Rust

Tali Matthenson grabs for something solid and finds the wood deck, his body slamming into the understructure of the bridge, hanging by the strength of his fingers. Above him is the world of man, below him a violent river.
Above, an uncle in the service of the empire.
Below, the coming of a dragon.
Tali dangles in air as a wind buffets him against the bridge, loosening his fingernail grip. He feels the deck slipping from his fingers and he knows that he will fall.