They staggered their steps, and the walkway stopped swaying so badly.

Daniel felt his confidence rise until one of his steps slipped on the wet wood. His left heel went out from under him, and he fell backward. The fall felt like it took forever, but then his ass landed on the bridge planks.

He felt the crack happen. With the noise of the river, he couldn't have heard it. But he felt the plank crack somehow through his ass and tailbone. He froze and then carefully picked himself up. He looked down and saw the plank was cracked in the middle. He pointed at it, and the girls nodded. Jasmine was laughing at him.

When he resumed his crossing, he froze. He spotted others coming toward them, walking the same bridge. It looked like a small family made up of a father, mother, two small children, and a baby held by the mother. The two toddlers were small and had to reach up to the guide ropes to hang on. When they noticed him, they stopped. They looked like Night Fae to Daniel's eyes, but he couldn't remember how he knew. A face appeared in his mind, but disappeared. It had been a woman. Gorgeous, with skin so white it looked like pure snow.

For a time, they simply stared at one another. Then they tried to communicate. Daniel simply wanted to know if it was farther to the bank on their side or with the newcomers. Someone would have to back up and allow the others to cross.

The family grew agitated and demanded for them to back up. They made gestures trying to communicate. For a time, no one bothered to pay attention to the two small children. Bored, they had fidgeted. And then poked at each other. Then the larger of the two toddlers pushed the smaller one. The blow struck the smaller child high on the chest and unbalanced him or her.

The child fell backward, arms flailing, and passed right under the guide rope. Daniel actually heard the mother's scream over the roar of the river. The small child disappeared into the raging river.

Daniel didn't hesitate. He didn't think. He dived over the side of the bridge and into the raging river. He had seen the small head of the child. He could do this. He had to save the child.

The moment he hit the water, he was sucked under. He was spun and twisted and then he struck something solid.

Darkness took him.

*

Everything went black for a long moment. And then their world illuminated. They were seated in a large, opulent room before an ornate desk. Gold, silver, gems and more covered the walls in richness. Artwork and statues covered the walls and floor space.

Daniel looked at the girls seated beside him. They shared the same bewildered expression as him. Daniel had no recollection of having travelled here or why.

He looked at Amy and for a moment he felt the joy radiating off her when she looked at him. Then the bewildered look returned. "Uh, Amy?

How'd we get here?"

Amy blinked at him. "I was hoping you knew. Amber? Jasmine? Where are we?"

Jasmine and Amber shook their heads and looked around.

"I have no idea," muttered Jasmine. "Looks rich though. Really rich."

Daniel thought hard, but his thoughts were elusive. He remembered being in a large building. Being watched. A memory of a much smaller office. And a river, impossibly loud. And now? His memories eluded him. “Guys, I have no memory of coming here. Or why."

The girls agreed, and they sat holding hands. After ten minutes, they heard a door open behind them. They stood and turned. Daniel was the first to recognise one of the two men who entered, but didn't know how he knew.

He fell to his knees and bowed his head. “Your Majesty."

The girls gasped and curtsied and held it, with their heads bowed.

“Rise, please. Be seated."

They did as they were instructed, after first looking at one another in surprise. This was King Reginald Arbuckle, the ruler of the Realm, and beside him was likely Sylvan Castigon, his head of the King's Bureau of Intelligence, or the KBI. Sylvan was rumoured to be completely bald and a towering man. This man certainly fit the bill.