Ruger walked forward cautiously. For some reason, the sea breeze felt cooler than before, and the churning Endless Sea seemed a little more terrifying in the darkness.
Then he found it rather amusing. When everything had been unknown, he had actually felt more relaxed than he did now. After realizing it might be Wizard Jillian, he had become more reserved instead. He could only blame his inability to imagine why this esteemed Wizard would be here, standing at the edge of a cliff late at night as though admiring the sea.
They crossed paths from time to time and often ate at the same table at the Outpost, but they really could not be considered particularly close.
All the words they had exchanged probably did not amount to even a fraction of what he had said to Varin.
What little he knew about her had also come from Varin, but Varin obviously would not reveal too much about her teacher.
Ruger's arrival did not seem to interest her.
The figure continued gazing at the Endless Sea.
"Lady Jillian..." Ruger ventured.
Although she wore a hood, he was close enough now to confirm her identity.
Strange as this was, Ruger still felt fairly reassured, because he sensed no malice from her. Since training on that road he had never reached the end of on the Cyclops Wizard's island, his Demon of Miserliness state had improved in every respect, and his perception of other people's malice had grown sharper as well.
Ruger raised his eyebrows and continued forward.
The figure suddenly turned her head. It was indeed Jillian, and she wore a smile Ruger had never seen in their everyday encounters.
No-as Ruger searched his memories, he realized he had seen that smile before, but only once. It had been his first