20
(Wirnday - cont.)
Yezi’tra, Yezi’im – A’mara Complex
In the formal lounge in the underground part of the A’mara Complex in Yezi’tra, Moxara sat in a comfy chair in a corner, a flyppad on the end table. Benjan sat in the next chair, his dark long legs resting against hers as they made plans for the desert survival training class they were working on.
“You know, the more I think about this,” Benjan began. “The more I think that I need to take you out to the desert to show you everything I’m talking about. I want to just wait until we have a class with us, but I keep thinking that I need you to be more knowledgeable before then.”
Moxara knew where this was leading already. Her mind began to panic at the thought of being alone in the desert with him for three days as they were planning for the class.
“We do have virtual entertainment here, you know,” Benjan said. “We can start there. But eventually, I do need to show you properly – for part of a day would be fine, but there’s no comparing with the experience of surviving in the desert.”
Moxara relaxed a little.
“Come,” he coaxed, taking her hand. “Just because Yezi’tra is in the middle of the desert and just because the Yeziling have some barbaric customs, doesn’t mean we are completely isolated!”
Benjan led her to the entertainment suite. The room had no décor, just blank walls. He turned the lights down.
“Yezi Desert,” Benjan commanded. “We already had this program installed for training our own students when they are too young or too new to take out into the desert without undue risk. If you find yourself dizzy, just grab onto my arm until you’re okay.”
The holographic projection surrounded them. It started off with a severe sandstorm.
“Put your cloak around your head,” Benjan shouted over the noise as the projected storm overtook them. “It will protect you.”
Moxara obeyed. She felt dizzy at the swirling sand around her, unable to see anything. She clutched his arm quickly.
“It’s scary being in a sandstorm,” he said right into her ear.
Moxara saw how the sand piled up on all sides of them. She feared they would be buried.
<It can!> Benjan said. < But this is just a projection.>
Then, the air cleared around them, but the dunes were in different places now.
“Yes, the desert can look very different after a sandstorm,” he explained. “That’s why it’s more important to learn how to survive in the desert than any other lesson in Yezi’im.”
Moxara nodded. “So, what come first?” she asked, feeling the hot sun on them.
“Shelter. Without shelter, you’ll dehydrate and die very quickly,” he said. “Fortunately, one piece of standard equipment we never travel without is an emergency shelter.” He pulled a bag out of a pocket and handed it to Moxara.
She opened the bag and pulled out the contents, only to have it leap from her hand and pop into a shelter.
“It will handle one person comfortably, two people okay. Three in a pinch,” Benjan said going inside. “You can mound sand into a bed shape. Cover it with your cloak if you have nothing else. But I’m going to show you some of the brush that makes a decently soft bed. You’re also going to learn where to find water, food, medicine, bandages, even clothing in the desert. Our class will involve two days in here before we even go out into the desert. Let’s sit awhile.”
Moxara sat on the floor and Benjan sat next to her.
“It’s hot right now, so we stay inside and do very little. We should sleep, eat; anything that doesn’t involve traveling should be done in the daytime. When it’s night, that is when we travel and do outside work,” he explained. “So why are you so scared of me?”
Moxara’s heart thumped harder at the unexpected question. “I not afraid of you,” she denied.
“Maybe I don’t frighten you, but this does,” he said kissing her lips gently. “I know you’re single – I asked your abári. I can feel your tremblings, but a simple kiss terrifies you.” He kissed her again.
Feeling her lips wanting to respond, Moxara turned away. “Dis not part of training,” she argued.
“It is part of your training,” he replied. “Your heart is scared. Why?”
She sighed. She hated being so vulnerable. She had watched Kami last year, but that was from the onlooker’s perspective. Her chola had quickly grown to love the man they were protecting. It had been sweet. She never detected any fear in the young woman, yet that was exactly what Moxara was feeling now!
“I not share,” Moxara said as firmly as she could, but her voice trembled.
“I know,” Benjan said gently, pulling her into his arms. “But sometimes that’s when we need to share the most.”
The tears suddenly streamed down her face. “Chert!” she swore quietly at her outpouring.
“Some words need no translation,” he said quietly, stroking her arm. “What happened?”
The holoprojection program had switched to the desert night now. A projected fire crackled in front of them, warming the room.
She shook her head to begin with, but finally spoke. “Sixteen years ago,” she began. “I just fifteen. Too young to marry. I had sweetheart. Tero was chef’s assistant in Ilim City. We see each oder for whole year. We started talking: maybe abári would marry us anyway. But we never got der...” She broke down into sobs.
“He was one of the victims?” Benjan asked softly.
Moxara nodded.
“Oh my stars! I’m so, so sorry!” He squeezed her harder to himself, protectively.
“I tought I was over it. I have dealt wid Disaster so many times in so many different ways. Young man my chola married last year was one of survivors of blast. But den you kiss me...”
“And I triggered something you thought you’d successfully buried. But no one has kissed you since then until now, right?” Benjan said.
She nodded again. “I am always strong one in Varkevand. I am one nuting phases.”
“It’s scary being vulnerable,” he said.
Moxara felt his lips on her cheek in little kisses.
“It’s also okay to be vulnerable with me,” Benjan replied. “I won’t hurt you and I will teach you how to be strong again – but not alone – with me.”
Moxara felt herself yielding to his kisses. She turned towards him and accepted his lips, tears still in her eyes. She felt her heart softening to him.
“Let yourself love again,” he said quietly between kisses.
“I tink we fail whole training session,” Moxara said smiling, noting that the ‘night’ had ended and the sun was up again.
“No. You’ve passed your training session with flying colors,” Benjan replied kissing her again. “Our night is still coming and you’d be more than welcome to spend it with me.”
“I not know,” she said.
“Well, you have all evening to think about it. Let’s go out to eat,” he said, turning off the projection and standing 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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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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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
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also on: Whaleshares, WeKu
