When you said you had something to show me Durran trailed off, then looked to Argrave. This is one of the last things I expected. Youre

Not a necromancer, no, Argrave shook his head. He is, though. And he wishes to speak with you. The southron elves dont care much about necromancy, so fret not.

Durran stared down at Garm, brows furrowed and eyes wide. Not ominous at all, he nodded his head slowly. Listen I

You should listen, interjected Garm annoyedly. Argrave. Let me speak to him alone.

Argrave looked down at Garm. Sure about that? What if

If he ends me avenge me, pretty please? Garm mocked. Just put me in the sand, walk away. The elves need to talk to youthat much I know. This ones too bothered to be of much help. Ill talk to him.

Argrave shrugged, then planted Garm into the sand. Alright. Be gentle, Durranhes more sensitive than he looks. He walked away in long strides, casting glances backward occasionally.

I know this is bizarre, Garm began once Argrave was far away. But I dont want to be slowly introduced to you. I dont have the luxury of patience, grooming you to understand what I am. I need to speak, now.

This is some Durran ran his fingers through his matted hair. What are you?

Living misery, Garm introduced himself. And Garm, High Wizard of the Order of the Rose.

Durran stared for a moment, then shook his head. This should mean something to me?

Garm sighed. Foolish of me to think one secluded in the mountain would know of my order It doesnt matter. I was once an A-rank mage. Still am, technically but limited, as you can plainly see. Argrave has been accommodating me the past month.

Durran shifted on his feet. Alright. Still not getting the full picture, but youre a powerful spellcaster. You were a powerful spellcaster, he amended. Still dont see why we should be speaking. Still dont know how you speak, he added, obviously disturbed as he gazed at the stake protruding downwards from his neck.

Im speaking to you because were alike, and weve gone through similar things. Garm paused, then lowered his voice. Galamon, the big onehow near is he?

Durran said nothing, very suspicious. Eventually, he scanned the distance, then said, Pretty far.

How far? insisted Garm in a whisper.

One two hundred feet, I guess.

It should be fine, then, but keep your voice down. That one hears all, and I wont draw suspicion by conjuring a ward. Garm cleared his throatan action that disturbed Durranand then continued. You. I can practically smell it on you. The frustration with other people. The frustration with yourself. Your weakness. Your ineffectual leadership.

Are you about to tell me not to feel this way? A head on a stick comes to cheer me up because were similar? Durran laughed. What is this, a joke? Comedy cant solve all woes, if this is what youre getting at.

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But youre also pragmatic, Garm continued in a low mutter. And after that little awakening back at Sethia, doubtless youre feeling a bit disillusioned. Youre realizing how stupid the average person is.

Durran stared down at Garm, silenced by his words.

Youre right to think that. People can be stupid, provided theyre led poorly, Garm stated matter-of-factly. But you youre weak. Nothing. No more than dirt, unable to enact meaningful change. You need power to save people from their own stupid decisionspower the world has proven you lack in totality.

Durrans golden eyes gained back some of their fire as he stared down at Garm. In totality? Youre taking the putdown a bit far, totem pole.

Do you know why it is I travelled with the three of them? Garm questioned. I needed options. I needed a way to earn a new body. But things can change. The winds can shift.

Sensible goal, I guess, Durran stared down at Garm cautiously. Cant imagine life is easy for you as you are now.

Its misery, as I said earlier, Garm confirmed. I need a change, fast. Ever had sleep paralysis? Its a terrifying thing, and that terrifying thing is my entire life. I feel like Im losing my mind every day. And now my soul is damaged. You probably dont understand the meaning of that, but it is the head struggled for the words. Its bad for the mind, to say the least.

Is it my turn to comfort you? Durran questioned.

Garm sighed. You are just like me. Damned smartass. No wonder people hate me.

Hate? Women love me, Ill have you know, Durran quipped.

Love you for a week or two, maybe more, til they realize theyve made a mistake. Ive had my fun in the sun, believe meyou cant fool me, Garm answered, undaunted. You can see why that might be hard for me, now.

We can agree on that, at least, Durran nodded slowly.

Well agree on more, if Ive read you rightI know I have. Youre weak. You resent this. Youre proud of being talented, of being handsome, of being superior not for vanity, but because you believe that you can handle the future best because of it.

Durran didnt answer, but his pupils shook as if hed heard a sentence hed been thinking for years.

Imagine lacking arms, legs, even a torso lacking independence. Garm stared up, unblinking. I know you dont pity me. I wouldnt. But I I know power. I know power better than any of the people youve seen today. Any youve seen die today. Brium, Quarrus, that golden one forget her name in my prime, they were nothing to me.

Seems that worked out well for you, Durran interjected.

Garm blatantly ignored him. Were on a limited time frame, so Ill speak my offer plainly. Youll help me. Quietly. Argrave, Galamon, Anneliese, even your lizard petyoull tell no one of our arrangement. And in return Ill make you know power, too. Power beyond your conception.

Pretty sure its a universally bad idea to accept a bargain with a head on a stake, Durran pointed out.

Garm smiled. Maybe so. But time is running out fast. Soon, Argrave will become Black Bloodedthe damn boy is so confident, itd be more surprising if he was lying. Hes under the impression hes the only one that knows this Alchemist, but the Order of the Rose knew of him, too. Youre going to follow alonghe wants you as an ally, and it should be simple enough. Garms smile slowly dropped. They wont want this. I dont plan on giving them a choice, though. Ive been waiting too long for one bit of freedom.

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Durran furrowed his brows, then finally whispered, What exactly is it you want?

#####

Florimund returned to Otraccia at night. Argrave was ready to receive himthe other southron elves tended to the bodies that Durran had brought back. Argrave certainly wasnt going to sleep. The elves of the village treated Argrave strangelytreated him as simultaneously a guest and a danger. He supposed it was respect. He wasnt used to that.

The leader of the old veterans didnt give news, first. Instead, Florimund asked Argrave, Their bodies. They made it safely?

Er yeah, Argrave confirmed. They havent been buried.

Ill do that tonight, Florimund shook his head, his large ears swaying with the movement.

Maybe you should rest first, Argrave suggested. Well not my place to give you advice. What happened at Sethia? Hated to leave like that, but its clear it wasnt exactly safe.

Titus is already the de facto leader, Florimund shook his head. He took control quickly. But well, it did not feel like an armed takeover. He had medical needs tended to, food distributed, water collected, shelters established Florimund retrieved something. And he gave me this. Instructed me to bring it to my people.

Argrave looked down. Light was dim, but he recognized it was paper.

Youve read it? Argrave questioned, looking up.

Its a proposal to us. A pact of non-aggression, mutual defense and promises of supplement, aid, cooperation. Permits free entry into Sethia, gives exemptions from tolls and taxes. Priority in trade. All of it, free, and for the southron elves alone.

Thats Argrave trailed off. It sounds like a very good thing. And that might be the problem. A honeyed apple hides poison all the better. It asks nothing of you?

There are some things, Florimund nodded, unrolling the paper. Argrave conjured light, scanning the document quickly. The ink was old and dry, suggesting the document had been drafted some time ago. We have to recognize Sethia as independent support Titus as its leader and agree to use their soon-to-be minted coins in all of our dealings. Mutual defense, too, might be considered a condition.

Argrave soon confirmed the things Florimund described with his own eyes as he read the paper.

But he Argrave hesitated to argue against the document. This was regarding the southron elves futurewhat place did he have to argue?

I know what you think, Florimund nodded. This is a man willing to butcher innocents to gain this power. He tried to frame one of his allies when it was politically expedient. Florimund stepped away. I cannot make the decisions for my people, though. I will tell them everythingbelieve me, I am as wary of Titus as you are.

Argrave rolled up the paper and held it back out to Florimund. Dont forget he was ready to kill more people had I not threatened him personally.

But he does not demand fealty, Florimund noted, taking the paper. Instead, he suggests cooperation. He seemed amenable to negotiations, too, if we were unsatisfied with the proposal. The elf held the paper close to his face. We are isolated, protected. With the Vessels gone from Sethia, we are the safest weve been in decades. I see no reason we cannot probe, figure out whether or not he can be trusted.

If thats your decision, Argrave said cautiously. Regardless, I am eternally grateful for your help. What youve done what you lost, Argrave noted, looking away where he knew the bodies of the veterans lie. You have my condolences.

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Morvan would tell you to shove your condolences Florimund lowered his head, then laughed. They were glad to be sacrificed. They fought for hope. Hope for the first time in a while, I have some. Our future might not be so bleak. Florimund looked at the paper. But maybe Im an old man, fooled by a snake merchant.

Be careful, Argrave warned. Titus I wish I knew more about him. I wish I could give you better advice than that. You might try asking Durran.

You cant be expected to know everything, everyone. Florimund stepped up to Argrave, looking upwards into his eyes. Did you get what you needed at Argent?

I did, Argrave nodded.

Then what is next for you? My people made promises to youthey remain valid.

Ill leave early dawn, Argrave looked to the sky. Should reach where I need to be in a day. There Argrave took a deep breath and exhaled, as what was coming slowly set in. Going to get some cosmetic surgery. Change my blood from red to black. Once thats done, Ill come back here, call in that promise. Argrave shrugged. Though, with the war relics you gave us, feels like Im asking too much

Cosmetic surgery? Are you joking?

Argrave lowered his head. Well, its not cosmetic.

Florimund snorted. Youre the sort that likes to be mysterious, I see.

Im caught, Argrave smiled.

You should sleep, Florimund suggested. Our homes are open to you.

Argrave looked away. Cant sleep. Wont bother trying.

New to bloodshed? Florimund questioned.

No. Not that, Argrave shook his head. Sad as it is gotten a little used to blood.

Guilt, then, Florimund concluded.

Argrave frowned. Howd you know?

Its obvious, Florimund nodded. You have the guilt of a leader. You feel that the plans you made are insufficient. All the sufferingits on your hands.

A bit true, Argrave closed his eyes. If I had been smarter, better

Pointless questions, Florimund pushed Argrave lightly. Reflect on mistakescorrect them. Ruing your inability is a useless thing.

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Argrave digested the words, then laughed with a shake of his head. I think Galamon said something like that, in the past.

Because he was a leader once, too. Florimund pushed Argraves shoulder once again. Ive said enough. I must bury those I lost.

Argrave nodded. As Florimund left, he called out, Thank you, Florimund. For everything.