You’re not helping, Sophia breathed and noticed how the dim light coming through the trees overhead made weird shadows on the forest floor. How about you read me something calming?
Oh, I could read Bell’s diary, Lunis offered. That’s the most boring thing in the world.
Bell keeps a diary?
It’s more of a log of events and since she does nothing but sit on her—
Wait, I think I see something, Sophia interrupted when she noticed a light up ahead in the dark woods. There was also the sound of rushing water. The bridge had to be up there. She hurried to navigate through the trees, moving quickly now.
She pushed through a mess of vines and thick brush. The moving water grew louder and now the crackling of fire accompanied it. The light was bright and right up ahead.
Sophia nearly tripped on a thick vine as she shot forward through a veil of thorns that scratched her hands and face. She jerked her head up as the momentum sent her ahead but came to a swift halt, not expecting the sight that greeted her at the start of the bridge.
Chapter One Hundred Fifteen
Sitting on a tree stump at the bridge entrance that Sophia was looking for with a lantern sitting on a table beside him was a gnome.
It was so unexpected that it made Sophia’s heart speed up. She’d expected a demon or an angry troll or a possessed witch, but the gnome wore a pleasant expression that unnerved Sophia more than if he’d scowled at her. It all seemed like a strange trick, and she was instantly paranoid.
“Hey,” she greeted the gnome who, like her, wore a trapper hat that obscured most of his head. A thick fur coat covered him and his rosy cheeks made her think of Quiet when he came in from his morning chores before breakfast.
“Hey.” He waved at her.
She didn’t see any reason to bother the gnome, so she simply stepped around him, grateful to see that the forest thinned on the other side of the bridge. However, the trail looked like it turned steep suddenly so she’d probably have to climb up to Virgo Cave.
When she was about to set foot on the structure that crossed the rushing cold rapids below, her boot met an invisible wall. It was like she’d tried to cross the barrier that the Rogue Riders had up. Suddenly she wondered if there was another soul stone that she needed to get to the cave that had the other soul stones. That seemed confounding.
Sophia pulled back her foot and kicked gently, confirming that there was a wall she couldn’t pass to get onto the bridge.
She looked down at the water and thought for a moment about trying a less conventional way of getting across. However, the distance between the banks was at least fifty yards, and the water was no doubt frigid. Even using magic, she would be taking a deadly risk.
Finally, she realized that she had to turn to the only person who could offer a solution. She spun and looked at the gnome, who regarded the empty table with the lantern on it with mild interest.
“Excuse me,” Sophia began and pointed at the bridge. “Do you know the trick to get across?”
“Yep.” The gnome thumped his tiny fist down on the table.
“Can you tell me what it is?” Sophia asked. “I need to get to the other side. Do I need to battle a monster or solve a puzzle? I’ll do whatever it takes.”
“That’s good to hear because it will require a great effort from you,” the gnome explained. “But no, there are no dangers except to your organs.”
Sophia blinked at him in confusion. “Say what?”
The gnome spread his arm across the table, and a bottle of vodka and two shot glasses materialized. “You have to outdrink me. If you do and remain standing, you can cross the bridge—well, if you can still walk.”
Chapter One Hundred Sixteen
“Wait, that’s the challenge?” Sophia asked in disbelief.
Oh, man, why did I get left at home for this mission? Lunis complained in her head. No one can outdrink a dragon.
You don’t drink, Sophia countered.
That’s because alcohol runs in my blood. I’m Scottish, after all.
Well, you’re not here, so you’re going to have to talk me through this. Something tells me that gnome can handle his drink better than me despite his small size.
You could try using a sobering spell, Lunis offered.
“Yes, that’s the challenge,” the gnome stated and indicated a seat that had appeared on the other side of the table. “You can’t use magic. No spells to keep you sober. The only way to win is to drink me under the table.”
“Okay.” Defeat crushed down on her. She didn’t know how she would do this without using magic, but she had to try if it was the only way to cross the bridge.
I’ll keep you sober, Lunis encouraged.
How is that?
By providing sobering facts throughout, he supplied.
Oh wow, that’s supposed to help?
It will, Lunis stated. You have to keep your wits about you, and the best way is for me to be your Debbie Downer. I’ll do for you what all the elder dragons do for me.
This is teamwork at its finest, Sophia joked.
“Okay, so how does this work?” she asked the gnome.
He extended a gloved hand to her. “With an introduction. My name is Gillian.”
She shook his hand. “I’m Sophia Beaufont.”
“It’s a pleasure.” Gillian snapped his fingers, and the two shot glasses filled with clear liquid. The same amount receded from the bottle.
He took the glass closest to him and held it up. Sophia took hers and raised it.
“Na zdorovje,” Gillian stated.
“Cheers,” Sophia returned, thinking that was the equivalent to what he said.
He threw his head back and took the shot in one swift drink. Sophia copied the movement, her throat and stomach instantly burning. She was certain that the discomfort contorted her face horribly.
Gillian simply smiled as though he enjoyed the drink. Sophia couldn’t think of anything less enjoyable, but to her relief, it did warm her slightly.
“Another?” Gillian asked.
She nodded but wondered how she would get through this.
Sooooo, Lunis drew out the word. There’s a whale called 52 Blue that might be the only one of its kind. 52 Blue travels the seas solo, and he sings at different frequencies to attract other whales.
Sophia slumped. That’s so very sad.
Sobering, one might say, Lunis replied, an edge of mischief in his voice.
She found herself smiling. Yes, that’s a real sobering fact.
The gnome snapped his fingers, and the shot glasses refilled.
He picked up his glass and held it up. “Na zdorovje.”
This time Sophia simply nodded in return. Not wanting to be outdone, Sophia didn’t wait for him to take his drink before she pressed the glass to her lips and downed it immediately.
It scorched her insides and made them suddenly feel on fire. Sophia kept her mouth open after the shot, feeling like a dragon breathing fire.
Gillian simply ran the back of his hand over his mouth and looked refreshed by the experience.
Sobering fact, Lunis said in a robotic voice. Cuckoos are known to trick other birds into raising their young by laying eggs in their nests. The baby cuckoo birds grow faster than others and can force the smaller chicks out.