Off the road

The trip was long, the road rugged. Deadly creatures lurked around every bend.
So if you were willing to risk life and limb, the pay was excellent.
"I requested a dozen guards!" The woman's voice was a shrill shriek, a lot like a harpy's. She was a soft sort, this noblewoman.
"A smaller escort will attract  less attention." Jared said, in that calm tone he always used with our customers.
"I should cut your pay in half." Her lip twisted in an unladylike snarl, further solidifying her resemblance to a harpy. Jared gave a polite smile, and motioned to the rest of us.
"Rupert and Steven are excellent scouts, while Thomas, Maria, Audrey, and myself are capable of protecting you from nearly everything the road could bring."
"Nearly everything?" The woman did a good job hiding most of her fear. It was a good skill to have on the road. Jared nodded, his smile fading.
"There are some things that even a hundred guards couldn't stand against. We simply do our best to get everyone through safely." The woman frowned, then turned and climbed into her carriage. Turning to us, Jared shook his head. "Alright, you all know what to do."
We moved into position. Rupert moved ahead, scouting for any dangers, while Thomas and Maria took the carriage's left. Jared and I took the right, and Steven fell back to watch for dangers from behind.
If all went well, we'd only have a few harpies and perhaps an ogre.
The carriage moved slowly. It had it, with all the potholes and ruts in the road. No portion of the road was ever smooth for more than a day, despite all that the royal family has tried to do. Most people went along the southern road, which although it was a longer trip, had a smooth road and fewer dangers.
But then there were those like this noblewoman. Inpatient to reach the capital, or ignorant of how dangerous this road was, or simply looking for a thrill. I'd seen all kinds of crazy.
Of course, they only took this road once.
So maybe I was the crazy one.
About half an hour in, Rupert appeared from the brush ahead. "Two harpies, about five minutes down the road." Jared nodded, and gave a twittering whistle.
Taking an arrow from my quiver, I moved ahead of the carriage, catching sight of Thomas moving up as well.
We'd only have one chance before they call for the flock.
Turning cautiously around the bend, I lifted my bow and aimed. My target was an old bird, with ratty feathers and barely any hair. I counted down, then drew and released.
My arrow flew true, and the harpy fell, and its companion fell to Thomas's arrow.
It was then that I noticed what had drawn the harpies to the ground.
"Wyrm!" I shouted, drawing an arrow. These wingless dragons were horrible, ravenous monsters. Preying on nearly everything but harpies, a wyrm would easily crush the carriage.
Aiming for the eyes, I loosed.
And ran into the brush.
A grating hiss and the crashing of foliage signaled that the wyrm had taken the bait.
Now I just had to lead it away from the carriage. Then kill it before it ate me.
And then find my way back to the others and collect a bonus.
I paced myself, since wyrms are not very fast. Persistent, and with a bite that would sap my energy faster than a siren's song. But not fast.
I needed something better than my bow and belt knife.
A rushing roar sounded ahead, and I grinned.
When traveling around the road, you never went near any flowing water.
Because it always held some sort of creature.
I slowed, allowing the wyrm to get closer as the sound of water grew louder.
When it came into view, I almost stopped.
The river vanished into a misty waterfall, and far below I could see a huge lake. Best of all, a conveniently-placed bridge began a short ways upriver. It was probably a trap, but I'd take it.
Moving toward the bridge, I heard the wyrm crash into the open behind me. I didn't have to look back to know it followed, but the urge was hard to resist.
It was certainly an ugly brute. Mottled green scales and stout, knobbly legs. Though its head was the worse, looking like it had been crushed by a carriage wheel. My arrow stuck out of the thick skin at the corner of the eye.
I reached the bridge, and waited.
Closer.
Closer.
Now!
I leaped onto the bridge as the wyrm lunged at me. Racing along slick boards, I stumbled as the entire bridge dipped down.
"Congratulations Audrey, you got a wyrm on the bridge. Now what?"
Snap.
Shocking cold enveloped me. Gripped by the current, I gasped for a breath as my head broke the surface. Something large and scaly slammed into me.
The wyrm.
Reaching, I pushed away from the creature.
And suddenly, we were free.
Falling, with water and mist all around.
The waterfall!
Between the water's roar and the mist, I couldn't tell when I'd hit the lake.
There was a sound like a whinny, and something furry hit me.
And I fainted.