28
(Tharnday, cont.)
Irola – A’mara Complex
A knock at the door heralded the couple’s arrival.
<Come in Saraca,> Jerreck instructed.
The visually-striking couple entered, bringing the evening meal.
“Is she asleep?” Saraca asked. “We could return later.”
“It’s okay,” Jerreck reassured, noting that Jilia’s eyes had opened again. “Would you like to eat, Jilia?”
“Please,” she replied weakly.
Jerreck carefully helped her sit up, placing pillows behind her.
She grimaced in pain a moment as she was situated.
“Are you in much pain?” Ja’tel asked.
“They’ve given me painkillers, but sometimes the pain breaks through, like when I put any pressure on my ribs,” Jilia replied. “Enough to remind me to be careful, I guess.”
Jerreck adjusted the special table over her lap and took a tray from Saraca. “Tell me if you need any help,” he told his patient.
Jilia smiled at him. <You were worth the wait,> she sent to him.
“I plan to be,” he replied aloud. “The least I can do for all you’ve done for me.”
He sat and Ja’tel handed him his own tray.
“We wanted a chance to talk with you about today’s meeting after you had to leave,” Saraca said.
“We managed to get X’lea to postpone their vote until the next session!” Ja’tel said.
“What of Atrua?” Jerreck asked.
“They won’t move without X’lea,” Saraca said. “They’re not super interested in involving themselves in war anyway, so long as no one is attacking them, they’re happy. However, Yewan and Marosio are going to Felida to ensure the help of Atrua.”
“What a relief!” Jerreck replied. “What was the key selling point?”
“The fact that everyone loses – except a small number of manufacturers.”
“That’s what I told Sipper,” Jilia added. “He seemed to understand the point that even the manufacturers eventually lose if the whole continent is embroiled in war. He plans to marry this Uana, by the way. She’s pregnant with their child.”
“I wonder what Jessten thinks of that,” Saraca mused.
“He has yet to tell her. I suggested it would be wise to tell her himself,” Jilia said, sipping some soup.
“He may be having some trouble with that. He was pretty harsh with her in Kri’enden from what Rami was telling me,” Jerreck replied.
“Thing is, although Uana didn’t hurt me, she was clearly with Viper when he attacked me. I don’t know if that means she’s also Yerdua.”
“Where there is one, there are likely to be more,” Ja’tel pointed out.
“I did tell Sipper about the ship. Uana didn’t seem to be all that surprised, actually. But it was news to Sipper,” Jilia said.
“That’s interesting,” Jerreck replied. “It would seem to mean that whatever Uana is up to, Sipper isn’t a willing participant.”
“Or that he’s got himself into deeper trouble than he did last summer,” Ja’tel said grimly.
“I’m not sure there’s much we can do now. He’s bonded to Uana,” Jilia said.
“Do we have any ears or eyes down in the Understory these days?” Saraca asked.
“Not explicitly,” Jerreck replied.
“Maybe it would be a good idea to do something about that. Maybe some of our ex-students? Maybe an incentive to keep them out of the clutches of the Neví?” Saraca suggested.
“It’s a good idea. I’ll let you organize that when you can. I’m on care duty until Jilia is better.”
“Does that mean you need us to keep running the show for you?” Saraca asked.
“I intended to ask,” Jerreck confessed. “I do not wish to burden you.”
“Nonsense. Your first priority is Jilia right now. You can’t do that from on stage.”
“Thank you, Saraca.”
“I will let everyone know you’re okay and request a visit from Zarma when it’s convenient.”
“I think we will leave you to your meal now,” Ja’tel said, rising.
“Thank you so much,” Jerreck said as the couple left.
“She will make a good abári, one day,” Jilia observed.
“Yes she will.”
♥
Towani City
“Sorry for the short notice, but thank you to everyone who has come. Saraca Ríau has requested this meeting,” Zarma Eris began.
“I remember Saraca, but why not Jerreck?” Janika asked, sitting next to Vanti.
A murmur of agreement went around the room.
“I expect she will tell us herself,” Zarma replied as the buzzing indicated the incoming communication. She pressed the button and the petite, fair-skinned woman with a deep purple cloak appeared on the screen. “Good evening, Saraca. No Jerreck?”
“I’m afraid you’ll have to do with me tonight,” Saraca responded grimly.
“Is he okay?” Zarma asked, feeling the concern around the room.
“He is, and thanks to a blackstone, so is Jilia,” Saraca replied as she explained what happened.
“Does this also mean that they are finally together?”
“Yes,” Saraca said, allowing a quick smile. “But we are concerned that there are at least two Yerdua operating almost directly below us. We’re considering sending a pair of ex-students to be our eyes and ears in the Understory.”
“It’s a good idea, Zarma replied.
“In any case, I’m standing in for Jerreck while Jilia recovers from her ordeal,” Saraca said. “They were also wondering whether you would fancy a quick trip to Irola.”
“Of course! Hopefully, I can bring a few people along with me. I think there are a few here who were quite endeared to them,” Zarma replied.
“The more the merrier,” Saraca said. “I will have to confirm dates with them. Jilia had quite an ordeal and will be a bit longer in recovery.”
Saraca talked more about the other things that had been learned that day.
“I’m glad to hear that the vote has been postponed. It gives us a little bit of breathing room,” Zarma said at the end of the report.
“As are we all!”
♥♥♥
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](https://steemit.com/writing/@viking-ventures/name-of-the-nevi-character-guide-calendar-glossary-and-credits-a-mara-books
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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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also on: Whaleshares, WeKu, Hyperspace
Join us in the Official Whaleshares server in the text channel "the-phoenix-project"