Clashing Daggers

Breaking the Ice

Marching past the trees I began to think about everything Beatrice has said to me since we met. I realized that she hasn't really said much and when she did, it was always so cryptic and never to the point. She speaks with a tone as if she's troubled but trying to fight it off. I felt it would be easier if she told me what was bothering her. I figured I would just leave her alone and that it was her own personal issue, that I will eventually find out.

As we continued to walk, we came to a halt at a thin, crumbling stone bridge. I had the urge to just run across it to the other side and hope for the best but Beatrice on the other hand, looked as if she was going to faint. After a few seconds of panicking she eventually did. Now I had to figure out how to get myself and an unconscious girl across a bridge that could collapse any second. Holding one of Beatrice's hands I took a step onto the bridge and prayed that it wouldn't fall. Taking my second step and gathering up Beatrice's other arm, I began to get the feeling we were being watched. I sensed a presence. Taking Beatrice by both arms, I began to run across the bridge, dragging her along. As I was nearly to the other side, a strong force threw me back onto the middle of the bridge with Beatrice laying next to me. I tried getting back up but the same force came from the other direction and pushed me over the edge of the bridge. I grabbed onto the edge of the bridge and tried to pull myself back up. I felt the vibrations of someone walking toward me, so I tried to whisper as loud as I can to get Beatrice to wake up, without them hearing me. They came and walked across my fingers hoping to cause me pain, but I had to bear with it since it was the only thing keeping me from falling to my death. It was a woman. I could see a long white braid that swung around as she turned to look at me. Her eyes large and glowing red, she screeched and grabbed my hands, trying to pry them off the stone. She was almost through with one hand and as I struggled to hold on with the other, she suddenly fell over the edge, knocking me as she fell, causing me to lose my grip. As my hand slid across the stone and I began to hope for a miracle, Beatrice grabbed my wrist and tried to pull me back up. As I gave her my other hand, she pulled me back up, where I laid on the stone trying to comprehend what had just happened.

As my heart raced, I checked my sack and my gear to see if anything had fallen out while I was greeting death. Beatrice came to help me up and lead me off of the bridge and safely to the other side. I brushed off my clothes and was finally able to calm down. We then walked into a continuation of the endless trees and shrubs. Stepping over the leaves and branches I was internally bursting with relief to be back on safe land. Everything happened so quick, I felt as if my heart suddenly dropped. Now that I was safely on the other side, I knew that if we were to continue this voyage, we should be able to have some idea of where we're heading and I should at least know more than the name of my companion, otherwise I'd be traveling with a complete stranger.

Trying to get Beatrice to talk came as a challenge, but I wasn't going to give up anytime soon. After throwing ideas of conversation starters back and forth in my head, I simply started by thanking her for basically saving my life. She replied with a "you saved mine; I owe you one", but the look on her face expressed a whole different emotion. She looked surprised. I wasn't going to just leave it alone. I went ahead and questioned her with a "why do you look so surprised?", but all I received was a simple "it's just nice to be appreciated". I began to lose all hope in ever getting to know her so I went ahead and turned the questioning into an interrogation. The very first thing I asked was "why can't you talk to me?!", and that's when everything began to spill.