Elect to Change: Rebound of Power, #4

By Lori Svensen

Meet Jenna, an elections manager and masseuse in Gaskarii who has a strict rule – never massage an A'mara! Her best friend Tirry has never known Jenna to have a prejudice, but when Tle-sun is called in to oversee their elections, Jenna is hostile to the very existence of this handsome A'mara. But then, Tirry doesn't know what Jenna knows… A'mara break hearts. Still haunted by dreams from her past, can Jenna let go of the fear to open her heart to something beautiful? Can she elect to change?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Viking Ventures
• Release date: Jun 21, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386218449

Lori Svensen

Student-of-the-world, jill-of-many-trades; mother and dreamer ready to share dreams with the reader.  Lori has never been able to follow everyone else, nor always follow directions or social expectations. Hence, her writing also tends to cross genres to create her own unique blend. A'mara Books are stories about personal relationships with strong flavors of fantasy, sci-fi, action and adventure, all wrapped into one plus a sense of social and moral responsibility that tends to be lost in today's world. 

Book preview

Dedication

To my children:

Our combined imagination gave birth to Terrenden and our A’mara in the beginning. It is ultimately for you that I have worked to give A’mara breath.

♥

To all who aspire to be A’mara:

You make the world a better place through your love of peace, knowledge and understanding. May we use this to bring people together.

♥

Last, but not least

To my husband:

My number 1 fan.

Terrenden Atlas Pages

Almara – (al-MAR-uh)

Avicen – (A-vih-sen)

Gaskarii – (gas-KAR-ee)

Iloren – (ih-LOR-en)

Kasago – (kuh-SAW-go)

Narcía – (nar-SEE-uh)

♥

Other Places of Interest

Irola – (eye-ROLL-uh)

Ke’oya - (kai-YOI-yuh)

Tephsa – (TEFF-suh)

Terrenden – (TAIR-en-den)

Velantia – (vel-ANN-tee-uh)

––––––––

Town of Loxos

This is a simple town plan of Loxos (LOX-ohs.)

Pronunciation Guide - People

People

Ek-ul Forester – (eh-KOOL)

Garian Dabherd – (GARE-ee-un DAB-berd)

Jasper Jarly – (YAR-lee)

Ja’tel Krijo – (juh-TEL KREE-joe)

Jenna Fisher – (JENN-uh)

Kitha Shallan – (KEE-thuh)

Lataya Silna – (luh-T EYE-yuh)

Levon Tharn – (leh-VON)

Mikor Hammit – (MEE-kor)

Neví – (neh-VEE)

Ralun Gullan – (RAY-lun)

Saraca Krijo – (Suh-RAH-kuh)

Shallona Kitz  - (sha-LOW-nuh)

Tirry Jelham – (TIER-ree JELL-am)

Tle-sun Orivesk – (tlay-SUN)

Ydia Tuskcat – (YIH-dee-uh)

Zilan – (ZYE-lan)

♥♥♥

The Calendar

.

Terrenden operates on a 9-day week.

The days are named after gods except Terraday which represents the world or the void in popular mythology.

Muranaday (mur-AHN-uh)

Majanday (MA-JAHN)

Rinday (RIHN)

Terraday – midweek break – holy day for Faldur sects.

Fenjaday (FEN-ya)

Tharnday

Wirnday

Silnaday (SILL-nuh) – weekend – holy day for Silatians.

Vasanaday (vuh-SAHN-uh) – weekend – holy day for followers of Vasana and other Faldur.

The month is roughly 45 days always ending with the double full moon and beginning with a festival. Terrenden has 8 months in a year.

♥

Note: glossary and image credits at the end.

♥♥♥

Prologue

late-summer, month of Casminari

850 Terrenden Common Era

Gaskarii

.

Off the north coast of the land of A'mara, is Gaskarii - a remote island where the weather tends to be rainy, windy and generally miserable. The only exception is the almost-dependable hot and dry spell in late summer, which turns it into an attractive holiday resort for that month of Casminari. Few return for a repeat visit, and fewer still are tempted to call the island home. In fact, many of the Gaskarii youth leave as soon as they are able. Most leavers never return except for the odd visit to see family.

Other than the tourist attractions, Gaskarii rarely makes any headlines. The out-of-the-way location, and stagnant population makes it uninteresting for business. The residents are poor enough to not be able to support commerce or even very much gambling, but they are also rich enough in the essentials to make them proud enough to give even the Silatians little hope in converting them.

In general, the Gaskarii people keep to themselves and do not cause trouble beyond what the tiny police regiment can handle. Although not specifically disallowed, the A'mara have never been particularly welcomed with open arms either. The law-abiding Gaskarii see little need for A'mara and distrust outsiders who do anything other than stick to tourist attractions. For that reason, there has been no A'mara presence in several generations.

Yet, it is this very reasonable apathy which can hide real trouble especially when the capital, Loxos, is in the run-up to a surprisingly-heated election. In this excitable time, danger can lurk anywhere and pop up when least expected. 

♥♥♥

1

(Vasanaday)

.

Jenna Fisher stood on the balcony of her fifth-floor, Loxos apartment. The sun sliced through the thin clouds until it rested on the horizon; the last rays glistening mesmerizingly across the sea. She loved this time of day; whenever it was not raining, she liked to stand here and watch the sun set.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the lights across the small city flickered on in the approach to night. Jenna shivered and realized that the temperature had dipped below tank top comfort.

She returned inside, pausing at the door, wondering whether to close it already or to leave it open a little longer. The breeze was so refreshing and she hated the idea of shutting out the fresh air so soon. The current sunny spell was a rather unusual occurrence in northerly Gaskarii.

Jenna decided to shut the glass door and wondered momentarily about the curtains when there was a knock at her front door.

Forgetting the curtains, she went to see who it was. She felt it was her best friend, Tirry Jelham. She opened the door.

Hi! said the short, dark-haired woman. Tirry entered the apartment without waiting to be invited.

What's up? Jenna asked her office supervisor.

You're not going to like it, Tirry warned with a grimace.

Well, then, how about a massage while you tell me, Jenna suggested. It will make us both feel better.

Tirry smiled. I'd like that, she accepted, making her way to the massage couch in the treatment room. She took off her shirt and lay down on the couch.

Jenna got a couple of vials of blended essential oil off the shelf and applied several drops to her own skin. She slowly worked them into Tirry's muscles, finding each stiff and sore spot with her years of skill.

You know, the company really should pay you more, Tirry said, sounding quite relaxed already.

I'm sure this just fits into my job description. Something about relaxation must be in there somewhere! Jenna replied. So, what's going on? 

I figured I should come and tell you right away as I know you won't be happy about it. Figured you should know before you come in to the office tomorrow morning, Tirry started.

What?! Jenna demanded, pushing a little too hard.

Ow!

Sorry, Jenna apologized. What's happening?

A'mara, Tirry said.

Exist in other countries.

Will be here tomorrow.

What?! Jenna exclaimed barely remembering to take her hands off her friend first.

Someone has called them in to observe the election, Tirry informed cautiously.

But why?! Jenna demanded ruffling her shoulder-length blonde hair. Our elections have always been peaceful and successful...

For generations, Tirry completed, nodding in agreement. She put her shirt back on and the two friends walked into the living room again.

I don't understand it, Jenna said, feeling the wind knocked out of her sails. She walked over to the window and closed the curtains.

Me neither, admitted Tirry. But the A'mara will be here tomorrow.

I resent this! Jenna said bitterly.

I know you do, Tirry said, heading towards the door. Look, I'm not happy either, but it could be a good thing to have a couple of extra pairs of hands to help us get ready for the elections.

I sure hope so.

I'm sure they would be happy to be offered a massage... she hinted. You're the best around!

Against my rules, Jenna replied. I don't massage A'mara. 

I don’t understand why you dislike A’mara so much. I mean, sure, many people on our island don’t like them, but you’re never prejudiced! What is your secret? Tirry asked, looking sympathetically at her friend.

Do I need a secret to not like them? Jenna retorted as her friend left. 

Jenna locked her door for the night and finished closing all the curtains. She still seethed about the incoming intrusion. She didn't need A'mara snooping around while they were trying to get their jobs done! The pretentious, elitist babysitters! How was it they were so much better than ordinary citizens?

She checked for messages on her Portable Communications System (PCS) unit as well as her holonet terminal. Taking a late snack into her bedroom, she changed into her blue nightgown and set up the Holo Projections System (HPS) unit to watch her favorite holodrama from the comfort of her bed.

♥

Shallona, I wanted you and the young Wolf to be aware that Zilan will be with you shortly, the scrambled voice informed.

How ‘bout Nameless One? the woman asked.

Not at the moment. Zilan’s info on him indicates he might cause a bit of a disturbance if he’s there too soon.

Curator, which A’mara being sent? she asked sweetly.

Tle-sun and his chola. I want you to keep a close eye on them.

Tle-sun! she repeated