15
(Wirnday)
Zley Falls Pueblo, Kri’enden
The rising sun glinted off the approaching hoverbil. The night watchmen above Zley Falls watched cautiously. They were still missing the two hoverbils from the previous day’s mission and only one could be seen now.
Soon, they could make out that the vehicle was over-crowded. The form of Chief Andac could be seen next.
“They’re back!” the first watchman shouted. His shouts soon echoed down the steps to the canyon floor and up into the pueblo itself. Only the soundest sleepers managed to not hear the cry.
But Chief Andac did not smile as he dismounted the vehicle. His look was somber and ashen. Sleep-deprivation wasn’t the only reason. Then the watchman noticed that someone was missing… Soala.
The chieftain weakly descended the steps to the meeting area near the river. He waited patiently until the bulk of his tribe had gathered in the morning chill, most of them huddled under blankets, some sharing with the person next to them.
“When we reached the border yesterday, we could see two things. First we saw the Yeziling in the distance, speeding towards us. Secondly, we saw a huge sandstorm barreling towards us. We took the precautions we could, but we didn’t have time to turn around before the sandstorm struck all the vehicles. Then one of our hoverbils crashed – I think it was into one of the Yeziling’s vehicles, it’s the only thing that makes sense. Everyone was thrown from the hoverbil when it crashed. Our remaining hoverbil, damaged from all the sand, got out of the storm, then returned to search for our members. All our warriors were recovered after a few hours of searching. Only my precious Soala remains unaccounted for,” he said, the tears rolling down his face.
The group was silent as the horror of the situation settled over them.
“We will leave to search for her as soon as our hoverbil can be made ready to fly again, but sandstorms are able to cover a whole party in less than an hour. I don’t know how much chance we have of finding her,” Chief Andac said, sadly.
“We will find her!” one of their best trackers promised. “Get some rest, Chief. I beg you.”
“Please,” the chieftain replied wearily, leaning on one of his wives for support.
He retired to his chambers at the top of the pueblo, his wives unable to soothe his aching heart. “Tell me how to end this war,” he begged.
♥
Yezi Desert
“I want to explore,” Soala said when the sun was up full, warming the shelter.
“Even if your leg will let you, I don’t think that’s a great idea,” Vonjy said.
“Why?”
“The Zley don’t travel the desert much, do you,” he said.
She shook her head.
“You are spared the worst of the sun and heat in the canyon. Here, we have to be nocturnal. It will conserve water, energy and be more pleasant.”
“So, why were you guys out in the day yesterday?”
“Because we were told you would be,” he replied simply. “It would be the perfect opportunity to put you guys in your place.”
“What, we’re not allowed to leave our canyon?!” she demanded, shouting. “We have people clear to the border – they’re our people, not people ripe for picking off by Yeziling!” The tears came unbidden to her eyes. Tears of rage, tears of betrayal, tears of confusion as she realized that her heart was wanting to go to forbidden places. Vonjy was Yeziling, her enemy, she tried again to remind herself.
“Well, maybe your father should work harder to protect them! Keep warriors with them, train them with weapons, like your other citizens. They deserve the same privileges as those living in your pueblo with you!” Vonjy retorted sharply. His voice softened as he added, “Look, I don’t make the policies of my father. I can only tell you what I know.”
“You make some good points,” Soala said quietly, the tears abating. “But why should we have to defend against the Yeziling?”
“You paint us in the colors of the worst band of Yezi,” Vonjy replied. “But we’re only fighting as we’ve had to for thousands of years. From what I’ve heard, many parts of this planet want to believe that if only we chose not to fight, everything would be just fine. But that’s not true, Soala. It’s a fairy tale for children! The cold reality is that stronger countries will dominate and conquer weaker ones – it’s always been the way! The best utopian societies that we’ve ever had eventually lost out to those who had the weapons. Take even Velantia – the wonderful country it was – they forgot their defense. They were in the middle of the ocean after all, no one to take them over. But finally, they were overcome. Maybe if they’d remembered to have warriors, they’d still be with us. Maybe, by some miracle I could get the Yeziling to stop fighting the Zley, but there would just be some other tribe to fight instead – maybe one that didn’t stop with the border areas, one that wanted more than the odd jelip and herder.”
Soala sat silently contemplating what he’d said.
“It’s a bitter truth, isn’t it?” he said gently, sitting next to her. “I’m sorry that my tribe has fought yours so much, but maybe we can pave a different future between our tribes.”
She nodded. “I don’t want to fight you,” she said wearily. There were tears in her eyes again, the truth overwhelming.
“So, it’s day now – it’s time to sleep. In the evening, we’ll go out and forage – assuming your leg will let you walk,” Vonjy said.
Despite her sleepy eyes, Soala was reluctant to sleep. She was keenly aware of the fact that Vonjy had not slept since they’d been forced together.
“I will guard you,” Vonjy promised. “Though I don’t expect there to be much traffic out here.”
Soala nodded. “But you also need to sleep.”
“We can take turns,” he offered. “You can go first if you want. I’ll wake you if anything happens.”
“I would expect someone to be out here for a rescue today,” Soala said.
“Maybe. But we are a little speck in the sand. They may or may not see us. All the same, it would be best if we were both awake if someone comes from either of our tribes. I promise to wake you if anyone comes.”
Soala nodded and tried to settle. Eventually, her fatigue plus the soothing warmth of the sun lulled her to sleep.
♥
If you have enjoyed this book, I would be grateful if you could put your thoughts as a review on Goodreads for me.
Other Chapters of this set
Acting the Part - chapter 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Building on Promise - Chapter 1
Acting the Part, part 2 - Chapter 10
Spice of Strength - Chapter 1
Acting the Part, part 3 - Chapter 19
Sands of Survival - 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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Lori Svensen
author/designer at A'mara Books
photographer/graphic artist for Viking Visual
verified author on Goodreads
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also on: Whaleshares, WeKu
