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Chapter 368

Author: Nicole MacDonald
last update Last Updated: 2022-06-15 14:13:35
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
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  • 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

    Last Updated : 2022-06-15

  • 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.'

    Last Updated : 2022-06-15

  • 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

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    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

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    '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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  • The Birthright Series   Chapter 374

    With the others, they walked to a larger building, long like their Manor Lodge but not even a third its size. There were no steps leading in, just two open doors and the floor was dirt. Mila stared at it in surprise.Inside long tables ran the length of either side of the room with a short table at the end that ran between them.'That's for the head family,' Nanny explained quietly to Mila. 'See how everyone knows their places?'Like in the Manor Lodge everyone here went straight to their own seats, leaving Nanny and Mila standing in the middle of the room.'Nanny,' Mila whispered. 'Where do we sit?''We wait to be greeted,' Nanny replied.Nuia walked straight to the head family's table then turned and faced the room, raising her arms.Everyone fell silent, eyes on her.'Thank you all for your help with the washing. We will eat shortly, but first I wanted to introduce you to our guest today.'Mila pressed tight against Nanny as all eyes turned to them.'Most of you know Nanny

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  • The Birthright Series   Chapter 375

    The doors to the Great Hall opened as Mila and Nanny were saying their goodbyes. Mila didn't turn to look, too busy hugging another Uncle, but she heard Nanny's gasp.This gasp sounded bad.Mila pulled back from her Uncle's arms and noticed he too seemed distracted, she turned.A villager stood amongst a group of adults, speaking quietly. The adults all looked sick, some cried.'Nanny,' Mila whispered, and reached for her hand. 'What's wrong?'Nanny said nothing, only held Mila's hand tight.The villager looked their way and with a visible sigh, walked to their table.'I am so sorry to bring you such news. Jeran Mestarn was found dead beneath a rock slide this morning. We think it caught him during the night.'It took a minute before Mila realized he meant Uncle Jeran.The lovely calm feeling froze in her mind. She didn't know how she should react.Turning, Mila found her parents staring at the man with shocked expressions. Moments later their gazes slid in unison to her face

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  • The Birthright Series   Chapter 376

    Mila sat on the floor of her room, toys gathered around as if she played. But the toys lay ignored as Mila tilted her head, ear to the door. The murmur of voices wasn't loud enough. Mila closed her eyes and relaxed, imaging she heard them in her head.The door opened, Mila glanced up to see Nanny smiling at her.'Well! What are we doing here, lovey? Oh, is it a traveling troupe?'The firm way Nanny spoke and her brief check down the corridor made Mila even more certain something wasn't right. 'Come now, play along. I'll be Ms Geckna, pulling the giant wagon with all her friends in it. Now, where are we going?''Oo-' Mila shook her head, mind clearing. 'The village? A show for the village?''Very good idea! They'll love it. Let's set it up.'Nanny wouldn't stop using the high firm voice, making it difficult for Mila to hear their voices in her mind. 'Not interested? Let's read a story then,' Nanny smiled with a closed mouth, offering her hands to Mila.They climbed onto Mila'

    Last Updated : 2022-06-15

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    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

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    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

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