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Chapter 143
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The Birthright Series Chapter 144
BY THE TIME THEY ARRIVED back at the castle, it was dark. Elena, Yakov, and Lieutenants Ignatius and Patel waited for them with sombre expressions. Cat had barely spoken the entire time. Alek could sense the guilt weighing on her and he knew from experience that there was little he could do about it.He caught her when she slid down from Loushka and said to those gathered. 'We can talk tomorrow.'Elena held a hand up and he stopped. 'Yes, we can after you've dealt with the infestation.'Alek looked at her in surprise. 'You know where they are?''I have a fair idea.' Elena looked at Daron and Sian. 'I need you two to go on Sito and look for me.'Daron nodded while Sian asked, 'Now?''Yes. You can rest when you get back. The others will deal with the horde.'Sian and Daron exchanged a look, walking to Sito with Elena.Alek nodded again to Yakov and the Lieutenants. 'Tomorrow then.'All except Ignatius, nodded. Iggy had his eyes locked on Cat. Alek felt a twinge of annoyance and
The Birthright Series Chapter 145
I SLEPT LIKE THE DEAD, only waking when I sensed Sito's energy. It took some effort to open my eyes and I groaned while slipping out of bed. I know we weren't gentle, I thought, but wow, do I feel like I've been beaten with a blunt object.Padding across to the window, I peeked out over the courtyard and could just glimpse Sito's wings. I could sense Sian's energy and she seemed excited.They must have found the hoard.I stifled a yawn and went back to bed; all the more reason to get more sleep, a big day ahead. Alek smiled in his sleep when I climbed in and my heart squeezed tight at the expression. I leaned over to softly kiss his cheek and settled down shutting my eyes.Nnelg blinked in, rousing us far too soon and I stumbled off to get dressed. While changing, I heard a sound and turned to see Alek standing there, his eyes fixed on my back. I went to look in the mirror but he caught my shoulder, tracing his fingers down my spine.'Ouch!''A LITTLE BRUISED, PRINCESS?' ALEK k
The Birthright Series Chapter 146
ALEK REACHED FOR THE DAGGER sheathed to his calf then gingerly began to slice into the bottom of the sack, trying to touch it as little as possible. It was tougher than it looked, and he had to saw at it. Then the weight of the body inside ripped through and dropped to the ground with a loud splat. An awful stench wafted up, and he heard someone gagging.Bet that's Sabyn, he thought. He really can't handle smells. Alek turned to look at the girls. The three of them stared in horror at the mess that was once someone.YOU COULD BARELY IDENTIFY IT, even as a species. The limbs were black and softened, like the bones within had liquefied. I felt bile rise and hastily turned away, retching. After I stood, wiping my mouth, I realized that sacks like this one hung from as many trees as I could see. Hundreds of lives, young and old, had been taken by the revolting creatures; now left to rot, hanging like grotesque ornaments in this grim forest.I looked at Loi and whispered, 'Does the for
The Birthright Series Chapter 147
WE HIT KERAK'S SADDLE HARD, and both of us yelped. Bruised hips all round, I thought, wincing. Thick smoke swirled around us, and the stench of burnt flesh made me gag. Rumal had a firm grip on the leather strap that held Kassie and I together, keeping us from going anywhere for the moment. Kerak dropped to the spot that Loi had shielded, the only un-burnt ground for miles.'Hurry, Cat!' Alek yelled from Loushka's back as I struggled with the knot on the strap. 'Loi needs me!''Coming, coming,' I muttered and then with Rumal's help, got the right end, and with a firm yank I tumbled off Kerak. 'OUCH.'Ugh, I always forgot how tall they were. Why not add some more bruises to the mix, my rational voice thought snidely. I scrambled to my feet and ran for Loushka, using my energy to aid the spring to her saddle. As soon as my ass hit the leather seat, we were off. I ended up flattened against the saddle.'Alright, Cat?' Loushka could sense my fumbling and sounded amused.'Meh, I'll do.
The Birthright Series Chapter 148
'THE PLAN IS EAT BREAKFAST, then join the Lieutenants, Ellie, Yakov, and the others at the Council Chambers. Ellie is going to make the official announcement, and with her siblings assistance, call on our past allies for support.'Cat stared at him with the fork paused halfway to her mouth. 'Allies? What for?''Some to provide protection for the castle and Elion itself. Others to join us in the march.' Alek flashed her a smile and began to eat, not paying attention to the food. This meeting was the first step officially forward, and he was anxious to get on with the plans.'How many are marching South with us?'Cat put the fork down, her food untouched. He pointed at the plate. 'Eat first and then I'll explain. Oh, and Ellie wants you to wear that over your training clothes.' He indicated the garment. 'It'll look appropriate when we greet the allies.'MEET WITH THE ALLIES? AND Elena's siblings? My stomach twisted with nerves at the thought of this meeting. The Lieutenants had ne
The Birthright Series Chapter 149
AFTER THE MEETING WE WALKED to the training rooms. I felt drained, overwhelmed at the importance of everything that until now, hadn't seemed quite so real. Rashid asked us all to step into the Lieutenants' office, and Ignatius pulled a seat out at the table for me. I felt Alek's annoyance and winked at him when we sat, hoping to lighten the mood.The air seemed tense. Yakov paced behind Elena's seat as I shrugged out of the robe and laid it on the table. Confused, I asked, 'Is something wrong? I thought it went well, they all agreed.'Everyone looked to Elena, who regarded me with an almost cold expression, eyes flat. 'It went well. We didn't expect all the allies to uphold the treaty, but they did.' She paused then stared higher, over our heads as she said, 'We brought you in here to discuss-'PATEL CLEARED HIS THROAT WHEN she paused again and stood. 'There is the possibility of one of you girls, or Alek for that matter, being captured by Jenviet. We are marching into her domain,
The Birthright Series Chapter 150
THE HOUR WENT FAST, AWFULLY fast. Time seemed to fly while I ached to slow it down. Before I knew it, the rest of the day had gone and I sat in an armchair, looking out over the courtyard.Alek lay sleeping in the bed, but Audi kept me company. The night was still and only the guards on duty moved outside, quietly going about their rounds. As much as I knew my body needed it, sleep refused to come. Everything that had happened today kept ticking over in my head.By the time we'd finished training, Elena had reached more allies. Joining us, in a week's time, was the elvan warrior ranks from Hotoreth, and the Draoths of Nalauth. The Lieutenants and men were impressed as both realms were known for their elite forces. Feeling my legs stiffen with the cold creeping in, I stood, intending to try and get some sleep, then stopped at the hum in the air. Loi's awake, I realized. Grabbing my cloak, I slipped out of the room.THE TINY CREAK OF A door made Loi spin, tense and ready. Cat stood
The Birthright Series Chapter 151
WHILE I DRESSED IN THE wardrobe, a flash of citrine energy snapped through the walls.'Whoa!' Alek yelped in surprise from the other room. 'Did you see that?'Staggering out of the dressing room as I wrestled my way into a top, I found him standing there with a bemused expression.'Yeah, I did. Looks like Kassie and Rumal had some fun.'Alek shook his head and laughed. 'I know they told us that's what happens, but it's the first time I've seen it.''Me too, I guess we've slept through the others.' It was a strange sensation. Not like the normal energy we linked with. It just emitted a strong sense of joy. I yawned, already feeling the lack of sleep.'How late were you up?' Alek's eyes narrowed suspiciously at me.I wrinkled my nose at him and gave a non-committal shrug. 'Late-ish.'He'd been asleep when I got back and hadn't woken until I finished in the shower. Feeling a chill in the air I went to get a wrap cardigan from the wardrobe then squeaked in surprise when I found him
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Paiga gasped and Mila stiffened. A glimmer of annoyance flashed in Mama's eyes before she reached for Luca.'Yes, they have. But we won't. We're tied together. We will go in together and come out. You have to trust in us Luca. We need your energy too, please keep the right thoughts in your mind.'Luca swallowed, throat convulsing. He nodded. 'Yes, Aunty Dan'iss.''Listen up everyone!'Uncle Harlon's shout made Mila jolt.'Hush, Mila,' Papa joggled her in the sling. 'You're going to be fine, I'm right here.' He wrapped his arms around her. Heart pounding with nerves, Mila pressed her cheek to Papa's chest, listening as Uncle Harlon gave the instructions.A glimmer of eyes appeared by Papa and a moment later she felt the brief touch of Ery's hand to her head.'Bye Ery,' she whispered. The air within the cave started to hum with energy, all the adults calling theirs up. It made the space warm and comforting. Mila started to doze off.'Hold on,' Uncle Harlon called out. 'Here we
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The conversation seemed easy after that.Ery showed the girls' how to swallow the worms whole. Mila screwed her nose up, grabbing her arms and shaking her head. 'No, no, no!'Paiga tried it. With a grimace, both Mila and Ery watching close, she plucked a wriggling worm up then dropped it in her mouth. Her eyes squeezed shut as she gulped the worm down in one swallow.She opened her eyes and stared at Mila and Ery. 'It tasted good!''Really?''Yes, sweet.'Mila shook her head when Ery offered her the last one, motioning it to her. 'No, you have it.' The mushrooms were yum, and the sparks continued as you swallowed it. It was impressive on Ery with her fine almost translucent skin. Mila and Paiga gasped as the sparks flashed in her throat before another dim flash in her tummy. It made all three of them laugh, the two girls giggling away while Ery coughed her laughter.Next was the flesh and berries. Ery showed them how to peel a piece of flesh away from the main then mush the be
The Birthright Series Chapter 391
When the group came across a river, they stopped. After a careful taste test, dipping a crystal necklace in to check the quality, everyone was allowed to drink.Mila and Paiga wrinkled their noses at the odd smell. Like a cup of nellor left out for too long.'It won't hurt you, girls,' Papa said with a smile as he squatted to scoop water to his mouth. 'Drink up.'The two girls' sipped water from their cupped hands, giggling as it spilled out. The adults conversed as the two of them had fun flicking water at each other.An odd sound like a cough made Mila look up, Paiga too.Both girls gasped, stumbling back from the river.'Mila? What's wro-' Mama broke off as she looked up too.Uncle Harlon made a funning clicking noise.The strange looking person that clung to the ceiling with three others responded with clicks and whistles.Mama beckoned Mila and Paiga, and the two girls scampered to her side.'Mama, who are they?' Mila whispered, Paiga crowding close to hear the answer.
The Birthright Series Chapter 390
With that entertainment gone, Mila went back to focusing on her feet. Pull one knee high while keeping balance and drop it. Each step seemed to make her head go lower. But she kept going, with Mama and Papa pulling her along. Finally, after what felt like hours and hours, Uncle Gydon said they could stop.'Take your rest, I'll be waking you in an hour to keep guard,' he motioned an uncle. 'Then you take an hour watch and wake the next. You get five hours rest. Make the most of it.'Papa and Mama and several other adults had bags with clothing. It all got pulled out and spread around the group, trying to provide a little warmth and comfort. Mila curled up between her parents, her head against Papa's chest. It seemed so cold and strange she didn't think she could sleep.Then she closed her eyes.'Mila, lovey, wake up.'Mila stirred at Mama's voice and the gentle touch of her hand on her back. She sat up with a jaw-splitting yawn. Blinking, she peered around in confusion.'Mama, a
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The air smelled cold, and something else, something Mila found familiar but out of place.'Mama,' she whispered. 'What's that smell?''What smell, lovey?''It smells like,' Mila paused, considering. 'It smells like the kitchen, when cook has fresh rabbits.'Mama didn't say anything but she looked at Papa.'I smell it,' said another voice from within the circle.'Me too.''Carrion?''Perhaps. The scent will carry when the air is still.'Not understanding what "carrion" meant, but glad that the adults appeared to have solved the smell, Mila relaxed a little, nose wrinkling at the sharp edge of that scent.Minutes ticked by as they covered good ground.'We're close,' said the man leading them. A screech flashed past overhead, the group twisting, following the sound.A man shouted.Mila's head snapped in the direction of the shout, just in time to glimpse the man's boots vanishing as something, something with enormous black wings, snatched him up!Shrieks of terror rang out
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Everyone moved. It surprised Mila how many people were here, but so many seemed to be missing too. Mama took her hand. On her other side was her younger cousin Paiga. Normally she annoyed Mila, with all the questions she asked, but the scared expression in her eyes reminded Mila of Addy. She offered her other hand to Paiga, who took it with a tentative smile.The group began to walk.Mila hadn't realized until now how tired she was. She stumbled over the riverbed the rocks stubbing her toes as she held Paiga and Mama's hands. It made tears run down her cheeks, but she didn't stop. On and on, picking her feet up, tripping, Mama's hand stopping her from falling. Paiga tripped and Mila managed to hold her arm high enough to stop her cousin from hitting the stones.'Thanks, Mila,' Paiga sounded like she felt. Ready to cry. So very tired.Around them the adults talked. Mila listened.'Where do we go?''The hidden caves. We can keep underground nearly all the way to the coast.''The
The Birthright Series Chapter 387
Papa's energy sparked in alarm then Mama's too. Mila twisted to stare back at the way the sounds came from and spotted a bobbing light. Torch light.Mama and Papa kept low and began to move again, almost crawling. Mila crunched up against Papa's back, squinting at first then kept her head down to avoid the lower branches.The sounds of those approaching grew. Papa moved faster, Mama right behind. They scooted up higher, scrambling, and tucked against cold stone. Not a moment later the torches bobbed past, following the track they'd been on.The bobbing lights moved closer then away, and closer again. The voices, questioning but too quiet to make out the words, sounded near.Crouched against the narrow stone ledge, Papa and Mama held hands. The soft touch of their energy surrounded all three of them.The bobbing lights came closer, close enough that Mila saw the faces of those who held them. Five DeNaga men, armed with swords, axes, and clubs.Mila shivered at the sight of the
The Birthright Series Chapter 386
Now the puzzle looked a third smaller than when she'd stared, but instead of one beginning point to work from there were three. She regarded the three pieces while chewing on the inside of her cheek. Two circular and one rectangle. The rectangle had a large circular opening, about the size of the smaller circle. Mila focused on the larger circle and turned it around, looking for the switch. It looked different to the previous circles she'd worked with, the markings running out from the centre like a starburst. One line caught her eye. With a finger Mila traced down it then jolted when something clicked. She froze. Heart pounding in her ears, she watched the circle break apart, opening at all the lines of the starburst. With another click it moved into motion, each piece folding down on itself and merging with the next. A moment later a tiny gold ball like had been in the first puzzle piece hung before her eyes.Excitement ran through Mila when she realized how the pieces went togeth
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An array of squeals, bells, rattles and shrieks rang out. Face white Papa reached for them as something flashed out from amongst the lock trap, winding around his leg, wrenching him off his feet as it wound back in the blink of an eye.Mama gripped Mila tighter, her voice breaking on a note of despair, 'ZAYCK!'In the centre of the ceiling held by his ankles, hung Papa.Mama's energy holding Mila clutched even tighter as Mama set her on the ground then stood and reached out with both hands toward the lock, her energy glowing. Mila stared, waiting to see what happened.Mama stretched her energy out, probing gently.It touched the first puzzle piece. A clattering of chimes and screeches rang out, sparks flying.In the centre of the room, jerking like a fish caught on a line, Papa made an awful shriek.Mila dropped, hugging her knees to her forehead, stomach and mind sick from that sound.Papa was the bravest, strongest man in the world.He couldn't be caught, be hurting.Who wo
