We hadn’t run fast enough.
Princess Helena let out a very unprincesslike curse and a squeak.
Prince James swore aloud but didn’t stop moving, just hustled us both higher. “Run, run, we’re almost at the top!”
We were—it was so close I could almost taste freedom. If we could just reach it before the rush of water trapped us, then we’d be fine. My calves burned like a fire, but I pushed my body forward, telling my legs to suck it up. Rather this than dead!
Finally, finally, I reached the top of the hill, my shoes soaking wet and slippery on the cobblestone, but I kept my footing. Barely.
A cheer went up from the people already on the hill and I was perplexed for a moment. Why cheer?
Oh, wait, the mages! The mages must be on scene!
I turned sharply, nearly lost my balance, and clung to Prince James’s arm as I looked frantically about.
Even to my layman’s eyes, it was obvious the mages had arrived. Multiple overlapping shields sprung into place, forcing the seawater to a dead halt. The magical shields were iridescent—hard to see at this range—but their effect was obvious. All the Wrath’s swells were abruptly checked, forced to a stop against the shields’ surfaces. Little spurts still forced their way through—I could see the spray—but it was nothing compared to the deluge of water that had been pouring in before. Horrified, I watched the water level rise against the shields, like a glass filling. The water was so high, in fact, that it topped the tallest building, the clock tower. If even one of those shields went, the city would be consumed.
Between one breath and the next, like magic, the wall of water pressing against the shields slowly started to drain away in a gradual retreat. I had no idea what the mages were doing, but it was effective. The water no longer loomed oppressively. It would most likely take a couple of hours for the sea to fully settle—the Wrath was nowhere near over—but we were no longer in immediate danger. Relief staggered me.
Despite the quick reaction of the mages, ample destruction still awaited us. Multiple buildings had slid off their foundations, ruined carriages were tossed on their sides, and obvious signs of things floated about in the water, like barrels gotten loose from a store. The damage was already awful, spreading out over the entire market area. The water hadn’t climbed all the way up this hill, though, so it hadn’t taken out the entire district, at least.
Shit, all the wooden buildings and vendor setups on the street had been washed away. Even a few brick buildings were teetering. If the full amount of water had hit, nothing of the market would still exist.
I checked on the people still coming up the hill, but they were all safe too; wet from the waist down, but all right. Sir Pedan was helping one lady all the way up the hill.
Prince James demanded into his ring, “Royce? Answer me, dammit, Royce!”
“I’m here, I’m fine, we’re all on the rooftop of the hospital. The water didn’t reach us.”
Phew, so the second prince wasn’t harmed.
“I can’t talk, I’ve got patients to help. Just send someone with a boat to fetch me at some point. Oh, and send food.”
Prince James snorted. “Yeah, you’re fine if you’re demanding things. I’ll send you relief and help as soon as I can.”
“Thanks.”
My thoughts spun like mad, trying to remember just how much damage the last Wrath had done. There had been a rippleeffect along the coastline for miles and miles in either direction. I had a feeling we’d been caught in the middle, and I hoped it hadn’t been worse in other areas. The majority of places along the coastline weren’t proper towns, just fishing villages with very limited shielding in place.
Prince James must have been thinking along the same lines, as he lifted the ring to his lips once more. “I need a status check on the rest of our coastal towns. Let’s make sure we don’t have casualties. Get mages out there to drain the water if necessary.”
This time, I heard the reply better. “We’re already on it, Your Highness.”
“Thank you.” Dropping his hand, he looked about, first at me, his eyes askingare you all right?
I gave him a nod. Wet, but all right.
Then he turned his head to the left, checking on Princess Helena. “Okay?”
“I am, fortunately. But James…” Her eyes scanned the area below us. “There’s so much debris, so much…and everyone’s displaced now.”
Based on the depth of the water, much of my neighborhood was affected. My parents’ office was likely under water at this point, as well as their house. I hoped and prayed no one had been home. I’d have to find my family in all of this, make sure they were alright, and had somewhere to go if their house had been hit like mine. They were well versed in how to handle a Wrath, though. I trusted in their good judgement. I’d just feel better when I got to hug them.
My house had probably been hit too. Located a little lower on this very hill, three streets over, the image of what my first floor must look like traumatized me to the extreme. My library on the main floor was surely trashed by now.
Nimus preserve me, mybooks.
I hid the thought behind a grimace and resolved to think of that later.
