1.
Mogale Central's borders lay before Fury in the form of a river, too large and too wide to swim. The bank put her off. Only there was nothing, but white sand held by roots.
"We should find a bridge." Fury said, turning down the path.
"Why? The trees on both sides are close enough to jump." Brook asked.
Fury looked up the trees of Mogale Central were large but not particularly. Only a few were meter thick straight across. The lower hanging branches didn't have much. They'd have to cross one at a time and, even then, there was nothing but air between the two, no cushion of overhanging branches to hang on to.
It would be jump or drown.
The trees were literally greener on the other side. Just the right type of tree. The smallest with the diameter of fix to six meters.
A safe landing awaited.
Fury looked back at her comrades, to her disappointment they looked game. As if their very livelihoods weren't dangerous enough. It was already taboo that the two largest weren't in charge and both Blade and Ferry were particularly game.
Fury forced a smile.
"Good idea, Brook. Jump first, followed by Winter, then Ferry will follow, then Sabre, Ashley, Sheila, Hydra, myself, Hawk and finally Blade will go last."
She got awkward stares and shuffling back.
"What?"
"Shouldn't I go first?" Winter asked.
"Why?" Fury asked, crossing her arms, which considering their size, took manoeuvring.
"Because I'm the lightest."
"That's a reason for you to go last, do not question my logic. Brook is my most talented tree jumper, if not tree climber. If she cannot jump, none of us can. Also, you, Winter, go second because you are the lightest and easiest to pull out of the water if the branch work fails, also" She added, feeling momentum gaining as all eyes fell intently on her. "If that branch breaks when Ferry climbs, I want Brook to have aid on the other side, Nyandeni is IiHagu territory. The IiHagu eat our kind."
"What's Winter going to do if there's trouble with the IiHagu people?" Ferry said with a snort.
Fury ignored him, too much time had passed for her liking. Midday was two hours ago. It didn't leave much time for them to make their way through Nyandeni before resting. Not that there'd be much rest.
"Brook take some of Ferry's armour, Winter take his other bags. We'll be watching." Fury growled.
They worked quickly with Winter spurred on by Ferry's words.
Curious thoughts swirled in Fury's head and were given dimension and colour. The waters reminded her of crocodile dens, only proper kill zones were teaming with life; deer, bushbuck, buffalo, cows and the real big game; the elephants, the three horns and bigger. They knew the danger but drank anyway because, although drinking water would get some killed, thirst would kill all.
The day was hot, something should have been drinking. Why was there nothing?