The wind howled over their heads, frightening some whose hearts had already sunken from the heights. They felt sick even as they were assured that the bridge was a monument of human ingenuity, that it could withstand the test of time better than any structure they could think of. It did not help their case that the road was submerged under a layer of fresh snow that they often slipped on, its surface half melted by the sun which showed himself and warmed their day. None had walked this crossing recently before them but it was for the better else the road would have been reduced to a treacherous highway of black ice. Among the half who could bear the march at normal pace, forgetting that they were ever walking across the sky, some surrounded Julien as he continued his stories.
“Medewen was one of the most heavily garrisoned fortresses on the continent,” told Julien, guiding his comrades onward. “But for the past eight hundred years, the crown invaded, but were never invaded themselves.” He exposed the wretched history of his people, softly 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. But carelessly, he slipped and nearly threw himself overboard into oblivion if not for Arminius’s hand who held him back by the collar having since learned 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 and reeled back from the fright. The shock alone had 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 the people 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 a feeling of dread when he said.
Joining the following that he had gained, his friend looked at him bitterly in his stead. “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 on the march. “I’ve had enough of being chased to the end of the world.” Excitement coursed through him which was shared among his allies who began to feel as similarly reenergized.
“Except, we are at the end of the world.” Arber interrupted him in his usual, cold demeanor.
An arm wrapped around him by his neck and pulled him closer to a comrade’s face. “What a way to sour the mood.” Lev berated him as he tried to fight out of his grasp.
Julien did not give as little as a reaction as he marched on in the lead where none could tell from his expression but he was anxious. He had been so since their last battle. 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, his heart-tightening feeling grew.
Holding his amulet, he continued what he had meant to say. “It’s not just the Feds we’d have worry about.” Hesitant on 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.
In confusion, Siegfried frowned. “How?” He asked.
Softly sighing upon realizing that it was his mistake, Julien admitted, bringing his hand away from his amulet, “That’s one thing I forgot to mention.”
His comrades gathered around him, curious as to what he had to say. Sensing that he had already stepped onto the path that would see him carry the burden of disintegrating their only hope, he could not back down from telling them the truth knowing that they would discover what he had meant anyhow. Their fates were already set and when he told his companions of what awaited, their smiles failed to remain.
“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 half-way point of the bridge. “They don’t take well with foreigners.” He made no attempt to soothe them as he said in a rare manner, bluntly.
In disbelief, those who heard him say so straightened their backs as they felt a chill run down their spines. They had heard the one thing they expected least to hear but it was not a welcoming sign, not especially when the fort that they had aimed 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. Only Arminius had maintained a neutral, reactionless expression, his course remaining stalwart. He had known of their severity because Julien had told him years ago, but like Julien, he never had the heart to say a word about it. To the seventy-eight, meeting their allies have become a challenge, yet it did not seem like Arminius viewed it that way. It was as if he had already known that their passage had been secured.8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUVDfgvTUK
