23
(Wirnday)
Tirry turned up early to the A’mara Complex. Lataya came to the doors and let her in with a smile.
“Yewan work on project,” she informed. “He come down soon.”
“Do you know what he’s been working on so hard?” Tirry asked as the door closed behind her.
“Is secret,” Lataya said with a smile. “He tell no one.”
Tirry went to the library and started playing with the design of the family housing project. It would be a much smaller design than the Complex and didn’t require such specialized rooms, so wouldn’t take as long. The family housing would be an issue of efficiency – how to cram as much help as possible into a small building. She had just got the basic shapes and sizes worked out when Yewan sat next to her.
“You surprised me,” Tirry said with a smile.
“Sorry,” he said. “I guess you were engrossed in your designing. How are you doing this one?”
“I’m working out the sizes of rooms necessary to what is required. I was able to find the original blueprints on holonet, so I have a pretty good idea of what is permanent and what is open to interpretation.”
“That’s pretty smart,” he complimented. “Can I talk to you about how much wood and soil we need? And is there anything else necessary for the basic structure of our rooftop?”
They talked about it for a bit until they worked out quantities and Yewan placed a couple of local orders that could be filled immediately.
Nate Daegal stared out the window. He felt the need to be outside, taking in the early spring air today. But, he was in the Auxiliary Governor office as he had desired. Although he hadn’t been inaugurated yet, he was trying to make sense of all the unfinished jobs left behind when Sandy Langle had been swept up into the Governor’s chair. She was a bit of a philanthropist, he had to realize. He didn’t agree with her political leanings, but she was otherwise quite a sound person. Recently, she had been helping out the A’mara. Something which his party would have exception to, but he didn’t think he could do anything about it. But he also knew that not everyone in Gaskarii would be pleased to know how much money she had promised them. He ran his hand through his short blond hair as his PCS unit buzzed.
“Aux Daegal here,” he answered.
“I would like to speak with you in person about the Governor,” said the other man.
“And your name?”
“Wolf. Wolf Starna,” came the reply.
“I’m pretty busy, Mr. Starna,” Daegal replied, not really wanting to get involved in mudslinging already.
“That’s jelip dung!” Wolf replied. “You’re about as busy as the trade route to Vendaria!”
“Since you know that already, Mr. Starna, why are we still speaking via PCS? Why not just turn up and talk to me?” Daegal replied.
“Because it was more fun to do it that way!” Wolf said coming into Daegal’s office.
“You’re a strange one, Mr. Starna. What can I do for you?” Daegal invited, not thinking about the fact that no one should be able to just waltz into the office of the auxiliary governor.
“I just wanted to talk to you about a little gubernatorial legal matter you should be aware of...”
Yewan had Tirry join him on the rooftop after lunch.
“Do you have some chalk so that we can mark things out?” Tirry asked.
“No. I don’t think I’ve had chalk in many years!” Yewan replied, realizing it was the perfect tool, and wondering what he could provide in place.
“Can you make a piece of charcoal with your shaze?” Tirry suggested. “That would work well.”
Knowing she was right, Yewan grinned as he pulled out his shaze. He used it to cut a piece of wood off the old crates then burned the end of it to a soft black point. He handed it to Tirry who smiled as she took it.
“I think sometimes you just like to show off a bit,” Tirry said to him with a grin.
He shrugged and grinned back feeling like a boy trying to impress the kids at recess.
She went about marking things out, with a little help of Yewan to keep it straight.
Yewan’s PCS link buzzed. Recognizing the code, he answered. “What’s up, Betel?”
“Your order of wood is here,” he replied. “Where do you want it?”
“Park it in the atrium area and cover it. Bring about a third of it up here, please.”
“Okay,” Betel replied.
A few minutes later, Betel brought a bundle out and placed them where Yewan pointed.
“Now, we can get to work!” Yewan said excitedly.
Tirry and Yewan began assembling the first of the raised beds. She held the boards together and he used the nailer to secure them.
“Yewan,” came the voice of another woman.
“Governor insist to see you, Abári,” Lataya reported, shivering.
Yewan nodded at her. “It’s okay.”
Lataya nodded and headed back inside.
“Sandy!” Tirry cried when she saw her friend. “What is the matter?”
“Please sit down,” Yewan gestured to one of the intact crates. “You appear unwell.”
“Just frustrated, my friends,” she replied. “You’re aware that the election didn’t really go my way.”
“Sadly,” Tirry agreed.
“My auxiliary governor is my antithesis. Most importantly, he disagrees with me supporting your complex so unreservedly. He insists that since it wasn’t voted on, it’s probably illegal. So, it will have to go to the vote of the Council.”
“Let me guess, the Council are mostly TFP?” Yewan asked.
“As you guessed,” the governor replied.
“How bad is the situation?” Yewan asked.
“I think the bills that have already been submitted are safe enough, but I fear it will be more difficult now,” she said.
“What about focusing on the public housing project?” Yewan asked.
“Even that is going to be difficult with a TFP majority. As far as they’re concerned, the Neví do a great job. I don’t know how to keep funding you, as much as I want to.”
“Never mind,” Yewan said. “Something will come about to make it easier.”
“It would have been better had we known before we ordered all the wood and soil for up here,” Tirry said.
“It will be okay,” he said, looking at Tirry. “Everything happens for a reason, it’s just not always clear immediately what that reason is.”
“I wish I could share your optimism,” Sandy said. “I’m sorry, Yewan. I wish I could do more.”
“Just having you in the governor’s chair is a boost,” Yewan replied. “We’ll work out something.”
“If we could start by making up the office space in the warehouse, we could start renting that right away,” Tirry suggested. “We already have the wood for it.”
“She is right,” Sandy replied. “It sounds like you’ve got a good project manager already.”
“Tirry is a life-saver,” Yewan said warmly, wishing he could express all that he thought of her.
“Jenna’s apartment should remain top priority because that will save her rent cost,” Tirry continued, clearly already moving beyond the difficulty in a way that Yewan could admire. She was so used to obstacles that she was already moving around the one just placed in front of her.
“Thanks to all the extra help, the Orivesk apartment is nearly done,” he replied. “But then, I have to let the other A’mara go back to their homes – except Betel. He’s been cleared to stay. He can start on the office space at that time. I wish we could afford to hire people to do the work for us, but that’s not possible.”
“I may still have a few strings I can pull without getting me recalled,” Sandy said. “Thanks for your encouragement, my friends.”
“Thanks for everything you’ve done for us,” Yewan said as the woman left the rooftop.
“I guess we’ll have to stop on the rooftop for now,” Tirry said, feeling disappointed.
“Not stop. We just have to slow down a bit. Let’s work on that one place that’s to be the most special,” Yewan suggested.
“How about the waterfall then.” she suggested.
“We think so much alike,” Yewan said. “Let’s get the frame done for that; I’ll have Betel shift the rest of the wood to the offices and shops that must be rented out.”
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
|
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! |
|
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!!! |
| 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. |
Writing and artwork copyright myself 2005-2018 – all rights reserved.
If you are interested in helping me publish these works, please contact me on Facebook or Discord, viking-ventures#2883.
Lori Svensen
author/designer at A'mara Books
photographer/graphic artist for Viking Visual
verified author on Goodreads
find me on Twitter
also on: Whaleshares, WeKu, and Bearshares
Banner by @shai-hulud
