The New Prince

Chapter 13

13. Deceptive Illusions

The perfect day. That's what Pidge called it after they had left the castle and headed to the lake. The group took one of the castle transporters, ideal to fit the seven of them. Lance wanted to drive and took the helm, almost immediately, with Sven and Romelle in the front seat. Hunk and Pidge sat in the middle and that left Keith and Allura behind them.

During the ride, the princess saw Keith lay his head back against the seat and closed his eyes. A moment later, she noticed him cringe in pain.

"Keith, what's wrong?" She asked suddenly.

He opened his eyes immediately, "Nothing, I'm fine, your Highness." he told her with a slight bow of his head.

Noticing the commander's sudden unnatural demeanor, Allura slid over to him and whispered in his ear, "What's with being so formal with me all of a sudden?" She widened her eyes in anger.

"What are you talking about?" He whispered back to her defensively.

She noticed the anger in his eyes. Backing away, she replied, "I'm sorry; I didn't mean anything by it."

Keith shook his head slightly, his thoughts all becoming jumbled and heavy in his head. "I'm sorry too Allura; I didn't mean anything by it either."

The princess nodded, but didn't say reply. He still must be angry with me. She thought as she directed her eyes onto the landscape around her.

VVVVVVVVVV

The rest of the morning and the afternoon passed rather quickly. All of them were on call in case an immediate attack occurred, but after a couple of hours, they all relaxed, noting that neither Zarkon nor Lotor planned to attack anytime soon.

After brunch, the group spoke for a while and played cards. During that time, the commander had been quiet, mostly listening to their conversation. When it came time to play, he told them he'd rather watch them. When asked what was wrong, Keith dismissed their worries by saying that he hadn't slept much the night before and was just a bit tired. Allura noticed how at times, he tried to hide the annoyance from his face. Somehow, she felt that they were annoying him. While playing the last game, he excused himself, telling them that he had to speak to Coran and walked off.

After the last game, they broke out and separated around the lake, trying to relax for the rest of the afternoon. Romelle and Allura talked quietly by one end of the lake. Hunk pulled a long blanket and laid on it blissfully snoring the afternoon away, after eating whatever was left over inside the picnic basket, while Pidge read a book under a tree close to the entrance of the forest. A large oak stood tall toward the edge of the lake. Sven and Lance sat there and discussed their worries.

"It doesn't make sense." Lance shook his head as he spoke to Sven, "Not one communication signal or an angry snarl from either of them."

"I know! And that escape…way too easy man. What the hell are they planning?" Sven asked perplexed as well.

"Have no idea." Lance answered. "Maybe Keith has some thoughts. He's been quiet most of the afternoon anyway. We should hear what the hell is on his mind…if he cares to tell us, he's been rather moody all day."

"I know." Sven answered concerned, "Where is he?" He asked as he began to look around.

"He's still not back?" Lance gazed around the area as well.

"Where did he head?" Sven asked while standing up.

"Deeper into the forest, over where Pidge is sitting."

"Let's go find him."

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Keith heard the voice calling for him from the moment they arrived at the lake. He tried to dismiss it as his friends talked and played cards, but as time passed, it grew louder. Seeing the entrance of the forest, the commander concluded that the voice called him to go there. He made an excuse to separate from his friends and followed the voice….