Chapter 277 - The Whispers of Wayfarers (2/2)

”A woman?” asked Gelling with a raised eyebrow.

”Yes...a young woman. She is here with her lover, I believe, though it is rare that you see the two together outside of meal times. I believe they spend much of their time doing odd jobs for the crew as well,” said the woman.

Gelling tried not to let his surprise show. There was only one couple that was doing odd jobs for the crew.

”Thank you, for letting me know,” said Gelling.

Gelling left the woman before she could ask any more rumour mongering questions. If there were two missing passengers, it was only a matter of time before those on board knew. Keeping a secret from passengers on a long journey, even on a large ship like the Mariner, was next to impossible.

Gelling found the woman, Devina, an hour later taking a walk along the starboard side of the ship. Her eyes widened upon seeing him, but she calmed her expression quickly and gave him an awkward smile.

”Gelling,” said Devina.

”Devina, I hear you were in contact with the two Magicians on board, Kel and Issa I believe their names were,” said Gelling, getting straight to the point.

”Well, yes,” said Devina, ”They were hoping to study the existence of Dragons on the Western Continent. Quite an abstract topic”.

”Have you seen them recently?” asked Gelling.

Devina shook her head, ”No, not for a few days”.

”Where was the last place you saw them?” asked Gelling, watching her closely

Devina frowned, seemingly in thought, ”Well, we were in the public lounge when the two said they were headed back to their cabins before dinner. Seeing how much time they spend between their cabins and the lounge, I asked them to walk with me a little before dinner. They didn't protest and we went up towards the top deck. Once up there, Issa seemed particularly interested in a pod of whales, but I had to get back so that Aegin wouldn't worry, so I left them there. That was the last time I saw them”.

Gelling frowned, ”The top deck?”

Devina nodded, ”Yes”.

”And this was three days ago?”

Devina nodded again, ”Yes. Is everything alright?”

Gelling frowned, ”Did you harm them?”

Devina blanched, ”What? Why...? How could you even ask that?”

Gelling stared at her a long moment before he sighed, ”Apologies. Please let me know if you encounter them”.

Gelling turned and walked away.

Devina, once he was out of earshot, breathed out in relief, she turned to the railing and looked out at the ocean below. She couldn't help feeling a little sea sick. She didn't want to lie. But she had no choice. Aegin had been clear on what he'd do if she told anyone. And she didn't doubt he'd do it to the whole ship if he needed to.

Still, even if she'd promised not to say anything, he hadn't spoken to her in three days. Done his best to avoid her in fact. Devina should have been relieved. Instead, no doubt due to the damned bond between them, she felt a sense of loss. Of sadness.

She did her utmost to ignore the voice that told her that she felt guilt too.