32
(Silnaday, cont.)
Joton, Kri’enden - Vestharya Games
“Well done!” Naama gushed as Arzewt came up to their box. He took the hem of his cloak and wiped his face. Naama offered back the cloak, but he shook his head.
Arzewt sat down next to Naama as a dance troupe performed in the arena.
“I can’t believe how good you are at archery!” she gushed again.
“When you’re used to hitting desert hares in the Yezi night, hitting a large stationary target in broad daylight is easy,” he dismissed. “Does anyone know which event is next?”
Soala turned. “I think it’s the free-for-all shaze battle!”
“My brothers are better at this than me, but I’ll try if you want to see me defeated,” Arzewt said to Naama.
“Anyone can have an off day. I want to see how you do, but be careful, please,” Naama replied.
“I need a token of good luck,” Arzewt requested.
“Like what?” Naama asked.
“Like this,” Arzewt replied kissing her. Then, he ran down to join his brothers in the arena.
“Whoa!” Soala exclaimed to Naama. “I think he’s all but yours!”
Naama didn’t answer, she was too entranced watching Arzewt.
“I think she’s been stolen already!” Soala said to her father.
“We shall have to find you a new handmaiden, it would appear,” he replied. “But I will encourage this – love may be the thing that cements our peace with the Yeziling. Who would have thought?”
“There is still one more brother,” Soala said.
“I don’t think I brought enough young women for all of them!” Andac replied. “When each of the brothers talks to me willingly, that will be the real test passed.”
Soala watched the shaze battle unfold. “I wish more of our warriors could have come to compete,” she said.
“Maybe next year, we will. We could make this our little battle with the Yeziling. Maybe even make a special event of it. Can you imagine that inspiring a slightly healthier betting ring?” her father asked.
“I like it,” Soala replied, noticing Arzewt being tagged out.
“Oh!” Naama shouted disappointedly.
“Vonjy won!” Soala shouted a moment later. She stood up shouting for him. He looked up at her and blew a kiss.
“Sorry,” Arzewt said as he sat next to Naama with a kiss.
“You did your best and are safe, that’s all that matters,” she replied kissing him back.
“One more event, I think,” Arzewt said.
“Tug-of-war requires teams of four,” Soala said.
“There are four of us Yeziling,” Arzewt said, giving Naama another kiss and going back down to join his brothers.
♥
“The Yeziling are competing together in tug-of-war!” Sennon noticed loudly to Kivana.
“There is hope,” the abári replied noticing Chief Andac approaching them.
“Tink der is much hope,” Moxara said. “Did see how Yeziling broder kiss Zley?”
“Much hope indeed, my love,” Benjan said. “Your suggestion has been a very good one.”
“But the Yeziling are clearly in a league of their own here,” Chief Andac said as he joined them. “I had an idea that maybe next year, we can capitalize on our rivalry and bring more Zley warriors. We can have a separate event for this little ‘war’ between our tribes. Gives all the warriors a chance to prove themselves.”
“I think it is a good idea,” Kivana said. “I will suggest it to our Chief Councilor later.”
“We could talk to her now,” Sennon suggested.
“She seems to be busy with CC Uushin,” Kivana replied. “I also noticed that Soala’s handmaiden is rather taken with one of the brothers.”
Chief Andac chuckled. “Maybe we can cement a lasting peace between our tribes through matrimony!”
“If it works, I’m all for it,” Kivana replied.
♥
Soala and Naama cheered as the Yeziling brothers started the championship round of the tug-of-war contest. A group of young men from the Shaze Academy were the challengers, having bested all their competition until then.
“I have just been informed,” said the announcer, “that three of these four young men have been claimed, sorry ladies! The youngest of the four is the only one currently single. Vonjy, the eldest is engaged to the daughter of the Zley tribe. Would you stand, young lady?”
Soala reluctantly stood. Vonjy looked at her and blew her a kiss to the whoops and whistles of the crowd.
“Apparently, they survived in the desert together after the hoverbil accident that has been in the news recently. The next eldest, Sidjin, has two wives at home, though he might be in the market for a third, from what I’ve been told. If you want to play third fiddle for the new chieftain of the Yeziling… The third son, Arzewt has been observed kissing another young lady this afternoon. Please stand, young lady. Knowing how the Yeziling are known for stealing their brides, I think you can forget about going back to Zley Canyon, young lady!”
Naama stood, wearing Arzewt’s cloak, looking embarrassed. Arzewt followed his brother’s example, blowing a kiss at the young lady.
“I think the whistles of the women throughout the arena tell you just how lucky you two women are!”
“Let’s go!” the other team shouted.
“Teams, get ready for the championship pull! Ready… steady… PULL!” the announcer started the event.
The two teams of bare-chested, dark-skinned men began pulling with all their might. The rope scarcely moved an inch one way, then the other. The fight continued quite a long time.
♥
Sennon noticed that the Yeziling were beginning to tire. They had done all the day’s events and were beginning to fade. He silently urged them on, and willed more strength to them. He could see that the event was doing something more important than show everyone else their strength. It was binding their brotherhood together again – and that was more important than anything else. He wondered how many observers had any idea how significant this battle was!
The younger brothers showed signs of wearying. All at once, Meknes fell along with one on the opposing team. Then Sidjin fell. Somewhere inside him, Vonjy must have found extra strength because all at once, he and Arzewt pulled harder and the three remaining opponents slid forwards over the line.
“And the Yeziling win!” the announcer screamed over the cheers of the audience.
♥
“They won!” Chief Andac shouted as Naama and Soala jumped to their feet, screaming for their men.
He watched as the brothers all clapped Vonjy on the back for his saving strength.
“We will be back!” Vonjy promised into an offered microphone.
Chief Andac grabbed the other two cloaks and joined Naama, Soala and the Zley guards who hurried down to the arena floor.
“Well done, boys!” Andac said, presenting Sidjin and Meknes with their cloaks. He hugged Vonjy and even the slightly bashful Arzewt who had Naama in his arm already.
“Thank you, Father,” Vonjy said.
“I still want to challenge some Zley warriors to these events,” Sidjin said to Chief Andac.
“We would be delighted if you came to our Equinox festivities. After all, Vonjy and Soala plan to have their bonding ceremony then and it would only be appropriate if all of Vonjy’s family were there to support them!” Chief Andac invited.
“I think I see why my brother chose to bond with the Zley,” Sidjin said humbly. “Our father wished for us to make peace. I am here to fulfill his wishes.”
“I am proud of you – on your father’s behalf,” Andac said extending his hand in friendship.
Sidjin shook it, then put his arm around Andac, tears streaming from his eyes.
“You have earned the title of Chief in my eyes,” Andac said quietly. “I know you will be a good one.”
Sidjin nodded, clearing his eyes.
♥
“Look at that!” Sennon shouted loudly enough for all the A’mara still in the stands to hear.
Kivana stood with them, shaking her head in disbelief and relief. “I never would have dreamt it,” she said, watching the two rival chiefs hugging in the middle of the arena.
“My amazing Moxara!” Benjan said, rejoicing. “You are a genius!”
“And that is why she is my adviser,” Chief Councilor Uushin replied.
Kivana nodded, looking at the chief councilors noting Kianda’s hand holding the hand of Haldi. She never would have dreamt of that either, she realized.
♥
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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