/n/jackal-among-snakes-1520/c-228
chapter-227

Argrave came here in part to retrieve a treasure—or rather, a set of treasures—but it was not something he’d consider his primary purpose. He wanted two things from these Magisters—a safe escort away from the Tower, and then after… well, this living fortress’ head wasn’t the only thing that could move. But then, maybe he wouldn’t need the Magisters for that at all.

Argrave’s primary concern was getting through this fortress as quickly as he could while securing his party’s position for the second part of his journey. His haste was both for the temperamental Magisters he travelled with, and the disgusting atmosphere he found himself in.

Both of the Magisters wore illusions—Vera’s was acting, a metaphorical façade, while Hegazar’s was his spells. They agreed in advance Anneliese should stay near Vera, while Argrave focused on Hegazar. Only a rough guideline, naturally, but it was sufficient enough. At least, it needed to be, if the plan they’d brewed back at the Tower would work.

Most of what they travelled was a straight corridor of stone, yet parts of it had chipped away, revealing the pink, smooth flesh beyond that resembled the pink, soft flesh you’d see inside a body. He felt like an endoscope. In addition, what was still stone was oddly shaped—the pathway they walked, for instance, was vaguely reminiscent of a spine.

“This place…” Magister Hegazar looked around. “Magic’s dense. It’s so dense it’s like a gas in the air, pushing against my skin as I walk. There’s danger in a place like this. It’s like toying with the trigger for a beartrap. Quite a nasty fortress you’ve come to—we’ve come to,” he corrected.

“If you’re afraid, you might leave,” Magister Vera suggested.

“No, I wouldn’t consider such a thing,” Hegazar said smoothly. “I am merely reminded of you, grotesque little spider that you are. Reminds of how disgusting your home in Jast was.”

“At least I have a home and a family,” Vera rebuked as they walked.

Maybe Argrave was delusional, but he could’ve sworn that even Hegazar was not entirely unoffended by that comment. If he was, he didn’t miss a beat in replying, “Soon enough you’ll keep getting older, and they’ll all die one by one.”

“Near the end,” Argrave cut in. “Path branches here.”

“Branches?” Hegazar noted incredulously, still walking. “No matter. We have plenty of time.”

“We’ll need to split,” Argrave disagreed. “This place wasn’t meant to be entered alone. To open the way, multiple unique magic signatures are required.”

Vera stopped. “How would you know this?”

“It was true in the last one of these living fortresses I visited,” Argrave anticipated the question.

Hegazar stopped too, and his illusory form grinned broadly. “You’d gamble so much on past experiences, eh? Jerk two Magisters about on a chain?”

Argrave deliberated his response carefully, staring at Hegazar’s form in silence. Let them think I’m gambling, he concluded. Might lower their confidence in me, but it’s better than giving away too much.

“I didn’t have much choice but to gamble,” Argrave said quietly.

Though Hegazar kept his wry grin, his eyes sharpened like they saw an opening. “A correction, Kinslayer. Not ‘didn’t.’ You still don’t. Best hope the dice you’ve cast don’t end up snake eyes, hmm?”

“It’ll be fine, Argrave,” Vera soothed sweetly. “So, we split, yes? Into how many?”

Argrave looked ahead. “Three is all that’s needed.”

“I’ll travel with you, Kinslayer. I’d like you where I can see you.” Hegazar decided at once.

“Alright,” Argrave agreed without hesitation. “Anneliese, Durran… you remember my instructions?”

“Difficult to forget,” Durran said, while Anneliese nodded.

Vera’s predatory orange eyes jumped between all of them, and then she dictated, “I will go with Anneliese, then.”

Argrave narrowed his eyes at once. He didn’t want to display blatant distrust, at least not yet—he didn’t have them attracted enough to this treasure trove yet.

“Sure,” Argrave agreed, though the words felt heavy in his throat. “But why?”

“Want me to stay within sight?” Vera teased. “I merely wish to be away from that one,” she explained, looking at Hegazar.

Argrave glanced to Anneliese. She didn’t seem uneased by the idea, but Argrave surely was. “If that’s what you want… alright.”

“A blessing, truly,” Hegazar noted. “Come. Let’s enjoy a few moments of bliss, free of the despicable spider’s presence.”