36
(Vasanaday, cont.)
Irola
.
Irola’s night sky was usually impressive. For the solstice, it was even brighter and more colorful than usual. The cultural melting pot it was, there was often no defined events, but colorful lights seemed to be a common ground between all the religions, none wanting to be outdone by the next. It reminded Yewan of the first time he ever saw Irola. It was shortly after Jerreck had selected him as a chola, on a mission to Avicen. He couldn’t remember what the mission was about, just that he’d found his lifetime mentor when the man visited with Jilia and several other A’mara. Yewan had left Avicen covered in snow and arrived in Irola, illumined just like this, and gently buffeted with tropical breezes.
Marosio joined him at the railing. “What are you thinking about, Maqla?”
“The first time I came to Irola – it was very much like this. Except that I’d just come from snow-covered Avicen.”
“Maybe we should pay it a visit next year,” Marosio suggested. “We could even pay my sister a visit at the same time, see my niece.”
“That could be a good idea,” Yewan replied. “Maybe we could even take Tarja with us. She deserves to see snow.”
“Yeah. That would be nice,” Marosio said, drifting off.
Yewan wondered whether it had been wise to mention the girl again already. She was just a child, after all. Something pulled at him though – like some bit of knowledge just out of reach. The mother had been shocked that Tarja fed Marosio gærre, he could tell. She didn’t seem to care that Yewan had taken some too – it was something about what happened between the two youngsters. He made a mental note to look up Atruan customs regarding their stinky food. Maybe he should talk to Truji about it. If anyone knew about weird customs, she would.
♥
Upon returning to the Complex, Yewan and Marosio immediately went to see Jerreck and Jilia. Yewan took the gamble and figured they’d both be at his quarters. Indeed, her name was also on the door when he got there. He grinned at his chola.
Admitted, he reached Jilia first and gave her a gentle hug around her shoulders.
“My right shoulder was dislocated,” she complained slightly.
“Sorry,” Yewan said. “I’m just so grateful you’re okay!”
“Me too,” Jerreck replied, joining them. “I owe you one, you know.” He hugged Yewan hard. “Your message to me saved her life.”
“Don’t overthink it,” Yewan reminded him.
“But it’s true. You didn’t know it – you were only helping me find the love before my very eyes, and that love saved her life.”
“I am glad of it. So, when’s the wedding?”
“As soon as Zarma comes from Towani,” Jilia replied. “She’s promised to give me a little more time to heal, so a week or two, I’m guessing.”
“The biggest wedding of the year!” Yewan figured.
“I’d rather keep it small.”
“Impossible when you’re marrying the abári!”
♥
Rural X’lea
.
A purple crescent bird sat at the apex of the arbor, singing his nighttime territorial song. A cascade of flowers hung all around the three old women sitting on benches underneath. Mugs of replenishing nightbrew sat on a small round table along with a small iron cauldron containing a fire, the only light beneath the moonlit clouds. A lightning bug zipped through the arbor, carefully avoiding the hot cauldron.
“I’m so glad you two could come and celebrate with me,” Savai said.
“Thank you so much for having me!” Kinokei said. “Thank you for the blackstone too. I’m ashamed that I had forgotten this piece of knowledge.”
“You know, I think Jerreck needs to understand what’s been going on – that it’s just about possible that the Yerdua have a magick that makes us forget what we knew,” Savai replied.
“That’s a terrifying prospect,” Truji said. “Is there anything in the scrolls anywhere that talk about how to combat this?”
“Not that I’m aware of,” Savai said. “I’ve been thinking of paying the Sisters of Vasana a visit. If there’s anyone else who would know, they just might.”
“I think that sounds prudent,” Kinokei said. "Without a complex to care for, you're just the person for the job, Savai."
A PCS link buzzed. “That’s mine,” Truji said. “I brought it with in case Jilia needs anything.” She answered it.
“What do you know about gærre?” Yewan’s voice asked.
The others in the outdoor room heard it. Kinokei started giggling first. Savai joined in the laughter.
“I’ve interrupted you, I’m sorry,” Yewan said.
“It’s okay,” Truji said, trying to keep control of her giggles. “The Atruans have this dish, fermented butterfish paste. The Ubre’in call it ‘Atruan birth control’ due to its smell.”
“Yes. I have sampled this delicacy. It is an acquired taste, I fear,” Yewan replied.
“But you want to know more,” Truji said. “If prepared correctly, it’s said to have some magickal properties.”
“What kind of properties?” Yewan asked.
“Who was fed it?” Truji asked in reply.
“Marosio. The daughter of the family we stayed with in Felida gave it to him.”
Truji’s expression grew more sober.
“What does it mean? Her mother was shocked at her behavior.”
“It means that the girl intends to marry Marosio when she is old enough. She has placed a magickal claim on him,” Truji replied.
“I was afraid it might be something like that. She is severely infatuated with my chola, for sure.”
“The Guardians would not call it infatuation so lightly. Obviously, they will not force a bond if he does not also choose it, but she’s declared herself for him – and will spend the rest of her childhood preparing for that marriage,” Truji said. “Does he share her intention?”
“Honestly, I don’t know. I do think he’s rather taken with her. Maybe time will separate them for good.”
“Or it will make it stronger. Only time will tell. Don’t discourage him – he has to work this one out for himself.”
“He’s only 16!” Yewan exclaimed.
“Plenty old enough to know his mind,” Truji said. “You trust him with everything else. Trust him in this too. Either it will happen or it won’t. You may be his maqla, but you cannot make this decision for him.”
“Thank you, Truji. I have lots to think about!”
Truji closed the connection. “That is interesting,” Truji said to the others.
“The two youth have a clouded future,” Savai said quietly.
“I feared as much,” Truji said. “Is there anything we can do to help them?”
“Make sure no one gets in their way. I don’t think there’s anything else we can do without the Guardians’ intervention,” Kinokei replied.
“May Vasana bless them and protect them,” Truji said. “Marosio is such a nice boy. He deserves happiness.”
“So be it,” Savai and Kinokei echoed.
“I need to get back to Towani,” Kinokei said. “We have our own situations developing there. I will be needed more in the coming weeks.”
“I shall also depart. I need to make sure Jilia is healing well enough,” Truji said.
“I’m so glad for them,” Kinokei said. “You’d better be there for the wedding, Savai.”
“I wouldn’t miss it. I was there for Jerreck’s blessing when he was a baby,” Savai said. “He’s like family to me.”
“Merry Solstice,” Truji said, giving the other two hugs.
“And to you,” Kinokei said.
“I’m so blessed to have spent it with you two,” Savai said. “Don’t leave it to a missing blackstone to visit me!”
Truji and Kinokei stepped through the portal and were gone. Savai was alone with the purple crescentbird who continued singing his lullaby.
♥♥♥
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
Birth of the Neví - coming soon on Whaleshares - otherwise, scroll way back on Steem (like summer 2018.)
Name of the Neví - Chapter 1
Maps and Guides
- Terrenden Atlas Pages (six maps of Almara and Kranisis.)
- characters, pronunciation, glossary and image credits
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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! |
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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. |
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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. |
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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!!! |
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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, Mind of the Neví... |
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**(To be Named)** - 852 T.C.E. Collection of Romance... It's confirmed that the Neví are now in all three houses of Parliament and most assemblies throughout Terrenden. Additionally, some are threatening to introduce legislation to severely cripple the A'mara of all their privileges.
In this collection, we will catch up with our fugitives (Iyva/Zilan, D'zani/Elíaz). We will also meet Celna Dellan in X'lea; Peri Harmon, a Peer Councilor in Irola; Janys Tyne, an elections team leader in Atrua; meet a nice (as of yet unnamed) woman in Kasago; and revisit Vissia and Catalia in Towani. |
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
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blogging on: Steem, Whaleshares, WeKu, Hyperspace, Publish0x
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