The Hidden Spring

The hunter’s cabin existed.

Kael considered that a victory.

It was also falling apart.

He considered that less of one.

The small wooden structure leaned against the side of a moss-covered hill as though the forest had spent years trying to push it over.

Half the roof was covered in vines.

One shutter hung by a single hinge.

The front door was slightly open.

Kael stared at it.

“That looks safe.”

Lyra stood beside him.

Her dark-red hair was tangled from two days of traveling, and dried mud covered the bottom of her cloak.

“No,” she said.

“It looks extremely safe.”

“You’re mocking me.”

“Obviously.”

Darian raised one hand.

“Both of you stay here.”

Kael frowned.

“Why?”

“Because I’m checking inside.”

“I can help.”

“No.”

Lyra leaned toward Kael.

“He thinks you’ll wake whatever horrible creature is living in there.”

Kael looked at the cabin.

“That is a reasonable concern.”

Darian drew one dagger.

“Wait.”

He approached the building.

Kael watched him step onto the porch.

The wood creaked.

Darian stopped.

Nothing happened.

He pushed the door farther open.

Creeeeak.

Kael whispered—

“That is definitely haunted.”

Lyra nodded seriously.

“Absolutely.”

Darian disappeared inside.

Several seconds passed.

Kael placed one hand on his sword.

Lyra did the same.

Then—

Darian reappeared.

“It’s empty.”

Kael relaxed.

“Disappointing.”

Lyra stared at him.

“You wanted it to be haunted?”

“No. But after that door sound, I expected more.”

Darian shook his head.

“Inside.”

The cabin had clearly belonged to someone who had not returned in years.

A narrow bed rested against one wall.

A stone fireplace occupied another.

Several shelves contained old jars, rusted tools, and enough dust to convince Kael that nothing had touched them in a long time.

There was also a table.

Two chairs.

And—

Lyra’s eyes immediately locked onto a wooden rack.

“Arrows.”

She crossed the room.

A dozen arrows rested there.

Old, but usable.

She picked one up and checked the shaft.

“Straight.”

Darian inspected the fletching.

“Replace the feathers when we reach Grayhaven.”

Lyra smiled.

“I was beginning to feel naked without arrows.”

Kael looked at her short sword.

“You literally have a sword.”

“You know what I mean.”

“No, but I’ve learned not to question you.”

Kael moved toward another shelf.

Several small hunting knives lay beneath a layer of dust.

Beside them was a dented metal cooking pot.

He picked it up.

“Treasure.”

Lyra looked over.

“That?”

“We can cook.”

“We have almost nothing to cook.”

Kael lowered it.

“Less exciting treasure.”

Darian opened a storage cabinet.

“Not entirely.”

Kael and Lyra moved over.

Inside were sealed sacks.

Dried roots.

Salt.

A little grain.

And three jars.

Lyra took one.

“Honey.”

Kael immediately reached for it.

She pulled it away.

“No.”

“What?”

“You ate the last sweet thing we had.”

“I shared.”

“You gave me one bite.”

“It was a generous bite.”

“It was tiny.”

Darian took the jar from both of them.

“We ration it.”

Kael and Lyra stared.

Darian placed it into his pack.

“Neither of you is mature enough to be responsible for honey.”

Kael pointed at Lyra.

“Her fault.”

Lyra looked offended.

“How?”

“I don’t know, but statistically it usually is.”

She kicked his boot.

The cabin contained enough supplies to make the next stage of their journey easier.

Not comfortable.

But easier.

Lyra gained arrows.

Darian found several pieces of dried medicinal root.

Kael found a whetstone and a leather sheath that fit his father’s short sword.

They also found a rolled map.

Darian spread it across the table.

Kael leaned over.

Grayhaven appeared near the northern edge.

A river wound through the forest.

Another marking sat farther east.

Kael pointed.

“What is that?”

The ink had faded, but a circular symbol remained beside the hills.

Darian examined it.

“Spring.”

Lyra immediately looked interested.

“As in clean water?”

“Probably.”

Kael looked down at his clothes.

Mud.

Dried blood.

Ash.

More mud.

His cloak had developed an odor he preferred not to identify.

“Can we go?”

Darian looked at him.

“To the spring?”

“Yes.”

“We have water.”

Kael lifted one sleeve.

“This is becoming a health issue.”

Lyra smelled her own cloak.

Her expression changed.

“I agree with him.”

Darian stared at both of them.

“That may be the first time today.”

Lyra pointed toward the map.

“Is it far?”

“Half a mile.”

Kael rolled the map.

“Then democracy has spoken.”

“There are only three of us.”

“Two to one.”

Darian sighed.

“Fine.”

Kael smiled.

Lyra held out her hand.

“Victory.”

They slapped palms.

The spring was hidden between two rocky hills.

They almost missed it.

Thick vines covered a narrow path leading between the stones.

Beyond them—

steam drifted through the trees.

Kael stopped.

“Steam?”

Lyra pushed aside a branch.

Her eyes widened.

“Oh.”

A natural pool stretched beneath the cliffs.

Clear water reflected the afternoon sky.

Small waterfalls descended from cracks in the stone, feeding several pools connected by narrow channels.

Mist drifted above the surface.

The entire place was surrounded by pale flowers and moss.

Most importantly—

a massive stone wall divided the largest pool almost perfectly in half.

It looked natural.

A ridge of dark rock rose from beneath the water and stretched from one edge to the other.

Only the sound of flowing water passed around it.

Lyra stared.

Kael stared.

Darian stared.

Then Lyra smiled.

“This is perfect.”

Kael nodded.

“Finally, the forest apologizes.”

Darian crouched beside the water.

“Wait.”

He dipped two fingers into it.

Kael watched.

“Poison?”

“No.”

“Monster?”

“No.”

“Cursed?”

Darian looked at him.

“You’ve become pessimistic.”

“I’ve adapted.”

Darian tested the temperature.

“Warm mineral spring.”

Lyra almost looked emotional.

“Warm.”

Kael understood completely.

For several days, they had washed with freezing river water.

Darian stood.

“We stay one hour.”

Lyra immediately removed her pack.

“Accepted.”

“Someone watches the entrance.”

Kael pointed toward Darian.

“You.”

Darian frowned.

“Why me?”

Lyra looked at him.

“You are the responsible adult.”

“I regret raising you to argue.”

Kael smiled.

“I appreciate your sacrifice.”

Darian shook his head.

“I’ll check the perimeter first.”

He looked at them both.

“And keep your weapons within reach.”

Lyra sighed.

“Even while bathing?”

“Especially while bathing.”

Kael looked toward the forest.

“I hate that this now sounds reasonable.”

Darian disappeared among the trees.

Lyra immediately claimed the eastern half of the spring.

“This side is mine.”

Kael looked at the two sides.

“They are identical.”

“This one is better.”

“How?”

“I chose it.”

“That explains nothing.”

“It explains everything.”

Kael sighed.

“Fine.”

Lyra pointed at the stone divider.

“And you stay on your side.”

Kael stared.

“Obviously.”

“I’m establishing rules.”

“Why do I feel like the rules are specifically for me?”

“Experience.”

“What experience?”

Lyra smiled.

“You’re curious.”

“That sounds like an accusation.”

“It is.”

Kael picked up a pebble and threw it toward the wall.

Lyra ducked dramatically despite it landing nowhere near her.

“Violence!”

“You throw rocks at my window every morning.”

“That is communication.”

Kael shook his head.

They placed their packs near opposite sides of the stone wall.

Their swords remained close enough to reach from the water.

Kael waited.

Lyra waited.

Silence.

Then Lyra called—

“Turn around.”

Kael looked at the wall.

“I literally can’t see you.”

“Turn around anyway.”

“There is a wall.”

“Kael.”

“Fine.”

He faced the trees.

“You’re impossible.”

“So I’ve been told.”

Several minutes later—

Kael lowered himself into the warm water.

Every muscle in his body seemed to surrender at once.

He leaned backward against a smooth stone.

“Oh.”

Lyra’s voice came from the other side.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

“That sounded like something.”

“I forgot what not being covered in dirt felt like.”

A splash came from beyond the divider.

“I agree.”

Kael closed his eyes.

For the first time since leaving Larkspur—

he felt warm in a way that had nothing to do with the strange heat inside him.

Safe.

Almost.

The spring smelled faintly of minerals and flowers.

Birds sang beyond the rocks.

No horns.

No monsters.

No hunters.

Kael exhaled.

“This is nice.”

Lyra answered—

“Very.”

Silence followed.

Not uncomfortable.

Just peaceful.

Then—

“Kael?”

“Yeah?”

“Do you think Darian actually knows where we’re going?”

Kael opened one eye.

“Grayhaven.”

“I know that.”

“Then yes.”

“I mean after Grayhaven.”

Kael looked toward the steam rising above him.

“I don’t think he does.”

Lyra was quiet.

Kael continued—

“He probably planned how to get us away from Larkspur.”

“But not what happens after.”

“Maybe he never expected the Order to actually find us.”

Water moved softly on the other side.

Lyra sighed.

“Sometimes I wish he would just tell us everything.”

“Same.”

“My entire life feels like a puzzle someone forgot to give me half the pieces for.”

Kael looked toward the stone wall.

“At least you have half.”

“That was supposed to make me feel better?”

“No.”

“You’re really bad at this.”

“I know.”

Lyra laughed softly.

Kael smiled.

Then her voice changed.

“Kael.”

“Yeah?”

“Do you think your mother is alive?”

The question struck harder than he expected.

Kael stared at the water.

“I don’t know.”

“I think she is.”

He swallowed.

“You don’t have to say that.”

“I’m not saying it because I have to.”

Kael waited.

Lyra continued—

“She knew the Order was coming.”

“Yes.”

“She had plans.”

“Yes.”

“She got you out.”

Kael looked down.

“She’s smarter than you.”

He stared at the wall.

“That was almost comforting.”

“Almost?”

“You ruined it at the end.”

“That part was important.”

Kael smiled despite himself.

“Thank you.”

Lyra became quiet.

“For what?”

“For saying it.”

Another pause.

Then—

“You’d do the same for me.”

Kael didn’t hesitate.

“Yes.”

The word came too quickly.

Too naturally.

Lyra didn’t answer.

Kael suddenly became aware of what he had said.

He looked toward the wall.

“Lyra?”

“Still here.”

“You went quiet.”

“I’m thinking.”

“That sounds dangerous.”

A splash of water came over the top of the wall.

It struck Kael’s hair.

He stared.

“You did not.”

Lyra laughed.

“You deserved it.”

Kael gathered water in both hands.

“War?”

“Kael, don’t—”

He threw it.

Lyra shrieked from the other side.

“KAEL!”

“Justice.”

“You’re dead.”

A much larger wave came over the wall.

Kael covered his face.

“How did you even do that?!”

“I’m talented!”

For the next minute, the hidden spring became significantly less peaceful.

Eventually, both stopped.

Mostly because Kael accidentally swallowed water.

Lyra laughed so hard she had to lean against the stone wall.

Kael coughed.

“You nearly killed me.”

“With water?”

“Very dangerous substance.”

“Apparently.”

Kael wiped his face.

Then he noticed something.

His right hand.

A faint line ran across the back of it.

Red.

Kael frowned.

He rubbed the skin.

The mark remained.

Not a cut.

Not a burn.

It looked almost like several tiny overlapping shapes beneath his skin.

He leaned closer.

Scales?

No.

That was ridiculous.

“Lyra.”

Her laughter stopped.

“What?”

“Do you have anything strange on your skin?”

Silence.

“That question requires more explanation.”

Kael immediately realized how terrible it sounded.

“No! I mean marks.”

“Marks?”

“Red ones.”

There was a pause.

Then Lyra’s voice became serious.

“Where?”

“Hand.”

Water moved beyond the wall.

Kael heard her examining herself.

Then—

“…Yes.”

He sat straighter.

“You do?”

“On my shoulder.”

“The injured one?”

“No. Other side.”

Kael looked at his hand again.

The markings had spread slightly toward his wrist.

“Describe it.”

Lyra hesitated.

“Thin red lines.”

“Like veins?”

“No.”

Another pause.

“Like…”

“What?”

“Little diamonds.”

Kael’s stomach tightened.

He stared at his own.

Exactly.

Tiny diamond shapes.

Layered together.

Kael whispered—

“Mine too.”

Neither spoke.

The peaceful feeling vanished.

Lyra called—

“Does it hurt?”

“No.”

“Mine doesn’t either.”

Kael lowered his hand beneath the water.

The moment it touched the spring—

the marks brightened.

He jerked it back.

The water around his fingers began to bubble.

Kael stared.

Not boiling everywhere.

Only around his hand.

“Lyra.”

“What happened?”

“Put the marked part in the water.”

“That sounds like a terrible idea.”

“I already did.”

“Of course you did.”

A moment later—

Lyra gasped.

Kael stood halfway.

“What?”

“The water.”

“What?”

“It got warmer.”

Kael looked down.

The water around him was warming too.

Not because of the spring.

Because of him.

He pulled his hand completely free.

The bubbling stopped.

The red markings faded.

Within seconds—

they disappeared.

Kael stared.

“Gone.”

Lyra answered—

“Mine too.”

Kael slowly sat back down.

“That is extremely normal.”

“Completely.”

“Humans do that all the time.”

“Every morning.”

He could hear the nervousness beneath her joking.

Kael pressed his fingertips against his palm.

Nothing.

No marks.

No heat.

Just skin.

Lyra’s voice became quieter.

“Do you think Darian knows about this?”

“Yes.”

“You answered fast.”

“He knows about everything else.”

“Fair.”

Kael looked toward the wall.

“We tell him.”

Lyra hesitated.

Then—

“Yes.”

They had hidden enough.

They remained in the spring a little longer.

Neither truly relaxed again.

Kael kept checking his hand.

The marks never returned.

Eventually, Lyra said—

“I’m getting out.”

Kael immediately turned toward the opposite direction.

“I’m turned around.”

“I didn’t ask yet.”

“I’m learning.”

“Good.”

Water moved.

Kael stared intently at one particular tree.

Very intently.

Branches.

Leaves.

Excellent tree.

Behind the stone wall came the sounds of Lyra drying herself and putting her clothes back on.

Kael continued studying the tree.

Then—

“Ow.”

He turned instinctively.

“Are you—”

“KAEL!”

He snapped back toward the tree.

“The wall is still there!”

“That is not the point!”

“I heard you say ow!”

“I hit my foot on a rock!”

“How would seeing help?”

“Exactly!”

Kael rubbed his face.

“This conversation has gone terribly.”

Lyra sighed.

“You can turn around now.”

Kael glanced.

Lyra stood fully dressed beside her pack.

Her dark-red hair was wet and loose around her shoulders.

Without the dirt and dried blood, she looked more like the Lyra he remembered from Larkspur.

For a second—

Kael simply stared.

Lyra noticed.

“What?”

He looked away.

“Nothing.”

Her eyes narrowed.

“Why did you look away that fast?”

“No reason.”

“Kael.”

“I’m going to get dressed.”

He disappeared behind his side of the wall.

Lyra smiled to herself.

“Coward.”

“I heard that.”

“You were supposed to.”

When Kael returned, Lyra was sitting beside the pool brushing tangles from her hair with her fingers.

Kael wore his charcoal shirt and dark-red tunic again, though both were finally clean.

His cloak hung across a rock to dry.

Lyra looked him over.

“You almost look human again.”

Kael froze.

Lyra did too.

The joke suddenly felt different.

Kael forced a smile.

“Almost?”

Lyra looked away.

“Bad choice of words.”

“Yeah.”

Darian emerged from the trees.

“Anything happen?”

Kael and Lyra immediately answered together.

“Yes.”

Darian stopped.

His expression became exhausted before they even explained.

“What?”

Kael held up his hand.

“It’s gone now.”

“What is?”

“Red marks.”

Darian’s face changed.

Lyra stood.

“They appeared on my shoulder too.”

“What kind of marks?”

Kael looked at Lyra.

“Like overlapping diamonds.”

Darian went completely still.

Kael noticed.

“You recognize that.”

Darian did not answer.

Lyra stepped forward.

“Dad.”

“Did anything else happen?”

“The water got hot,” Kael said.

Darian’s eyes shifted toward him.

“Hot?”

“Hotter around the marks.”

Lyra nodded.

“Same for me.”

Darian turned away.

Kael’s patience disappeared.

“No.”

Darian stopped.

“No more walking away.”

Kael moved closer.

“You know something.”

“I know possibilities.”

“Then give us one.”

Darian looked toward him.

Kael continued—

“We have glowing eyes.”

He pointed at himself.

“I can touch fire.”

Then Lyra.

“She heals too fast and can hear things miles away.”

He gestured toward the spring.

“Now we have marks appearing on our skin.”

His voice became harder.

“We deserve more than ‘keep moving.’”

Darian remained silent.

Lyra stepped beside Kael.

“He’s right.”

Darian looked at both of them.

For the first time—

he seemed less like a father protecting children.

More like a man deciding whether a secret could remain buried.

Finally, he spoke.

“Those markings may be connected to your Crimson lineage.”

Kael folded his arms.

“We already know that much.”

“No.”

Darian shook his head.

“You know the Order believes you carry Crimson blood.”

“What’s the difference?”

Darian looked toward the spring.

“Bloodlines can remain dormant.”

Lyra frowned.

“Dormant?”

“For generations.”

Kael’s stomach tightened.

“And ours?”

“The signs suggest yours are waking.”

Silence.

Lyra looked at Kael.

Kael looked at Darian.

“Waking into what?”

Darian’s jaw tightened.

“I don’t know enough to tell you.”

Kael almost shouted.

“You have to know something!”

“I know stories!”

Darian’s sudden raised voice silenced both of them.

He immediately lowered it.

“Fragments.”

He looked away.

“Things passed between people who were terrified of being discovered. Half-burned records. Names that changed every generation.”

His hand clenched.

“Your parents were trying to keep you alive, not preserve a history lesson.”

Kael’s anger weakened.

Darian continued—

“I know Crimson blood can awaken strongly in certain descendants.”

Lyra touched her shoulder.

“And then?”

“I don’t know.”

Kael stared.

For once—

he believed him.

That frightened him more than another secret would have.

Darian let them rest until late afternoon.

They ate bread, dried meat, and—

after considerable negotiation—

a small amount of honey.

Kael accused Lyra of receiving more.

Lyra accused Kael of measuring portions with his eyes.

Darian threatened to eat the entire jar himself.

Peace was restored immediately.

Before leaving, Lyra stood near the hidden spring one last time.

Kael approached.

“Ready?”

She nodded.

Then looked at the water.

“This place is strange.”

“Everything is strange now.”

“I mean…”

Lyra struggled for the words.

“I felt safe here.”

Kael understood.

No hunters.

No monsters.

No villagers staring.

For one hour—

they had almost been themselves again.

Kael looked toward the rock wall.

“You assaulted me with water.”

“You started it.”

“History will remember differently.”

“I’ll make sure history records the truth.”

Kael smiled.

“That seems unlikely to become relevant.”

Lyra gave him a look.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

She adjusted her bow.

Then began walking.

Kael followed.

They traveled north until sunset.

The forest gradually thinned.

The terrain became rocky.

Darian estimated they would reach Grayhaven the following day.

Kael should have felt relieved.

Instead—

the closer they came to civilization, the more nervous he became.

In the forest, monsters were obvious.

People were more complicated.

They had learned that already.

As darkness approached, Darian found a narrow ledge beneath an overhanging cliff.

They made camp without a fire.

Lyra sat beside Kael.

Their shoulders touched.

Neither moved away.

She looked toward the stars.

“Do you think people in Grayhaven will know about Crimson blood?”

“Hopefully not.”

“And if they do?”

Kael rested one hand on his father’s sword.

“We lie.”

Lyra looked at him.

“You?”

Kael sighed.

“Right.”

“I’ll lie.”

“Good plan.”

She smiled.

Then—

“Kael.”

“What?”

“If the markings come back…”

He waited.

Lyra looked serious.

“Tell me.”

“Okay.”

“Even if nothing else happens.”

“I will.”

She held out her little finger.

Kael stared.

“What are we, six?”

“You complain too much.”

“You are actually asking for a pinky promise.”

“Yes.”

Kael sighed dramatically.

Then hooked his finger around hers.

“Fine.”

Lyra smiled.

“Good.”

Kael looked down at their hands.

For a moment—

a faint red line appeared beneath Lyra’s skin.

Kael’s smile disappeared.

Another appeared beneath his.

The markings glowed.

Only once.

A tiny pulse of crimson light.

Then vanished.

Lyra stared.

“You saw that.”

“Yes.”

Neither called Darian.

Not immediately.

Because something else had caught Kael’s attention.

A sound.

Very faint.

Crack.

A branch.

Lyra turned toward the darkness.

Her hand moved toward her bow.

Darian was already standing.

“Someone’s there.”

Kael drew his sword.

The forest remained silent.

Then a voice came from beyond the trees.

Calm.

Unfamiliar.

Human.

“I wouldn’t draw that blade unless you intend to use it.”

Kael tightened his grip.

A figure stepped slowly into the moonlight.

A traveler.

A dark cloak covered most of their body.

A hood hid their face.

A long weapon rested across their back.

The stranger stopped several paces away.

Their gaze moved from Darian—

to Lyra—

and finally to Kael.

For a very long moment, no one spoke.

Then the stranger looked directly at Kael’s sword.

At the faint red line running through its blade.

Their expression could not be seen beneath the hood.

But their voice changed.

“Where did you get that?”

Kael raised the weapon slightly.

“My father.”

Silence.

The stranger looked at him again.

This time—

more carefully.

Then at Lyra.

And quietly said—

“That’s impossible.”

Kael’s stomach sank.

He was becoming very tired of hearing those words.