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Chapter 365
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The Birthright Series Chapter 366
The floor of the manhole was grimy with dust and greasy. The moment Mila straightened up to move, she slipped, legs flicking out from under her.Her stocking clad foot connected with leather.'MILA!' Addy shrieked, hanging onto the edges of the manhole opening to peer in. 'You knocked the ball!'Mila sat up in time to see the brown leather ball rolling rapidly off, down into the darkness of the narrow space.'No, no, no!' Hands and feet slipping over the greased surface, she scrambled after it, hearing Addy call her name as she got further into the dark.The initial rush of excitement faded as the tunnel grew even darker until Mila couldn't see anything at all.She stopped, still on hands and knees, a pounding in her ears so loud she couldn't hear anything at first. The horrible sickening sensation passed and her hearing seemed to be normal again. The solid darkness terrified her. Frozen still, not sure what to do next, Mila whimpered, trying to resist tears, or at least resist p
The Birthright Series Chapter 367
In the spacious room below, Addy's papa, one of Mila's DeNaga uncles, paced the wood inlaid section of flooring, right alongside the thick carpet spread throughout the centre of the room.Mila understood why, the clip of his smart red dress shoes on the wood sounded impressive. She'd have to try it herself when she got back out the tunnel, marching back and forth, clipping her heels to create that compelling beat, like Mama did. Important people must do it, Mila thought while admiring the red shoes, wondering if she'd be allowed shoes that red when she grew up.He paused when he reached the full height bookcases on the far wall, parallel to where Mila secretly watched, and turned his head toward the door.Watching, waiting to see what caught his attention, Mila hunched over the ball, trying to get a better view of the doorway.Two voices rang out.'In here.''This better be important! I didn't rush back for the funeral to be dragged into a meeting before I even get to say goodbye
The Birthright Series Chapter 368
Barely breathing, body stiff with tension, Mila forced herself to roll toward the vent. It was harder than it should be, as if that awful sound had stolen energy. Each rock she made sounded loud to her own ears, making her flinch each time, holding her breath.Neither of the DeNaga uncles moved the other still on lookout while Uncle Vidna rolled his shoulders and swung his arms, humming a tune Mila knew well. The familiar song was oddly comforting, helping to relax Mila just enough to push over and sit up in front of the vent.The sight before her made her head spin, stomach lurching.Uncle Jeran lay crumpled on the floor, face stone coloured, his mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. His curled hands twitched, limbs jerking. His head jerked, those blue eyes she knew so well met hers for a single moment.Mila jerked away, hitting the back of the tunnel, her blood drained to her feet making her face prickle.'What was that?'The loud demand made her flinch, hunching
The Birthright Series Chapter 369
Finally, Mila turned back, body shivering, and made her way through the tunnel, pushing Addy's ball out in front. The tunnel seemed shorter on the way back but it felt like she crawled from another time.An awful time.The growing light caused a rush of hope. Mila hurried faster, seeing Addy's swinging legs hanging into the manhole. She screamed when Mila popped up beside her.'Mila!'Mila jumped, hefting herself up and over the edge of the opening and wriggled, dragging herself out onto the floor.'Look!' she tried to smile at Addy. 'I found your ball.'Addy did look, staring at Mila in open mouthed shock.Mila looked down.The lovely black dress looked grey, with small clumps from when she'd vomited stuck to the bottom.'Mila,' Addy stared still her pretty white eyes filling with tears. 'What happened?'Mila opened her mouth to answer but stopped, staring back at Addy as shivers of cold ran down her spine.Unable to think, mind stumped over whether what she'd seen had even
The Birthright Series Chapter 370
Safe in their quarters, Nanny set to stripping Mila's dress and stockings off and with a frown stripped off her knickers too.'Quick, quick, into the shower with you.'She caught Mila's hand, guiding her toward the bathroom.'But, Nanny,' Mila tried to protest, voice rising and falling with her exhaustion. 'Uncle, Nanny, Uncle.''Come on lovey, let's get you into the shower. There's nothing to be done, Great Uncle Ilder had been unwell for a long time. You remember that. He needed to pass on, to be reborn again strong and new. Stop crying now that's enough.' As she spoke Nanny pulled the cord to the bulbous shower head, starting the flow of water. She held Mila's hand tight, keeping her back from the scalding water that always came out first.'No, Nanny, Uncle Jeran. Poor Uncle Jeran.'Nanny at last looked down at Mila, her eyes wide. She laughed.'Silly girl! Uncle Jeran isn't due back for a couple more days, but he's fine. You know he's fine. We'd all have felt it otherwise.'
The Birthright Series Chapter 371
Huddled with her knees pulled up, Mila considered her options. Her throat seemed to grow drier and scratchier by the second.That decided her dash to the bathroom, even though it meant the risk of bumping into someone. Along the dark corridor she crept, a hand skimming the wall to guide her. Mila didn't risk turning the glow lamps up. Instead she snuck around in the half light, making her way to the bowl-like basin. Its width made it awkward to lean across but she was able to reach the stream of water with her mouth. Gulping the cool liquid down, Mila tensed when the murmur of voices seemed to move.Faster than an eharie sprite she darted back the way she'd come, hands extended at waist height to help navigate the way. Just as she zipped around the door to her and Nanny's bedroom she heard the 'woosh' of the kitchen door being pulled wide. Resisting the urge to slam the door, Mila pushed it ever so slow till it closed. The sound of the footsteps entering the corridor made all the tin
The Birthright Series Chapter 372
A clunk on the table made her jerk around, looking in shock at Papa, her own earthenware mug steaming away on the table.Papa reached out to tousle her hair.'We love you, little one. Try to learn from this lesson. We don't like having to be angry at you, Mila.'The gentle voice and his sympathetic smile and gaze had the tears running down Mila's cheeks. He held out his arms, and she flung herself into them.'Papa, I didn't mean,' Mila couldn't finish her sentence, not wanting to say she'd lied because part of her was certain she'd seen what she'd seen. But the tears seemed to satisfy him. Papa cuddled her on his lap and wiped her cheeks with the large square handkerchief he kept up his sleeve.'There now, have a sip, it'll make your tummy better.'Mila nodded, accepting the mug he passed to her. She held it with both hands while she sipped at the hot liquid. The scent and taste of ginger plus wild mint did help to unknot the tension in her stomach. About halfway through her mu
The Birthright Series Chapter 373
'Your little Mestarn is nearing maturity, Sila.'Mila and Nanny turned to see a woman about mama's age walking their way with a wide smile.Mila watched as Nanny moved to embrace the woman, a wide smile on her face.'Yes, I think she is, Forniua. How are you all?'They hugged tight while Mila stared with curiosity. Nanny was one of the few non gifted in her life, hired as a permanent addition to their family to assist with raising Mila while both her parents worked hard at their roles within the land of Vo'Arum.'And what are you here for today, little one?' Nanny's friend crouched to smile at Mila, who suddenly lost her voice, ducking back a step behind Nanny.Nanny laughed.'She's here to see what life is like for a villager, to get some understanding of what she will be protecting as a Mestarn.''Ah, well then, come right this way. Today is washing day.' The woman offered her hand to Mila who after a hesitant glance at Nanny, took it. 'And what do we call you by?''Mila,' M
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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.
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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
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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
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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
