28
(Terraday, Part 7)
Irola – A’mara Complex
It was late.
Jerreck paced the Conference Chamber restlessly. Jilia hated to see him so agitated. She knew that trying to coax him to rest for the night would be a hopeless thing. She had seen other abáris crumble from strain such as the what they were going through now. She wondered what in the leya she could do to help him.
Jilia yearned for Saraca who could advise her, being the most gifted empath she had ever met. But that was precisely the person they worried for – along with Ja’tel and Denica. Maybe Jilia should just go and leave Jerreck to pace. She struggled for a few moments.
“Your presence is comforting,” Jerreck said matter-of-factly.
“I wish I could help more,” Jilia replied.
“As do I,” Jerreck said. “I worry about our comrades in Towani.”
“As do we all,” Jilia agreed gently. “But you, you have been under such immense pressure recently.”
“No more than the rest of us,” he replied, shrugging it off.
Jilia wished she could put her arms around him and relieve some of the burden. She was so close to him – more than any other, yet the barriers around his heart were so strong still. She knew it was due to a level of fear – fear that something bad could happen if he were to love someone – just as what had happened with Saraca and Ja’tel. Still, she would have given almost anything to just slip her hand into his and share his load for awhile – or just give him some strength.
“How much longer are you going to stay up?” she asked.
“Until I have word. Zarma was expecting another battle tonight, bigger than the last one.”
“It is already midnight,” Jilia said.
“Another hour still in Towani. You don’t have to stay,” Jerreck reassured.
“I don’t mind,” she replied. “Maybe it helps you feel a little calmer.”
“It does. Thank you,” he said.
Jilia’s heart fluttered a little whenever he admitted that she was useful to him. But tonight, he was too preoccupied to notice. She sighed inwardly, sad to realize that her affection for him may never be known by him. Still, she would remain faithful. There had never been another man for her. She was grateful to be allowed to work closely by his side.
A’mara Complex, Towani
When Coomar, Lucao and Samek returned to the complex Janika, Vanti and Saisha were still looking at the building plans with Zarma, Cyanus and Nina.
“And which one would most attract the Uugli?” Cyanus asked.
“Well, if I was going to hide a place where there are strange people coming and going and might make noise, I’d choose to locate below a club,” Zarma said. Even Vanti could feel her mind spinning.
“There!” Coomar pointed at a building as he joined them. “I managed to sense that before the PCS Link was destroyed.”
Zarma took a look. “Ah yes. That building has been hosting a night club for a few years now. The Mestari.”
“The Mestari,” Cyanus said. “Strange choice for a name.”
“Isn’t that a word related to the Balan?” Janika asked.
“Yes, it’s their equivalent of a maqla,” Zarma said. “Attractive name for the younger generation, but keeps the grownups out.”
“Sounds like a good way to attract trouble,” Vanti said softly. She felt Nina nod with her.
Cyanus brought up the map including the plans of the Mestari club. They looked at the plans carefully. The ziplift was plain to see.
“The base of a ziplift is fairly obvious,” Zarma explained as she moved downstairs in the building plans. It will be lower than the rest of the building, yet have no doors. This makes space for the mechanisms of the lift.”
“If you look here, the lowest level of the building, there is a door from the lift, yet there is no sign of it stopping there,” Cyanus suggested.
“I’m guessing it goes down further,” Zarma said. “But it’s not on the plans. Everyone, get ready for battle!”
Vanti saw Cyanus look at Zarma with a question.
“She should be fine in her room again. If you’re really worried, leave her in your quarters with Murin to guard her. I need your experienced shaze tonight.”
Cyanus nodded and went to secure Nina in his quarters.
“Whatever your pre-battle preparation or ritual is, do it now,” Zarma said. “We leave as soon as Cyanus is back.”
Tensions mounted.
“You should stay here,” Samek said loudly to Vanti. “The last thing we need on the battlefield is someone like you – who won’t even fight!”
The shock in the room was palpable. “I think that’s enough, Samek,” Zarma warned. “She was fine in the Refuge battle, after all!
“I’m only saying what no one else will!” he protested. “And that fray at the Refuge wasn’t a proper hand-to-hand battle. She won’t fight anyone like that!”
“Silence, Samek!” Zarma ordered.
The damage was done. Vanti felt ashamed and worthless.
“You did not deserve that, Vanti. Most of us saw you handle the Refuge battle as well as anyone. However, I leave the decision up to you. If you feel capable, you are more than welcome to join us. We need all the shazes we can get tonight. However, you are also free to relieve Murin if you prefer, though I hesitate to get another member of that family involved right now.” Zarma turned to Samek. “If it wasn’t for the fact that I desperately need your shaze right now, you would be staying here for that attitude!”
Vanti was still shaking as Cyanus returned to the room. He looked at her with concern. Zarma looked at him and apparently told him what was going on. His face registered anger for a flash and then determination returned. He took his former chola’s hand. “Come on,” he said. “I know full well that real battle is quite a different thing to fighting against people you love. You will be fine. I need you to back me up.”
Vanti nodded and smiled almost timidly. She took strength from Cyanus and let him lead her as they joined six other A’mara into an unknown battlefield at midnight to rescue the three hostages.
Supplemental Materials
Character Guide and Glossary
Terrenden Atlas pages
Please catch up!
Rebound of Power –
Meet Iyva, a homeless teenager in Irola with a strong connection with the leya. Totally untrained, her power rebounds catastrophically, leaving her close to death. A Nameless hero saves her life, but hides. Anyone would be proud to teach her, but will she choose the safe, trustworthy A’mara or the shady ones who teach her what she wants to learn? Can she trust her hero… the Nameless One?
This story actually wraps around four other stories: Friendship on Fire,Courage to Trust, Elect to Change and Ocean of Empathy. Currently, they're only available separately, but I do plan to republish the collection as a whole - I just haven't got there yet.
Don’t forget!
I’m still offering 1 Steem Basic Income share for any minnow who asks me a question which prompts an “Ask the Author” post! I’m thinking about putting these into a Dbooks ebook all its own, actually.
Image Credits:
Birth of the Neví cover art based on:
Shaze divider based on:
- Sword image from Wikipedia Commons
All maps/editing by myself on GIMP and Photoscape, both free programs.
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. Any names or characters, businesses or places, events or incidents, are fictitious. Although the penalty of knowing me in real life is that you will influence the creation of my characters; any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
Writing and artwork copyright myself 2005-2018 – 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 – A'mara Books & Viking Visual
Banner by @shai-hulud
Author's Commentary:
Again, Jilia's silent strength that she gives Jerreck...
But that pales in comparison to what's going on with Vanti and Samek!
How could he?!
Yet, that's part of the cycle of abuse that Vanti is now trapped in. Will she find the courage to get out?
I upvoted your post.
Best regards,
@Council
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Thank you! I'm always pleased to be part of the Yehey team.
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