200 The Red Bridge (1/2)
The Red River's deep blue waters flashed a formidable sight below the bridge suspended above it. The current was slow, like a mother cradling her newborn child. But below the blue sparkles and the calm current was probably one of the deepest rivers in the world. Fishermen and crabhunters have tried to put a number on the depth. They all came with different measurements of course, with the shallowest being the height of a palm tree and the deepest being tales of the Red River being bottomless.
Henry doesn't care about numbers. The fact is that the Red River is deep and wide. He severed his stare from the water below them. The Red Bridge was high and terrifying enough with its crumbling columns and tales of it being built with substandard materials. Now nearly thirty thousand pair of boots will cross the wooden bridge, probably at least two hundred men at a time. Not to mention the weight of horses, Henry prayed that the old bridge would hold.
A few clack of horse hooves and he reached the other end. Looking behind, their host was lined far. The Castonians were at the front like they always were, as if a more cheesy stereotype is needed. Henry's knights marched at the middle except those who were tasked to scout. Queen Emily was at the rear.
”You miss her sire?” A sudden question reached Henry's ears.
Henry looked at the knight who threw the question, with a frown of course as he didn't see the need for such a personal query.
”Ah... that Castonian Ambassadress. Our brothers have been talking about her and you” The knight added with an anxious smile.
”Gossiping you mean. The Omniscient warns about the dangers of the tongue brother”
”We are merely curious sire”
Henry fiddled with the reins. He took a quick glance towards the line still crossing the Red Bridge.
”Her name is Freya. And yes, I will be missing her. But she will stay in Bivon where she will be safe. That gives me a peace of mind”
”And after all of this sire? What then?”
”What?”
The knight's head lowered a bit. ”Some of our brothers are worried that you'll go back with her to Castonia”
Henry jolted. His eyes squinted. He and Freya haven't discussed this complication yet. With him as the Grand Master now, he cannot leave Tulosa. Before the snow season, he had decided to live in Castonia for the rest of his life. But now that couldn't happen anymore.
Before Henry could provide an answer or even think of one, two riders went to him. With their black mails and the lion on their breastplates, they were Erik's men.
”The Marquis requests your presence Grand Master”
Henry formed a little and fleeting smile, amused by the words used. Because their ranks are now, to a certain extent, equal, Erik's words were tamer and less demanding. Henry rode with the riders to the front.
The Castonians formed in an arc that stretched for at least a mile from one end to another. Two men deep and with their halberds pointed to the blue sky, Henry could only feel bad if the enemies planned an ambush while they were crossing.
”Professionals, aren't they?” Erik said with an air of pride.
”You Castonians have that reputation. You yourself have that reputation”
Erik curved a smile ”We have been here for a month right? How many battles have we won?”
”Three”
”Three in one month, a great feat. But that pales compared to King Timothy. Do you know the situation up north?”
Henry shook his head. He had been focused on the affairs here in Tulosa that news from the north eluded his ears.