Right. Watch them. Don’t look over the edge. Don’t even think about it. Don’t imagine the wind rushing past your ears or tumbling helplessly out of control. Would he see the ground rushing up? Would he feel the impact, or would death be too quick? His head began to spin from breathing so fast. No, don’t get dizzy. Not now. Relax. Be calm. Anything to distract yourself.

He crawled forward a few inches and began to sing in a strained voice. “Ten little goblins walked off to drink their wine. . . .”

He curled his fingers around the edges of the tile for stability, but that only reminded him that a single tile hung between him and the abyss. To his right was the false tile, to his left, nothing. He hoped the magic and the mortar were strong enough. In his imagination, he could see one side of the tile break free, see himself dangling helplessly as the tile dropped away like the hobgoblins’ trapdoor.

A few more steps. He could do this. Everyone else had done it. If the bridge could support Darnak’s weight, it would surely hold Jig. It would hold a half-dozen goblins. He clenched his teeth and continued to sing.

By the time he reached the third verse, he had passed the false tile and was back in the center of the bridge where it was safe. Relatively speaking, at least.

“Good job,” Darnak said. “Now let’s be on.”

Jig nodded. He could do this. He could make it. They were going to be okay.

That was when the attack started.

CHAPTER 9 - Torment of the Gods

CHAPTER 9

Torment of the Gods

At first Jig thought the fluttering was a figment of his frightened imagination. A trick of the wind, perhaps. He certainly couldn’t see anything when he looked around.

The first squeal, so loud Jig grabbed his ears and folded them flat to his head, told him this was no trick. Something really was out there in the blackness.

More squeals followed, causing Jig to change his conclusion. Some things.

“Don’t stop, but keep your eyes open,” Darnak yelled. He pointed his dripping quill at the other side of the bridge. “We’re halfway there. If we can make it to the other side, we’ll be safer.”

“Keep your eyes open,” Jig mimicked. “As if I’d do this sort of thing blindfolded.” He started to crawl, only to stop when the next squeal deafened him. He couldn’t crawl and cover his ears at the same time.

“Why do they have to be so loud?” He couldn’t hear his own voice. Clasping his hands to his ears, he stood up and hurried after the others.

They had gone another twenty yards when something large and black swooped toward Darnak. Huge, leathery wings batted the dwarf’s head, pushing him backward.