Jackal Among Snakes

Argrave stood on the bridge leading to Blackgard, holding Sophia as he stared down the valley where the river rapids clashed against the rocks below. He felt that his mind was moving much quicker than its waters, at present. They weren’t in Sandelabara any longer, where its citizens lived in some sort of strange limbo. This was Blackgard, with people he’d pledged to defend walking the streets with trust in him. They had tremendous defenses here, but somehow Mozzahr had managed to breach them all, and now lied in wait.

Mozzahr was clever, and it was prudent to assume he had learned a great deal about Argrave’s character. The former cult leader would surely try and use either the people close to him, or the people that he’d sworn to protect, as a tool to force Argrave’s hand. If Argrave entered the city proper where the population was dense, Mozzahr could use and abuse that fact. Even if Argrave avoided the city, Mozzahr might cause mayhem just for the sake of forcing Argrave’s hand.

“Is something wrong, Argwave?” Sophia asked.

Yes, Argrave thought.

“No,” Argrave said. “I’m just thinking about what needs to be done in the immediate future. I want to make sure you live comfortably here, Sophia. You don’t have anyone you know.”

“I know… I know you. Do you have a home?” she asked.

Her words gave Argrave an idea, and he asked Elenore through their mental connection, “Could I lure Mozzahr to the parliamentary hall? Who’s there?”

“Me and—”

“If you’re there, forget it,” Argrave interrupted her.

“Just as well. Even barring me, we have some members of parliament here.”

With another option written off, Argrave had time enough to speak to Sophia. “I have quite a few homes, but I’m not sure which one would fit you best. Do you like the city? Do you like the countryside?”

“I… just want windows,” Sophia said. “That’s all.”

Places without windows… there’s not many here. Just a few, and they’re all built into the mountain—Artur’s Hall of Enchantment, Hause’s… Argrave’s thoughts jammed. That’s right. Hause’s temple. It’s separated from the rest of the city, it has a goddess protecting it, and has only one entrance or exit. Even if she’s not as strong as she once was, she can be counted on to defend Sophia. If Mozzahr pursues me inside, we’d have him trapped. If he tries to flee, he’ll have to use spirits to warp away, which would cause Onychinusa’s spirits to intercept and transfer him to the deep ocean. And above all, I think I can head there without rising any suspicion, should he be watching.

“Let everyone know,” he informed Elenore. “I’ll be taking Sophia to Hause’s temple. She owes me her life, and I’m certain I can trust her with this. Besides, I’m certain we’ll need her help with Sophia, long-term. Don’t spook Mozzahr. I’ll tell you when everyone else can rush in.”

was a silence as Elenore calculated things in her mind. “That is isolated enough, but you’ll be trapped with Mozzahr. I can’t communicate with Hause—she might not

Elenore’s worry, adjusting his hold over Sophia. “I won’t be trapped with him. He’ll be trapped with me. Ah—always wanted to say

your wits?” Elenore asked incredulously. “I distinctly remember you telling me

It’ll be

I’m heading to Vasquer. With

Argrave protested. “What if

here to come to my rescue. I will go, Argrave. This is me telling you what

hurt… I don’t know what I’d do. Just

windows for a little bit. We won’t be staying there very long, but there’s someone I need to introduce you to. Her name is Hause. She has a very special ability, you see. She can see someone’s

has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on

along the trail, alert as ever. Every walking figure in the distance might be

nodded. “Daddy always said I had no

lot without knowing anything,” Argrave shook his head. “Hause’s the only person in the whole wide

Sophia tensed up. “What if she sees that I’m

Argrave looked around, trying to act natural. “As a matter of fact, I can pretty much guarantee she won’t say

Sophia insisted,

change. I’ll still be there, no matter the outcome. Don’t worry about that.” Argrave examined the silver bracer on his wrist. After the fight with Norman, it had no blood left. If he was going to use [Burst], he’d need to call upon his

if I’m even worse than useless?”

saying I can’t see something precious? I say you’re precious. Do you think the

she was caught in a deep mental puzzle as her meek good nature battled against her low self-confidence. It gave Argrave precious time to indulge his paranoia, eyes flitting from the city

some beauty to it. Since Argrave had last seen it, a grand arrangement of vines growing fruits, trees rising from the ground, and flowers decorating the path bloomed at its entrance. Raven’s ex-girlfriend of a few millennia was an avid gardener and had been bestowed with supernatural ability to weave plant life. It seemed Sonia had not been idle. Sophia seemed to like

without—a little garden, blocked off from the

you here?” Sonia greeted him distantly and politely. They had no special

answered just as cordially.

her at

walked away, Argrave contacted