18
(Wirnday - cont.)
Yezi’tra, Yezi’im – A’mara Complex
Of course, Benjan sat across from Moxara in the Complex canteen. He caught her attention whenever he could whether by including her in his conversation, making little jokes or simply catching her eye with a smile just for her.
Moxara was equally flustered by the piercing stares from the young woman Tsia, just a little bit further down the table.
Alyona could barely stifle her giggles. <Tsia has a crush on him, but he’s hot for you,> the girl told her in Varkevandish.
Moxara could not think of a good reply. Her emotions were in turmoil. Benjan was seriously handsome, she realized. He was so sweet to her, so attentive, her heart wanted to run to him and help him build that little dream just outside the city.
<It’s okay. My father will understand,> Alyona’s voice came back.
Moxara glared inwardly at the young lady as she tried to clear her mind of the incriminating thoughts that kept returning foremost.
She felt Benjan’s gaze on her again as he started a new topic of conversation. “I was thinking, Abári Kivana,” he was saying in Common Tongue. “Few people outside of Yezi’im know how to survive in a real desert like ours. Yet, it’s training that benefits everyone. I could lead a small expedition with your A’mara. We will take water, but nothing else and survive for three days. I will introduce you to the plants and animals you would encounter and how my ancestors and all modern nomads survive the Yezi Desert.”
“I think that sounds like a good idea,” Kivana replied. “We will need to escort our Chief Councilor home, of course, but I could bring a few of our A’mara back after that, to train with you.”
“Sounds like we’ve reached a deal then,” Benjan said. “I will need Moxara’s help to organize this, if you can spare her.”
Moxara turned towards him, stunned. She felt Alyona barely stifle a snicker. <Told you,> she shared.
“I will need her for Vestharya, but you may keep her until then,” Kivana replied looking at Oberti as well. He nodded.
“Abári! I not get say in dis?!” Moxara asked, still stunned.
“You have an objection?” Kivana asked with a half smile that told Moxara that she knew about the struggles of her heart. The abári added mentally, <Consider this your assignment – unless you’re ready to go back to Varkevand. Maybe Laisen has a better mission for you. One that doesn’t push you out of your comfort zone so much.>
Moxara felt the censure between the words. Kivana was telling her that this assignment was for her own good.
“Will Alyona and Tamryn stay too?” Moxara asked, desperate to not be alone with her treacherous heart.
“I am going to need them in Joton, I’m afraid. They have a wedding to prepare for, after all,” Kivana replied.
Moxara could sense it was mostly an excuse.
“I’ll send your first class of students soon,” Kivana said. “I guess we’ll be on our way then.”
Moxara felt many things as the group prepared to leave without her. Sure, she’d experienced being left behind before, but this was different. She was going to be spending a lot of time with Benjan – who had obviously strong feelings for her. She really didn’t want to face her own inner turmoil, yet that’s exactly what Kivana was leaving her to do.
“Let’s get started,” Benjan said at her side as the hoverbils departed.
“I thought you didn’t need any help, Benjan,” Tsia said from Moxara’s other side. “The course is already written, you told me.”
Moxara felt the jealousy from the young woman.
“I need the perspective of a foreigner to make sure I haven’t missed anything,” Benjan excused.
♥
Yezi Desert
“This is the third mission. Are we covering new ground or just going back over the old?” Arzewt asked. “I want to find my father and my brother!”
“We are covering the whole desert in a grid pattern. Eventually, we will cover every square meter of the desert!” the scout assured him.
“Look!” called another man looking through a scope. “There’s a shelter!”
The hoverbil altered its course towards the shelter.
“May Yez grant us mercy,” Arzewt prayed as they neared. He leapt out and investigated.
The old man lay in agony.
“Father!” Arzewt shouted, the tears coming to his eyes.
“Help your brothers,” the man requested weakly.
“Yes, Father!”
“Make peace,” the man said quietly, closing his eyes.
Alarmed at his peaceful father, Arzewt placed his hand above his father’s mouth. The man still breathed. He lifted the old man carefully and placed him in the hoverbil as another man retrieved the shelter.
The hoverbil was soon flying back towards Grand Yeziling.
♥
“I hear a hoverbil!” Vonjy shouted excitedly, waking Soala.
She got up off the sand bed quickly and joined Vonjy outside. He was waving his arms wildly towards the noise. Soala joined him, waving just as manically, hardly noticing her sore leg.
But the sound grew fainter again.
“They’ve missed us,” Vonjy said gloomily, going back into the shelter and spreading his cloak on his bed. “My turn to sleep, if you don’t mind.”
“Go ahead,” Soala said, limping along with him, her leg reminding her to be nicer to it.
“You should stay inside though – if you can tolerate my snoring,” Vonjy said with a weary smile.
Soala giggled and followed him, settling back onto her sand bed.
“It’s okay if you fall asleep again, but I’ve got to get some rest if I’m going to hunt tonight,” he said.
Soala lay down and drifted in and out of sleep. The warmth of the sun made her sleepy, she found and the sound of Vonjy’s rhythmical breathing lulled her back to dreamland. As she drifted, she watched his bare chest rise and fall with his breathing and found herself thinking of being next to Vonjy. She tried to banish the thought. They may have formed a truce and temporary alliance, but once they were returned to their tribes, they would be enemies once again. She sighed, then allowed the warmth of the desert day to lull her back to sleep again.
♥
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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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. Book 1 in the Rise of the Neví series. |
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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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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; in Acting the Part Tirry - an elections manager who is always the bridesmaid and never the bride; in Building on Promise Zara - a chef who has all but given up on finding love for herself; and D'zani - who isn’t even looking, but has to chaperone her more vulnerable roommate; in Spice of Strength Soala - an heiress who is expected to marry, but refuses to marry someone she doesn’t love; and Moxara - one whose past griefs have locked away her heart in Sands of Survival. We also get updates on some of the lovely ladies we met previously. |
| 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... |
Writing and artwork copyright myself 2005-2019 – all rights reserved.
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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
