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(Terraday)

Irola – Derick Aiden’s penthouse

Fifty stories into the sky, the real estate was breathtaking. Sure, the view over the harbor and out to sea was amazing, but the prices were equally staggering.

Derick Aiden enjoyed being able to watch all the fishing boats as they made their journeys out to sea and back. It made him think of his upbringing in the small fishing village of Ska’illi in Maalan. Although it was far away, somehow being on the ocean, knowing any of the ships could be sailing to Almara brought him a sense of comfort. The only other thing that brought that level of comfort to him these days was thinking about his only friend from that epoch of his life, Joen Vaala. It was Joen’s confidence in him – at a time no one else thought he would amount to anything – that had kept him going all these years. It was his friend’s sense of honor and duty which had inspired him to write and produce the films that needed to be made, no matter whom he happened to incense in the process.

Derick made a mental note to fulfill his intention to make Joen an official partner in his film company. It was the least he could do for all the man had undergone for him. The only question that remained was how to do it without getting his friend killed. As far as he knew, Derick was the only one in existence who knew the current alias of Joen Vaala, and he would not share it with anyone, for any price.

A knock came at his door, bringing him back to the present.

“Enter, Haku,” Derick said, turning his recliner to look at his agent.

“You do realize the impact your film is going to make,” the tall blond man said. “I’ve been pacing half the night worrying about you.”

“That is the point of my film, Haku,” Derick replied from his recliner. He swiveled around to admire the view across the sea. “It is time that people start to understand who the Neví really are – from the inside out.”

“You will not be safe here, Derick. We cannot protect you against the Neví,” Haku Solent warned.

“Then, I will have to go somewhere safe for awhile,” came the reply. “It's one of the reasons I've been growing my hair out from the day I stopped filming.”

“Do you really believe they will stop looking for you? Ever?”

“No, but I will not remain at the forefront of their minds for long. Then, I can work on my next film about them.”

“Are you trying to get yourself killed? Why not just enjoy your fortune and fame like other movie stars do?”

“Other movie stars are content to act in other people's stories. I must create my own,” Derick Aiden replied, turning his chair back towards the man.

“Only because you insist on doing so. You could be the most popular actor ever, yet you choose to be a rebel.”

“I do not choose to be a rebel, Haku. I choose to do what is needed, not necessarily what is popular,” Derick said with a smile. “I will go into hiding tomorrow. I know the perfect location.”

Haku nodded grimly. “Fortunately, I have already contacted Ja’tel. He is willing to hide you. If you are determined, I will call him back, to let him know you’ll be with him tomorrow.”

“You know me well,” Derick replied beginning the process of securing all his work to his flyppcards and hard storage units both on and off the island. It would be good to have a short holiday from his work.

Irola – Balan Center

A bilfly on the wall of the sparring room heard the loud clanging and sparking as the two fought furiously with shazes. The blue-haired man was clearly stronger, faster and more experienced, but the purple-haired young woman was learning fast. Several times, she got the better of her opponent who would then fall dramatically into one of the foam pits eliciting peals of laughter from the young woman.

“You know I’m letting you win,” Zilan said as he climbed out of the foam pit.

Iyva Erynnis launched furiously at him. He easily defended himself from the emotional onslaught and deflected her into the foam pit braying with laughter. “That’s what happens when you let emotions rule your battle arm. Get up and fight me properly.”

“Say ‘sorry!’” she demanded.

“Make me,” he challenged with a grin.

Iyva visibly calmed herself first, then attacked Zilan, her training shaze blazing as she met his in a fiery clash. He parried the first strike, deflecting it aside again, but she kept up, thrusting another jab at him, then coming down from above. She tried every trick he had taught her, and well, he realized. She was becoming a worthy opponent for him, which thrilled and excited him beyond measure.

Zilan found his own skills sharpening as he was forced to improve himself in order to keep ahead of his student. He fought furiously back.

Finally, they had a stalemate, shazes in a bind between them, both nearing physical exhaustion. “Yield,” he said.

“Never!” she replied. “You yield!”

“Impossible,” he answered grinning at her.

Just then, she distracted him with a light kick to his groin forcing him to tumble into the foam pit, but not before he locked his leg around hers, pulling her with him.

The shazes fell harmlessly beside them, no longer attached to a source of energy.

Zilan pulled Iyva into his arms. Their lips were drawn together in the hungry passion that had driven them the past few weeks, fighting completely forgotten.

Somewhere, a bilfly suddenly buzzed around in alarm.

Zilan hushed Iyva. <Under the foam!> he said mentally. <Pull the leya around you!>

They both ducked under and wrapped themselves tightly in the leya. Just then, the door opened.

“This place smells, Fashi!” the loud woman complained. “The Curator would be most displeased if she knew how badly Zarkonn was running things before he was imprisoned.”

“Belmara, I think that may be reason no. 1 that Zarkonn has not been busted out yet. Him and Nameless One both,” Fashi Wolfkin replied.

“He should have called us in ages ago. I will get this place ship-shape in no time. Do you have our recruitment plans in place?”

“Nearly,” Fashi said. “I know the A’mara well enough to know the signs of disgruntled leavers and members alike. We will fill our ranks soon enough to replace those we lost in the chopper crash or who are in jail.”

“Anyway, I think this place will do for our headquarters. Let’s go and make a few purchases to make it feel more homey,” Belmara replied. They closed the door.

Zilan and Iyva could hear them continue down the corridor, chatting loudly as they went.

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

PLEASE CATCH UP!	LINKS TO BUY!
	Birth of the Neví 829 T.C.E. It is a tumultuous period of Terrenden history. As is all too common, there are those who wish to profit from the misfortune of others. Some of these come together in a new "charitable organization" and step on the toes of the notorious Uugli. Combine this with draconian new measures to combat pollution and Terrenden has a situation ripe for a power struggle.
	Rebound of Power: 850 T.C.E. Collection of Romance Terrenden is being terrorized by a previously underestimated Neví who, through the mysterious “Curator,” have been controlling elections all over the planet. In this collection, we meet some interesting women. Iyva - a homeless teenager in Irola whose untrained power leaves her close to death; Marc’la - a breeder of prized caballus in Kasago whose heart lives in the past; Zukie - an abused widow whose heart is afraid to try for future happiness; Jenna - an elections assistant manager and masseuse who has a prejudice against A’mara; Kami - a chola student in Varkevand who has been assigned to protect Ardin, a man who has his own reasons to distrust A’mara.
COMING SOON	TO AN EBOOK STORE NEAR YOU!!!
	Brighid's Blood 2006 and 1200 B.T.C.E. Katja and Rachel are so desperate for love that they cast two love spells one night. But the Guardians do not consider spells "fun", but rather as cries for help from the very depths of your soul. Certainly Katja and Rachel could not have possibly imagined where these spells would take them!
	Rise of the Neví - 830 T.C.E. The Neví begin their rise in power with the completion of several large housing projects that seem totally charitable, but also hide a great evil within. The draconian measures brought in the previous year has caused major distress throughout the world, perfect for giving the Neví a further foothold on the Terrenden stage. Will the A’mara, now removed from the Council of Peers, be able to shut down the Neví?
	Acting the Part - 851 T.C.E. Collection of Romance The Neví have infiltrated the Terrenden Freedom Party. Dr. Jarly is on the run and the Curator still dominates the Terrenden stage. Famous actor, Derick Aiden has released his Neví expose film and now the Neví want him dead... In this collection, we meet more interesting women. Kauri - a simple receptionist who doesn’t realize one of her wildest dreams has come true; Tirry - an elections manager who is always the bridesmaid and never the bride; Zara - a chef who has all but given up on finding love for herself; D'zani - who isn’t even looking, but has to chaperone her more vulnerable roommate; Soala - an heiress who is expected to marry, but refuses to marry someone she doesn’t love; Moxara - one whose past griefs have locked away her heart. We also get updates on some of the lovely ladies we met previously.

(This post is crossposted at Steemit, Whaleshares, WeKu and Bearshares.)

Lori Svensen
author/designer at A'mara Books
photographer/graphic artist for Viking Visual
A verified Goodreads author.
now also on: Whaleshares, WeKu, Bearshares

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Acting the Part - Chapter 1 - A'mara Books

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Irola – Derick Aiden’s penthouse

Irola – Balan Center

Maps and Guides