Sands of Survival - Chapter 33 - A'mara Books

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Previously...

33

Vasanaday

Joton, Kri’enden – A’mara Complex

“I know everyone is keen to get back to the festivities, especially since it’s the final day of the A’mara competitions, so let’s get started!” Kivana said loudly from the dais in the outdoor gathering area. Her gaze crossed the small crowd from the A’mara to the other Kri’enden and the Yezi’im. Even the Zley had joined them. She deliberately included the delegation from Varkevand, here to watch the weddings.

“Firstly, I have some mastery badges to award,” Kivana continued. Some A’mara were called to the dais. People that Moxara did not know or had barely bumped into in the short time she was in Joton a few weeks ago. She clapped politely for each of the A’mara being awarded. Benjan stood next to her in his best tunic and cloak.

“Of particular note,” Kivana said. “Two of the A’mara in Joton right now were instrumental in causing the events that led to friendships being formed that will hopefully keep the peace between our two countries for many years to come. May I have Sennon Tyrril and Moxara Tevy come to the dais?”

Moxara joined the young man that she had barely met a few weeks previously.

“It was Moxara’s idea to bring the Yeziling Elders to our Vestharya celebration. She realized that by showing them how much they had in common with us, that we might be able to forge friendships. Sennon also had a key part to play in helping keep the peace at out welcome dinner, even though I could not stay for the entire dinner. These two played such pivotal parts in this historic event that I’m granting them both mastery badges in diplomacy. Sennon Tyrril gains a bronze badge and Moxara Tevy, for also gaining the trust of the Yezi’im Chief Councilor, gains a silver badge. Great work you two!” Kivana said, affixing the badges to their cloaks as the audience clapped.

“That’s my new adviser!” shouted Chief Councilor Uushin proudly.

Kivana indicated the two could sit down again. Then, she waited patiently for the applause to die down.

“When my Varkevanders arrived a few weeks ago, it became clear very quickly that there would soon be a wedding. Alyona Toban and Tamryn Landry, please come to the dais. Your parents were wise to have you delay a bit – a little waiting did them well, they think now – though I remember it from the other end. The wait was torture for them at the time!” Kivana said. There was a knowing chuckle through the crowd among everyone who had known them at that time. “I will read you your vows now.”

“Alyona Toban, do you take Tamryn Landry to be your life partner with all the rights and responsibilities thereof?”

“I do,” Alyona said with a huge smile and a touch of blush.

“Tamryn Landry, do you take Alyona Toban to be your life partner with all the rights and responsibilities thereof?”

“Yes,” he replied.

“Then, I declare you to be lawfully wedded under A’mara tradition and Terrenden law. You may share a token of affection.”

They kissed sweetly to the cheers of the onlookers, especially the brothers and sisters of the young couple.

“However, we are not done,” Kivana said. A murmur went through the crowd. “A peace-keeping mission to Yezi’tra changed things a bit. Moxara Tevy and Benjan Masola please join us on the dais,” Kivana said. There was a loud murmur in the crowd. Even Laisen uttered a whoop in excitement.

“I may as well invite Laisen and Jessten Toban up here as I suspect they might have a thing or two to say,” Kivana said.

Laisen and Jessten joined her.

“No one told me I was here for two weddings!” Laisen said. “But I’ve known Moxara since we moved to Varkevand when Alyona was very small. She’s a lovely woman, great A’mara and is loved by all who have met her. Yet there has always been a part of her heart that was carefully guarded.”

“Do you mind if we share the story, Moxara?” Jessten asked, looking at her long-time friend.

“Is okay,” Moxara reassured.

“At one point, I asked Moxara why she remained well out of the reach of the fine young men who came through our Complex in Ilim City, she told me a story about a young man she had loved. They were too young to marry, but they planned and planned, often talking about what their life would be like after their wedding. The young man was a chef’s assistant, very skilled according to anyone you asked. He worked in the Ilim City Diner..,” Jessten said. “He was there on the day it blew up and was one of the casualties that the media forgot about. Unsurprisingly, for a 15-year-old girl, she wanted nothing to do with love again. Perhaps watching her chola fall in love and marry last year softened her a bit, but today Moxara stands here with the man that managed to heal her broken heart with his own love. But Kivana has more to this story.”

“I’m not completely innocent,” Kivana said. “But I am responsible for my charges’ best interests, and this time I gave her an assignment that frightened her to her core, but was what she needed the most. I’m not sorry for interfering, Moxara. The gamble proved to be a good one.”

Moxara was trying unsuccessfully to keep the blush off her face.

“Blushing brides are the norm for most people, aren’t they?” Kivana challenged. “Moxara Tevy, do you take Benjan Masola to be your life partner with all the rights and responsibilities thereof?”

“Yes!” she said with forced calm, but smiling at the tall, dark-skinned man.

“Benjan Masola, do you take Moxara Tevy to be your life partner with all the rights and responsibilities thereof?”

“A thousand times, yes!” he replied to the amusement of the crowd.

“Then, I declare you to be lawfully wedded under A’mara tradition and Terrenden law. You may share a token of affection.”

Benjan pulled her to him and initiated a passionate kiss that elicited more cheers and whoops of excitement from the crowd. “Thank you!” he said to her. “I wanted her the first time I laid my eyes on her!” he told the crowd.

“I think Jessten and Laisen have a similar story – but they resisted it,” Kivana replied.

“They were also a good deal younger!” another voice said as Saraca Krijo joined them, with her husband, Ja’tel. “I’m sorry I’m late, but I really did want to congratulate some A’mara who are very dear to me. Moxara, I have known since she was a small child. It broke my heart too when I heard of her heartbreak sixteen years ago, but I rejoice with her today!”

“Tank you, Abári!” Moxara said hugging the woman and her husband.

“I’m equally proud of you two, Alyona, Tamryn. I’ve known your parents for a long time as well. Jessten, Laisen. I know I speak for Rami when I say that I’m so glad you two stopped fighting your love for each other and got married!”

Jessten and Laisen grinned. “I think there have been many lovers won over by a shaze duel.”

“I do not have enough fingers to count them all!” Saraca said. “But it is my understanding that we’re also here on the A’mara competition day and that some in this crowd are planning to participate. So, let’s go!”

“Do you mind if I participate?” Benjan asked his wife as they reached the stands. He was already taking off his belt, cloak and tunic.

“Just be careful,” Moxara begged, gazing at his now bare chest as he prepared for the Games.

“Kiss for luck!” Benjan replied, kissing her. Then, he handed her his clothing and ran down to join the other A’mara contestants.

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

PLEASE CATCH UP!
LINKS TO BUY! (in chronological order)
Brighid's Blood 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 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 TCE Collection of Romance 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 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...

Writing and artwork copyright myself 2005-2019 – all rights reserved.
If you are interested in helping me publish these works, please contact me on Facebook or Discord, viking-ventures#2883.


Lori Svensen
author/designer at A'mara Books
photographer/graphic artist for Viking Visual
verified author on Goodreads
find me on Twitter
also on: Whaleshares, WeKu

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