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Chapter 172
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The Birthright Series Chapter 173
Slumped in the seat at the table, my mind seemed locked in a grey, dull limbo and the practical voice shouted from some distance, urging me to get angry, to do somethinganything! I looked around the room, eyes dragging over the little details; a sock beside one of the trunks, a knot in a floorboard, a dark blue spot staining the food tray.That dark blue registered in my mind and the dull grey fog exploded with colour when the pain hit.I tipped off the chair to the floor, a strange harsh rasping noise escaping my throat, eyes filling with hot tears while I struggled for breath on my hands and knees. Brilliant streaks of red and vivid yellow flashed through the grey before darkening to deep thunderous shades, wreaking havoc on my soul. It forced the shift to Elemental and I flopped to my side in a foetal position, my mind locked on those images of Alek and those awful last moments as the flames consumed me, flooding my veins with an insane heat.To watch, helplessly, when the one yo
The Birthright Series Chapter 174
IN THE KITCHEN THE COOK, flushed from the heat of the massive ovens, frowned at Ignatius. 'She should be eating something!''Can't you add an egg to it?'The low smooth tones of Leseach's voice set Ignatius' teeth on edge. He refused to turn and acknowledge her but nodded to the cook. 'Yes! That'll make it better.'The cook grumbled, not fully satisfied but set to making the drink while he and the Northerner watched. Knowing she stood just behind him caused a knot of muscles between his shoulder blades to tighten and he twisted to glare at the blonde alien, hating the way she could nearly look him in the eyes with her extreme height. 'I don't believe I require your assistance.'Her queerly striped eyes regarded him flatly. 'Rashid suggested we discuss the sleeping arrangements with guarding the Princess. I understand you have specific orders from the Archduchess to watch over her?'Relief at not having to demand the right or create an explanation for sleeping in Catherine'
The Birthright Series Chapter 175
RUMAL PAUSED OUTSIDE CATHERINE'S ROOM and stared at Leseach. 'Is she still asleep?' he asked in surprise.The Northerner lifted her chin and levelled a straight look at him. 'Yes.'The unexpected abrupt tone caused Rumal to shoot her a quizzical glance, but Leseach remained impassive. With a shrug he continued on his way down the corridor and climbed the stairs to the main deck, seeking Kassie. He spotted her mass of bronze curls, the cool wind blowing them around her head. She sat with Kerak at the edge of the deck, looking over the railing toward the ship with Sabyn and Loi. Rumal slid onto the bench seat beside her, straddling it and slipped his arms around her waist.'Morning,' he said, dropping a kiss on her forehead. She didn't say anything but leaned back against him with a sigh. Scattered clouds moved swiftly over the grey sky and the occasional gusts across the ship made the slighter goblins hunch toward the deck, bracing against the wind. The Halenine fae clung tight to
The Birthright Series Chapter 176
THE LOOK OF CONFUSION ON Catherine's face made Ignatius aware of what he'd said.Fuck.'No! I meant, ahh, are you feeling okay, physically?' He cringed inwardly. That didn't clear it up at all. 'I mean, you've slept for twelve hours straight.'She blinked in surprise and shoved her hair out of her face staring at him. 'Twelve hours!'Ignatius nodded.'God,' she croaked. 'No wonder I'm so thirsty.' She staggered off the bed, swaying, and trying to straighten her shirt, twisted around her waist.Ignatius stepped forward and helped her to the table, hurriedly filling a glass with water and set it before her. 'Drink that, I'll go fill this up.'When the door closed behind him Ignatius leaned against it, and breathed a sigh of relief, his head pounding. The longest night of my life, he thought when the pounding in his head lessened; even compared to being stuck in the baolwylf's den. Waking to find her still sleeping, not responding no matter how much he shook her, had scared the hel
The Birthright Series Chapter 177
WATCHING SITO IN FLIGHT GAVE me a pleasant sense of joy. The dragon flew with utter abandon, swooping around our ship and making it rock while Kerak stalked the decks growling, watching his friend have fun. Sito arced around the masts, his powerful tail with its diamond shaped tip snapping loudly in the air when he whipped past then dove into the ocean between our ship and Sian's. Those watching rushed to the handrail in time to see the dragon burst forth, showering the neighbouring ship in seawater. The grouchy griffon watching let loose a whine, a strange husky sound that broke into a piercing note, his despondent tone evident.'It's hard for him, for us,' thought Loushka. 'I hate not being able to fly at will.'We sat watching on the upper deck and I pulled my knees up, tucking my arms around them while I watched the dragon. Sito landed in the water between our ship and Sian's, not far from where Loushka and I sat. Kerak trotted up a moment later, feathers rustling and mane bristl
The Birthright Series Chapter 178
THE FIRST FEW DAYS ABOARD seemed to both drag and fly by. Waking each morning brought an instant of ridiculous hope with Ignatius watching me from the table and looking, to my sleep blurred eyes, just like Alek. It didn't help that my dreams were a mess of memories of Al and Yakov. After the brutally clear truth registered again in my mind I ate breakfast with Ignatius, and occasionally Kassie. I spent the days with Loushka, often joined by Kassie and Kerak. We watched the allies and soldiers practice. Occasionally the Lieutenants or Leseach would join us and dissect the performance of whoever sparred on the large main deck. With so many things to distract me, I managed to keep the really bad moments to a minimum; just the mornings and evenings in the cabin, when Ignatius would kindly leave me alone for a quarter hour.I sat with my back to the base of the bed, watching the morning sun create patterns on the floor. Ignatius had gone to collect breakfast. It gave me fifteen minutes at
The Birthright Series Chapter 179
THE NEXT MORNING, I SAT in my usual spot with Loushka, watching the choppy waves with a dubious stomach.Really hope I don't get seasick-I watched everyone on the main deck, spying Kassie and Rumal tucked into a discreet alcove by the covered entrance to the decks below. Rumal caressed Kassie's hair while they stared over at Loi and Sabyn's ship. Watching the way they moved together, the constant touches, always aware of the other, produced a hollow sense of longing. In some ways it felt like Alek sat with me constantly and I directed my thoughts to him while the often present but unwelcome tears crept down my cheeks.Miss you. I guess before too long I'll see you again.Religion wasn't part of my life. I was too suspicious of organized religions that required so many rules yet the mere humans that followed them frequently adjusted those rules however they liked, all too often at the command of the power-hungry leaders. But I recalled Elena and Yakov teaching us about rebirth, at
The Birthright Series Chapter 180
NOT LONG AFTER DINNER THE Princess feigned tiredness and excused herself, but Ignatius knew better. The days of practicing and conversing with those aboard wore her down. Waiting for another quarter hour he caught Leseach's eye and excused himself, heading to the kitchen where the cook had the mug of nellor waiting. Ignatius took his time walking to the Northerner's room. Their spat the other evening went unmentioned by either of them the next day and they managed to reach a sort of equilibrium. She appeared to respect him for his devotion to the task and he, well, he could appreciate some of her skills if not her personality. A yawn hit when he rounded the corner, in time to see Rashid walking away from the room.You better have not annoyed her, he thought too tired to be really irritated. I can't be bothered with that this evening.Leseach appeared at the door with a calm expression and gestured for him to enter. Ignatius shook his head and motioned for her to go first. The courtly
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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
