The approach to the town was deceptively flat, the incline so shallow at first to pass notice altogether; it wasn't until Felix looked to his right at the river that had been at his feet just an hour before that he noticed the steep drop that now stood between him and the water, rushing by below in a deepening canyon, white water flashing droplets high into the air as it foamed and flowed over hidden rocks. It was loud to be so far down, far enough to catch rainbows in the sunlight and make him a little dizzy. Travelworn and dusty, it almost looked inviting enough for a swim, if he had been certain he would find a place to climb out again.
Of course, when he turned to look ahead once more, swaying gently from side to side with his hands resting loosely on the high pommel of his saddle in front of him, the rise became more obvious as the land became ragged and ridged, hills swelling up from the earth like underground monsters rolling over in their sleep, and perched atop them, Bonnea and the strong straight walls of its fortress, like a crown atop the mountainside.
He had been travelling long enough to welcome the sight of the road, steep as it was, as it carved its way in sinuous curves up to town, and by the time he reached the gates Felix had dismounted and was leading Arrow with a hand on his bridle, the horse panting and steaming a little with sweat from the climb, dappled hide dark and dampened. When they paused before the gates Arrow leant heavily against Felix's shoulder and he had to give him a bit of a push to get him to stand on his own again. "Nearly there," he said, and rubbed his hand under the crown of Arrow's bridle where he knew it itched.
The Guard who stepped out from the shadow of the wall couldn't be more than nineteen years old, broad but uneven as though he hadn't quite finished his growth. He clanked a little in his armour, looking Felix up and down and clearly noting the great sword slung in its scabbard across Felix's broad shoulders, hilt protruding past his head where it was easy to grab. "State your name and purpose, sir."
"Felix Ironskin, to see the Master of Bones."
The Guard's adam's apple bobbed in his throat, the sound of his nervous swallow lost in the noise of the town beyond. He stepped aside quickly, waving a hand towards the arched passage through the wall. "Of course, your Grace! We were told, uh, to expect you. Your Grace."
Of course, when he turned to look ahead once more, swaying gently from side to side with his hands resting loosely on the high pommel of his saddle in front of him, the rise became more obvious as the land became ragged and ridged, hills swelling up from the earth like underground monsters rolling over in their sleep, and perched atop them, Bonnea and the strong straight walls of its fortress, like a crown atop the mountainside.
He had been travelling long enough to welcome the sight of the road, steep as it was, as it carved its way in sinuous curves up to town, and by the time he reached the gates Felix had dismounted and was leading Arrow with a hand on his bridle, the horse panting and steaming a little with sweat from the climb, dappled hide dark and dampened. When they paused before the gates Arrow leant heavily against Felix's shoulder and he had to give him a bit of a push to get him to stand on his own again. "Nearly there," he said, and rubbed his hand under the crown of Arrow's bridle where he knew it itched.
The Guard who stepped out from the shadow of the wall couldn't be more than nineteen years old, broad but uneven as though he hadn't quite finished his growth. He clanked a little in his armour, looking Felix up and down and clearly noting the great sword slung in its scabbard across Felix's broad shoulders, hilt protruding past his head where it was easy to grab. "State your name and purpose, sir."
"Felix Ironskin, to see the Master of Bones."
The Guard's adam's apple bobbed in his throat, the sound of his nervous swallow lost in the noise of the town beyond. He stepped aside quickly, waving a hand towards the arched passage through the wall. "Of course, your Grace! We were told, uh, to expect you. Your Grace."
