13
In her little kitchen, Tirry worked tirelessly despite the fact she was utterly exhausted. Maybe she should have taken up Yewan’s offer to take the other A’mara out, but now set on her course, she would see it through no matter what. Their guests would have traditional Gaskarii pizzas tonight if it killed her.
The first crusts in the oven, she turned to preparing the toppings.
She was thankful that she had some electric devices to do some of the shredding and chopping for her. Normally, it just felt like extra clean-up waiting to happen, but tonight, it was a real life saver as she prepared Gaskarii cheeses and greenhouse vegetables.
The shredding and chopping done, she opened various packets of seafood-related toppings including several types of spicy fish pastrami. Finally, there were jars of different kinds of sauces that people might want their bases to be spread with.
Tirry wished Jenna were here already, she really needed a massage or something to help relax her nerves. Yet, she knew a lot of her nerves had nothing to do with the stress of catering.
She also knew that Yewan was likely on his way back with their four guests – additional A’mara to help with the elections on the following morning. Their ship had been late, as advised, but Yewan had already notified her that the A’mara had arrived safely and were on their way after they dropped their bags off in the Complex.
Tirry had just finished taking the last pizza bases out of the oven when the first knock came.
“I swear you are bigger than you were this morning!” Tirry said, hugging Jenna. The warmth was shared with Tle-sun as well. “I wish we had time for a massage! My nerves are shot!”
“My dear friend,” Jenna crooned, hugging her again. “You are doing marvelously. You will be fine! Everything already smells so wonderful.”
“You know I mean more than pizza,” Tirry replied quietly.
“I meant what I said,” Jenna said. “He’s here now.”
Tle-sun met the door before the knock and Yewan came in with the four other A’mara.
Tirry joined them.
“Tirry Jelham, please meet Betel Seagle and Lataya Silna both in from Irola,” Yewan began. “Also, we have Mikor Hammit and Garian Dabherd, from Kasago. And for any of you who don’t already know them, Jenna and Tle-sun Orivesk.”
Tirry shook the hands offered, noting that Betel was hardly older than Levon Tharn, the chola who had died in the aftermath of their first attempt at this election. Garian was clearly younger, barely a teenager, she guessed.
“Betel is a proven fighter, in spite of his age,” Yewan replied as if she’d spoken aloud. “Lataya has been helping enormously with the database project. Mikor is recently married and is helping oust Neví in Kasago. He also teaches Garian, his chola.”
“Database project?” Tirry asked.
“I’d forgotten you might not know about that. It’s a project to find and keep track of ex-A’mara – the ones who may have turned against us – something that might have prevented some recent incidents,” Yewan explained.
“Sounds like a good idea,” Tirry agreed. “Let’s get started with the food. I figured that the most prudent thing to do is to have each of us top our own pizzas and bake them to order.”
The others nodded. Betel started the process, choosing a couple of sauces to experiment with and various toppings. Garian followed, at the prompting of his maqla.
Tirry noticed that Yewan was looking around her place quite intently and methodically. She joined him.
“I was admiring your style,” he replied to her unvoiced question.
“Thank you. I did the work myself,” Tirry said.
“I like that. It shows both originality and diligence. It also shows your natural creativity. All these are things that will be helpful with our housing project. You already know how people are all individuals who need unique solutions to fit with their own personalities, strengths and weaknesses.”
“I’m amazed you can see all that just in the way I’ve decorated,” Tirry said with a degree of awe.
“Not just in that,” he admitted. “I can’t separate the information I’ve picked up here from what I’ve learned about you in working closely with you over the past few days. It all goes together to make a picture.”
“Not sure just how naked to feel…,” Tirry replied. “Is there anything you don’t know about me?”
“I can’t answer that question,” Yewan answered. “But trust that no picture is as complete as the original.”
“Excuse me, how long should the pizzas be in the oven for?” Betel asked.
“Sorry, I’m coming,” Tirry said, returning to being a hostess, wondering at all that Yewan had said to her. Did he understand how she felt? Did he return any of it? Or was he just being kind?
Tirry baked Betel and Garian’s pizzas for them, noting that Tle-sun was making two pizzas and Jenna was sitting on the couch chatting with Lataya. Mikor was just starting to make his as Yewan joined her in the kitchen. Tirry noticed a telepathic exchange between him and Lataya after which the tall woman joined them in the kitchen as well.
“You are generous host,” Lataya said to Tirry as she started assembling a pizza.
“It is my pleasure to serve you,” Tirry said. “It is my hope that our country can be finished with elections for awhile!”
“I understand,” Lataya replied.
“Mine is done. Shall I just put it in the oven?” Yewan asked.
“Yes. Set the timer for 5 minutes,” Tirry instructed.
“Done,” he said a moment later and went back into the living room.
“What dis?” Lataya pointed at the pastrami.
“It is a spicy butterfish pastrami. It is a favorite in Gaskarii,” Tirry replied.
“I try a little of everyting,” Lataya said with a smile.
“Good idea!” Tirry said.
“You unique woman,” Lataya said quietly. “Friends wid everyone, so much confidence, but being open wid him scares you.”
“Surely he knows how I feel. I know a little about A’mara gifts,” Tirry replied just as softly.
“He may be A’mara, but he just a man, fringe cloak or no,” Lataya said. “He need encouragement from you.”
“So do I,” Tirry said quietly. “I do not have your gifts. I do not know he returns my feelings.”
“Trust heart. It not lead you astray,” Lataya said. “I like you. You good woman. He need good woman like you.”
Lataya stood upright again, put her pizza in the oven and returned to the living room, leaving Tirry to assemble her own pizza in silence.
Other Chapters of this set
Acting the Part - chapter 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Building on Promise - Chapter 1
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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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! |
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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!!! |
| 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
verified author on Goodreads
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