Chapter 265 – Missing

Chapter 265 – Missing

 

“Kea’s in danger?” Kai stepped closer to the floating mirror. He hadn’t seen his sister since he got trapped in the Hidden Sanctuary. Spirits! She might not even know he was alive. “Where is she? Can you contact her?”

She’s always been so reckless.

Valela raised a hand to calm him down—or point out he was about to headbutt the mirror. “I received some worrying information about her latest venture, but I know nothing for sure.”

“So, she’s not in danger…?” He let a sliver of hope slip into his tone.

“I… can’t really say. Your sister doesn’t talk to me. She thought I was involved in your presumed death and refused any attempts to contact her.”

“I see.” Kai furrowed his brow. “But how do you know all this if she doesn’t talk to you?”

Valela averted her gaze, looking at the silver borders of her coat. “There is another member of her group who keeps me updated. I was surprised when the House of Mirrors contacted me since she also stopped by Varsea a few weeks ago, and I thought it might be them.”

And I imagine Kea doesn’t know… It’s probably better this way.

Alana had told him that his sister was traveling with other young adults from the islands. It was good to know one of them had some common sense. “Thank you for keeping an eye on her.” Kai held her gaze. “I really appreciate it.”

“It’s nothing.” Valela combed a lock of hair behind her ear. “I try to keep a lookout for any native who leaves the archipelago in case they need help. Luckily, your sister’s not traveling alone.”

“Uhm,” Flynn cleared his throat. “Your love for the people of the archipelago is truly commendable.” He moved closer to the mirror with a small grin. “What trouble did his sister get into?”

“Please, tell us everything you know.” Kai bobbed his head.

“I can only tell you what was written in the missive.” Valela shifted her attention between them. “You know, she has taken up adventuring to earn a living.”

Was that what Kien meant when he said she fought monsters?

In any letter his mom had shown him, his sister was pretty vague on the details of her activities. Mostly focusing on the city or town they were visiting, and the new people she met.

“She wanted to hone her skills.” Flynn didn’t look surprised. “I’ve heard adventuring is a common job for travelers and outsiders.”

“Indeed.” The princess nodded. “Beast populations need to be kept in check around smaller settlements, so there is never a lack of work. Keandra’s group mostly accepts hunting and gathering contracts. They’re relatively safe as long as you’re careful. Only this time they decided to take on something more challenging…”

Of course they did… young, brash and eager to prove themselves.

“What is it?”

“Some people have gone missing,” Valela sighed. “The last statement I could find reported half a dozen cases. Though there could be more by now. Her companion contacted me a week ago, saying one of their own had gone missing too.”

Shit.

“You think they’re dead?” Flynn voiced everyone’s thoughts. “And the same could happen to Kea?”

“I really can’t say.” She fiddled with the buttons of her red coat. “The friends I asked at the academy said missing people aren’t too unusual. Sometimes beasts stalk close to the settlements, but they get caught eventually. If adventurers can’t solve it, the Republic will intervene.”

That doesn’t help the people who’re already dead.

“Where is this place?” Kai paced within the small room without realizing it. “You said her party stopped by Varsea not long ago. They can’t have gone too far.”

I doubt they can afford an airship.

Valela hesitated a moment before speaking. “They’re in Limgrell. It’s a small town on the Lake of Myst, east of Varsea. I don’t know much about it, but I’ll look for more information.”

“Thank you,” Kai lacked the words to express his gratitude. “I’m sorry I won’t be able to brew potions for a while.” All the plans they made for the mainland would have to be scrapped.

Humans plan and Fate laughs.

“Your family comes first.” Valela didn’t look upset, though there was a shadow in her gaze. “You should also know the person who contacted me wanted to leave Limgrell. Your sister might have already left when you get there. Or the authorities could have solved the case.”

Hmm… Kea never knew when to quit, especially if someone in her group has disappeared.

“I have to check on her. Hopefully, you’re right, and we worried for nothing.”

Valela bit her lip. “I’ll let you know if I learn more. But Kai, you should also be cautious if you follow her there. You’ve just arrived, the mainland isn’t like the archipelago. Traveling outside cities without an escort can be very dangerous.”

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

“I’ll be careful.”

“And I’ll keep an eye on him when he’s not.” Flynn ruffled his hair. “You and Kea aren’t siblings by chance.”

What’s that supposed to mean?

Kai threw him a dirty look. “How could I have predicted those crazy pirates or the storm?”

“Speaking of which.” Valela watched them intently. “You must tell me what happened to the Intrepid. A ship of that size should be unsinkable. And how did you manage to survive?”

Well, where do I start? That involved an ancient artifact, fanatical pirates and a runaway siren…

Kai and Flynn took turns explaining exactly how things had gone wrong: the initial storm that pushed them off course, the black ship, what they overheard from the marauders, and the second tempest that split the vessel. They also mentioned meeting Rain on the Melenia, but didn’t disclose his identity. It wasn’t their secret to tell.

Valela sat on one of the chairs on the other side of the mirror, scribbling in a notebook. “I’ve never heard of cloaked raiders that used Darkness skills. Any green pirate captain has a famous name. I’ll look if anyone matches the description, but I think they probably weren’t pirates like you said… Have you informed the Republic?

Kai shrugged his shoulders, sharing a look with Flynn. “I’m sure someone on the ship did.”

“Yeah, Karin must prove we were shipwrecked to validate her contracts. The authorities will have their pick of witnesses.”

“But you’ve got more information than most.” Valela pointed out. “How many of the survivors engaged with the marauders?

“There were many people present in the initial assault,” Kai said. “We just overheard a couple of crazy raiders below deck. I can’t exactly explain how Matthew the alchemist fought them off, can I?”

The longer he could avoid dealing with the Republic, the better. Those cultish pirates also seemed to care about their secrecy, so he’d rather avoid advertising what he heard. Spirits only knew the arcane ways criminals used to gather information here—just like the House of Echoes. The existence of magic and skills created nigh infinite ways to screw him over. Until he knew more, Kai’d rather not poke any beehives.