The Order of Dragonfire

Chapter 16

Alex stood besides Rain as they looked towards the bridge in the distance. It was still a few miles away and downhill, but they were reorganising before reaching it.

"Rose, come to the front with us. Githa, you guard the rear." Thorn was shouting orders and gesticulating as the carriages slowly wound themselves into order. It was the only place to safely cross the river, and so the bridge was apparently a common spot to find raiders. Some would try charging a toll, others would simply lay in wait to attack anyone crossing it. Thorn had said raiders and bandits probably wouldn't attack a force as large or strong as theirs, but he wanted to ensure that they had a safe crossing all the same. There was no harm in taking a few moments to organise themselves, after all. The strongest members were mostly at the front with a couple of warriors at the back in case they were attacked from behind. Those who weren't such experienced fighters, such as Miles and several others, stayed in the middle of the train for their protection. She looked over at one of the larger and stronger looking vehicles. It belonged to Caine, a gruff dark haired man with a dirty leather eyepatch. Something about him and his mysterious carriage put her on edge; it was the only one she hadn't seen inside, but she supposed the wagons were their homes so wanting privacy was understandable. Still, she was glad that she was far ahead at the front of the group.

Alex looked over Rain curiously. Did he know that someone from his own tribe had stolen Alex's belongings, nearly stranding her in the forest? It was difficult to tell. He hadn't given any indication that he did, and Thorn and his friends had given her so much that there clearly wasn't any profit in it. No, she decided, this was just a consequence of living amongst such a loosely organised group. Someone would have grabbed the opportunity to get some supplies whilst everyone else was going about their business none the wiser. She was glad that the initial panic had worn off and she could think about this more rationally now. Rain and even Thorn clearly had no involvement in it, or even knew about it for that matter. There was no sense in thinking that they did. They wouldn't have sent someone to steal her useless, to them anyway, belongings only to give her much more later on, nor would anyone have any need to spontaneously confess to stealing from Thorn's new friend.

A short while later they were moving onwards, Alex having moved back to being seated with Rain again. Thorn's carriage trundled alongside them, with him and his two guards carefully surveying the landscape. They proceeded cautiously ahead, careful not to fall into some sort of a trap and to keep an eye out for anyone who may be waiting to ambush them. There was no telling who or what was waiting for them, but Alex hoped that they'd ignore them in favour of easier targets. She felt a little guilty hoping that others would bear the brunt of the attacks instead of them, but those other targets would probably come under attack sooner or later anyway so Thorn's group not taking it instead probably wouldn't do them much good. Besides, she had come under fire more than enough since leaving Serpensbane already.

The wagon shifted sightly as it was pulled onto the stone bridge. Alex was surprised to see something so large having been built out in this wilderness. The bridge was made of a light grey rock and could comfortably fit two wagons side by side, with a small wall to help prevent them falling into the river below. It was crumbling in patches though and Alex wasn't sure if it was really all that safe, but Thorn and Rain didn't seem concerned so she put her trust in them. Apparently there wasn't another choice anyway if they were going to get across.

Alex turned to her left and looked down at the water rushing beneath her. It was moving swiftly at this point, and she could just about make out the fish that she had read about in Miles' notes. She wondered how many people had slipped from here to such a gruesome end, but quickly stopped as she realised she didn't really want to think about it. When she looked up again she saw that they were nearly at the half way point. It seemed that they were going to have an uneventful crossing after all. Either there was no one waiting at that time or they had decided to remain hidden and wait for easier prey.