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.”

teared up. “But they always do. Even Gwiffin. Mister Argwave…

to break it to you, kid, but your dad isn’t so tough.” Argrave lifted up Sophia, dispelling the ward. “I could take care of him by

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

around Norman. He was relieved to see they faded by the second—they weren’t properly tethered to Norman. The first bit would

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. One by one, you’ll come under my

him works on fine,” Argrave conveyed, ignoring his mad ramblings. “I’ll cast a spell on you, then distract—you ambush. Be aware—he’s

it was a partial invisibility he was sure would work

walked closer until he was about five feet away from the king. “Thanks

Argrave was adorable.

“It has. You just

the club. The king was caught off guard and staggered backward, but the moment

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. They faded

if

than defend Good King Norman, 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, and Argrave felt his blood echo’s presence immediately vanish the moment the white figure

it now,” the king shouted joyfully.

blood was never anything to stop King Norman. He

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 foot backward. Norman grasped air, and Argrave again slammed the club into his face. Orion planted both feet against

Orion’s hand and used [Worldstrider]. It was costly, but only with [Worldstrider] could Argrave teleport more than just himself. 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

injure perfection. You may be someone where you

said, holding Orion from moving. “What are you

walked closer slowly. “I could talk about

restraining Orion even as he wished desperately

your only option for freedom shall be by her hands. You will beg for death. And sweet, fragile Sophia will be the only one I will allow to grant it to you. She won’t kill you. For days, weeks, months, years, she’ll refuse. And when you still live, your very life itself turned to pain unending, you will see

sighed and shook his head. “I really

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] wracked Good King Norman right in

damaged as Argrave recalled him being from the first attack of that kind. Argrave clenched the club tightly in hand, walking close with

splendid display, King