Chapter 24 - The Pond

The Pond of Divinity.

What a strange name for a mere pond, don't you think? I thought so, too.

"This...this is the pond?" I asked incredulously.

With hands over his hips as he gazed with awe at the pond, Reynard said, "Yup!"

"It's more like a lake! Why isn't it called a lake?"

"'Lake of Divinity' doesn't have that enchanted sound to it, don't you agree? But yes, I don't know why it's called a pond either. Maybe God prefers ponds."

As Reynard continued to rant on about the pond and it's supposedly 'significant' history, I continued to gaze upon this wonder. In modern days, we'd probably call it a small lake. It was a man-made lake filled with glittering water underneath the afternoon sun. The waist-high concrete border around it was covered over by white, marble slabs that gave the whole place almost a regal look. It was a place crowded by many others. Some people were accompanied by their children, sitting on the concrete boundary of the pond and splashing water on their faces.

"People believe that this divine water, if used to clean yourself, would purify you of all that is unclean. I've been here several times and more often than never, I've seen many who think not of their dignity and take a straight dive in," I heard Reynard tell me.

"Wait, hold up," I said. "How often is this pond drained out and refilled?"

Reynard had a little think. "I've never seen it get cleaned, honestly. But you see those workers over there?" He pointed over to a couple of men in strange blue attire. "They occasionally sweep up the area around the spot. Tourists tend to throw away their rubbish right by the boundary or the walls. One time I even..." And he continued to rant on.

So he meant to say that the water has never been changed? Since back from 500 years ago? What???

"Reynard...do these people want me- their princess- to die in a dirty pond?"

"What was that?" he asked, pausing mid-rant.

"UnBELIEVABLE." Reynard looked at me, puzzled and then shrugged before resuming his history lesson. I swerved my eyes towards the pond again. Something weird caught my eye.

"Hey, what's that thing?" I asked Reynard, not taking my eyes off it. Once again, Reynard stopped whatever he was saying and turned to where I was pointing.

"Ah...that." He seemed uncomfortable. "That's just a stone slab, why bother about it?"

"No, but why is it in the middle of the pond?" There was a large stone slab about the size of a very large bed in the very middle of the circular pond. It was a rather strange position for a stone platform, of course. It was as if it was deliberately put right there.

"Not many people are aware," Reynard sighed, "but I guess you could call it an altar…?"

An altar?

I snapped my head around to look at Reynard who was already looking at me. I pointed at myself, not expecting anything but was mortified when Reynard nodded in confirmation.

"WHAT?" I yelled loudly.

"H-Hey, shut up!" Reynard roughly pulled my hood down to my chin, and looked around at people who were staring at us and mumbled awkward apologies. "Hey, what gives? Stop yelling if you don't want to get caught by these people."

"B-But," I lifted my hood a little, "that's an altar for me!?"

He furrowed his eyebrows as he sat himself on the marble boundary. "Princess," he said, leaning back towards the water. "What did you expect? A little castle for you? That's how good it's gonna get, Your Highness. Not every rich person dies a glamorous death."

I went over and sat beside Reynard, letting my hand lightly graze over the pond water. It was cold. But it wasn't nothing I couldn't handle. Back in our old apartment, we were lucky if we even got to shower once a week. And even if we got that opportunity, we were never able to afford hot water.

"So," I said, looking at my reflection in the water, "this is the place, huh?"

"Yup," Reynard said, turning to peer at his own reflection.

"Can you believe it?" I laughed sadly. "If you hadn't come into my life, I'd be getting drowned here this time around next year. God really does work in mysterious ways, huh."

Reynard smiled sadly, looking into the water. "He sure does."

"Anyways!" I said, perking up. "What was that important thing you wanted to tell me back at the palace before I left?"

"Oh! That," he looked at me. "I figured out a plan to help you get out of this mess."

"Do tell."

"It's in 3 days, right? The ceremony?"

"Yes."

"If I'm right, then you'll awaken your powers around nighttime, say 8 or 9."

Puzzled, I looked at him doubtfully. "How are you so sure about that?"

"I just am, okay?" he said as he crossed his arms. "So hear me out. At night, when people will be crowded around you to see your powers blossom, whatever they may be, you'll escape, you get that?"

"I'll escape? What do you mean by that? You know I can't," I blurted. "I'm not a risky fool like you. What if the guards catch me?"

"R-Risky what?"

"And anyways," I continued, "the dress I got today could never be utilized for running. It's this large, poofy thing. Definitely not a runner's dress. And besides, where will I go? The gardens? Guards stand watch there 24/7."

"Your Highness, listen to me-"

"YOU-DAUGHTER!" We both heard a distant shout.

"Who's that…?" Reynard whispered as he narrowed his eyes to see into the distance. "Is that-"

"D-Daughter...!" The man finally came nearer enough for us to see him properly. "Finally *huff* caught you." The man kneeled over in an attempt to catch his breath. Reynard and I jumped off of the marble boundary and exchanged uncertain glances. "Caught you," the man wheezed again and suddenly grabbed onto my cloak, startling me.

"Hey!" Reynard jumped in and tried to separate the stranger's hand. "Get your hands off her, you old geezer!"

That was when this 'Old Geezer' lifted his face, which startled both of us even more so.

"Your Highness," Sir Gradral muttered out, attempting to stand in an upright position. "Why would you run off like that? Do you know how worried I-" He paused his heartfelt reunion speech when he caught sight of Reynard. "This..."

"FATHER!?" Reynard yelped. "Father, what are you doing here?"

"He's your father?" I asked, shocked.

"Ahh *wheeze* get outta the way, you freaking kid," Sir Gradral said as he flailed his arms around and went on over to the pond to rinse his face. "Do you know..." he said finally, his face dripping with water, "what a wild goose chase you've led me on?"

I mumbled an apology.

"Anyways," Sir Gradral sighed. "Reyn, son, what are ya doing out here? And with the princess, no less. Do you two know each other?"

"Ah-" Reynard looked at me. "Your Highness, how do we know each other?"

"I have no idea, Reynard. How DO we know each other?"

"Kids..." Sir Gradral narrowed his eyes on us. "Well, Your Highness, don't you ever attempt anything as such ever again. What if you got caught? What if you got lost, even? Who would've come to your aid then? I hope the Emperor never receives a word of this or else I'll get sacked and you," he looked at me, "will perhaps get grounded."

"But Father," Reynard broke in, "how did you know the princess was here?"

"Well I looked for her, of course," he scoffed and then slapped Reynard on the head. "The same way you should do for your brain. Why'd you run away with the princess? Do you know how much trouble you'd be in if someone recognized her?"

Amidst all this father-son interaction, I stood there like an outcast. As a kid who'd never had a father (the Emperor doesn't count), I was fascinated by this scene. Even though Sir Gradral had hit him, Reynard seemed fine and was actually laughing lightheartedly at his father's supposedly useless need to worry.

What was this feeling? Was this... jealousy? Is that it? Was I jealous of Reynard? Perhaps or maybe not. I didn't know anymore.

"Sir Gradral," I asked him in a monotone. "Has Gomes fixed the carriage wheel?"

"Wha- oh..." he replied, processing my question. "I met him on the way by the wheel maker. Said he's almost wrapped up. Should be done by now. Are you set to leave?"

"Yeah..." I clinched the hood around my head. "Let's get out of here."

"Ho-okay." Sir Gradral stood up to accompany me but turned around once more to his son and lowered his voice to say, "Get your a** home, you hear me? I'll deal with you tonight, you undisciplined brat."

Reynard laughed. "Of course, Father. Take good care of the princess and oh- Your Highness?" he said to me. "We'll surely talk later. Have a safe trip!" With that, he turned around on his heels and left the same way we had come. Like a hero turning away after dealing with the criminal at the scene of crime. Or something.

"Let us leave as well," Sir Gradral said with a sweep of his cape.