The Lake

The lake is beyond beautiful. It‘s breathtaking. Clear, still water reflecting the sunlight, surrounded by pale soft sand, and various vegetation. Everything from delicate flowers to sturdy-looking bushes and what looks like a deep forest on the far side of it. Aster, who clearly knows the area well, leads the way into a half-circle of thick bushes. A living wall, creating a secluded space where sturdy tree trunks lie in a square, surrounding a simple fire pit. Just gray stones encircling a patch of sand, and a couple of semi-burned logs. A couple of small pots, old and dented, but still functional, lie next to it. Remains from the last time someone had made use of this place.

“It’s very pretty here,” Diane says, looking around.

“I suppose,” Aster replies, unbuckling his belt and draping it over one of the logs. The smaller buckles on his vest are next. He doesn’t have any problems making the stiff leather cooperate, and the vest joins the belt and his weapons on the log. “Why don’t you gather some firewood? We’ll need plenty to keep the fire going throughout the night.”

“Sure.” Diane drops her backpack next to his things. “What are you going to do?”

“Told you before. At least one of us needs a bath. And cleaner clothes.” He sits down to pull his boots and socks off. “We also need something to cook on that fire. I’m starving.”

He stands and starts pulling his shirt over his head, showing her a glimpse of a toned abdomen. Then he freezes and lets it fall back down, giving her a calculating, almost worried look.

“I guess this needs a good soak too,” he grins, but the tightness around his eyes doesn’t go away.

What was that about? Do they have different rules about modesty here? No, there seems to be more behind his reluctance to undress in front of her than shyness. She’s about to point out that as a nurse, she’s used to seeing people in all kinds of half-clad states, when he picks up his dagger and heads to the lake.

Puzzled, she stands there, watching Aster wade into the water, every stride sending ripples across the smooth surface. The sun has not yet set, but hangs low and orange in the sky. Large dragonflies zoom around him, occasionally dipping down to the surface, grabbing whatever edible things his movements stir up.

With a splash, he dives in and disappears under the surface, and Diane finds herself holding her breath until he resurfaces. He’s much further out, shaking his head to get his hair out of his eyes, sending water droplets flying, glistening with the warm colors of the sky. He gives her a wave, then goes under once more.

Diane gets to work too. Fortunately she doesn’t have to wander far to find firewood. Even though she’s slightly distracted by a herd of small rabbit-like animals, it isn’t long until she’s gathered a sizeable stack of dry sticks and branches. When Aster returns, she’s busy piling some of them in the fire pit. Filling the spaces with dry leaves and grass, the way she’s seen it done on TV.

He’s dripping water, but grinning widely, holding up his knife, showing off three good-sized fish impaled on it.

“We have dinner,” he announces proudly and Diane nods, returning the smile. He places the fish on one of the larger stones and starts cleaning them. The heads and innards he tosses to the side, where they’re instantly picked up and gulped down by large white birds squabbling noisily over the best bits.

Minutes later, they have a small fire going, and the now skewered fish are being cooked over it. Behind them, the sun is setting, painting the sky and water in incredible colors. Diane picks up one of the pots and turns to the lake, then hesitates,

“Is the water safe to drink?”

“It should be, but we can boil it just to make sure.”

“Great, I’ll fetch some then.”

When she returns, he’s taken off his soaked pants and put them to dry over one of the bushes. His shirt is long enough to almost cover the shorts he wore under them, but his bare legs are stretched out in front of him. Not so shy, no.

Diane places the pot at the edge of the fire and takes a seat on the log next to him. The smell from the roasting fish is making her mouth water.

“They should be done now.” Aster has been keeping a keen eye on the fire and plucks all the skewers from it. He hands her one, then impatiently takes a big bite out of the biggest fish. It’s so hot that steam partly hides his face.

“Don’t burn yourself. You should wait at least a few minutes,” Diane scolds him, blowing at her own fish to cool it down.

“I’ll be fine.” He takes another bite and waves the steam away with his hand. “I’m hungry.”

Right, he hadn’t had any fruits earlier like she had. He must be starving.

“That’s understandable.” She takes a careful bite of hers, then immediately one more. It’s delicious. “You’re an excellent chef.”

“Oh, I have many skills.” He downs the rest of the fish in a few bites and reaches for the last one. “Food was scarce where I spent the last months. I need to catch up.” He takes another big bite, chewing happily. “Get my strength back.”

“And your magic?” The question slips out and Diane immediately regrets it, but he chuckles and waves the half-eaten fish at her.

“Yes, that too. But being back here, along with some good food and a good night’s sleep will take care of that. I should be back to normal tomorrow.” He looks her up and down, then winks. “If I show you mine, you’ll show me yours, right?”

Diane groans. Why hadn’t she kept her mouth shut?

“I thought I made myself clear earlier. But I’ll rephrase it a little. Whether magic exists or not, I have never seen it. I don’t believe in it, and I most certainly don’t have any hidden magical powers.”

“You’re wrong.” He sounds so sure of himself that she almost believes him. Almost. Then she remembers the concussion and gives in. For now.

“You know what?” she admits. “I don’t want to argue. I’m too tired and too comfortable, and the sky is too beautiful for us to fight.”

“You’re right.” They finish their food in silence, watching the sun set and more of the glowing orbs gathering over the lake. Small speckles of light reflecting in the smooth surface. Diane finishes her last ‘peach’ as dessert and stifles a yawn.

“So, we’re just going to sleep here? On the ground?”

“Of course.”

“What about animals? I mean dangerous ones? Are there any…”

“There are, but most will stay away from the fire.”

“Most…”

Aster holds up a hand to quiet her, then rests it on his sword.

“I can handle them. I don’t expect any trouble, but it’s safest if you sleep between the fire and me.”

“Fine.” It’s not as if she has options, so she settles down on the soft ground, close enough to the fire that she feels its warmth. The grass is soft, and with her backpack folded into a makeshift pillow, she finds that she’s more comfortable than she’d expected. The stars are bright over her, and she can hardly believe how beautiful they are. Back home, she’d rarely seen any. Stars have no chance against the manmade lights of the city.

Next to her, Aster is settling down, on his back, arms folded under his head, sword by his side.

“Er, good night then,” Diane says. It already feels as if she’s dreaming, and she expects that when she wakes up, it’ll be in her bed, not here.

“You too. Rest well, you’ll need it for tomorrow.” Then he leans on one elbow, facing her. “Also, if you wake up and I’m not here, don’t worry. I won’t be far. Remember to stay close to the fire. Make sure you never leave the light.”

“Fine,” she mumbles, surprisingly close to sleep. The last thing she sees is the orbs, flickering over her, and the last thing she hears is the comforting crackle of the fire.

She awakens with a start, not sure if the sound that disturbed her sleep was real or just a dream. A nightmare of a monster haunting her? Blinking against the faint light, she slowly relaxes. Everything is quiet. Peaceful.  Just a dream. She closes her eyes to go back to sleep.

Crack.