Returning home was a bittersweet feeling, but there was no other place for me to go. If nothing else, I was safe there. I didn't have to rely on the limited grace of some stranger who saved me against his wishes.

As I gazed toward the canyon, I felt the hairs stand up on my neck.

Gods, that's a long fall.

The canyon was unimaginably deep, with a single, rickety rope and wood bridge crossing the gap. It wasn't the bridge the kidnappers used. The wanderer had opted to take the southern bridge that nobody used. Everyone who lived in this region knew that to cross it was like tempting death. The northern bridge was made of stone and guarded by Van Doren house guards. It was a wonder the bandits smuggled me through, but I suspected bribery factored into the equation. 

"This is where we cross. It's the only one I could find for a few miles, so it'll have to do." the wanderer explained.

At first, I looked at him like he was telling a joke — he had to be. This bridge was older than both of us put together, and the rope looked like it was about to snap. 

The stranger glanced back at me, unamused. "I'm serious. Now get off the horse. I'll lead it over," he spoke, nudging me with his elbow again, but this time in the ribs.

"Ow! Okay, okay, I'm going," I muttered under my breath, dismounting the horse clumsily before looking into the deep oblivion of the canyon. "A-are you sure about this? It looks like it'll break with all this weight on it…."

Is my savior truly this reckless? It almost reminds me of my older brother.

He slid off the horse and gathered the reins with one hand, pulling them over its head to lead it across. "I'm sure. Don't even think about getting on until I get off on the other side, got it?" 

I nodded and bit my lip as he began his journey across the rotting bridge.

What if he falls? What will I do then?

The squeaking of boards under the horse's weight amplified my anxiety tenfold, and the poor animal appeared frightened, too. At a careful pace, they progressed over the bridge. It was much longer than it looked at first glance, and my stomach lurched as it swayed in the canyon winds. 

"Be careful!" I called to the wanderer, but only received the sound of straining rope in reply.