19
(Wirnday - cont.)
Yezi Desert
“Wasn’t that a bit sly earlier?” Alyona asked the abári as they flew towards Joton.
“What do you mean?” Kivana replied.
“Leaving Moxara with him like that?” Alyona asked meaningfully.
“Oh,” Kivana replied with a smile. “Sometimes, we need help doing what is best for us. I don’t know what her hang-up is, but a bit of time with him is probably all she needs to sort it out. This assignment sort of forces it. If I’m right, we’ll know by Vestharya, or by the time we send our first class back to them.”
“Is that a normal part of being an abári?” Alyona asked, thinking about her father.
“Oh, your parents had abári help too. Who do you think made your dad train your mother to begin with? Remember, they met in Joton. I was Rami’s chola,… I know a bit about your parents!” Kivana smiled as Alyona grinned. “The job of the abári includes doing what is best for the A’mara under his or her charge. Sometimes, that involves being a little underhanded, though that level always should be undertaken very carefully. It can turn bad as well as turning good. Your father tried to deny his feelings for your mother for many months despite Rami’s attempts to help. Eventually, though, watching her fight, knowing that she had no feelings for any of the other young men, he finally stopped fighting it. Se-orna, was there. I only came in with Rami at the end. They got married there and then. It was very romantic!”
“Awww,” Alyona said. “It’s hard to imagine my dad being that romantic!”
“It’s often difficult to imagine our parents like that – but they were – otherwise we wouldn’t be here. Your mother probably conceived you that very night! Speaking of which, do your parents know?”
“No,” Alyona said blushing. “I haven’t even told Tamryn yet.”
“Were you planning on waiting until your wedding?” Kivana asked.
“I don’t know,” Alyona replied.
“I think Tamryn deserves to know before then,” Kivana said. “He’s a good young man. You will do fine with him.”
Alyona nodded. “I wasn’t trying to keep it a secret – I just wasn’t sure how to tell him.”
Kivana nodded her understanding. “Just remember that it’s best heard from your lips before anyone else gets the chance to tell him.”
“I will tell him tonight,” Alyona promised.
♥
Joton, Kri’enden - Joton Shaze Academy
“Welcome, friends!” Cruro said to the small group. “What is your purpose here today, Sheena?”
“Gaetan wishes to defeat my shaze,” Sheena said.
“We are here to observe,” Belmara added.
“I wish Gaetan luck,” Cruro said with a laugh. “Pad up!”
Sheena and Gaetan did. Cruro led them to the sparring room and issued them each with an Academy shaze. “When you are ready,” Cruro invited and then got out of the way.
Sheena waited patiently for Gaetan to strike. The point of proof was on Gaetan, so Sheena could wait.
Gaetan approached her, seemingly studying her stance. When he reached her, he lunged his first strike towards her which she easily batted away.
“You’re going to have to try harder than that,” Sheena goaded. “Surely, those boosters have some effect!”
Gaetan launched a fury of attacks against her.
Sheena defended more adamantly now, parrying and counter-attacking Gaetan. His boosted strength and speed became obvious, but it also increased his confidence. Sheena used her natural agility to keep ahead of him.
“I do better without boosters,” Sheena hissed from their bind.
“I will do what I must. I will have you,” Gaetan replied. “You promised.”
The shazes clanged again as Sheena defended and then launched a counterstrike which landed in a bind again.
“You are cheating. It doesn’t count!” she said.
“No rules were set,” he countered.
“They were certainly implied!” she replied.
“Your superior gave me the boosters. How is that cheating?” Gaetan asked.
Sheena felt her fury at the truth in Gaetan’s statement and fought him back again. She knew the sparring room like the back of her hand and finally pushed him into the foam.
“I will get you next time!” Gaetan shouted as Sheena left with Fashi and Belmara.
“How can you take sides like that?!” Sheena demanded of Fashi as they returned to the Freebooter. “I am the one that has been loyal to you – for years and years!”
“But you have yet to provide for the Balan,” Belmara replied.
“I am no man’s vessel!” Sheena reminded. “Ever!”
“We will see about that,” Fashi said.
“Then don’t let him win,” Belmara said simply.
“I will not be responsible for my actions if that man touches me,” Sheena warned.
“Is that a way to talk about our friends?” Fashi asked.
“That man is not my friend!” Sheena seethed. “He’s a scoundrel, even you should see that!”
“Sheena, darling, we seem to specialize in scoundrels,” Belmara said.
♥
Yezi’tra, Yezi’im – Yezi Central Hospital
The hoverbil that reached Yezi’tra stopped in front of the hospital where everyone attended the gravely injured chieftain.
“Someone needs to take the hoverbil back out to find Vonjy!” Arzewt said.
“Then go,” Sidjin said. “I can look after Father.”
“I don’t want to leave him either,” Arzewt said.
“Then send someone else to look for Vonjy if you must,” Sidjin said.
“Father wants us to make peace,” Arzewt said.
“I don’t have any problems with you,” Sidjin said. “Or Vonjy when he’s here.”
“I think he meant with the Zley.”
“You’ve been talking to Vonjy too much!” Sidjin said with a laugh.
A nurse came out. “He isn’t likely to live through the night,” she said calmly but gently.
“Can we see him?” Arzewt asked.
“Yes, but he’s in a coma. He isn’t likely to hear you,” she replied.
“I give Vonjy a week to return,” Sidjin told Arzewt. “If he isn’t back before then, I will assume our father’s role.”
“That is fair,” Arzewt admitted, knowing that a week was a long time to survive alone in the desert – even for Yeziling. He joined his brother at their father’s bedside.
♥
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
find me on Twitter
also on: Whaleshares, WeKu
