The cold wind rolling in from the Blood Sea carried the scent of salt and snow.
Atheline remained standing near the shoreline long after the others had drifted away to resume their duties. The waves continued their steady rhythm against the beach, as though they cared little for kingdoms, politics, or the corrupted that occasionally emerged from beneath their surface.
Helther eventually walked over, hands tucked inside his winter cloak.
"You've been staring at the sea for nearly half an hour, it's quite unnerving since you haven't moved even a step sideways."
Atheline smiled without taking his eyes off the horizon.
"I know, but I can't stop looking," he smiled," and I'm not planning on jumping in."
"Find anything?"
"No, except for the endless water and the hypnotic waves; there is nothing worth seeing."
Helther followed his gaze toward the endless expanse of blue.
"I get that, it will always feel disappointing whenever we put our hopes on something only for it to be dashed."
