Crown of Hidden Scales novel · Chapter 10 of 24

Chapter 10: The Bridge

The Gaunt Bridge crossed a gorge so deep I could not see the river.

It was an old stone span, wide enough for four horses, with a tall arch at each end.

On the far side stood three hundred of the Dowager's soldiers in grey.

On our side stood the Emberfold fighters, thirty of them, with hay forks and hunting bows.

Behind them stood the villagers of Brannock, who had walked all night to see what I would do.

I had not asked them to come.

I wore the crown, and Rhain walked beside me at ten paces, gloveless, with his scales bare in the noon light.

"They'll shoot," he said quietly.

"Not with the whole valley watching."

"You're sure."

"No," I said. "Walk."

We met on the middle of the bridge.

Hesper sat in a camp chair under a silk awning.

Prince Edric stood behind her with his arms crossed and a fresh coat of lacquer on his wrists.

At her feet, on a three-legged stool, sat Bronwyn with her hands tied.

She had a bruise on her cheek, and she glared at me with her whole face.

"Don't you dare surrender," she called. "I mean it, my lady."

"Silence the girl," said Hesper pleasantly.

A guard stuffed a rag in Bronwyn's mouth.

I took a step toward her.

Rhain caught my arm.

A white-haired man in the black robes of the chancellery stepped out from beside the awning with his hands raised.

"My lady, please," said Chancellor Obern Gaunt. "Her Majesty only wishes to talk."

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