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…”

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brought me here. How else do

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 imperial family controlled all agriculture, causing great prosperity or harrowing famine at whim. These ones, here, had

seems I’m quite late,”

of that right. They kept the Bloodwoods sprouting brilliantly, never to be shaken. In the past, this region had been a sparsely inhabited place claimed by the imperial family. Now, these redwoods supported the elven ethnic group that had once

this land was supposed to be yours,” he said to

and stared at him. “But it

He nodded. “It isn’t.”

it, either.” Onychinusa rose to her feet. “Anneliese works so

same time, he was strangely relieved. A life of peace, or a life of reclaiming the nebulous idea

do you want?” He

the author gets the support they deserve by reading it

want.” She held out her

seem to be doing

easy,” she admitted. “I just watch, listen, learn. To see people’s

he should say anything, but felt he might regret it if he stayed quiet. “I only hope you make

his comeuppance.” She sat back down on the dirt. “I know what not to do. I know to be nice, like Anneliese is. I know not to enslave people, because Llewellen said it was hard on him. Argrave says to treat others like you want to be treated. He can be

to understand things like that… yet at the same time, seeing

very proud of you,” Balzat

“Okay.” She nodded.

face, Balzat turned around. “I understand the elves

think… I think I’ll miss you,” she said. “And I wish we

I as well. But even this was more

Onychinusa shrugged. “We’ll see.”

you. And I do, as well, difficult as it might be to understand. So long as you remember that… I’ll

#####

led these people in the Bloodwoods. And right alongside them, he witnessed others—the leaders of the slaves that had revolted against his empire. The ones partially responsible for the extinction of his people, who had become gods of the Bloodwoods. He had 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

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

Vasquer. Dozens, even hundreds, are leaving seeking better opportunities,” one of their commanders, who led a tumen, explained to him. “We wished to know how we might emulate the empire

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