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Chapter 177
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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
The Birthright Series Chapter 181
KASSIE GRIPPED THE EDGES OF the bed, taking what comfort she could in the solid wood. A flash of lightning lit the room so bright she could clearly see the whites of Cat's terrified eyes. The room veered to a ninety-degree angle while they both shrieked and clung tight to whatever they could. Thunder boomed and voices roared from the deck above while soldiers, allies, and Draoths fought to keep control of the ship. The guilt Kassie had felt at not helping vanished when the storm hit and the floor pitched high and low. Even with living in New Zealand, none of the girls knew much about sailing and with all the experienced persons aboard there wasn't a need to help.Still, thought Kassie gritting her teeth and keeping her death grip on the base of the bed, it'd be nice to not feel quite so useless. Might take her mind of the pitching and heaving of her stomach.'Oh c-r-a-p,' Cat said in a tight voice. 'Kass, I think I'm gonna be sick.''For the love of all that is holy,' hissed Kassie
The Birthright Series Chapter 182
'WHAT'D YOU DO THIS TIME, Kass?' Aswaran soldier Oomoth said loudly, making everyone twist to look.Kassie flushed. 'This time? I didn't do anything!''She tried to pick up a mernoyd baby,' the goblin with the broom helpfully put in.'Are you mad?' The centaur grinned when she glowered at him.'No! I haven't seen them before.'Oomoth tsked and beckoned to her. 'Come have a look then.'On the way to the handrail Kassie spotted Cat and Leseach making their way over and stopped to greet them both first, then they joined Oomoth and the others who watched the water below with grim eyes.'Have you seen them before?' Cat asked Leseach.'No,' the Northerner replied, staring at the waves. 'We don't often get them in our waters.'Kassie listened while watching the waters breaking away from the ship, the motion quite mesmerizing and she forgot for a moment, until the sleek bodies rose up with the bow wave. A sudden hush came over all those watching.Perhaps something like these had insp
The Birthright Series Chapter 183
'WHAT'S HAPPENING?'Ignatius turned to find Catherine watching him, an eyebrow arched in question.'The mernoyds are gathering in greater numbers. The blood is attracting them,' he explained loudly. She stood from her seat and joined him, peering down at the creatures her upper lip curling in distaste.'What are the Nyjens and Leseach doing? And Rashid,' she added as an afterthought.Ignatius glanced over then turned to grin at the Princess. 'Looks like a competition, want to practice with your sleeve?'Her eyes lit up then she squinted, lips twisting in concern. 'What if I lose the blades?''Not to worry, there's extra if you do. Elena had another few sets charmed.'With an encouraging smile at her he turned and hurried off, climbing down to the lower decks and pushed his way through the crowded corridor, making his way to the armoury along with most onboard. Two Rodhite centaurs kept track of the comings and goings in the armoury, calling it out to a General Guard soldier who
The Birthright Series Chapter 184
SCRUBBING THE DECKS, THE NEXT few mornings gave me a chance to properly meet some of the other allies. It also helped to work out some of the morning gloom that hit, especially now when each night in my dreams I tried to persuade him not to go on that fated morning run. His lips and touch, the feel of his body beneath my hands felt gloriously real in those dreams. Somehow it seemed that if I stopped him leaving for the run, then I'd wake and find him here.Sloshing the long-handled brush back into the bucket of soapy water I yanked it out and slammed it to the wooden boards, focusing on the task while I tried to distract myself from the dreams.Those dreams scared me, he felt so absolutely real in them yet when I woke I could feel the sense of him drifting from my memory. Like wisps of spider web floating away in the breeze my mind appeared to be building a wall over the memories, pushing them further away and making them that bit more unreal. Yes, the dreams scared me because I didn
The Birthright Series Chapter 185
MID-CONVERSATION KASSIE GLANCED AT Cat and saw the half smile on her friend's face.'It's the only time you see her smiling now, when she's remembering him,' she thought to Kerak with a pang of sorrow.Kerak stayed silent but a sense of discomfort wafted through the link. Kassie reached out to stroke around his ear, making the griffon twist his head closer while the rumble of a purr shuddered out. His thoughts appeared focused on the beautiful griffon beside him and the sorrow she felt. Kassie watched various images flick through the link and quickly realized Kerak wasn't aware of projecting them. All the images showed Loushka, and Kassie watched in fascination while feeling a hint of shame at spying. The very first image and apparent favouriteKerak flicked back to it oftenmust have been when the Griffon Guard was first introduced to their newest member and she watched avidly when Rumal's face appeared from above.Kassie often forgot how young Kerak was when he joined the Guard. In
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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
The Birthright Series Chapter 389
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
The Birthright Series Chapter 388
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
