Jackal Among Snakes

Chapter 656: From Deep Dark to Blind Light

When Argrave again returned to the mortal realm, common sensations so long denied to him came rushing back in a wave that quickly translated into euphoria.

The location that Traugott had been using as his point of contact with the mortal world was an archipelago, evidently, deep out in the middle of nowhere. The sight of the sun and the clouds, far above, felt so pleasant and soothing. The sounds of the waves crashing against the rocks was robust, hearty—as was the smell of salt, lingering in the air so clearly. Never before had the sea smelled sweeter, nor its mists more pleasant.

Argrave and Anneliese walked about mutely while the Manumitter kneeled in stunned silence, taking it all in. This was the first time that he had seen this world. The other one had likely been frightening enough, but now this? It was like walking into the garden of Eden after being so long denied the basic realities of living. It might be said that he’d come out of the womb.

After a while, Argrave and Anneliese looked at each other, their eyes moving up and down. Their clothes were battered, torn, and broken—Argrave’s most of all. They were caked in blood in so many places, covered in dirt and dust in so many more. Their hair was greasy and matted, and even past the scent of the sea, an unpleasant stench came from them: death, and much else.

“You look utterly terrible,” she told him with a huge smile on her face. Argrave felt the deepest of joys simply from hearing her voice normal again. It was hoarse, ill-practiced, and cracked at multiple points… yet it sounded the sweetest it ever had. “You’re the worst I’ve ever seen you. It’s nauseating me.”

“So do you!” He countered, and they both began laughing like fools as they experienced yet another joy that had been lost to them—the simple pleasure of an embrace.

The melancholy of the Shadowlands had weighed heavily on them. It was a suppressing place, a weight constantly bearing down on them. But now they were free of it, and their largest issue had been more than captured alive—he’d been turned to the bright side, so to speak. Looking at him here, though… the Manumitter was a horror show, and looked ill-adapted to living in this world.

“This place…” he sputtered. “It’s… it’s terrifying. It’s so much,” he said, looking about in abject fear. “Do I have to leave that place? I think… I think I belong there,” he pleaded. “Take me back.”

Anneliese broke away from Argrave and kneeled down in front of the Manumitter sympathetically. “I told you that I would need to be rough with you for some time. That hasn’t changed, yet. Stay strong.”

He closed his eyes as if to block out sights and sounds.

“…Argrave?” came an uncertain voice in his head.

“Elenore!” he exploded back. “Good lord. I missed the sound of your voice so damn much. I missed all of you!”

“…alright, calm down,” she responded, but he could detect a tinge of flattered amusement on her tone. “Take your time. Collect yourself. When you’re ready, come back. There’s much to discuss.”

#####

The Great Cleansing of the Shadowlands came first—that is to say, cleaning themselves of all the pounds of muck and filth they’d accumulated in that hellish place where they couldn’t even tell that they were filthy. They jumped into the sea at first—after feeling its chill, they went to a geothermal spring near Vysenn. With the cleansing done, they delivered the Manumitter to Raven, explaining things thoroughly.

“Our hope is that you could install the same some of mark you did on Durran,” Argrave laid out, fiddling with the new clothes that they’d donned to maintain some basic level of decency before returning to Blackgard. “A killswitch.”

studied the sleeping Manumitter. “I’ll see what I

I can restore him, you see.” Anneliese rubbed her hands together guiltily when Argrave looked at her in shock—she

you ask. If I do not, then I will simply keep

he was content to ignore it. “Did

knight, from Argrave’s quick look, but he didn’t have time to solidify that before Raven looked back.

looked to Anneliese

#####

beyond the mountains of Blackgard. By way of explaining things, Elenore had asked Argrave take them to the highest peak of the

writers by finding and reading their stories

asked, though he knew the

shouted above the wind. “Orion was warned, but… it’s complicated. The Gilderwatchers? Gerechtigkeit’s

too clear as he asked, “Do you mean to say that more

best we could, Argrave.

“I should’ve known better. Should’ve planned better. Should’ve had gods stationed near here, but I was just too afraid of them finding out about Sophia in some way…”

away Law like he was his better.” Elenore

the hell did the thing get…?” He gathered his thoughts, thinking hard. “If even ancient gods

I said.” Elenore looked back at the scene. “Orion killed it. He… he was legendary, Argrave. There’s

“The Fruit of Being. Did

head. “I was too afraid to. But while everyone else was fleeing, he

grabbed at his hand, and he resisted for half a second before surrendering meekly. She tried a ring on his different fingers until she found one that fit—the pinky. Argrave felt

said in surprise as she looked at him, evidently seeing something with [Truesight]. Elenore walked to

Elenore stepped back and looked at the two of them, holding up her own hand. It had a ring as well. “The results of the research team. Druidic magic was expanded into soul magic, whatever that means… and as a result, Artur’s been hammering

fiddled with the ring in wonder. “Meaning… the research team,

ago, yes.”

the simple craftsmanship of the ring containing such a complex

is taking it easy, and I won’t let you overstrain him,” Elenore said firmly. “Llewellen

“Missing?” Argrave repeated.

said. Your

then back at his sister. “Any