9
(Tharnday – cont.)
Yezi’tra, Yezi’im – Chief Councilor Grand Palace
Moxara could hardly contain her amazement as the hoverbils came to a stop in front of a huge marble palace. Even from the parking spots, she could see gold, silver and crystal adorning the many facets of the building.
“Most elegant,” Moxara understated as she carefully stepped out of the vehicle onto a purpose-built platform clearly designed to make steps unnecessary.
“The Yezi do like to display their wealth,” Kivana said quietly.
The abári for Yezi’im came out with a stunning woman on his arm. “That’s Se-orna. I met her when she and Oberti were still in Joton. She was a good friend of your mother, Alyona,” Kivana informed.
Moxara noticed how similar the Yezi were to the Kri’enden, but also how different. She didn’t know how it was possible for the Yezi to be even darker than the Kri’enden she’d seen thus far. They didn’t seem quite as dizzyingly tall though. Like the Kri’enden, the Yezi’im A’mara wore tribal cloaks, but used more browns and yellows and less of the bolder oranges and reds she had seen in Joton so far.
Oberti Perton approached, Se-orna still on his arm, several A’mara men and women following in his wake. One man looked at Moxara and smiled his welcome. She returned the smile, then returned her attention to the Yezi’im abári who offered the Kri’enden abári his other arm.
Several reporters were there taking pictures of the meeting.
“This is the first time that Kivana has met with Oberti, as abári, ” said one of the Kri’enden men next to her.
Moxara nodded her understanding. A formal-looking man dressed in a military uniform offered his arm to Chief Councilor Bentin who looked radiant in her formal gown. Moxara refocused and kept up with the procession as the other A’mara followed behind her.
Moxara noticed Oberti wave a hand to open some tall, magnificent doors as they entered the palace. The entryway had grand staircases on either side and an enormous chandelier in the middle. Moxara nearly tripped, not paying attention to her feet. A single tile was missing.
“On behalf of Councilor Uushin and Abári Perton, I apologize for that, ma’am,” a man said, grabbing her arm.
“Tank you,” she replied, not daring to look at him, but saw that he wore an A’mara cloak.
Moxara was too busy looking at all the splendors of the room. Lots of mirrored glass, crystal, gold and precious gems were pressed, lined and otherwise displayed in the décor. Moxara knew she’d never been in such a magnificent place before.
There was a formally-casual meeting area next to a fountain and elaborate plantings. It looked like they should be outside, but there were no birds or butterflies like often adorned A’mara formal rooms.
Arranged perfectly, were the precise number of elegant chairs required. They looked like they were woven out of golden reeds and perched on a thread of a stand. Moxara felt they could hardly be strong enough, but as the others sat confidently, she sat as well, hardly noticing that the man who had first smiled at her, then helped steady her a few minutes previously sat in the chair next to her as Oberti began the introductions.
Oberti indicated the woman on his arm opposite Kivana. “This is my wife, Se-orna. She used to be based in Kri’enden, like myself. In fact, I believe she is acquainted with your parents, young lady,” he said looking at Alyona. He named a couple other young A’mara. Then, he looked towards Moxara and continued, “I also have Tsia Hazos here today and Benjan Masola, sitting next to one of your lovely ladies. Our other A’mara are off on other tasks today.”
Moxara finally looked at the man next to her. She felt her heart flutter as Benjan looked at her. She pulled her gaze away and silently scolded her heart for playing schoolgirl games on her.
Fortunately, Kivana began her introductions giving Moxara a good excuse to ignore the man sitting in the chair beside her. The abári started the introductions with her, then Tamryn and Alyona, confirming the young woman’s parents for Se-orna’s benefit. The woman smiled and nodded, clearly remembering the pair. Kivana continued with the other A’mara. “Finally, we have the Kri’enden Chief Councilor Bentin with her entourage and guards.”
“And I, at last, introduce the Yezi’im Chief Councilor Haldi Uushin,” Oberti said, indicating a man who had just entered the room from behind him. The Chief Councilor was escorted by the same military officer who had escorted the Kri'enden Chief Councilor. The officer then stood behind the leaders as a guard.
Moxara noted the interesting custom of introducing the most important guest last. She noticed Benjan looking at her again. She smiled, then focused back on the meeting. Lives were at stake, she knew.
“We are here together today to see if we can figure out a way to end the border disputes between the tribes of our countries. In particular, the Yeziling and the Zley are often raiding each other. No one outside these two bands seem to know who started them, but everyone seems to know they hate each other. The problem is worse because it has become a focus of gambling and even some of our politicians are taking note and think we should be doing more to ensure the safety of our people,” Oberti explained.
“This is an issue of grave concern,” Kivana agreed. “As our people learn more about these skirmishes, it is almost guaranteed that they learn a very lop-sided view – one which is bound to get more people involved.”
“I am not too worried about Yezi’im,” Chief Councilor Uushin said. “We are a strong country with plenty of healthy warriors to defend it.”
“Our country, too, knows how to defend itself,” Chief Councilor Bentin replied. “But that is not really the point. War costs many innocent lives. There is every reason to try to avoid killing each other’s finest young men and women. Not to mention the fact that we have enough technology at our hands to do great damage to ourselves and our neighbors.”
“Is that a threat?” Chief Councilor Uushin asked, raising himself in his chair.
“Not at all,” Moxara replied in Chief Councilor Bentin’s stead. “She merely points out obvious. Our two countries have great weapons, but to use dem hurts all, not just enemies. So, maybe we could find way to not be enemies.”
Benjan smiled at Moxara. She found herself fighting a blush. She must not lose her focus!
“These are good points,” Se-orna joined in. “However, we must all understand that there is a matter of pride and honor among the Yezi tribes. To stand down can be as bad as losing, to many chieftains. I know it does not make sense to those of us with A’mara training, but it’s how the Yezi have been trained for generations.”
“Someone will have to be brave and acknowledge a loss of pride then,” Alyona piped up. “It’s silly to have bad things continuing just because someone is afraid of looking bad!”
“And who is going to convince the Yezi of that?” Kivana asked. “Convincing them that losing is not a loss at all, but a win for everyone?”
“That is the greatest question of this meeting!” Oberti said. “However, I would like to take a few minutes to offer our Kri’enden friends refreshments so that we can get a chance to know one another.”
♥
If you have enjoyed this book, I would be grateful if you could put your thoughts as a review on Goodreads for me.
Other Chapters of this set
Acting the Part - chapter 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Building on Promise - Chapter 1
Acting the Part, part 2 - Chapter 10
Spice of Strength - Chapter 1
Acting the Part, part 3 - Chapter 19
Sands of Survival - Chapter 1
Maps and Guides
- continents of Alacantis and Kranisis (five maps)
- continent of Almara (five maps)
- countries of Kri'enden and Yezi'im (four maps plus "other places")
- characters, pronunciation and glossary
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Lori Svensen
author/designer at A'mara Books
photographer/graphic artist for Viking Visual
verified author on Goodreads
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also on: Whaleshares, WeKu
