7
(Fenjaday, cont.)
Irola – Balan Center
Fashi sat lazily in his chair, his feet resting on his messy desk. He sipped his caff hoping to stay awake from his boredom. One of the Initiates had reported seeing Derick Aiden enter the A’mara Complex that morning. The actor should know better than to use the same disguise repeatedly, Fashi had replied at the time. It was good for them though as it made it easier to track the man’s movements. Fashi knew he couldn’t do much while Aiden was in the Complex itself. But no one stayed in one place forever, and when that changed, Fashi would be watching.
A beep awoke him from an unintended catnap. Fashi’s feet flew back to the floor as he sat forward again and examined the screens in front of him, using his mind to scan through the images and data-streams. Suddenly, he saw what had set off the alarm. He grinned and started laughing.
“Well, well, well,” Fashi chuckled.
“What’s up?” Belmara asked.
“The boy just can’t resist showing off!”
“Oh?”
“Yeah, he’s accessed his account to show someone one of his films – at the A’mara Complex!” Fashi said, still laughing.
“How on Terrenden did you discover that?!” Belmara demanded.
“Just a little hacker secret,” Fashi said with a snigger.
“You do realize that even now, they know you’ve accessed the information, and will be moving him?”
“Sure, but I’m watching all the cameras on Irola! And there aren’t that many locations they’d send him to from there… Have our people on alert in all A’mara strongholds across Terrenden. Derick Aiden will not elude us for long.”
Irola – A’mara Complex
“So, how do we hide a megastar without him getting in the way of our day-to-day operations?” Saraca asked. “We do need our secretary doing her duties, not just babysitting.”
“We could have him help in the classrooms,” Ja’tel suggested. “Anyone can be a teaching assistant. It would be good for him – and helpful to us at the same time.”
“Not a bad idea,” Saraca replied. “Saying that, I do think Kauri is enjoying spending time with the man. And I can call in a substitute while she’s busy.”
“Does she have any idea who he is?” Ja’tel asked.
“Not from what I could tell when she was at our door. He is finding it rather refreshing too. Maybe we could spare her a bit longer,” Saraca said.
“There you go, matchmaking again,” Ja’tel said with a grin.
“I can’t help it. They find each other attractive already. It’s only a matter of time together!” Saraca pointed out. “The joys of being an empath, if you wish to call it that.”
Saraca’s PCS link buzzed.
Ja’tel used the interruption as an excuse to get two mugs of caff for them.
“Yes, Betel?” she replied, recognizing the code.
“We’ve had a security breach. Someone knows that Derick is here,” Betel warned.
“That isn’t too surprising,” Saraca replied. “We are expecting to have to defend him after all.”
“I don’t know how deep the breach is. Derick accessed his account to watch a movie after Kauri made an HPS search of his movies,” Betel explained. “I’m going to have to reset our whole security system, which is going to leave us vulnerable. I don’t know how long it’s going to take. I wouldn’t normally worry, but since we know we are hosting a wanted man, I suggest that he is moved.”
“Won’t he be seen as we transfer him?” Saraca asked.
“I can buy you an hour or so, but whomever is watching won’t be fooled for long,” Betel replied.
“Thank you,” Saraca said before turning off the PCS link. “Ja’tel, we need to make use of a vehicle almost immediately.”
He looked at her questioningly.
“Our guest needs to be moved. Now.”
“And Kauri?”
“She may have been seen with him. She needs a little vacation anyway,” Saraca replied.
He nodded and went to make the arrangements.
Saraca went first to Kauri’s desk to collect the woman’s handbag. She made sure there was a flyppad in her bag and unplugged the flyppcard from the HPS she’d been working at earlier. Then, Saraca made her way to the lounge.
The credits came on screen and thematic music filled the lounge. Kauri stretched.
“Did you enjoy that?” Kanesh asked her.
“Yes,” she said dreamily. “It makes me wish that I could be as lucky as that woman!”
“Is that why you write?” Kanesh asked softly.
“Maybe,” Kauri replied. “I can live the lives of other women when I write. Women who have been lucky in love. Unlike me.”
Kanesh nodded in understanding. “Maybe sometime you can let me read some of what you’ve written.”
Kauri sat up, half-horrified. “I… I don’t have much polished right now.”
“What about the ones you did for contests?”
“That’s different,” she said, thinking about the fact that she’d really rather not share some of her romantic fantasies with the very handsome man she’d just met!
Rapid footsteps were heard approaching the lounge. Kauri pressed the button to put away the screen. She stood up to see the abári looking at the two of them, worry very clear on her usually non-expressive face. Something was very wrong.
“Let me guess, you used your account?” Saraca asked looking at Kanesh.
He nodded, the color draining from his face.
“You will need to leave almost immediately. There is still time.”
Kauri looked at him. “What's going on?”
“Your search was intercepted earlier. I fear you will have to go with him,” Saraca said to her. “Take your writing with you. It will keep you busy.” The abári handed Kauri her handbag and flyppcard.
“I don't understand,” Kauri said, gratefully taking the flyppcard and putting it in her handbag which she put over her shoulder.
“Don't worry, you will be escorted. And your pets will be cared for in your absence. You needed a vacation anyway!”
Kauri felt overwhelmed at the dizzying news. “But where?”
“Too dangerous to utter it here,” Saraca said. “There may be other ears we do not yet know about.”
The two followed Saraca to a chamber that Kauri had never been in before.
“This is our charade room, where you can grab a new disguise in an emergency, and this is definitely an emergency,” Saraca explained. “Grab something of a totally different style than what you’re used to – especially you, Kanesh. Nothing flashy!”
Kauri chose a quiet, free-flowing casual dress. Kanesh chose something of similar color and style with casual cargo pants.
Saraca nodded approval. She opened another door which led directly to a hoverbil that looked very much like a delivery van. Saraca gestured in invitation and the two got in. “In back where you cannot be seen from the front windows. I cannot go with you. Otherwise, it will be far too obvious. Don’t worry, your driver is A’mara, but equally disguised. Kanesh, I cannot emphasize enough the need for you to lay low and not draw attention to yourselves. Your driver will give you the next instruction when you get to your next point. And let me know the moment you get there. I will be worried sick until you do!”
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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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. |
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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!!! |
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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? |
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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
A verified Goodreads author.
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