Jackal Among Snakes

Though Argrave had claimed he would have a heart-to-heart with Galamon… the task proved considerably more difficult once he actually found himself riding his horse next to the elven vampire as they travelled in a relatively safe area.

“Don’t bother,” Galamon said, riding his horse diligently. “No need to make sure I’m fine.”

Argrave pulled his horse up to Galamon. He was starting to learn to ride horses better, yet he still found himself lacking when compared to the experienced rider that was Galamon. Argrave would assume that his companion would ride infrequently, being as large as he was, but apparently such was not the case.

“You heard what I said to Durran, then? Not fond of a heart-to-heart?” Argrave questioned, riding closer.

Galamon looked to him for a moment, his glance alone confirming what Argrave asked.

After deliberating for a long while, he finally constructed something he was relatively sure would work. “Have you thought about what you’re going to do once I cure your vampirism?”

Galamon finally kept his gaze on Argrave. His white eyes betrayed little, doubly so beneath his helmet, but eventually he let out the lightest of chuckles.

“It depends on whether my ten-year period of servitude is up,” he said.

Argrave laughed. “I’d very nearly forgotten about that,” he admitted. “I don’t really know what you like to do, though. I don’t know what you want out of life.”

“I am simple,” Galamon shook his head.

“Simple how?” Argrave pressed, lowering his head as they passed beneath bare branches. Winter was past its prime, and the hibernating trees seemed to be a little livelier. Perhaps, in time, leaves would adorn them once more.

Galamon slowed his horse to pass by a treacherous part of the terrain. “All I’ve ever wanted… is to do something decent that secures my family’s future, and then retire with them.” Galamon took a deep breath and sighed. “The people around me always made me do more. Demanded more of me. First Dras, now you.”

Argrave looked vaguely uncomfortable. “I didn’t mean to…”

“I’m fine with it,” Galamon assured at once. “I am proud of what I’ve done. I just never planned to do it.” Galamon stroked the side of his horse’s neck to comfort it. “Veid charts my fate. If this is what she decided for me, I will rise to meet the task.”

Argrave nodded, thinking more on what Galamon said. “Why do you have so much faith in Veid?”

Galamon considered that. “My parents taught me to.”

Argrave had not been expecting such a simple answer.

“You’re dissatisfied?” Galamon noted. “I fought in war after war alongside Dras. That tested my faith time and time again. After I… contracted vampirism, I wandered Berendar. My faith was challenged constantly. No challenge ever bested that faith my parents instilled in me.” Galamon examined his gauntleted hands as they clenched the reins. “I know other gods are real. I have seen the ways of other people. And what I concluded… is that I love the Veidimen. I love our ways. I am partial to my kind—I wish to see them prosper before others, I will admit it. And Veid… she protects those I love. Such is her sole purpose. She molded our society, our people, our ways. And so I love Veid.”

Argrave always had some difficulty understanding Galamon as a person. Now, though… now, he felt like he got a glimpse into the man he truly was. He hadn’t intended to, but it happened nonetheless. This might be the most Galamon had talked about himself before.

“I respect you,” Argrave said plainly. “And I admire you. I wouldn’t be here if not for you—not just because you saved my life. You were a model for persistence.”

Galamon nodded. “I’m glad. I try.”

Argrave bit his lip, deliberating on whether or not he should say something. Eventually, he asked, “How would you feel if I supported Orion?”

Galamon’s mouth noticeably tightened. “Supported?” he questioned.

“I think he can be a genuinely good person… if he has the right influence. As it is now, his family life… it’s part of the reason he is who he is.” Argrave rubbed his hands together. “Instead of a crusader, maybe I can make him a proselytizer. A peaceful proselytizer,” he posited.

“Can you?” Galamon asked sharply.

Argrave sighed. “I don’t know.”

Galamon looked guilty at his sharpness. “I don’t like him. I think he’s a danger to the Veidimen. I would sleep easier if he died.”

“You don’t sleep anyway,” Argrave pointed out.

The elven vampire furrowed his brows for half a moment before he caught on and laughed. A laugh from Galamon was a rare and scary thing, so Argrave smiled.

Feeling he should leave on a positive note, Argrave tried to conclude the conversation. “I’m glad you told me honestly,” he told Galamon. “And I’ll take your counsel into mind. Believe me.”

“Hmm,” Galamon only grunted.

“Another day or two of covert travel, we’ll make it to Kin’s End,” Argrave changed the subject. “There, we can get you and Durran better outfitted, get better weapons. From what I remember, you didn’t ask for much, did you?”

“My greatsword is more than enough,” Galamon shook his head. “I asked for replenished enchanted arrows, plus specific armor requests. Durran had the ostentatious orders.”

“Excellent,” Argrave nodded. “Things are looking up. But we’ll proceed carefully, as always. Now more than ever, caution must be the sole thing we trust in. This civil war can be resolved splendidly… and it might just be time for me to step outside of my comfort zone.”

“Meaning?”

“Doing things I’ve never done before. Not in ‘Heroes of Berendar.’ Creating options that weren’t there for me,” Argrave said plainly. “I’ve caused things to go out of control. That, alone, tells me I have an effect. But if I play things wisely… maybe it won’t be all bad.” Argrave smiled, his gaze distant. “In fact, it might be fantastic.”

#####

Argrave and his companions took shelter just behind a hill. Beyond, there was a large town nestled between hills. It was not large in the sense that it was populous—indeed, with rocky terrain and sparse natural resources, it was in an inopportune location, and consequently could not support a large population. Yet the houses and buildings in it were each and all grand and impeccably constructed, and the tall wall around made it seem even formidable.

Anneliese opened her eyes and took a deep breath, while the Starsparrow perched itself on her shoulders. “Alright. I have examined things thoroughly.” She adjusted herself, gathering her bearings after using druidic magic for so long.

“Take your time,” Argrave eased her.

“I spotted Orion’s royal knights. They were standing outside a building, guarding. I presume Orion is within,” she began. “Beyond that, I believe things are as you said. I searched for those wearing the uniform of a High Wizard but found none. I noticed no sizable military force beyond militiamen and guards for important Order buildings.”

Argrave nodded, parsing through what she said. He let his paranoia run rampant as he considered everything he knew about Kin’s End. “Orion’s royal knights?” he said. “Are you sure of this?”

Anneliese paused. Without a word, she cast the druidic spell again and the bird vanished from her shoulder. Argrave waited patiently, and she spoke again after a time.

“They are not those we travelled with, the Waxknights. I…” Guilt flavored her tone, as though ashamed of her lack of awareness.

Argrave took a deep breath and exhaled. “It’s fine. We caught it, and that’s what’s important.” He nodded carefully. “I’d like you to see what you can glean about those within the building. They might still be Orion’s knights—he may have simply changed them out.”

As Anneliese carried out Argrave’s directive, he shared a glance with Durran.

Though Anneliese said nothing for a long while, she eventually contributed, “There is a man within. He looks… he looks somewhat like you. Tall—taller than me, but shorter than you.”

“Blue eyes, and a lithe build,” Argrave finished, recalling Induen’s appearance all too well. “Am I right? Or is he quite skinny? It could be Levin.”

“No… no, your first descriptor was more accurate. He seems a warrior,” Anneliese noted. “Though he is dressed in fine clothes, clearly not meant for battle.”

Argrave took a deep, long breath, obvious questions rushing to his mind at once as he struggled to grasp why Induen might be here. He felt his heart beat a little faster and brushed his cheek that had been wounded by Induen months ago almost by instinct.

“Survey the whole town once more,” Argrave directed her. “The inside of each building, every nook and cranny. Any places ambushers might be.”

“Of course,” Anneliese agreed readily, and then the party settled back into quietude.

Argrave felt anxious, so he rose to his feet and gazed over the hill.

After a much longer time, Anneliese’s bird returned once more. She held her forehead as though pained. “The homes all seemed… ordinary. None were waiting in ambush. There are only four royal knights down there—two without the home, and two within. I cannot speak to the presence of magic users within the town.” She shook her head in regret.

Argrave nodded. “You’ve done enough.” He took a deep breath. “If Induen has no agents in the town beyond the four royal knights with him, he won’t notice if I search the town for magic users so long as I avoid where he is. If he does have more there… A-rank mages, for instance… we cut our losses, move past Kin’s End.”

“Argrave… this is the man that attacked you, right? The man who gave you Foamspire?” Anneliese questioned, and when Argrave nodded, she continued, “Yet he is not dressed to fight… I do not believe he bears a sword, even. Nor does he seem particularly incensed.”

Argrave took her observation into consideration. “Four royal knights… and Induen. That’s…” He rubbed his thumb against his palm.

He could not deny Induen still intimidated him somewhat. Yet the more he thought of it… the more he felt he would be capable of fighting against that. Induen was unarmored—he might have some enchanted items, but spells beyond B-rank did not work well as enchantments. That was the reason Argrave and Anneliese only had rings that conjured B-rank wards. Induen himself was B-rank.

“I’ll survey for spellcasters in hiding,” Argrave said. “Galamon, you’ll come with. Keep an eye out for anything suspicious. I won’t step foot near Induen unless I’m one thousand percent sure this isn’t some ambush. Orion might have his reasons for sending Induen, or…”

“And if you don’t find anything wrong?” Galamon questioned.

“I’ll…” Argrave rubbed his hands together.

Induen. He was a man far too comfortable with death. He enjoyed it—reveled in it. Acts of cruelty and eccentricity were commonplace from him. That, coupled with being the crown prince of Vasquer, boded ill for the future. On top of that, he had a great deal of Princess Elenore’s support, even if she did only view him as a tool. So long as he remained around…

“Induen is a problem for the future,” Argrave concluded aloud. “A problem for the realm. A problem for us.”

Argrave had been merely avoiding the problem this whole time, but in the back of his head, he knew what it might eventually come to. Could someone like Induen be redeemed? Moreover, should he be? Argrave thought the answer was no on both counts. The man enjoyed orphaning children, senseless violence, and was completely intolerant of anyone with agendas divergent from his own. Worse yet, he was talented enough to do real damage in a position of leadership.

Durran adjusted the way he sat. “You mean…”

“Provided I find nothing amiss in the town… he’s far from Dirracha. Alone. Isolated. Not prepared for combat, on top of that.” Argrave tried to make sure his nervousness didn’t bleed into his voice. “There might not be a better time. You have to seize an opportunity, some would say.”

A grim silence set over them as Argrave all but confirmed what he had been implying.

“That would end your association with Orion permanently,” Anneliese counseled.

“I know,” Argrave nodded, looking to Galamon. “But no matter how much I juggle it in my head, I cannot see supporting Vasquer as an option. They’re too far gone.”

Anneliese looked to the town below. “I do not believe he means to kill you. He comes unarmored, he brings few guards,” she said simply. “And… he has knowledge of your mother.”

“What does that matter?” Argrave furrowed his brows. “I’m sure plenty do. And I don’t care all that much anyway.”

“I… I do not know,” Anneliese shook her head. “Ignore my thoughts if you wish.”

Argrave looked at her, then glanced to Kin’s End. Though it was a savage sentiment… he would be more comfortable fighting Induen than talking with him.

“I won’t risk walking into a trapped building. I don’t see why it’s worth the risk just to hear him out. But…” Argrave took a deep breath. “I don’t know. I’m not confident in killing him from afar. Royal knights are royal knights for a reason… and Induen wouldn’t hesitate to involve the populace to save his skin. If I get close, maybe I can restrict his movements…” Argrave shook his head. “Galamon and I will scout things out. From there, I’ll make a judgement call.”