Jackal Among Snakes

Argrave and Anneliese talked for a long while before Argrave’s hunger started to eat at him, and they elected to return. On the way back, Argrave’s Brumesingers greeted him, climbing all over him like a friend sorely missed. Argrave could almost feel their worry for him.

Their fur was growing shades darker. It seemed they had food enough to live well in this place. It was a testament to the Alchemist’s callous nature, he supposed. It also served as a reminder not to step out of line.

But after a time, Argrave left them outside once more, entering into the Alchemist’s home alongside Anneliese. As they walked through the halls of the Alchemist’s home, faint voices echoed through the halls. They cast a glance at each other, and then Argrave rushed towards its source.

Argrave turned the corner to where Durran’s body had been resting. Galamon was looking at him, evidently hearing his approach long ago. Durran—or was it Garm? —twisted his head to look at Argrave.

“Argrave,” Galamon greeted.

Without words, Argrave stepped up to the other person in the room. A pair of golden eyes watched him, the purple light of the Alchemist’s abode reflecting off the golden tattoos on his skin.

He stared for a long while. Eventually, Durran took a deep breath. “Garm is gone,” he disclosed.

The words hit harder than Argrave thought they would. Perhaps he hadn’t accepted it. Perhaps he was holding onto the belief that some strange miracle would happen. But now, seeing Durran standing, it was like he’d seen the body in the coffin.

“I am sorry for deceiving you,” Durran continued, looking at Argrave. His gaze shifted to Anneliese as she entered. “For deceiving all of you. But what happened… it was something I strongly feel needed to happen. And Garm wanted this.”

At that moment, Argrave recalled something his father had told him once. He turned his body slightly to the side. Then he rotated again, throwing a punch as though something was behind Durran. His middle knuckle struck the man right in the nose.

Take a stance, rotate your hips, keep your wrist straight… and punch right through ‘im, his dad had insisted.

Maybe his dad was right, or maybe he was lucky. Regardless, Durran’s head jerked back and his knees buckled, and he stumbled backwards before falling against the ground. Argrave stood there, still tense. That was the first time he had ever punched anyone. Durran wasn’t small, by any means—well built, tall for normal-sized people, but Argrave had downed him. His hand hurt, but he felt a strange rush of relief.

He heard Anneliese gasp, and even Galamon looked a little surprised. Argrave stepped forward. Durran already regained his bearings. He scrambled upwards, ready to fight. Argrave only pointed.

“Don’t ever pull anything like that again,” Argrave declared.

Durran rose to his feet, one hand on his bleeding nose. His wide eyes stayed locked on Argrave for a long time, and then he nodded.

“I don’t want to see you for a while,” Argrave lowered his hand. “We’ll talk when I’ve got a cool head. Right now, I’m feeling like doing something we’ll both regret.”

“…alright,” Durran answered, voice nasally.

Argrave turned and left, storming down the hall. Anneliese quickly moved after him.

Once they were a decent distance away, Argrave asked, “Why did I do that?”

“Because you were angry,” Anneliese answered.

“God damn it all. I can’t be doing stupid things like that. He’s supposed to be another member

good thing,” she

the halls,

this can be overcome, he would see you as a leader more naturally. After all, a leader

to him room once again. Once he passed the threshold to his room, he paused in his tracks,

“I do not need unnecessary variables in my observation.” He closed the book, then turned his head.

unsettled, tense, and angry. The second he wanted to hold Anneliese’s hand, she was already doing so. He found out

I would do something for you,” Argrave

looked at him, evidently ignorant

stop Gerechtigkeit,” the Alchemist said plainly. “At any

a deep breath, almost finding the promise funny. Anneliese had said he had chosen to fight Gerechtigkeit, that it wasn’t a responsibility—yet now, he was making a promise to

will,” Argrave

finger unfurled, revealing a set of black eyes with golden irises.

The

of all, by his estimation. His throat tightened, and Argrave

think about

only you can answer. Do

time to think,” Argrave

away the two black eyes. He walked away without giving a confirmation, leaving Argrave even

think that’s his way of saying yes,” Argrave sighed, releasing Anneliese’s hand. He strode to his bed, recalling only now how filthy

pulled

her. “Let’s sit

blankets, frozen, then

eyes,” Argrave said, shaking his

be helpful,” Anneliese conceded. “He wrote a letter to me, too. He described them. Apparently, they’ll function as any other A-rank mage’s eyes, retaining their ability

cast spells from them,” Argrave nodded. “He wrote the same to me.” He turned his head over to her.

sure I can…” he saw a chill run through her. “The idea of subjecting myself

your head. A good thing, too,” he noted, putting his hand to her cheek. “Elsewise I’d never be able to see those beautiful amber eyes again,” he said, trying to

fell back to the bed, thinking on the

Black Blooded, now I’ve got golden eyes with black sclera… can’t get much edgier than that.

looked down at him. “I get the impression you do not want

bit at his lip. “I stand out enough as is. With eyes like that, covert operations are… well, hell, covert operations were never on the table. I stick out way too much,” Argrave shook his head. “People might distrust me. Might

conflicted. Talk to me,” she reminded

very, very wrong to refuse them. A man donates his organs to me, I toss them out because they’re the wrong color? Talk about

them to Durran?”

“And… I don’t know. He’s

recall Helmuth?” Anneliese questioned. “The man had