Jackal Among Snakes

“It’s safe,” the Alchemist declared. A bird landed on his huge finger. His druidic bond had scouted the whole of the crematorium. “Nevertheless, watch the shadows.”

Argrave descended down into the crematorium, shadowed by Anneliese and Galamon. The Alchemist was the last to follow, ducking low and compressing his body to avoid the low-lying roof. They weren’t the only ones present, however; nearly all of Argrave’s most potent forces had been brought to bear, but remained outside. If Traugott was within, he wasn’t going to escape.

Once inside… Argrave smelled blood. The scent was thick enough to be nauseating. He looked to the Alchemist. “You’re sure we’re safe?”

“Only the dead within, along with some animals. I saw nothing mortal,” the Alchemist confirmed, then cast a spell to light the way.

Argrave considered having Anneliese perform another scouting journey. Ultimately, he left the matter to the Alchemist’s discretion, yet kept in mind that terrible scent as he proceeded. Looking right and left, there were large pits of ash covered by glass in recesses along the pathway. Flowers, jewels, and gemstones had been placed atop the translucent covering. Each of the pits had a plaque next to them. Entire families were buried here, joining their ancestors in death. The people of the Great Chu believed the dead could get lost without their ancestors to guide them to the heavens—as it was in life, so it was in death; one’s parents taught the way of the world.

Some of these pits, however, had been opened. Ash—and fresh ash, which was apparent just by looking at it—overflowed out of many. There were small puddles of blood dotted all along, and Argrave saw crematory pits that had been used not too long ago. When they finally came to the central room, Argrave began to make sense of where the thick smell of blood came from.

There was a large pit in the center, with an iron grate instead of glass like all the others. The plaque before it was giant, and told that those cremated here were those without a family that still deserved the guidance of the dead. Now, however, it was a muddy slush of ash and blood that made Argrave’s stomach uneasy. It wasn’t immediately apparent where all of this blood had come from.

Argrave rubbed at his nose, then said angrily, “We should turn back, stop indulging this fucking psycho. I don’t want to play these mind games. Nothing he can say can be worth enduring this.”

“I’ll proceed alone, then. I have some questions.” The Alchemist stepped onto the grate, looking back as if daring Argrave to comply with what he’d said.

Argrave was sorely tempted to turn around and leave. But ultimately, the Alchemist’s insistence and his own desire to put an end to whoever would do something like this spurred him forward.

As they continued onward into the next pathway, it became evident where all of the blood had come from. Body parts lined the shelves and dotted the floors. They were each and all incredibly similar to one another, almost repeating infinitely. Though he had an inkling of whose they might be, he soon had confirmation when he saw the Good King Norman’s head on a shelf, red eyes staring forward lifelessly. No one had the gall to speak in this place. Even the Alchemist seemed silenced by this horror show, but no words needed to be exchanged. They all knew.

This place, without a doubt, was Traugott’s workshop.

in his head—at the front of the crematorium, Traugott had

These people, what with the war going on… they’d never stood a chance against the former Magister of the Gray Owl. He must’ve killed hundreds, maybe thousands. All slipped beneath the cracks, squeezed between two sides. Another consequence of

eyes stared at the ceiling, at the walls, at the floors. Some were skinny or fat. Some were muscled or flat. Some gaunt, some tall, some short, some black, some hunchbacked… but each and

Norman himself had experienced each of these lives. That was the easiest way to press on, amidst the misery of it

“Roh! Rogh roh!”

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the Norman’s was buried beneath bodies, alive… and

here,” Argrave looked

an animal,”

it possesses an animal’s soul.” Anneliese kneeled, looking around. “I’ve seen nothing

Argrave looked back at the thing. It had been acting like an animal moments before, yet now… he saw cunning in those red eyes, and it looked around, surveying the

Wonderful,” the dog-Norman said, and Argrave

as she stepped back with him, clenching her hand

stepping between

soul of an animal… but I shouldn’t brag. You figured it

see her people’s magic be used for something not

bodies atop him aside. “Or rather, if you would come. It was a far-fetched plan, but I knew you couldn’t ignore the sight of this man. You have a history with Norman. I’ve come to know the man better than you do, I should think. His daughter, Sophia… his son, Griffin. You seemed

scent of blood and the voice of this person. The words of Traugott,

wearing Norman’s shell, rose to his full height. “So admirable, in fact, that I decided to ask you something, before I asked Erlebnis. I have no

helped you get that shell on the opera stage.” Argrave tried to take things in stride, but he couldn’t deny he

what he was good for, and now I intend on casting him aside. Just like you, no? He blessed

you cast him aside?” Anneliese pressed, her grip on her staff firm