Sebastian

close to the city, and no kind of marker to indicate where it leads."
    "That is not the nature of resonating bridges," Koltak replied, but so softly it was more a thought voiced for himself. Oh, plenty of times, if you kept your mind focused, you could cross over a resonating bridge and reach a particular destination. But there were other times when the bridge ignored the will's intent and resonated only with the heart. When that happened, a person could end up anywhere.
    "I know that," Dalton said. "Doesn't mean I have to like it," He paused. "Well, it's your decision, Wizard Koltak. Our orders are to wait for you on this side of the bridge and give you escort back to the city."
    He looked over his shoulder at the city still visible in the distance.
    Koltak shivered. It was a sensible plan. After all, he couldn't go into the Den with armed guards. But he didn't want to cross that bridge alone, not knowing what was on the other side.
    Maybe Dalton sensed his hesitation, or maybe it was a standard move whenever a bridge had to be crossed.
    "Faran," Dalton said, "cross over the bridge with Wizard Koltak." He looked at Koltak. "If the bridge crosses over to a daylight landscape, Faran will report back and the rest of us will cross over to continue providing escort. If it's a dark landscape, he'll simply come back to this side and wait with the rest of us."
    And I'll go on alone, in unfamiliar land, to find a man I'd rather not set eyes on. But if this works, it will be the last time I have to see him — and my place in the council will he assured .

    "Faran will lead your horse over those planks," Dalton said.
    Koltak watched the guard dismount, hand his reins to a fellow guard, and rummage in his saddlebags before approaching Koltak with a small lantern in one hand. "What about his own horse?"
    "He won't need it," Dalton said. "He's just crossing over with you and reporting back."
    Faran stood at the horse's head and looked up at him, waiting.
    Koltak closed his eyes and focused his will. I need to reach Sebastian. I need to reach the Den .
    Keeping his eyes closed, he nodded to indicate he was ready.
    He felt the horse resist going over the planks, heard Faran's murmurs of encouragement and command.
    Feet and hooves on wood. Barely enough length for man and horse to stand on the planks at the same time. But he couldn't think about that, couldn't think about anything but what he needed to achieve. I need to reach Sebastian. I need to reach the Den .
    The horse shied. Koltak opened his eyes and grabbed the saddle to keep from being thrown. Faran ran with the horse for a few steps before bringing the animal under control.
    "Easy, boy," Faran said. "Easy."
    "What happened?" Koltak demanded.
    "Something spooked him just as we crossed to this side of the bridge, but I didn't see anything." Faran looked around. "Land looks a bit different here. I'm thinking we're not close to Wizard City anymore."
    "No, I don't think we are," Koltak replied.
    "So we missed the mark?"
    He shook his head. "Despite the daylight, this is a dark landscape. They feel different." He just wished he knew where he was. But somewhere in this land, there had to be a bridge that would lead him to the Den. There had to be.
    "No roads here," Faran said. "How will you know which way to go?"
    Sebastian. Sebastian. Sebastian.
    He gathered the reins and turned the horse's head without conscious thought. "I'll have to follow my heart."
    "All right, then." Faran stepped away from the horse. "I'll tell Captain Dalton you're on your way. We'll be waiting for you on the other side of the bridge."
    Koltak nodded, banged his heels against the horse's side, and set off at a rough trot that promised to bruise more than his pride.
    It would be over soon. He wouldn't fail the council. All he had to do was keep his will focused on finding what he didn't want to find.
    Sebastian. Sebastian. Sebastian.
     
     
     
    Faran shook his head as he watched the wizard ride off. Not a horseman, that was for sure. He just hoped the man was fit enough at the end of the journey to do what needed to be done.
    No point lingering here. And truth to tell, something about the place made him uneasy, even though there wasn't anything around him that looked dangerous.
    His steps slowed as he neared the bridge.
    But something had spooked the horse.
    He started to draw his short sword, then hesitated and pulled out the long knife tucked in his boot. As he straightened up, his eyes caught a