Argrave stared at Durran as he very obviously tried to avoid the subject. Thinking back he remembered Durran asking questions about the Alchemist. Anneliese had inadvertently taught him to be well-used to indulging idle curiosity, and he trusted Durran enough to blab about the Alchemist without second thought. And because of that

Galamon, grab him. Argrave rose to his feet and pointed.

His knight-commander moved without second thought. Durran rose to his feet quickly, but before Galamon his resistance proved futile. In seconds, Galamon had him on the floor. While they struggled, Argrave walked up to Durran and knelt down.

Gods, man! Whatever happened to a parley? Unacceptable! Unacceptable! Durran shouted, half-aggrieved and half-joking.

Argrave, is this necessary? Elenore, too, probed uneasily.

Argrave brushed back the prone mans hair behind his neck, revealing his tan skin and a rather peculiar mark just between some of his golden tattoos. The shape was a simple spiral, but it didnt seem to be either a tattoo or a scar. It had unnatural depth.

Durran Argrave slowly leaned back until he sat on the floor. You utter idiot.

I know what youre thinking, Durran said, his cheek to the ground even still. But just calm down, yeah? Ive got everything under control, I promise. And maybe if you can ask Galamon to get his knee out of my ribs the man shifted. I can get to work explaining myself.

Argrave sighed deeply. Let him up.

Galamon rose to his feet and took position beside Argrave. Durran, too, shakily stood.

What was that? Elenore crossed her arms, her eyes looking between the two of them with unease. Why did you feel that necessary?

Durran began to speak, but Argrave interrupted. Durran has a mark from the Alchemist on his body. Its a symbol of a vowpromise a favor, make a bet, and hell put one of those on you to make sure your words are more than just words. Argrave pointed at Durran with his thumb. If activated, it can immediately liquify your brain and destroy your soul. You become emptya husk. Brains bad enough, but the soul? No death is more certain.

Anneliese closed her eyes and shook her head, while Elenore seemed to grow dizzy. She grabbed the chair shed been sitting on for support, slowly lowering herself back into it.

I know what you all think. Durran put his hand on his table, rising up to his feet. You think Im in over my head. But damn it all, I had to watch day by day as my people withered away under the tyranny of the Vessels of Fellhorn. And when I finally had the chance to make that right, to do something good, that bottom feeder Titus ripped it all away. Durran slammed his fist down on the table, making plates jump. I did what I had to help free my people. I didnt have the power I needed, but I had a way to get it. The Alchemist gave me what I needed, even if I put my life on the line. And Ill keep my people freefrom Fellhorn, from Gerechtigkeit, from all, no matter how this ends. Ive ensured I can do that much, at least, no matter how this gamble plays out.

Elenore looked at him coldly. So, youll burn the candle at both ends, is that it? Until you vanish into smoke.

Durrans eyes softened somewhat. Elenore, this is something

Fine, she interrupted loudly. If you want to die so badly, then die.

The princess rose to her feet and stormed out of the room, her eyes watery.

Elenore! Durran called out, moving after her.

Argrave seized his arm, holding him in place. Dont make it worse. Tell me what youve done.

Durran was focused on the empty doorway for a while, struggling against Argraves grip.

Tell me! Argrave yelled and gripped tighter, concern making him impatient. This is no joke, Durran. This is no joke.

His voice seemed to hit home with Durran, and the man finally resigned and settled down. I saw a way to get what I wanted, without compromise. Thats what youve been doing this whole time, isnt it?

Thats not! Argrave began, but breathed a sigh of disappointment. Just tell me what youve done. What are you in for?

Durran looked off to the side, unable to meet Argraves eyes. I gave him your origin, damn it. Earth. In return, he told me what he sought. From there, I used it to make the bet.

Argrave wasnt pleased to hear that information leaked, but his concern for a dear friend squashed it immediately. What do you mean, what the Alchemist sought? Argrave questioned.

Durran looked at Argraves iron grip on his arm, and then managed to lock gazes with him. You told me you didnt know what the Alchemist was all about, right? That the player couldnt ask about his motivations, no matter what. You could only guess, and even the guesses werent that convincing. The man laughed, golden eyes gleaming. Look at you. Suddenly youre interested.

He actually told you? Anneliese walked around the table, coming to stand with Argrave. He seemed rather unwilling to engage in conversation.

Durran nodded. Nearly died when I said hello. But hearing about Argraves Earth made him amenable.

Then what is this bet? Argrave pressed. He didnt care about his secret leaking anymoreall he wanted to know was how to preserve Durrans life.

The Alchemist wants to break the cycle of judgment, Durran said.

Argraves grip on Durran slowly weakened. Durran do you realize how anxious I am about this bet, hearing that? He laughed sadly and shook his head. You want to know who else wants to break the cycle of judgment? Mozzahr, the Castellan of the Empty. He wants to become Gerechtigkeit, but hed also settle for becoming a god. And speaking of gods, just about every divine being wants to end the cycle, toothey want to permanently merge the mortal and the divine, then duke it out until the last! Argrave released Durran and walked away, throwing up his hands. Everybody wants to get out of the cycle. And I hate to be the one to break it to you but theres no ending to Heroes of Berendar like that. The cycle will continue. If you made a bet about subverting the cycle if you did his voice wavered as some emotion found him. Then Im sorry but its over for you, Durran.

Prove it. Durran crossed his arms.

Argrave chuckled bitterly. Durran, thats not even

No, thats the bet, Durran clarified. I have to prove whether its impossible or possible to circumvent the cycle of judgment. If I havent by the time Gerechtigkeits gone Ill have some brain eradication in store.

Argrave walked around the room, his mind working quickly. Though the bet was different in only a subtle way there was certainly more leeway there. Proof of possibility or impossibility. That was all. But how could one even prove something was impossible?

The way I figure it, there has to be something in that head of yours, Durran gestured toward Argrave. And if not hell, you can probably just kill the Alchemist. You can get monstrous enough to do that, right?

Argrave processed that, and then chuckled. The only one who could get the Alchemists mark was the player, and the moment the player attacked the Alchemist the mark would trigger, killing them instantly. Removing the mark by killing the Alchemist was a question that could never be answered. Maybe that was a solution. At the same time

Argrave walked to stare down at Durran, gray eyes steady as stone. What if none of that comes to pass? We find no proof. The Alchemist lives.

Durran stared back at Argrave, his golden eyes unwavering. Im just one man.

Argrave looked away first, stepping away in resignation. Anneliese said, That attitude is why Elenore left, Durran. And if you maintain it, she will leave more than this room, I think.

Reminded of this, Durran became fidgety. I should I should go talk to her. Can I, or will Galamon break my legs or something?

Argrave looked back. Go. I need time to think about this, anyway.

#####

Durran searched for Elenore for a long while without success. He never faltered in his search, though, and when he found her, it was because he intended to get atop his wyvern for a birds eye view. His wyvern had been hiding Elenore from him, curled around her defensively so that none, not even he, could spot the princess. She sat on the ledge of the gargantuan wall of the Lionsun Castle, peering out across the desert.

When she looked at him, he saw her red eyes. Durrans heart tore, and he very nearly teared up himself. He walked to her and sat down, ignoring the gaze of his wyvern nearby. His druidic bond curled around them, shielding them from the gazes of others just as it had shielded her alone.

Here. Jump, Elenore told him at once. Do a flip, land on your neck. Or maybe tie that belt around your neck, and then jump. Or maybe use that dagger, she suggested, then sniffed. A few new tears fell.

I didnt realize this would hit you so Durran thought he was fumbling his words, so he shut up.

Neither did I, Elenore shook her head. When I heard about the King of the Scorched Sands and how Argrave said it was you I got this ridiculous notion in my head that youd become a king to ask for my hand. I became that young, romantic girl that ran away from home all those years ago She laughed bitterly, voice hoarse from sadness. But reality has crashed down once again. You think losing my feet and my eyes wouldve made that lesson stick. How stupid I feel

That is why I went. For you. Durran looked at her. Sure, wasnt the only reason. Got inspired by Argrave, inspired by all you achieved, and wanted to rectify a failure. I wanted to unite Vasquer and the Burnt Desert, permanently. But in the end, what pushed me to go back was you. He rubbed his gauntleted hands together. As you know, Im a little impulsive.

Ah. So I did kill you. Thank you for clarifying. Elenore pulled her legs up from off the edge and brought her knees to her chest.

Durran sighed. Im not planning to die, Elenore.

Does anyone? My father didnt. Nor did Levin. Or Induen. Or Magnus. They were kings and princes, all. But they died all the same. Elenore wrapped her arms around her knees.

Durran stayed silent for a few seconds, then said with certainty, Im better than them.

Elenore laughed, finally, and Durran thought he saw some light.

Durran leaned in a little off the ledge, looking at her in the eyes. This bet it wasnt a bet on my ability alone, though. It was a bet on Argrave, and whatever stupid things hes got in that head of his. It was a bet on you and your resourcefulness. Because at every turn, I saw how brilliantly genius you were. And I realized that, no matter what, if you were onno, by my side, everything would resolve as best as it could.

Elenore grabbed his shoulder and pulled him away from the ledge, clearly uncomfortable with how close hed gotten. When she saw him smile at her concern, she defended herself, saying, You can fall off after this conversation is over.

Of course, Durran agreed, not wishing to push his luck.

The silence between them stretched out for a while. Durran peered out across the Burnt Desert just as she did, taking in the sight. He had been born in those sands, molded by that endless blackness, and now he put his life on the line for the Burnt Desert.

I think you would be better forgetting me, Elenore said. I cant care for people properly. The man I ran away with his fate is gruesome. Therese I let her be tortured, and as reward I allowed her to die because of my negligence. And Levin he had the same father, the same pain, but I just watched as he bled out she sniffed strongly. The things I say, what I do Im not loving, not kind. Whether as a sister, a lover, a a mother, even, if thats what you want its best for everyone I keep my distance. Thats why you are where you are. Thats why youre dying. You got too close.

Durran leaned back on his hands. I go talking about how smart you are, and then you go and say something braindead like that he shook his head and laughed. I think todays evidence enough youre capable of caring for other people. And I think everyone in that room you left could give you half a thousand other examples.

As for all that other drivel you just spewed Argrave owes you his kingdom. Thats a pretty good sister, you ask me. The lover part I know a thing or two, dont worry. And youre a fast learner. That leads naturally to the next part, mothering Durran shrugged as Elenore flushed from his last comment. I dont know. Kids, no kids doesnt make a difference to me.

Elenore looked at him. Doesnt make a difference?

Yeah, Durran nodded. Fact is whole time I was out there in the Burnt Desert, something kept running through my head. Anything I did, anything I saw, Id just start thinking, what would Elenore say about this? or would Elenore enjoy this? He slowly lowered to his back until he was staring up at the sky. I just like being around you. I like looking at you. Id like to do other things, as I mentioned. Thats why you can rest assured that I dont plan on going anywhere anytime soon.

Elenore exhaled and looked back out across the Burnt Desert. After an extended silence, she looked back at Durran. What did you want to show me?

Durran propped his head up with his arm. Well lots of things. He thought on the matter more, and then his golden eyes gleamed. One of them we can do right now. He looked back to the wyvern encircling them, then patted its leg. Want to ride my wyvern?

Elenore studied the creature with her gray eyes, then looked back at Durran. Okay, she nodded.

At that, Durran rose to his feet speedily and got on his wyverns back. He offered his hand down. Come along then, princess. I think its time for a tour of the kingdom I earned for you.

Elenore managed a smile. And she took Durrans hand.