’ll be giving you to my wife—she’ll take great care of you until I get back.”

insisted, removing the blindfold as she teared up.

lifted up Sophia, dispelling the ward. “I could take care of him by myself. Anne,” he called out. “Keep her safe. I’ll come find you—don’t come find

yes, but resolve and trust as strong as he’d ever seen. King Norman was blissfully unaware of what would happen next, evidently. Anneliese, Melanie, Castro, Onychinusa, and the Alchemist teleported away using [Worldstrider], heading into

properly tethered to Norman. The first bit would be an endurance game until magic could again harm him. But past experience told him

gone,” Norman said as Orion backed up to stand side-by-side with Argrave. “Our company left subtly. Luckily, my gluttony is uppity. To try this… to take my spawn from under my nose… my, my.

“I’ll cast a spell on you, then distract—you ambush. Be aware—he’s about as strong as Mozzahr was, maybe a little more. Aim for the

a B-rank illusion spell with one of his blood echoes—[Unknowable]. It wasn’t quite as sophisticated as the A-rank [Chameleon], but it was a partial invisibility he was

he was about five feet away from the king. “Thanks for letting us

his head like Argrave was adorable. “Plan away.

“It has. You just don’t know about

forth and slammed Norman’s face with the club. The king was caught off guard and staggered backward, but the moment

Orion’s presence. The man was a trained fighter veritably strong enough to compress coal into diamonds with his bare hands. He scored three incredibly solid blows to Norman’s face, but the king endured them incredibly well. His broken nose quickly corrected, his crushed eye reformed enough for him to regain sight… it was clear Argrave would need to use [Burst], but that was prevented by the white figures protecting him.

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two of them left his side. Argrave watched as one approached Orion—another headed for one of his blood echoes. Orion’s invisibility faded immediately,

I see it now,” the king shouted joyfully. “You never truly

the first, yet the king threw a straight jab just after. Reeling backward, Orion slammed the crescent-moon club into the king’s punch. Blood burst out—but blood was never anything to stop King Norman. He swatted the club aside, and it flew out into the courtyard. Norman grabbed Orion’s

placed one near Norman, and the other near the discarded club. He teleported near, seized the club, then teleported to Norman. He swung the club as hard as he could slammed it upon Norman’s head. Norman released one hand from Orion, grasping for Argrave, but Argrave teleported no more than a half

The two of them came to stand far away from Norman on the opposite side of the courtyard. The king jaunted forth merrily, arms held wide. Argrave studied him,

smiled broadly. “You cannot injure perfection. You may be someone where you came from—but here, in Good King Norman’s domain, you

holding Orion from moving. “What are you planning to do to

about it for

do,” Argrave nodded, restraining Orion even as he wished desperately to advance. “What terrible fate awaits

will beg for death. And sweet, fragile Sophia will be the only one I will allow to grant it to you.

and shook his head. “I really do know

had been talking, Argrave watched the white figures protecting him finally dissipated to nothing. Argrave sent out a blood echo, its palm outstretched, and cast [Burst] moments before teleporting to the spot. Norman wasn’t used to such ambushes from Argrave, and so did not defend as ably as he should have. A blood-infused [Burst]

being from the first attack of that kind. Argrave clenched the club tightly in hand, walking close with the resolve to do as he’d done once before. He would bludgeon Good King Norman to death himself. Sophia was owed that much, especially after hearing that sickening plan the king had in mind

splendid display,