6

(Fenjaday, cont.)

Irola – A’mara Complex

Outside the abári’s door, a man appeared. Yewan Avicent was short for a man. His cloak was burgundy which complemented his tan-colored clothing. His shoulder-length hair was a reddish-brown which almost seemed to match his cloak. His warm eyes were a greenish-blue.

“You wanted to see me?” he asked when Ja’tel opened the door.

“Yes, Yewan. Come in. Saraca will be with us in a minute, I’m sure.”

Yewan made himself comfortable. He looked around at the various bits of décor, some of it notably Kri’enden and other parts very distinctly Tephsan. It made an interesting contrast, Yewan noted. It spoke volumes about the couple who lived here in very close harmony.

“Yes, we have been together a very long time,” Saraca said as if he had spoken. “We met as cholas and have been together almost since that time – so, about 35 years, I guess, once our maqlas gave up trying to keep us apart!”

“Such a lovely story,” Yewan said. “It would be good to record it for future generations.”

“We can have no children,” Saraca reminded brusquely.

“I am painfully aware of that,” Yewan said, wincing. “I meant that today’s cholas could learn something from your story.”

“Perhaps,” Saraca said, dropping the subject pointedly. “I have called you with the intention of assigning you as the new abári of Gaskarii.”

“Abári!” Yewan exclaimed. “I have no desire to lead. Watching Jerreck was experience enough!”

“But that is precisely why you have all the experience and knowledge necessary to run a small group,” Saraca replied.

“I do not wish to be the center of attention,” Yewan protested.

“Loxos is a small city, only 50,000 inhabitants. The country itself is only double that,” Saraca said. “It will not put you under too much scrutiny, I’m sure. But it has become clear that we need a Complex built there and I feel you are the one to oversee this project. I seem to remember you enjoy design and renovation tasks? We are seeking to renovate an old newspaper building to be our new Complex there.”

Yewan realized that if he had to accept a fringe, a small community would be preferable to a megalopolis like Irola. He also appreciated Saraca remembering the renovation tasks he had overseen previously in poorer neighborhoods. Some of the community aid buildings had been his projects, and successful ones at that.

“And that is why I’ve asked you to repeat your success on Gaskarii,” Saraca answered his thoughts.

“It would be an enjoyable task,” Yewan admitted.

“Then, may I inform Tle-sun that you will be on your way?”

“Tle-sun! I haven’t seen him since that wedding last year.”

“At which Akeld told the both of you that you were ‘next’ if I remember correctly,” Saraca said with a laugh.

“Poor lad, Tle-sun was next, wasn’t he?! I had almost forgotten. I guess I saw him there too then. Still too long since I’ve seen him.”

“Which leaves you,” Saraca said with a sparkle in her eye.

“Ha ha! Good luck with that one,” Yewan said with a chuckle.

“Perhaps all you need is a change of scenery.”

“Nah. I’m pretty much immune,” Yewan replied.

“I seem to remember Tle-sun saying something similar,” Saraca said.

“Leave the poor man alone,” Ja’tel said as he came in the room. “Have a few weeks without a wedding and you get all twitchy, my dear!”

“I suppose so,” Saraca admitted.

“Anyway,” Yewan interrupted. “Yes. Let Tle-sun know that I will be coming as soon as I can get away.”

“That should be in the next few days, I would have thought,” Saraca suggested.

“Yes, I can be ready in that time. It’s going to be weird moving again. I have been on Irola for most of the past 20 years! I guess it’s time for a change.”

“I will have your new abári cloak with you by morning,” she promised.

“Even before I’ve been sworn in?” he asked.

“You will be ‘acting abári’ the moment you arrive since they do not have one at present.”

“Thank you,” he said, feeling humbled.

When Kauri and Kanesh finished their meal, they left the canteen. “I think it might be wise to find out what Saraca's plans are,” Kauri suggested.

“It might be,” Kanesh agreed.

They continued towards Saraca's suite and saw a man in a burgundy cloak coming out.

“Kanesh!” Yewan said warmly, shaking the man’s hand. “I’m glad to see you visiting us again! I take it everything is good with you?”

“Yes, thank you… Yewan, was it?” Kanesh replied.

“I am honored that you remember, sir,” Yewan said. “I must be going, I have a ship to catch.”

The man continued down the corridor, his cloak billowing behind his determined stride.

“You said you’d been here before, but I thought it was just a tour, not a proper visit.” Kauri said. “I’ve been working here for five years. I think I would have remembered you.”

“Yes, I suppose it was before then. I would have remembered such an attentive receptionist!” He said, returning the compliment.

Kauri felt herself blushing before continuing to the abári suite. She pressed the buzzer for Saraca's door.

“Yes?” came the greeting as the door opened.

“Sorry, ma'am, I wasn't sure what your plans are for me this afternoon. What are your intentions for Kanesh?”

“For today, my intention is for you to entertain him. Is that okay?”

“Yes, ma'am. I just worried that I might need to do something more important.”

“For today, there is nothing more important than keeping Kanesh busy.”

“And when it’s time for me to go home?” Kauri asked.

“We will talk about it then,” Saraca promised.

Kauri felt slightly embarrassed, but also happy that she would have all day to get to know Kanesh. He seemed to be such a great person. She told him briefly about the conversation.

“So, we have all day to kill?” he asked. “Do you have a list of … um, Derick Aiden's films?”

“No. I guess I should grab one if we want to talk about them! There’s a holonet terminal across from the library.” They retraced their route back to the library. Kauri sat at the bench and readily found a complete list which she saved to her own flyppad.

“Great idea!” Kanesh said with a smile. “Maybe we can watch something in that lounge you showed me.”

Kauri nodded with a grin, taking him back to the lounge they had passed early in the tour. She chose a couch in the corner that had its own screen.

“Okay, let's look at your list,” he said sitting next to her.

She showed him.

“Okay, those early ones were rubbish,” he complained. “You know, new actor, just getting started, didn't know what on Terrenden he was doing!”

“You sure they're not worth seeing?” Kauri asked.

“If you're desperate, perhaps...,” he replied. “But honestly, they don't add much to the career except as a launch pad.”

“So, which is the first one worth seeing?” she asked.

“Daywatch.”

“I've seen that one. I thought it was a brilliant portrayal of life at that time... especially in Tephsa. I know it wasn't an easy place to live and it made me think about things differently.”

He nodded. “Me too. That film was a life-changer for me.”

“I haven’t seen ‘Beauty in the Spy.’ Is that a good one?” Kauri asked.

“One of my favorites!” Kanesh said. “We can watch that one if you like.”

“I'd very much like that,” Kauri said, pushing a button. A screen appeared at a suitable distance from the couch.

“You should let me find it for you,” Kanesh replied. “I have an account we can use.”

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.
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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 6 - A'mara Books

6

Irola – A’mara Complex

Maps and Guides