A Well-Guarded Bridge
Coming around a river bend, our lookout spotted a low stone wall and what is apparently a small barbican. It is manned; there are several soldiers peering cautiously out at us and one has sped off up-river along a narrow hewn path that scales the cliff. I imagine they are soldiers at any rate. Their kettle helmets match the fashion of the Commissioned Companies here in the jungles. The running one looks to be headed for a larger structure just coming into view now, a squat stone tower perched at the top of the cliffs. There also appears to be a bridge, or at least the remains of one, crossing high above the water. I think I may have an idea where the wreckage originated. The soldiers seem cautious rather than hostile, though I watch warily for any sign of spears.
The Last Bridge
The soldiers stationed here are meant to guard the bridge that carries the road we saw out of Casa Mezzo. They seem to be members of several companies who have enacted a treaty to maintain the bridge for the use of all. When I informed them that their road would likely see little traffic now, they seemed not to care. Several of them are already at work lashing timbers and apparently rebuilding the bridge. They have no leader, in fact they asked me for orders. When I asked after Captain Vessazi they told me he was “with his people” above the falls at some place they call “the timeless city.” They speak of Vessazi almost reverently, like a god, but one that they fear. As to the destruction of the bridge, I only heard that “they came in the mist and we had to burn the bridge.” Like the mercenaries in Valenzi, these soldiers were not keen on having any more to do with me once they learned we were headed up the river. I cut our conversation short and called for the sweeps when I noticed that some of them were gathering with crossbows. I feared they might try to take the ship, for they seemed most keen to leave this place and escape the jungle. Where warriors have no leaders, chaos rules.
A Bizzare Sight, Sure Enough
Our speed has slowed considerably. We no longer travel after dark but I intend to take the ship as far as possible, to the falls marked on Bezanti’s map if I can. We were just preparing to anchor for the night when the lookout spotted firelight up ahead. A tributary joins the main river here, and there is a large structure on shore at the confluence. The place is lit by a number of tall burning brands so I believe it is inhabited. After our recent experiences I am cautious, but I yearn for news just the same, and Bezanti has told me that we will be safe here. He seems to have responded well to our travels, he is more coherent and sprightly. I think there’s even slightly less grey in his beard…
I can see figures moving in the firelight on the shore, and there is a quay with a caravel of similar size to ours docked at it. We will see what this is about.
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