‘They’re too heavy!’ Kyphos urged. ‘We’re the only ones here. We have to get out of the city!’

The sorceress reached inside and grabbed the first of the heavy volumes, struggling with it as she gave it to Kyphos’s unwilling hands. He hefted its weight, knowing that even he would struggle to carry it.

Zara reached inside once more, but Kyphos grabbed her and stared directly into her face; this time he didn’t relent. ‘You are not listening to me. Surely you realize we’re in danger?’

She suddenly looked around as if waking from a dream. The blood drained from her face. ‘The spell. Something’s happening.’ She looked at the book still in the chest.

‘Leave it,’ Kyphos hissed. ‘I’ll take this for you, but there is no way you can carry the other.’

She hesitated, but then nodded. ‘You speak sense. Come on.’

Clutching the tome to his chest, Kyphos now followed as Zara led the way, and together they ran out of the vault, but it wasn’t until they came to the level of the cages and heard the howling wind that they both started sprinting. They dashed along the long passageway and through the golden door until they came to the sloping corridor and finally burst free of the tower.

The wind felt as if it was coming from all directions, first pushing them one way, then the other. Moving against it was difficult, but at least the towering waves on both sides were still holding. Sea spray filled the air, shrouding the city below in gusts of salt water.

‘We need to get to safety!’ Kyphos called above the wind, struggling to carry his burden.

They rushed down the steps, but then Zara made a cry of surprise. Following her gaze, Kyphos saw a figure in dark clothing near a large block of stone, trying to rise to his feet against the pressure of the gusts. ‘The king!’ Kyphos cried.

He threw himself against the flurries of air that felt like solid punches, reaching the king’s side and setting the book down. The king was panting, eyes half-closed as he tried to stand.

‘Sire, what happened?’

‘Woman with a wind staff,’ Palemon gasped.

Turning, Kyphos scanned the area, looking up toward Widow’s Peak but seeing nothing. He now looked down into the city, and his eyes widened when for a moment the spray cleared. Fighting the fierce gale, dragons were swooping at the buildings. The creatures snapped at something hidden in the structures.

‘The dragons will do what they need to,’ Kyphos said. ‘Zara, help me with the king.’

Working together, they lifted him up, one on either side of him. Kyphos suddenly felt a sharp pinch on his arm and saw Zara pointing at the tome on the step. Scowling, he bent and picked it up, struggling to help his king and hold the heavy book to his chest.

‘Come on,’ Kyphos grunted.