Jackal Among Snakes

“Argrave,” Anneliese called out, short of breath.

Argrave turned his head from where he sat beside the great willow tree hanging off the ledge. This was where the cave housing the Alchemist’s home ended, leaving only a sheer cliff at a high point in a mountain. With the unending plain of clouds ahead, it appeared like the end of the earth stretched before him. The suns were setting, hueing the white fluffy clouds with reds and oranges.

Anneliese took some time to catch her breath, and then took slow steps towards him. Argrave turned his head back to the view before him, watching silently. She came to stand beside him.

“I feel blindsided,” he said, gaze wandering the cloud steppes. “Always had a theory about suicide. I thought there were some types of people that just wouldn’t. No matter how rough, they’d never do something like that.” He exhaled through his nose lightly—the smallest laugh. “I thought Garm was one of those types.” He brought his knees up and wrapped his arms around them. “Thought I was, too. That’s something to note.” He paused. “Don’t worry. I’m not suggesting anything.”

Anneliese shifted on her feet. “It was not… suicide, exactly,” she argued as she sat down beside Argrave, staring out.

“I know a fair bit about souls. Read a lot of lore about them. Garm used [Voice of the Corrupt]. The damage to his soul would be significant. What’s more, Durran’s got an iron will.” Argrave shook his head. “It was hopeless from the beginning. Garm must’ve known that.”

“But Garm was arrogant,” she pointed out, staring beyond. “Maybe he genuinely thought he could win.”

He shook his head deliberately and slowly. “I can’t believe that. Garm might have had more experience… but in a fight between souls, that really matters none. You can do one such fight in ‘Heroes of Berendar.’ It’s a fancy fight… but given what I know of the lore, if one soul is damaged, it’s like pitting a bear against a dragon. The bear might be dangerous, but…”

She sighed. “Of all people… Garm.” She looked at him. “We knew him less than a month. And though it is horrible to say… I do hope Garm lives. But even still…”

“Even still?” Argrave pressed.

“He was deeply unhappy. Miserable. Maybe… maybe he jumped at the first chance he saw, no matter how poor his odds were,” she mused. “Anything to avoid living as he was for a while longer.”

Argrave said nothing, considering his own position on the matter. He knew Durran better than her, even if it was in a different medium. But, in this reality, he’d known Garm for longer. The man had been obstinate, stubborn, but there was a strange charm to his constant bitterness. He was like Rowe, in a way. Ultimately…

Argrave sighed. “I just want this day to end.”

Anneliese stared at Argrave, watching him. A silence settled in between them for a long, long while.

“Argrave. Please, break this cycle.”

He turned his head. “What are you talking about?”

“Holding your thoughts inside. Losing yourself in other things until you forget about it. Every time you get like this… it is worse than the last. Then your nightmares get worse, and you keep burdening yourself more and more and more.” Anneliese shook her head, unruly white hair swaying.

His gray eyes stared her down, steady as stone. After a time, he turned back to the view. The suns were setting lower, adding shades of purple and pink atop the clouds.

“Ignoring these things is a good skill to have, for a guy in my position,” he shrugged, seemingly nonchalant. “I can’t let thoughts, emotions, distract from the ultimate goal.”

“Again, you hesitate to speak,” she shook her head frustratedly.

“That stuff isn’t easy for me,” he ground his feet against the ground. “Not to mention my current in-agony state.”

“Agony makes people more emotional, typically, yet even now you choke yourself.” She sidled closer. “Please,” she stared at him intently.

“’Please,’ what?” Argrave looked to her.

“Stop choking yourself.”

“And do what, spill my guts?” Argrave threw his hands up. “What’s the point? I’m positive you know what I’m feeling.”

“But not why,” she insisted. “That is the crux of things. There is only so much I can deduce from what I notice. There is so much you keep hidden, private.” She pointed at him. “You refuse to disclose even the simplest things—your name!”

“Argrave,” he rebuked.

“You know what I mean—acting ignorant does not become you,” Anneliese gave him a stern-eyed glare. “The name of who you were before,” she elaborated.

“Why is that important?” he held out his hands. “I’m here, now. That life is gone. That guy is dead.”

“Is he?” she questioned loudly. “I talk to him right now. I grow frustrated at his obstinance. I worry for his well-being when he runs out, barefoot, into a jungle when he was sweating blood and having seizures not yesterday!”

Argrave stared at her, eyes wide when the ever-calm Anneliese yelled. After a time, he found the situation rather funny. He turned his head and laughed. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to run out. I got… a little overwhelmed when I heard the news.”

“Yet you will not say why,” she noted, annoyed.

“Why is that important?!”

“In case you have not noticed, I am always fascinated by ‘why,’” she pointed out, grabbing his shoulder and shaking him.

Argrave rocked with her pushes, then chuckled, much of the tension dispelled.

“I feel pretty good, actually. The aching… it’s lessening. And that run—by god, you wouldn’t even recognize me.” He held up his hand. “My nails are even growing back. I think things are getting better, even if I’m not out of the water.”

things will—” she stopped, then frowned. “You are too good at controlling the conversation.

again. “I’m

this because I am worried,”

head

good purpose, but at the end of the day, he is lost to us.” She pointed at Argrave. “Just because it is in a different manner does not change the

“I can’t recall the last time

his arm as she said those last two words. “Does

he lied, adjusting his sitting

him patiently, waiting for him to

he nodded. “I do… understand your point. I’m not conceding that you’re right,”

I recall, you once said I was smarter than you, and you would never refuse my

into a chuckle. “People always turn your own

you trust

once. “That isn’t

think that you do

Garm going behind our backs like

you keep me

don’t want you to think less of me. I said it, plainly. The idea makes me very uncomfortable.

would treat you the same if I knew more about you,” Anneliese summarized,

But his visceral reaction faded, and he truly

now?” she raised

turn his head away, with nothing more to argue against. Ahead, the field of clouds had been dyed beautiful colors by the setting sun. It was like a painting, so beautiful

there’s just some

“Argrave…”

gnaws at me, every day. I’m an imposter. A phony. I’m wearing someone else’s shoes, and I’m walking about like my feet are massive. My

crawled forward a little and grabbed Argrave’s shoulders, turning him

the eyes. “When you were born, did

“What?” he questioned, confused.

parents? Did you choose your social status or financial status,

“Well, no, but I could have chosen the

repeated, giving him a light shake. “You

a life—now all of that is

have no responsibility,” Anneliese

a beat, then continued, “But the bronze

you have done… you have chosen to do.” She took a deep breath and sighed. “Responsibilities are things fabricated by the mind, by society. You

stared at her amber eyes, throat

ounce of hesitation. Your first response to your situation was to endeavor to stop an invasion,” she said plainly. “Despite your sickly body, and

navigated that city of Jast like it was your own property and negotiated a pivotal alliance between nobles by the end of it all. You went into the Low Way, getting caught between vampires,

“Well… each had varying

were the impetus,” she

conceded with

And I know you. You used to hate getting dirty or touching people, but you overcame that. Your response to discomfort or nervousness is to make jokes. I know that you enjoy explaining things, and I know that you enjoy learning magic. I know that you care deeply for the people around you—indeed, all people.

His growing smile paused.

a little closer. “I do not know Argrave. But I know you. I like your witty comments and your humorous interjections. I am constantly astonished by your diligence and your willpower. You are admirably tenacious. The tenacity

He felt unbearably nervous as he lifted his hand up to her face. His fingers brushed her cheek, and she took a deep

continued the set, painting a serene scene of purples, oranges, pinks, and

his forehead against hers, staring into her eyes.

for a long

their own private little world, and everything around had ceased to be. Sounds, sights, smells, pain, all gone.

know,” she said

a disorganized heap of giggles. All the tension, sadness, anger, dispelled at once, and they both held each other.

chosen a better time for that,” Argrave

not attracted to

Argrave sat up quickly, supporting himself with his elbow and staring down at her. “Why would you

her head. “Romantic feelings. But then they

I didn’t think it would be a good time for

pressed, raising her

looked off to the

I give you yet

laughed, then turned back to face her. “Look at you. You’re drop-dead gorgeous, you’re probably the most talented spellcaster in the world, you’re way smarter than I

she pinched his cheek.

the kiss?”

unfair barter,”

Kiss from you—that’s worth the

both a kiss

the ground, joining her in laughter. “My lord. Can’t