Jackal Among Snakes

Argrave laid his head back against the pillow, blinking rapidly. The Alchemist’s finger curled inwards, stashing away the Unsullied Knife.

Eye replacement surgery had to be one of the most unpleasant operations imaginable, doubly so because the Alchemist was an unfeeling bastard who made him stay awake for the entire process. Even if it was painless, being blinded temporarily was terrifying beyond compare.

The Alchemist didn’t have the grace to replace each eyeball individually—instead, he took both of them out, then replaced them one after the other. The only thing comparably horrifying was confronting death when he’d bonded with the Brumesingers, or perhaps the other thing the Alchemist had done to him.

“It is done,” the Alchemist concluded. “This change will not be inherited by your progeny… unlike the Black Blooded transformation.”

“My eyes feel hot,” Argrave rubbed at them.

“It should be agonizing. Perhaps you are numb to pain,” the Alchemist concluded. “The Black Blood must integrate with these eyes. In time, they will ‘heal.’ The color is brought about by necrotic decay coupled with necromancy. With your body as the template, you will regain your eye color. Half a year, according to my estimates.”

Surprised and somewhat relieved to hear his eyes wouldn’t remain like this forever, Argrave dared to open his eyes… and at once, saw for himself just how absolutely powerful the Alchemist was. He could see the magic practically bursting from his skin like a black cloud of death within him. It felt like looking at the sun, and Argrave quickly turned away.

He spotted Anneliese. She had magic within her, too, permeating throughout. Though it was the same black mist, it was nowhere near as dense as the Alchemist’s. He was worried that this change would be eternal… but as soon as he wished for it, the black mist faded into oblivion like it never was.

I can see magic with will alone, Argrave noted, finally starting to feel things were worth it.

Argrave had yet to breach B-rank magic, and A-rank was even further beyond his ken. He had something special in mind for the ascension to A-rank. The increase in power at that point would be comparable to his Black Blood. Yet for now, the ability to discern magic power would be immeasurably useful… doubly so now that they were to head back into Vasquer, and once again confront mages.

His vision felt clear, too. Maybe he was delusional, but he felt like he saw things in better detail. Garm hadn’t been falsely bragging about having good eyesight, evidently.

“If you lose them, I will not heal you,” the Alchemist finally said, acting like losing eyes was as inconsequential as losing a ring. “Our business is done. Begone. Leave no messes.”

Argrave watched the Alchemist leave, then fell back into the bed, acutely aware of his eyes. He turned to Anneliese.

“How bad is it?” he questioned.

She stared at his face. “Compared to your first two weeks incapacitated, it does not look bad at all. Bloodshot, perhaps.”

“No, I mean… how does it look?” he rephrased.

“…unsettling,” Anneliese finally said. “A little,” she softened the blow.

Argrave sighed. “Half a year like this… allegedly. Might be helpful some places. Might cause trouble in others. I’ll have to look for myself.”

He reached for the bronze hand mirror, hefting it up as though to look for a change.

Traits: [Tall], [Black Blooded], [Intelligent], [Magic Affinity (High)], [Insomniac], [Blessing of Supersession (MAX)]

Skills: [Elemental Magic (C)], [Blood Magic (C)], [Healing Magic (C)], [Illusion Magic (C)], [Warding Magic(C)], [Druidic Magic (C)], [Inscription (E)], [Imbuing (E)]

Argrave hadn’t been idle. He’d been saddled with a massive magic debt to Erlebnis after the raid on Argent and the battle with the Lord of Silver. Every single day, he paid close attention to how much magic he had, diligently repaying things. It took perhaps three weeks to fully repay the debt. The rate was utterly ridiculous. His magic regenerated so much faster than before.

“You think Garm left behind some good blood magic?” Argrave questioned Anneliese.

“None of it is ‘good.’ It hurts you. Do not use it,” Anneliese crossed her arms and shook her head.

shut even still. “Black Blood has an amazing synchronism with blood magic. I’ll heal quicker from any

the side, obviously

for myself,” Argrave shook his

Alchemist said we

looked around at the room. Despite Galamon pitching in, the place was a mess. The room had been mostly black, before, but now Argrave found

muttered. “At least there’s no

#####

door of the Alchemist’s palace. The man hadn’t come to see them off, and it felt strange to leave without a single word to their host. But their host was weird,

duster overtop it. It was a little less loose than it had been before, like he had grown larger. His Brumesingers rushed out from the jungle, and he knelt down to retrieve them. Anneliese’s own fox

strangely nervous. Anneliese walked up behind him, and he looked

laid in bed for a month… but I really want a break,” Argrave said quietly, offering

“Take one, then,” she

he turned his head back to the road. “I’ve got one thing I wanted really bad,” Argrave clenched her hand a bit tighter.

released her hand and stepped forward. They walked past the jungle until it thinned, opening up into a clearing. There, Durran

“Leaving?” Galamon said simply.

Argrave confirmed. There was

Galamon

Argrave uncertainly, like he didn’t know

out. “Let’s walk for a

#####

terrible,” noted

her words, and Galamon and Argrave hadn’t talked much at all

his fingers about. “But my nails still haven’t grown back. Didn’t really know how frustrating that would be,” he held his hands out. “Putting the gloves

and pale skin than some missing nails. You look like my father did. He was dying, need I remind you,” he shook his

with me,” Argrave stopped, deciding to tear off the band-aid. “Listen. I’m sorry I punched you. Not

He fixed his dark hair.

Argrave started to laugh once

apologize,” Durran shook his head before he could recover. “It’s over and done. I won’t act like I would do something else in your shoes. And you did save my

and then stared down at Durran. “You said something back then that’s been stuck in my

scratched the back of his neck. “I’ve been thinking that over myself. Garm wasn’t entirely honest with me, let alone with any of you,” he admitted. He seemed to hesitate to say more. “Maybe it

you think?” Argrave questioned, trying to think of the lore he’d read

he admitted plainly. “But… for what

things, if only just. He scanned the golden tattoos all about the tribal’s body as he

crossed his arms. “Why exactly

of an outsider among my people, but after Sethia, I doubt any will welcome me. I have no home,” Durran shook his head. “Galamon tells tall tales about a taller calamity coming to ruin the world. I figure that’s a worthwhile endeavor to set my sights on, if only to disprove

than I care to,” Argrave confirmed. “But you seem… if not a leader, at the very least, heavily independent. Definitely not a

I’m worth the trouble?”

if you can be obedient,” Argrave shrugged. “I know you’re worth the trouble. You’re talented. And you’re hardworking—a talent on its own. But I know you. You’re pretty whimsical.” Argrave uncrossed one arm, gesturing towards Durran. “Hell, once the southron elves told you we’d spoken,

no?” Durran shook his head. “You act like we’re old acquaintances. Not saying you’re wrong with these assertions, but… whenever I ask questions about how you know so much,

of informing Durran of his background. Maybe it was his imagination, but he felt he was thinking much clearer these days. Perhaps physical health did improve mental health, and that wasn’t just something he’d read somewhere ages ago.

Argrave shook his head. “Listen. Trust will come with time. The three of us are rather

know. I’m the tag-along, with all the burdens that follow. But I made a

at Durran. The man held his gaze for a bit, but eventually looked away