The trio did not sight the entrance to the Bridge until late in the afternoon. They had climbed some distance previously out of the river valley and skirted the high fossil-lined cliffs that shone orange in the fading winter’s light. They paused for some time to admire the sun’s handiwork on the vibrant layers of orange earth that plunged below. Aurianne gladdened in her heart that finally Mother Earth was appearing to mend herself.

The sun was not warm, and a rather frigid breeze did blow here especially on high as they were. The wind ruffed Isabou's full mane, it was almost the identical color of her mistress's hair. Aurianne stopped to pet her horse momentarily.

“You have been such a good sport.”She cooed, as she caressed her mare some moments further admiring the orange, glowing landscape.

“Should be there before dark.” Jhary announced, he seemed pleased and relaxed. “I expect maybe a bit of chaos, after all the black rain would have caused some casualties. So we may have to deal with that.”

Kario nodded, but he was still very honestly mystified by the fear of this so-called black rain. He wished longingly he could get his companions to understand.

They pushed on, the entrance to the Bridge as Aurianne could see clearly defined its name. A vast metallic structure adjoined what was left of the highway to the north, reaching for some miles in black incompleteness by the way they had journeyed.

Beneath this behemoth span of engineered gray steel, a checkerboard of stone-fenced fields stood, ready for planting. The hues of browns and newly sprouting greens forming a pleasant mosaic. On the other side of the river squatted a vast and sprawling township. Original brick and stone buildings stood, some two and three stories. A haze of wood smoke drifted above on lazy wings. The cold air kept it anchored among the building tops in the stillness of the river valley.

“This is quite a civilization.” Aurianne commented excitedly.

It was easily the largest habitation she had entered since she and her mother had fled the city shortly after the nuclear strike. The young woman found she wished her mother was at her side to see this amazing sight, and the thought saddened her a little. Though Aurianne sensed her mother would not have been as appreciative, to gaze on or enter what she called the evil civilizations of men.

Her mother had seemed happy to shun city life and continue as she did in a small settlement where she knew every individual with deep sincerity. Aurianne realized that though she loved her mother dearly and had known her on a rudimentary child/parent level, she had never begun to glimpse the true woman her mother was or the insecurities and pain that were inside her.

Her companions pressed forward, and she was only torn from her reverie by Isabou Impatiently nudging into her back. Aurianne smiled and petted her equine companion.

“We will get food soon I promise.”

The three continued down into the neck of the roadway and to the checkpoint, that stood prominent on the bridge.

“Let me do the talking.” Jhary cautioned while the party was still some distance out of earshot. Kario and Aurianne nodded in agreement, the bard was known for his sublime verbiage.

“Greetings!”Jhary called cheerily waving his hand at the ranks of men who stood guarding the bridge.

The forbidding row of guardsmen nodded but looked gruff and unaccommodating toward Jhary's good cheer. Aurianne had to resist looking nervously at Kario, so instead she turned to pet her mount, using the interval to remove the muzzle that was by now annoying her mare greatly. Beauty sat quietly by her mistresses’ feet.

Jhary walked up to the man closest to him.

“Is it possible good Sir, for us to get admission to your wonderful city?”

The bearded man looked him up and down with gray eyes hard as flint. Jhary just continued to smile as the man assessed all the travelers closely. Patiently waiting for his response.

“Your papers?” The man finally condescended to answer.

“Oh...”Stated Jhary with surprise. “We have come to that so soon.”

“Your papers or leave.” The man stated flatly. The sentries behind him fingered their weapons shifting from their previously casual stance.

Jhary raised his hands slowly. “Good Sir I mean no trouble. You misunderstand me. I was just so very surprised that we had come to such organization so soon. Does this mean we have a Government and law enforcement of a sort? Last time I was by here there was no such paperwork required.”

The large and solid man put his hand to his chin, he scratched at his steel-colored beard idly, eyes never leaving the handsome traveler.“We have had a Governor here for quite some years now, and he commands the law enforcement. You must have been long away. Do you have anyone here, kin or an employer that can vouch for you?”

“Sadly Sir we do not.”

“Hum.”The man’s response seemed very negative.

This was not going well. Aurianne felt trepidation as she watched her usually persuasive companion speak to the human wall of indifference. She felt even more unsure as the man began to gaze at her and her horse with assessing eyes.

“Is the woman yours?”

Aurianne blanched, but not as much as Jhary did. Oh, the bard wished, however, he was very afraid his rather fiery companion might take sudden offense to be discussed in this manner, and he swiftly answered to divert the tangent of this unsavory conversation.

“Oh, no, Sir, no. My companions are as I, free as the wind. Travelers, merely looking for some rest in your wonderful city.”

“Prove it.”

Jhary just stood a time dumbfounded. It seemed he would not easily pass the gruff guard or his retinue. He thought about simply retreating, and making his way into the city on the far bank by stealth. Perhaps they should have just done this, to begin with? However caution told Jhary his presence here and that of his companions had now been duly noted, and he was sure he would be detected in the Bridge eventually. There may be awful ramifications then. Sometimes the most difficult method of admission was the only one to take. He sighed unsure what to do.

“Look,” the gruff sentry continued somewhat with annoyance, “I can give you papers, but I need absolute proof you are not just run away slaves.”

Jhary looked awkwardly about him and back to the man before him. He set his guitar case and saddlebags slowly down before him on the scarred pavement. He put his hands slowly to his belt buckle, careful to not appear as though he would draw a weapon. The bard undid his belt and let his trousers fall about his knees, his shirt hem was all that preserved his dignity.

The man gazed intently at his exposed thighs, searching for a mark. There was nothing there to see.

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“All righty, you are a free man. What about you?” He pointed a rough finger at the swarthy Kario who had stood some distance behind. The blue-robed man stepped forward and dutifully lifted the fabric of his robe to expose both his thighs as well.

The guard then smiled lasciviously at Aurianne.

“Well I can see you belong to no one clearly in that outfit. Seems a waste.”

He shook his head. The guards ranged behind him laughed in unison, and Aurianne's hair prickled on the nape of her neck. Perhaps so soon she was envisioning what her mother disliked about the city after all? She had to admit the attitude of the men here bothered her rather extensively. They were nothing like the men of her village, helpful, understanding, and kind.

It had not been the young woman's original intention to go into the Bridge proper, however the advent of the black rain had put a rather large dent in her plans. Isabou must eat, and after witnessing the other mare's terrible demise Aurianne's entrance to the Bridge was now nonnegotiable.

Jhary hauled up his trousers, feeling waves of embarrassment as he re-buckled his belt, and retrieved his belongings from the roadway. He looked at the man hopefully.

“Perhaps papers can be found.” He said. “However you would need to make my effort worthwhile.”

Jhary sighed inwardly at this tangent but he had expected it. He was unsure just how much the man wanted in this exchange, he did not have nearly the resources he possessed before they had been captured and become the property of Master Jacques. Everything he previously owned but his guitar had been confiscated. Still, they were ahead, Jhary was just grateful at this moment that none of them had been branded. It could so easily have been a different story.

“Name your price,” Jhary inwardly winced as he said this, hoping he could pay.

“The man cast his eyes over Aurianne's fine mare. “What about the horse, you won’t be needing it in the city?”

Oh, how considerate, Jhary thought.

“No, I can’t part with my mare,” Aurianne replied stiffly. Holding Isabou's muzzle protectively, the horse blew soft breaths into her mistress' cupped hands. She was not going to part with her best friend, for the sake of another who had only hunted her.

“I see.” Said the man. “So do you want admission or not?”

“Well yes we do.” Jhary replied, fumbling for the contents of his gold purse, it was very empty, far lighter than he had hoped. He held out the remaining currency to the blunt man. The crusty, bearded head of the guard inspected the few remaining baubles carefully, seeming quite unimpressed, at last lifting his eyes, shifting them to Jhary's waist. The bard followed the tangent of the man’s gaze.

“What about your sword? The Bridge is a peaceable town, you would have no need of it there. Violence is heavily penalized.”

Jhary nodded, eager to seal the deal before the man changed his mind. The sword meant little to him after all, and they would need the few baubles he had saved to get food and shelter at least until he could play to a clientele. He unfastened the weapon in its holster and presented it to the man. The guardsman looked the blade over with an experienced eye and tucked it into his broad belt already brimming with weapons.

“We have a deal. Harold would you escort these visitors to the Commissioner, before the offices close?”

“Yes Sir.” The man replied.

“Remember your stay here should be very peaceful, failure to comply will see some very heavy penalties applied. Good day to you and good luck.”

Jhary nodded his thanks and the three made their way across the great steel span into the heart of the Bridge.

The evening was settling over the town. Shops were being closed and children were being called to dinner. However, there also seemed to be a small undercurrent of chaos here. Some streets were cordoned off, and the passers-by attempted to peer into the darkening recesses of these alleyways gleaning little. There were knots of what appeared militia forces, stationed at intervals in the streets. The Bridge though for the most part promised order and comfort.

It was not long before they reached a substantial tan-colored, double-story, stone building. The faded sign above the windows read‘Municipal Offices.’ The roof was clad in faded mint green iron that had seen better days. It was patched with mismatched metal in places. Their escort indicated they should tie Isabou to the only tree that grew from the footpath and enter. Aurianne felt difficulty with this and paused.

“No one will touch your horse or possessions here.” Harold reassured. “There are heavy penalties for theft here.”

Aurianne petted her mare and commanded Beauty to stay behind and protect her belongings. She departed still feeling disquiet even after Harold's stern assurances.

Candles were already burning in lamps throughout the institution. There were guards stationed inside, and on a brief exchange, Harold left his charges in the company of the guardsmen.

“Please leave all your weapons here, they will be returned to you after your interview.” The rather impersonal man had announced. Jhary hoped there would be no more bribes needed, he was precariously close to being a penniless pauper.

They left their weapons, and other possessions in the front room and were promptly escorted down a grand corridor that appeared to traverse the length of the building. Offices stood to either side glass doors tightly shut, windows dark.

The trio emerged into a very high vaulted room, where a clean-shaven man sat in a black and white uniform at a large raised desk in its center. There were rows of benches like the pews in a church, though there was no one seated there. To this man's side sat another individual, he was hunched over papers on a desk writing profusely in the fading light.

The man in the uniform looked up. He had on a cap, its black and white visor bearing the state emblem of a magpie bird. His short snowy hair was carefully barbered.

“Travelers, Commissioner Sir. Here to see about papers.” The man announced, his voice echoing in the large empty space.

“Thank you Ron.” His voice was deep, smooth, and authoritative, as though he was accustomed to vast bouts of public speaking. “Please guests take a seat.”

They did so on the wooden pew immediately in front of this man. A gold and black sign on the desktop proclaimed the name Commissioner Gary Davis. The other desk simply announced secretary.

“Welcome to the Bridge” He stated. “I am Commissioner Davis. I’d like to know your business here?”

Naturally, Jhary spoke up. “We are a traveling performing troupe Commissioner, and we are most delighted to be here.”

“I see.” Commissioner Davis raised his bushy black brows in an attitude of question under his visored cap and examined the trio closer. He was of neat appearance something of a rarity these days, though if one looked closely his once glorious state police uniform had seen better days. There were scratches on the bright silver buttons, and small black patches stitched into the once fine garment at the elbows and sleeves. Still, the man did present a strong representation of no-nonsense law and order. “Humor me with a short excerpt, would you?”

“Err most certainly Sir, but I would need my guitar.”

“Ron could you please retrieve this mans guitar from the lobby?”

“Yes Sir.”

There was an uncomfortable silence as the man strode away, boots squeaking on the shiny gray linoleum. Commissioner Davis sat silently, his hands folded closely observing the three companions until the guard had returned.

Jhary carefully extracted his twelve-string from its case and with very little ado began to play Led Zepplin’s ‘Stairway to Heaven.’ Commissioner Davis seemed clearly impressed. This indeed went far to breaking the ice. Even the gray-suited man at the secretary's desk had looked up with an approving smile.

“Very nice indeed, a fabulous rendition and all by memory too. So what do your friends here do?”

Kario fidgeted nervously, but Jhary did not give either of his companions the time to bask in difficulty.

“This Commissioner is my fiancee Aurianne, she is my assistant in my show, and this here is Kario and he does the magic acts.”

“Ah I see, I do look forward to seeing the entire show.”

“I shall see you and your family all receive complimentary admission.”The bard smiled one of his most winsome smiles and added a bow from the waist though he remained seated.

“Just one recommendation.” The Commissioner gazed across at Aurianne. You will find that your fiancee as lovely as she is would do well to wear more modest apparel here. And to all of you, I would caution you to remember there will be no disorder in my city.”

“Yes Commissioner, I will heed your advice.” Jhary acknowledged in his most dulcet tone.

“Provide them all with papers secretary.”

The balding, gray-suited man nodded and set to work, inscribing on the paper before him, melting red wax to create an official seal. He handed the trio the newly created documents. Jhary tried hard to suppress a chuckle. The official seal was no more than some generic Justice of the Peace, wax stamp.

“I suggest you lodge at the Four Roses. That way should we need you to answer any further questions we will know where to find you?”

“Thank you again Sir.” Jhary smiled one more time before the trio was directed away.

*****

A man had been tasked to show them the way. It was dark now, and the tired travelers were glad of a guide.

“I can’t believe he told me to cover up.”Aurianne fumed, though her voice was a whisper as she did not want anyone but Jhary to hear. “No wonder my mother didn't like the city. I feel like some kind of leper here.”

“Trust me Aurianne you are not, it’s simply...well it’s…”

“It’s what?”

Jhary sighed. “How do I put this. Well you are lovely, and well... very distracting for the male gender.”

“What! Boys and girls were all equals in my village.”

“Well yes, Aurianne that might be the case but your village is no more…”

Jhary stopped immediately knowing he had just put his entire boot in his mouth. Aurianne made an angry sound, she could not believe she was putting up with all this, just to get a manger of noncontaminated hay.