Name of the Neví - Chapter 39

39

(A couple of weeks later)

Irola – A’mara Complex

.
Arya took extra care in getting dressed, making sure her ceremonial cloak was pristine.

Zarma laughed. “Chola, this is Jerreck and Jilia’s day, not yours. You do not need to be a little peacock.”

Arya blushed slightly before she could regain control. “I still want to look nice,” she replied. “I get to stand up in front too, don’t I?”

“Of course. The joy of being the chola to an abári.”

“So, I need to look as nice as you do.”

“You look better – a lovely little flower, you are, Arya,” Zarma said. “Let’s not keep them waiting!”

Arya followed her maqla swiftly, closing the door behind them with a slight wave of her hand.

Kinokei joined them as they hurried towards the ceremonial hall. The stella walked with two old women, probably other stellas, Arya decided.

<Truji is the Irola stella. Savai lives in X’lea.> Zarma explained.

<How old are they?> Arya asked.

<Savai, over 300 years old. Truji, over 400.>

<How is that possible?!> Arya asked.

<You would have to ask them, I cannot tell you,> Zarma replied.

Arya nodded, keeping pace with Zarma as they entered the room in front of them. Arya found it enormously difficult to pay attention. The ceremonial hall was enormous and tall with full sized trees dominating the room. It was like she’d stepped outside in the nicest rainforest in the world. There were even birds and butterflies as well as water features.

<Arya!> Zarma’s voice came to her head.

<Sorry!> Arya replied, noticing that the room was filled with people as well. There were even cameramen waiting to watch one of the most celebrated weddings the A’mara had experienced this generation.

Arya and Zarma reached the dais where Jerreck was already waiting in his brilliant golden garments including his elegant golden fringed cloak. He looked like the sun itself, Arya thought. Two other A’mara, in rose and burgundy cloaks stood with him.

<Yewan and Marosio,> she heard Zarma’s mental voice.

Arya mentally acknowledged the information.

“I guess it’s Jilia’s time,” Zarma said, looking towards a side door, perhaps sending a mental image.

Jilia walked slowly into the room, accompanied by Saraca and holding some flowers that Kinokei had made her carry. Arya remembered the discussion about it. Apparently, the flowers were significant, not simply blooms – at least according to the stella. Arya knew that stellas often held the keys to magick.

Jilia’s cloak reminded Arya of snow reflecting sunlight the way her Maalan silver cloak glistened, far brighter than Arya’s own silver cloak – as if Jilia already reflected the abári for everyone. Arya carefully held the brilliant fringed cloak that would replace the one Jilia was wearing into the room.

Finally, Jilia stood in front of her and Saraca assumed a place next to Arya.

“Jerreck, Jilia, please join hands,” Zarma instructed. “There are many of us who feared we would never see this day. I know that Jilia had dedicated herself to this man when she graduated from cholahood. Jerreck had no idea until only a few weeks ago when a bunch of us ganged up on him to help him work out what he was on the verge of missing out on. It was nearly too late too. Jilia is only with us today because of their relationship.” Zarma continued with the story. She called on Yewan to tell his part of the story as well.

“I’m not as innocent as I told Jerreck,” Yewan confessed. “I’m the one who suggested the story time to the teacher to begin with. I was extremely afraid that my gumption would backfire, but thank the leya, I turned out to be right!”

Jerreck chuckled through the confession. Arya almost laughed as well, it taking most of her training to keep it to herself. The whole thing was so romantic!

“Okay, now to the main event,” Zarma said. “Jerreck Mastin, do you take Jilia Thule to be your life partner with all the rights and responsibilities thereof?”

“I do – oh, my Jilia!” he cried. Even Arya could feel that all he wanted to do now was to wrap his arms around the woman in front of him. She had to wipe a tear from her eye as she watched.

“Jilia Thule,” Zarma said, repeating the vow.

“Yes, I do – I always have done!” she replied, the tears running down her cheeks. Arya’s resolve melted at that point, tears dripping on her cheek at the beauty she was observing.

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

Jerreck pulled his wife into his arms and kissed her with a fiery passion that she returned equally. Arya wiped more tears off her cheek.

“We still have one more task. Ten years ago, I had the privilege of giving Jerreck his oath as the abári of Terrenden. As his wife, Jilia requires the same thing. Jerreck, I ask you to kneel before your people once more. Jilia, please kneel next to him.”

The couple complied.

“Jilia Thule Mastin, as Jerreck’s wife, you will be the First Wife of the Terrenden A’mara. Do you promise to spend the rest of your life in service to the A’mara community? Do you promise to lead them, direct them, teach them and guide them to the best of your ability? Do you promise to seek advice and guidance at every opportunity? Do you promise to seek wisdom above everything? In short, do you promise to be a faithful servant to your community and the world, where you serve?”

“Yes,” Jilia replied.

“Please rise, Abári Jerreck and Jilia. Together, you are one.”

They rose.

Zarma took the old cloak from Jilia and handed it to Saraca who started folding it as Arya handed the new cloak to her maqla.

“Here is your new cloak with the silver fringe of your station,” Zarma said placing the new cloak around Jilia. “There will be a reception in the next hall!”

Zarma and Arya stepped back and let the newly-wedded couple lead the way, falling into step behind them.

♥

Despite being attentive, Saraca’s senses kept being distracted by the young woman she had got to know in Towani the previous summer. As the procession started into the reception hall, she watched for and then joined Vanti Potam.

“Are you okay?” she asked, sensing a depressed, slightly distressed woman.

“Yes,” Vanti replied.

“Samek did not come?”

“He has other things that are more important,” she replied curtly.

“I will give you my code. If I can be of any help to you – or you just need a listening ear, talk to me, okay?” Saraca said, hoping the woman would take her up on the offer when it was important.

Vanti nodded and put it in her PCS link’s memory.

“You were there for me, Vanti. I wish only to return the favor.”

Vanti nodded and forced a smile. “I appreciate it.”

♥

Janika watched as Cyanus and Nina approached Jerreck and Jilia. Each gave hugs to the Abári and his First Wife. “I’m so happy for you two,” Cyanus said to them.

Then it was Janika’s turn. She gave them each a hug as well. “Your story has a happy ending,” Janika observed.

“Yours will too. You must believe it!” Jilia replied.

“I hope so,” Janika said.

The stellas were right behind her.

Janika walked over to the big windows which revealed the Irolean Sound to the east of Irola. Towards Omrill, she realized. So close to him, yet so far.

“I have to stop by Omrill on the way back to Towani,” Kinokei said, standing with her. “Come with me.”

“I can’t,” Janika said. “There’s no one else to watch Vanti.”

Kinokei nodded. “I am glad someone is looking after her. Samek is up to no good, of that I’m certain.”

Janika agreed. “I don’t know what’s going on, but he’s bad news.”

Zarma got their attention.

“It’s time to give your good-byes. We’re sending Jerreck and Jilia on a honeymoon to A’mara and Maalan. We decided that it was a great way to tell them how much we love them! I know how much they have been missing the snow,” Zarma announced.

“Thank you so much,” Jilia replied.

“I am so grateful for everything you guys have done for us,” Jerreck added. “Everything that led to us being here today. If any of you think you can’t love, you’re wrong.”

Jilia nodded and added her own wisdom. “If any of you are holding back your love from someone – because you’re afraid they’ll reject you – please let them know. You’re so afraid of ‘no’ that you don’t make it possible to make it ‘yes.’”

Janika felt the words deep in her heart as Jerreck and Jilia left the room hand-in-hand.

She looked again over the Sound, wondering if she should change her mind and go with Kinokei. Maybe her heart could stop hurting if she did.

“It’s up to you,” Kinokei said, joining her at the window again.

“I know,” Janika replied.

“Sorry to disturb your plans,” Zarma said behind them. “We seem to have a… situation… in our greenhouses. We are required at once.” Vanti stood with her, looking very agitated.

Kinokei sighed and nodded. “Come on then! We can get Truji to take us to her portal.”

“Portal?” Janika asked, feeling very confused as she exchanged glances with Vanti.

“Top secret,” Zarma said with a wink. Then she turned and strode after the stella. Janika and Vanti hurried to catch up.

♥♥♥

The End ... for now ...

Next, we will continue along this timeline, but shift the focus to X'lea to learn more about the Mind of the Neví. Tomorrow we'll look at the map of X'lea and Hailu, its capital city.

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

Mind of the Neví - coming next!

Maps and Guides

Terrenden Atlas Pages (six maps of Almara and Kranisis.)
characters, pronunciation, glossary and image credits

PLEASE CATCH UP!	LINKS TO BUY! (in chronological order)
	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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	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, Mind of the Neví...
(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.

Lori Svensen
author/designer at A'mara Books
photographer/graphic artist for Viking Visual
verified author on Goodreads
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