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Chapter 279
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The Birthright Series Chapter 280
SPREAD LAZILY ACROSS THE WARM leather of Phroma's saddle, Gredel pushed up enough to look at the cavalry below. A steady dust cloud rose but the breeze at this height snatched it away before it reached them. The army kept a strong pace while it negotiated the narrow mountain pass. From this height they looked to spread for miles.'Glad the smell can't reach us here,' Phroma thought to Gredel.'Or the noise,' he added. Nothing breached the peace up here, not even Kerak and Sito playing ahead, ducking and darting around each other. Sian's laughter drifted back to them occasionally.'I thought Daron would be on Nesha, rather than riding,' Phroma observed.Gredel shrugged, the pointless gesture an ingrained habit. 'She needs space. He knows it.''We all know it.''Hmm.' Gredel watched the tan dragon twisting through the air, gold sparks of light reflecting off the creature's scales. 'Grief hits everyone in different ways.' They both fell silent, thoughts melancholy despite the bril
The Birthright Series Chapter 281
WITH THAT FIRST STEP CLEAR in her head, Citaan quickly began to think through possible weapons at her disposal. Eight years of living with Gredel allowed her to look at most objects from two viewpoints. The most vital thing, however, staying in the saddle. An inventory of options built in her mind, but nothing that would have an effect on the numbers.I need something bigger, she thought desperately then stiffened at the sound of sloshing. Without turning Citaan knew the gragnolls on the right had moved closer, hitting the ankle-deep stream that acted as the road run off. Each side of the road had a run off. Her heart beat rapidly when she realized this was the option she'd sought. The reins in her white knuckled grip jerked again, and she wrenched them hard, forcing the horse to keep its walk. The animal neighed and started to twist sideways, giving Citaan more to concentrate on while she fought for control and attempted to call the water to her cause at the same time.'Settle, sett
The Birthright Series Chapter 282
'ANOTHER ATTACK, MY LADY,' ALDEERN murmured as they hurried from the hastily arranged meeting with the heads of the Houses that now occupied the castle.Face calm, Elena asked quietly through still lips, 'Where?''Just beyond Gartoll.''Dead?''No. Badly injured. They're bringing the victim to you.''When?''Within the hour.'Damn. Elena paused and turned her head, regarding those that crowded the area. Many eyes met hers, expressions varying from reverence to disdain.Too many, she thought in frustration. It'll be all over the castle by nightfall.'Still nothing?' she asked and turned to Aldeern willing the man to say yes.With sympathetic eyes he gave a slight shake of the head. 'No, my lady.''Dammit.'The meeting had reassured no one. Those of House Draskel were vocal in their concerns for Alek. More like their concerns for occupying the throne, Elena thought with a grimace. House Lhr'yne echoed their words at every given opportunity. House Vaethon, and those standing i
The Birthright Series Chapter 283
'READY, SITO?''Ready!''Dive!'Pressing against the dragon's back-harness, long leather straps looped tight around her arms, Sian grinned. The dragon tucked his wings in, body turning, and plummeted toward the gathered centaurs at the entrance to another village. An excited scream whipped past her ears half a millisecond after it left her lips. The heavy wind drag made her squint as they drew closer. Sito's muscles shifted and Sian braced herself.Flinging his wings wide, an ear-splittingly loud CRACK rang out as the dragon caught air. The audience waiting below watched with varying expressions.Show off, Kassie thought.Sian ignored her, unhooking the harness from around her waist and using her energy to provide a smooth surface over Sito's layered scales, she slid, tipping off the dragon to Daron's waiting arms.'Oomph!' Daron caught her. 'You could have cushioned yourself, Pix.'Her feet now on the ground, Sian tiptoed to kiss his lips, meeting his unimpressed eyes with a c
The Birthright Series Chapter 284
BREAKING THE SILENCE ADA SAID, 'I'm glad those two finally stood for her. It felt awful to watch.'Wilheim didn't respond at first, pursing his lips. He gave a minute shake of his head. 'They didn't do it for her, if it were for her, they would have stood straight away.''Then why?' Ada asked.'To keep both sides open I should think,' Wilheim said it slowly, considering. 'Queen Ariadwen was a daughter of Tor'del, so they have a clear alliance there but that only counts if the Princess and Prince return.''But who is on the other side?' Ada asked.'House Draskel and House Lhr'yne.'Ada didn't know what to say. The thought of them not returning made her stomach churn, she didn't even want to consider Elena not being here. The weeks of waiting seemed even longer.'They have to return,' she half whispered. 'They have to.'A warm hand squeezed hers and she looked up into Wilheim's face.'I think they will,' he said, giving her hand another gentle squeeze. 'And watch those lot scram
The Birthright Series Chapter 285
THE ROOM WAS BEAUTIFULLY QUIET. Ada stayed there against the door and breathed in the cool silence, relishing the taste in comparison to yet another uncomfortable dinner. If only they'd arrive home, she thought yearning; then those horrid nobles would be put in their places. Though, watching them stand prompt to attention now when Elena entered caused a malicious grin of delight amongst those at the service table. The arrogance of House Lhr'yne irritated everyone, not a day went by without more extravagant demands.Letting the niggling thoughts go she pushed away from the door and headed for her bedroom niche. The heavy wood panelling made the wall look as if it contained a built-in wardrobe but it concealed a set of wide bunks. The hand holds must have been built for a man as they swamped Ada's hands but she could still manage it. Getting a good grip, she hauled back and the well-oiled hinges let the beds out with ease. The top bunk came out whether you wanted it or not, Ada only eve
The Birthright Series Chapter 286
ELENA STARED AT THE HACKED remains strewn across the wooden floor in Ada's quarters. Beside her Wilheim, Cat's younger guard, stared white faced at it.'What was it?' he asked, a tremor in his voice.Elena glanced at the boy. 'What did it look like to you?''Me,' he said. 'Just like me, as clear as if I looked in a mirror.' Wilheim shuddered. 'Then it changed, got all hazy, and it looked like Ada.''Telepathy as well as shifting abilities,' Elena murmured, making a motion over the corpse so the head turned. 'Part gontai then. Part troll too.''The body looks like a urotho,' Aldeern said from beside her. 'But those talons I'm not familiar with.''It's Jenviet's signature. She always adds it to her creatures.' Elena looked at Aldeern. 'I want all the troops, our own and the allies, inside the gates. Have the gates closed. Anyone requesting access must be tested. Use the obiki method,' she addressed the Hotorethites behind Aldeern, the five men nodded. Their violet eyes glowed in th
The Birthright Series Chapter 287
IT TOOK LITTLE TIME TO finish getting ready. Elena dressed in the garments specially created for this particular ritual. The long wide sleeves of the fitted ankle length navy tunic had certain crystals melded within the fabric to aid the rite; even the silk pants she wore beneath the tunic had crystals. It added unexpected weight to the garments.Drying her wet hair with a thought, Elena bound her hair back with a length of black silk, tying it down so not a single strand escaped. She called for Aldeern to enter. The solemn expression Aldeern always wore didn't flicker at her appearance, nor at the items she asked him to carry. He picked the blanketed mirror up as though it weighed nothing and slung the sack of wrapped crystals over his shoulder. They left the room, walking to the closest turret and made their way down the stairs to the ground floor. The long corridors were dim and soldiers stood at every entrance way, making sure no one wandered about. Leading the way to the library,
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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
