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Chapter 270
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The Birthright Series Chapter 271
WE COULD HEAR THE TRUMPETS. I wouldn't have thought it possible with the distance but the still morning allowed the rich noise to carry with ease. The cool air made my skin prickle as I watched soldiers lower another of the longboats, the soldiers within it spreading their feet to keep balance. The centaurs had it easy when it came to balance but their size meant the boats could carry just twelve. Eight of the other soldiers (the two-legged variety) slotted in around them to man the oars. Still, the ship had ten long boats so only half that many would need to make a return trip. The reminder of how few of us returned made me close my eyes for a moment, breathing deep. The salt air felt even sharper than usual as if it would sandpaper the inside of my nose which I wrinkled, resisting the urge to sneeze. No sneezing allowed, doesn't look serious at allI looked down to the main deck, meeting Loi's teasing gaze with the hint of a smile.Thanks for that. Nervous? You're up next.Not a
The Birthright Series Chapter 272
NOW.Sian closed her eyes for a moment, following Cat's thought to where she stood in the longboat. Running through Rashid's instructions she relaxed, letting the change flow through her. Both Kassie and Loi shifted as she did, Cat's energy chiming in a moment later. It sucked her in, the Elemental side sweeping through her mind. The delicious sensation of water flooding through her limbs, of the vast ocean absorbing her being snatched her away.Sian?Sian-Siiiaaannnnnnn-SIAN!With a jerk she snapped out of it, her friends' voices loud in her mind. Sorry! Got distracted.We noticed, came Kassie's thought. Very pretty under there but please stay on track.The longboat wasn't yet visible through the thick fog. Sian could sense Kassie working at keeping the fog in place, to make the reveal as spectacular as Rashid was determined to have it. With her mind on that, Sian called to the currents swirling beneath the boat. They answered back with voices of joy, almost pulling her ba
The Birthright Series Chapter 273
HIS LEGS WENT GIDDY. PATEL forced his body forward while his mind struggled to make sense of the apparition before him. Alek. The boy he'd trained, the man he'd mourned. Yet there he stood beside his flame haired princess.Tremors ran through his limbs at the sight of the two of them.Gold and red light surrounded them, Catherine's hair twisting through the air, molten tendrils of flame. Any trace of the boy he'd trained seemed gone from the handsome stern-faced man before him. Alek held himself with something more than confidence. Patel had witnessed his return from many missions but Alek had still been Alek, confidence mixed with a certain level of cockiness and uncertainty. The man before him bore a striking resemblance to Nikias after he lost Ariadwen, the lines of experience wrought on his face.Patel stopped before the couple then bowed low. A moment ticked by before Catherine's voice bid him to rise. Meeting first her eyes then his, Patel felt a certain measure of relief. T
The Birthright Series Chapter 274
JOY, TRIUMPH AND A SENSE of loss ran through him as he stared at the organized troops. An abrupt coronation in a small bay as far South as possible in Elion was not what he'd envisioned. Alek had expected a proper, full state coronation at the castle as his father and grandfather before him. Yakov had spoken of it often. The weight of the crown felt heavier than it should when the ghost of the advisor seemed to stand there amongst his friends.Loushka sat tall and proud beside Kerak, Rumal, and Kassie. The griffon threw her head back, uttering a sharp cry of victory, the other griffons joining her, and Sito who stood behind them all let out a bellowing roar. A tiny touch to his hand made him close his hand around Cat's. Alek turned his head, looking down at the woman who'd saved him, allowing him to save her.With a thickened throat he lifted her hand to his lips. 'My Queen.'Cat's cheeks reddened, she held his gaze before looking out over the crowds then back to him. 'Real now, h
The Birthright Series Chapter 275
'ARCHDUCHESS?' ALDEERN'S QUIET MURMUR WITH an underlying warning tone caused Elena to pivot, a hand half lifted at the instant protest Duke Maghlon made.'There's another villager. From Crenna.''Another?!'Aldeern nodded. 'Excuse me, your Grace.' Elena turned away, giving the man no time to protest further instead forced to bow low with an appropriate response.'Of course, your Majesty.' The title squeezed out through clenched teeth.If Elena weren't so concerned at Aldeern's words, she might have smiled. Though she technically bore the title Archduchess, her position as regent outranked that; which meant she had to be addressed as 'Majesty'. Something the painfully snobbish Duke Maghlon choked on.Hurrying alongside the tall solid guard, she listened as he ran through the brief information. 'A number of elgrids and something else, something large with tusked forearms. Killed three of the remaining villagers then cleared off into the forest when a patrol of allies came around.
The Birthright Series Chapter 276
CAT ROLLED HER EYES AND reached for the box he held. 'Here, my King,' she said teasingly while making a show of getting the crown level on his head. 'Now let's get breakfast. I'm starving!'They walked out of the room and down the short staircase. In the small living room both Lieutenant Patel and Lieutenant Rashid waited. Leseach stood in the corner but he'd expected to see her. She stayed close to Cat.'Lieutenants, what can we do for you?' Cat smiled at them both while Alek exchanged a glance with Patel over her head.'Nothing,' Rashid lied smoothly. 'We wanted to lead you out to breakfast.'With the distractions of the other girls playing up their roles of Elementals, as instructed by Rashid, Alek managed a quick conversation with the two men, Sabyn and Rumal listening in.'We've been informed that all those of the Houses have made their way to the castle.''Reason?' Alek asked quietly, not glancing at Patel as he accepted a plate from another villager, smiling at the awed ma
The Birthright Series Chapter 277
WILHEIM SLOWLY REACHED OUT TO touch a dark bronze zip encrusted with darker bronze crystals. The pull tab was shaped to cup a teardrop crystal, smooth not faceted.'I do, Miss Ada. They are a work of art,' he directed the compliment to Ormbel, nodding at the man. The metal fabricer stiffened, blinking rapidly for a moment and returned the nod. 'Thank you.' He turned to Ada. 'After the last order you took, I thought it might be an idea to make more elaborate pieces. I've had many questions about them, it might create a fantastic side business from the armoury.'The breath-taking array of zippers would catch anyone's eye. Some shone bright gold with pretty enamelled leaves, berries, and flowers. Others silver, set with ebony in a striking chevron pattern that followed the lines of the zip. Several of the zips were plain, but the pull tabs were shaped like beautiful flowers, a glittering gem at the centre.'I feel guilty taking these,' Ada said, unable to tear her eyes from the tiny
The Birthright Series Chapter 278
OOOOOO, THE TREE'S VOICE SANG out in her mind again, sounding curiously of laughter. It barely registered her presence though they drew closer and closer. Close to her ear Leynorah clung to her hair making her scalp prickle as she resisted the instinctual urge to shake her head.'What's got you looking bemused, goddess?'As she turned her head to wrinkle her nose at him a sudden clawing on her leg gave her a shock. 'Leynorah!''What?'The voice by her ear made her jump, an exclamation slipping out as she swatted at the brown creature scrabbling up her leg. 'Oh, Oh!'The little brown thing squeaked, stubby tail waggling as it fell backward into the long grasses. With an excited whistle of a squeal Leynorah leaped off Loi's shoulder, dropping into the grass after the creature. Loi crouched, both hands spreading the grasses to spot the little fae. Sabyn was beside her a moment later reaching past, uncovering Leynorah.'There!'Grappling in the dirt, Leynorah clung to the hissing br
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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.
The Birthright Series Chapter 390
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
The Birthright Series Chapter 389
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
The Birthright Series Chapter 388
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
The Birthright Series Chapter 385
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
