Chapter 41: "Chance Encounter"
The flood season was long past, and the river had receded, leaving vast stretches of withered yellow grass along its banks, interspersed with newly sprouted saplings.
Occasionally, something rustled in the grass, perhaps a small animal hiding within, or something far more dangerous.
If one were to part the grass, they would find piles of damp, decaying matter beneath. The fertile soil would provide ample nutrients, hinting at a scene of lush vegetation next spring.
However, in these chaotic times, all of this served as a premonition of crisis.
The sunshine for most of the day warmed the ground, even causing the river water to slightly thaw.
On the opposite bank, there was some commotion. The sounds of guards battling evil creatures at the far end of the pontoon bridge could be heard.
Something fell into the water.
The guards on this side of the pontoon bridge looked over warily, their bows and spears at the ready.
A sinister shadow beneath the water slowly approached the pontoon bridge.
*Splash!*
Mutated finger bones gripped the small boat beneath the pontoon bridge.
Wet hair, tangled with water weeds, obscured its entire face. Its tattered clothes were beyond recognition, stretched taut as it pulled itself up. The exposed limbs were covered in purplish-brown markings.
From a distance, it resembled a starved, emaciated crocodile.
Smelling the scent of more living people from the county town, it gurgled in its throat, emitting a strange, sharp, and hoarse roar as it charged towards the guards on this bank.
As the weather had turned deep in autumn, even at the warmest part of the day, these monsters were not at their full strength.
The guards on the bridge and the people on the city walls were accustomed to this scene. They calmly drew their bows and loosed arrows. After shooting it, they used their spears to push it back into the water.
Behind a rock a sh