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Chapter 233

Author: Nicole MacDonald
last update Last Updated: 2022-06-15 14:13:35
IGNATIUS NEVER USUALLY SLEPT ON the eve of battle but the warmth Cat created soothed him into a lull. A firm hand on his shoulder made him jerk awake, body reacting instantly, and he flipped Cat onto the ground behind him.

'Peace, Ignatius,' said an amused voice. 'It's Cat's turn to shield.'

The dim light from the lamp Sabyn offered showed the faint smile he wore when he handed the torch over before disappearing in the dark. Behind Ignatius, Cat muttered as she staggered to her feet and he reached to steady her before realizing he clutched a dagger.

He slid it back in its sheath and caught her arm. 'Sorry about that, are you good to shield?'

'Yes,' she said in a dazed voice before shaking her head. 'Do we need to move from here?'

'I suppose not.'

They settled back next to Loushka and Cat worked at her shield. It fascinated Ignatius to watch and see the differences between her shield and Kassie's. It made him appreciate the varying nuances amongst the different elements. The faint
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  • The Birthright Series   Chapter 234

    TOMIAR'S SHARP EYES EASILY PICKED out a spot to land on the ridge, the scarce light no hindrance to her, and they dropped silently from the sky. Sabyn held Loi tight for a moment, pressing his cheek to hers. 'It'll be okay, goddess. We'll do this and I'll get you home. Promise.'He pressed a kiss to her cheek and she twisted her head, lifting her mouth to his, her hand gripping the plait he wore. Everything unsaid flowed through that kiss; love, terror, determination, and anger. When they separated, she sucked in a rough breath, a lump wedging in her throat. Sabyn hugged her tight again, so tight her bones creaked, and yet still not tight enough in that moment and she clung to him. Kerak landed beside Tomiar and they released each other and slid down to the ground.Kassie stood waiting when Loi's feet hit the ground and they hugged tight, energies linked with thoughts flashing through the link while they readied themselves. Then Kassie walked to where Rumal and Kerak stood. Loi staye

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    IGNATIUS GRIPPED MY WAIST WHEN we spotted it, leaning forward for a better look. Along the ridgeline, standing tall and proud, appeared to be a massive army of centaurs. From here, they looked real. Our army made sounds of approval before all gazes turned to the valley floor; would it work?Another rumble of sound rolled out developing into the roar of hundreds of thousands of voices in unison.'AHHH KA MATE, KA MATE, KA ORA, KA ORA.'My jaw dropped and I twisted to look at Sian, who wore the same astonished expression. Hell! Does she know all the words?Sian, head to the side while she listened, shook her head with a grin. Not exactly, she just substituted some Malay in there too.It sounds really good!'What is that?' demanded Ignatius, and all the soldiers around us listened with intent faces, nodding in approval at the harsh guttural way Kassie projected it.'Err-,' I scrambled for a moment, trying to think of the definition of the haka. 'Oh! It's a war chant, from our realm

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  • The Birthright Series   Chapter 236

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  • The Birthright Series   Chapter 237

    'TOMIAR, ARE YOU OKAY?'It was pitch black in the bottom of the crevice, and Loi squeezed Sabyn's knee at the same time he squeezed her thigh.'Okay?' they said in unison, before briefly laughing.'All good,' thought Tomiar. 'This is a very deep hole, Loi!''I know, can you jump out?''No.''It's too deep,' Sabyn said at the same time and Loi nodded.'Tomiar said. Okay, on the count of three jump, alright? I'll boost you.''Good, I'm standing on bodies, it's not nice. Let's get out.'Sabyn tightened his hold and Loi gathered her energy, swirling a solid shield around, to protect them from the still falling rocks and gravel.'One, two, three!'Tomiar's muscles bunched and she kept her wings tucked close then shoved off. Loi threw her energy beneath Tomiar. The griffon screeched in excitement while they shot up, rapidly approaching the light above, and they sailed into daylight. Tomiar snapped her wings open then dived for their troops.'We're holding!' Sabyn shouted from beh

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    RUMAL LEANED HARD OUT AND felt his stomach drop. Over the tops of the mountains leading into the valley more enemy marched. Thousands of troops of armed Arumites.He cursed, pounding a fist against his thigh while Kassie demanded to know who they were. 'Arumites, Kass. Our guys are screwed.''What do we do? Do we attack them?' Kerak asked.'No, Kerak. We deal with the dragons.''What'll we do?' Kassie shrieked against the wind. 'We need to split up, we could tackle those troops.'Gritting his teeth Rumal pulled her close, unable to keep the harsh sound from his voice when he spoke in her ear. 'We deal with the dragons. When the way to the castle is clear, we leave. We have our orders.'Kassie struggled in his hold, twisting to stare at his face, her eyes angry and lips pale.'No! We can't, we have to help!'They had seconds before they reached the other griffons. Rumal caught her chin with his fingers, eyes boring into hers and in an angry but even tone, snapped. 'We follow o

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  • The Birthright Series   Chapter 239

    'THEY KNOW AND AREN'T HAPPY,' I thought to Loushka. 'I've shut the link off.''Good. I'll keep watch from outside, make sure to keep your mind open so I can see what's going on.''I will.''And be careful, Cat. Jenviet is cunning.'I gulped. 'I'll try.'I could see now that our army had done exactly as desired but the massive gap between the enemy and castle just reminded me of the atrocious position they now stood inwhere we'd left them. The land bridges created by Loi did mean a large group would have difficulty in moving en-masse but still-'Don't despair, Cat. The chance of anyone getting home was always slim. If we succeed here, then it is a worthy sacrifice.'Leaving good men to die felt anything but worthy and I clenched the saddle handle tight, building the fury against Jenviet while focusing on the castle ahead. High formidable walls surrounded the towers, and a solid metal gate that would be an issue if we weren't flying in. The tower roofs looked like the conical hats

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