Jackal Among Snakes

Chapter 658: Beating One's Nature

Drinking alcohol was really just drinking scummy water for Argrave—his black blood, coupled with all the other myriad ways that his body had changed since using the Fruit of Being, made both water and rubbing alcohol equally intoxicating. Which is to say: not at all. As time went on, it became clear Durran had become much the same way. Nevertheless, both of them drank pisswater in honor of Garm. He’d be pleased.

Argrave spent the first while regaling the so-called King of the Scorched Sands on the merits of Garm’s choices in the Shadowlands. There were tales to tell that were good enough they seemed tall, but each and all were the truth of the matter and nothing more. They talked well into midnight, and Argrave appreciated the night far more now that he’d experienced total darkness. The night, at least, had some stars shining, and a large red moon overhead.

Gradually, though, something loosened and mellowed Durran—it couldn’t be blamed on alcohol. His repartee slowed to a lull, before disappearing altogether in way of a more honest form of the man Argrave had come to know.

“I like your city, Argrave,” Durran admitted. “I don’t know if I’ll end up staying here—though, that depends a lot on Elenore. I can show her the desert, but I can’t make her like it.”

Argrave rested his arms on the table between them. “She’s a city rat, but she’s also tough. I think she could do both.”

“Yeah, but there’s no parliament in the Burnt Desert. And there’s no you.” Durran took another drink, grimacing at the taste. “She’s given herself fully to this cause of ours. She has a lot to offer. She can do things I can barely imagine. Sometimes… I struggle to see my place in things.”

“You’re important to us,” Argrave said in assurance. “Don’t doubt it for a second.”

“Please. I really only know how to fight—and as we’ve proven, Orion is infinitely more suited to that than I am.” Durran raised his tankard. “Not that I mind. To Orion, savior of the city.”

Argrave narrowed his eyes. “Are you trying to goad me into playing the surrogate father that points out all your good qualities? This sounds like a ploy to get me to say nice things so you can make fun of me.”

Durran laughed. “No, I’m just… a little lost.” He looked at Argrave. “What do you need from me? What do you want from me? I want to do more. I want to do better. I want to pay you back for that golden meal you fed me, because you deserve it. Look at Garm. Man was more jaded than anyone I’ve ever met, and still, he… did that.”

Argrave leaned back in his chair. “I think… I think I get what the problem is.”

“Yeah?” Durran looked at him.

“Yeah, I do.” Argrave tapped the table. “I think I’ve been stifling you.”

his eyes. “You’re not responsible for

being given orders. You work best given free rein, left to your

laughed. “Tell

to tie up all the loose ends that I’ve been putting on the backburner. I need you to deal with the automatons that the subterranean mountain people use, for starters. I need you to be the King of the Scorched Sands. I need an independent actor

wasting my time,’

the table. “Listen… if you wanted somebody to tell you sweet nothings and say they love you, you’d be hashing this out with my sister. But you’re talking to me. That says a lot about what you want to hear. Sometimes, someone wants someone to tell them to

it. I just… lost a lot of confidence, having been given this gift

“I trust you. I do. You’re capable. Make sure that your homeland is ready to receive the calamity. No one knows the Burnt Desert better than you.” Argrave paused, then added, “Actually, I probably do, but let’s ignore that. I’m

discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has

been thinking. Garm said that he didn’t

grimly, “He’s a little less say in the

thinking… maybe Elenore and I could,” Durran suggested. “Respect his wishes, but

once more, possessing the body of your child just as I possessed Argrave. After all, he might’ve left his traces on you somewhere.” Argrave raised his tankard, enjoying the horrified expression Durran sported. “To

#####

Durran and Argrave eventually parted ways, Argrave walked away with deeper knowledge about his role in the battle. As Durran said, his performance wasn’t exceptional, but he had still gained a newfound understanding of the powers offered by the Fruit of Being. During the battle, he’d exhibited exceptional strength, harnessing memories that weren’t entirely his own—rather, they seemed to come from the traditions that he’d inherited in the manner of golden tattoos lining

the new

what she’d read, Anneliese elected to search for Onychinusa. She returned in what felt like no time at all, and it was only then that he realized

found Onychinusa. Lllewellen expired,” Anneliese

said that, but paused and looked at her. “Elenore said Onychinusa had grown rather close with him.” He scratched

So, they spent their last few days with one another peacefully. She’s sad. But at the same time, I think she’s… much more whole, if

Argrave looked down at the documents before him. “Have you had a chance to

him. “No. I was going through the daily

“You mentioned you preserved