Jackal Among Snakes

Chapter 631: Cogs of the Machine Driving a Nation

Argrave had been skeptical if giving the Fruit of Being to Artur to use in a crafting project was truly the best use of the item. A masterpiece was infinitely less useful than a skilled master, by his estimation—someone that could continue to make ingenious project after ingenious project. Instead, in the twisted fate the fruit had chosen, he’d received two wonderful artifacts, and shared with Anneliese some of the power he received after eating the Fruit of Being.

After a while, they were prepared to depart.

“What would you like as payment, Artur?” Argrave asked, gauging for the man’s reaction.

“Just pay me what you think my work was worth,” Artur said. “And tell everyone who asks that I made the weapons that make you what you are. Oh—and let me out of that research team.”

“We can.” Anneliese nodded. “But you’re very insightful, Artur. Are you certain you wish to stop coming?”

He seemed to waver briefly, but ultimately shook his head. “No. I’m as insightful running this place as I am in that research team, and I have to entertain fewer fools that I can’t put in their place.”

Argrave offered his hand to Artur. “I think you deserve more than money for what you’ve done—but you’ll get plenty of that, I assure you. I’m certain we can produce some rose gold magic coins. And I can guarantee you, until the day we die—which may be never, after what you’ve done—we’ll be coming to you for anything truly important.”

“Well enough,” Artur said, seizing Argrave’s hand for the handshake. “I look forward to it.”

#####

After leaving Artur, they decided to visit Raven for his scrutiny into what might’ve changed in Anneliese. Artur may have been exceptionally keen, but he lacked the perception of Truesight and the insight of someone millennia old.

“She is not as changed as you or Durran,” Raven informed Argrave. “She has not subsumed spirits into herself, imitating divinity. She might still be considered an ordinary spellcaster in most ways. But you two now exist in a closed loop, sharing many things.” He looked at Argrave. “And just as her abilities changed, so too did yours, more subtly. Your blood magic can still erase magic spells, even divinity—but instead of burning them to ash, all that you destroy will return to her as energy.”

He looked to Anneliese. “And through you, that energy can return to him. You can heal his wounds or replenish his magic. Or, you could use it for other purposes—your own spells, your own shamanic magic, or even distributing it to others. All of that is at your discretion, it would seem. Fighting together, you would become an unstoppable machine that grows eternally. I can think of nothing more fitting to tackle the Shadowlands.”

Anneliese accepted all of that grandiose responsibility with a simple nod. Argrave was certainly reconsidering his perspective on what should be done with the last fruit.

On top of all this, Argrave now had the remote GPS tracking feature installed on his wife. It might have been a touch overbearing if she didn’t have the same feature installed on him—with the right wording, it might even be considered romantic. No matter how far they travelled away from one another, they knew where the other was. It even worked through divine realms.

“We have our siege weapon, it would seem.” Argrave walked around. “But we’ll need others.”

“They’ve all been preparing,” Anneliese reminded him. “It won’t be long until we find him. I’m rather eager to see that sociopath dismembered.”

“Not a sentiment I thought I’d ever hear from you,” he remarked.

it,” Anneliese said with certainty. “As do countless others, I suspect. Let’s give

#####

the Theorist back,” Garm spoke to Durran as the man had a small breakfast in a public dining area at the

easier to sideline, now. It’s like being in a crowded bazaar, rather than being stabbed repeatedly in

across from Durran. “Care

think I’m being plenty help just sitting here. You’re alive, aren’t

of

Durran said, then sipped

elite troop to tackle the Shadowlands without fear of losing anyone important. I’m rather positive I

by Raven, now. And you should just ask Argrave. I’m sure

of a thousand dead in my head after

tale belongs on Royal Road.

in gods’ name did you go to the

It’s passable. But it’s not quite what I had

Durran pressed as he dipped some bread in the

want to stop hearing voices—I want to get my hands on a lot of body parts. What do you say we team up, massacre a village, and then prepare a nice little present for Argrave?” Garm

disagreeable, but that one was a little sad.” Durran shook his head and peered at his food as if disappointed. “You really can’t muster anything more believable than that? Just tell me what you’re really thinking so

personal. I’m a little hurt,” Garm said, though it wasn’t clear if he truly meant it. “What if I know a place we can find a lot of undead? Ready-made parts, with the damage already done,” Garm whispered. “Would you come along? You said that the Fruit of Being gave you a combat-related ability, but

figure my power out,” Durran insisted. “It’s

combat to stir up that instinct, eh?” Garm nudged his elbow. “I promise it won’t take very long. Especially

someone else,” Durran suggested. “Or better yet, don’t do it at all. Just wait. Argrave’s generally got the right idea

myself if you

“What?”

And then, I’ll end back inside your head.” Garm tapped his temple. “One way or another, this is getting done. I’m not going to let that

the bowl with his spoon. “Don’t bluff

it once,” he pointed out. “Do you want to risk it? I’ve got the reins,

then tossed the spoon down onto the table. “Fine. But I’m a bit different than I once was—I won’t go behind anyone’s back. I’m telling people what we’re doing. Only if I get permission

hands up, conceding. “You should be excited. We’re going to build the greatest troop

not quite convinced. “You should let me do the talking. There’s not a chance Elenore or Argrave will agree

#####

research team. On some level he was impressed by the advancements of magic in his long absence—in other regards, he was appalled by the

a great time in this strange second life. Once he caught up on the past sessions, he had great hopes for joining the research team and contributing his