jackal-among-snakes-16091326
chapter-241

“It’s a wonder you three fit at all,” Durran noted as they rolled down the road in a tightly packed and humble carriage.

Moonlight made its way through the thin decrepit cloth that covered the top of the carriage, illuminating a group crammed left-to-right on one side: Galamon, Argrave, and Anneliese respectively. Argrave was awkwardly holding his shoulder up so it was not jammed against Galamon’s plate armor, while Anneliese contentedly peered out at the city, comfortably nestled against an accommodating Argrave.

Opposite them was Durran and Elenore. Elenore wore a hood and a completely black mask to disguise herself. The bronze jewelry she wore didn’t need exposure to work—it could see through walls, even. As if taunting them, Durran put one of his legs up. There was ample room on his side. Argrave didn’t care one whit if Durran put his feet anywhere—after his talk with Elenore, she returned with a change of heart. That meritorious feat would not soon be forgotten.

“Better than driving,” said Galamon.

Argrave chucked quietly, briefly reminded of the days back when they travelled and fought with the Lily Lurkers. “That week was something. Remember running from that horde of the bugs?”

“No,” Elenore turned her head. “I don’t remember.”

“What, you don’t want to hear me reminisce?” Argrave’s smile was undampened. “Sourpuss,” he called her.

“I’m—” Elenore began fiercely but paused and took a deep breath. When she spoke next, her tone was businesslike once again. “Since you’ve been proven right already, can you at least tell me what we’ll find down here?”

“Vasquer,” Argrave told her plainly once again, then winced when the carriage bounced and Galamon’s pauldron dug into his shoulder. He was not especially worried about how this meeting might go—Nikoletta could converse with Vasquer, so he had some experience about this matter to rely on. Things might go differently… but the giant snake was not dangerous.

Argrave saw Elenore was annoyed by his simple answer, so he smiled and continued, “Don’t worry, things aren’t dangerous. No traps. I imagine Ruleo has been thorough in his cleansing—he always is. I think some of the older members of the vampiric coven will still be alive deeper in, but they’ll never leave their little sanctuaries. They have defensive measures in an old catacomb—poison. Your men will be stopped there, I guarantee it. I have something in mind for that.”

Elenore gestured towards him. “And what of Ruleo, your history with him?”

Argrave shrugged. “Has to be resolved someday. Put a stop to any conflict.”

“You essentially murdered his father,” Elenore said dryly.

Argrave scratched his chin. He always hated hearing about his old self. “I did,” he agreed.

“You want to stop any conflict? Stop his heart,” Elenore suggested to him.

“Not my way,” Argrave shook his head.

“Mmhmm. Yet you agree to having murdered his father. And these rumors of kinslaying are baseless, I suppose?” Elenore asked wryly.

Argrave bit his lip, realizing he’d been called out. “Induen’s dead because he tried to solve all of his problems by domination or destruction. He was cancer growing on the world.” Argrave turned his head to meet her eyes, but his gaze fell upon only her jet black mask “I think Ruleo can do good work if kept alive.”

Elenore kept her head facing forward. Maybe it was only Argrave’s imagination, but he thought she was observing him, judging him… maybe it was her reputation, but Argrave thought all of his secrets might be revealed in seconds.

“Ruleo will be kept away. I’ll send him to the palace to observe things up there before we enter,” Elenore concluded. “I think my answers come before this potential resolution. I hope I get them,” she said pointedly.