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Chapter 214
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The Birthright Series Chapter 215
THE LIZARD STEAKS MADE AN interesting addition to dinner. Afterward, while the girls and their guys retired for the evening, I stayed up late playing cards with Belsesus, Ignatius, Gredel, and Chaieth. Playing against the Lieutenants and Gredel, who all had decades of practice meant quite a bit of sitting out for me in the beginning, I lost so quickly. Then they paired me up with one of them each game, considering it a personal challenge to beat the others while teaching me how to play.'No,' Belsesus murmured in my ear. 'Play that one.'I shifted on his saddle, my perch for this game, and offered the card up for the others to see. Belsesus plucked the card from my hand and dropped it on the pile. The other three regarded it suspiciously, with speculative glances at their own hands. The deck of cards belonged to Gredel, the same deck we'd used those long months ago while traveling to the castle. There were four classes in the deck; water, air, earth, and fire, and the cards bore imag
The Birthright Series Chapter 216
TOMIAR'S THOUGHTS WOKE LOI LATER, when the others began to stir.'Wakey, wakey, plant lady.''Morning, Tomiar. Sleep well?''No. But every day is closer to the surface. How about you?'Particularly well for the last hour or so, Loi thought smugly to herself, but to Tomiar she thought, 'As well as you can on a bedroll.''In a cave,' added the griffon.'Yup.'Strangely enough, or perhaps not, Loi found the caves comforting. With all her friends here and Sabyn at her side, and with the voices of the plants, she enjoyed the time spent underground. The remarkable beauty of the caves and the varying rock types. All manner of stalagmites and stalactites, it gave her plenty to admire. Certain rocks gleamed gold or silver in the lights and other rocks absorbed the light. And then all the different creatures!So many things to see, Loi thought.Around the fire, while they munched on supplies and discussed the day's plan, Loi caught up with the other girls. A hug from Kassie, and Sian, a
The Birthright Series Chapter 217
IGNATIUS POSITIONED HIMSELF BEHIND LESEACH and Rashid in the line, walking with the Cavalry soldiers and the goblins who rode them, their raspy voices echoing queerly within the hollow chambers. The soldiers reminisced of various battles and he joined in, absently correcting numbers or dates, while his mind drifted.There was an assumption amongst some of the noble houses of Elion, that those who entered the Guard did so due to a lack of intelligence. After all, why be a soldier when you could become a diplomat or work toward becoming a member of Council. Ignatius' father tried both positions and settled on soldier.'It puts you in an excellent position,' his father explained to Ignatius when urging him to consider entering the Guard. 'You have the brains but will always be overlooked due to our lower status. However, enter the Guard and you can rise as high as you like. With your abilities, Ignatius, you could go far and get close to the crown. That's where the possibilities lie, no
The Birthright Series Chapter 218
'IGNATIUS!'I twisted at Belsesus' loud call. Ignatius crouched in the opening of one of the many tunnels that speckled the side of the cave, his shoulder and arm dark. I stood from where I'd sat with Loi and hurried across the cave.'Just step off,' Kassie called to him. 'I'll lower you.'The sudden look of doubt made me smile and those watching laughed, but I could see now the dark patches on his mail were blood. He'd have a tricky time climbing down. He barely got the chance to nod before I felt Kassie swirl a bubble around him and the Lieutenant lurched off the edge. The visible gasp of shock, then carefully schooled adjustment to an expression of disinterest made me chuckle.'What got you?' Larvaste asked once Ignatius stood on the ground.'Vorks. I found three of them.''Anything else? Does the tunnel go far?''No. Still a way before we see sky.'I waited while the men questioned him, then followed when he headed to where his bag and bedroll sat. 'Ignatius.'He twisted,
The Birthright Series Chapter 219
RASHID GLANCED HER WAY THEN looked ahead, not wishing to annoy her. Leseach appeared calmer today and he wondered if the venom was responsible.'Yes. With so many venomous creatures we have to build up a natural resistance.''How long does it last? Do you need to do it constantly?'They stopped to watch Loushka leap to a high ledge that led to the next tunnel, Catherine leaning forward in the saddle. The griffon waited at the top for them.Rashid bent to one knee and offered his clasped palms to Leseach. The beautiful angles of her face hardened in an instant at the offer and she took two steps back then made a running jump up the rock face, catching a grip three quarters of the way up and with two impressive liftsno foot holdshauled herself up onto the ledge. The look she shot him when she gazed down made him close his eyes for an instant and will away the urge to smile.She had no idea how she looked standing there, glaring down at him with those striking eyes and full lips purs
The Birthright Series Chapter 220
THE LAST DAYS PASSED REMARKABLY fast and it felt scary to wake and know that tonight was our last night in these caves. Tomorrow, by midday perhaps, we'd be above ground.I lay there in the dark, eyes wide and heart racing at the thought of it all and reached for the chain around my neck, tracing along to the weight of the ring. I'd given up trying to wear it in the caves, too worried I'd damage it but I would wear it into battle. I wanted to have something of his near to me when I died.My wrists throbbed and panic constricted my chest when I considered the next few days, the darkness making everything feel far more real at the moment.All you can do is fight, fight to win. At the best you'll see him sooner rather than later, I thought, trying to quell the fears. At the worst, a voice in my head thought ironically, you'll live centuries without him.Ugh.I closed my eyes against that, trying to coax sleep. I knew I'd woken far too early. My mind refused to shut up and I lay there
The Birthright Series Chapter 221
IGNATIUS KEPT AT THE FRONT of the line today, walking behind Laura, Sabyn, and Tomiar, keeping company with Larvaste and Chaieth. It made it easy when Laura selected the cavern they would sleep in, to be one of the first to check the tunnels. The Halenine fae happily left the larger tunnels for him to check, having more success at finding their dinner in the smaller ones. Unfortunately, he couldn't spot the ardwyr in any of the narrow corridors.'All clear?' Belsesus asked when he crawled out the last one.'Yes.''Don't look so disappointed, plenty of time for that tomorrow.'Ignatius gave a snort of pretend amusement but anxiety clenched his gut.Give it a little more time, he reassured himself. It'll turn up. Perhaps the tunnels don't link up? No that can't be it, he thought with a frown, tracing the tunnels in his mind. A couple appeared to go on and on, possibly even to the surface as the occasional breeze of fresh air wafted through the chamber. Needing a distraction, he look
The Birthright Series Chapter 222
IGNATIUS HADN'T FACTORED THIS INTO his evening plans. Inwardly he chewed on his liver as the cave nearly throbbed with noise. It would very likely scare the ardwyr off.Or anything else with half a brain, he thought. No matter, I'll create a diversion. As long as it seems believable and I broach it in the right manner, I know she'll rise to the bait.With that in mind it felt easier to smile at Cat while she watched the battle performances. He moved an arm behind her and bent to her ear, explaining the various parts of the dance. After the Nyjens' display, the goblins performed and it was one of the few times Ignatius had been privileged to watch the different troops perform together. Many of those watching exchanged impressed glances, and he saw the men of the Griffon Guard explaining it to the other girls. The Northerner sat near Rashid, listening to the Lieutenant and watching his gestures. Having known Rashid for decades, Ignatius felt uneasy at his obsession with Leseach. It cou
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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.
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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
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
