When Gia's foot slipped, she kicked off from the stone pathway of the city, hoping to jump onto the branch, but instead, she slammed against it, scrambling against the smooth wood before falling.
"Gia!" screamed Vonn, falling to his belly, as if he might be able to catch her, but she watched his face get smaller and smaller.
Then Llewel was there. He had jumped off the other side of the branch and was streaking towards her.
"Spread your arms and legs out!" he shouted.
She did as he ordered, feeling the air pushing against her, and he drew closer, his arms held tight against him.
"Grab me!" he shouted, as he got close enough to wrap his arms around her. He slid his arms between her bag and her back, locking his hands together and pulling her tight against him.
She didn't hesitate, wrapping her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist. She even locked her ankles to make sure she didn't come loose. Her face was in the crook of his neck and she suddenly became aware of a smell. The scent was in his hair, and it reminded her of the forest. There was a wildness to it that brought to mind images of tall trees and wild creatures.
Then she saw the rope he was tied to starting to stretch. Reaching the end of the rope, there was a sharp jolt and she realized she couldn't breathe! Fighting to pull air into her lungs despite the burning pain in her side, Gia's grip on Llewel's neck started to slip.
"Hold on!" he growled, pulling her tighter, and she felt a pop.
The scream that came out of her was weak but still made him wince. At least she could breathe again. It felt like she had a hot iron pressed to her side, where she had hit the branch before falling. She must have broken a rib to be in that much pain. They bounced on the end of the rope, spinning in circles as she gasped in air, trying to tighten her hold.
"We're pulling you up!" cried Kilyn from far above them, and Gia felt a jerk on the rope, followed by another and another.
She closed her eyes, ignoring the dizziness that was trying to come over her and focused on breathing through the pain. When she finally felt hands pulling her up over the lip of the branch, she dared to open her eyes.
Vonn was there, pulling her to him, and she went joyfully. Crying as he pulled on her left arm, he almost dropped her again.
"I think one of her left ribs is broken," gasped Llewel, as he climbed up onto the branch and lay there panting. "She can still scream pretty loud, despite the broken rib."
"Does that mean you're deaf now?" asked Kilyn, smirking down at him.
"In my left ear," he said, cupping it gently and feigning pain.
"I am so sorry!" whispered Vonn, holding her as tightly as he could without hurting her further.
She buried her head into his shoulder and just lay there breathing, trying not to move. Hearing her mother weeping, she turned her head to see her father consoling her. Mikey was clutching Tom's shirt edge, like he used to do when he was very little, looking over at her with big wide eyes.
There was a slight tremble to the branch they were laying on, and Kilyn cursed.
"Get everyone off the branch!" cried Llewel, struggling to stand.
"It's too late!" cried Kilyn, throwing herself belly down on the branch. "Everyone, hold on!"
Vonn rolled them over, causing Gia to gasp in pain at the sudden movement, and the branch they were on started to buck and rock.
"What's going on?!" shouted Vonn.
"Backlash from the pull of the rope!" answered Llewel. "It won't last long!"
Gia was crying as the movements finally faded, holding her left arm to her side and trying not to move. As Vonn helped her to her feet, worry for her evident on his face, they turned to step over onto the path and gasped. The two foot step was now a four foot one.
"I was afraid of that," said Kilyn, shaking her head. "Hold on."
She took a breath and kneeled, laying her hand on the branch and closing her eyes. Her hand started to glow as vines popped out of the branch, shooting across the gap and sinking into the stone. With a grunt of exertion, she pulled the branch they were standing on closer to the stone. The moment it was close enough, Vonn helped her step across.
"Enough, sister!" said Llewel, grabbing her shoulder.
He had all of his ropes thrown over his arm. As the green glow faded, Kilyn stood, weaving to the side as he grabbed her arm and pulled her across the gap as well. The vines she had called into being were turning brown as they watched, and when they started to go, all of them snapped. The branch once again began to buck and weave, and the gap between the two was even greater than before, reaching almost six feet now.
"The elders will have to fix that before we can use it again," said Kilyn, holding a hand to her head.
"You overdid it," Llewel chastised her, shaking his head as he turned towards them.
When Gia got close enough to her family, Mikey rushed to her, wrapping his arms around her waist. She winced, but patted his shoulder with her right hand.
"That was so stupid!" screamed Carla, glaring at Vonn with red rimmed eyes. "You almost killed her! If it wasn't for the elves…"
Carla turned back to Tom and buried her face back into his already wet shoulder.
"I'm not sure what just happened, boy, but you've terrified my wife. I think you need to find some way to make it up to her," said Tom gravely.
"He will, Dad," said Gia before Vonn could respond. Turning to look at Vonn, she gave him a smile and held out her hand. "Let's go see this elven village."
Mikey didn't stop clinging to her shirt as they all made their way past the archway to the village. It was clear Carla hated it. The stone pathway curved into a large half circle, with ornate, beautifully designed buildings on the right, and an open drop on the left. There wasn't even a railing. Vines grew all over the place, making it difficult to walk along the pathway without having to step over them every couple of steps. Tom was having a very difficult time.
"Most of these buildings are empty," said Llewel. "You can stay in the first one."
"Thank goodness," said Carla, making a beeline for the doorway, pulling Tom behind her.
Gia spotted a beautiful elven woman coming towards them, carrying a large brownish fox draped over one shoulder. Her gown seemed to almost be in tatters of a light, yellow green color, but as she drew closer, Gia could see it was actually made from leaves and vines.
"Llewel and Kilyn, what have you brought to my village this time?" asked the woman.
"Mayor Soliana, how good to see you again," said Llewel with a short bow. "We are merely escorting these humans through the forest. I'm afraid we had a slight mishap at the branch, though. It may need an elder to fix."
She glanced beyond him and then back at him with a snort, before turning to Gia and Vonn.
"Humans. I can't say I've ever had any of those in my village before. I suppose you are welcome to stay as long as you like. It's fixing to start raining soon, and judging from the dropping temperatures you might want to stay inside for the duration."
"Mayor Soliana is capable of predicting the weather really well," said Kilyn, sounding stronger than she had a few moments ago.
"Thank you," said Vonn, "But I think we might want to keep moving as soon as the weather clears up. I don't think everyone in our group is very happy with heights."
"Judging from your little spectacle a few moments ago, I would think not," said Soliana, turning away and leaving. The fox on her shoulder stared at them for a moment before yawning in boredom.
"Well that could have gone better," said Llewel.
"Just be glad she didn't immediately send us away," grumbled Kilyn. "You know how much she hates having the branch messed with. I don't even know if Luan is still living here. She's probably the only one around capable of fixing it."
"Ugh, Luan gives me the creeps," mumbled Llewel, as they all made their way to the doorway Carla and Tom had disappeared into.
"Why's that?" asked Vonn.
"She's not albino," said Kilyn, "but her skin is pure white. With her black hair it gives her a creepy look."
"The pink tattoos on her cheeks to match one of her eyes doesn't help either," said Llewel with a shudder. "Hopefully we don't meet up with her at all."
"Hey guys!" cried a girlish voice from inside. "Long time; no see!"