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. “But they always do. Even Gwiffin.

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 myself. Anne,” he called out. “Keep her safe.

walked up to Argrave and received Sophia carefully. He looked into her amber eyes—there was concern, yes, but resolve and trust as strong as he’d ever seen. King Norman was blissfully unaware of what would happen next, evidently. Anneliese,

studied the floating white figures around Norman. He was relieved to see they faded by the second—they weren’t properly tethered to Norman. The first bit would be an endurance game until magic could again harm

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

distract—you ambush. Be aware—he’s about as strong as Mozzahr was, maybe a little more. Aim

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 sure would work on Norman that allowed for freedom of movement. And more importantly, the non-magical Orion would

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

tilted his head like Argrave was adorable. “Plan away. It’s never changed anything

“It has. You just

king was

dance began. Argrave teleported about the courtyard, dodging the king with the use of his blood echoes. It was infinitely easier with 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

been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the

as one approached Orion—another headed for one of his blood echoes.

king shouted joyfully. “You never truly

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 head with both hands, and his indomitable brother actually grimaced in pain as the king squeezed. Orion

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

grabbed 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

The king smiled broadly. “You cannot injure perfection. You may be someone where you

moving. “What are you

Norman walked closer slowly. “I could talk about it for hours, my little jezebel,

nodded, restraining Orion even as he wished desperately to advance.

you’ll be her first kill. I will maim you, day by day, hour by hour… and 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 why I hate her

shook his head. “I really do know

Norman 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] wracked

there. He was every bit as damaged as Argrave recalled him 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

splendid display,