As Argrave stared in stunned silence, Garm seemed to be having quite a few problems.

How does one move their arm, again? He studied Durrans arms. Quite nice arms, but my faculties appear to have eroded somewhat.

The same way youre talking, I imagine. Argrave studied him, trying his best to act as though this situation wasnt abnormal.

Just then, Garm started to tip over, and Argrave lunged forward to catch him. As Garm laughed maniacally, he gently lowered him down to the floor of the rocking boat.

I feel quite useless, Garm said with a big smile on his face. But this body is a nicer decoration than a stake piercing the bottom of my skull where my spine ought to be.

Argrave studied Garms eyes intensely. Just from their way of talking, it was impossible to mistake Garm for Durran. Why are you here? What did you two do?

Why? Thats quite abstract. If I knew, I wouldnt have written you that stupid letter. I dont care for sappy stuff, but I wish for you to know I consider you a friend. Bleh. He fake-vomited. Why did I ever think to write that? Still, did you cry?

Argrave looked away.

Ahhh, I can see it. You cried like a bitch. Hahahahaha! Garm laughed happily. Im here because the universe decided Durran is incompetent, and he cant do the job alone. Why else? He paused. The man is very angry at me for saying so, but its true. You see, rummaging around in his body, Ive figured things out about our powers. Oh, yespowers.

Argrave was alarmed by the possibility there might yet be more yet unpacked, but said nothing to draw attention. Such as?

I understand how to listen to the voices of the dead. He doesnt, Garm explained simply. If you take me back to where we were, with that woman crying over himshe looked a little like you, come to think of itI could stand upright amidst the waves of death and decay, and parse the mystery from the misery.

You cant stand upright now, Argrave pointed out, thought felt disquieted when he wondered how they might explain this to Elenore.

Ill get the hang of it, Garm coped. Mastery over deaththats what I bring to the table. Its my power. Mine. Durran wasnt man enough to use itme, though, Ive seen deaths uncountable. Ive taken baths in bloodwhich is a rather ineffective skin treatment, despite rumors to the contrary. It seems hes made a habit of tossing away perfectly good gifts. Its quite the wasteful thing, to bestow the grandest necromantic soul of the age upon one who nigh entirely disregards his specialty.

Argrave had been an attentive listener, and so asked a pertinent question. You say thats your power. Whats Durrans?

His? He would know better. Oh! Garm looked down at his hands. Im moving my fingers! No, theyre not your fingers, Durran. At worst, I can call them our fingers.

Have him describe it, Argrave pressed the issue. You saw your power, locked within. Whats his?

Garm listened, then relayed, He says he doesnt yet fully know yet, but he knows that its useful in combat, and its quite powerful.

Well Argrave nodded. Maybe theres someone I know that can help us out with this whole dilemma.

Who might that be? Garm smiled pleasantly.

Youve met him, Argrave replied simply. As a matter of fact, you struck a deal with him behind my back. Do you remember that?

Durran? Garm narrowed his eyes.

Taller, Argrave said, and took some joy in watching Garms face harden.

#####

Its difficult to say if they could be parted, Raven mused while examining Garm. The man stayed eerily still with extreme trepidation, not knowing just how much Raven had lightened up. Argrave was content to keep him ignorant.

Whats difficult? Argrave pressed for explanation.

Garms soul does not exist. It was destroyed and melded with Durrans, and that hasnt changed. The being that inhabits his shell is a manifestation of the imprint left behind, sustained by the Fruit of Beings ability. Therefore, its difficult to say if he could exist independently of Durrans ability to witness the imprint left behind by the dead.

Hes wrong, Garm said with some vim, then shrunk as Raven turned his withering gaze back toward him.

Explain, Raven demanded.

I saw this power. I saw it. I know theres a way to leave. I saw the exit. He looked at Argrave. Bring me a corpse.

A corpse?

Do you need an explanation? Garm condescended. Its like you, but more interesting. Go fetch one. Fresh, and humanoid.

Argrave sighed, both enraged and amused at this mans sudden return. He contacted Elenore, asking, Do you have any fresh, largely intact corpses?

What?! I thought you said you had everything under control! She answered back, panic still lining her tone.

I do. I just need a corpse, he answered her.

wait a moment, she said.

Argrave looked at Garm. I ordered a corpse. Delivery driver is on the way. Estimated delivery time is thirty minutes.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

Why not bring someone, have them killed? Garm proposed.

Because people arent lobsters. Argrave glared at him. We dont cook with living ingredients, here.

Peak freshness, Garm pointed out.

#####

Argrave looked down at the corpse that Elenore had managed to rummage up. He was rather glad to see no fresh wounds inflicted by Elenores agents in their haste to procure a body.

Its so old, Garm complained. Wrinkly, and sad. And whats that smell?

He was a beggar. No family far as we can tell, and died in the streets less than an hour ago in Dirracha. Argrave turned his gaze away from the old mans rheumy, dead eyes. Im not going to kill some twenty-something year old for your twisted purposes.

Garm grumbled, looking at the corpse. He gingerly raised his hand, then cast a B-rank spell. Argrave could tell at once that it was necromantic, and surely enough, the corpse shambled upward. Its eyes turned to black and gold.

Alright. Garm tried to stand, but stumbled a bit. Argrave caught him. Bring me to it. Bring me, he commanded.

I see not much has changed for you, even with a body, Argrave ribbed as he brought Garm over. Still relying on others to haul you around.

Old habits die hard, Garm jested without taking offence. He seemed bright and cheery, all things considered.

Once Argrave brought him near the corpse, he leaned forward and clung to it. The wizened corpses body resisted feebly, barely staying upright with the large body of Durran leaning against it.

So, uhh Argrave looked around, not wanting to witness this strangely indecent scene of Durran clinging to some old man. You have a plan?

Im trying some things, Garm answered back, crawling up the old mans body. Argrave looked around again. He did not care to explain this to Elenore, and only hoped her agents werent watching.

Trying to get aroused, looks like, Argrave commented. This is what youre into?

No. I much prefer dead women. A lot less speaking and cuddling, but you can still do the fun part. Garm continued for a few moments, then looked over with regret etched on his face. That is a joke, I hope you realize.

Sure. Argrave nodded. A joke. Youre not a necrophiliac. I have no doubt.

Well, I did have a son, if you want some evidence. His mother may have been a terrible cunt, but I wouldnt go so far as to call her a zombie. The dead, for all their virtues, cant give birth. Plenty of my colleagues with zero charisma tried I, however, was quite the looker. I had no need to rely on such methods, Garm said distantly as he focused on the task. Oh. Oh! I think this is it, Garm said excitedly.

You had a son? Argrave asked in surprise.

Yes. Hes the one that put me on the stake. Garm stared into the corpses eyes. I think I just

Both Durran and the recent-arisen zombie fell to the ground, and Argrave gaped for a moment before rushing forward. Garm blinked open his eyesor rather, Durran did, given the fact the blackness had faded from his sclera.

Are you there? Garm, Durran, whoever? Argrave grabbed his face.

Durran, he answered, swatting away Argraves grip over his head. And Garm Garms voice its not

Movement to the side drew both their attention. The beggars corpse was moving again, and Argrave watched cautiously. It suddenly sat up with intense vigor.

By the gods the corpse said, in a tone identical to that which had been coming from Durran moments before with a different, aged voice. This feels so much better than that idiots body. I feel alive! I feel whole!

The once-sluggish corpse rose up with incredible speed, rolling its arms about. Garm laughed vigorously as he jumped from foot to foot, doing a slight dance. Argrave couldnt help but join him in some mirth despite the morbidity of this endeavor. Then, he looked back at Durran.

Still bothered? he asked.

less so, Durran admitted after a moments hesitation. Its less intense, less vivid. Enough so that I can speak to you. But theres still a lot there.

Thatll fade. Garm kneeled down before Durran and Argrave. But in order for it to do so, you need to do something for me.

Second lifes not enough? Argrave asked him.

Itll benefit all of us. Garm shook his head. I need more corpses. A lot more corpses. If you want for the intensity of Durrans experience to be lessened, I imagine I need to remove the rest of myself from his body. I wont accept beggars, anymore. I want powerful people. High-ranking spellcasters. Perhaps we can butcher those sentinels in the Low Way?

Youre kidding, right? Argrave shook his head. Not a chance. Not only is wanton slaughter a mite morally objectionable, but creating necromantic things only presents a vulnerability when Gerechtigkeit descends.

Pah. Do you think anyone could break my hold over this body? I would love to see them try.

How would you know? Argrave scoffed.

It makes sense, doesnt it? Garm spread his hands out. I dont feel undeadI feel alive, totally in control. Have you ever seen an undead being on the same level I am? If Gerechtigkeit can commandeer the undead, and this Fruit of Being chose me it stands to reason that my ability might be one of the counters you need to defeat him.

Argrave didnt want to act with conviction, but what he suggested was a good enough idea that he hoped it was true. It would explain why the fruit had chosen Durran. He took a deep breath, and thought of another matter that Garm had appeared for, as if by providence.

I can do that. Powerful corpsesyou want them, youll get them. But you have to extract memories from a dead person, and help me with a certain matter.

And what might that be? Not that Im agreeing, of course, Garm said.

Come on. Argrave stood up.

#####

This is the spot where a man called Llewellen died, Argrave explained, standing with the risen corpse in the room where theyd retrieved the dwarven music box teaching his method of ascension.

Mmm. Garm looked around. And who might this chap be?

Our strongest lead into discovering psychic magic, Argrave explained. And an invaluable source of magical knowledge that made Anneliese one of the strongest spellcasters in the world.

That woman? Garm looked over. You two sleep together yet, or did the big, strong, thoroughbred elven vampire sweep her off her feet and leave you seething and crying in the sand dunes?

Argrave stared ahead blankly and said, Were married.

That wasnt the question.

Argrave laughed. I feel rather sorry for Durran.

Garm laughed too, then knelt. Alright. Llewellen, is it? Ill see what I can find.

See what you can get, Argrave tapped the beggars body. Then, come join the research team.

Just get me bodies, Garm nodded. Good bodies. Thats all I ask. For now, at least. Oh, he looked back. Is there anyplace a man can have fun in your city?

I suppose. Argrave nodded. Ive never tried.

Give me a stipend, too, Garm said. I think Im long overdue for some fun. And I need to figure out where the blazes I am, and what the hell Im doing. Damn, this feels good. He inhaled deeply through his teeth in anticipation.