Zandyr cursed and turned toward Elysia and Calyx, as if they could convince me I was out of my mind.
“Maybe he set up a bet in the Fair Isles on us losing. I heard our potential slaughter is making some people very rich right now,” Calyx said, but not even he sounded taken aback. “Fine way to make gold, even if you’re too dead to enjoy it.”
“Ryker would never debase himself with betting,” she argued. “Unless he’d donate it to some orphanage.”
“As touched as I am by your kind words,” I drawled, wiping the sweat off my brow. The sun was stronger than my Solkar’s Reach skin was used to, but my insides felt on fire. “We’re not crossing this river.”
“Why?” Zandyr threw his arms in the air. “The scouts inspected every brick, like you said. They found nothing wrong.”
“Which means the Serpents want us to cross,” I said simply. “They knew we were coming through here.”
The village massacre had been a message–one that had let on more than they’d bargained for.
“The quickest way to halt our advance would have been to destroy the crossing,” I went on, my power struggling to cool me and sapping me all at once. “They didn’t even bother to set up a trap. No massacre to scare our warriors. No obstacles.”
I gestured at the serene clearing. Birds flew above us in the green, fresh air, reeds peppered the banks, and I was sure we would have heard frogs croaking if the dark currents of the river weren’t roaring.
The bridge itself was a remarkable statement of ancient ambition. The stones had weathered everything the sky and water had thrown at them, barely chipping at the edges. It was so old, even the moss which crept along its sculpted guardrails looked worn, and the sediments gathered by the water slowly swallowed its sides.
Just like the wards on the road and the Crimson Dam that birthed the river, this bridge would have endured eons more if I hadn’t come along.
The three of them kept looking at me with pursed lips and raised brows. The unexplainable heat boiled my patience faster than usual.
“We don’t have time for this.” I ran a hand through my wet hair. “We need to find a new permanent camp site. Our warriors are waiting in this godsawful heat for us to make up our minds.”
“It’s not that warm.” Elysia frowned. “A bit nippy, if you ask me.”
I groaned in frustration and stepped onto the bridge, asking for forgiveness with every step. I braced my hands against the guardrails, looking out at the river, going over every map in my mind to find a new location.
Zandyr was the only one who followed, slow and careful.
“All of our warriors have been trained for ground attacks in close proximity.” He said, gaze fixed on the unruly currents. “We’re best in direct combat.”
“Not against those snakes we aren’t.” The dark water bubbled below, as if eager for a sacrifice it wouldn’t get today. “Maybe their beasts can’t pass through the river, that’s why they don’t want to take any chance to cross it.”
“That seems unlikely.” Zandyr’s brows rose. “But not impossible.”
“The Serpents aren’t fighting fair. They would have jumped at this opportunity.” I glided my foot against the ancient stones. Only pebbles moved underneath my boot. No hint of dark magic.“This was a chance even I would have taken advantage of. One weshouldtake advantage of. That would stop them from coming on our side as well.”
“They’re already on our side. Everything we see belongs to the Blood Brotherhood.” Zandyr inhaled slowly, shaking his head. “We can’t destroy a relic like this.”
“Don’t endanger our present for your ancestors’ past. Buildings can be rebuilt. This–” I gestured at the valley, thetrees, the cliffs judging us in the distance. “–is what matters. The land that feeds us.”
Zandyr hesitated, but still said, “How do we know the crossing isn’t magicked to protect this land? It’s the only standing bridge out of all ancient ones. Or that we even could? The Crimson Dam can’t be destroyed by our hands, why should this crossing?”
I had no reply for that.
“We can’t take that chance,” he said. “Right now, we’re changing our entire war strategy on a theory. I trust you and I will turn the army in what direction you think is right, but don’t force me to spit on my ancestors’ graves. I wouldn’t ask that of you.”
I looked at him from the corner of my eye. He knew me too well.
“Then plant some of Calyx’s explosive contraptions around it,” I said. “If I’m wrong, the crossing remains intact. If I’m right, then the Serpents can’t use it, either as a trap or as a way to ambush us.”
Zandyr nodded grimly. “The Viper was right. You’re too calm. Detached.”
“Someone has to be,” I said, pointing up ahead. “If the snakes can’t pass through the river, we need to pick the widest part. There’s a bend three hours ahead, close to the dam. It’s our best chance.”
“Very well.” Zandyr inhaled deeply. “I don’t like this. If you’re right–”
