The Avenger Of Giza

CHAPTER 30

Back on the road to the broken bridge, Rakeh, Sakoh, Artecus and Isis kept sprinting on their horses like they were in a race. 

Only the moonlight illuminated the environment a little bit. The road was clear hence the reason why they were riding fast on their horses.

But they got to a junction where the road was covered with logs of wood, clothes, broken boxes and ruined chariots. Some people must have lost their lives on this path. 

It is as if the victims were ambushed by thieves or probably the Cytorex. There were also no signs of life in this area, only that of some bats flying around and other eerie sounds from wild birds deep in the forest on the sides of the roads.

The group immediately stopped their speed as they observed the terrible view in front. The sounds of the wild birds increased, they were no longer sounding like birds but like ghosts crying deep in the forest.

“This path looks dangerous, something must be here. We better…”

“I think we better slow down and ride our horse gently to the bridge”, Artecus unexpectedly interrupted what Rakeh was about to say.

“Oh! Interesting. That was exactly what I was going to say”, Rakeh responded with a fake smile to Artecus.

“Nah, Don't worry. We would all get to the broken bridge and cross it safely. Simply if you all follow my lead”, Artecus replied Rake confidently.

They all began riding slowly on their horses to avoid any accidents due to the dangerous materials on the road.

Sakoh immediately got irritated by what Artecus said earlier, 

“Follow your lead? I don't remember when that was mentioned in the plan”, Sakoh sharply countered Artecus

“It doesn't have to be in the plan. I can take you all safely, and we will pass the bridge; just stick to my words”, Artecus replied to Sakoh confidently again.

“Wow! So what makes you think you could guide us safely on this risky adventure?” Rakeh asked in a jesting tone.

“Well, probably because I'm the smartest in the group”, Artecus replied with a confident smile

“Because you know bedtime stories?” Sakoh asked sarcastically

“Look, if you're going to pass this kind of a dangerous road, you won't need needing axe and arrows, you will need wits and intelligence”, Artecus spoke boldly

Isis kept on riding her horse slowly as she watched the guys argue with themselves. Probably, staying focused is what would help them pass this horrible road. 

“Oh well, I think I agree. But we don't work that way here, brother, we employ teamwork. That's how we execute missions”, Sakoh explained to Artecus

“Really? But Tydeus is always the boss. He controls everything, that doesn't look like teamwork?” Artecus countered Sakoh's explanation

“Tydeus is the boss? Where exactly are you going to Artecus?” Sakoh asked Artecus again. It seems he is the only one who has Artecus's time.

“Listen, we are all good at what we know how to do best. And I believe we all have our different areas of strength when it comes to achieving complex things…”

“Therefore, putting only one person as the controller every time will only make the rest look like they are just sidekicks or even slaves”, Artecus buttressed his point.

“Hmm!” Rakeh, who had ignored Artecus, sighed scornfully and turned to him after hearing what he had just said.

“So you want to know why we let Tydeus take the lead every time, right?” Rakeh asked Artecus sarcastically

“Not that I want to know but…”

“You would have probably been a dead man by now; you know that, right?” Rakeh quickly interrupted Artecus.

“What do you mean?” Artecus asked curiously 

“If I were to be the only one in that bar that day, the gods know I wouldn't even move an inch to show any concern not to mention that I would interrupt the barbarians and fight against them to save you”,

“Tydeus, being a nice guy, forced me to get involved in that fight, and I did what I had to do. And now here you are asking me why I obeyed him to save your ass. What a twist?” Rakeh narrated to Artecus.

“Naaaah, Rakeh, you're getting me wrong; that is not what I was talking about. I just feel that we could always exercise our areas of strength as members of the team”

“Not every time, Tydeus! Tydeus!! Tydeus!!!” Artecus stated his point again.

“This guy!” Rakeh smirked and rode his horse to the front.

Isis, who had been speechless, remained calm on her horse as they passed the scattered road. They are about to climb the broken bridge.

“So are you done claiming your pissant point now?” Sakoh asked Artecus frivolously 

“Pissant? I know you're all going to think I'm crazy but deep down you all know what I mean”, Artecus replied

“Fine. But you're done, isn't it? I need to be sure because we are about to climb the broken bridge and we need to concentrate”, Sakoh said to Artecus again

“Concentrate? Concentration is an understatement for me actually”, Artecus responded sharply.

“You guy, are you a comedian or what? You think you're so smart?” Sakoh ridiculously questions Artecus.

“You should probably ask Tydeus why he said, you two can always handle the fighting part while I handle the part that has to do with wits”,

“It is because, I- am- smarter! And Tydeus himself knows that”,

“If we must cross a broken bridge. We are going to need someone who has outstanding knowledge in the study of construction, measurements, gravity and…”

“WATCH OUT!!!”

Isis unexpectedly shouted, interrupting Artecus's statement.

“You moron!” Rakeh also shouted as he immediately stretched his hand and pulled Artecus who was almost falling over the broken part of the bridge. 

Artecus’s horse instantly neighed, raising its two front legs as it noticed its rider was riding into a ditch over the broken bridge.

Artecus suddenly sucked air into his lungs in extreme shock, he could have just fallen and crashed into the deep trenches over the bridge. He just kept running his mouth, he didn't even realize they had climbed the bridge already.