Broken Glass - Taekook

64

It takes us about five or six days to get to Pauzu Lake, which rests on the edge of the Imbaka Forest. We camp there, on the edge of the water in a little beach-like cove on the eastern side of the lake, sheltered a little from the wind and the faint rain that sometimes starts falling halfway through the night. There's a slight incline in the terrain here, which creates a miniature cliff, which we use as a base for our makeshift tents. 

Seokjin immediately begins to build up a fire, the first we've had since we left our spot by the river. It's still raining a little, a quiet drizzle that feels almost more like mist than rain, but Yoongi manages to construct a small roof of sorts for his partner, so that we can benefit from the presence of a real fire for a change. As Seokjin sets down the stones that encircle the fire, Yoongi turns to the lake and carefully refills everyone's waterskins. We've not required anywhere near as much water as we did in the Yarolian Plains, but we all know the importance of staying hydrated. 

It's hard to trek through the forest when you're dizzy and frustrated, after all. 

Namjoon sits down on the ground right beside the fire with his notebook, beginning to make calculations again, as Jimin turns to the horse, making sure she has a safe place to rest for the next night or two. She ends up with her own little roof cover, which will help keep most of the rain off, and even a small leather blanket which is placed over her back to fend off some of the cold that's starting to creep in at night. Her coat is becoming noticeably thicker, but the extra precaution is definitely necessary anyway. 

Taehyung and I focus our attention on the tents, trying to set up everything before nightfall. We lay down bedrolls so that everyone has a place to rest, ensuring that it's all set up. Hoseok sits on the opposite side of the fire from Namjoon, taking Seokjin's axe again and working on it further, his wrists glowing bronze from the effort involved. 

Once Seokjin is finished with the fire, he moves to watch at the edge of our little camp, keeping an eye out for anything odd. Aphelia floats beside him, her gentle glow and warmth offering him a companion as he takes his watch. At some point, he glances into the water of the lake, and then takes out the knife he uses to carve his little wooden sculptures, throwing it in one graceful motion. There's a violent splash, and then he smiles to himself, leaning forward and pulling a fish from the water. 

"Jungkook, would you mind gutting this for me?" he calls out, and I jolt a little from where I am with Taehyung, still preparing the tents. "Just so I can stay where I am and make sure nothing weird happens." He pauses, sees what I'm doing, and smiles a little. "Actually, don't worry. Aphelia's there for now, you're busy, don't worry about it." 

I pause, caught for a second in uncertainty, and then nod a little awkwardly, spinning back around to carry on helping Tae out with the tents. 

There's an odd feeling building within me, that doesn't go away with the sun, and isn't settled by a sparring session with Hoseok, once he's finished working on the axe for the day. The fire, crackling away in a usually comforting rhythm, doesn't calm me down either. Even when we're all sat around the embers of the fire, eating a fish and vegetable stew, I can't shake the restlessness that's beginning to gnaw at the very edge of my mind. 

I find myself sitting up after the others have gone to sleep, just staring up at the sky, feeling the cool pattern of the rain on my face. It's not a particularly violent storm, so it doesn't feel like I'm being battered by the elements. 

It's a cloudier night tonight. The moon and stars are hidden by a blanket, and there's a weird dullness to everything that makes it look slightly distorted in the shifting light of the fire. Aphelia, sensing my disquiet, moves closer in an attempt to offer some support, and some relief, but even she can't fully calm me down. I eventually just tell her to keep watch, and that I'll be fine.