He skidded to a stop near me but only said “Get ready to move” before focusing on James and cupping both hands around his mouth. “Your Highness!”
I ran to open the gate, as I was absolutely certain that no matter what Rowan said next, James was going to fly out of here.
The next words out of Captain Rowan’s mouth chilled me. “The warehouse is on fire!”
I nearly tripped over my own feet and my head snapped around. “Which warehouse?”
“King’s Paper,” Captain Rowan said loudly enough James could hear as well. “The one outside the city.”
James’s face was a caricature of surprise and horror. My heart broke for him instantly, because I knew how badly this would impact him. King’s Paper was his pride and joy. How had this even happened?
Nimus preserve me, a warehouse full of paper—would anything even be left?
James turned Titan about and urged him through the corral gate. I lifted a hand, signaling I wanted on board, as he absolutely wasn’t leaving without me.
Realizing the obvious, Captain Rowan hastily followed me. “Wait, Your Highness. Wait! The knights will be ready to go in another minute at most!”
“Then catch up,” he ordered in a black, flat tone, even as he kicked a foot free of the stirrup.
Taking the hand he offered, I used the free stirrup to scramble on board. Not gracefully—I wasn’t used to riding—but I managed. He waited only long enough for me to be seated, my arms tight around his waist, and then he put heels to Titan’s sides and the horse took off like a shot.
I heard the knights yelling at each other to hurry up, then the clattering of hooves behind us as someone took off after us. I didn’t dare look, my entire being focused on just staying on. This saddle wasn’t meant for two. I was perched awkwardly on the cantle—my only true seat was my hold on James and Titan. Godsabove and below, this horse couldmove. It was like Vuheia had given him wings.
Even with the other knights putting saddles on horses ahead of breaking the news, they didn’t even come close to catching up until we were out of the palace’s gates. James had to slow his pace because we were traveling along city streets, but still, Titan flew. The sound of his hooves striking cobblestones filled the air with a thunderous cacophony, and more than one person looked to see the source of the noise before wisely scrambling, putting their backs to a building.
We fortunately weren’t going into the heart of the city but rather along its outskirts, as the new warehouse had been built there some three years ago. It had opened up many employment opportunities, and I remembered a childhood friend being hired there. Shit, were they still working there?
Were they there now?
Please let no one I cared about be hurt by this madness. I prayed fervently to Nimus my wish. Surely a paper warehouse fell under his purview.
I smelled the scene before my eyes could lay hold of it. The acrid scent of smoke lay thick, and billowing black clouds poured into the sky dead ahead.
There were many warehouses in this area, and all of them were pouring out workers, people forming lines with buckets at the nearby well. We passed them as they worked hard to keep the fire from spreading to the other warehouses.
James lifted his signet ring to his mouth, and over the noise of shouting and the roaring sound of the fire, I could pick out a few words. He was ordering mages on-site to put the fire out. Smart. Yes, only magic could really keep this fire from spreading and taking out half the city.
Then we turned the corner, with the warehouse coming fully into view, and my heart broke all over again.
This washorrendous.
The fire was so hot it beat at my skin, unrelenting. My skin grew uncomfortably tight over my bones, but I barely registered the sensation. Instead, my eyes took in this massive warehouse, standing three stories tall and taking up most of a city block, covered entirely in open flames.
Multiple bucket brigades lined up on all sides, pouring water onto the flames, but it was like pouring a single grain of sand into an ocean and expecting it to somehow become a desert. Each bucket had no real impact on the fire itself. The effort seemed a hopeless case, even from here.
Titan slowed to a stop, snorting and prancing in place. No doubt the horse didn’t like to be this close to the open flames, and I could not blame him. I leaned forward to look at James’s face, only to find silent tears streaming down his cheeks. I knew he’d take the destruction badly, and I was not happy to be proven right. I hugged him tighter, offering what solace I could.
One person saw his approach and immediately turned, running toward him. Rhody didn’t look at all happy, soot covering her skin, her honey-blond hair in a tangle about her head. “James!” Her usual melodious voice sounded cracked and broken, likely from the smoke inhalation. “Get a mage here, now!”
“I’ve already called for several, they’re on their way,” he assured her. “Rhody, whathappened?!”
“Shidteus’s balls, I wish I had a good answer for you! Some godforsaken asshole just blasted through with two torches in either hand and lit fire to everything he could before running out again. I had a man chase after him, so maybe they caught him. We can only hope. Someone has to pay for this!”
I agreed with her. Someone had to pay. I’d dearly love to know who was behind it. James had rocked many a boat sincehis adoption, so it was anyone’s guess on who was behind the arson.
But I’d figure it out. Even if it meant overturning every rock looking for the scumbag responsible. That I swore.
“Did everyone get out?”
