29
(Wirnday, cont.)
Joton, Kri’enden
Kivana smoothed down her fine gown and adjusted her abári cloak. She nodded to one of the young A’mara who was running the security for the evening. This was the only fine dining room in Joton that could be completely guarded. With heads of states and rival tribal leaders present, it was critical that all remained safe tonight.
“Sorry I’m late!” Chief Councilor Kianda Bentin said as she reached Kivana, flanked by two guards of her own.
“I can’t stay too long, I’m expecting some guests to come in tonight,” Kivana apologized.
“I’m sure it will be fine,” Kianda replied, shimmering in an even finer deep red gown. “I can’t stay too late tonight either.”
“Let’s get things started!” Kivana said as she escorted Kianda into the room.
Kivana noticed the gaze of Chief Councilor Uushin. She couldn’t blame him, Kianda was stunning, after all! Kivana escorted Kianda to her assigned seat and then took her own spot. Then she caught Sennon’s eye and nodded to him to get the evening started.
The man stood and walked to the podium, his attractive purple cloak, adorned with yellow grain in waves, flowing behind him.
“Before we get started with our evening meal we are going to handle introductions. I, your humble announcer, am Sennon Tyrril. I’m from Haacritia and currently here in Joton. I beg our visiting abári, Oberti Perton to introduce your delegation, please.”
Oberti stood. He was dressed in a fine black tunic which complemented his dark skin tone very nicely, Kivana felt. His fringed abári cloak was nearly floor length and in a tribal pattern in yellows and browns.
“Please rise as I call you. I present to you: my beloved wife, Se-orna, one of my advisers, Benjan Masola, Moxara Tevy, adviser to our chief councilor. Next are three of Yth’n Yeziling’s sons, Sidjin, Arzewt and Meknes. Yth’n’s eldest son, Vonjy, is also here, seated with the Zley delegation. Finally, I present Yezi’im’s Chief Councilor Haldi Uushin. Thank you.”
Kivana noted that Vonjy half-rose awkwardly. The Chief Councilor opted not to rise at all, but nodded pleasantly at the introduction. He smiled at Kianda. Oberti and the Yezi then sat.
“Kri’enden abári, Kivana N’jia, please introduce your delegation,” Sennon said, nodding to her. She stood.
“Thank you, Sennon,” Kivana said. “May I introduce from the Zley: Chief Andac Zley, his daughter and heir, Soala Zley and her betrothed Vonjy Yeziling who was already introduced. I formally greet Moxara Tevy who came to me about a week ago with two other Varkevanders. I am pleased that she has made such an impression on our Yezi neighbors. Finally, I present Kri’enden’s Chief Councilor Kianda Bentin.”
Each stood in turn, including the Kri’enden Chief Councilor. All sat again.
Kivana noted that Chief Councilor Uushin was still admiring Kianda. She wanted to smile and shake her head knowingly. That would be a headline that would go around the world, she realized.
Sennon continued. “With introductions concluded, I invite one person from each group to offer a prayer for the meal we’re about to partake.”
Arzewt stood and offered a prayer to Yez, Andac offered a prayer to Zley and Moxara offered a prayer to Vasana. Kivana noted that Sil was noticeably omitted. She was unsure if any in the group would feel left out at that.
The meal was then served by some of the younger A’mara students.
♥
After the meal, the Chief Councilors and their guards left fairly quickly, but Sennon had organized some entertainment and games for the remaining delegation.
“Our delegation from Varkevand have arrived,” Kivana said to Moxara. “Benjan may accompany us, of course.”
“I will contact you if we need any help here,” Sennon said. “I wish you didn’t have to go, but I understand.”
“I might be back,” the abári said. “Just get the Zley and Yeziling socializing, that’s the only thing that matters here.”
“I will try,” Sennon promised.
“You didn’t think you’d leave without me, did you?” Se-orna asked, reaching them. “I’ve got some catching up to do of my own!”
Moxara, Benjan and Se-orna accompanied Kivana back to the Complex where they met the group of Varkevanders in the Formal Lounge.
“Maqla!” came an excited, but familiar voice, speaking Varkevandish.
“Kami!” Moxara exclaimed in her native tongue, tears in her eyes. She rushed to the lumbering girl. “You can’t have far to go now.”
“Maybe two weeks,” Kami said.
“Is Ardin here?” Moxara asked.
“Someone has to guard the Complex!” Kami replied.
“I wish he would decide to train a bit. It would be a useful thing for you and your baby,” Moxara said.
“But you, Moxara!” Kami said looking at her abdomen. “You go away for a few weeks and look what happens! Pregnant and getting married?!”
Moxara blushed.
“You never blush, my maqla!” Kami said.
Kami switched to Common Tongue noticing Benjan joining them. “He must have done something rather special to you,” she said affectionately.
“He did,” Moxara admitted.
Benjan joined them, putting his arm around her. “I did nothing more than help her find something inside her that she had locked away.”
“You have done wonders for her,” Kami said in Common Tongue. “Will you be coming back to Varkevand?”
“From time to time, maybe even for a couple years,” Benjan said. “But she has an important position now. She’s adviser to the Chief Councilor.”
“Wow! But please do not be too much a stranger to us!” Kami begged.
♥
“Jessten!” Se-orna said as she found her old friend. “I’m glad to see the two of you are still together.”
“And even you have an abári fringe, my friend,” Jessten replied.
“That’s Oberti,” she replied. “You might remember he came to Joton while you were still pining for Laisen. I met him shortly before you two got married and I was still with Frey. So it took Oberti a bit longer to catch me, but now we’re so happy together!”
“I was so sorry to hear about Frey,” Jessten replied. “He was such a nice man. He wanted to date me, but I couldn’t when I knew I loved Laisen already.”
“I am grateful for the children he gave me before… And even more grateful that Oberti wanted me still.” Se-orna reminisced with a tinge of sadness. “Your daughter is such a nice girl. She really does do the two of you a compliment.”
“Thank you, she really is a lovely young woman. You have children now?” Jessten asked.
“Yes, but they didn’t want to come – you know what teenagers are like!” Se-orna said.
“Boy do I ever! Between our own and the cholas in Ilim City, it can be exciting at times,” Jessten said.
♥
“You two will have to introduce me to everyone,” Kivana requested of Alyona and Tamryn.
“We would be delighted,” Alyona said, as they joined the others. “Of course you know my parents, Jessten and Laisen Toban.” She also introduced her sisters with their maqlas.
Tamryn followed, introducing his parents, siblings and their maqlas, for the ones who were old enough.
“I’m so grateful you all could make it! This will be a marvelous wedding with everyone here who is dear to them!” Kivana said smiling.
“Is it true that Moxara is also getting married?” the youngest boy asked excitedly.
“Yes, she is,” Kivana reassured. “We are all very excited for her!”
“Thank you for being a good abári to her,” the boy said.
“You’re welcome, Ivon, I think your brother said you were called,” Kivana said. “You are going to grow up to be someone quite special. I have the gift to tell such things.” She smiled at the boy.
He beamed and looked up at his mother, Tiva, who smiled back at him proudly.
Kivana could see they were sharing some thoughts. She turned and went to see if Sennon needed any help with their other guests. The Complex rooms would be full tonight!
♥
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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