The movement of every mage on the ship in unison was the most impressive part about the orders that Leon was giving. Out of everyone, it seemed that Leon had been doing the most to meet those that had been selected for the first ship.


    Since Walker had not seen Leon around too much, he had assumed that Leon had also been focused on training. However, he had not been training his body as much as his social skills. Leon had recognized that he didn''t need the harsh and strict strength that his father had as king of the merfolk. Instead, he could be even better with a fewpassionate words. A little time dedicated to meeting others.


    Su and her partner Alvaro were ahead of Walker. They had jumped from the ship and in to the first possible life boat. It seemed that Su wanted to get on the way even more than Walker had expected. "You are really throwing yourself in to the work. It''s impressive." Walker had to praise Su for her determination. However, he noticed the slight glint of sadness in her eyes before she refocused on therge rocks and soil that blocked the water flow.


    "Water mages, prepare to hold the current. You will move on Walker''smand. He will be freezing the water you control, do not resist!" Leon was sure that if the water mages tried to perfectly maintain a hold on the water as it froze that the freezing would slow.


    <o>,m The currents that some of the water mages might create to keep the water back were going to be tough to handle in the first ce. The main reason for this was that the more the water moved the warmer it might get. Everyone could understand the strength of friction and how it attracted the small bits of fire elemental mana that would stop something from freezing. It was why there was flowing water in some parts of Genesis and soon to be all parts of Genesis. Dwarven genius was to thank for that.</o>


    Walker let himself fall in to the water from the lifeboat. He watched the ship and knew that the wall of ice would nearly cover the entirety of the ship. Leon would be able to barely see over it but that would give them enough time to move many of the rocks with magic. It might take five or six tries if they were to be slow with it. But with an ice wall, it could only take twice to move everything.


    After that, the earth mages could focus on the river banks. They would be able to use their skills to move the earth so that it would not be copsing again. Add in Walker''s earth sculpting skills and they might be able to make more dependable structures until the dwarves could create an outpost here. It would be ideal to have the outpost here so that they could keep an eye on a dangerous part of the river more often. It would be dangerous for merchants and travelers if they didn''t.


    "Listen closely. Once the ice is formed, I will have to focus on it with all I have. The water mages can help you use water to cut the stones in to pieces. From there, move them to the side. Once they are on the bank we can worry about themter. Just work fast and don''t hold back. The water can''t stay in ce for long." Walker kept everyone clear on what he could and could not do. Holding back a force of nature indefinitely was just impossible.


    "Ready!" Walker felt the mana gathering around him. The water mages had worked together before. It was verymon for the elven water mages to work in teams to get things done. This was a veryrge aspect of their magical culture. It had also affected Genesis for the better since it encouraged more mages to work together more often.


    Feeling therge mass of water elemental mana was enough for Walker to keep hold of. He was using the natural mana that Fleur and he gathered to keep a rope around it that he could tighten and take ahold of. This felt strange to him because he was not the one gathering the water mana. However, he would be the one changing its form in a moment to create ice.


    But, Walker had worked together before with other mages, so when he took a deep breath to shout for the water mages to move, he was not hesitant at all. "Now! Hold the water back!" It was a good thing that the water flowed slowly in this portion of the river. It made it much easier to hold the water back.


    The sudden surge of water caused the lifeboats to shake for a moment but Walker had already lowered himself in to the water. He felt the sand of the river bed sooner than expected which prompted him to grab ahold of the water elemental mana. "Fleur, now!" The bond he had with Fleur red in to life as the two used the natural mana to expand their control. The ice dragon domain skill was forced to flow forward toward the wall of water only.


    "Out of the boats and start moving those rocks! The soil and sand can wait!" Su''s orders were prompt. She would not waste a second even though the ice wall was still forming.


    Slowly, the water mages dropped off as they felt that the water elemental mana they controlled was lost to them. The water was freezing and less and less of them were needed. The idea to create this ice wall as a dam simr to a beaver was working exactly as nned. There was a growing chill in the air but it was proof of their sess.


    Cracking and crumbling sounds came from behind Walker before he heaven knew that the earth mages had organized. Su was leading them with Alvaro. The grand earth spirit hade out of the spirit mark and formed an earth shield with Su. the pair mmed the earth shield in to the soft mucky sand of the river bed.


    In moments, arge spike of solid rock had been pushed up in to the air while moving therger boulders. In a blink of an eye, they would crumble again. This constant action cost Su and Alvaro more mana than they wanted but it was also gathering incredible amounts of earth elemental mana that helped the earth mages work faster.


    Small stress cracks formed around the ice wall as Walker realized just how terrifying the water pressure of a river was. It was not something small to hold back and the natural mana wanted to flow instead of stay still. It was just how nature worked, it couldn''t be held back for long. "Less than a minute before I have to release the water!" Walker was thankful that fish and other animals were able to remain in the extremely shallow pools that had been created when he stopped the water. But when he released it, they would have more water than the rainy season.


    "Back in to the boats! Water mages anchor them in ce!" Walker''s shout was a little garbled because of the mental stress holding the ice wall in ce. However, he managed to shout it loud enough that every single earth and water mage moved as they were told.


    In just a moment, the earth mages had managed to get in to the lifeboats. The few that weren''t were grabbed by others and dragged up in to the boats. Walker clearly saw Su out of the corner of his eye grab an earth mage and toss him in to a boat. It was a reminder not to make her angry because she was much tougher than she looked.


    Walker was the only one that was not in a boat but was confident that he could keep himself safe. Just as the cracks in the ice expanded, Walker released his hold and formed a small dome of ice just around him. The sudden rush of water returned the river to the normal flow minus the fact that a small wave traveled down the river.


    This was a good thing though. The small wave was able to wash some of the soil and sand down the river that was causing them issues here. It would evenly distribute the new nutrients to the river as well further helping it develop and grow. Overall, it was a small bonus for the monsters and animals living in the river.


    While Walker remained under the water in his little ice dome, he heard the shouts of water mages gathering. They were dull but he had confidence that he would be able to work well to make the second ice wall. The clearing of the path was going along without a hitch!


    …..


    ….