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Chapter 295
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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
The Birthright Series Chapter 297
I PANTED WHILE RUNNING THE length of the second floor, my energy extended as I scanned the area, to see if any enemy had been missed. The air currents were gone, Kassie's presence no longer in my mind though I could pick up a sense of excitement through her energy.Pushing myself, legs burning and heart pounding, I resisted calling up my elemental side, preferring to be myself for the moment. Alek felt not too far ahead of me, and I couldn't wait for this night to be over. Rounding another corner, seeing nothing but corridor with doors lining the sides, I stopped with a groan.Bending over my knees to catch my breath, I looked up. It hadn't got any shorter.C'mon, Cat, I growled inwardly; let's get this done, one step at a time.ALEK WALKED CAUTIOUSLY ALONG THE third-floor corridor. Only a moment ago he'd heard the unmistakable sound of shadow creatures attacking. It caused an involuntary shudder down his spine. Those sharp high screams brought unwelcome memories to mind. Jenviet
The Birthright Series Chapter 298
WITH ALDEERN AND THE ASSISTANCE of the Lieutenants, Elena was able to get a semblance of order back to the courtyard. The Cavalry had entered with much pomp and ceremony only to be ordered around, clearing bodies out into the space between the inner and outer gates. A quick fix till the morning.Elena clarified that a proper receiving ceremony for all those involved in the battles would occur. Just not right now. Right now, she needed to present their monarchs, squashing any inclination of civil unrest back into those stubborn nobles' stone-like brains. Though Cat had healed her skull, the knowledge that someone had tried to crack it open to allow Jenviet the castle rankled. Elena wasn't about to let the memory go to waste.'Call out the nobles, call out everyone! Now!' At her snapped order Patel made a gesture, sending a troop of centaurs into the castle. Almost ready?The unexpected voice in her mind made her jolt in shock. Aldeern looked at her, concerned. She waved a hand at
The Birthright Series Chapter 299
SIAN WATCHED WITH PRIDE AS Cat and Alek walked out of the doorway. The shocked gasp from the audience of castle people was drowned out when the horn blowers began. Sian stared at the strangers under centaur guard.So many people, she thought, I don't seem to recognize anyone! Turning her attention back to Cat and Alek, she almost jumped when Loi pinched the back of her hand.'Ready?' Loi hissed.'Oh yes!'One, two, three, thought Kassie.The three of them shifted to their Elemental forms, striding across the courtyard with the men of the Griffon Guard behind them, the Lieutenants of the Cavalry, and the General Guard behind them. They stopped before the platform that the Royal couple walked toward; a hasty creation of several stone benches and a heavy slab of wood over the top. Elena already stood on it and Sian thought she could feel a hint of the Sorceress' energy stabilizing the wood.The expressions of those in the audience were hilarious. She spotted Citaan and Ada beaming a
The Birthright Series Chapter 300
THOUGH THE ROOM SHOULD FEEL familiar it felt more like a distant dream, the one you caught snippets of throughout the day that left you wondering about it. I knew these rooms. I knew this space. But it wasn't home yet. Walking past the double doors to the enormous wardrobe, I entered the bathroom with a sigh of relief at the sight of the beautiful mosaic door that led to the shower. This was something I remembered well.Movement made me jerk around, and then laugh at my sheepish expression in the mirror. After expecting to be attacked so often in the last couple of months, I could imagine I'd be jumpy for a while. Watching myself, I reached back to straighten the chain mail at the back of my neck then getting the angle right, drew open the seam. With a jiggle I dropped the top to the ground, glimpsing my bandaged breasts. The bras Ada had created were great, but hadn't held up to the extreme treatment of war. I couldn't wait to burn the horrid bandage, but it had lasted surprisingly w
The Birthright Series Chapter 301
THE SCENT OF THE FRESH clean sheets had Sian pressing them to her face, inhaling deep. Snoring quietly beside her, Daron lay in the same position, having not budged all night. Or rather, all early hours, she thought to herself; it would have been one or two when we got to bed. Spreading her limbs out Sian stretched hard gritting her teeth against the pangs from her protesting muscles then relaxed them all. The pleasurable sensation drew her back into sleep before she could consider anything.RIRAE'S SOFT CRY WOKE CITAAN. Before she could lift her head from his chest Gredel smoothed a hand across her forehead.'I'll get her.'Rolling off him onto her front Citaan watched as he climbed off the large bed to stand beside the cot where Rirae lay kicking her legs, her whimpers of hunger gathering strength.Watching his face soften to adoration as he bent to scoop his daughter up made a lump rise in her throat, tears silently tracking down her cheeks. He turned with Rirae cuddled agains
The Birthright Series Chapter 302
LYING DAZED ON THE HARD-WET cobblestones, Elena stared in horror as Duke Ryher raised the flanged metal mace high. Throat paralyzed in fear her vision swirled, blackness sucking her down as the mace fell.'Ellie, Ellie!'An urgent but familiar voice broke into Elena's mind, shaking her from the nightmare. There, sitting on the edge of her bed, Verani smiled down at her.'Looks like I arrived a little too late!'Elena pressed the back of a hand to her mouth, squeezing her eyes shut to stop any possible tears.Opening her eyes, she found her sister regarding her warmly. Verani extended her arms and shuffled forward to hug her tight though Elena wouldn't allow herself to do the same.'Oh, Ellie. It's done. You did it. With both intact!'Nodding, lips twisted tight to hold back cries, Elena tucked her head in the crook of her sister's neck, and then, only then, did a tear escape.'Thank you so much for coming, Rani.'WALKING THROUGH THE COURTYARD I realized then just how much da
The Birthright Series Chapter 303
'RASHID!' LISPED A YOUNG VOICE that brought an instant smile to the Lieutenant's face. 'Wait, wait for me!'On his way outside, Rashid paused as young Dekan ran panting after him, fair face flushed pink. Walking briskly after him came the chambermaid, Lucia, a mother of three other tykes, whom Rashid had asked to watch the little orphan. Catching the wee boy by the back of his shirt, she bobbed her head to Rashid about to drag the protesting child off.'Wait,' Rashid said with a smile. 'Is he fitting in well?''Oh yes, sir,' the woman released her hold. Dekan darted to his side, clinging to the back of his pants by the knees, hanging on tight. 'He's got along well with my three, though he hasn't slept much. I'm expecting to find him asleep in the corner sometime soon.''Nooo!' Dekan shouted. 'I'm not sleepy!'Both adults chuckled and Lucia made a motion to the boy. 'Come on Dekan, let's leave the Lieutenant to his business.'Dekan clung tighter to Rashid's pants. With a smile R
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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
The Birthright Series Chapter 392
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
