Day 161: Monkeying around

     With the issue that appeared before us yesterday, we rose before the sun was able to peak over the horizon. During what would be called "early breakfast" we established a plan that would help us get over to the far side of the bridge, but it relied on two things, one of which was reliant on the other. Firstly, and most importantly, we hoped that beneath the main drawbridge sections there were plumb lines that remained vertical regardless of the drawbridge angle. Then, based on the assumption that this bridge possessed them, we would need the drawbridge to be lowered, on both sides so that we could use them to get across. However we would need to establish if it was possible to pass underneath the bridge first. Yesterday I had spotted a wooden walkway strung out beneath the support struts, suggesting this was idea was likely to work. However to send everyone across in one go without prior knowledge of what was further ahead was suicide.

"For one we can't guarantee the walkway can support our weight, let alone that of eight others. Sending one or two for a preliminary test would be better than everyone, and we're likely to reach a solution faster too."

"Well we had better decide who's going to test the walkway quickly before the sun comes up. We can't guarantee that we'll remain hidden, and that's even less so when it's dawn. Hopefully we can see what we're up against by the time it starts to get brighter."

We eventually decided that it would be best for UOPETA and myself to go across. After finishing up with our meal, we set off back towards the towers, only this time we navigated our way down to the bank of the water and hugged the shore to remain out of sight. We couldn't take any chances at all at being seen, and hopefully the elevation of the towers was sufficient to keep us hidden. As we made our way North along the bank, the bridge struts slowly emerged from the dark, the main platform fully illuminated above. Once we were close enough, the walkway was visible below, stringing between the support struts, possibly to allow for maintenance. The only way to get across to one of the struts however was to cross a small patch of ice. I was never comfortable crossing over icy surfaces, hence why I had been a little overcautious when we had to cross the large ice crossing some weeks previous. UOPETA went first to test the ice, and easily managed to get across without any ominous cracking sounds. He then gestured for me to follow him, and trying to remember his exact foot placement, I went across. I made it with the same level of success, and seemed a little too happy about reaching the strut, despite the current situation.

"Right, we'll need to see whether this can take the weight of one person first, before we both try and cross. Once we've established how strong these are, we can head to the far end and check the drawbridge section."

We had to whisper in case there were any guards crossing the section of bridge above us, and we didn't want to alert them to our presence. Especially when we had nowhere to retreat to. The lapping of the water against the concrete struts was likely to be loud enough to mask our voices, but it was better to be safe than sorry. UOPETA turned away from me and leaned against the main leg of the strut, whilst shuffling across to the wooden boards of the walkway. Looking a little unsure to begin with, he placed a foot onto the first section of wood, and slowly applied more pressure. Shifting his weight, he was practically standing on one leg, still supported by the strut, before stepping back off again. Gaining a better grip, he then slammed his foot quickly and harshly onto the surface, causing me to flinch in response! It was totally unexpected, and I expected to hear sounds of wood splintering, followed by splashing as the walkway fell apart. Surprisingly however the walkway remained intact and didn't falter at all. UOPETA turned back to me with a surprised look on his face.

"No better way to test this then..."

He stepped forward the entire way, placing both feet onto the walkway, and began to walk forward. The wooden boards held his weight well, not even bowing slightly when he reached the central point. When he got across to the second strut, he ushered me forwards. Still dubious about the integrity of the wooden boards, I was careful on my way across, but was surprised how solid it felt underfoot. Reaching UOPETA on the far side, we continued across the small section to the far side of the strut.

"Right then, that's that bit proved. Let's hope the rest of our assumptions prove accurate, and we can be over this bridge before the end of the day!"

In single file, we began to make our way across the walkways leading under the main bridge platform. I decided that it would be safer to go one by one on each walkway, just in case. As we pressed on, a large body of water opened out in front of us, where the sea of struts began to dwindle, until we reached the final one. Looking out West across the water, we could just about make out the shadow of the strut on the far side of the drawbridge, and looking up, we could see the two moving sections currently at a 45 degree or so.

"Look! The plumb lines that we predicted! They run from the strut to the tip of the drawbridge section. When the drawbridge closes, they would meet in the middle and create a method of getting across. Brilliant!"

Looking up, UOPETA grabbed hold of the plumb line above and yanked hard. It didn't budge, but not finished yet, he then grabbed it with both hands and began swinging on it, his legs free in the air. I didn't know whether to laugh or pull him him down, so in the end I suggested we head back to the others. Jumping back to the strut, he dusted his hands off, looking back one more time.

"Yes, you're right. We need to pass on the good news."

Syeonyx signing off