jackal-among-snakes-16091326
chapter-6

The halls of the Tower of the Gray Owl were filled to the brim with people. They were talking amongst themselves feverishly, most with some degree of relief and nervousness on their faces. Nikoletta of Monticci stood with arms crossed on an empty wall of the tower. Mina of Veden sat at her feet, leaning against the wall in exhaustion.

Nikoletta had spent the month revising the research Argrave had returned to her. Though she wished to find out if Argrave had genuinely been telling the truth—that the crown prince, Induen, had ordered her research stolen—she had no opportunity. Talking with Argrave might illuminate the situation, but she had assumed that might have been exactly what he wanted. She disliked playing into other’s hands.

But the month had passed with utter silence from Argrave’s end. Her friend, Mina, had been caught snooping around his room, but nothing came of it. It was all baffling. At this point, she was just curious what Argrave would submit to the Order to advance from an Acolyte to a full-fledged Wizard.

The door that Nikoletta had been keeping her eyes on swung open slowly. Argrave, wearing the same gray robes as every other Acolyte, ducked beneath the doorframe into the hall. He had been quite pale the last time she saw him, but he was deathly pale now—he looked more like a walking corpse than a man walking. His eyes were sunken with deep black marks beneath them. Despite that, he still bore himself with the same neat dignity he had a month ago.

“Gods. He looks terrible,” Nikoletta said out of surprise.

Mina was roused from her exhausted state and followed Nikoletta’s gaze. “Probably waited till tonight to finish his stuff like I did.” Mina stood, grabbing Nikoletta’s robes to help herself to her feet. “Why don’t I get your sympathy?”

“You also look terrible,” Nikoletta said dismissively. “Happy?”

Mina scoffed. “I wonder if he’ll pass.”

“Worry about yourself.” Nikoletta looked down at the shorter girl.

Mina fixed her messy blonde hair. “I’m always lucky. I’m not worried.”

Nikoletta frowned. “It’s a written submission. You cannot get lucky.”

At the far end of the hall, Argrave walked to the desk where an old man was receiving parcels. Argrave handed the man a fairly thick stack of papers, neatly wrapped in a black ribbon. After a brief exchange of words, Argrave turned away, pulling at the collar of his gray robes. His eyes scanned the room, stopping on Nikoletta. She tensed up at his gaze. His hollow gray eyes only furthered his corpse-like appearance.

Now comes the time for the favor, she said in her head. Argrave walked towards her with long, even strides. Mina grew alert, stepping in front of Nikoletta.

Argrave looked down on the two of them. Even skinny as he was, his height was still somewhat intimidating. Nikoletta kept her dark pink eyes fixed to his gray gaze.

“Your father is sending a carriage to take you back to Mateth,” Argrave said, sparing even greetings.

It was spoken as a fact, but Nikoletta decided it was a question. “Yes, that’s right. Why?”

“I need to go there. May I ride with you?”

“Not going to stay to find out the results early?” Mina asked, stepping between Nikoletta and Argrave.

“It will take a week regardless.” Argrave shook his head. “There is a branch of the Order of the Gray Owl in Mateth. And above all, I am not worried overmuch about the result.”

Nikoletta scrunched up her eyebrows. “Why ride with me?”

“A ducal heir’s carriage will be comfortable, well-protected, and fast.”

“And Nicky will be forced to listen to you,” Mina said accusatorily.

Argrave grabbed at his throat with his gloved hands. “Is my voice so unpleasant to hear, Mina? How harsh.” He lowered his hand and continued seriously. “At worst, you will hear my snoring. I am tired.”

“The trip itself is a week,” Nikoletta said. “I suspect you won’t be sleeping all that time.”

“You make me sound like a salesman with a shady pitch.” Argrave shook his head. “I just want a free ride to the city, not through life.”

There was quiet as Nikoletta thought the request over. Certainly, there was ample room on the carriage.

“I have no ulterior motive. I just wish for transportation.” Argrave held his right hand in the air, swearing on it.

“Don’t you have friends? Money?” Mina asked.

“Mina, stop,” Nikoletta said, feeling her friend was being over-protective. She kneaded her forehead. “If I refuse, what will you do?”

“Weep, obviously,” Argrave said drolly. “I’m not sure. Probably sleep a night here, eat, and then walk to Mateth. Woe is me, et cetera. It is a long journey, to be true, but I know a good route.” Argrave rubbed his eyes and yawned, fatigued.

“And why do you need to go to Mateth? As a royal bastard, I would assume you have housing in the capital, not Mateth.”

“Hah.” Argrave chuckled. “The palace is the last place I wish to be right now. I have a great deal of things to do in and around Mateth. To sum them all up, I would say that I am preparing for the storm.”

“That sounds important and yet appropriately vague,” Nikoletta said with a sigh. “Fine; you may come. But I would be remiss to mention this; if I find you are lying about lacking ulterior motives, you will be cast out.”

“’Cast out,’” Argrave repeated. “How magnanimous. Thank you, Nikoletta.” Argrave bowed slightly. “I will pack my things. Can’t forget my hand mirror. It will be good to finally get out of this robe.”

Argrave turned and walked away, heading back towards his room.

Mina stepped forward and looked at Nikoletta, shaking her head in dismay. “I’m suddenly having second thoughts about riding with you, Nicky. Why did you agree to this?”

“You of all people should know that rumors are often exaggerated. I don’t know much about him, but he’s at least witty.”

“He hit me with a book!” Mina pointed to her face, but there was no obvious mark—it had been nearly a month, after all. Nikoletta doubted there ever had been a mark to begin with, though.

Nikoletta sighed. “If you’re that insistent, I can tell him he can’t come.”

Mina faltered now that the burden of decision had been passed to her. She crossed her arms and stepped away for a moment, thinking. “If you’re really fine with it, I suppose I’m just worrying for nothing.”