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Chapter 233
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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
The Birthright Series Chapter 235
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
The Birthright Series Chapter 236
'LET'S GO!' RUMAL YELLED.Kerak and Tomiar launched into the air. Kassie hung to the saddle handles while staring hard through the gap between Kerak's neck and shoulder. The dust cloud made it difficult to see anything and she called in a squally wind that blew at their army's back, straight into the eyes of the enemy.'Clever girl!' thought Kerak, watching those who took the brunt of the dust stagger, becoming easy pickings for their troops.'God, look what Loi did,' Kassie thought to the griffon, while gaping at the mess of deep black trenches that broke the valley into narrow sections of riverbed.'It's fantastic,' Rumal called in her ear. 'Look how it narrows the number of enemies. We actually stand a chance of holding them off.'He's right, Kassie realized, watching the centaurs charge, attacking elgrids and men, barely needing to use weapons instead utilizing their weight and speed to throw enemies over the edge.'DRAGONS!' Kerak thought with a piercing shriek of alarm.
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
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
The Birthright Series Chapter 240
THE AIR AROUND ME CRACKLED with screams of anguish and my knees turned to water when I recognized Alek's final cries from that awful morning. The sounds rooted me to the spot as I heard the laboured breaths, the groans and whimpers of pain before it startedthe slight crackle of energy followed by his inhuman, bone jarring, shrieks of agony. My chest heaved and I gulped breaths, holding back tears until the sounds grew quiet and I heard his broken whispers to me, his tortured voice shattering my heart. Tears fell, plodding on the thick carpet at those final words.Then it vanished. The room still and silent like when I'd entered.Swallowing, and swallowing again, I shook off the sudden, overwhelming grief and turned to glare at the portrait, dagger itching against my palm. The gaze looked blankly past me.Stumbling on the thick pile carpet, I stiffened my limbs and ignored the portraits, continuing my way around the curving corridor. Those bulging lights continued and I counted two m
The Birthright Series Chapter 241
IGNATIUS THOUGHT THE CASTLE GATES would pose a problemhe hadn't expected to find them open. The Lieutenant studied the open gatehouse uneasily and paused to draw his sword and dagger, then continued up the wide path into the courtyard. Aiming for the first door he spotted, he stopped at a soft throaty warble and looked up. Loushka sat on the roof of the highest tower and peered down at him then made a deliberate motion with her head to the central door, into the tower she sat on. With a nod of thanks, Ignatius moved silently up the stairs and pushed one of the stubbed iron doors wide. After a vigilant look around, he slipped in and let the door close behind.THE SILENCE I STEPPED INTO after all the noise from the shadow creatures felt unnerving. It looked like the first floor; dark wood walls and a thick rich carpet. Again, I could see no one around. Only a few feet before me stood a beautiful blue tank. Large and cylindrical, taller than me by another half easily. The warmth of the
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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
