My 8 E-books written over the years by Alina Udrea - HTML preview

Chapter 7: The wooden bridge

Adi was the first to wake up. He woke up the others. Soon they

were all ready to face whatever challenges lied ahead. They put out the fire, gathered their stuff and left the coziness of the small cave that had served as shelter and wondered where they would sleep on the following nights.

- Harry, asked Ulo, do you think that one of us is meant to be the dragon's master? What if none of us is meant…- I am sure it has to be one of us, answered Harry who also wanted to believe that. If not, then at least we will kill all the imps summoned by the Fire Necklace and take it back to the castle so more people can try it. But I am sure it won’t come to that. Surely one of us brave fellas must be the chosen one. And Harry smiled thinking how funny he would look with a dragon on a leash as a pet. Or even riding a dragon, him being a dwarf, so short, he would be quite a sight to be seen riding a dragon!- I bet Alyss is the chosen! Said Mongo smiling.- Ha-ha, and I bet I am not! Maybe it is you, Mongo, and Alyss winked at the rest of the group.

- Yeah, just ignore the cook, said Adi pretending to be hurt. What if I am the chosen?

- I’d love to see you riding the dragon, Adi. And Alyss patted him on the shoulder. You could use his fire breath when you cook! They all laughed, even Adi who liked the elf and knew it was all a joke, no malice involved.

- Mean's map shows a bridge a few hours' walk from here. Look!

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Said Alyss pointing on the map. We will have to cross the bridge as there is no other faster way to Shale Mountain and to the cave that lies close to its peak. We should hurry and get to the bridge before nightfall. I wouldn’t like to cross it in the dark, especially not on a starless night as this is clearly going to be by the look of it.

- Yes, agreed Mongo, I really don’t think these heavy snow clouds will disperse, so we should better make haste.- I truly hope that at least the wind will cease blowing by the time we get to the bridge or things could get nasty. And saying this, Adi pulled on his warm gloves. He was afraid of heights but he didn’t want his friends to know. Maybe it would be a solid bridge and they will cross it fast….

The first snowflakes started to fall from the heavy clouds

above. They were floating all over and shining and sparkling like little stars. They were mesmerizing. Soon a thin layer of snow was covering the ground making everything around seem so pure.- I love snow! Said Alyss, as happy as a child at seeing the white snow that was covering everything around. Just that maybe now it would have been better and easier without… This will make crossing the bridge even more difficult. If it freezes and turns to ice, then it might prove a real challenge to cross that bridge… Soon snow covered everything. The heavy branches were cracking due to the weight and the wind was blowing the snow in their faces. They reached the bridge a little before nightfall. The bridge was very narrow made of old wooden planks and two ropes on each side to hold on to. It was also covered with snow and it was swinging in the wind. They all fretted at the sight as it was a long way down if they fell from the bridge. There were rocky, craggy cliffs beneath which would have been their doom if they fell.

- Who wants to cross first? Asked Alyss.

- I will, said Ulo wishing to get on the other side as soon as possible.

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- Ok, I will cross after Ulo, said Harry. Then Adi should cross and after him Alyss and Mongo.

- Ok, let’s do this people! And Ulo started for the bridge. He put his right foot carefully on the first plank trying to see if it would hold. As it seemed strong enough, he grabbed each rope and started crossing the bridge without looking down. He was very agile so he easily got across the bridge to everybody's relief. Then he stood by the rim of the precipice waiting for the others and ready to catch them if they needed help.

- Now is my turn, said Harry and he headed for the bridge. Although he was short as he was a dwarf, he was pretty heavy and the old planks started to creak under his weight. And they were also slippery due to the snow making everything even more difficult. But Harry crossed it as fast as the wind that was blowing from behind. He breathed relieved when he got next to Ulo safe on the other side.

- Ok Adi, now it is your turn, said Mongo. I will cross last.- If there is no other way… and Adi took the first steps on the planks. He got almost halfway when he looked down at the craggy cliffs beneath.

- I can’t do this! Adi yelled in fear and just froze there. He crouched and didn’t take another step ahead or back. The bridge was dangling and the wind was howling and he couldn’t move.- Adi, screamed Alyss so he could hear her, get up and don’t look down. You have to do this. Just a few more feet Adi, you can do it.- No Alyss, I’m afraid I really can’t! He was doing his best to hold back the tears that were forming in the corners of his eyes until his eyes stung because of the cold wind.

- Ok Adi, listen to me. I am lighter than Mongo so I will come to you. We will cross together. Just hold on tight till I get to you! Alyss took the first step on the wooden bridge. Then a few more steps. She was trying to get to Adi as fast as she could. A plank broke under her feet but she quickly jumped on the next.

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She slipped but quickly recovered her balance and in a few more minutes she was next to Adi. She grabbed him and pulled him up.- Ok Adi. I am here. Now walk slowly and never look down. Just look at Ulo and Harry.

- Thank you Alyss. And Adi started to walk again feeling reassured as Alyss was right behind him. Then Alyss felt one of the ropes loosen. She knew it would soon break due to their weight. The bridge was supposed to be crossed by one at a time. She quickly analyzed all the possibilities in her head and took action.- Adi, hold on to me, now! Then she took her bow and released a rope arrow which swished through the air and dug in the upper margin of the rocks on the other side. Barely had Adi grabbed Alyss by her jacket when the rope of the bridge broke and they were swinging in the air. The rope arrow was fortunately strong enough to hold them both and they hit the rocks on the other side. Then Ulo and Harry grabbed the rope and pulled both Alyss and Adi up safely.

- Thank you Alyss, you saved my life! If it wasn’t for you I would still be on the middle of the bridge or worse, down pierced by those cliffs.

- This is what friends are for, and Alyss hugged him. But Mongo is still on the other side, alone. And the bridge is only holding on one rope... Mongo, can you cross the bridge?

- I have to, and Mongo had to rely on his every skill to do such a feat. He grabbed the remaining rope and put his feet on the planks that were swinging wildly in the wind. He was advancing slowly and carefully, step by step when a powerful gust of wind plucked two planks which fell in the precipice reminding him of the danger below. So Mongo only held on the rope until he could feel planks under his feet again as he couldn’t see them anymore, it was already dark. In a few more minutes he too was safely on the other side next to his friends.

- Thank goodness we are all safe, said Mongo and Alyss hugged him

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glad he had managed to cross in such conditions. Then she placed a tender kiss on his cheek which made him blush but nobody saw as it was pitch dark already.

- Now let's find some shelter against the wind and the cold, I am beat, murmured Harry as if afraid to speak louder. They soon found an abandoned forest hut and camped there for the night. They would reach Shale Mountain and the mysterious cave tomorrow for sure so they all needed to get some rest.