Jackal Among Snakes

Argrave had wanted a break. In a way, the week spent at the oasis town of Otraccia became just that.

The normalcy of opening new spell books and delving into them for hours at a time became a welcome respite compared to the unending torture that had occurred at the residence of the Alchemist. He felt like someone who had just recovered from surgery returning to their job—and in a way, that wasn’t too far off.

The Alchemist had said that every function of Argrave’s body would be improved. That statement was entirely true. He could focus for longer without exhausting himself. He functioned better with less sleep. And, moreover, he did basic exercise every morning, and ate plenty of what Galamon suggested. The activity was basic, as mentioned—nonetheless, the improvements felt tangible, especially endurance-wise. It was like he was on the classic diet of chicken, rice, broccoli, and steroids. Hopefully his face wouldn’t swell.

Durran was restless, constantly inquiring about the state in Sethia. He seemed to have difficulty believing that things were going well under Titus, and though Argrave shared that sentiment, he wasn’t near as invested as Durran. Indeed, despite his unease with the development entirely foreign to ‘Heroes of Berendar,’ things did seem to be improved.

Galamon finally got a chance for a break, too. Beyond giving advice to Argrave, he did little as he waited for the changes to his armor. His greatsword was being modified to accommodate southron elf magic, and the original enchantment would remain fully intact.

Though the offer extended to all of his weapons, Galamon claimed enchanting the dagger would be impotent, and the Ebonice axe interfered with the southron elf enchantments. Moreover, he needed to see the axe blade to dispel magic. However, the enchanted arrows Galamon still had were enchanted with southron elf magic. The arrows would not betray their flight path as they moved—trivial, considering most people can’t dodge arrows, but it might come in handy.

Garm’s gift of sight had proven to be much more beneficial than Argrave had initially predicted. Perhaps the High Wizard of the Rose had predicted such a thing. Not only could Argrave see other people’s magic, he could see his own. Watching it manifest from its raw, almost gaseous state within the body to a genuine spell proved invaluable for comprehension. Argrave understood spells of C-rank better, though he heeded Anneliese’s advice and refrained from tackling B-rank quite yet, despite the tremendous increase in advancement lent to him by his Black Blood.

Regarding his new changes…

“You want me to drink your blood?” Durran questioned incredulously.

“Naturally,” Argrave nodded as though it was a normal request, acting deliberately obtuse.

Durran frowned intensely, sizing up Argrave suspiciously. “Don’t you have someone for that? He’s standing right over there,” Durran gestured towards Galamon.

“You got aboard this ship a bit late, so you probably don’t know about the Amaranthine Heart juice. Magic in liquid form is black,” Argrave explained. “When people talk about me being ‘Black Blooded,’ it means that I have magic in my blood stream. Hence, I’m curious if ingesting it would produce the same effect as it did previously.”

This wasn’t something that could be done in ‘Heroes of Berendar,’ and Argrave felt it was long overdue to try out something beyond the game’s purview.

“Can’t you ask your lady friend?” Durran stepped away. “Snuggling, sharing a bed—fluid sharing isn’t such a big step forward. Little bit of blood drinking might be weird, but I’m told some people are into it.”

Argrave laughed and shook his head. “Come on. Don’t be a coward,” he insisted, wagging his finger at Durran.

Durran took a great breath, and then sighed. “Gods above… fine. You got some ready, or…?”

Argrave took off his glove and rolled up his sleeve. “Cast some magic,” he prompted Durran, then pulled out a knife he’d taken from the kitchens.

The tribal looked at Argrave like he was mental, but he did cast a spell. Argrave cut his own arm without much hesitation—after what he’d endured, cutting his arm came quite easily. His blood was indeed much, much darker, yet still decidedly red. Durran drank.

After a time, the tattooed tribal looked a little puzzled. “Yeah… I… felt something bubbling, near my chest. Felt faint, but… present.”

Argrave drank some of his own blood. Indeed, the feeling was present, but it was far diminished. More importantly, it even worked on himself…

this?” Galamon questioned, having

spoke to Durran. “He smelled good food, and he comes rushing over.”

elven

they quickly put an end to it. Argrave assured them he only intended to use it for emergencies, but even that

#####

after they left only grew worse. Argrave relented to

one knee in the black sand of the Burnt

up. Aurum, the gold tower, was gone, and Argent was clearly next

he’s probably stopped checking for them by now. On the off chance

I got annoyed for waiting on him, too, so we worked out something

led them around the crater surrounding Sethia, herding them to a small circle of rocks. He picked up a metal mount that had a mirror attached to the end. He wiped the sand-covered mirror down with a cloth, and then positioned the mount. Light shone off the mirror splendidly. After some finagling, the ray of light struck a prism hidden within a bell tower. A rainbow consumed the interior—though obviously noticeable to anyone looking for it,

elsewhere,” Durran

none seemed to protest. Anneliese obviously wanted to follow, as a

I’m curious, too, Argrave decided, then followed Durran

#####

alcove, where ashes evidenced a fire had once

I’m going to call things

bringing him to attention. He rose to his feet, hand on his axe, waiting

a bulky man entered into view, a backpack slung over his shoulders. Boarmask had removed

greeted. Argrave knew his name was Rolf, but few others did. He had straight blonde hair and bright blue eyes—the archetypal appearance of a paladin, and the man’s personality matched up well enough. He was once called the Romantic Warrior—romantic meaning ‘idealistic’ rather

you’d have—” he paused when he met Argrave’s

see something you like?” Argrave interrogated. “Don’t worry about my lamps. I’m sure you know high-rank spellcasters can look

Lord of Silver as you did. And I’m glad of it. Since you came here with Durran… I suppose you’re allies, at least

“For…ever, hopefully,” Argrave nodded.

between ‘for now’ and ‘forever,’ stepping within and setting down his backpack. The thing clattered noisily. Galamon watched him

well-protected. He keeps some highly-trained bodyguards with him, some of whom have enchantments from Vasquer to better help protect. In

Durran interrupted. “Start with the city—how are things for the

on his knees. “Titus is very good at winning over the people, and

to his feet, stepping up to the unarmored knight. Befitting the pure warrior from

month, prowling Sethia alone. Couldn’t

you stalling? Get to the point,” demanded

city for near two weeks after the Lords were killed before the neighboring cities heard of what had happened.

you innocent,” Boarmask pointed to Durran, “Instead, he framed other prominent Sethia locals, having them imprisoned and tried. By this point, even though he has no title, Titus is the sole leader of Sethia. The people love him fiercely. He’s been doing his best to establish the city once again, both militarily and economically.” The blonde

the alcove, staring out across the sand. “Are we sure Titus didn’t get replaced by someone else? Maybe it’s a

with his hand. Boarmask took him

prepared, and he’s not exactly ruining people’s