Jackal Among Snakes, Book 4: A GameLit Fantasy, page 36
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 has only 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.”
Chapter 53
There was a thin line between caution and paranoia. It was thin enough that Argrave lost sight of it completely. Maybe it was never tangible to begin with.
He felt half a fool as he wandered around Kin’s End, looking for any single person who might be a threat to him or his companions. He and Galamon scanned the building Induen stayed in from afar, checking for other people within or secret compartments where enemies might hide. They checked everywhere inside, and miles outside the town. And the conclusion?
This was likely the best circumstance he could encounter Induen.
He had only four guards—royal knights, and perhaps the finest quality in all Vasquer. All four were mages of B-rank, though low within the rank at best. Induen had not advanced to A-rank, and he was unarmored and unsupported. The only armed men in the town consisted of a militia, perhaps twenty, and all attended the wall. There were two attending Wizards of the Gray Owl, both of which manned an administrative center opposite where Induen stayed. The Tower was not accepting acolytes at this date—they had no reason to man this place thoroughly. Even if they were Induen’s people… they were C-rank.
As that conclusion settled upon them, Argrave confronted the reality of what he was going to do. Though he spoke about putting an end to Induen permanently… the fact remained that it persisted in his mind like a dark cloud. Everything, from the irony of the town’s name to the fact he might become known as a kinslayer… it clung to him, pushing aside important thoughts.
After an hour of walking, thinking, searching… the bottom line came to him. Argrave had to face his fears for the good of the future.
He’d done it time and time again the past few months. This one, though… it felt markedly different. Maybe it was because he was premeditating a murder if he didn’t hear what he wanted to hear. Maybe it was because he had already faced Induen before and walked away with his teeth cut.
No answer came to his question as he took slow, steady steps toward the two golden-armored knights standing out front the quaint house that Prince Induen was waiting for him in. The knights caught sight of the three of them at once—Argrave, Durran, Anneliese. Galamon was elsewhere, his bow readied. Durran had the Ebonice axe. Everyone was ready for any outcome.
The knight’s eyes followed them from behind their gleaming golden plate helmets. Argrave took the lead, his finger rubbing against the enchanted ring that conjured B-rank wards just beneath his glove.
When Argrave stepped up, the two knights looked at him for a time before saying anything. He saw them focus on his eyes like they were jewels then pass to his companions, evaluating.
“The prince is inside,” the royal knight on the left told Argrave.
“The bastard is outside,” Argrave returned.
The royal knight stared up at him, eyes steady.
“He’ll receive you now,” the right-side knight directed.
Argrave smiled. “You see, that’s the first mistake. Orion wouldn’t ‘receive’ me. No—I suppose that’s the second mistake. You left the windows unblocked.” His gaze jumped between the two of them. “I’m trying to recognize either of you. Were you there the last time Induen and I spoke? I can’t remember.”
Induen’s knights were so good at playing it straight that Argrave might’ve believed them if he had been bluffing.
The knight on the left side stepped forward. “You should go inside.”
“I don’t think that’s such a good idea,” Argrave said plainly.
“Why would we care what you think?” the knight on the right side stepped forward in turn.
Argrave held his arms out. “Care to find out?”
He could practically feel the tension of his companions behind him, ready to fight. Argrave himself had all of his will focused on the ring around his finger, ready to conjure something at a moment’s notice.
The door opened quickly, nearly spurring Argrave to action. He found someone looking up at him—Prince Induen, with his icy blue eyes and manufactured smile. Memories came back… and Argrave might have reacted to them, had there been any fewer people at his back.
Induen wore all white, which contrasted starkly with his obsidian hair. It was an elaborate, somewhat ceremonial suit, with tassels of gold on the shoulders and gemstones for buttons. He had long sleeves. It was far from anything used for combat. Argrave studied his hands—three rings, no fewer. He looked for necklaces and found one.
Assume all three rings are enchanted, plus the necklace. Assume he’s got plenty of spells on hand—defensive and offensive both.
“Argrave.” Induen clasped his hands together. “You ruined my surprise. You…” He stared at Argrave’s eyes. “Orion didn’t lie about you.”
Argrave shrugged. He felt like he could not blink. “I don’t like surprises.”
“And you’re good at ruining things.” Induen smiled. “You had father’s eyes, and now you’ve ruined that with some… freakish things.” When a silence set in, he laughed. “I kid, I kid. So, will you come inside?”
Argrave was somewhat surprised by the question—Induen didn’t ask many questions that left room for refusal.
“Why don’t we take a walk?” Argrave suggested.
“A walk,” Induen reiterated, clenching his hands together a bit tighter.
“It’s like standing, but you move your legs and travel elsewhere.” Argrave nodded, deliberately incendiary to draw a reaction from Induen. “There’s an old fountain just outside town. Dried up, but it’s a pretty view. Nice place. No one around to hear.”
This was one justification Argrave had for talking to Induen instead of simply killing him outright from a distance. Though he planned things to be clean, perhaps a single shot from himself or Galamon… there might be other casualties. The prince was still in a residential district. If things weren’t clean, and Argrave and Anneliese start using B-rank spells, coupled with the royal knights… people might die. Induen or his royal knights might use people. Closer up, he could minimize damage.
Despite Argrave’s provocations, Induen only stood there, staring. His gaze jumped around. “This is that tribal… and your fiancée,” Induen noted, eyes landing on Anneliese.
“Order reversed,” Durran joked, holding his glaive like a walking stick at his side. His hand hovered near the Ebonice axe at his waist.
Induen’s gaze lingered on Anneliese far too long for his comfort, and then jumped back to Argrave. “Alright. A walk.”
Induen brushed past Argrave, walking down the street. His four royal knights hurried after him, and Argrave watched them for a bit. Induen turned, walking backward as if taunting Argrave. With a deep breath, they followed.
Despite Argrave’s paranoia, they simply passed the gate of Kin’s End and walked up the hill where the old, decrepit fountain waited. It was a grand, giant bowl that had once been filled with water spawned by magic. Now, it was in disrepair. Induen sat on the edge of it, his four royal knights off to the side in loose formation.
“So… we’re here,” Argrave called out, standing a decent distance away from Induen as he sat on the edge of the fountain.
Induen crossed one leg over the other. “I brought your armor. The one Orion had custom-made for your companions.” Induen shrugged. “Unfortunately, my little brother is a bit paranoid, so I can’t show it to you.”
“That’s nice,” said Argrave, caring little in light of the situation.
“I also sent Orion with a document bearing my magic signature,” Induen continued. “It petitioned Father for legitimization. Yours, namely. You’d be named Prince Argrave of Vasquer.”
Argrave frowned. Seeing that, Induen tilted his head back and smiled. “I’ve caught your attention, have I? Ahh…”
A wind passed through their party, and Argrave said nothing as he thought of what this meant. “Usually, you hit me before giving me nice things,” Argrave noted.
Induen crossed his arms. “I made… a mistake,” he said hesitantly. “I should not have hit you.”
Now Argrave was well and truly befuddled. He adjusted his feet, taken aback. He’d never seen Induen so… compromising. He hadn’t expected to win any ground with this man—all he’d hoped for was a quick end to the battle.
“From the beginning… I was led about by the nose,” Induen disclosed. “Both of us were.”
Argrave frowned. “By whom?”
Induen smiled. “Perhaps you’ve already guessed,” he ventured. “It all started with her, didn’t it? She probably gave me Foamspire precisely intending I give it to you. She constantly stoked my anger against you. Yet now… she got heavy handed. She’s been driving me against you since day one, but she got rushed.”
“Elenore?” Argrave frowned. “What are you…?”
“You know things. You have friends, agents. Mina of Veden—I thought she might be Elenore’s, but I’m certain she’s yours, now,” Induen said quickly. “You travel from place to place, achieving things that are… obscure.” Induen tapped his temple. “And then it came to me. It might be my sister’s not as irreplaceable as she makes herself out to be. It might be… the Bat has a predator every bit as skilled as she is.”
Argrave didn’t feel the point Induen was making was as cogent as he sold it to be, but he was stunned enough by the development words did not come to him right away.
“If Elenore wanted me dead… there’s a lot easier ways to do it than by using you,” Argrave posited.
“She wanted to damage me,” Induen said. “She’s always wanted to undermine me. A kinslayer—there are few worse crimes in Vasquer. This rebellion… people wouldn’t attack me in Dirracha so brazenly. She must’ve spurred people in the city to attack, provoke a reaction from my guards.”
As Induen said it, Argrave thought there might have been some truth to his claims. It was only a nugget of truth amidst misinformation, though.
Induen stood up off the fountain and stepped forward. “I’ve been looking for a way to sever from her… The truth is, she offers a valuable service, and she’s incredibly wealthy. The information is more important than the wealth. But you…”
As Induen stepped closer, Argrave maintained a cautious distance. Induen looked briefly incensed, but it faded in a flash.
“I know you have more than you let on. All I’ve heard—it’s the only way. You have information. Real, valuable information, perhaps beyond even her purview.” Induen pointed at him. “Mina of Veden. She stalled me by your directive, didn’t she?”
After a deep breath, Argrave gave a slow, steady nod.
Affirmed, Induen nodded. “But even if you’re not as great as I suspect… it doesn’t matter.” Induen shook his head. “Elenore is a problem. She needs to go. And I need… competency, when I come to reign. And before it,” Induen said with a smile.
“I traveled covertly, with few guards, to avoid her eyes,” Induen explained. “One of my knights, an informant, I—” He paused. “Well, he’s not a problem anymore. Don’t worry about the details. The fact is, Argrave… brother…” Induen put both of his hands on his waist. “I want you to help me deal with Elenore. Deal with… other obstacles. And then, I want you to help me utterly annihilate this rebellion. In return… Mateth, Jast, and Elbraille. Anything you name in the south that’s not already promised to my brother… I’ll make it yours. Wealth unimaginable.”
“What?” Argrave said despite himself.
“You heard me.” Induen nodded. “Any land, no matter how large. Just not Parbon. Felipe has decided that is Orion’s, and publicly. Even if Father dies… Well, let’s not get into that.”
“Why?” Argrave furrowed his brows.
“I need competency!” Induen explained heartily. “You get things done yourself. It’s all I’ve seen. You went from some skinny, malnourished youth to a B-rank mage and newly praised hero! When I succeed Father, I need a new generation of power to build. A new elite as my pillars.”
Argrave crossed his arms. “What would happen?”
“Well…” Induen turned around, deliberating. “We would return to Dirracha. Deal with… pressing matters I mentioned earlier. There’d be a ceremony to welcome you as a prince. I’d establish you in a position of power—Father’s close council, for instance—and once spring comes… we’d end the rebels.”
“I see,” Argrave noted.
“Your companions would be well-treated,” Induen assured. “Orion suggested the tribal be named your first royal knight—I have no objections to that. And your fiancée… she should stay in the capital, become intimately acquainted with the family. Perhaps a period of six months.”
“Intimately acquainted?” Argrave smiled broadly, taking a step forth. “Six months?”
As Argrave drew near… he was acutely aware that he was larger than Induen.
“You wed an elf, brother. This is something that will take time. She must be introduced to Father, the court… everyone,” Induen explained.
Argrave laughed out his nose, a big smile on his face. “No. This is just another form of control, another form of threat. You can’t trust me, can’t surrender one iota of power over me. I’m… Yeah, you had me for a minute. I thought, ‘What the hell? Does he deserve a quick death instead of a slow one?’”
Induen gazed up at Argrave. “You’ve gotten bold, brother.”
“A little,” Argrave concurred.
“Do you understand your situation?” With those words, the royal knights moved to support Induen. “These men are royal knights.”
Argrave stepped forward. “I know them. Many of Orion’s knights died fighting things I killed.”
