Argrave had wanted a break. In a way, the week spent at the oasis town of Otraccia became just that.

The normalcy of opening new spell books and delving into them for hours at a time became a welcome respite compared to the unending torture that had occurred at the residence of the Alchemist. He felt like someone who had just recovered from surgery returning to their joband in a way, that wasnt too far off.

The Alchemist had said that every function of Argraves body would be improved. That statement was entirely true. He could focus for longer without exhausting himself. He functioned better with less sleep. And, moreover, he did basic exercise every morning, and ate plenty of what Galamon suggested. The activity was basic, as mentionednonetheless, the improvements felt tangible, especially endurance-wise. It was like he was on the classic diet of chicken, rice, broccoli, and steroids. Hopefully his face wouldnt swell.

Durran was restless, constantly inquiring about the state in Sethia. He seemed to have difficulty believing that things were going well under Titus, and though Argrave shared that sentiment, he wasnt near as invested as Durran. Indeed, despite his unease with the development entirely foreign to Heroes of Berendar, things did seem to be improved.

Galamon finally got a chance for a break, too. Beyond giving advice to Argrave, he did little as he waited for the changes to his armor. His greatsword was being modified to accommodate southron elf magic, and the original enchantment would remain fully intact.

Though the offer extended to all of his weapons, Galamon claimed enchanting the dagger would be impotent, and the Ebonice axe interfered with the southron elf enchantments. Moreover, he needed to see the axe blade to dispel magic. However, the enchanted arrows Galamon still had were enchanted with southron elf magic. The arrows would not betray their flight path as they movedtrivial, considering most people cant dodge arrows, but it might come in handy.

Garms gift of sight had proven to be much more beneficial than Argrave had initially predicted. Perhaps the High Wizard of the Rose had predicted such a thing. Not only could Argrave see other peoples magic, he could see his own. Watching it manifest from its raw, almost gaseous state within the body to a genuine spell proved invaluable for comprehension. Argrave understood spells of C-rank better, though he heeded Annelieses advice and refrained from tackling B-rank quite yet, despite the tremendous increase in advancement lent to him by his Black Blood.

Regarding his new changes

You want me to drink your blood? Durran questioned incredulously.

Naturally, Argrave nodded as though it was a normal request, acting deliberately obtuse.

Durran frowned intensely, sizing up Argrave suspiciously. Dont you have someone for that? Hes standing right over there, Durran gestured towards Galamon.

You got aboard this ship a bit late, so you probably dont know about the Amaranthine Heart juice. Magic in liquid form is black, Argrave explained. When people talk about me being Black Blooded, it means that I have magic in my blood stream. Hence, Im curious if ingesting it would produce the same effect as it did previously.

This wasnt something that could be done in Heroes of Berendar, and Argrave felt it was long overdue to try out something beyond the games purview.

Cant you ask your lady friend? Durran stepped away. Snuggling, sharing a bedfluid sharing isnt such a big step forward. Little bit of blood drinking might be weird, but Im told some people are into it.

Argrave laughed and shook his head. Come on. Dont be a coward, he insisted, wagging his finger at Durran.

Durran took a great breath, and then sighed. Gods above fine. You got some ready, or?

Argrave took off his glove and rolled up his sleeve. Cast some magic, he prompted Durran, then pulled out a knife hed taken from the kitchens.

The tribal looked at Argrave like he was mental, but he did cast a spell. Argrave cut his own arm without much hesitationafter what hed endured, cutting his arm came quite easily. His blood was indeed much, much darker, yet still decidedly red. Durran drank.

After a time, the tattooed tribal looked a little puzzled. Yeah I felt something bubbling, near my chest. Felt faint, but present.

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Argrave drank some of his own blood. Indeed, the feeling was present, but it was far diminished. More importantly, it even worked on himself

What is this? Galamon questioned, having arrived before them all but silently.

Look at this, Argrave spoke to Durran. He smelled good food, and he comes rushing over. Argrave faced Galamon. Dont worry your little head. Just testing something.

The big elven vampire frowned.

After Anneliese and Galamon caught wind of what he was trying, they quickly put an end to it. Argrave assured them he only intended to use it for emergencies, but even that seemed to make them uneasy.

#####

As the days passed by, Durrans insistence on learning what happened after they left only grew worse. Argrave relented to travelling out with him to get a closer look at Sethia, and his companions accompanied him.

If you wont let me go inside, at the very least let me contact Boarmask, Durran pleaded, one knee in the black sand of the Burnt Desert as the four of them stared near the crater leading into the city of Sethia.

Sethia had changed considerably. The vast amounts of sand burying the place had been removed, cleaning the place up. Aurum, the gold tower, was gone, and Argent was clearly next on the chopping block. The walls of the city had been badly destroyed, but already, patchwork fortifications had been erected to ward away the elements.

How will you signal Boarmask? Shout loudly? Argrave shook his head. Its been a month. Even if you have some signal system, hes probably stopped checking for them by now. On the off chance hes still holding out, wed still have to wait. I dont want to risk lingering near Sethia and drawing unwanted attention.

Yeah. I got annoyed for waiting on him, too, so we worked out something thatd work quickly, Durran explained. Mounted a mirror some ways away. Come on.

Durran led them around the crater surrounding Sethia, herding them to a small circle of rocks. He picked up a metal mount that had a mirror attached to the end. He wiped the sand-covered mirror down with a cloth, and then positioned the mount. Light shone off the mirror splendidly. After some finagling, the ray of light struck a prism hidden within a bell tower. A rainbow consumed the interiorthough obviously noticeable to anyone looking for it, it wasnt excessively eye-catching.

Now, we wait elsewhere, Durran explained, stepping away.

Argrave looked to his other two companions, consulting them. Based on expression alone, none seemed to protest. Anneliese obviously wanted to follow, as a matter of fact.

In the end Im curious, too, Argrave decided, then followed Durran without words.

#####

Argrave sat within a small alcove, where ashes evidenced a fire had once been lit. Durran waited impatiently, tapping his wyvern scale boots against the ground.

Much longer, Durran, Im going to call things off, Argrave spoke up. No time for

Galamon grabbed Argraves wrist, bringing him to attention. He rose to his feet, hand on his axe, waiting for someone to come.

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Argrave could hear the faint sound of metal clanging against metal. Soon enough, a bulky man entered into view, a backpack slung over his shoulders. Boarmask had removed his armor, and the muffled sounds evidenced hed hid it within his backpack.

Durran, the man greeted. Argrave knew his name was Rolf, but few others did. He had straight blonde hair and bright blue eyesthe archetypal appearance of a paladin, and the mans personality matched up well enough. He was once called the Romantic Warriorromantic meaning idealistic rather than loving. He was just, mostly, and devoted to the Vasquer pantheon. There was definitely no romance in either, a fact his story revolved around.

Didnt think youd have he paused when he met Argraves gaze, obviously surprised.

You see something you like? Argrave interrogated. Dont worry about my lamps. Im sure you know high-rank spellcasters can look quite weird.

Boarmask entered further into the alcove, giving Argrave a wide berth. I suppose youd have to be high-ranking to deal with the Lord of Silver as you did. And Im glad of it. Since you came here with Durran I suppose youre allies, at least for now?

Forever, hopefully, Argrave nodded.

Boarmask paid little heed to the difference between for now and forever, stepping within and setting down his backpack. The thing clattered noisily. Galamon watched him cautiously, obviously ready to protect Argrave as needed.

Thats good. Then Ill start talking. Titus is always well-protected. He keeps some highly-trained bodyguards with him, some of whom have enchantments from Vasquer to better help protect. In addition, most of the guard within the city are

Relax, steel-plated assassin, Durran interrupted. Start with the cityhow are things for the people?

Boarmask leaned up against the wall, putting his hands on his knees. Titus is very good at winning over the people, and thats all that Ill say.

All youll say? Stop with the bullshit, tell me whats happening, Durran rose to his feet, stepping up to the unarmored knight. Befitting the pure warrior from Heroes of Berendar, Boarmask was larger than Durrannot by much, though.

Boarmask stared at Durran, then shifted on his feet, crossing his arms. Sorry. Just been a tense month, prowling Sethia alone. Couldnt wear my armor. Too easily recognizable. Felt unsafe, he lowered his head wistfully.

Are you stalling? Get to the point, demanded Durran.

Titus had everything ready for the aftermath, Boarmask said bitterly. Healers, food, construction supplies caravans came into the city for near two weeks after the Lords were killed before the neighboring cities heard of what had happened. By that point, Titus had already sequestered enough for the whole of winter.

He declared you innocent, Boarmask pointed to Durran, Instead, he framed other prominent Sethia locals, having them imprisoned and tried. By this point, even though he has no title, Titus is the sole leader of Sethia. The people love him fiercely. Hes been doing his best to establish the city once again, both militarily and economically. The blonde man rubbed his hands together. Thats why things will be difficult for us.

Durran looked troubled. He stepped away to the edge of the alcove, staring out across the sand. Are we sure Titus didnt get replaced by someone else? Maybe its a different guy with the same name.

Argrave lowered his head, concealing a small laugh with his hand. Boarmask took him seriously, evidently, for he asked confusedly, What are you talking about?

Hes adept, thoroughly prepared, and hes not exactly ruining peoples lives, Durran said slowly.

But he has no problems ruining the lives of innocent people, Boarmask refuted incredulously, as though he couldnt believe what Durran was saying. The attacks in Sethiahe was the main contributor to all the collateral damage! He framed you and would have had you killed. Hes framed more, since. All of this kindness, its a ploy to earn support, and nothing more!

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Durran had no response to that.

Dont just stand there, Boarmask continued, stepping up to Durran and grabbing his shoulder from behind. The man is a monster. A butcher wearing a kings mantle.

Durran jerked his shoulder away, turning around. And we should do what, throw the city into chaos while raving about justice?!

Boarmask stared wide-eyed, flabbergasted by the outburst. Argrave glanced around, surveying his partys opinion. He could practically see it written on their faceboth agreed with Durran more than Boarmask.

And what of the future? Boarmask pressed. We allow someone callous to sit on the throne. No matter how benevolent he may be now, when things go awry a man like that would do anything to retain power!

Well, its clear his strategy right now is to make sure everybody is taken care of, Durran said with a droll anger. Enough supplies for the winter, you said. Hes building an economy, you claim.

And a military? What might that be for?

When your only neighbors are the Vessels, what else?! Durran spread his arms out in emphasis.

Boarmask stared at Durran, jaw clenched tight and brows furrowed. Then what is your plan? I cannot accept you would suggest letting things be. The man tried to kill you.

Durran closed his eyes, taking a deep breath to calm down. When he opened them again, they were full of resolve. Im not fond of force-feeding people another way of life when theyve already decided on one. I wanted to lead my people into a new age. As is clear, Im not good enough to do so, Durran shook his head. We gave Sethia a choice. Sethia made that choice. Now I wont be involved with this. I wont cause chaos once again.

Boarmask stepped away, expression stern. He turned around, obviously stunned, and paced about for a time. Youre going to simply give up? His gaze jumped to the rest of Argraves party. All of you?

Killing Titus solves nothing, Anneliese pointed out quietly. He is a strong, decisive leader. Without something prepared for the aftermath all we do is ruin chances of peace in the city. And, from my perspective Titus does love this land. Truly.

Annelieses words swayed Argrave, and all of his indecision vanished. He nodded in agreement.

Boarmask glanced around the room, his expression slowly losing anger and tension both. He walked to his backpack, then leaned down to pick it up. His gaze settled on Argrave.

I thought, perhaps, one Vasquer might be worthy of their ancestors, Boarmask said. It appears I was wrong.

Argrave felt great indignance at the claim, but he kept calm. His Brumesingers mirrored his true emotional state, though, growling at the blonde-haired man. Boarmask slung his backpack over his shoulder and walked out quickly, as though he couldnt wait another second to leave.

Silence hung in the alcove. Argrave took a deep breath and sighed, a whirlwind of emotion and thought disturbing his mind.

He wanted a perfect solution. None existed.

I learned what I wanted, Durran broke the silence. Now Im eager to leave.

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Long journey ahead, Argrave said distantly. After we get what we need from the southron elves, itll be ten to twelve days, I suspect, since well be avoiding towns. As we planned, well stick to the eastern mountain rangesthey have few water sources, but thats no problem for spellcasters. Plenty to eat along the way even if it might be bugs. Argrave tried not to shudder, the image of a centipede dangling above his tongue. After well take a ruined mountain highway, right into the lions lap.

Durran and Galamon looked confused, but Anneliese caught on.