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Chapter 301
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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
The Birthright Series Chapter 304
LESEACH SMILED DOWN AT THE child who chattered away to the ardwyr. It seemed interested in the child, in an almost protective manner bringing rise to memories of the night she'd sooner forget. 'Sseach?' The young high voice made her glance down in surprise, not realizing she'd been looking off into the forest. 'Yes?''Do you see something?' The child spoke in a loud excited whisper, peering the way she'd been staring.About to answer no, Leseach spied something in the brush.Pulling the pliable leather sling from her belt, she squatted, snatching a large pebble from the ground. Setting the pebble into the back of the sling she gave it a sharp twirl then released. There was a faint whistle as it flew then a thud. The serealil dropped from the tree it had been feeding in, hitting the soft forest floor and bouncing once. Uttering urgent growls, the ardwyr charged over to the small six-legged mammal and seizing it in its large jaws, hurried back to Leseach's side. Ears relaxed now,
The Birthright Series Chapter 305
WRAPPED SNUGLY IN A KNITTED blanket, Rirae cooed from where she sat safe in a sling that crisscrossed her father's broad chest. They'd strapped her facing outwards so she could kick her legs and Citaan giggled as the baby had a sudden active spell, tucking her knees up with her feet close to her backside then thrusting them down, repeating the whole motion several times in a row fast.'I think she's enjoying that,' Citaan said to Gredel, smiling at her little girl. 'Are you having fun?'Rirae squealed, the high pitch making both her parents flinch and did the move again, this time adding fist pumps.'Don't encourage her,' Gredel said with laughter in his voice. 'It isn't comfortable!'Tipping a hand to her mouth Citaan giggled at the pained but adoring expression her husband wore while he caught his daughter's tiny hands as they walked along the corridor toward the Griffons Quarters.They'd sought permission from Elena to get back to their manor for a few days. Instead, they'd bee
The Birthright Series Chapter 306
'NO, MORE FORMAL.''Oh, come on, this is formal!' I scowled at Alek as he peered into my dressing area to see what Maeri and my dresser Serryn argued with me over. I'd picked out a calf length navy dress that gathered comfortably at the waist but looked sleek. The perfect solution to being able to sit and listen to councillors in comfort instead of fantasizing about yanking the stabilizing bones out of the dress and stabbing the droning idiots with them. After weeks of travel and fighting, I didn't think they would have me in full day meetings only five days back.I was wrong. Very wrong. 'What are we discussing today?' I snapped the words, trying to shake off the urge to voice my real thoughts.The last thing I wanted to do today was sit for hours.Before Alek could respond bangs and shouts rang out from further down the hall. The redesign of the Griffon Guard Quarters and the Elemental Quarters was in full swing.Kassie and Rumal had vanished to Delanta to avoid the rebuild wh
The Birthright Series Chapter 307
THE METAL CUFFS FELT COLD, causing shivers along his limbs. In that instant a portion of his mind recognized that he dreamed, the lack of clanking from the chains giving it away, but the shadow creature baring its fangs at him caught the rest of his mind. In the dream of a memory Alek scrambled away, coming up hard against the cool marble wall. Saliva dripped from the long thin teeth. The creature hissed again, splattering its drool against the shield surrounding him, but Alek still flinched, heart racing. She liked to lift the shields. The chunk of flesh missing from his left arm the latest injury from her vomit inducing version of amusement. He had nothing left to vomit, his stomach achingly empty for ten days straight now. The lack of food, and now lack of water left his mind wandering, convinced he could hear her, his princess, crying out for him. He wavered on the edge of reality, unsure of everything. The semi-permanent darkness made him unsure of night or day.The sudden lack o
The Birthright Series Chapter 308
BY THE TIME THEY'D SHOWERED and changed the others had already made their way to the Great Hall. Entering behind another crowd of nobles, Loi ignored their stares, smiling at Lady Lenia as she waved frantically in their direction. They weaved their way around the crowds of people, breakfast without Cat and Alek in attendance a casual affair. Many people nodded at them as they passed and Sabyn responded while Loi smiled, the faces vaguely familiar by now but none of the names stuck.'Here! Sit here,' Franti pleaded as they arrived at the seats assigned to Sabyn's family.'No, here!' demanded Lenia.'Good morning, Laura,' Lady Venilleta smiled graciously at her over the heads of the squabbling girls. 'Will you be joining us at the market today?'Sabyn greeted his mother as Loi did and shook his head.'Not today, I'm stealing her away for the day.'Howls of protest rose from the two girls, while their grandmother, Duchess Ceilible, tsk'd from the other side of Venilleta.'Girls! En
The Birthright Series Chapter 309
SPREAD ACROSS A FLUFFY KNIT rug that swelled out in stripes of taupe, tan, and cream over the wood floor, Sian frowned at the page of the book she read.'A zu-gyn, zugyn.'The strange word matched the curious looking creature which to her eyes looked like an upright horny shell backed snail. It had a wide spread foot that looked more like a jagged edged flipper, with a split in the centre that allowed the creature to hobble and hop from lake to lake.'Won't be seeing any here then,' she mumbled while turning the page to the next creature.A thud outside made her look up from the pages. With a gasp of delight, she froze, not wanting to startle it. Moving just her eyes down, she fumbled back several pages with her index finger, moving as little as possible until she found it. Looking up, she compared it. Same wings by the looks, same colouring for sure, bit of a mane though – sexual dimorphism perhaps? Looking back down to the page, she mouthed the name, hyxn. A sudden ear-splittin
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The Birthright Series Chapter 393
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
