Rojuun

  ***

  Nine days after entering the forest, the road led to a bridge over a deep canyon. It looked to be about five hundred feet long and wide enough for two wagons to cross. They stopped the horses and dismounted. Intricate stonework figures held up the waist-high side rail.

  “Who do you think built this bridge Tathan? It looks solid.”

  Tathan squatted to look closer at the figures at the side. “It’s also ancient. I have no idea who built it. There must be preservation spells on it for it to be in such good condition . . . Ahh, yes. There are runes at the base of each figure.” He pointed as she looked over his shoulder.

  “Oh, that’s neat. I don’t understand the runes. They don’t make sense to me, even though you told me the theory behind them the other night.” She looked closer at the figures. “They’re worn, but you can still see the basic form of their faces. It looks like they were wearing nice clothing.”

  “Really?” He turned to look up at her. “Really? We find a bridge that was made centuries ago and you notice the clothing on the figures holding up the rail?” He shook his head in amazement. “Yegods. That’s just ridiculous.” He stood and walked to the center of the span, leaning over the railing.

  Liselle stuck her tongue out at his back. She went to the other railing and peered over the edge.

  A fast-flowing river cut through the bottom of the sheer canyon. The forest around them was quiet in the warm afternoon, making it possible to hear the sound of water traveling over rocks.

  “It’s beautiful, isn’t it Cousin?” Liselle walked up behind him again. Her lips curved into a smile.

  “Yes. I think this bridge is at least hundreds of years old if not thousands.”

  “Thousands of years? Wow, that’s amazing. Even with magic, I can’t believe it’s lasted that long.”

  Tathan was thoughtful. “It is unusual. The road is enchanted. We’ve faced no danger on it.”

  Liselle looked at the road on both sides of the bridge. “I never considered it, but we have been safe. I wonder where it leads to.”

  “I’m not sure, but we’re going to find out.”