Jackal Among Snakes

Chapter 636

Chapter 636: Pieces of Peace

Knowing that all of them might not ever again return from the Shadowlands, Argrave gave one final compromise for those he’d brought back beyond the grave: a day to say their goodbyes to this world, in whatever manner they saw fit. He wasn’t trusting enough to see them roam freely, though, so he only allowed those who were fitted with something of Raven’s design to leave. It would kill them if they did not return in a timely fashion.

Argrave sat with Garm, who went without eating despite a good-looking pile of food being placed before him.

“How does it feel, knowing you’re responsible for all of this?” Argrave asked.

Garm picked up a leaf of lettuce and moved it between his fingers. “Empty, yet complete. It feels like there’s nothing more to do, and that’s a rather empty feeling. At the same time, I don’t feel things are as… unfinished as they were.”

Argrave nodded. “I don’t know how much time is remaining to you, but do you want to tie up some loose ends? We visited Malgeridum, but I’m not entirely sure that’s enough.”

“I got closure in that regard.” He studied Argrave. “It’s only you I haven’t tied things up with. In terms of the amount of time, you didn’t appear in my life the longest. But in terms of the influence? I don’t think any one person has had more impact on me.” He tapped the table. “What you said, about naming your first son after me…”

“Yeah. I meant that.” Argrave nodded. “If you want, the offer still stands.”

“No.” Garm looked at Argrave squarely. “I don’t want you to do that. I respect what you’re trying to do, but I want my name to be my own. Besides, it’d probably bring the kid bad luck.”

“Okay. I’ll remember that. Instead of the first, I’ll name the second son Garm.”

Garm laughed, then finally took a bite of his meal. “Alright, you bastard. Do whatever you want.” He chewed for a few minutes, then his gaze went distant. “It’s hard to imagine being anything other than alive. But I’ve been dead, twice. Once more isn’t so much trouble.”

Argrave stared solemnly, letting his thoughts go. “What you’ve done… so long as the people you chose are up to the task, it’ll never be forgotten. I absolve you of any sins.” Argrave drew a cross in the air. “Your soul is saved. Rejoice, my child.”

“I don’t need absolution. The only thing I’d have done differently is… well, I wouldn’t die.”

Argrave looked at him, having some trouble understanding that sentiment. “Then why help me?”

“Hmm.” Garm pushed away his plate. “Maybe… it’s because I think you might be the one person who’ll miss me when I’m gone. And even in spite of all I’ve done, you won’t forget I’ve done something worth remembering. Hell—I don’t understand it myself.”

Argrave couldn’t begin to understand why Garm had helped. But he was right in one thing—it wouldn’t be forgotten.

“In that sense, at least… memory… I’ll make sure you never die,” Argrave promised.

“You’ll have to live yourself,” Garm pointed out.

“Indeed I will…”

#####

already brought me here. How else do

at his granddaughter fondly as the dryads wove crowns of twigs in her hair. She seemed far more comfortable with them than she did anyone else. He had intended to come here, where he knew the dryads would still faithfully serve the imperial family, and bestow them upon the ascendant kingdom of Vasquer. With their aid, never again would they suffer famine. Mastery over the dryads had been one of the reasons his empire had been able to control the masses; through them, the

quite late,”

she had taken his role as their caretaker. He wouldn’t dare deprive her of that right. They kept the Bloodwoods sprouting brilliantly, never to be shaken. In the past, this region had been

was supposed to be yours,” he said

stopped and stared at him. “But it

He nodded. “It isn’t.”

Onychinusa rose to her feet. “Anneliese works so hard. I don’t

a life of reclaiming the nebulous idea of a birthright… for his granddaughter, he earnestly hoped she’d choose the former.

you want?” He asked

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I want.” She held out her arms. “Whenever I

smiled. “You seem to be doing a

just watch, listen,

but felt he might regret it if he stayed quiet. “I only hope you make time to live your own,

be nice, like Anneliese is. I know not to enslave people, because

yet at the same time, seeing how

proud of

“Okay.” She nodded.

“I understand the elves here wanted to speak with me. I’m going to take care

I think I’ll miss you,” she said.

this was more than

Onychinusa shrugged. “We’ll see.”

you. And I do, as well, difficult as it might be to understand. So long as

#####

died before they had revolted, but the fact remained they’d been responsible for the death of his descendants. They loomed nearly as large as the redwood trees towering above. This place retained the eerie beauty that it always had, and the elves residing within had adapted far better than his empire ever had

all people… they had called for him asking for counsel. It felt like a joke the universe was

who led a tumen, explained to him. “We wished to know how we might emulate

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