Kapitel 431: Bridging the Gap
As they rose ever higher, the icy path to cross the barrier became increasingly slick. It also narrowed slightly. It had been wide enough for a person to stand and walk normally when they started, but as the ledge became steeper, it was much safer to press one's back against the wall and shuffle sideways to keep from falling.
Although Aurora's cape was quite thick, she longed for Zan's mysterious cloak to fight against the cold. She wondered briefly if the Guardian was having similar thoughts.
Her fingers were beginning to feel numb as they ran along the cold wall, but she did not dare pull her hands away. They were the only chance she had to catch herself if her feet slipped or the path gave way.
"The doctor sent these for you," Alvar passed a pair of gloves toward the Empress.
"Oh no! We cannot risk the doctor's delicate hands being hurt by the ice! Send them back!" She squealed.
Phileas heard her outcry and spoke loudly to calm her fears. "I have a second pair. I get very cold as an old man and I was unsure how long we would be in Oblivion. I hear the winters there can be brutal…"
The words made Aurora feel a tinge of guilt, but also relieved that she had deceived the wise doctor. Because she knew what awaited her in the land of magic, she saw no reason to pack gloves.
The Empress had no idea that when she left Valiant that they would be making a journey across the ice barrier. Aurora scolded herself for not borrowing a pair when they left the elven kingdom. Though looking back at Alvar's hands, he had no gloves and only a light cloak on his shoulders.
Perhaps either the cold or the magic did not affect him. Or maybe he had forgotten his mittens also.
"Thank you, Doctor," Aurora said genuinely. The group stopped, and she was able to slip on the velvety fabric. Her hands immediately began to feel better. "Alright, we can continue," she called forward.
"That's nice, Empress, but we didn't actually stop for you. We have reached the gap." Brinn announced with a sigh.
The former spymaster had taken it upon herself as the most experienced traveler other than Zan to take up the lead. Now she wasn't sure she had made the right choice. Aurora leaned forward, careful not to lose her balance. Although Zan and Brinn were both in front of her, Aurora was able to view the obstacle before them.
From the ground, the break in the ice seemed only a small section. The block of ice on the ground had led them to believe that the space was not large.
It turns out that both had been deceiving, for the chasm was quite large. The ledge on the other was barely a sliver before widening back out to a more manageable depth.
Brinn puffed out her cheeks, "That's a problem."
"Haven't you jumped wider gaps than that?" Aurora asked the elf.
"Maybe, but not by much and only when I rely on my wind magic." The elven princess scrunched her nose.
The Empress was confused. "So, what's the problem then? I know you have taken humans with you on your wild leaps. I think Renat is still bitter about being whisked through the air like a skipping stone on water..."
"Magic acts weird near the ice barrier. It was not only meant to keep humans out, but it was meant to keep us magical folk in. The gnomes and elves overcame the powerful magic and created our own exits, but at a great price. That is when we received the rules that we needed to hide our magic when we travel outside our native land. The barrier still dampens, alters, or even nullifies our magic. The wall isn't deadly for us like it is for humans, but it isn't exactly the safest place either."
"I see. So, what do you propose we do?" The Empress did not like the idea of going back down. They had dismissed the unicorns, after all. Had they done so for nothing?
"I will risk it and jump, alone. We can figure out how to work it from there." The she-elf forced back the Guardian and got ready to make a running jump.
Before Alvar could argue, his courageous--or perhaps foolhardy--wife had taken a few agile bounds before launching herself into the air. The cohort held their breath as time seemed to stop.
At first the elven princess seemed like she would clear the chasm easily, but then gravity and the pull of the barrier interfered with her graceful arc. Brinn began to fall with alarming speed. Her magic had given out suddenly.
"No!"
About the time the princess was coming even with the ledge, Brinn knew there was no way she would make it. She only hoped further down that her own power would resume enough that she could lessen her fall enough not to break her body on the ground below.
She closed her eyes, trying to plot her next move when another body collided with her own. The extra push slid the two beings onto the ledge and crashing against the wall for the next bend in the switchback.
The wind knocked out of her, Brinn opened her eyes to view the face of her rescuer. An elf with a relieved expression stared at her lovingly, his body pressed firmly on top of hers. "I thought I was going to lose you," he whispered.
Brinn was filled with affection for her husband. "How?"
"I saw you leap and knew you wouldn't make it. I pushed past Her Majesty, and then Zan gave me a boost with his hands to get some extra distance. He is exceptionally strong, you know. You jumped high, but I jumped far. I am only glad I got to you in time. Do you know how foolish that was?" Alvar never scolded his wife, but the idea of losing her had him on edge.
Brinn bristled at the reproach. "Yes, well, I am fine except for some oaf trying to crush me. Get off, will you?"
The he-elf gave a lopsided grin. "And what if I don't?"
"Then you better hope your next wife doesn't want children!" The princess threatened.
Alvar chuckled. "I am glad you are alright." He slid to one side and let his wife breathe.
Brinn's expression softened and she caressed the male's face. "When we get home, remind me to call you Hero." She winked, and Alvar felt his ears tinge red.
"Yes, ma'am!"
"Are you both alright?" Aurora called from the other side.
"We are fine!" Brinn confirmed, standing up to wave.
The Empress sighed in relief. "Ok. Incoming!"
Through the air an arrow flew effortlessly and dug into the ice on the far edge of the gap. With Alvar to steady her, Brinn dug out the arrow and untied the attached rope.
"Give me a moment and I will find a place to put it." It took a little work, but the elves were able to find a large enough stalagmite-like icicle to attach their end. Likewise, the others tied their end around a large metal spike from one of their tents.
"I'll go first to make sure it will work," Zan kept one hand on the icy wall and began the perilous tightrope walk. His dexterity as a Guardian worked to his advantage, and the journey looked almost effortless.
"You are the lightest, Your Majesty. Perhaps you should go next," Nurlan suggested. Aurora looked at the three remaining males and nodded.
"I'll try to be quick," she promised.
"Safety over speed, Your Majesty," Phileas warned. His brows were knit tightly as he feared the ruler might unintentionally slip up if she didn't use caution.
"I will be careful. I will try not to repeat Brinn's mistake." The Empress placed her hand on her heart.
"I heard that!" Brinn yelled.
"I wasn't keeping it a secret!" The Empress channeled her nervousness energy into teasing. "Now move over, I am coming in!"
With a deep breath, Aurora began to place one foot in front of her on the rope. The ice fell away below her to reveal a dizzying height. In the extended light of the end of day, the Empress knew she needed to hurry, but her head was threatening to swim.
Pushing through the sickness, the Empress kept her hand against the wall to prevent her from losing her balance. Her progress was slow, but steady. Just when Aurora felt like she could not go any further, her Chief Councilman reached out and grabbed her around the waist, pulling her to safety.
"Sorry, Your Majesty. You looked ready to faint." Zan apologized as he leaned her up against the wall.
"I think the altitude is getting to me. I will be alright after a moment. Please help the others get across if you can." Aurora leaned back and pulled out her water. She could not pass out now.
Nurlan was next across. Having spent years in the armed forces, he was well acquainted with this kind of challenge. The rope strained against his weight, but it held in the end. That only left the two old males on the other side.
"You're up," Reyan told the doctor.
The doctor eyed him evenly and shook his head. "I can't."
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein