Prince of Blood

5. Ripples

The crew was playing a game they could not win.

There was no possible way, no genius idea that would create a path for them to reach the castle. The only option that was left was to cross the lake. Yet, they were not stupid. The trap that laid in front of them was so blatant that it was not even discussed once by anybody.

With the hours passing, they grew desperate, though. The magic of this world lasted on everybody's hearts like a sticky glove that squeezed the muscle and took their breath. They were not meant to be here, and Seonghwa soon started questioning how long they would last before someone went insane. While the point of madness still seemed far, it had made its existence apparent.

"Gods, I do nay know what to do. I do nay know 'ow to lead ye mateys, an' I do nay spy any development in that regard in the future."

They had rejoined their groups after a while since everybody had been getting increasingly antsy. Now, they all had to watch how their exhausted captain dropped down on his haunches and buried his face in his palm. He was still brooding with anger, but the loss of control he was going through also weighed down his shoulders. He was trembling as he rubbed his eyes.

Seonghwa immediately went over to squeeze the man's nape comfortingly and show his presence. His husband merely sighed into the touch.

"It be fine, Cap'n, we shall find a route. Ye be nay at fault fer losin' yer spirits." San was tiredly draped over Wooyoung, both of them supporting each other's weight.

Hongjoong groaned into his nine-fingered hands, none of his tension leaving. Seonghwa began massaging his stiff muscles under his fingers distractedly. His eyes were stuck in the distance.

The fog was still watching them, still hiding the castle behind a thick wall of white. It seemed mocking in its peace. Its ability to roll over the deep waters smoothly without ever touching the surface was everything they wished for, and that was kept from them.

A moment of silence passed in which none of them moved. Some were staring at the wet grass with empty eyes; others searched the grey blanket of clouds for an answer.

Seonghwa stepped back when Yunho slowly approached Hongjoong and pulled him up with him. He handed the captain another one of his famous leaves before leading him a bit further away where they could speak in private. The rest remained, letting them go.

Seonghwa was the only one staring at the lake.

In the end, he supposed there was no way around it, literally. He stepped up to the edge fearlessly and looked at his distorted reflection underneath. The paint on his face seemed eerily demonic in the complexion of the water.

When he rose his foot to touch the surface with its tip, a quiet voice interrupted him.

"That looks like a foolish thing to do, Hwa."

It was Yeosang's voice that was joined by a tabernacle of concerned eyes behind Seonghwa. However, the man had spoken quietly, and Seonghwa could read his mind.

Hongjoong was distracted, and everybody just wanted to move forward.

"Save me, then, if somethin' snaps at me."

With those words, Seonghwa gently tapped the water and then moved back immediately. Cold wind touched his nape as he watched the water ripple and create slow circles that broke on the shore in their directions. The others went on a journey.

They all were entranced as they observed the ripples gradually growing more prominent and more shallow. Soon, they faded out near the misty cloud. The surface grew still again.