28
(two days later - Terraday)
Joton, Kri’enden – Freebooter Captain’s Quarters
Sheena awoke, her stomach rumbling violently. It had been several days since she had had substantial nourishment and she hurt. More importantly, she wasn’t sure why she had a pounding headache, and no clothes on. She pulled the covers over herself as Gaetan came into the room, naked.
“You didn’t!” she demanded.
He grinned cruelly. “Yezibi serum is so effective! If you find a stella to give you the antidote, you’ll get to remember all the fun!”
“Fun?!” she spat.
“Oh, yeah. In three seasons, you will have twins,” he replied. “I’ve even told Fashi and Belmara who are delighted that, at last, you will contribute to the Balan population. And I’m sure that you already know, if you try to get rid of them, you’ll lose your position to at least half a dozen initiates.”
“I will kill you,” she threatened.
“You wouldn’t kill your new #1, now would you?” he asked sweetly.
“I could go to the police for what you did to me last night!” Sheena threatened.
“You promised. We can prove it. Besides, you know the police don’t like to get involved in Balan internal affairs. And I hear the Curator is awful fond of Edicts these days. However, you finally fulfilled your promise. You may go. I have unlocked the magna-seal.”
“Maybe I won’t have to kill you,” Sheena said. She concentrated on his nakedness and used her hand in a squeezing twisting motion.
Gaetan collapsed to the floor, writhing in pain.
“I warned you,” she said, pulling on her clothes. “You will never produce another child. I should have done that yesterday!” As she crossed over him, she gave him an extra kick for good measure causing another groan in agony. Then, she left.
♥
Joton Language Lab
“I have taught you everything that I can. You have mastered the language as much as possible without daily interactions with Atruans, Sennon,” the teacher said. “I have to return to Atrua without further delay, I have personal matters to attend to.”
“Tarjan,” Sennon thanked in Atruan.
“I will warn you that those in Felida have some traditions and customs peculiar to them, so be cautious. But I never spent much time in the capital, so you’ll have to work those out for yourself.”
“Thank you so much for your time.”
“I also say tarjan,” Kivana said as she came into the room.
“You know Atruan?” Sennon asked, shocked.
“Not much, only a few words,” Kivana replied in Common Tongue. “Besides, thank yous tend to be felt in the leya quite well. Is he ready for his assignment in Felida?”
“I believe so,” the teacher said. “I have taught him Atruan. The rest relies on him.”
“And for now, I have another challenge for him,” Kivana said.
Sennon looked at her. “Yes, Abári?”
“I need your help negotiating some level of peace between the Zley and Yeziling. Chief Councilor Uushin has managed to persuade three of their elders to attend Vestharya with him. Moxara will be here as well. The Zley Chief Andac will be here along with his heir and her betrothed, who just happens to be the son of the dead Chief Yth’n of the Yeziling!” Kivana explained.
Sennon gulped away nerves.
“The fact that you’re obviously foreign to both of our countries gives you a good position to be the arbiter. The fact that you’re about to embark on a very delicate mission in Atrua means that it’s also very good training for you. I would advise taking the next few days to brush up on negotiation techniques,” Kivana said. “I have faith in you.”
“When will the session take place?” Sennon asked.
“I will know more when everyone is in Joton,” Kivana answered. “I will make sure you’re with us when I meet them.”
Sennon nodded his understanding.
♥
(three days later - Wirnday)
Yezi Desert
“Arzewt, remind me to look at a new hoverbil when we get there!” Sidjin said to his brother as the vehicles belonging to the A’mara and the Chief Councilor zoomed along.
“We need one to replace the one that was lost anyway!” Meknes said, agreeing.
“I think if you are willing to find peace, that the A’mara would help you buy one!” Oberti said.
“Father said we needed to make peace,” Arzewt said quietly.
“That was before Vonjy decided to bond with the Zley!” Sidjin reminded. “Do we really have to meet with them? What can we achieve in person that we couldn’t achieve before?”
“If nothing else, it would be good for you to see your brother and his partner,” Oberti said.
Arzewt nodded.
“How can he be our brother when he has bonded with our enemy?” Sidjin demanded. “He’s Zley now.”
Oberti shook his head. He hoped that Moxara was somehow right. She and Benjan rode with the Chief Councilor who had been very quick to recognize the woman’s value. Even his own wife, Se-orna had convinced him to change the names in the succession packet to be opened one day upon his own death. “But you could also serve as abári in your own right, no one would question it,” he had protested.
“I would not put my own interests before those of our people,” Se-orna had replied. “Moxara is something special and needs to be in this office one day, if the gods grant her life long enough to reach it.”
“But she is not Yezi,” Oberti had objected.
“So, Benjan can serve and she as 1st wife. They are to function as one – just as you and I function as a single unit,” Se-orna had insisted.
“You assume they don’t move to Varkevand or she isn’t called there first..,” Oberti had replied.
“Moving to Varkevand isn’t an issue, they can be called back in such a crisis. With the other possibility, that one is in the hands of the gods. We can only do our part.”
In the end, Oberti had done as she had suggested and put their names down as his and Se-orna’s successors. He sighed as he hoped that this current crisis could be solved in a way that would ensure there would be an office for the young couple to occupy when that day came.
Oberti pulled his thoughts back to the Elders and the Vestharya festivities. He distracted the men with more details about all the different events they could enter to prove their valor to all in Kri’enden. It interested the young men greatly. He just hoped it would be enough.
♥
In the other hoverbil Moxara and Benjan sat in the seat in front of the Chief Councilor. He had been uncharacteristically quiet throughout the journey.
<What you tink he feels?> Moxara asked Benjan.
<He’s surprisingly nervous. I think he realizes how much rides on this meeting.>
<Are you nervous?> Moxara asked.
“Not as much as you,” he said putting his arm around her. “You will be fine.”
“But everyting change!” Moxara said.
“You have a new position, but only doing what you were already doing.”
“Was single when I left Joton,” Moxara said. “I not answer Kivana’s questions on subject, is how single I was.”
“But then you met me,” he said kissing her cheek. “This sort of thing happens often enough. I expect Oberti has already told Kivana anyway. You’re unlikely to have any awkward questions.”
“Except from chola. She is to be der!”
“I’m sure your chola will be happy to see you happy. We’ll be fine,” he insisted, pulling her closer as they flew towards Joton.
Soon, they were at the A’mara Complex and Moxara was getting out, Benjan at her side.
Kivana met them, giving Moxara a hug. “Is all well with you?” she asked.
Moxara nodded enthusiastically. “Never been better!”
“Good. It will help your little one. Stability and love help children develop a better leya connection,” Kivana said.
The abári spoke to the entire group: “We will eat soon. Take time to rest and refresh, your A’mara escorts will take you to your quarters and return to you in about an hour to take you to dinner.”
“Thank you,” Chief Councilor Uushin replied for all of them.
♥
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
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