@spellsandscandals
Mercy was not afraid of the lake. In her time at Windermere, it had broken its banks only twice, but even then, the waters had barely reached the gardens of the estate. This time was different. The locals and the new settlers from Tulkhot were hastily preparing for the season, and she was still adjusting to life with her new husband. No one saw the storm on the horizon until it was too late.
Mercy was not afraid of the lake, but when she saw the way it raged like the open ocean, she did fear for her home. The waters broke the banks in the dark hours of the morning and rushed towards the estate and the surrounding village. The castle occupants had acted quickly, River's barking waking them before the flood waters hit, likely saving their lives. The evacuation was so rushed that people fled with nothing but the clothes on their backs. She had left Leo to ensure that everyone got out safely, "be safe," she had said, as she'd squeezed his hand so tightly she'd thought she might break it. He had promised, and then she was wading through the flooded gardens towards the stables, River at her side.
The horses had been terrified, water gathering at their hooves as they fussed in their stalls. It didn't take much to free them; as soon as their stall doors were opened, they bolted, instinctively searching for higher ground. All but Brooke, her ever-faithful mare, who watched her expectantly, like she'd been waiting for her. There was no time to saddle her properly, Mercy looping a worn rope bridle over the mare's head before deftly pushing herself up onto her back and urging her out of the quickly-flooding stables.
She guided her mare through the floodwaters to higher ground, a crest that sat between the bounds of the village and the grounds of the estate. The other horses had made their way there and were being calmed by some of the castle staff. Mercy could see her people, frightened, soaked to the bone, but all accounted for and alive. All but one. "Where's the duke?" she asked the crowd, her throat growing tight with panic, "where is my husband?!" A little girl pushed her way through the crowd, clutching a knitted doll. "He went back to check the village!" her shrill voice cut through the air, "to make sure everyone made it out." But Mercy barely heard the last part of the sentence, turning towards the village path, Brooke's pace picking up into a canter as they rushed towards the village.
leonid was afraid of the lake. the thrashing water, the deep, dark emptiness of it all. the way it could swallow someone whole until it seemed as if they'd never existed. leonid was afraid of the lake. he had not told his wife. on those nights where a storm would cloud over them and the rain fell a little too hard, he would turn over, grip his pillow and close his eyes, trying not to drown in his memories. he had felt a coldness in his bones the night before it all happened. a dread ate at him, but he hadn't known why. not until river awoke them with her barking, alerting them to the storm. to the rushing currents, the way it headed to their home and their village like it was determined to swallow them all. it had taken mercy a second to get his attention, his fear threatening to incapacitate him, but they quickly snapped into action. he hadn't want to leave her. he almost didn't let her go, the memory of his sister scaring him to death. what if the water captured her too? but then she was gone, and the look in her eyes.. make sure they are safe. it moved him and he forced his feet to turn away from her towards the village. fortunately, the village was full of action when he arrived. it wasn't as hard as he thought to lead them to safety, to a higher area where the water wouldn't get to them. he paced back and forth as they all huddled together, dripping and cold. he used his charisma magic to help calm some of the more frightened ones, especially the children. his shirt was stuck to his skin, his teeth chattering, but he didn't let his fear show. not in front of them. "alfie!" a kid's cries had his head swiveling. a familiar young girl was sobbing in her mother's arms. had he missed someone? he headed over and the parents informed him that they hadn't been able to find their dog in time before having to evacuate. he imagined river being stuck, and his wife being distraught and immediately he dove into action, sprinting towards the village in the direction of their home. he had visited there once, to deliver food that mercy had made for them. he remembered the pup well, river had gotten along with him so well they'd been sad to part. "my lord!" he heard cries of panic as he turned away from the crowds of scared people. scared but safe. "i will be back!" he shouted from afar, his boots hitting muddy, wet ground. it took a few minutes to find the house. they all looked similar in that area, and the water rising around him made it hard to see, the wind heavy and the rain pelting down. he held an arm up to shield his eyes and his ears caught the sound of whining. he followed the faint sound until he found alfie in the shed behind the home, clearly having hidden there in fear. the door was damaged and a few blows with his shoulder knocked it down. the roof had caved in a bit, but the dog wasn't hurt. alfie barked upon seeing leo and he smiled. "come on, someone's waiting for you." he held open the door with his side and the dog ran out, in the direction of the crowds vaguely visible atop the hills near his home. and then the shed's roof buckled, and the whole thing came tumbling down.
