The driver cursed suddenly and sawed back on the traces, one foot pushing the brake lever. Paran reined in alongside as the train lurched to a halt.
Wreckage ahead, a single, large heap surrounded by scattered pieces.
A carriage.
Everyone was silent for a moment, then Karpolan Demesand's voice emerged from a speak-tube near the roof. 'Nisstar, Artara, if you will, examine yon barricade.'
Paran dismounted, his sword still out, and joined the two Pardu women as they crept cautiously towards the destroyed carriage.
'That's Trygalle Trade Guild,' Paran said in low tones, 'isn't it?'
'Shhh.'
They reached the scene. Paran held back as the shareholders, exchanging gestures, each went to one side, crossbows held at the ready. In moments, they moved out of his line of sight.
The carriage was lying on its side, the roof facing Paran. One back wheel was missing. The copper sheets of the roof looked battered, peeled away in places, cut and gouged in others. On two of the visible iron attachment loops, strips of leather remained.
One of the Pardu women appeared on top, perching on the frame of the side door, then crouching to look straight down, inside the carriage.
A moment later, she disappeared inside. The other shareholder came from around the wreck. Paran studied her. Her nose had been shattered, not long ago, he judged, as the remnant of bruises marred the area beneath her eyes with faint crescents. The eyes above those bruises were now filled with fear.
Behind them, Karpolan Demesand emerged and, the Jaghut at his side and Hedge trailing, they slowly approached.
Paran turned, studied the pale, expressionless visage of the High Mage. 'Do you recognize this particular carriage, Karpolan?'
A nod. 'Trade Mistress Darpareth Vayd. Missing, with all her shareholders, for two years. Ganoes Paran, I must think on this, for she was my superior in the sorcerous arts. I am deeply saddened by this discovery, for she was my friend. Saddened, and alarmed.'
'Do you recall the details of her last mission?'
'Ah, a prescient question. Generally,' he paused, folding his hands on his lap, 'such details remain the property of the Trygalle Trade Guild, for as you must realize, confidentiality is a quality our clients pay for, in fullest trust that we reveal nothing. In this instance, however, two things are clear that mitigate such secrecy.
One: it seems, if we continue on, we shall face what Darpareth faced.
Two: in this, her last mission, she failed. And presumably, we do not wish to share her fate. Accordingly, we shall here and now pool our talents, first, to determine what destroyed her mission, and secondly, to effect a reasonable defence against the enemy responsible.'
The other Pardu clambered once more into view. Seeing Karpolan she paused, then shook her head.
'No bodies,' Paran said. 'Of course, those hungry beasts we ran into may well have cleaned up afterwards-'
'I think not,' said Ganath. 'I suspect they too fear what lies ahead, and would not venture this far along the bridge. In any case, the damage on that carriage came from something far larger, stronger. If this bridge has a true guardian, then I suspect these poor travellers met it.'
Paran frowned. 'Guardian. Why would there be a guardian? That kind of stuff belongs to fairy tales. How often does someone or something try to cross this bridge? It's got to be rare, meaning there's some guardian with a lot of spare time on its hands. Why not just wander off? Unless the thing has no brain at all, such a geas would drive it mad-'
'Mad enough to tear apart whatever shows up,' Hedge said.
'More like desperate for a scratch behind the ear,' Paran retorted. '
It doesn't make sense. Creatures need to eat, need company-'
'And if the guardian has a master?' Ganath asked.
'This isn't a Hold,' Paran said. 'It has no ruler, no master.'
Karpolan grunted, then said, 'You are sure of this, Ganoes Paran?'
'I am. More or less. This realm is buried, forgotten.'
'It may be, then,' Karpolan mused, 'that someone needs to inform the guardian that such is the case – that its task is no longer relevant.
In other words, we must release it from its geas.'
'Assuming such a guardian exists,' Paran said, 'rather than some chance meeting of two forces, both heading the same way.'
The Trygalle master's small eyes narrowed. 'You know more of this, Ganoes Paran?'
'What was Darpareth Vayd's mission here?'
'Ah, we are to exchange secrets, then. Very well. As I recall, the client was from Darujhistan. Specifically, the House of Orr. The contact was a woman, niece of the late Turban Orr. Lady Sedara.'