Artur is one of the best craftsmen in the world, Anneliese said to Argrave. I do believe the idea of letting him choose another method to utilize the fruit holds some merit.

Argrave cleaned off his armor of black dirt accrued in the cave of volcanic rockarmor of Arturs make, upon reflectionas he listened to Anneliese. Raven had derided Argrave somewhat for cowardice, but even he eventually admitted it might be foolish to press further. He remained behind to gather more information, while Argrave returned to preside over Blackgard and Vasquer.

Yeah, but Argrave conjured some water, rubbing across it with a rough cloth. Give a man a fish, you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, he can feed himself for a lifetime. Imagine the things Artur might be able to make if he does eat the fruit. He could turn anything he touches into a work of art.

Anneliese narrowed her eyes. In this scenario, we would be feeding him the fruit.

He tried to think of some way to rework the idiom in this context, but eventually gave up and set aside his mostly-clean armor. Consider this. Giving the fruit to Durran might have given us the ability to loosen Gerechtigkeits control over the undead. On the other end of the spectrum, giving the fruit to Artur might unlock some way to prevent automatons from falling under his sway.

Anneliese considered that deeply, then shook her head. I dont see it. If it were Dario, perhaps. Artur has no relation to automatons.

All I know is Id much rather have King Arthur on my side than Excalibur. He shook his head. A special artifact. Whoopee. Unless it can duplicate itself indefinitely, cut through space and time, and kill Gerechtigkeit in one strike, whats the point?

You were reserving the last fruit to help us invade the Shadowlands, as theyre allegedly vastly different from both mortal and divine realms, Anneliese pointed out. Perhaps we can give the task of creating an artifact that would allow us to breach the Shadowlands upon Artur.

Thats Argrave tossed the idea around in his head, and as he saw its merit, his back grew rigid as his depleted vigor returned. Thats wonderful. And if its Artur that handles things, it might do far more than allow us to infiltrate the Shadowlands. I wont say no to a key item that gives some other buffs. But I dont know. What the hell do you craft out of a fruit? A smoothie? Wine? Maybe you use the skin to make a lampshade?

Artur is the crafter, not us. I believe the idea will appeal to him greatly. Asking him not to change his body, but to employ his well-earned craftsmanship to create something unparalleled that might ignite his fervor far more than the research team did.

Argrave studied her. Hes not so enthusiastic, eh? Not a team player?

Well Anneliese crossed her arms. He left the Order of the Gray Owl for a reason. He has a stubbornly independent personality which prohibits him from effective cooperation, yet also bestows that fiercely entrepreneurial spirit that allowed the Hall of Enchantment to arise. Some people arent suited to working with others. They only prosper if they can command unilaterally.

Argraves mind wandered to the unflattering scenes of Artur shouting down his employees about quotas. It was hard to imagine the man meekly working with people in the team. He dismissed the thought and asked, Besides that, how was the first day?

Anneliese practically bounced with eagerness as she said, Its so much fun, Argrave! Developing hypotheses, testing them, revising the theory again and again as we press toward an answer. Of course, it had some politicking at the beginning. Everything does, sadly, but Ive grown rather accustomed to it. And because Im the chairman, I dont write the notes. Someone else takes notes for me. That was always my least favorite part, but now its gone! She sighed wistfully. Frankly, the only thing that might improve it is if you were there with me.

Sweet talker, Argrave smiled.

Oh. Anneliese pointed at him, remembering something. Garm needs to be reigned in. He showed up drunk, and he was complaining about the Domain of Order over the city that prevents lawlessness. He inquired to various members of the team about where he could buy certain herbs which I presume were drugs of some kind. I elected to have him removed. I wasnt able to learn what he gathered from studying Llewellen.

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

Argrave sighed. One night of stipend, and hes already well, fine. Ill talk with him.

#####

How is anyone going to take you seriously if you act like this? Argrave sat by Garms bedside.

I dont want them to take me seriously, Garm answered back, his words still slurred. Argrave wondered just how much he had to drink. I want them to think Im a worthless nobody. Because if I cant work with your research team, youll be forced to get me a new body, a new identity, so I can begin again. Heee he grinned cheekily in his drunken state, showing the beggars yellow teeth.

Argrave crossed his arms, leaning back in the chair. It had been long enough hed forgotten how conniving Garm could be.

Besides, I was used to just Garm ran his hands over his body. Cast a spell, and the alcohol goes away. All fun, no pain. I was so happy, I kind of forgot I cant do that. He giggled deliriously.

Raven has said he can prepare a body that meets your standards, but itll take some time, Argrave said. In the meantime, I need you to act with the dignity and gravity that everyone else acts with. Were dealing with a very serious matter. Quite literally the highest stakes.

Do you know? Garm looked at Argrave, a subdued smile on his face. The last thing I remember you were in the Alchemists little workshop, getting worked and shopped. The last few centuries before we met I had spent in a haze, running through my head again and again why my own son would put my head on a stake. I was alive but not alive. A head on a stake. He smiled. I chose to die. I died fighting, but I did die. I died, you little bastard. I died. For the third damned time. No second, actually.

You got better, Argrave countered. Because of us.

I died, continued Garm, practically ignoring Argrave. Then, snap. Wake up in Durrans head. When I last saw this place, this kingdom, it was the half size and the Order of the Rose reigned supreme. We had an empire paved. We of the Order of the Rose were more kings that any of Vasquer ever were. I dont even know how it all fell apart. He grabbed a pillow and sighed into it, then threw it aside clumsily. Now you, supreme king. Order of the Gray Owl. Gods on earth. Biggest calamity ever. And me, a little figment on Durrans tapestry. Still dead, but a little less so. Can I just take a moment to have a little fun? Do I have to hop on the trolley heading for the crusade against the devil immediately? I got my life back. Can I enjoy it, while it lasts?

While it lasts? Argrave repeated.

Youll be rather relieved to know Im not eternal, Garm grinned broadly. Especially not if I do what I should do.

Argrave narrowed his eyes. You mean to say youre dying?

I died. I died! Catch up, you two-legged bastard Garm covered his mouth, and Argrave thought he was about to retch.

Why dont you tell me what you mean, Argrave suggested.

Im a tribute to Garm. An impression. Im not the real thing, just a collection of what he was, assembled to replicate him, he said. Well whats the difference, anyways, if it all ends in death? All roads end the same way. Whats the use in doing anything? He scratched as his nose. Im a tornado. Im a coin spinning on the table. Once the initial push stops, Ill settle down, rattling and cease to be, just like I was. I got it all back Garm held up both his arms, clenching his hands into fists. Only to see a timer of the time I got. A countdown to the third death. The universes fucked me so good that Ive come to like it. Ergo, hedonism. Debauchery. Why not do all I missed the first two times? I dont even have to care about the body I end up in, because youll get me a new one.

Argrave saw it allthe big talk, the humor, the scheming, the callous disregard for others and he felt incredibly sad. Were these truly the death throes of the man Argrave had thought was incredibly lucky? Darkly enough, he wondered if he wasnt being played. Garm was certainly capable of such a thing. Anneliese wasnt present, but perhaps he could call her.

For now, Argrave would try it on his own.

How much time do you really have? Argrave pressed. If Garm was lying, he hoped further scrutiny might make it all fall apart, or clarify its veracity.

I only know Im fading, Garm said. But if I can notice it, it must not be long.

What are you supposed to dothat thing you said earlier?

Garm looked at Argrave. I could give life to other impressions, like myself. Or, I could just recreate myself. That was my original intention. Split the fun, maybe? Perhaps I could do something insanely twisted with two of me or perhaps wed just fight. But that might be fun, too.

You mean bring others back from the dead? Argrave said in surprise.

Mmhmm. Garm scratched at his face. A sequel to your favorite dead people. I could even bring back that Llewellen fellow. But if I do, I would have to surrender some of my time, some of my own life. So, why bother?