The wind howled as Kael and his group moved deeper into the northern wilderness. The landscape had grown colder, more hostile, with jagged cliffs and dense forests that blocked out most of the fading daylight. Kael's eyes were constantly scanning the horizon, every shadow a potential threat. The Iron Circle was still hunting them, but now there was another uncertainty looming beside them, the rider and his men.
The rider led them through the twisting paths with a calm that only made Kael more suspicious. His group followed close behind, silent and disciplined, their expressions unreadable behind their helmets. Kael knew they were skilled, they had proven that during the ambush.
Veyron moved beside Kael, his hand never straying far from his sword. "They're hiding something," he muttered under his breath.
"I know," Kael replied, his voice low. "But we need them for now."
Behind them, Harlan scowled, his eyes fixed on the rider's group. "For now. But if they turn on us, we'll be outnumbered."
Kael didn't respond. He had considered that too many times. The rider had offered just enough help to be useful, but his true motives remained hidden, locked behind a cautious smile.
The path ahead narrowed as they approached a deep ravine. A bridge of rotting wood and frayed ropes stretched across the gap, swaying slightly in the wind.
Kael stopped at the edge, his eyes narrowing as he examined the bridge. It was old, unstable, and far too risky. But it was the only way forward unless they wanted to backtrack for miles.
"We're not crossing that," Harlan said flatly, his voice edged with frustration.
"We don't have much choice," Veyron replied, scanning the horizon. "The Iron Circle's not far behind. We've already lost too much time."
The rider approached, his eyes flicking to the bridge before he turned to Kael. "I'll cross first with my men. If it holds, you follow."
Kael's jaw tightened. He nodded reluctantly, motioning for the others to stand ready.
The rider signaled his men, and one by one, they stepped onto the bridge, moving with the same precision that had marked them from the start. The wood groaned under their weight, but the bridge held. Barely.
Kael watched, his muscles tensed as the rider and his group reached the other side safely. The rider turned back, his expression unreadable. "It's safe enough. But be quick."
Kael motioned for his group to move, Harlan and Veyron crossing first while Kael stayed at the rear, his eyes locked on the rider's group. The bridge swayed violently as the wind picked up, and for a moment, Kael felt the ropes shift beneath his feet.
Halfway across, Harlan stumbled, his foot slipping on one of the rotting planks. He cursed, grabbing onto the rope for support as the bridge swung dangerously.
"Move!" Kael barked, urgency creeping into his voice.
Harlan regained his footing, rushing forward with Veyron close behind. They reached the other side just as the wind grew stronger, shaking the bridge harder than before. Kael quickened his pace, the rotting wood creaking beneath his boots.
He was almost across when he felt the bridge give way. The ropes snapped with a sickening crack, and the entire structure lurched violently. Kael leapt forward, his hand grabbing the edge of the cliff as the bridge fell away behind him.
Veyron and Harlan grabbed him, pulling him up just as the bridge collapsed into the ravine below, disappearing into the darkness.
Kael laid on the ground for a moment, catching his breath. The bridge was gone, and they were now committed to this path. There was no turning back.
Once they were back on their feet, the rider's eyes met Kael's, his expression calm. "You're lucky that didn't take you with it."
Kael didn't respond, but there was something in the rider's tone that didn't sit right. His men stood in a tight formation, their eyes scanning the surroundings, but Kael noticed the subtle shift in their stance. They were waiting for something, watching him closely.
"We need to keep moving," the rider said, his voice smooth. "The path ahead only gets more dangerous."
Kael's hand moved instinctively to his sword, though he didn't draw it. The tension between the two groups had been simmering since the start, and now it was boiling over.
"You seem awfully sure of yourself," Veyron said, stepping beside Kael, his hand hovering near his own blade. "What's your stake in this?"
The rider's smile faded slightly. "I told you, the Iron Circle and I don't get along. But if you're too proud to accept help, then you're free to go your own way."
Kael knew what the rider was doing, testing his resolve, pushing to see how far he could go before Kael pushed back. But walking away now, without knowing the terrain or the full extent of the Iron Circle's reach, would be suicide.
"Lead the way," Kael said finally, his voice tight.
The rider nodded, though Kael could see the flicker of something darker behind his eyes. For now, they would follow, but Kael knew the time was coming when this uneasy alliance would break.
The path ahead grew narrower, more treacherous, with steep cliffs rising on either side. Kael's instincts screamed that something was wrong, but he couldn't place it yet.
"We're getting closer," the rider said over his shoulder, his voice carrying a strange edge. "But the Iron Circle will be waiting."
Kael's grip tightened on his sword. He didn't trust the rider, not fully. But if there was a trap ahead, they would soon find out.