5

(Fenjaday, cont.)

Irola – A’mara Complex

Kauri showed Kanesh the conference chambers, the lounge, then the recreation areas.

“This next room is where the A’mara practice their shaze and other self-defense skills. It’s designed to keep challenge to the maximum and risk to a minimum. I’ve never trained, so I can’t tell you much more, but it looks fun.”

Kanesh agreed. “The foam helps them to not hold back so much, I guess. Boards and narrow walks for balance training. Pretty good set-up.”

“You sound quite knowledgeable,” she said.

“From what I understand, anyway. I’m no expert,” he excused.

They continued up the stairs to the next level.

“Here are our school rooms. A’mara don’t believe in keeping a child back because they are advanced or forcing a child forward because they are behind. Neither do they expect all children to advance in all areas simultaneously. Each subject will find the children in different small groups according to their level. As they learn, they may change groups as appropriate. It’s a fluid process most of the time and the children learn to help each other as necessary. Bullying of others is strictly forbidden to the degree that constant problem children will get improved supervision and behavioral therapy at the same time. As it’s not uncommon for the children to get advice throughout the day, there isn’t much opportunity to make fun of a child with ‘extra’ supervision,” Kauri tried to explain. “It’s sort of complicated, I know. But it seems to work. A’mara schools have an excellent reputation wherever they are.”

“If I ever have children, I’d like them to go to an A’mara school,” Kanesh admitted.

“Me too,” Kauri agreed.

“You’re still young,” Kanesh said with a smile. “Maybe it will happen someday.”

“I hope the same for you,” Kauri replied genuinely, then pushed the thoughts out of her head again so that she could continue with the tour.

Another floor up, Kauri showed him a spectacular ceremonial room with its planted splendor. Birds chirped and buzzed around while butterflies flitted from flower to feeding station. There was even a small waterfall flowing into a small stream filled with colorful fish.

“As you can see, in the center is a gathering place. There is a dais set into the floor that the abári can make rise with a flick of her wrist. There are also benches and even a couple of tables hidden away – all waiting for the day like what we had last year when we had a funeral that turned into a wedding at the same time. That was a surprise! Sometimes, I get to attend those events.”

“Sounds slightly strange – turning a funeral into a wedding!” Kanesh said with a smile. “Saraca is that type of practical person though. I can easily imagine it.”

“You’ve known them a long time?” Kauri asked.

“Since before she became abári,” Kanesh answered. “They are good people.”

“Yes, they are,” Kauri agreed.

“This is such a lovely place,” Kanesh said with awe. “I can’t see why there’s no one here now. I’d be here all the time!”

“Yeah, me too, when I’m not working anyway,” she said thinking about the fact that she really should take more advantage of this awesome place where she worked. “Each apartment has a private balcony, equally well-planted. It helps make up for the fact there is little nature left on Irola.”

“Seems a real shame,” Kanesh agreed.

Kauri led him out of the ceremonial room and down a small corridor with a zip-lift at the end.

“Let me take you upstairs,” Kauri said pressing a button.

“OK – that seems quick,” Kanesh said.

Kauri took a moment to catch his drift. Then she giggled nervously. “No. I don’t even have an apartment here! You really are quite cheeky!”

“I’ve been accused that from time to time,” Kanesh admitted with a smile that Kauri found far too attractive. He also had an uncanny resemblance to Derick Aiden, and he was believed to be in hiding now. But that resemblance was too easily hidden and there was no way Saraca would have put her in charge of entertaining someone like that!

The zip-lift took them to the top of the complex.

“I can only get you as far as the observation deck. It requires an A’mara to go in – for safety reasons. These guys can be dangerous otherwise,” Kauri said as they left the zip-lift and found themselves in an airy corridor with parensteel windows at the end. As they got close, she heard Kanesh draw a sharp breath.

“I thought these were only legend,” he said. “As long as I’ve hung around A’mara, I’ve never seen nuwa!”

“I have the understanding that they nearly died out. But enough A’mara breed them now to keep the population safe enough. More work needs to be done though, from what I’ve been told anyway,” Kauri explained. “Nuwa can be quite dangerous, but through the leya, the A’mara can communicate enough with them to utilize them.”

They watched as the six-legged equine beasts grazed, occasionally stretching their wings out full. Even Kauri’s breath caught seeing that.

“Anyway,” Kauri said. “That’s all I can really show you. I’m not sure what Saraca had planned for you next.”

“I'm sure she'll turn up at some point,” Kanesh replied. “In the mean time, is there somewhere to eat? I'm famished!”

“Of course!” Kauri exclaimed. “I'm ashamed I hadn't already thought of it.”

“I suppose it is a little early,” Kanesh replied almost sheepish. “But maybe it will be okay. I didn’t get any breakfast this morning.”

“It's always okay. Good to beat the rush anyway, I think.”

Kauri and Kanesh took the zip-lift back down and walked over to the canteen.

Kauri ordered a rainbow fish and laithos chips. Kanesh went with butterfish and chips.

“I see we thought the same today,” Kauri said with a grin.

Kanesh echoed the grin. “Yes, we did.”

They sat in the greenhouse seating area. The exotic birds could get noisy in there and sometimes, they would try to steal a chip.

“Has anyone told you that you look a bit like that actor – Derick Aiden?” Kauri asked between bites, finally putting to words the resemblance she had noticed earlier.

Kanesh smiled. “Yes, I've been told that from time to time...”

“I love his films,” Kauri said, feeling silly to have suggested the resemblance. Of course he wasn’t Derick Aiden! He was just a guest that Saraca needed her to entertain for the day – probably while she took care of the real Derick Aiden in secret!

“Oh? Which one is your favorite?” he asked.

“I don't really have just one favorite,” Kauri replied. “I find he always has a reason for doing a film, and I trust him.”

“That's really cool,” he replied. “We will have to compare notes.”

“Are you a fan too?” she asked.

“Yes, I am,” he said with a smile.

“I see he has a new film coming out soon. ‘Between Friends’ about the Neví - I can't wait to see it!” Kauri said.

“Me too,” Kanesh replied. He smiled again.

They ate as they continued chatting.

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!
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	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.

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Lori Svensen
author/designer at A'mara Books
photographer/graphic artist for Viking Visual
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Acting the Part - Chapter 5 - A'mara Books

5

Irola – A’mara Complex

Maps and Guides