8

(Fenjaday, cont.)

Irola

Kauri sat on the swept floor in the dark back of the delivery hoverbil. Kanesh sat across from her, with a concerned expression. The door slid closed and the hoverbil pulled away slowly, and moments later merged with traffic at a normal speed.

“We are in no hurry,” the driver said. “There is no need to draw undue attention.”

Kauri grabbed onto the tie-down grips on the wall and floor to avoid sliding as the hoverbil took a sharp corner.

“Where are we going?” Kanesh asked.

“Mr. Kaarle, I have not been made aware of your destination. This is for my safety as well as your own. I’m sure you understand the gravity of the situation. However, it would be wise if you enlighten Mrs. Kaarle in a timely fashion. She has every right to know why she is in danger right now!” the driver said in reply.

“Mrs Kaarle?” Kauri said giggling thinking about pretending to be married to the handsome man she’d been thrown together with. Then, she thought about the fact they were in danger – and she had no idea how!

“Yes, ma’am. You two are Mr and Mrs Kaarle until you get to your destination,” the driver informed. “I have your IDs ready for when we get you to the quay. Mr. Kaarle, please do nothing to enlighten anyone as to your true identities. Anyone who needs to know already knows… or will by the time you get to your destination. The A’mara will get you set up there until your threat has abated somewhat. Please remember not to use any of your existing accounts! You will quickly exhaust your options if you keep doing that!”

“I guess you’ll just have to put it on my bill,” Kanesh replied with a grin.

“I’ll let the other abári give you any further instruction to that effect,” the driver replied.

Kauri thought she recognized the driver, since she knew most of the A’mara around the Irola Complex, but understood that she had to keep it quiet.

“Think of it as an acting part, ma’am,” the driver said.

“Like one of your stories,” Kanesh said quietly to her.

Kauri nodded.

Before too long, they were at the quay. The van pulled right up to a ship that was blowing its first whistle. “I have two passengers for this ship,” the driver said, showing the man at the quay the passes.

“Get them on board! We are about to sail!” he said impatiently.

The driver handed Kauri the documents they would need.

The man chuckled. “Wise to give it to the missus!”

Kauri felt an elbow in her rib and barely avoided bursting out in laughter. Kanesh’s warm hand took hers as they started up the gangplank together.

“Mr and Mrs Kaarle, welcome aboard. We hope your trip will be smooth sailing,” the man said as they boarded. Then, he pulled up the gangplank and the boys on the quay loosed the ropes holding the ship still. They each gave a customary shove and then a tug boat helped guide the ship out of the small harbor.

A crew member guided Kauri and Kanesh to a room towards the stern of the ship. The private suite had a couple of small windows from which Kauri watched Irola grow smaller and smaller as they sailed further away from the quay.

“I have never left Irola before, not even across the Irolean Sound,” she said quietly. “It’s a strange feeling.”

“Consider it an unexpected adventure,” Kanesh said, sitting across from her, also looking at the view.

Kauri found she was a bundle of emotions, excitement, apprehension, but curiosity and irritation quickly reached the top.

“Now,” she addressed her companion and pseudo-husband. “Who are you? Who is chasing you and why?”

He was silent for a moment, as if contemplating what to tell her. Then he sighed. “It was so nice not being famous for a few hours – a breath of fresh air I didn’t know I needed. I write Derick Aiden’s movies,” he explained.

“Oh,” Kauri replied soberly. “That could be a problem, then.”

He nodded. “The people who are mad at Derick are mad at me too. The Neví want Derick and I dead.”

“And I'm now associated with you,” Kauri replied feeling even more concerned.

“Only 'maybe' – they don't know that we're connected more than that we were both in the same place looking at similar topics – the movies I wrote.”

“I think I need some fresh air, now that we’re away from land,” Kauri said. She felt a little overwhelmed about the whole thing. This was the last place she would have guessed today would take her!

He took her hand. “Come, Mrs. Kaarle,” he mused.

“I guess being a couple makes it a little easier to hide when they’re looking for singles,” Kauri said.

“Might be,” he said as they left the suite.

The sea air refreshed Kauri a bit. Kanesh stood with her at the railing. “So, a few hours to kill,” she mused.

“You are a writer,” Kanesh observed.

“I’m rubbish compared to you!” she replied. “If I show you mine, you’ll see how bad it is!”

“I don’t have to see your writing if you’re worried about it, but you could always help me. I need to start writing my next movie. You can help me with ideas. What do you think?”

Kauri smiled. “I would like that.”

“Maybe… if Derick agrees, anyway, maybe you’d even like to have a small acting role.”

She nodded timidly. She hadn’t acted since she was in school. “That could be fun.”

The wind picked up and blew their hair around. She fought to keep it out of her eyes and mouth.

“I’d forgotten what a pain long hair could be!” Kanesh said next to her.

“You say that like you don’t normally have long hair,” Kauri replied.

“I just don’t often go sailing,” Kanesh excused. “Let’s go inside and start writing – unless you’re hungry. I think I owe you a nice meal after what I’ve done to you today!”

Kauri smiled. “Sure. Then we can work on writing.”

“Come, Mrs. Kaarle!” he said taking her hand again.

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

Banner by @shai-hulud

Acting the Part - Chapter 8 - A'mara Books

8

Irola

Maps and Guides