the bridge

The road abruptly stopped at the foot of a derelict stone bridge that had once stood proudly, but was now ruined. Pillars of gray stone had toppled into the slow moving dark water, vines and vegetation clinging to what was left of its foundation. Old words chiseled into the stone retained little meaning, and Linus couldn't read them otherwise. A statue that once beckoned travelers and armies long ago had cracked and fallen.

Though the old bridge had collapsed long ago, someone had made a smaller bridge to cross the river. Lengths of rope tied to planks of wood precariously spanned the water. Though uncertain of the bridge, the words of the friar kept echoing in his mind, "Don't stop until you reach the city!"
Looking back, Linus could see the wolves were getting closer by the second.