Hidden Lake

Liam ran around barefoot on the warm grass, he and Karth had walked a bit away from the camp to a nearby lake. The water was crystal clear, something Liam hadn’t had the chance to see very often, it was something he realised after a faint memory of him wanting to swim in a clean ocean had told him.

As he ventured in all ways, looking at beautifully fragrant flowers, odd bugs and animals and dipping his legs in the cool water, he felt the bones in his body gather strength. Despite only being confined inside Karth’s tent for a mere day or so, he’d gotten stiff unbelievably fast.

Thankfully Karth had fulfilled his promise of accompanying him outside, and they’d gone to the lake on the doctor’s order. Before leaving, they’d seen Verthral sprint from across the grounds, he simply wanted to hand over some medicine but in the midst also informed them about the hidden lake with water which, “makes one feel healed,”

It was undeniably true, Liam had never felt this good, it was heavenly.

“Are you sure you don’t want to dip your toes?” he shouted towards Karth who sat on a rock nearby.

“No,” was all he got in response.

The stone was right next to the lake, but Karth decided to sit across from where Liam wanted to be as to make sure no ambushes would succeed - this was the best place to have a view over the area.

The groundwater was on Liam’s side whereas Karth sat by the deep end. A mischievous thought popped up in Liam’s head as he walked further into the water until it reached his hips.

“It gets deeper,” a dark voice said.

“I know…” Liam expressed, then he mumbled, “mom…”

“What-” as Karth was going to ask him what he was mumbling, the figure in the water suddenly disappeared with a splash.

Karth stood up, his black cloak covered in small pieces of moss, he scouted over the water and then attempted to see if he could see anything beneath the surface. And so he did notice a dark spot moving closer, he reached for the dark silver sword in his navy scabbard.

Ready to strike, he hesitated at the last second upon seeing the familiar face of a certain brunette breaking the surface to take a deep breath. Liam swam closer, when he saw the hold of the sword Karth had, he splashed the man without thinking.

Upon realisation, he hid half his face under the water surface as he glanced at the man on land who wiped his wet face. Karth’s hair dried quickly in the warmth, he pushed it back while still damp to make it stay back. This was the first time Liam had seen him with his hair up, and he looked undeniably good like that.

Liam nearly forgot who he was with; a protagonist, prince nonetheless, would obviously look dashing in any situation. Karth noticed the staring gaze on him, he smirked and placed one foot on the stone he’d just sat on.

He rested his right arm on the raised leg while the left one held the other wrist to support the arm. As he angled his face downwards to face Liam properly, a few strands of hair broke free to frame his masculine face.

“You’re not afraid of death, are you?” he said.

Liam bubbled back up, “No, I’m terrified,”

“Ha, you say so, yet still act like that,”

Liam could hear a subtle chuckle coming from Karth. They were surprisingly getting along, which bode well for Liam as it meant his life was secured.

But, there were some things that made him feel uneasy around Karth; always wearing a mask was for one was something he found odd, it didn’t really matter if he knew how the man looked but he was still curious as to why Karth still wore it within his own camp.

It had passed Liam’s mind that Karth could simply be doing it because of his presence, protecting himself until he knew Liam’s “true identity”, which was fair enough, so no questioning needed.

However, there was something else… Upon leaving the tent, Liam couldn’t help but notice the lack of people in the camp, actually, there were none!

Only Verthral came up to them, but while Liam was glancing towards the centre of camp he had only seen a few broad backs of presumingly knights? They seemed strong, backs built by muscles. Even so, he never saw their faces and the loud bustling noises he could hear through the tent even into the late night suddenly vanished when he went out.

Was it ridiculous of him to think that these guards, knights and royals seemed to be hiding from him? But should they even be aware of his presence? It could always be their plan as well, but it gave the impression of a really bad plan; Karth wouldn't come up with something like that, right?

Liam floated on his back, he still wore his clothes so they were obviously soaking wet. He floated and splashed around like a child until Karth said, “We’re going back now,”

He really wanted to stay a little longer, even for just a minute but the serious expression on Karth as he asserted the command hindered Liam from fighting back. He swam into shore, stepping out of the water with clothes dripping and sticking to his skin.

Wringing out the shirt as best he could, Liam pulled on his brown boots and ran up to Karth so they could venture back to camp. A few hours had passed while they enjoyed the lake and the warmth hugging the forest subsided, Liam let a shiver run down his spine as he hugged himself to gather warmth.

I should’ve undressed, at this rate, I’ll catch a cold! It wasn’t his choice though, Karth had informed him that in case of an attack, he shouldn’t be naked. It was apparently not “optimal” and quite embarrassing, and the man had a point. But bathing in clothes is ridiculous! Wasn’t it a HIDDEN lake anyways?

Another shiver was building up when, for the second time since entering the novel, something dark was thrown over him. Karth picked up pace to walk past him, when Liam noticed the cloak missing on Karth’s back he instantly knew what he had on him.

That’s a protagonist for you! He thought, running up to the man and smiling.

Returning to the camp once again, it was just as empty as it had been when they left. A sinking feeling burrowed within Liam, it was too strange to let be. Inside the tent, Karth threw a couple of spare clothes at Laim who caught it with his hands on the spot.

After changing, Liam still felt unsure about Karth; the fact that he could hear the sounds of life now was just more evidence that the people in the camp avoided him. It was such a big camp as well, how could he only have met two people and then seen the back of someone?!

Eventually he felt that the truth needed to come out and he confronted Karth, “I know I shouldn’t meddle, but, don’t you think it’s odd that I haven’t spoken or really seen anyone in this place except for you and Verthral?”

Karth sat in a corner of the tent, his legs crossed as he was holding a book. He didn’t put the book down upon hearing the question, he simply continued reading while answering it nonchalantly, “They don’t take outsiders well,”

Liam found the lack of attention rude and stepped forward, “Then why keep me here at all? I’m not even allowed outside without your company! Doesn’t that make me a prisoner?”

This time Karth did put away the book, he also stepped forward. The pair stood in front of each other, Liam glaring while Karth held an unfazed expression.

While staring at each other, Karth eventually pinched the bridge of his nose as he sighed, “You’re not a prisoner, but you also don’t know my people, it would be a shame if they frightened you, and you left as I then would have to make you a prisoner.”

After his cold comment, Karth turned his back. Liam could feel a rage bubble within him, Karth wasn’t even answering his question. And had the tone been different, then what difference was his comment from a threat?!

Liam went after the man, grabbing his arm to turn him around, but in doing so he lost balance of his own body and fell forward. He closed his eyes, ready to hit the floor but upon hitting the ground he noticed it was surprisingly soft.

He opened one eye only to sprung the other open, it wasn’t the floor he’d landed on, but the protagonist!

Not only was he practically sitting on Karth who laid on the ground, the man’s mask was off, revealing his entire face and what had been hidden under the mask was a scar; a mark stretching from just under the left eye running slightly past the eyebrow and ending on his forehead.

It wasn’t particularly big nor small, but it did stick out. Liam couldn’t help but stare at Karth’s face, he was still handsome as ever but the scar made him look even better… However, this wasn’t the time for such thoughts.

His body moved on its own, he hurried off Karth but was caught at the wrist, falling down to his knees. Karth grabbed his shoulders, now also standing on his knees. Liam hadn't even noticed when the man must’ve raised up from the ground.

“Karth..?” Liam managed to get out. He could feel a vicious air around him, Karth wasn’t even looking him in the eye, his head was lowered and the hair covered his face.

Through the tight grip on his shoulders, Liam could feel a subtle trembling.