Jackal Among Snakes

Argrave walked into the Jast branch of the Order of the Gray Owl, adjusting the strap of the satchel bag off his neck. He looked behind his shoulder briefly. Anneliese and Galamon waited at the entrance, unable to enter as they both lacked a badge. It reminded him of a pair of parents watching their kid to go to kindergarten, and Argrave briefly chuckled.

His mirth very quickly died when he saw Elaine standing just before the central spire elevator, staring at him. Argrave figured by and large green was a warm color, but her eyes of that color were quite cold—or perhaps what Anneliese had told him was already shading his world in a different light.

“Do you find it funny to keep me waiting?” Elaine asked when Argrave came closer, immediately dispelling any doubt he had.

“My apologies,” Argrave said sincerely, coming to stand before her. She looked up at him boldly. “There was something that I needed to get before this. I should have informed you.”

Evidently the sincerity had no holes in it, for Elaine could only stare back for a few seconds before nodding. “And my proposition earlier—I can assume your visit to my brother is your answer to that? A resounding ‘no.’”

“I can see why you might think that,” Argrave nodded. “But I was telling the truth back then. I don’t have the books.”

She kept her gaze locked on Argrave for a few moments, and then turned away. “You were smart to go to my brother. He’s the best you can ask for in town. I hope things go well for you.”

It sounded a conciliatory statement, but Argrave trusted in Anneliese’s instincts and decided to continue with his plan, beginning, “There is another thing we might discuss after we take these books to the Veidimen, though. Something far more worth both our time than books, I think.” Argrave pointed a finger. “And you know what they say—time is money.”

“Do they now?” She turned her gaze back to him.

Argrave spread his hands out. “There’s a reason I wanted someone watching my back here. Some things I’ve got… let’s just say they’re not light burdens.” He tapped the satchel on his waist. “But we’ll talk more about that someplace where everyone isn’t staring at us. Provided you are amenable to that, Miss Elaine,” Argrave finished suavely, dipping his head.

She pursed her lips. “We’ll see what happens,” she said vaguely. “They’re bringing the illusion spellbooks down. Shouldn’t be much longer.”

“I guess you would have been waiting after all. All’s well that ends well,” he said brightly, trying to focus on the positives.

“I suppose so,” Elaine agreed, turning around. Argrave raised a brow, then shook his head. It’s a start, I suppose.

#####

“Are you sure that Rivien will have things ready for us?” Argrave questioned, walking through the iron fence to Rivien’s estate for the second time today. With Elaine beside him, he did not need to wait to be seen by Rivien—one small fortune.

“My brother is remarkably efficient,” Elaine said simply. “At the very least, considering he is the person who these books need to go through, it would be best to move them to this location.”

Galamon stepped forward just behind them, carrying the large box of books as though it did not weigh as much as himself. Two of Elaine’s men moved behind him, at a loss as to what to do considering Galamon carried the cargo alone.

“Why do you travel with elves?” Elaine inquired, the first question she’d asked in during their entire walk. “Moreover, elves recently responsible for an attack on Mateth.”

“It’s nice having people the same height as you. Makes you feel like you’re normal,” Argrave said, then laughed. “Only joking. Why does anyone gain friends? It’s the way things worked out. As you can see, both are quite reliable.”

“Friends,” Elaine said somewhat disdainfully. “They aren’t being paid?”

“Anneliese isn’t. He used to be,” Argrave pointed to Galamon. “Now he’s my indentured servant.” Elaine looked at him for a moment, and Argrave leaned down and whispered, “Polite term for ‘slave.’”

She snorted and turned away while shaking her head, but Argrave didn’t miss the smile. Seems like I’m winning her over, if only just. Unless that’s a smile of derision. Always a possibility.

Rivien opened the door and walked out, then noticed the oncoming cargo and stepped aside.

“Going out?” inquired Argrave, stepping off to the side as Rivien had done to allow Galamon to pass.

“No. I know my sister. She’s impatient, she’d want to do this right away,” Rivien said, watching Galamon walk past.

“Come now, impatient? The nicer word is ‘prompt,’” Argrave defended light-heartedly. “She said only nice things about you, I’m sure you can manage the same.”

“Is that right?” Rivien said, glancing at Elaine. “Good to know, I suppose.” Rivien did not dwell on the subject long. “My men will lead yours to where I’ll hold the stuff. I’ve reached out to the crew I know that works with the Veidimen, mentioning what you had, your name, things like that. Should work, provided they’re actually expecting you.”

Argrave stepped inside Rivien’s estate alongside Elaine. “And I assume you’ve already got people watching out for me?”

“Yes,” Rivien nodded, stepping inside and shutting the doors to the estate behind him as Anneliese entered last. “Word is out that you’re Riveters’ property—that includes the stuff you have in the place you’re staying, that inn. Nice place. You chose well.”

Rivien stepped into the great room, continuing. “Any people spying, prying, or otherwise scrying will give up their chase or end things with a bolt to the head… and if we can’t manage to do that, we can at least warn you who’s got their eyes on you. Premium services, I’d say.”

“Better be, with what you’re charging,” Argrave said derisively.

“Well, my charging is done for now, unless you have more business with me,” Rivien said.

“Not with you. The other red-headed one, though, I do,” Argrave pointed to Elaine, who seemed surprised that Argrave had been serious. “Can we use that same room as last time for a discussion?”

“Business with my sister?” Rivien smiled incredulously as though it was amusing. “Who am I to stop you from going into any room in the house? Your name is on the deed, branch manager Elaine.”

“Right then. Shall we?” Argrave asked. “I promise this’ll be worth your time.”

Elaine furrowed her brows for a moment. After a time, she hesitantly nodded.

“Hold on,” Rivien raised a finger. “I have a question for you, Argrave.”

“So you do,” Argrave nodded. “Will you ask this question, or just hold onto it?”

Rivien snorted. “The Bat. Have you spoken to him?”

Argrave nodded. “Indeed I have.”

“Care to share anything? Might be I can waive this fee altogether,” Rivien suggested.

“Well…” Argrave paused. He didn’t want to attract Princess Elenore’s attention quite yet. Spreading details about her would be a surefire way to do so.

Argrave leaned in close as though he was telling a big secret and whispered, “’Bat’ is not a real name. I’m sure this comes as an immense shock, but it’s actually an alias.”

Elaine laughed a little while Rivien stared with a smile on his face. “I see. I guess he must choose his agents right, because no one I’ve spoken to cares to divulge any information on who the Bat is. All I can surmise is that they have a lot of money and they’re very smart.”

“Wealthy, smart… that sounds like you’re talking about me,” Argrave pointed to himself. “Add ‘handsome,’ you’ve got a dead ringer.”

Rivien shook his head amusedly as he sized up Argrave’s spindly limbs. “Handsome? Even if there’s a sterling face on skin and bones, doesn’t change the big picture. Few women like someone they can take in a fist fight,” he grinned somewhat provocatively, but Argrave wasn’t bothered.

When Argrave didn’t rise to the bait, Rivien scratched his chin and turned, waving them away. “Well, banter aside, I have nothing else. He’s all yours, sis.”

#####

“So, what is it you wished to speak to me about?” Elaine asked, gaze sometimes drifting to the satchel bag he held.

“Straight to business,” Argrave said, shutting the door behind Anneliese. He turned to the dining table, which had been emptied. “I like it.”

Argrave grabbed the strap of his satchel bag and picked it up, laying it out across the table. He opened its flap and pulled free his lockbox, setting it on the table. The Amaranthine Heart was visible, and Argrave pushed it back into the bag self-consciously. He retrieved the key for the lockbox from his breast pocket, briefly brushing against the bronze hand mirror, and opened the box.

The metal lid of the lockbox opened, revealing glimmering jewels, jewelry, and myriad shimmering pink coins. “Take a look at this,” Argrave said, gesturing towards the box. “Ignore the rose gold magic coins. That’s not what this is about.”

Even Elaine, who lived in a grand estate like this, showed considerable shock at seeing Argrave have such a staggering quantity of money. Argrave smiled. He had been hoping for this reaction.

By visiting her brother, Argrave had demonstrated that he did not trust Elaine. The action also wounded her pride. By showing her something that was ostensibly secret—Argrave’s money—he showed that he did trust her.

Argrave knew a simple principle; by showing trust in someone, it is easier to receive it from them in return. Elaine was the manager of the Jast branch of the Order of the Gray Owl. Having a good relationship with her would make his activities in Jast go smoothly, and would likely have benefits in the future, as well. Argrave took no risk by showing this one card in his hand. Elaine was a bit ruthless, but she respected her brother’s business partners.

“Look at these,” Argrave continued on, fishing a necklace out of the lockbox. “Look at this lovely emerald pendant. It might go well with your nice green eyes.” He held it up, and she frowned. “Don’t get angry. I’m not here to sell you jewelry. Each and every one of these lovely pieces is enchanted.” He dropped the necklace and it clattered against the rest.

“So?” she pressed. “They’re stolen, and you want me to sell them?” She shook her head. “You’d be better off bringing this to my brother.”

“No. They aren’t…” Argrave trailed off. “I guess they are stolen,” he turned to Anneliese, musing. “We took them from a grave, technically. But their civilization died thousands of years ago, so it should be fine, no?” He bit his lip. “No, I suppose not. I guess I’m a bad person.”

“Talk sense for a minute,” Elaine said. “You took these from a grave?”

“An elven tomb,” Argrave corrected, moving his finger from Anneliese to Elaine. “Each and every piece of enchanted jewelry in here was made with lost methods. Might be some of them are useless. Might be some of them are invaluable. That’s what I need your help with.”

“My help?” She shook her head. “How am I to believe you about their origins?”

Argrave grabbed the crown from the lockbox. “I know this one’s effect. It enhances your physical strength and stamina. Try it on.”

She hesitantly took the crown from Argrave’s hand. It was almost too large for her head, and it sunk down a fair bit before her bountiful red hair caught it. “I feel nothing.”

“Try jumping. Or running,” Argrave suggested.

She frowned at Argrave, but seeing him remain serious, she jumped. She got a great distance off the ground and panicked. After waving her arms about, she landed ungracefully. The crown fell off her head as she struggled to keep her balance. The crown rolled away, and Argrave stepped forward, grabbing it elegantly.

“That’s a genuine artifact,” she said, staring at it. “Physical enhancements caused by enchantments are a lost art. And it was pulled from that tomb?”

“Correct,” Argrave nodded. Seeing her amazed stare at the crown remain unbroken, Argrave added, “I have some plans for this one. It’s these others I want to entrust to you. When all is said and done, perhaps we can discuss selling some of these to you.” Elaine’s gaze turned back to stare up at his face, and she nodded.

“As I recall, you mentioned you warded this room,” Argrave waved his hands about. “I need someone well acquainted with enchantments to discern what each piece of jewelry does. I can offer a significant price,” Argrave added, rummaging through jewels and pink coins all but overflowing from the lockbox.

“Well…” Elaine stepped forward, picking up a piece of jewelry. She held it up in the air, studying it. “To be frank, this is beyond my expertise. It’s one thing for me to know enchantments that the Order has documented and that exist, but one would need certain specialists to decipher ancient enchantments…”

“And who would know those specialists better than Elaine of Vrybell, manager of the Jast branch of the Order of the Gray Owl?” Argrave smiled.

“I guess you do know a thing or two,” she admitted, lowering the jewelry and placing it back in the lockbox. “Let’s talk a service fee.”

At those words, Argrave nodded with a faint smile. He might be able to get it cheaper if he skipped by Elaine and went directly to the people she’d reach out to, but oftentimes knowing the right people was more important than getting the best prices. Always nice to have friends in high places. I think this is the start of a beautiful friendship built on half-truths and money.