Red Waters: The Unseen Alliance

Chapter Thirteen

The council meeting had dragged on longer than Arto anticipated. The room had been stifling, filled with the stale air of old men arguing over matters that seemed less and less relevant to the pressing dangers he felt lurking around him. When the meeting finally adjourned, Arto barely waited for the formalities to end before slipping out of the chamber, his heart pounding with urgency.

He moved quickly through the castle corridors, his steps light and deliberate. He knew the guards' routines by heart, every hidden passage and shortcut that would take him to the small, hidden alcove. It was their spot—his and Kael's—where they could speak freely, away from prying eyes and the suffocating weight of the crown.

He had to see him, had to explain, had to warn him about the rising tension within the palace walls. The heavy guard, the whispered conversations—something was brewing, and Arto felt caught in the middle of it. The only person he could truly trust was Kael.

As he approached a narrow stairway leading to a lesser-known exit, Arto glanced over his shoulder, ensuring that no one was following him.

But just as he reached, figure emerged from the shadows ahead, blocking his path.

Sir Balthus.

Arto's breath caught in his throat, his heart sinking as the older man stepped forward.

His cold eyes fixed on Arto with an intensity that sent a chill down the prince's spine, it was so unlike him.

"Where do you think you're going, Your Highness?" Sir Balthus asked, his voice smooth and deceptively calm.

Arto quickly composed himself, trying to mask the anxiety that threatened to betray him. "Just taking a walk, Sir Balthus. I needed some air."

Sir Balthus's lips curled into a faint smile, but there was no warmth in it "You are supposed to meet Sir Garrick for your training session."

Arto forced a casual shrug. "The day's been long, and I've had a lot on my mind. I thought some fresh air might help clear it."

His gaze didn't waver. He took a slow, deliberate step closer, his towering figure casting a shadow over the young prince. "I would have thought you'd learned by now, Arto, that nothing escapes my notice. I know exactly where you were headed."

Arto's pulse quickened, but he fought to keep his expression neutral. "I'm not sure what you mean, Sir Balthus."

Balthus's smile faded, replaced by a hard, unforgiving look. "Do not insult my intelligence. You were going to meet Kael Blackwood."

Arto's breath hitched, and he struggled to maintain his composure. "Kael is my friend. We've known each other since we were children. There's nothing wrong with seeing him."

Sir Balthus's eyes narrowed. "The Blackwoods are under suspicion, if you must know. You've always been warned to keep your distance from them. Yet here you are, sneaking out to meet with the very people that are declared a threat."

Arto clenched his fists, a surge of defiance rising within him. "Kael has nothing to do with whatever schemes you're imagining. He's innocent."

"Innocence is a luxury we cannot afford to believe in, not now," Sir Balthus said coldly. "Your loyalty should lie with the crown, not with childhood friendships."

"My loyalty is to the truth!" Arto shot back, his voice rising despite himself. "And I know Kael. He would never betray me or this kingdom."

Sir Balthus stepped closer, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "You are young, Your Highness, and far too trusting. The world is not as simple as you wish it to be. Sometimes, sacrifices must be made for the greater good."