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The library was almost equidistant between Tirry’s apartment and the fledgling Complex. It was behind the historic line of buildings that linked the elections headquarters with the building which had been all but destroyed the past summer.
“Did the library suffer any damage from the explosion?” Yewan asked, recognizing the location of the building as they reached it.
“No. They were really quite lucky. Structural engineers found no trouble at all.”
“What are the plans for the old elections hall?” Yewan asked, realizing the prime location.
“It’s still being debated. I think there’s enough of the structure in tact to make something useful of it, but it will be expensive,” Tirry replied.
She tried the door. It was still locked, but the foyer had a single holonet terminal with a little bench. Tirry sat and Yewan scooted next to her. He used his mind to direct the options. He felt Tirry’s grin as she wondered at that little trick of the leya.
“How do you do that?” she asked.
He shrugged. “It’s just one of these A’mara things,” he said. He found a walk-through tour of some of the Irolean parks. He could feel Tirry’s amazement as they took the virtual tour. “Stunning, aren’t they?”
“Food for thought,” Tirry understated.
But Yewan could feel the constant ripples of amazement between audible gasps. Between those though, he could feel the tide of emotion she had for him. He had never considered that someone could feel those things for him – and even less the possibility that he could return them.
They got up from the bench and headed outside again. He was grateful for the fact that Tirry was busy thinking about all the places she’d seen just now.
Yewan realized that Tirry had the same dedication that Jilia had for Jerreck all those years ago. She wasn’t over-awed by who he was. In fact, she reminded him of his frailty, the fact he was simply a man, but a man who would make a good father… a man that she loved. Tirry was very special, he knew. And one he knew he did not want to live without. He wanted to tell her, to reassure her that her heart was safe with him. But the timing wasn’t right yet. He had something he wanted to finish first – to surprise her.
“You are preoccupied,” Tirry’s voice cut through his thoughts.
“Just thinking about everything which must be done,” Yewan said. “I want to make this place a beacon for all with leya-sensitivity.”
“One step at a time, Yewan,” she said. “You can only focus on one task properly.”
“You are right, of course,” he replied, opening the door to the Complex. “So, the most important task at this moment is to get the apartment ready for Tle-sun, Jenna and Arvad. Once they are living here, their accommodation is paid for and we save the rent money. Everything else is secondary. But one must prepare the next project even before the first one is completed, to avoid too much lag between projects.” He also thought about the project he was doing alone.
“It is important to have the other projects planned out. Just so long as we don’t lose our focus,” Tirry advised, following him up the stairs.
Yewan took her to the roof. “I’m so glad that winter seems to be letting go of its grip on us.”
“Don’t say that too loudly!” Tirry said quickly. “We will continue to have freezes past Quinya!”
“So, what do you want to do up here now? I guess we want a living roof, with plenty of nature – in the style of Irola, if we can manage it.”
“Yes, that sounds like a good place to start,” Tirry replied.
“Although I’ve seen the parks in Irola, I don’t know much about how to implement them. It sounds like you know much more. If we could bring in some specialists from Towani or Çtaráña, then you might have some competition, but until then...”
Tirry started talking about her dream. There would be a park, with a small play area. Raised beds with plenty of ornamental and medicinal plants. A fountain that the children could play in during the hot summer months. Water features and wind chimes… her ideas never seemed to end and Yewan found himself further and further enraptured by the beauty of this woman’s mind.
“Have you decided what to do with the penthouse suite?” she asked.
“Yes. I’m working on that when I have time.”
“Can I see?”
“Not yet,” Yewan replied secretively. “No one is allowed in there right now.”
“Pardon me, Yewan,” Tle-sun interrupted. “We were wondering whether you’d seen the election results yet.”
“We’re just coming,” Yewan replied.
“I had mostly forgotten,” Tirry said.
Yewan noticed Tirry was feeling a little guilty that she hadn’t been more curious. They had been too busy thinking about each other and all their plans, he realized.
“I’ve had an HPS screen installed downstairs in the conference chamber,” Yewan told her. “We can find out on the holonews.”
They went downstairs to the room that was still fairly bare, except the large screen on the wall and a few chairs, now occupied by several of the other A’mara currently in residence who were enraptured by the news as well.
“Morning, Abári; Tirry,” Lataya greeted as they came into the room. She looked meaningfully at Yewan. <You no longer deny?> her words came to him.
He smiled his answer.
<She know?>
< Not yet. I have to finish a surprise for her first. >
Lataya smiled and nodded. < Is hard for her. > Lataya added.
He saw that Tirry had noticed the exchange. He smiled warmly at her.
The newscaster had just shifted his attention to the election. “The Terrenden Freedom Party’s narrow win in Gaskarii is being applauded by the Neví and other groups, while downplayed by more conservative groups. Of particular note is the TFP’s auxiliary governor of Loxos who may have some issues with the sitting governor.”
“That could be awkward,” Tirry said. “Sandy is a wonderful woman, but can she work with someone of such differing values?”
“And will this auxiliary be as supportive of our project?” Yewan wondered. “Well, I guess we’ll get as much work done as possible while the support lasts. I’m so grateful that Saraca has allowed our extra A’mara to remain for a few days in order to get the Orivesk apartment done.”
The others in the room took that as a hint to go back to their various building tasks.
“What shall I do?” Tirry asked Yewan when everyone else had found their tasks.
“You should really take a day off,” he said. “You’re still very tired from the elections.”
“Give me an assignment,” she insisted.
“Take this flyppad and take notes about every room in this building. I want to know everything that’s wrong and everything that’s right,” he said handing her the flyppad he grabbed from the holonet desk.
“Thank you. Helping with this project is like a day off. It gives me new purpose,” Tirry said as she wandered off.
“She only want to be wid you,” Lataya said coming back in.
“I know. How can it be a surprise if she’s with me constantly?”
“You torture her. You know dat,” she censured gently. “She good woman.”
“It won’t be long. I can’t live without her. I know that now,” Yewan replied.
“Den tell her.”
Other Chapters of this set
Acting the Part - chapter 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Building on Promise - 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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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. |
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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; Marc’la - a breeder of prized caballus in Kasago whose heart lives in the past; Zukie - an abused widow whose heart is afraid to try for future happiness; Jenna - an elections assistant manager and masseuse who has a prejudice against A’mara; Kami - a chola student in Varkevand who has been assigned to protect Ardin, a man who has his own reasons to distrust A’mara. |
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| Rise of the Neví - 830 T.C.E. 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? |
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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; Tirry - an elections manager who is always the bridesmaid and never the bride; Zara - a chef who has all but given up on finding love for herself; D'zani - who isn’t even looking, but has to chaperone her more vulnerable roommate; Soala - an heiress who is expected to marry, but refuses to marry someone she doesn’t love; Moxara - one whose past griefs have locked away her heart. We also get updates on some of the lovely ladies we met previously. |
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Lori Svensen
author/designer at A'mara Books
photographer/graphic artist for Viking Visual
verified author on Goodreads
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also on: Whaleshares, WeKu, and Bearshares
