Elenore spoke in Argrave’s mind, yet Galamon spoke aloud at the same time.
Elenore conveyed, “Anneliese suggests you tell him. Then, you can trap Traugott when he comes for the Undying Soul in question.”
Galamon said to Traugott, “We have no need for your tricks. The Veidimen are more than a match for this Palace of Heaven. We have no fear of death.”
Argrave reeled from the two voices with opposite suggestions, but stared at the shell of Norman bound by druidic magic without saying a word.
Traugott rebutted, “Many have tried to take the Palace of Heaven before. Hordes of divine servants, without free will enough to fear death, have fallen—and you think allegedly fearless mortals stand a better chance? Fortunately for me, I’m not offering this to you. You may be a rather unique specimen, Galamon, having abandoned vampirism... but you lack the certain insight that makes Argrave such an interesting conversational partner.”
Galamon looked ready to lash out, but the Alchemist placed one of his huge hands on the snow elf’s shoulder.
“Why in the world do you want an Undying Soul?” Argrave asked.
“There are few things more interesting in the natural world. Souls that can persist forever—that can move from body to body, or become eternal ghosts with power beyond imagination... it would have tremendous uses for me. You’ve seen what I’ve been working on, I trust? It would be quite interesting to create the perfect specimen.”
Argrave hesitated to bring up his own use of his Undying Soul. The Alchemist conjectured it was a large part of the reason that he was able to come here, to this realm—to the world of Heroes of Berendar. And furthermore, it was the crux of their plan with Sophia. Theoretically, only with his Undying Soul and her ability of creation could they transfer his physical form to where Gerechtigkeit’s true essence rested.
The idea of giving something that had such a capability to Traugott was frightening, especially when he toyed with a fragment of Sophia’s power.
Elenore’s voice cut into his thoughts. “Refusing to tell him doesn’t mean that he won’t learn. He’s said that he chose to come to you before Erlebnis, meaning his next conversation would likely be with Erlebnis, who would give him a target that we couldn’t possibly know. Who knows—perhaps Erlebnis has an Undying Soul of his own, tucked away in storage. Either way, if we don’t tell him... it’s pointless.”
“What if he’s just bluffing? He’s using a druidic bond, not his actual body—Anneliese’s empathy won’t work. He could get the keys to the kingdom if we’re incautious.”
“Which would you prefer to bet on—that Traugott managed to infiltrate the opera house without Erlebnis’ help, or that he’s bluffing? He may be clever, but he lacks the connections in the Great Chu to pull something like that off alone.”
Elenore’s cold reason cut away Argrave’s doubt. He conveyed to her, “Inform Galamon why. He’s a little uneasy with this.”
“Alright.” Argrave nodded, shifting on his feet. “I can give you a location.”
“Oooh,” Traugott said excitedly. “That greatly eliminates complications. Tell me, then. I’m all ears.”
“How can I trust you won’t just leave once I do?” Argrave narrowed his eyes.
“Because it’s in my best interest for you to assault the Palace of Heaven. I made some... agreements with Erlebnis. I generally like to keep agreements I make, unless they inconvenience me—like the ones I made with him. I’m supposed to get him some things, perform some actions. But if he’s dead, he won’t have hands to receive, nor thoughts enough to comprehend my actions. That would be ideal for me. Even beyond that, I don’t intend on seeking out this Undying Soul until you’re in the middle of assaulting the fortress.”
“Why would you...?” Anneliese’s brows furrowed in contemplation, then relaxed as an uneasy revelation came to her. “No. I understand.”
“Yes, you should. I’m not naïve,” Traugott continued in a low tone. “I see the people you brought today—both the ones within my little workshop, and those without it. I understand what you intended for me. It stands to reason you’re going to try and kill me when I come for this soul. Very dastardly... not that I wouldn’t do the same in your shoes.” Traugott shook his head. “I won’t seek out the Undying Soul until you’re in the middle of assaulting the Palace of Heaven. You can’t afford to stretch your forces thin. They’d be too thin to catch me, and too thin to take the fortress. So... the calculus of power demands you choose to let me slip by.”VIsit n0(v)eLb(i)n.com for the best novel reading experience
“You can see our people? So, you’re nearby,” Argrave deduced.
“Hmm.” Traugott smiled broadly. “I can’t say.”
Argrave looked at a long, long row of ballistae. Then, he turned his head to the right. There, the black-haired, red-eyed Dario sat, looking up at Argrave almost as if he were a pest. Even still, this man who’d sabotaged their progress with the Heralds to such a degree remained unhealed, bound to crutches and afflicted with wobbly limbs.
“I don’t think we’ll ever be able to use all of these, even. You’re making them faster than we can make the batteries for them.” Argrave scratched his cheek, some embarrassment at this fact.
“Batteries?” Dario narrowed his eyes.
“The cores,” Argrave rephrased. “I do appreciate your good work. But I’m here about something else.”
“What?”
“Traugott,” Argrave said.
Dario scoffed. “Him?”
“He’s discovered how to imitate Sophia’s ability.” Argrave laid out the facts plainly, hoping it might ignite Dario’s vigilantism.
“No doubt thanks to you, largely,” Dario rebutted... but Argrave didn’t miss a twitch of unease in the man’s face.
“I’d like you to try and kill him when he tries to infiltrate somewhere,” Argrave continued.
Dario shook his head. “Would love to. My body is jelly, though. Even if I could get my metal frame working again without the Heralds’ power, I can’t even run without breaking something.”
“What if Sophia could change that?” Argrave kneeled down. “She’s gotten rather adroit at healing people. Severed limbs, broken minds... your bendy appendages aren’t such a big step up. Even more than that, what if you had a huge area to prepare for his coming? A palace, with plenty of nooks and crannies... and a scary lich at the center of it all, who’s trapped the place to hell and back.”
Dario stared at Argrave, then shook his head. “You don’t trust me enough for that. And I don’t want to be bound by the White Planes, or any other entity.”
“Don’t I trust you?” Argrave met his gaze. “You said it yourself. If Traugott could decide the fate of the world, that’s the scariest proposition. And you could end him, forever. Even without the Heralds washing your brain, you still have to believe that.”
Dario’s lip twitched. “Even if I could walk...”
Argrave nodded. “You will.”
“Traugott... won’t be easy, alone.” Dario scratched his forehead. “The one that caught me...”
“Melanie?” Argrave raised his brows.
“She helps... it could be doable.” Dario nodded.
Argrave tapped his shoulder gently. “Then let’s do it.”
“Now?” Dario looked at Argrave as he rose.
“Yeah, of course,” Argrave nodded as if it was obvious, making for the door. “I’ve got a schedule.”