30
(Silnaday)
Joton, Kri’enden – A’mara Complex
“What is situation in Council of Peers regarding A’mara?” Moxara asked the next morning as she and Benjan sat with Kivana and the other Kri’enden A’mara. Kami sat with her too.
“The legislation was introduced, but it failed to be discussed. As such, the motion died on the table, but the PC who introduced it promises to bring it back next session, so it’s definitely not a dead issue,” Kivana explained.
“What do they want to restrict?” Benjan asked.
“They want to tie our hands regarding our ability to apprehend suspects, investigate our own cases, things like that. They want to rein us in, from what I’ve heard,” Kivana said.
“What we do if dey win?” Moxara asked.
“That’s a question we really need to address before it becomes necessary. You know how these things are – the tide is coming in on us right now and we need to be ready before it covers us,” Kivana said. “Anyway, how did things go last night, Sennon?”
“Honestly, I think it went okay. There were no deaths, no yelling and screaming, so that’s a start. I think the Yeziling elders are starting to make amends with their brother, which is very promising,” he said.
“That’s very good news,” Benjan said. “What are the plans for today?”
“We will share a box with them at the Vestharya Games. Today are the public contestant games. The A’mara games aren’t until Silnaday,” Kivana explained. “I’d really like to see Andac and Soala talking with the Yeziling elders.”
“I believe the Yeziling are planning to compete today,” Benjan said.
“That was a good idea,” Kivana said. “I expect Vonjy might get involved as well then.”
♥
“I’m so glad you could come with us, Naama,” Soala said to her handmaiden who sat on one side of her. Vonjy sat on her other side and her father on the other side of him.
“Thank you for letting me come,” Naama replied. “Are we really going to meet more of the Yeziling?”
“Yes. I met some of them last night – Vonjy’s brothers. They seemed nice enough. Just be careful, they’re somewhat known for stealing pretty young women to become their brides,” Soala warned.
“Vonjy didn’t steal you,” Naama replied.
“That’s because I stole him first,” Soala said with a grin.
“What?” Vonjy asked, suddenly becoming aware of the conversation about him.
Soala giggled. “I was just saying how I stole you.”
“Stole my heart for sure,” he said, kissing her passionately.
“Are you really going to compete?” she asked, stroking his bare chest.
“Why not?” Vonjy asked.
“Your brothers are here,” Chief Andac said to Vonjy who sat upright.
The group were turning heads and eliciting whistles from the women in the crowd. Soala could hardly blame them. They were as handsome as Vonjy, and all wearing their tribal loincloths and war aprons. They also wore their dark cloaks, but that only seemed to increase their appeal to all the women in the stands.
Soala noticed Naama’s gaze rest on the men. She giggled.
“Naama!” Soala mock-scolded. “You will have all weekend to get to know them!”
“Good,” she replied. “Those guys could steal me, I give them permission!”
“The Yeziling are good looking, for sure. I have the best of the lot right here!” Soala boasted.
“Those are his brothers? Single?” Naama asked.
“Except for Sidjin. He has two wives at home, both stolen, both pregnant. That’s one of his claims to becoming Chieftain,” Vonjy answered. “If they let me, I will tell them that you consent to being stolen, Naama.”
The young woman giggled again as the young men joined them in the box.
“My brothers: Sidjin, Arzewt and Meknes,” Vonjy introduced. “Soala’s handmaiden, Naama Stenness.”
The three brothers sat behind Soala, Naama and Vonjy.
“I can’t look at him if he’s behind me!” Naama complained to Soala.
“Don’t worry, he can feel you thinking about him!” Soala replied embarrassing the young woman deeply.
♥
Kivana and Moxara sat together in the adjoining box, Benjan sitting close beside. Chief Councilors Uushin and Bentin sat together in the most luxurious seats in the box. They chatted together quite a bit, Moxara noticed.
Most of the A’mara currently in Kri’enden were sitting in the same box or adjoining ones.
“Vestharya is our biggest festival,” Kivana explained to her and Benjan.
“I so missed Vestharya!” Jessten said sitting just below them.
“Then I’m glad you’ve made another,” Kivana said.
“Tiva! Zeno!” Jessten exclaimed as she saw the couple joining them.
“Kivana, Benjan, please meet good friends, Tiva and Zeno Landry,” Moxara introduced. “Tiva, Zeno, please meet Kivana, abári of Kri’enden and Benjan of Yezi’im, my betrothed.”
“You’re getting married?!” Tiva asked incredulously giving the woman a warm hug. “And with child, I sense. Congratulations!”
Moxara smiled warmly. She wondered for a moment what it must be like to be in company of people whom she actually had to tell that she was pregnant! Benjan’s arm around her squeezed her closer. “We will never know that answer,” he said quietly. “But it’s okay, isn’t it?”
Moxara nodded. “I trade you not for anyting!”
“Good. Because we’ll make that official tomorrow!” Benjan said stealing a kiss from her.
♥
The loud-speaker crackled to life.
“Anyone wanting to participate in the public games, please come into the arena!”
“That would be you!” Soala said excitedly to Vonjy, who stood and gave her his cloak. She draped it around herself.
“How about you guys?” Naama asked the other Yeziling, turning to look at Arzewt.
Arzewt handed her his cloak and joined his brothers, who left their cloaks on the bench.
“Wow!” Soala said to her handmaiden who had already put the cloak around her, imitating her mistress. The girl was giggling almost uncontrollably.
As the Yeziling made it into the arena, there was a huge cheer from the women in the stands and many whistles.
“Well, this is exciting!” the announcer said. “We have about half a band of Yeziling with us today to show us their prowess at all our Kri’enden games. Let’s give them a mighty welcome!”
The cheer grew louder.
Soala saw how Arzewt made them out in the stands, but seemed to be looking at Naama.
“You might be going home with him yet,” she giggled to her handmaiden. “I will be looking for a new handmaiden!”
“I will miss you – but maybe with you and Vonjy in the canyon, we can visit you frequently.”
“He hasn’t even kissed you yet and you’re talking about being his wife!” Soala said, laughing.
Naama giggled back and kept her eye on the man.
The games began.
♥
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
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
Acting the Part, part 3 - Chapter 19
Sands of Survival - 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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Lori Svensen
author/designer at A'mara Books
photographer/graphic artist for Viking Visual
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