Jackal Among Snakes

Chapter 646

Chapter 646: True Bravery

Elenore entered into Hause’s temple, escorting Sophia urgently yet gently. After Argrave’s fight with the Castellan of the Empty, this place had been rebuilt to be one of the strongest fortifications within Blackgard, acting as something of a bunker within the city. She felt a little terrified, but she held strong with Sophia to steel her resolve.

“The first wave of combatants sent after him have fallen,” she heard, Durran’s voice piercing her head. “It’s… it’s looking to be a difficult fight. I haven’t felt this since…”

“Since when, Durran?” she asked, trying to stay calm.

“Be safe,” he told her. “I’m going to be dedicating all of my attention to this.”

The connection ended. Elenore bit her lip when he told her to be safe, thinking that he was the one who deserved to heed those words. She looked to her left, where Vasilisa stood.

“Can you take care of Sophia? I need to coordinate things on my end with various figures.”

Vasilisa nodded intently, taking the cooperative Sophia deeper into the temple. Elenore wouldn’t be of any help when it came to protecting Sophia. Apparently, Sophia had reacted rather strongly to this attack. Now, she was mute sadness, like she expected some tragedy. To be truthful… Sophia wasn’t alone in feeling this.

All that she could think of was what Orion said. His talk about death coming for him—it bothered her the most. Durran was many things, but a sacrificial fool was not one of them. She trusted her husband would take care of himself. Orion, though… his idealized goals came long before self-preservation. She paced around the temple, knowing that she should contact others but lacking the focus amidst the whirlwind of her brain.

“What’s wrong, Princess Elenore?” She looked, and there Hause, goddess of potential, stood waiting with concern. “Can I do anything more to help than offering shelter?”

“No. No, you’re doing plenty.” Elenore shook her head quickly. “I just need to get my head in order.”

“I am capable of helping with that, too.”

Elenore took a deep breath, making sure no one else was around. “I simply have a deep feeling that something will go horribly wrong. Someone who’s usually right predicted as much.”

“Really?” Hause tilted her head, then walked in front of her. “Then it is truly nothing to worry about. Predictions are largely meaningless.”

eyes. “False comforts don’t work

potential of universes within them be snuffed out early. I have seen those with no innate potential rise to be the most powerful person in the world,

those soothing words reinforce her preconceived notions. Hause was right—Orion, regardless of what his intuition said,

said with a nod. “Thank you for the reminder. Now… I believe it’s well

golden fruit capable of changing the shape of everything. Though she seldom employed it, one of Lira’s blessings allowed her to transport small items over long distances. With proper coordination… surely, this trial could

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power that made her question that fact. But there was no questioning she deserved to be called princess. Few were as gracious and kind as her, nor as unwavering in the face of adversity. She

little girl was trembling like a newborn

her younger nieces on her own, so she was well used to taking care of children. She didn’t like being sober, but it was in the presence of children that she was

to be right, but it could be all right

can’t stop it. I can’t stop it,

“That’s what all the others

this story should

“I could stop it. I could go outside, and let him take me away. But… but I don’t want to go. I want to stay here. I want to stay with Anne and Argrave, and you, and Elenore, and uncle Orion…” She started to brush away tears. “But… I can’t

“How do you know any of

no matter

entirely in the know… but she knew that Sophia was a subject of extreme

Argrave… do you really thing that one knight could break past them all? It’s going to be

then looked around the area. If whatever

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mountains outside Blackgard. He wore brilliant plate armor covered with an immaculate white surcoat. A greathelm with two rising horns that were adorned with brilliant red feathers concealed his face. He carried in his right hand a gleaming silver shield, and

in Blackgard assailed this foe. In simple, efficient movements, he received every attack that came all with the same unassailability, like no attack truly had any bearing on him. His shield never faltered, never showed any sign of weakness. And then, whenever he swung

The landscape itself was transformed by his attacks. The mountains of Blackgard were barely spared by protective enchantments established around its outskirts. Defenders miles away perished in one

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