Chapter XVI, XVII, XVIII Summary

In Chapter XVI, four days away from Culhaven, the little company arrives at a gorge known as the Wedge. Foraker slips away to explore, then returns to say the bridge across is guarded and secured by Gnomes. The group is shocked, because they had thought this part of the country was still safe to cross, protected by Dwarves. Avoiding the bridge, however, would add at least three days to their journey. They scout the area to formulate a plan. On the near side of the bridge are many Gnomes and a campsite. At the far end, a dozen more Gnomes stand guard. Foraker explains that Dwarves build bridges with pins that can be removed to destroy them if necessary. They agree that Garet Jax will sneak across under the bridge, then kill the guards on the other...