1
(Muranaday, Avrinari, 829 TCE)
Towani City, Towani
A young cameraman had a prime spot along the quayside. He looked up into the shedding sky and shivered momentarily as he zipped up his coat properly. Then, he pulled his hood over his white-flecked brown hair. Instantly, the hood was similarly flecked with cold, white snowflakes. The man put his gloves back on and re-examined the positions of the cameras.
One camera was fixed on the typical location of the gangplank where the docking ship was likely to come to rest. The other was focused on the two women who also stood at the quay, near where the passengers were likely to disembark.
Although the two women were of the same complexion, that was where the similarities ended. The dark-haired, older woman could easily have been the mother of the younger, but the young woman’s silver cloak that barely covered her red braids contrasted the forest green fringed cloak on the elder much the same as the thickly falling snow contrasted the dark green shrubs it settled on.
A rabbit bounded quickly across the grass into its burrow underneath a shrub, its only care to get out of the snow with the last bit of fresh food it would see for awhile.
♥
Zarma Eris held her hood against a gust of wind that blew the teenager’s silver hood off her head of red braids. Just as quickly, it was sprinkled by snowflakes. The girl didn’t know how beautiful she was, which added so much to her innocence. Zarma laughed inside as she felt the teen try to rein in her exuberance to a more mature level.
Arya Cobar pulled her hood back over her head as she bubbled excitedly. “I’ve never seen the abári before!”
“You see me every day,” Zarma quipped with a smile on her face. She knew what her chola meant.
“I mean the abári of all Terrenden!” Arya said. “You’re teasing me, Maqla!”
“I am,” Zarma admitted. “You remind me of the first time I saw the planet’s abári. I was probably about your age too! I was so determined to impress her! Then I went and tripped up. Yes, I made an impression all right!”
“I hope I don’t do something stupid,” Arya said. “Especially with us being on camera!”
“Pretend the camera isn’t there, but never forget that everything you do could be seen around the world,” Zarma advised.
“I’ll try, Maqla!” she promised, trying to hide her nerves again.
“I’m sure you’ll be fine, Arya. Jerreck is an admirable man. And he has an adviser now, Jilia. She’s from Maalan too, I’m sure you’ll find something to talk about.”
As if on cue, the two came down the gangplank, barely visible through the snow.
“Good to see you, Jerreck!” Zarma said giving the man in the golden-fringed cloak a warm hug. “You too, Jilia!” She gave the woman wearing a silver cloak a hug as well.
“I had forgotten how much I missed the snow!” Jerreck exclaimed. He looked at the teenager, then back to Zarma. “This is your chola?”
“Of course!” Zarma said turning to the teenager. “Arya, this is Jerreck Mastin, Abári of Terrenden. And First Adviser, Jilia Thule. Arya Cobar, my chola.”
“Nice to meet you,” Arya said shaking the hands of each in turn.
“You’re from Maalan?” Jilia asked. “I’m from Ska’cullen.”
“I’m from Ska’illi,” Arya said. “I’m so grateful that Zarma came to see our school – though I do miss my friends from there.”
“You’ll have to tell me all about it – after we get inside,” Jilia encouraged, taking the teenager’s hand.
Zarma smiled. Arya was so innocent still. It would be good for her to get to know Jilia. And Jilia… there was that constant flutter in her heart. She knew what Jerreck was like. She also knew something about his struggles and why he was so scared to let his heart feel. She would have to say a few things – but carefully – and long after the cameras stopped following them!
She stopped momentarily outside the Complex and addressed the cameras.
“We will have the official grand opening of our greenhouse project tomorrow morning if you want to come back then,” Zarma said to the reporters. Then, she turned to escort her guests into the warmth of the A’mara Complex. “Arya, if you would lead the way to the formal lounge, we will have refreshments.”
The chola opened and held the relevant doors for the group, pleased to have something important to do.
Zarma escorted them to the lounge, intending to do introductions, but it was quickly out of her hands as Jerreck rushed towards Cyanus and Nina Ivald. Murin Colí, Cyanus’ chola hung back slightly.
“Cyanus!” Jerreck exclaimed clasping the man with the pink cloak in a warm hug. “I haven’t seen you in ages!”
“Abári!” Cyanus said. “It’s so good to see you, Jerreck!”
“Likewise. I see that marriage has suited you. Is this the lucky young lady?” he charmed, looking to the woman at Cyanus’ side.
“My wife, Nina. My chola, Murin Colí. Jerreck Mastin, our charming abári,” Cyanus introduced.
Nina shook the offered hand.
“My First Adviser, Jilia Thule,” Jerreck introduced the woman standing with him.
Zarma mused how similar Jilia and Arya looked, the first adviser just a couple of tones darker than her chola.
“Nice to meet you, Nina,” Jilia said. “And you, Cyanus. Forgive me if I don’t remember everyone’s names at first. I’ll never forget your faces though.”
Zarma’s PCS link buzzed.
“This is Hamian Yase. I’m back for the winter and would like to see you urgently,” the man requested.
“Of course. When would you like to meet?” Zarma asked.
“I’ve heard that Abári Mastin is with you as well. It would be good if I could include him,” Hamian said.
“Why don’t you meet us in the formal lounge in our Complex at once? I’ll have my chola meet you in the foyer,” Zarma suggested.
“Thank you, Abári. I’ll be along in a few minutes,” Hamian said.
“Arya, I need to you meet PC Yase in the foyer. Escort him in here, please,” Zarma instructed the teen.
“Yes, Maqla,” Arya said before leaving the room.
“How are you doing, Jilia?” Zarma asked, leaving the men to talk together.
“I am well, thank you,” Jilia replied.
“I can feel your tremors. I know your struggle. I don’t know why he fights you so,” Zarma said gently.
“I am content where I am,” Jilia insisted. “I would not risk what I have.”
Zarma nodded. “Do you know anything about his upbringing?”
“Not much. I’m so much younger than him. My first memory of him is when he became a full-fledged A’mara.”
“I’m aware that he was raised by the abári of the time, Y’mera Dellan. Do you remember her?” Zarma asked.
“Yes. So, when she was killed…,” Jilia said hesitantly.
“One of the reasons that was spouted at the time was that it was because Y’mera married a Dellan. So, relationships were said to be risky, at best. Then, Jerreck’s maqla Skÿl was another excellent man. He had always preached against relationships for the A’mara as well – he believed that before Y’mera Dellan’s death. So, poor Jerreck got a double dose of teaching against relationships,” Zarma said.
“I’m happy enough just working by his side,” Jilia insisted again.
“I know. It’s always been your mission. I was there – I felt it – when you said it for the first time, Jilia. I just hope he wakes up to full understanding,” Zarma said.
“You loved once, I can feel it,” Jilia said.
“Yes. Once. Long ago. It ended tragically, but I don’t regret the time I had with him – his spirit will always be with me,” Zarma replied. “Here’s my chola bringing our appointment.”
♥♥♥
[NEXT CHAPTER
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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| COMING SOON | TO AN EBOOK STORE NEAR YOU!!! |
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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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