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Aha! I can post again!! Sry for the long absence; I couldn’t get logged in for whatever reason. I’ve been reading everything!

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Something brushed against her hand, and Riure realized it was an arm. She rested her hand atop it, curling her fingers around the cuff of his… shirt? Tunic? Robe? Whatever he was wearing. Adrenaline began to pound in her ears.

“Don’t worry, you can’t possibly be slower than Liorah,” the prince whispered secratively. “She’s horrified of heights. It was almost impossible to get her across the bridge, and there’s no earthly way I’ll get her onto the stairs. It’ll take prayer and a medium-sized miracle to get her up there.”

Riure stifled a giggle, getting the distinct feeling that Prince Gavril was trying to take her mind off the danger of what was about to happen. This probably wouldn’t qualify as safe for anyone, whether or not they were handicapped. Which meant…

“I’d appreciate it if you have a prayer to spare. I’m afraid mine won’t be enough this time-” he stopped himself abruptly, then stammered, “I’m sorry, I don’t– I don’t know if you–”

They had gotten attention. Most of the conversation had fallen silent. Riure’s stomach did a triple flip and ended in the splits. “I am Redeemed, if that is what you mean. I don’t resent other people of different religions, just the lies that led to those.” She laughed. “And I’ve been praying throughout this whole ordeal, whatever it is.”

The prince came to a halt, and Riure realized they must be at the bridge. Don’t think, don’t think, don’t think, she told herself. Trust. Trust Kening, trust Adanyi, trust Prince Gavril, trust trust trust.

“The chasm is about three steps across, four for you. I’ll go ahead and walk backward. Just hold my hands, and I’ll make sure nothing happens.”

Her hair brushed her shoulders as Riure felt her head nod. She gritted her teeth. If I fall, I probably won’t die, since this is a dream. And if I do, it’s good, because then I get to be in Kening’s presence, and see Adanyi’s face for the first time. See him smile.

That was the key. That was how she would stay calm. Focus on the longing for the smile.

Hands grasped hers, warm and reassuring. Help me, Kening. They began to pull.

Riure took a step, feeling the edge of the chasm through her boot. What a long way down it must be. Were there spikes at the bottom? Snakes? Lava? Or would she just fall for an eternity, screams never ceasing? Would she hit the ground and splatter into a mere pulp of what once was Riure? And then I’d see the smile. Oh, how I want to see the smile!

Their progress was slow, and once or twice Riure was pulled sharply away as she took a slightly sideways step. Riure decided that Prince Gavril was pretty brave, walking backwards across something this shaky and letting her hold his hands so tight. If she fell, there was a good chance he’d come with her.

Oh! She loosened her grip slightly, though it took every ounce of her small courage. I mustn’t take him with me. The smile, the smile, the smile. Trust, trust, trust.

Air brushed her cheek, and Riure smiled slightly. Master Ziess was flying alongside her, keeping her from falling. Maybe this wasn’t so bad after all.

“Good job, one more step,” the prince coaxed. Riure’s heart leapt; she was going to make it!

And then the bridge creaked. It was going to break – she was going to fall – someone take care of Sadiq – a jerk. Riure gasped as she flew forward, her feet barely staying on the ground as Prince Gavril yanked her off the bridge. She kept her balance, and stood there for a moment gasping, covered in sweat and shaking from the draining adrenaline. How much longer could she keep doing stuff like this before she had a heart-attack and died?

“Here’s the banister,” Prince Gavril said, guiding her hand to it. It was smooth and cold, but seemed sturdy. “You’re about two steps away from the cliff, so don’t go far.” He sounded like the last bit of the bridge had given him a scare. “Well done, you did that perfectly.”

Riure forced the most nervous laugh in her whole career. “Not hardly. Thank you so much. There’s no way I would have made it across by myself!” Now for Sadiq.

As if in answer to her thoughts, the bridge rattled and banged as Sadiq bounded across, then pressed her nose into her mistress’ leg as if to say, Look at me; I did it so fast! Riure laughed and curled her hand into Sadiq’s ruff, keeping the other on the banister. How long before everyone else came? Was she first in line? Hopefully not.

Something roared, and heat seared Riure’s face. She gave a yelp and stumbled backwards, but the prince pulled her to the side before she could fall. A cool stone pillar – apparently what the stairs wound around – met her hands, and she leaned against it, panting.

“Ruby Actual, this is Ruby Five. Are you there? This is Ruby Five. Please respond.”

What in VaSerBo?! “Master Ziess?” Riure called timidly. “Prince Gavril? Ehud? What’s going on?”

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