"What's going on?" Marshall cut straight to the chase, plopping down on a bench. "Why are you watching Elysia like a hawk?"
"I have my reasons," Wyn coolly responded, taking a seat next to him.
After glancing around the main hall in a reflexive gesture to make sure no one was listening, Marshall focused on the snow deity. "Tell me."
"Elysia has been opposing every conclusion you make in relation to Gi Gaia," the snow deity stated.
The disciple rested his forearms on his knees as he reflected on it. Come to think of it, that was the truth.
When he realized the connection between the emerald pond and the Smaragdine Lily, Elysia attempted to lead him off the trail. And just now, she was very insistent on not letting him leave to look for Gi Gaia.
"And why do you think that is?" Marshall inquired, interested in hearing Wyn's opinion first.
"Personal connection."
"You think she's close to Gi Gaia?"
"Indeed," Wyn gave a nod, his gaze sharp. "She refers to Gi Gaia on personal terms during team discussions."
"General Gi took Elysia in," the disciple commented. "She has mentioned being posted near the Eastern Mountains, it's only natural that she's familiar with Gi Gaia."
Marshall thought for a bit. "As for the oppositions... Elysia could be afraid that Gi family might get harmed in the process of chasing after the Smaragdine Lily."
"That is not all. The day you spent sleeping, Gi Elysia went to purchase teas. She returned with seven bundles of herbs, but one of them went missing. I do not know what was in it, but I believe she took it."
"Hmm..." the disciple scratched his eyebrow. "Well, some missing tea won't cause us any grave losses."
"You should not ignore this," Wyn advised, his eyes narrowing. "Trivialities tend to snowball into serious matters if they are not dealt with early on."
Marshall found the choice of words amusing, "Hehe, snowball."
Wyn's face stayed humorless, a stern expression weighing down his youth. "I do not know what was in that bundle. The contents could be poisonous. Gi Elysia might be—"
"Wait, wait, wait," Marshall waved to stop Wyn. He lowered his voice to a hushed tone, "That's too far. What if she heard you? Why would you assume something like that?"
"I have seen enough deceit to recognize patterns. Her behavior and the missing herbs raise suspicion," Wyn responded, keeping his voice even.
Marshall didn't want to suspect Elysia. She had been upfront about her thoughts so far. He didn't see her as a threat.
"I think she acts weird because you're making her uncomfortable. Who could relax with someone constantly watching their every move? For all we know, that missing bundle could have fallen out of the cabinet and rolled under a counter somewhere," Marshall suggested.
Wyn watched the disciple with unyielding eyes, "You are actively justifying everything I bring up. Is it because you do not wish to acknowledge the suspicions?"
The disciple looked down to the patterned tiles, his thoughts reorganizing themselves. He took a deep breath.
Wyn wasn't one to jump to conclusions without substantial evidence. And so far the snow deity had been right about most things. The silence stretched longer, each second weighing down with an uncomfortable feeling. He shook his head, clearing it of doubts.
"You're right. I don't want to be on guard around the people I share a roof with," Marshall put it straight.
"The people closest to you are the ones you should be most wary of," Wyn countered. "They influence everything around you, including who you are. If you are not careful, it can be used against you."
Marshall scoffed softly, "Is that why you don't reveal much about yourself? Because you think I might use it against you?"
Wyn met his eyes directly, "Not true." He continued, "I am not asking you to go around doubting every move Gi Elysia makes from now on. However, I want you to be prepared and pay attention."
The disciple chewed on the inside of his cheek, biting the skin. He could understand where Wyn was coming from. But doubting people was tiring.
He would rather trust blindly and believe that the people standing by him have his back. Should any unpleasant consequences arise, he'll deal with it then. There was no use burning a bridge that hadn't been crossed.
"There is a saying that comes to mind..." the snow deity noted.
Marshall quirked a brow, silently motioning for him to continue.
Wyn stated, "A dam of thousand miles can collapse due to an ant hole."
"Overlooking something that seems insignificant can result in a disaster, I get it," Marshall murmured. "But right now, we don't know whether it's an ant hole or just a speck of dirt."
"As long as you are aware," Wyn nodded, accepting the choice. "I will continue to observe her actions. You can focus on your own pursuits. I will keep watch."
With that, the snow deity got up and excused himself while Marshall remained seated in mild confusion. Why did it feel as if he had been lectured? At least in comparison to Master Gi Shan, Wyn was way nicer.
The snow deity made effort to understand him, and they settled on compromise. Yet, there was a sense of incompleteness lingering behind. Perhaps because this compromise gave the impression nothing was solved.