Mara

I approached the rickety bridge, standing to the side of the entrance. I dismounted from my horse and knelt, staring into the crystal water. Even though it wasn't the same spot, it was still the river we needed to cross. Rohell brayed from behind me, stomping her hoof to the dirt. I tensed, the fear emanating from the mare rose like steam, billowing toward me. I shuddered as it encompassed my body. I brushed away the feeling with a shudder.

I focused on the water once more. It was deep. So deep that I couldn't see the bottom unlike the river I remembered. I looked down the horizon, to see if they were anywhere close to where I was before, but it didn't appear to be so. They were shrouded by gray mist, lost in the belly of the unknown.

A lump emerged in my throat as I remembered the conversation from last night when we were gathered beyond the fire. Dari asked if the bridge was magic, and I wondered if it could be too. I didn't remember seeing the mist before and wondered if the mist had been there in the first place or if it had just rolled in.

"It's real," Rodi said from behind, halting her horse. She blinked her muddy eyes, trying to suppress tears. "I didn't think it would be real." I saw the detachment on her face.

"Rodi..."

"Now I don't know what to believe," she whispered. "What to do. I have a feeling in my chest that is heavy. So heavy."

I composed myself and turned to my followers. Fear was heavy in the air and in our hearts, but I couldn't let them falter now. There was a task at hand. One that required us to be focused and agile.

"We are going to have to cross," I said. "It's too deep to ford the waters."

"Cross?" Dari said. "You listened to the same legend I did last night, didn't you? There is a monster in there and it's waiting to eat us whole! We are mad to cross!"

I shook my head. "It was just a story to keep children from leaving." I turned to Rodi. "Right?"

"I think so," she whispered, wiping her eyes. "Though my mother never told me what happened to my great uncle."

My spine twinged. "Great uncle?"

"I used to think when I was a little girl that the two siblings in the story were my grandmother and her brother," she explained. "But she passed before I could question if the story was real or not."

Arawn spoke up, cantering toward us. "Legends aren't real. I say we cross before we lose more daylight."

Lenox nodded. "The map took us this way, I say we follow it."

I weighed our options: follow the map or the bird. The bird called once more, closer than before, and sent my thoughts adrift. I looked at the water once more, then to the bridge.

"Look, even the bird agrees!" Lenox cheered with a grin.

With a deep sigh, I made my decision. "We will cross," I stated. "One at a time."

"Can the bridge even hold our weight?" Makaio asked, staring it down.

"I think if we go one at a time, yes, it can."

He nodded, returning to his silent self. From eyeing him, I saw he was quaking, his fingers turning white as they strangled the reins.

"I think the queen should go first," Rodi decided. "After all, we need to keep her safe."

"We don't know what's beyond the other side of the woods," Dari said. "Something could grab her like in the story."

"I'll go first," Lenox declared, trotting forward on his horse. "I'll leave the map with you just in case." He passed the map onto Dari, who tucked it in his boot.

I knew what he meant. Just in case he died.

"Be careful," I whispered as Lenox's horse touched the first rotten board.

Everyone held their breath as Lenox crossed. It felt like hours went by instead of minutes. He moved slowly, the bridge creaking with every step he and his horse took. A bead of sweat fell from his forehead, landing onto the bridge. Lenox's heavy breathing could be heard over the silence. He closed his eyes for a moment when the bridge shifted.

I jolted, unsure if I could continue to watch. Everyone released their breaths when Lenox made it to the other side. He opened his eyes, and looked back to the forest behind him. He appeared to be safe from harm.

He waved forward. "Now, Queen Mara."

I walked back to my horse and mounted it, tapping the reins, Rohell and her rode forward toward the bridge. I felt everyone's eyes set on me as they reached the first board. I tapped my foot to the side of Rohell, causing her to pick up her pace. Before I could take a second to breathe, I was on the other side. I looked at Lenox and sighed in relief.

He leaned over, patting my shoulder. "Breathe, my queen ."

From beyond the bridge, I listened to the rest of my followers argue on who was next.

"I think Dari should go because he is the smallest," Makaio offered.

Dari tossed him a sour look. "I think you should go because you are the oldest!"

"A child," Arawn scoffed. "We brought a child with us."

"I am not a child!" Dari said, narrowing his brow. "The punch to your nose said otherwise!"

"Are we going to fight every time we stop!" Rodi yelled, turning red. "This is becoming ridiculous. You are proving to be a child," she said to Dari. "And you are proving to be an arsehole!" She pointed to Arawn. "I'm going before another word is said."

Rodi cantered across the bridge, not moving. She stopped on the other side, jumping down from her saddle. She shot a glare in Dari's and Arawn's direction.

"The girl is right," Makaio said, stepping down. He walked his horse to the bridge. "I will not be caught up in your childish games." Makaio walked across without batting a lash.

"I will not be a child," Dari vowed, cantering across like Rodi had. "I am not a child."

All that was left was Awarn. He looked as if he was possessed by a demon. Shadows played under his eyes, his chin tucked low. His hands furled into fists. "I am not an arsehole!" he screamed, his voice echoing. He glared at them with lantern eyes. "You know nothing of me, girl!"

I felt the ground shake. I looked down toward the water, and thought I had seen a glint of red eyes. I shook my head, returning my attention to the bridge. It was all in my head just like the violet veins that appeared. Everything appeared normal, but I couldn't shake a growing feeling of dread. I thought it was the itch, back to take over my body, but it was not.

It was fear.

Lenox pulled up the map from Dari's boot and unfolded it. He looked from left to right. "Looks like we are heading toward the woods behind us." He pointed to the bunched trees that appeared darker. "We will be in Kaija in no time."

"We will never get there if Arawn doesn't move," Dari hissed.

"Come on!" Rodi yelled from across. "You are now the one burning daylight!"

Arawn's jaw tensed. Even though he was trying to appear strong, I could tell by his body language that he was just as fearful as we were.

"I am coming," he announced, swallowing a lump in his throat. "I-I just need a moment."

"We can figure out your dress size when you get over here!" Dari shouted with a bellow of laughter. "Because right now you are the one acting like a girl!" Rodi shot him a look of disapproval. "No offense," he said to her with a grin.

Rodi rolled her eyes.

Arawn took in a deep breath and trotted toward the bridge. He stopped on the edge, sweat beading down his face. He gulped as his horse set its hoof onto the bridge.

"Something isn't right," Rodi whispered. "It's quiet."

The bird's call we heard earlier had silenced. The air was stagnant and the water stopped moving. I looked down at it, the water was changing color, bubbling like a boiling pot. I gasped as the crystal clear water turned pink.

My blood chilled as the water tweaked in color once more. Seeping into bloody red. I lifted my head to warn Arawn but it was too late. He was stagnant in the middle of the bridge unable to move. His horse was paralzed in fear just as much as he was. Awarn's fearful eyes were glued to the planks of the bridge as they croaked under his feet.

Rodi was the first to say something. Her voice came out hoarse in a scream. "Run!"

A creature's appengages emerged from under the bridge, rising above the trees. Its black scales looked oiled against the water falling from its large figure. Two tentacles rose into the air as it screeched, unleashing a horrid cry. The call burned my ears, sounding like nails on stone. Arawn screamed, causing the creature to release another screech as it surfaced the top of the water. I tried to act, and ran forward, but was pulled back by Dari and Rodi. I fought against them, tugging but they held on tight, heels digging into the dirt. They refused to let me go.

"We need to save him!" I called out as the creature dived down into the water, hiding its horrific face before I got a better look at him. Water splashed on our faces. I gasped, drenching in the red and blinked, water falling from my lashes.

"There is nothing we could do in time!" Lenox shouted, holding out his soaked arm in front of me. "He belongs to the beast now."

I watched, restrained. Arawn's gold eyes stared at them as he prepared to meet his fate. His horse reared up, braying as it tottered its rider from side to side. Arawn fell, landing on his arm. He released a high screech as the horse stormed toward us, making it to the other side.

It ran past us into the woods, leaving us all behind. Another set of tentacles sprang from the river, launching into the sky. Awarn sat on his backside, nursing his wounded arm as he stared up at the tentacles hovering over him once more. He stood, his knees shaking, and tried to run. His feet pattered against the floorboards. He was almost there. Just one more step and he would make it toward us.

A tentacle lashed downward, reaching for Arawn. It wrapped around his legs, bringing him down. He clawed the floorboards, his nails screeching for freedom. Another scream escaped from his thin lips as he was dragged backward. His body lifted from the ground. Arawn clawed the air, trying to find his escape. His eyes widened as he looked down.

The creature resurfaced. Awarn scrambled and screamed as he was brought down toward the creature. From under the bloody waters, six rows of spear-like yellowed teeth appeared. Its blood colored eyes reflected the bloodlust it was feeling. Arawn screamed again, splitting through the trees.

My eyes blurred with tears as I watched his body move toward the creature's hungry mouth. I wanted to do something, but there was nothing to do. It would be suicide to save him. He was in the beast's grasp. If I tried to act, the others would as well.

"Help me!" he called out, staring at him. "Help me, Queen Mara!"

Hearing my name burned on the inside. My head fell. It was hopeless. There was not much to be done. My body fell limp in defeat as his cries echoed through the river.

"I can't," I whispered, looking toward him. "Forgive me."

The creature released Arawn into the pit of his mouth. Instead of falling inside, he clung to one of its large teeth. He tried to pull himself up, but the jaws of the creature were eager for a bite. They closed, blood spewed as Arawn's legs disconnected from his body. Even though his legs were gone, inside the belly of the beast, he was still alive. Arawn's eyes widened as a blood-curdling scream melded with the sound of rushing water. The creature lowered itself, releasing Arawn into the water. A mist of blood swirled with the dark water.

I released myself from Dari and Rodi and rushed to the side, searching the water. He was still alive. There was a chance to save him. There had to be. If I could save him, I could make the heavy veil of guilt inside of me vanish. I could save one of my own.

I reached my hand forward, but then reacted. If the creature was still lurking, it would grab me next.

I waited, my heartbeat echoing in my ears as I looked for a sign. Arawn resurfaced after a few moments, grasping into the air. He grabbed hold onto the end of the bridge, clasping it for the rest of his life with one hand.

"Queen Mara," he begged, his teeth chattering. "Save me."

Before I could offer my hand, the tentacles wrapped around Arawn's face. They entered through his ears and out his eyes, gorging them. Blood spewed from his wounds, splashing my face. I screamed as Awarn's body lifted. His arms were lifeless, still, like a puppet. The tentacles moved again, coursing down into his mouth. His throat engorged. Awarn's body lifted in the air for my followers and I to see before it plummeted into the water.

The water fluctuated, shifting back to its normal state. The crystal reflection showed the horror on my blood-stained face. The tears that fell masked the disbelief I was feeling. From behind, in the reflection, Rodi stepped forward. She pulled me back from the edge.

"We can't lose you too," she whispered, holding onto my arm.

I couldn't keep my eyes off the water. Off the bridge that was intact. I closed my eyes, trying to suppress the tears but the image of Arawn being torn apart haunted the inside of my eyelids. The image was permanent, never to leave my mind.

I opened my eyes with a heavy gasp and leaned forward, bile burning the back of my throat. I heaved, shoulders arching. Nothing surfaced, we had not had the time to eat this morning. Daytime was burning away. I looked upward, toward the sky. The sun was waning, beating down on my face. The tears adsorbed into my flesh as I lashed my head down and screamed. My nails raked into the dirt, remembering how Arawn's did the same when he fought to live.

"I couldn't save him," I whispered, lip trembling. "What kind of queen cannot save her own?"

Rodi took me into a strong embrace. She held me like a mother would a child. I breathed in her, feeling life after seeing death. Rodi sighed, the tears falling onto my back.

"I know you are hurting," she whispered. "But it was one over the others."

Dari stepped forward. "He was kind of a dick, but no one deserves that."

Rodi tossed him a glare as she released Mara from her grasp. "Don't listen to him," she whispered. "I don't think he's ever lost anyone in his life."

"So?" Dari asked.

"You don't know the pain of death," Rodi declared, a sad look in her eye. "I've seen it so many times, I know the look of pain."

"We have to do something," I whispered, trying not to listen to their bickering. "There has to be something we can do."

"Move on," Makaio said from behind. "Don't let his death be a waste. He gave us a chance to continue with the quest. "

Lenox cleared his throat. "He came on this journey to save Udan, so I say, let's save it."

I nodded, a lump in my throat. I tried to swallow it down, but it was hard. "I can't leave without honoring him in death," I whispered. "He fought and lost, but that does not mean he should not have a burial."

"What's there to bury?" Dari called. Rodi punched him in the arm.

There was nothing left of him. Dari was right.

"I will say a few words then," I declared, clearing my throat. "Even though he died, he died fighting. He risked his life to save his own and for that, he is honored." I pressed a fist to my chest. "He unites Udan as a clan."

Everyone did the same, touching a fist to their chest. They bowed their hands low. "He was a bit of an arse," Dari said. "But he didn't deserve to die."

"Aye," Lenox said.

"Agreed," Makaio said with a nod.

I stood for a moment, my knees buckled under me. I remembered just yesterday I was fighting to stand because death was waiting to take me in his arms.

Today it felt as if death had returned, and it hurt worse to watch him claim another than my own soul. I fell to my knees, wincing. I was showing weakness, something I used to remind myself not to do.

"It's okay to feel." I said something similar to Qia when she was upset. My heart tore in two. I was doubting if I was the one to rule Udan. Every feeling inside of my small body surfaced, showing me as weak. I remembered each embrace, each tender and loving encounter I had and composed. Arawn may have passed, but the people back in Udan were waiting for me. They were calling my name. They needed my help as queen.

I stood once more, straightening and sighed, wiping the tears onto my gown with the back of my hand. I faced my followers and took a deep breath.

"You are all right," I whispered. "We need to find our way to Kaija."

"We've honored his death," Lenox said. "We've done all we could for the poor lad."

I nodded, walking toward Rohell. Even the horses were in a somber state. "We must ride then," I whispered. "Lenox, you mentioned we must pass through this wood?" I pointed toward the woods behind us.

"Yes, my queen," he answered. "Kaija should be on the other side."

Kaija, the place they claimed I was from.

I was going to get answers. I was going to find out who I once was and gain the aid I needed in order to save Udan from the Rabaka. I took in another deep breath, mounting my mare. Sitting on top of it, I straightened, tapping the reins.

"Stay vigilant," I said, breathing out. "We ride onto Kaija."