Chapter 351

WITH A RISING SENSE OF anticipation, we moved between cantering and trotting, making what felt like fantastic time. The last bits of scattered forest gave way to grasslands, alongside which a river in flood raged. I watched it while clinging tight to the saddle, seeing bits of wood wash past, a tree trunk stripped till almost bare. The occasional rumbling thud rang out, vibrating through the earth when loosened boulders crashed along, unseen beneath the water.

We followed the river for some distance, occasionally having to skirt higher up off the track as the river ate away at it. Ahead of us, heads bent against the driving rain, the cavalry soldier stopped and Rashid leapt from his back.

The sense of urgency in his movements, looking like he searched for something, spurred Mhelyn to catch up. Moments later I slid down and shouted to Rashid. 'What is it?'

'The bridge!'

He roared the words over the dense rumble of water rushing past, pointing at what looked like large lumps of roc