Chapter 218 The Abyss of Sorrow I (1/2)

*Eldovian Era 1711, 15th day of the 3rd month*

Ebony twisted her ankle around in circles as she sat on the bed beside Aegin. He nodded in approval.

”Good, I guess after they fixed me I should have had more faith in them,” Aegin sighed.

Ebony gave a small smile, ”I don't know, I think they're more concerned about their own lives than ours. Not that I can blame them”.

The silence lapsed between the two of them, ”I hear you've made friends”.

Aegin shrugged, ”Well the group that I thought would be a problem turned out not to be. I think they've been here so long that they've accepted the reality that one day they're all going to die here. Hence, they mourn the loss of their comrades, but they don't blame the culprit for it. It's like they've totally given up on any form of vengeance. Of escape”.

”Well, I'll be sure to hope they don't rub off on you then,” Ebony said, ”After all somebody has to train me”.

Aegin sighed, ”I guess you have healed now so I should probably do something about keeping that promise, huh?”

Ebony continued to look at him expectantly. A grin dawned on his face.

”Do you remember the exercise that Rassa taught you?” asked Aegin.

Ebony's look dimmed slightly, ”That was serious”.

”Of course it was,” said Aegin, ”They only let us meet once a week, so do that exercise for at least an hour a day. The rest of the running around they make you do will surely be enough work for you to help with your stamina. Don't be too harsh on your leg though. If it starts hurting you'll have to take a break. Just do it for an hour in total at first. We'll work on doing it an hour straight another time”.

”That's it?” asked Ebony, looking unimpressed.

Aegin nodded, ”That's it”.

Ebony huffed, ”I thought this was going to be more exciting, it's so underwhelming”.

Aegin snorted, ”Don't know what you expected, but basics are necessary. You can't throw a good punch if your muscles aren't prepared for it”.

Ebony turned to look at him, ”You okay?”

Aegin turned back to her, ”Are you?”

Ebony grabbed onto his hand and held it as she leaned over to rest her head on his shoulder, ”We'll get out”.

”Agreed”.

As they sat in a companionable silence, Ebony's hand delved into her pocket to hold the Tracking Charm there. She did it at least once a day, usually when she was going to bed to make sure Aegin was okay. She was sure that Aegin did the same for her. They'd take it off her it they found it on her, but they'd gotten more lax as the weeks dragged by and somehow Ebony got it back even if it was put into a locked box that she was not allowed anywhere near. When she explained its purpose to the Madame, and the fact that it would return to her within a couple of hours regardless of whether it was locked away or not, the Madame had been intrigued by it and wanted to know who made it. Ebony, ever the useful slave, had told her the Maker was unavailable for consultation.

She clutched the tracking charm, watching as the lines came into existence around her, the one connecting her with Aegin the brightest. Falla, Iah and Kit up north. Sharli's had started travelling south a few weeks ago and now...wait, where was Sharli's line?

...

Where was Rassa's line?

Ebony sat up sharply, taking the charm out of her pocket and holding it before her as she counted the lines.

”Ebony?” asked Aegin, ”What's wrong?

”The lines...where are Rassa and Sharli's?”

Aegin took out his own charm and looked, then he met Ebony's worried gaze.

”They're not...”