16
(Wirnday – cont.)
The Freebooter Casino
“Amazing news!” Gaetan shouted as he came in.
“Spit it out,” Belmara said, looking up from her breakfast.
“Both tribes are missing their heirs!” Gaetan shouted.
“Whoa!” Fashi said, standing up. “Well, well, well… Let’s open up another book.”
“We can take bets on who is found first. Whether they are alive or not,” Sheena suggested.
“Whether they turn up together,” Fashi said.
Belmara chuckled. “You old romantic!”
“Well? It’s a thought no one else is likely to have had.”
“Which is likely to result in them being found dead,” Sheena said realistically. “Or at least if the Yeziling find them first.”
“Another category to bet on – who finds them!”
“Making money has never been so easy!” Belmara said.
“Or so much fun!” Fashi agreed handing Gaetan a small packet.
“What are you giving him?!” Sheena demanded.
“An equalizer,” Fashi said innocently.
“Boosters?! You think boosters are going to help him defeat me?” Sheena demanded.
“It’s the only way he has half a chance,” Fashi said. “You and I both know that. Your offer has no meaning unless there is risk on your part.”
“Don’t you think I knew that?! Don’t you think that was the reason I said it?” Sheena shouted. “You have no right to interfere!”
“Do you have the ability to defend against both Belmara and myself?” Fashi challenged.
“Should I just take a booster to make sure I do?” Sheena countered.
“We are still above you,” Belmara reminded tersely. “The Curator is also very capable of putting you in your place. She seems especially fond of Death Edicts at the moment. I suggest you play by the rules if you want to remain #1 here – or the coming duel will be for that right as well!”
“I will defeat you,” Gaetan promised, grabbing Sheena and kissing her.
She slapped him. “You will regret trying,” she replied.
♥
Yezi’tra, Yezi’im – A’mara Complex
“We have news,” Oberti informed Moxara and the group of A’mara, the two Chief Councilors and their attendants as they ate breakfast. “Apparently, a hoverbil returned in the night. The Yeziling lost a couple of warriors in the accident; their bodies were returned in the remaining hoverbil. Unfortunately, Yth’n and his eldest son remain missing.”
“The one who offered us the most hope,” Kivana replied sadly.
“They will be sending out a rescue party today,” Oberti replied.
“I, also, have received news,” Chief Councilor Bentin said. “It’s a similar story for the Zley. Chief Andac has returned with everyone piled into a single hoverbil – but minus his eldest daughter, Soala, who was expected to succeed him, in time.”
“More sad news,” Moxara said. “I hope der is silver lining here somewhere.”
Benjan looked at her as if offering her emotional support.
Moxara smiled her appreciation, then looked at the others in the room. It was difficult to just sit there.
“We could send assistance with the rescue parties,” Tamryn suggested.
“For what purpose?” Chief Councilor Uushin asked. “None of us know the desert like the Yeziling!”
“He is right,” Chief Councilor Bentin replied.
“I’m afraid I really need to get back to my duties,” Chief Councilor Uushin said. “You may inform me of any developments.” The man left the room.
“I wish I could just go back to Joton,” Chief Councilor Bentin added.
“You could,” Kivana said.
“But if I’m then needed again, it will be more disruptive than if I just stay here,” Chief Councilor Bentin reasoned.
“I could take you guys on a tour of all our sites,” Benjan suggested. “It’s not particularly helpful, I guess, but it will pass the time, and it might even help us to relax while waiting for news.”
“It’s a good idea,” Kivana said. “I’m sure even our Chief Councilor could use some down time.”
♥
Yezi Desert
A hoverbil scoured the desert along the border of Kri’enden and Yezi’im.
“The problem with sandstorms is their ability to change everything in the blink of an eye. If the sandstorm persisted long after the crash, then Soala could easily have been buried,” the scout explained, grateful that Chief Andac had stayed behind.
An elder nodded grimly. “There’s a reason our people built the pueblo,” she said.
“So, what are we looking for?” another elder asked.
“Any signs of the original wreckage. We think they ran into the other hoverbil, so there should be plenty of evidence if the desert didn’t cover it completely,” the scout answered.
“How could Soala survive on her own?” the female elder asked.
“It depends. If she understands anything about desert survival and managed to somehow salvage the water containers that the hoverbil had on board, then it’s possible. Otherwise…,” the scout drifted off, unwilling to say anything more.
The hoverbil continued its gridlike pattern to search for the missing heir.
♥
Yezi’tra, Yezi’im – History Museum
Kivana toured the history museum with Oberti and Se-orna. She wondered briefly if knowing about each other’s history would loosen the tensions between the countries. They were so similar! It was more like siblings squabbling over who had the better room. She shook her head with the thought.
“I agree with you,” Oberti said. “If we only learned more about each other, we could learn how similar we are and how silly these squabbles really are!”
Kivana nodded.
“But I need to talk with you about other things,” Oberti began delicately. “CC Uushin has expressed the desire for a new adviser.”
“Why does that concern me?” Kivana asked.
“Because he’s expressly asked for Moxara,” Oberti said.
“She has been turning heads here,” Se-orna said meaningfully, looking towards another part of the museum where Benjan was escorting Moxara around.
Kivana nodded. “What’s your opinion of her heart?”
“Guarded,” Oberti said. “And clouded. Do you know anything of her past?”
Kivana shook her head. “She only just came to me, looking after two very capable young people who will probably marry at Vestharya. I tried broaching that topic with Moxara on our journey here and she changed the subject very quickly. Something that she needs to work through, for sure. Is he a good man?”
“The best,” Oberti said. “He also has a bit of a tragic past, so maybe they would be good for each other… if he can get through her barriers.”
“I know she’s already repulsed him once. Perhaps some time together is all they need. Consider her transferred then,” Kivana said with a smile. “I just have to find a way of doing it that doesn’t make her reinforce her barriers with Tephsan steel!”
♥
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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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 in Rebound of Power; Marc’la - a breeder of prized caballus in Kasago whose heart lives in the past in Friendship on Fire; Zukie - an abused widow whose heart is afraid to try for future happiness in Courage to Trust; Jenna - an elections assistant manager and masseuse who has a prejudice against A’mara in Elect to Change; Kami - a chola student in Varkevand who has been assigned to protect Ardin, a man who has his own reasons to distrust A’mara in Ocean of Empathy. |
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| COMING SOON | TO AN EBOOK STORE NEAR YOU!!! |
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Rise of the Neví - 830 T.C.E. In this series, 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? Titles to include: Name of the Neví, Head of the Neví... |
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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
