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(Fenjaday)

Irola – hoverbus route 332

Skyscrapers towered on either side of the route. The hoverbus seemed as insignificant as a bug of the Understory as it tore through the crowded skyways of the lower Overcity. Kauri Klement had to admire the bravery of anyone who wished to drive these dangerous thoroughfares of Irola. She knew she did not have the courage to drive even a single journey during the rush hour! It was dizzying to look up through the layers of traffic both above and below her, so Kauri preferred not to look, but trust that the driver would get her safely to work.

Sometimes she wished she lived at the A'mara complex. She knew that some employees did just that. It would be cheaper and more convenient most of the time, but over the years, she also found that she liked being able to go home after work – completely home.

The bus passed the holocinema. “Ooo, Derick Aiden’s new holoflick is coming out soon! ‘Between Friends’ sounds good!” she said.

A neighboring passenger nodded in agreement. “Apparently, it’s getting him into some trouble though,” the man said. “The Neví don’t like being exposed.”

“Yes,” Kauri agreed.

“He likes to hide with the A’mara when he’s pissed people off,” the man informed. “I wish I could do that when the landlord is looking for me!”

Kauri laughed in agreement. As she got off the hoverbus, she thought about how much she respected Derick Aiden. He always did movies which had real meaning or something to learn. She had always tried to make a point of seeing his films. She hoped that if he really was in danger that he would seek refuge with the A’mara. It would be so cool to meet him! She imagined that they would have some super-secret penthouse for the superstar to hide out in, completely safe from the likes of the Neví! The abári and her husband would probably whisk him away themselves, completely bypassing reception, Kauri realized to her disappointment.

As Kauri arrived and set herself up behind the reception desk, she thought about how much she loved her job. If anyone was honest, the A’mara didn’t really need a receptionist, but she was glad to do it. She always did her best to make herself useful – otherwise, her job could be really, really boring! Still, she had managed to keep her job for five years – something that meant something in this age of unemployment and low job security.

She sat with her cup of caff and a breakfast bar. She checked the day’s headlines and quickly read through the main news. Then, she started working on the writing that occupied her whenever she had nothing else to do. Saraca had said it was a good way to feed her brain as long as it didn’t interfere with her duties.

This morning, the abári herself was standing in the outer vestibule, a chamber which normally cushioned the interior from the onslaught of Irola noise every time someone came in or out. Kauri found that slightly odd as Saraca was normally too busy to await guests herself. A few minutes later, the woman’s husband joined her. Kauri took the rare moment to admire the couple, as visually different as night and day, yet as close as a pair of newlyweds. It made her smile. Maybe one day she could have a relationship like that.

A man came in off the street and joined the abári and her husband who led him into the reception area. The man was a pleasant height, not super tall like Ja’tel, just a nice height. He had long dark brown hair that had just the slightest wave. She could not deny the fact that the man was quite handsome, but she tried to be worthy of her A’mara employers and crushed that feeling as deep as it could go. Besides, it was unlikely they would be needing her. She returned her attention to her writing.

A moment later, she realized that rather than passing her by, they had stopped in front of her desk.

“Kauri, we have a guest. Please show Kanesh around for us and make him comfortable until I can get back to him,” Saraca instructed kindly. She moved onward again, her purple cloak trailing after her. Her husband accompanied her.

Kauri’s question died on her lips. “Sure,” she said after the woman who had already gone through the inner doors. It was unusual for Saraca to not entertain her own guests and suddenly Kauri was alone with this stranger. Strangers didn’t normally alarm her, but there was something different about this stranger. Kauri felt slightly dizzy by the sudden change in atmosphere.

“I don't mean to burden you,” the man said with a slight accent.

“I don't mind,” Kauri said. “Kanesh? She called you...”

“Yes, that will do nicely,” he replied with a smile almost masking the relief in his eyes.

“I'll take you around, I guess. Where do you want to go?” Kauri asked.

“Anywhere you want to show me,” he replied. “I have no idea what to even ask.”

“Have you been here before?”

“Yes, but it’s been a few years, I guess. I don’t know how much has changed,” Kanesh replied.

“Not a whole lot, I would imagine, but I guess I’ll start with the tours we give the school groups,” she said.

“That would be great,” he said with a warm smile.

“Let me just secure my work station first,” Kauri excused, turning on the screen, showing her lengthy prose prominently as she closed the file and turned off the screen again.

“What are you working on?” Kanesh asked.

Kauri blushed. “Nothing much. Just a bit of writing I do when I’m bored.”

“What, a novel?” he asked.

“Just a little story. I sometimes enter them in contests, but they never get any attention.”

“What genre?” Kanesh asked.

“Romance,” Kauri said blushing again. “Not that I am very qualified in that area. But a girl can dream.”

“Sorry, I shouldn’t be so nosy,” Kanesh apologized.

“Let’s get that tour started now, okay?” she said leading the way through the inner doors into the A’mara Complex.

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 4 - A'mara Books

4

Irola – hoverbus route 332

Maps and Guides