39 Enchanted Lake

A cup of hot cocoa and bread filled her empty stomach. Silas ate with them, a new cane in his hand. Kaius informed her he went back to the Mitskapalazah after she dozed off to procure the items they weren't able to after she fled.

Shame shrouded her whole being. She couldn't believe how she managed to leave him like that and ran away without thinking.

"It was Allyria's idea," Kaius said.

The corners of Silas' eyes crinkled, the gratitude evident in his face, "I could never thank the both of you enough," he said, his voice swelling with joy.

For some, it was just a simple, insignificant thing but for people like Silas, it was a plethora of good fortune.

When breakfast was already done, Kaius and Allyria went out of the cabin to visit the place he told her. Silas remained inside, told he had something important to do. The two of them didn't bother urging him either. He seemed to be too invested writing things in his journal

Kaius led the way, walking under the canopy of trees standing like skyscrapers. Droplets of water fell down on her head, the remains of last night's rain. There were no wild animals in sight, just the birds singing as they drifted past the rustling leaves and the chirrup of insects filling the atmosphere.

Allyria delighted on the sound of her feet sliding through the leaves as the cold breeze swept along her skin, the trees pervading clean air in her lungs.

She tied her hair back thinking the walk might be too long and it would tire her. She actually didn't have any idea where they were going. She had doubts at first, she told him at breakfast, but he made sure there were no rebels on sight. And if that would happen, he's there to help her protect herself.

"Are you really sure we're not lost yet?" Allyria asked.

Kaius chuckled, "I wouldn't be bringing you here if I'm not sure, you know."

"Who knows? You might be playing with me," she accused, parting the vines hanging from the trees as she passed.

They were already walking for 10 minutes and Kaius seemed to have no plans in stopping. Allyria guessed Kaius must have planned for a picnic somewhere but she didn't bring anything aside from a small dagger hidden in her leg. As for him, she doesn't know.

They halted when they reached in a shallow ridge. Allyria faced him, raising a questionable brow but Kaius only leaped off the underside and offered her a hand, "Come on."

She didn't take it and jumped to where he is, "I'm not a cripple."

He laughed, raising his hands, "Okay, impulsive woman. I was just trying to help."

Allyria puffed out a breath, reacting to his previous remark, "I'm not."

"You are."

"I'm not," she replied.

Kaius slid down a slope. The grassy land has become a rich blanket of soil. If her guess was right, they were really going for a picnic. Obviously with Kaius' antics, he could easily pull it off.

Allyria trailed him as he strolled towards wherever he wanted to take her. After a few minutes, he climbed over a raised land and faced her, beaming, "Tada!" He spread his arms wide as if a salesman showcasing the hidden gem he found within the forest.

She couldn't understand what he was so enthusiastic about so she went along with him, "What is it that you're so—"

Her mouth gaped open, startled at what she's seeing.

The skyline-silver lake sited down in the open, peaceful and statue still. As if it emerged from a dream, the idyllic scene took her breath away. The heaven-leaking light added a golden tint to the face of the lake and it was paradise—swarming with healthy fishes and evergreen trees lining like soldiers to guard the wonder.

"How did you find this?" Allyria asked, not taking her sight off the body of water. She walked towards it and complimented its entirety. So this was what he was so eager to show earlier. Waking up at first light and taking a long walk was worth it after all.

"Silas," he answered, "He showed me this when we were out gathering woods at dawn."

Kaius went close to the lake and plunged his hand, gliding it into the crystal clear. Allyria ambled and crouched down beside him, "It's beautiful."

"I'm happy you liked it."

The lake was a breather from everything that's been going on. It refreshed her eyes and the silence gave her a peace of mind, just the only thing she needed at this point of life. If time allows, she'd would go back here and bring her siblings to share its beauty. Maybe Allyria would even tell it to the King and make it an official destination but there was also something in her that wanted to keep it a secret.

Suddenly, Kaius stood. She raised her head, her eyes following him. "Where are you going?" she asked.

"I just need to get something."

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I'm happy to announce that we already have a discord server! It's still under construction and I admit I'm still working on it until now but if you do want to help me build it and create a new home for my dear Ikigais/emeralds (bc ephemeralds), don't hesitate to send me a message via discord at ephemery #4127

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