“Where to next?” she asked.
“To our next target, General.” Cassiel spread open his wings. It would be a long way to the south. A fortnight of travel at the very least, if not longer, but he was looking forward to this part of his plan. “Let us give Lord Gadriel a visit.”
CHAPTER 12
Lucenna
They reached the end of Troll Bridge on the fourth day. Lucenna had held her breath all the way across until they came out onto a high ridge overlooking the isthmus that connected the land to the rest of Urn. The air was refreshingly brisk. On the left stretched on the glistening horizon of the Saxe Sea, carrying brine on the wind. Ahead, a section of marshes expanded about half a mile wide, and at the end of it lay the gorge.
Two steep rock walls hundreds of feet tall, coated in bright green moss and surrounded by waterfalls. A shallow creek cut through the narrow passageway like a trail. She could hear the rush of water from here. The view lent the feeling of standing in a world apart.
“We made it,” Klyde said, bringing his horse to a stop beside hers. “A mile upstream lie the cascades. There is a passageway hidden behind them large enough for a small troll to slip through. Fortunately, they haven’t discovered it yet.”
Fortunately.
“Come, we must prepare.” He clicked his tongue and tugged on the reins.
Lucenna followed him back into the cover of the trees where the mercenaries had dismounted. They removed their jackets, detaching their grappling gear and checking their weapons.
Rawn and Zev exchanged confused frowns.
“The marshes from here to the gorge are the most dangerous part of the Bridge,” Klyde told them. “There are no trees to filter a horde attack or to hook on to, greatly deterring our advantage against trolls. Not to mention the muddy terrain makes it difficult to ride through. It’s easy to get sucked in and makes for easy prey. From here, we need to be on high alert and ready to fight. Secure your boots and remove any heavy clothing. Once we reach the gorge, we must swim part of the way.”
Lucenna’s heart jolted. “Swim?”
“Aye. We’ll hike the creek bed for about a mile, but it does get deep at one point, especially at this time of year.”
Her stomach sank.
Klyde winked. “Don’t worry, lass. We’ve done this many times before. We’ll make it across fine. The one thing trolls hate is water.”
“And how big is this Horde?” she asked. There seemed to be hundreds the last time they faced them.
“We exterminated more than two-thirds of the eastern Horde last summer out of necessity. They’re nasty buggers, but they don’t tend to rut in the winter. Against fifty of my best mercenaries, I don’t anticipate any casualties now.” Klyde gave her a nod of assurance and went on to speak to Eagon.
It did little to ease her worries, though. She glanced at the cascades. The trolls were one thing, but they were not her main concern at the moment.
“Are you all right?” Dyna asked her. “You look pale.”
Lucenna forced a smile. “Only feeling a little cold. The air still clings to winter’s chill.”
“Can you cast a warming spell?”
“I can, but it’s best to conserve my power in case we’re confronted.” Lucenna buttoned up her black leather redingote. “I will simply keep on my coat.”
“Are you sure, my lady?” Rawn asked as he and Zev joined them. “It may weigh you down.” He had already removed his cloak and Zev didn’t need one.
“I will wear it at least until we reach the gorge.”
Rawn held out his open pack to them. “We will need to have our wits about us at this point. Allow me to carry our belongings during the crossing.”
“Thank you, Lord Norrlen,” Dyna said.
She and Lucenna put their satchels inside, then Zev added his. Already enchanted to conserve space, Rawn’s pack appeared as if it carried nothing at all. He tied it to Fair’s saddle.
“Be careful out there,” Zev told them.
Lucenna smiled, warmed by their care. “You two worry too much.”
