Sands of Survival - Chapter 31

Previously...

31

(Silnaday, cont.)

Joton, Kri’enden – Vestharya Games

“Vestharya make everyone come out togeder,” Moxara commented as the first event began, an archery contest.

“Speaking of everyone, has anyone seen Gaetan these past few days?” Kivana asked. “Or Sheena for that matter?”

Moxara felt Tiva stiffen just below her at the mention of that name.

“Çtaráni Gaetan? About our age?” Zeno asked quietly. “Just making sure we’re talking about de same man.”

“Yes,” Kivana replied. “You know something about him.”

“I was in Omrill a few years. Why is Gaetan here?” Zeno asked Kivana quietly.

“He came to us a couple of weeks ago, said that Coomar and Janika had sent him here to help out.”

“Have you confirmed dat wi’ dem?” Zeno asked.

“It didn’t occur to me to not trust someone with a message like that,” Kivana said. “But when Tamryn had a strange interaction with Gaetan, I asked him about it. He said there had been some issues with Gaetan in the past, but did not elaborate. Gaetan said he’d intended to marry Tiva, but that you stole her heart away.”

“I can fill you in on some of de details,” Zeno said uncomfortably. “Tiva came to us in Omrill, heavily pregnant wi’ Tamryn. Gaetan put de moves on Tiva fairly quickly and I interfered at one point, eventually banishing Gaetan from de gardens dat Tiva was in charge of. De stress sent her into labor, which I attended. De rest is history between Tiva and me.” He smiled at his wife. “I told her dat I would be wi’ her as long as she let me – she’s not got rid of me yet!”

“That’s really sweet,” Kivana said.

“But Gaetan is anoder story. I am not sure why he’s still in your order to begin wi’. See, I was in Omrill looking after my young cousin who was impressionable. Al’ough I managed to protect my cousin from Gaetan’s romantics, her best friend wasn’t so lucky. Tree seasons later, she had her first child and Gaetan disappeared. Several oder young women in de Complex were found to be wi’ child as well – his children. But he was gone by den. I wasn’t aware dat he had returned to Omrill, but I suspect dat if you were to follow his movements around Terrenden, you’d find a stream of children in his wake. So, yeah, hearing about him again isn’t a welcome ting, for sure,” Zeno said.

“I wasn’t aware of this checkered past,” Kivana said. “If you can provide me with further details, I’ll have someone look into the other places he’s been. Sounds like he needs to be removed from our order and jailed.”

“Actually, I can do better,” Sennon said as he joined them.

“Sennon Tyrril. Zeno and Tiva Landry,” Kivana introduced. “What do you have to add, Sennon?”

“I have been unwittingly observing both Gaetan and Sheena as I’ve taken my language class. We often do our lessons in the building next to the Shaze Academy and across from the Freebooter. When I saw two of ours hanging out there, I decided to keep watch during and between lessons. They both spend a lot of time there – when the casino is closed,” Sennon reported.

“Why would they do that?” Kivana asked.

“I’ve given you some surveillance files for you to look at later,” he said indicating her PCS link. “But we’ve also had some rather notorious Balan/Neví guests here. Fashi and Belmara Wolfkin.”

“How do you know that Gaetan and Sheena are not just investigating them in their off time?” Kivana asked.

“I have indoor surveillance files for you as well. They weren’t very well protected when they first arrived. That seems to have changed now though. The group of them have been spying on us, running the betting ring on the whole Zley/Yeziling feud and Gaetan and Sheena seem to be right in the middle of the whole thing. I even went to talk with Cruro,” Sennon said.

“That man won’t tell you anything,” Kivana said with a mixture of annoyance and admiration.

“No, but I could guess things. He’s not used to that tactic anymore. He was apparently a little amused about a duel recently between Sheena and Gaetan (I saw the surveillance footage as well.) Gaetan was using boosters to actually defeat Sheena. Apparently, there was a rather high-stakes bet going on between them – I never found out the details. But it seems that he has just spent a couple days in hospital, with a rather embarrassing male injury.”

“Karma?” Kivana asked.

“Perhaps. I really don’t know much more than what I shared, but I think there’s enough evidence there alone to expel both of them from our order,” Sennon replied.

“These games tend to bring everyone out to watch. Everyone, keep an eye out for Gaetan and Sheena. Especially let me know if you see them with the Wolfkins. I don’t know our celebs by sight,” Kivana requested.

♥

Soala and Naama were diligently watching the archery contest as contestant after contestant hit targets that grew smaller and further away. The Yeziling were clearly in a class of their own in this contest.

In the final round, the four brothers were the only ones left. The small, moving target was a challenge, but Arzewt landed all three of his arrows firmly in the target. He beamed, looking up into the audience until he found the handmaiden.

“Look! Arzewt won the archery contest!” Naama said, giggling proudly at the Yeziling man who smiled back at her.

“There are going to be a few broken hearts today when these ladies work out who he’s smiling at!” Soala replied.

The announcer finished the coverage of the archery contest.

“And the archery contest has been dominated by the band of Yeziling who have joined us today. They are brothers, apparently, and sons of the late Chief Yth’n. I present third place, Sidjin, second place, Vonjy and champion, Arzewt!” the man said. “Take ten minutes to rest, brothers, and then be back for the next event.”

Women’s whistles chased the men out of the arena.

♥

NEXT CHAPTER

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

PLEASE CATCH UP!	LINKS TO BUY! (in chronological order)
	Brighid's Blood 2006 and 1200 B.T.C.E. Katja and Rachel are so desperate for love that they cast two love spells one night. But the Guardians do not consider spells "fun", but rather as cries for help from the very depths of your soul. Certainly Katja and Rachel could not have possibly imagined where these spells would take them!
	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.
	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.
	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!!!
	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...

Lori Svensen
author/designer at A'mara Books
photographer/graphic artist for Viking Visual
verified author on Goodreads
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