/n/jackal-among-snakes-1520/c-65
chapter-64

In the days to come, Galamon was strongly reminded of back when he and Argrave had been planning for the assault on the druid’s camp. Argrave led them through the city as adroitly as one who lived there, heading to obscure shops and famous shops in equal measure and setting various things in motion. They were unbothered by any, though Galamon was acutely aware of the people watching them. At times, they would be accosted by irate people suspicious that they were Veidimen, but when Argrave removed his Circlet of Disguise and revealed his non-elven features, that was typically enough to send them away.

There was an undeniable tension in the city. Galamon mostly harvested his blood from places like taverns, where the people within would be less cautious of him and far easier to prey upon. While there, he often witnessed people come to blows in debates regarding the cause of the Snakes or the Lions. Common opinion seemed to favor the rebels. Furthermore, the word of an invasion against Mateth had set people against the Veidimen, stoking tempers more yet.

Much of Galamon’s time was occupied with the repair of his armor, as the smiths needed to be directed in Veidimen styles. Galamon made use of the days spent on this endeavor to make the Ebonice arrows from the daggers as Argrave had suggested. Galamon used all but five daggers and chiseled out thirty Ebonice arrowheads. It would be more than sufficient for their needs for a long while, he suspected.

The rest of Galamon’s time dealt with accompanying Argrave on his spendthrift shopping journeys. Galamon had been unsure that Argrave’s price estimates were accurate, for most of the things he intended to purchase could be considered heirlooms in aristocratic houses. Most of the time, Argrave managed to get them far cheaper than he initially predicted. Much of it was due to Argrave’s bartering prowess.

The majority of what Argrave ordered would take some time to finish, and so once all of the requests were put in and down payments were made, their party retired to the inn and devoted their time to study. Argrave often drank the black liquid magic and talked about ‘repaying his magic debt quickly.’ It was idyllic compared to their usual activities, and Argrave commented on that fact often.

They were only disturbed on the seventh day of their stay.