Some ten minutes later, further along the bridge…292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPYRn1Kn1o
The wind howled, frightening some whose hearts had already sunk from the thought of how high they were. They felt sick even as they were being assured that the bridge was near indestructible, that it could withstand the test of time better than any structure they could think of. It certainly did not help that their road had been submerged under a layer of fresh snow they often slipped on, its surface half melted by the sun, which slowly warmed their day. None had walked this crossing recently, but it was for the better. Else much of its surface would have been reduced to black ice.
Among those who could maintain a normal pace during the march, some surrounded Julien as he continued his stories, forgetting that they were walking across the sky.
“Medewen was one of the most heavily garrisoned fortresses on the continent.” Julien told the survivors as he guided them onwards. “But for the past eight hundred years, we were the conquerors.” He softly exposed the wretched history of his people in shame.
Although the incline was unnoticeable, looking over the walls of the bridge, Károly found that they were nearing the summit of the road. Carelessly, he slipped and nearly threw himself overboard into oblivion, if not for Arminius’s hand, who held him back by his collar, having since learnt of his archer’s clumsiness. Half of Károly’s body dangled over the wall as he stared at the blue waves that he mistook for heaven. His face paled from the fright. The shock alone made him forget the pain of his bullet wound, but the century did not stop for him to regain his senses.
The snow began to thin before the Danner, who slowed his pace for those unable to keep up. “This gave us a sense of immunity…” Julien grew quieter, having deduced one thing he should not have ignored. “I would have to assume that it had been recommissioned recently.” It would be more natural for him to feel relieved, but there was a touch of dread in his voice when he spoke.
His friend, bitterly looking at him, joined the conversation. “I forget that you haven’t been home since…” Arminius recalled.
“Does that mean we’ll have a roof over our heads?” Colt barged in, hopeful for better shelter than what they had been subject to since Seding. “I’ve had enough of being chased to the end of the world.” His allies shared his excitement, feeling similarly reenergised.
“Except, we are at the end of the world.” Arber interrupted him with his usual cold demeanour.
An arm wrapped around him by his neck and pulled him closer to his easygoing comrade’s face. “What a way to sour the mood.” Lev berated him as he tried to fight out of his grasp.
The road flattened near its apex, and it was as if the sky was descending. On approach to what many had hoped to be their safe haven, no one knew that Julien’s heart-tightening feeling had grown.
Holding onto his amulet, he continued what he should have told them long ago. “It’s not just the Feds we’d have to worry about.” Hesitant about whether he should even be leading his comrades down that very road, Julien looked ahead. “If this fort is truly garrisoned, we might have a hard time even appearing before its gates.” The corporal added.
Siegfried frowned in confusion. “How?” He asked.
Softly sighing upon realising that it was his mistake, Julien admitted, bringing his hand away from the jewel in his necklace. “That’s one thing I forgot to mention.”
His comrades gathered around him, curious as to what he had to say. He could not back down from telling them the truth, knowing that they would discover it sooner rather than later.
“There’s a reason the Three Crowns have remained immune to invasion for the past eight hundred years.” Julien began as he started his descent down the halfway point of the bridge. “They don’t take well with foreigners.” He made no attempt to console them, as he said bluntly.
His companions’ smiles faded when he revealed their fates, and they felt a chill run down their spines, having heard the one thing they expected least to hear. It was not a welcoming sign, not especially when the fort that they had marched arduously for was finally in sight.
Its flags rose over the asphalt crest, then its towers and walls showed. Suddenly, the thought of entering this false haven was not so warm, and an ominous spirit of dread lurked in their hearts. To seventy-eight, meeting their allies had become yet another challenge, but it did not seem like their lieutenant-elect viewed it that way. It was as if Arminius had already known that their passage had been guaranteed.292Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNv7zCzSlNw
and then Add to home screen.