12
(Fenjaday, cont.)
Zukie put equal parts of soil and firthorn bark shavings into a small bucket and stirred them with her trowel a few times. “Is this right?” she asked.
“Perfect,” Emeric said.
Zukie put a little mixture at the bottom of special pots made of untreated firthorn wood. She gently teased a seedling out of the starter tray and placed it into a pot, adding more soil mixture around. She looked at Emeric again.
“It’s perfect.”
She continued onto the next one.
“This is the Çtaráni fringed liana. We are recreating their home in the canopy of the firthorns. It would be good to show you some day, then you’ll understand their climate better. Until then, I can guide you.”
“Thank you,” Zukie replied. “I hope I get to see your rainforests, they must be magnificent in person!”
“They are,” Emeric said proudly. “I was a bit sad to leave them, but placated by the fact that Towani has so perfectly recreated our rainforest.”
“I’m glad you are here to guide me,” Zukie said. “Will the lianas like our aquaponics?”
“They are used to having lots of water, so yes, a slow stream would be good for them,” Emeric answered. “You are such a natural in here. I’m just the expert in my country.”
“I am very grateful you are here to advise me though. I would have had no idea on these guys!” Zukie said.
“But you learn quickly because you’re not afraid to dig in,” Emeric complimented.
“Thanks. I’m happy as long as I’ve got my hands dirty.”
“It’s one of the things I love about you,” Akeld said hugging his wife from behind, making her jump with startled delight. She turned and accepted his kisses.
“I just can’t stay away from you!” he said. “Come and have lunch.”
“Gladly,” Zukie said. She washed her hands well then turned to Emeric. “Lunch break, if you and your chola are ready!”
“I thought he was head of the greenhouses,” Akeld said quitely.
“He agreed to mostly leave me in charge,” Zukie replied with a laugh.
Akeld chuckled.
Emeric and Seryan joined Akeld and Zukie as they walked over to Zara’s restaurant where Artem was waiting for them.
“Ask my sister to bring us some bread rolls,” Zukie said to the waitress as they sat down.
Now used to the closeness of the twins, the waitress nodded and went to deliver the message.
Zara came out herself a few minutes later and placed the basket of bread rolls in front of her sister.
“Hello, Emeric,” Zara said with a courteous smile.
“Hi,” he replied with a shy smile of his own.
“Can’t chat, I’m afraid. I don’t have enough help in the kitchen,” Zara said by way of apology as she returned to her work.
Zukie smiled knowingly to her husband. They were going to have to pull out all the stops on this one… same as Zara had once done for them.
“Look at this,” Fashi said, watching a shaze battle. “This is out of Towani, only an hour or two ago.”
Belmara watched with fascination. “That’s Tasp? What’s happened to his form?”
“He’s furious with the student, you can tell. It’s drained him faster than he would normally tire. All the student had to do was keep up and outlast him.”
“That’s still very good work on the part of the student. What are they saying?” Belmara asked.
Fashi wound it back a few seconds and turned up the volume. The pair were locked in a bind.
“Give up!” Tasp ordered.
“Never! You will not touch her!” the student countered.
“You can never defeat me!” Tasp replied.
“Famous last words,” Belmara said with a yawn.
A few moments later, Tasp had been disarmed and the student stormed off through the crowd.
Fashi turned off the playback. “Interesting, yes?” he asked.
Belmara was already punching the code of the Towani shaze master.
He answered, looking slightly ashen.
“You do realize that normally speaking, the loss of a duel is also the loss of your position!” Belmara asked.
Tasp’s fury was obvious. “How does it even count? He is challenging our very organization. He defies us at every turn now.”
“Have you seen the duel, Elið?” Belmara asked, seeing the other man appear on the screen.
“I have. In any other case, I would have agreed with your assessment, but Elíaz has been behaving in a subordinating fashion since we fought Zilan,” Elið replied. “He seems to admire this traitor and has taken his ideology to heart.”
“You may have to explain to me further why your Elíaz does not deserve to be the Towani no. 1,” Fashi chimed in.
“How can he be no. 1 when he defied the Curator’s orders?” Elið demanded. “He will destroy our cell!”
“Perhaps your son needs to be reminded what happens to people like him and Zilan,” Belmara replied. “What’s this girl he was going on about though?”
“Elíaz will be reined in,” Elið promised.
“His thoughts have been very unguarded about a certain Kri’enden A’mara he met the other night. He’s become rather defensive of her,” Tasp explained.
“Sounds like a dangerous one to go after. But you’ve threatened her?” Belmara asked.
“I only pointed out that if he doesn’t finish his mission with her, that others may do it for him,” Tasp replied. “Nothing more.”
“You have plans to that effect?” Fashi asked.
“We meant to talk to you previously,” Elið said. “A’mara students seem to share the love for dancing. We plan to make that a weakness for them, and a way to further our mission here.”
“How so?” Belmara asked.
“Let’s just say that a simple kiss may yield the vessels we seek,” Elið replied.
“I hope you have thought of the means of retaining them?” Fashi asked. “Otherwise, you’re only increasing the numbers of the A’mara.”
“If nothing else, it will slow them down and give us time to create a stronger influence among them,” Tasp said. “The rest of the equation can be developed later.”
“Sounds fairly weak to me. Be working on the rest of the plan or the early gains will mean nothing,” Belmara said, cutting the connection. “I was bored of that conversation anyway.”
“They need new leadership,” Fashi said.
“But not another Zilan!” Belmara said. “Sounds like Elíaz has become another dangerous man and will have a Death Edict on his head before we know it.”
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
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
