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Chapter 197
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The Birthright Series Chapter 198
THE EXHAUSTION I USED TO feel at using my energy so extensively didn't hit me now. This new, stronger version of energy made it feel almost like a separate entity. I could sense it lying there, tense and ready if I called on it and the realization of that other part, something ancient, primal, and fully elemental, both terrified and thrilled me. The fire within the very planet, deep beneath the surface called to me and it lusted for Jenviet's death.For too long the DeNaga's had toyed with the natural alignment of the planet and its elements. The debt they owed required payment and only blood would suffice.The dark thoughts made me shudder and I shook them off, turning to look for Loi. I could feel her fatigue from holding the ceiling up. The three girls didn't know how close they stood to the barrier that prevented the archaic things from claiming them. I couldn't get them there quicker but I could sense the distant and every time they forced their gifts to the extreme, it drew the
The Birthright Series Chapter 199
KASSIE AND RUMAL WALKED HAND in hand in front of Kerak. Rumal held a torch in his other hand. At the very front of the long train of soldiers and allies, Loi led the way with Larvaste and Sabyn. They kept following the cavern deeper and deeper, the ceiling getting lower. Kassie's heart beat fast at the horrible sense of claustrophobia that threatened when the floor started to climb and larger stalagmites appeared, making it a slow and complicated path that they helped Kerak to squeeze through. The darkness intimidated and more than once Kassie jerked in shock, thinking she'd seen something in the shadows the torch created. Rumal kept a tight hold of her hand and when they paused, while Loi assessed the correct tunnel to take, he pulled Kassie tight against him. She sighed and wrapped an arm around his back while they waited. No point moaning, she thought determinedly. But it will be so nice to get out of these caves.A call travelled from the front of the line to where they stood near
The Birthright Series Chapter 200
THE FLOOR SHUDDERED WHILE LOI worked the tunnel. Sian, Kassie, and I hugged Sito's muzzle tight, smiling and soothing when the dragon's eyes went wide with fear, the whites showing. Sian did fantastic, her voice not wavering at all while Loi deflected a rock that smashed down beside her. We spoke aloud and via our thoughts as we coaxed Sito to move.'Just a little further, wriggle your bum forward,' Loi called. 'You're nearly there, honey.'Sito wasn't saying much and we could all feel his heart hammering away. It vibrated through his head while we stroked his muzzle. His head nearly cleared the tunnel but I knew his barrel chest would really be feeling the squeeze and the dragon breathed in shallow quick gasps.LESEACH WATCHED WHILE THE THREE girls kept the dragon calm. Perhaps it was due to their strange upbringing that they didn't hesitate to coddle a beast that could wipe out villages. While Leseach admired Sito, she would never talk to him like an infant. But Sian and Cat str
The Birthright Series Chapter 201
SHE GASPED AND IGNATIUS FROZE, horror snaking down his spine at the realization. Doing the only thing he could think of, he feigned ignorance.'Ca-catherine?' he stuttered, not hiding the shock.'Oh my god, I'm so sorry!' The hands jerked back and she whispered the words in a tone of dismay. After a long pause, she gave a nervous giggle. 'Did I wake you?'The situation did strike him as funny and he worked at keeping his voice neutral, sleepy. 'Uuhh, yes. Is something wrong?''No, I was dreaming. Sorry to disturb you.'He waited until she settled down, then slowly lay back. The shock left him feeling wide awake and he lay there thanking his good fortune that she hadn't realized.Must put more of the mixture in tomorrow night, he thought, can't have her waking.WHEN THE LIGHTS TURNED UP, signalling morning, I waited for Ignatius to dress and leave, hoping like mad it had been a dream.The rational voice in my mind cringed.Nope. Real.With a silent curse I dressed and climbe
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GOING UP AND UP FELT strange, I kept expecting to go back down at some point the way you did with tramping, where going up usually always meant going down too, but that wasn't the intention here. Especially not with the molten rock I could sense beneath the ground.Pity it doesn't at least warm this horrid chamber, I thought with a shiver and then retracted that thought when I realized what it would mean. Better to be grateful for the cold.'How many days do we have left?' I thought to Loushka.'Loi said twelve, right? That would mean seven.''Ugh. Seven too many.'The lights of those ahead of us started to vanish and I felt relieved at leaving this ancient chimney while at the same time a sudden pang for sunlight hit. Any novelty of caving felt long gone now; I wanted fresh air and the blue sky, not a permanent darkness. We followed the widening ledge into a corridor and further still until it opened into a spacious, low cave. The griffons were short enough to clear the ceiling b
The Birthright Series Chapter 203
IT NEARLY FELT LIKE YOU never woke, Sian decided. Going to sleep in the cold dark, waking in the cold dark, and then the day spent walking and climbing in the cold dark. The only thing that improved today's walk was the intoxicating scent and energy of fresh water flowing beneath their feet, and no one but she and Loi knew.And Loi only knows because the plants told her, Sian thought smugly, enjoying feeling in touch with her element once more. Somewhere ahead of them that lovely fresh water pooled and their goal today of reaching that underground lake made Sian want to race there now. Maybe it'll be warm, she thought hopefully.'You're quiet, Pix?'Daron paused by the entrance to a narrow tunnel while Nesha climbed through and he watched Sian with questioning eyes.'Thinking of the lake. And fresh air.''That will be nice,' Daron agreed before giving her a wink and turning to follow Nesha.'You want to get out the caves?' Sito sounded surprised.Sian twisted and found the drago
The Birthright Series Chapter 204
CATHERINE FROWNED AT LOUSHKA WHILE they communed and Ignatius waited, feeling quite flattered that she thought he looked so young.'What do you mean I'm not human?!' Catherine suddenly shrieked, startling both him and one of the centaurs who'd come to see why they weren't moving. Loushka cocked her head, the quizzical expression making her look ridiculous.'You're an Elemental, Catherine,' Ignatius pointed out.At the same time, she mumbled, 'Oh,' with a sheepish glance at the griffon.'Can we keep moving while we talk?' Ignatius asked and offered his arm. Catherine took it, her eyes distant and face pensive while he led her through the final part of the tunnel.'How long will I live for?'The tremulous tone surprised him and Ignatius looked down to see her chin wobble. She stared at him with a desperate expression.'I don't know. Gifted creatures can have three or four times the normal lifespan but as far as I know no Elemental lived long with the DeNaga's around. Hence the nee
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THE GRIFFON EYED HIM DISAPPROVINGLY then turned and sauntered off. Ignatius waited a moment before turning to Catherine who watched the griffon in amusement.'All okay?'She glanced up, eyes bright with a hint of laughter. 'Indeed.'He motioned for her to continue and seizing the torch he'd dropped over the ledge before climbing down, he followed.Darkness didn't bother him; after so many years working in all manner of places the caves weren't that unusual, but the utter absence of life unnerved him a little. It made a man inclined to see things in the shadows. It also made watching Catherine walk ahead of him, an absolute pleasure. A thing of beauty, he thought, eyes fixed on the swing of her hips. She kept both hands lit to light her way, a palm at her side and one held aloft and the fire only enhanced her, glinting off the chainmail suit that hugged her figure.Little wonder the griffon doesn't like you, observed the caustic voice in his mind. Ignatius shrugged the thought off.
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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
