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.

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

looked off to the side, obviously miffed

myself,” Argrave shook

“The Alchemist said we needed to leave

the place was a mess. The room had been mostly black, before, but now Argrave found it a tossup between red and black. Cleaning this up… would be

“At least

#####

to see them off, and it felt strange to leave without a single word to their host. But their host was weird, and

before, like he had grown larger. His Brumesingers rushed out from the jungle, and he knelt down to retrieve them. Anneliese’s own fox creature followed just shortly after, running into the palace. Argrave stood

ahead made Argrave feel strangely nervous. Anneliese walked up

I really want a break,” Argrave said quietly, offering

it. “Take one, then,”

to the road. “I’ve got one thing I wanted really bad,”

stepped forward. They walked past the jungle until it thinned, opening up into a clearing. There, Durran read, leaning up against a tree. Galamon

“Leaving?” Galamon said simply.

There was

Galamon

Argrave uncertainly, like he didn’t know where he stood, but then moved

called out. “Let’s walk

#####

You look terrible,”

face, glad to receive some honesty for once. Anneliese always softened her words, and Galamon and Argrave hadn’t

still haven’t grown back. Didn’t really know how frustrating that would be,” he held his hands out. “Putting

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

you won’t find that luck with me,” Argrave stopped, deciding to tear off the band-aid. “Listen.

paused, staring up at Argrave with his golden eyes. He fixed his dark hair. “Galamon said you lie a lot. Guess he was

a moment, 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

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

admitted. He seemed to hesitate to say more. “Maybe it was made up—something to convince me to do what he wanted. But he said his soul was damaged, and if he did nothing, his memories would fade away

trying to think of

he admitted plainly. “But… for

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

“Why exactly are

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

care to,” Argrave confirmed. “But you seem… if not a leader, at the very

the trouble?” Durran raised

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.”

these assertions, but… whenever I ask questions about how you know

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 keep

time. The three of us are rather accommodating. As long as you stay consistent, open-minded…” Argrave shrugged. “You’ll be

all the burdens that follow. But I made a promise

held his gaze for a