49 Chapter 49 Waves of Fury (2/2)

”Earthquake,” whispered Vonn in horror. ”Quick, climb down!”

Gia struggled to speed up her descent as the rock under her bounced and shook underneath her. How she managed to keep her grip, she had no idea. Then the rope went tight. They were at the last of the rope, literally.

”Gia, this rock could give way at any moment, we need to untie and climb down,” panted Vonn as the ground seemed to stop shaking and calmed down.

She reached down for the rope at her waist, and struggled not to slip. They couldn't be that far from the ground. She had only a little way to go. Pulling the end of the rope, that released her completely, she started climbing down when things started shaking again.

”Climb!” screamed Carla.

Gia rushed and slipped, falling only a few feet as Vonn tumbled after her, pulling the rope quickly. The others had the bags and were already making their way along the rocks. Helping her off the ground, Vonn grabbed up the rope and they hurried to catch up.

”Is the earthquake going to make another big wave?” asked Gia, panting as they ran.

”I don't know, but it could,” said Vonn.

”Do we need to climb up the cliff again?” she asked, looking ahead to see a more gradual incline.”

”Carla! Go up the mountain more!” called Vonn, pointing towards the incline.

She steered Tom and Mikey towards the incline as Gia and Vonn caught up with them. The climb was difficult, as Tom couldn't see what they were climbing over, and everyone was sore and tired.

Reaching the top, where the land started to level off, Gia looked around. There were a few trees they could use, and if any rocks gave way, they would be safe. A rumble from behind them, drew their attention back from where they had been earlier. They all watched as the side of the mountain came down, destroying the little cave they had stayed in the night before.

The water was starting to withdraw again.

”There's going to be another big wave,” said Mikey.

”Let's get into the trees,” said Vonn. ”We can tie ourselves in them to keep the water from washing us off the mountainside.”

”More ropes,” sighed Carla, guiding Tom over to the trees.

”These don't look very secure,” said Gia, once they were close enough to see them better.

”The roots probably don't go very deep,” agreed Vonn with a sigh. ”We don't have much of a choice, though.”

”Look!” cried Mikey, pointing further south, towards the cleft they had been heading towards.

Figures were rushing towards them, trailing long reptilian tails behind them as they ran.

”Quick, where's the scales?” asked Vonn, diving for the bags.

”In my bag,” said Carla, pulling her bag off so Vonn could dig through it.

Pulling out a scale, he held it up for the incoming lizardmen to see.

”Come! Quickly!” cried the lizardman in a rough voice, waving at them. ”It's not safe here!”

They grabbed their bags and Gia grabbed one arm, while Vonn grabbed Tom's other. Between the two of them, they were able to move faster than the blind man would have otherwise been able to move over the rough terrain.

The roar of the water as it approached the land had them moving even faster. One of the lizardmen picked up Mikey when he stumbled, and threw him over his shoulders to be able to keep running. As the water reached their cliff, the ground underneath them started rumbling again.

Gia couldn't tell if it was from the water hitting the ground, or if it was another earthquake. All she focused on was placing each foot in front of the other as quickly as she could, while keeping a tight grip on her father who was trying the best he could to keep on his feet, and following the lizardman in front of them who was leading them up another incline. As water lapped against her heels, she spotted the village they were rushing towards. The moment they stepped through the gates, a tall lizardman slammed his staff down on the ground, and a magical barrier stopped the water that had reached that far.

Turning as she panted, trying to catch her breath, and holding her side where a sharp pain had erupted, Gia saw that the water had really made it that far at all, but another wave was approaching that was even bigger.

”Oh dear,” whispered Carla as it crashed into the cliff they had just left.

The barrier held back the water, but Gia wasn't sure how.