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.

of the bed, squeezing his eyes shut even still. “Black Blood has an amazing synchronism with blood magic.

the side,

for myself,”

stopped him. “The Alchemist said we needed to leave

mostly black, before, but now Argrave found it a tossup between red and black. Cleaning this up… would be

muttered. “At least

#####

stepped outside the gargantuan bulging door of the Alchemist’s palace. The man hadn’t come to see them off, and it felt strange to leave without

grown larger. His Brumesingers rushed out from the jungle, and he knelt down to retrieve them.

nervous. Anneliese

really want a

“Take one, then,”

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

opening up into a clearing. There, Durran read, leaning up against a tree. Galamon stood there, arms crossed, ready

“Leaving?” Galamon said simply.

confirmed. There was an

pack,” Galamon stepped

he didn’t know where he stood, but then moved to

called out. “Let’s

#####

You look terrible,” noted

and Galamon and Argrave hadn’t talked much at all since he’d

feel good,” Argrave confirmed, moving 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

sunken eyes and pale skin than some missing nails. You look like my father did. He was dying, need I remind you,” he shook his head. “No such luck,

stopped, deciding to tear off the

He fixed his dark hair. “Galamon said you lie a lot. Guess he was

moment, Argrave started to laugh once he’d processed what Durran

over and done. I won’t act like I

down at Durran. “You said something back then that’s been stuck in my gears. You said this ‘needed to

wasn’t entirely honest with me, let alone with any of you,” he admitted. He seemed to hesitate to say more. “Maybe it was made up—something to convince me to do

to think of the lore he’d

know,” he admitted plainly. “But… for what it’s worth,

did make him feel better about things, if only just. He scanned the golden tattoos all about the tribal’s body as he lost himself in thought, then

crossed his arms. “Why exactly are

“Galamon tells tall tales about a taller calamity coming to ruin the world. I figure that’s a worthwhile endeavor to

Argrave confirmed. “But you seem… if not a leader, at the

if I’m worth the trouble?”

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, you went and found me just outside Cyprus. I can’t

acquaintances. Not saying you’re wrong with these assertions, but… whenever I ask questions about how you know so much, Galamon and Anneliese both clam

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. That clarity of mind told him it would be best to

learn when you’re older,” Argrave shook his head. “Listen. Trust will come with time. The three of us are rather accommodating. As long

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

his gaze for a