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Chapter 221
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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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WHEN THE SONG ROUSED THE crowd again Loushka dropped the images. The soldiers of the guards and cavalry sang together, while the goblins joined in with their drums. At the conclusion, everyone who hadn't participated applauded, and I spontaneously made the undulating cry that belly dancers did, making Sian and Kassie laugh in memory of our short-lived hobby years ago. The cave rung with noise and voices until Rashid stood at the fire, waiting for everyone's attention. To give him a hand I flared the fire up and the crowd settled.In a clear stern voice Rashid began. 'Finally, we've reached the eve of our destiny. Tomorrow will bring sky. It will bring battle and an uncertain future. Know we fight for the freedom of all on Gar'nyse. Lives will be sacrificed but we won't mourn until the deed is done. The tyrant Sorceress will fall!'The last shouted words made all the soldiers holler in response and I resisted the urge to block my ears. Ignatius caught the slight wince I made and laugh
The Birthright Series Chapter 224
ALEK APPEARED IN MY DREAMS and I couldn't help the tears that trickled down when I reached out. He felt gloriously real under my hands. 'Al!''Hush, kitten, I'm here. Let's not wake your companion.'It hurt, that reminder that I dreamed but I didn't care. I needed this, I needed him. I nodded and beamed when he leaned forward to kiss me. It felt wonderful but in the same moment, wrong. He didn't smell or taste quite the same, his voice sounded a little different and I felt an instant of panic when part of my mind recognized that my memories had begun to fade. It made me cling tighter, hands smoothing over his chest feeling the light tangle of hair and I lifted my lips to his again, sighing when he wrapped his arms around me solidly. I could feel my bare skin on his even though I knew in the back of my mind that I wore my woollen undergarments. I forced those annoying reminders away, wanting to pretend his existence right at the moment. The caresses felt real, the kisses too, trailing
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THE INSTANT SHE SIGHTED HIM Ignatius vanished, literally vanished! He slammed into her side and she stumbled, mentally tracing the footsteps she heard.The tunnels, he's gone there.With a quick glance to check no other bastard males hid in the tent, Leseach leaned over the Princess, tucking the covers around her.I will kill him for this, she thought, the fury mixed with despair at failing in her post, and snatching her bandi swords she slipped out the tent, running silently to the tunnels.IGNATIUS STILLED HIS BREATHING WHEN she set foot in the tunnel and froze, not wanting to make a sound. The charm obviously worked for she spun his way, eyes narrowing, but didn't pounce. She did, however, inch closer, sniffing.With an inward curse he started moving away, watching where he placed his feet. He knew all too well how skilled the Northerner was at hand to hand combat, and unlike him, she carried weapons.But I have at least five decades on her, he estimated, I should be able to
The Birthright Series Chapter 226
RIDING OUT IN FRONT WITHOUT Rumal only added to Kassie's anxiety. At least now, with so much practice on the ships, riding Oomoth felt easier; leaning with the centaur when he climbed up and down, picking his way over the rough path. She would have liked to have chatted with the girls, but Loi communed with the earth, lost in her own world, and Sian and Cat weren't in chatting moods. It left her stuck in her own mind, dwelling on everything. Trying to shake it off, Kassie studied the colours of the rock, the blues and whites lending a fairy tale feel to the tunnels. If only it made it warmer, she thought with a shiver. The cold leached into her bones and usually she had Rumal and Kerak near to keep her warm. It made it easier to deal with every day underground if she at least kept warm.'Miss you guys,' she thought to Kerak.'Miss you too, Kass. We'll see you soon, we're almost out.'We are? Kassie sat straighter then leaned, trying to see ahead.'All right back there, Kass?' Oomot
The Birthright Series Chapter 227
THE MARKET APPEARED AGAIN AND a flash of red allowed me to spot myself. I stood with Sian and Kassie near a stall. My eyebrows shot up when I regarded my outfit.Hmmm-While I'd known the fitted skirt had long splits, I hadn't realized just how well it showed my legs and ass off. I glimpsed a shapely leg, clad in the thigh high boots I practically lived in. The grey jersey I wore enhanced my breasts and waist and I flushed, feeling exposed all of a sudden. Funny how I could show less skin yet still look like I only had one thing on my mind.Then Loushka's vision shifted and Alek and Sabyn came into view. Mid conversation Alek's gaze diverted while Sabyn spoke. My cousin said something and followed Alek's gaze before rolling his eyes. Loushka's point of view moved a hint and I saw Alek looking at me as I laughed at Kassie, who gestured while laughingly saying something. The expression on his face wiped away anything I felt in that moment, replacing it with love, sorrow and a deep ach
The Birthright Series Chapter 228
SABYN BUCKLED THE SCABBARD AROUND his waist while watching her. The ease and obvious pleasure with which she handled the weapons aroused him and he grinned, winking at her when she felt his gaze and looked over. After checking his sword slid easily from its sheath, he reached for the short axes he favoured. Perfectly weighted for throwing and light to carry, the four axes fitted into a harness similar to what Loi wore. After so many years of use the leather had worn to his shape, fitting like a second skin over the mail. Loi turned her attention to Tomiar, going over the griffon's armour and tightening the straps of the plates.Sabyn fastened shields to his forearms. Each shield followed the curve of his arm and slanted at the elbow for ease of movement while curving out and up to protect the outer curve of his hands. The shields extended just past his skin, enough to protect and block but not inhibit any movement and the straps over the underside of his arm offered another spot to fi
The Birthright Series Chapter 229
IGNATIUS KEPT A TIGHT HOLD on Cat while Belsesus moved slowly forward, following the Halenine fae who surrounded the emerging army, encouraging them along. The sinuous voices of the fae drifted on the air while they guided the sun blind group. Ignatius found the sudden influx of smells a shock and he could smell death. Cat leaned back, groping blindly for his face, he realized, when her fingers connected with his chin and traced to his ear. Carefully, Ignatius bent forward, not wanting to head-butt her by accident. 'Yes?''What's that smell?' she whispered.Shifting in the saddle when Belsesus started downhill, Ignatius wrapped both arms around her while bracing back with his thighs. About to answer the query, he froze in astonishment at the sigh and shudder that ran through her body. He knew that kind of sigh, she'd done it enough times at his midnight caresses. Disbelievingly, he tested the theory while pretending to adjust his hold and spread his fingers, fanning his hands wide be
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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
