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Chapter 288
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The Birthright Series Chapter 289
I FELT IT LONG BEFORE anyone picked up the scent. The sensation of flames darting recklessly sang to my energy like an intense caffeine hit. Having been almost asleep, clinging to the saddle with my head bobbing lower and lower, I jerked upright and peered about in the dark. All I could see was the dim shapes of the cavalry at fast trot. Each soldier carried a torch in the purpose designed sheaths set to their right foreleg, but none seemed inclined to light them, instead leaving them glowing eerily in the darkness. It didn't help that the moon was barely out of new, just a pale thin sickle in an ink blue sky.Still peering ahead, expecting to see something, I felt a curious hum from Loi and Kassie, moments before Alek's thought popped in my mind.What's that? I twisted, staring his way though I couldn't make out his form. I'm not sure, I can feel a fire burning. Do the farmers do burn offs?I felt his frown.Not usually. Not in this area.Though faint just moments ago the smell
The Birthright Series Chapter 290
RISING HEAT FROM THE FURIOUS flames blew my hair back from my face even as I sat on centaur back several meters from the entrance to the engulfed village. Around us, now visible in the bright light of the flames, soldiers shouted to one another, Patel and the Rodhite Lieutenants ordered the Calvary to spread out around the village. Alek and the other men of the Griffon Guard all stood near the Lieutenants. The dancing flames caused life-like shadows everywhere and my energy expanded without a thought, the inferno singing through my elemental side. Eyes closed in bliss for a second, they snapped open in shock.'KASS!' I shrieked above the sound of the flames.ALEK TWISTED AT THE SCREAM spotting Kassie and Cat, both on centaur back staring at each other, their eyes shifting from human to Elemental. The soldier Alek rode hurried forward, allowing the brief conversation to reach them.'There's something?' Cat demanded of Kass, who nodded.'Yes.''Can you find it?''Give me a sec.'
The Birthright Series Chapter 291
HANDS SHIVERING ON THE WET handle of the spade, Wilheim thrust the pointed end into the ground, jumping on the head forcing it deeper into the sodden earth. The rain continued to pelt down, soaking him to the skin as he worked. With a heave he hauled out a mound of earth, turning and dumping it on the ground behind him.'Can you feel anything?' demanded the forest goblin assigned to guard him.'N-not yet,' said Wilheim, groping with the spade.'Then keep digging!'Muttering under his breath Wilheim set back into the ludicrous task. He hadn't believed it when Aldeern had brought him before the Sorceress, to find her glowing, energy extended along the length of the inner gate securing it from the ground shaking blows the enemy rained down.Why the roses, Wilheim growled in his mind. What could be so important about digging up roses in the middle of the night when enemies attacked on all sides? It was insanity!A gruff yell made him jerk his head up in time to see something tackle t
The Birthright Series Chapter 292
CHAOS GRIPPED THE HALLS OF the gentry, crowds of noble men shouting at the guards that attempted to keep them within the castle as they demanded to be let out. Many carried weapons. Aldeern scowled as a Hotorethite soldier energy shouted, shunting the crowd back. It did little to calm them down. They needed every fighter they could get, but the Sorceress wanted none of the nobles involved. An idea occurred to him. Watching the crowd and knowing the need for more help, Aldeern made an executive decision.'House Lhr'yne! Return to your rooms!' Startled faces amongst the crowd gaped at him. Nobody moved.'NOW!' he bellowed.With hesitant looks to each other, six men and a number of helmet wearing servants started to move toward their assigned rooms.'All others follow me!' Aldeern turned, marching toward the turret. Though she mightn't be happy, the Sorceress needed the extra help. The best he could do was see the traitors to their rooms. As he started down the stairs a figure runni
The Birthright Series Chapter 293
AN EXPLOSION OF SOUND AS I smacked into wet earth rang in my ears. Coughing, head and stomach spinning in a distinctly unpleasant manner, I retched, wincing as that added to the pain. All around me were groans and the sound of vomiting. I could feel Sian's anxiety and pushed up to crouching, struggling just to hold myself in the crouch, my head spinning so much it felt like the ground moved.A bizarre sight greeted me, making my body feel weightless as my brain tried to make sense of it. Glowing centaurs in trees.Glowing.In trees.Clinging to branches, sticking awkwardly out the tops, arms and legs flailing. One floated, actually floated above the trees, illuminated against the pitch-black night and sleek rain pelting down.My jaw dropped.Stop gaping and start helping, snapped Kassie. At which point my brain kicked back into gear as I realized the floating, glowing centaur was due to Kass working at getting them down. Nodding, I stretched my arms out, partly just to steady m
The Birthright Series Chapter 294
THE RENEWED NUMBERS OF SOLDIERS, even if the nobles had second-rate skills compared to the actual soldiers, gave rise to hope.Sunrise is only four hours away, Elena thought. Just have to hold it in place till then.Closing her eyes, she drew a deep breath in, mind reaching far beneath the surface of the planet, linking with the white-hot life flame at its centre. Her gift swelled at the extra energy, pouring out from her own centre, her hope and determination helping to grow and enhance the energy.A massive CRACK rang out, hurling Elena face first to the ground.Ears ringing, she gasped as pain reverberated across the back of her head, mind echoing with agony. Strange sounds around her made no sense. The world seemed to swim before her eyes as she pushed, trying to get to her hands and knees, body and mind swaying.Another blow smashed her to the cobblestones, breaking her jaw. Some portion of her mind recognized that someone had struck her. Clinging to that thought, realizing w
The Birthright Series Chapter 295
'SITO, SWEETIE, ARE YOU FEELING better?' Sian sat huddled next to the dragon's muzzle, stroking it while shielding him from the dense rain. He hadn't spoken to her since bringing them out of the leap, and it terrified her. His life light flickered oddly but no amount of her energy would soothe it. She couldn't hear any of his thoughts, blocked out by something.The scales beneath her hands felt clammy when they should be warm and solid. The dragon breathed shallowly. It took all her willpower to not fall to pieces. Cuddling over his muzzle, Sian sung softly, a children's song from the last movie she'd taken her niece and nephew to. Normally it'd make her cry to think of them, but somehow in this moment it helped. She could imagine their faces if they'd met Sito; the utter delight and fascination. It brought a smile to her lips. She sang a little louder, the music soothing her. After the second round of chorus she realized Sito's breathing felt steadier.Still singing, she probed alon
The Birthright Series Chapter 296
HUDDLED TOGETHER ON THE SETTEE in the sitting area of the Griffon Guard quarters, Citaan, Vesbel, and Ada sat silent. At their feet Audi let out a sigh, her ears perked as she listened. The heavy blows still occurred but didn't seem to shake the building any more.Perhaps I'm just used to it now, Citaan thought to herself, rocking Rirae who fussed quietly against her shoulder. The baby wouldn't feed, too distracted by their anxiety, and wouldn't sleep either.Perched on Vesbel's shoulders, the jybois hummed softly, large triangular ears twitching.Long minutes had passed since Nnelg unexpectedly vanished. Citaan couldn't imagine what he might be up to. Had he tried to attack more of those monsters? Emboldened by his kill? Had he heard something they hadn't? Breathing in through her nose and exhaling slowly, she calmed herself as much as possible. Stress made it feel as though she wore a tight headband, pressing against the back of her skull.Nnelg blinked in. Both women gasped, sta
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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
