Fallen Prince, Risen King - Where Lies Hide

Chapter 2 - The Truth Revealed

The rain began to fall when they returned to their tents. Lord Zào and Jane took one while Princess Zhen took the other. Just before she went in, she saw Truman with a heavy cloak and his hood up laying under a tree with his horse, Yáo. He looked to be asleep though it would be a long night in the rain. She felt guilty as she didn't come prepared for extras but he didn't seem to mind as she went into her tent.

The rain soon picked up after they fell asleep as the wind blow harder. Zhōng, though he slept lightly tried to find a comfortable spot as the ground began to soak. The wind suddenly blew in a different direction as the rain hit into his mouth. "I'm definitely building shelter tomorrow." he said to himself as he turned to his side to prevent more water from going into him. However, little did he know something else was in the storm that made it unnatural in the empire.

The next morning, Princess Zhen woke up rested as she left her tent. The birds chirped in the morning breeze as she smell the fresh air. Lord Zào and Jane soon left their tent as well, rubbing their eyes as they tried to wake up. "What a storm," commented Jane.

"The weather or his force?" teased Captain Howin as he came up to check on them.

"Careful, captain, I'll discharge you when I'm emperor." warned Lord Zào.

"Well in order to do that, you'll have to get your wife's permission. And I know I'm a valuable soldier to have." declared Captain Howin.

"A prideful one as well," added Princess Zhen.

"Forgive me if I overstep, your majesty." apologized Captain Howin.

"Yeah, you should be." snapped Lord Zào, he was in no mood.

"It seems all of them didn't get enough sleep as I did." thought Princess Zhen. She turned to the tree where Truman slept under to see he wasn't there.

"Ah, a rolling creek feels great after warming up by a fire." stated Zhōng. He laid his back on a boulder as Yáo drank from the creek as well. The horse neighed in agreement while the fire Zhōng built was cooking fish, he wanted to get better at something his uncle suggested since he couldn't cook.

"Truman! Are you here?" called out Princess Zhen.

"Yes, I'm here, just wait a moment." said Truman panicking since he was naked, he quickly got up and ran behind the boulder where the princess couldn't see him.

"Are you in the creek?" asked Princess Zhen as she approached the shore and saw the horse.

"Yes, I'm taking a bath." stated Truman before he could close his mouth.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know," said Princess Zhen as she covered her eyes.

"It's okay, just don't look behind the boulder." replied Truman as he tried to calm her down.

"Okay, I won't," promised Princess Zhen, she took her hands off and couldn't see Truman but did see a big boulder. She looked to her right to see his belongings as his swords were covered by his cloak and his boots anchored in front. She then noticed the watch wrapped loosely around the hilts. "What's the watch for?" she asked.

"It's a family heirloom, it's been passed down throughout my family." said Truman. "What's going on? I just wanted to say to tell time, why did I say that instead?" he thought.

"Why do the hands look like they don't move at all?" asked Princess Zhen.

"That's because it's a special kind." explained Truman. "What the heck, I wanted to say it's its minute and hour hands or that it no longer works." he thought. "I don't want to talk about it anymore." he said as he sunk his mouth underwater.