A Quest For Sapphire

The Bloodthirsty Observers

That old bridge we had been talking about emerged more clearly through the fog before us like a fragile connection between two unknown fates. The wooden planks creaked softly in the wind, each sound carrying a warning I couldn't ignore. Sapphire stood at the edge of the bridge, her arms crossed, looking amused at my hesitance. Zeb remained silent, his eyes tracing the length of the structure as if calculating unseen forces at play.

"Well, Sir Knight," Sapphire quipped, tapping the first plank three times with her right big toe, "are we waiting for a royal invitation, or do you fancy camping here all night with the wolves?"

I glanced over my shoulder at the dense forest behind us, half expecting to see a pair of eyes in the underbrush. The wolf from earlier remained fresh inside my mind. Its feral hunger was etched into my thoughts. Staying here wasn't an option.

Without another word, I stepped forward, testing the first few planks. They let out a loud throbbing sound under my weight, but they held firm. Sapphire followed with ease, her light steps and nimble body almost mocking the caution in mine. Zeb still clutched his staff, and he joined us in the middle of the bridge, his gaze drifting to the dark waters below.

"The river beneath us is said to be enchanted," Zeb mused. "Some say it's a portal into the spirit world, a place where the living and the dead are separated by little more than a whisper."

I shot him a sideways glance. "What do you have to say, old man? Are we at risk of something more than a fall?"

Zeb smiled faintly. "That depends on whether you believe in such things, Sir Knight, but spirits rarely trouble those with steady hearts. It's the creatures in the monastery you'll need to worry about."

The bridge swayed slightly as a gust of wind swept through the gorge. For a moment, I thought I saw something just beneath the surface of the water. It was a ripple that didn't belong, as though something vast and unseen moved below.

I pressed on, my hand grasping the rail as the structure swayed in the heavy winds. Sapphire, however, seemed unfazed, walking ahead of me with a confident gait that made her appear invincible.

"If you're so sure of this bridge's sturdiness," I called out, "maybe you should go first next time."

She glanced back with a grin. "Where's the fun in that? Besides, I like watching you squirm."

Suddenly, there was a loud bang. It was a sharp and splintering sound that I'm sure could have been heard throughout the ravine. I barely had time to react as the plank beneath my feet gave way, sending me tumbling forward. My hand shot out, grabbing a twisted piece of rope just in time to stop my fall. I dangled there, the icy wind rushing up from below, the abyss yawning open beneath me.

"Vitalis!" Sapphire shouted in concern as her usual voice of sarcasm lost its usual tone, replaced with a rare edge of concern. She reached down, her arm stretching toward me.

I clenched my teeth together, and the strain on my muscles burned as I swung my feet upward slightly in an attempt to get my footing. The rough wood scraped against my armor as I struggled to pull myself up, but Sapphire's embrace of my arm held strong, her strength belying her slight frame. With a grunt, she hauled me back onto the bridge.

"Of course, the one plank I step on is the one that's allergic to knights!" I stammered breathlessly. "Well, Sapphire, do you still believe this bridge is nearly indestructible?"

Sapphire smirked, though her eyes showed the slightest trace of worry. "I said it was sturdy for me. You're just a little... heavier. In fact, you're a lot heavier than I thought. Have you been raiding King Sarcole's royal pantry?"