Acting the Part: Acting the Part, #1

By Lori Svensen

Meet Kauri Klement, a receptionist for the A'mara, whose wildest dream is to meet famous actor Derick Aiden whose new exposé film has made him some powerful enemies. Disguised as Kanesh, Derick stays with the A'mara were Kauri is assigned to entertain him for the day, but fate has other ideas when the two of them must flee Irola together as a couple. Will she still love him when he comes clean with her about who he is?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Viking Ventures
• Release date: Feb 11, 2019
• ISBN: 9781386918288

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. 

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Pronunciation Guide – People

Groups

A’mara   (uh-MAR-uh) leya-talented people

Balan (BAY-lan)  rebellious leya-talented

Neví (neh-VEE) organized gang

Silatian (sih-LAY-shun) followers of the god Sil

Uugli (OO-glee) dissolved organized gang

Yerdua (yer-DOO-uh)  evil/chaotic leya-talented

♥

A’mara & Associates in Irola  

Ajabo Zurike (AH-JAH-bo zur-EE-kay)

Betel Seagle (beh-TEL SEE-gul) 

Chaila Mastin (KY-luh MAS-tin) Jerreck/Jilia’s daughter

Derick Aiden  filmmaker in Irola

Elskie Charr  

Haku Solent (HAH-koo SO-lent) Derick’s agent

Jálmur Holden  

Ja’tel Krijo ** (juh-TEL KREE-joe) First Husband

Julleon Dellan   

Kanesh Kaarle  Derick’s alias

Kauri Klement (Kor-ee) receptionist

Lataya Silna (luh-T EYE-yuh) 

Mnero Eloho (m’NEHR-o eh-LO-ho)

Nico Mastin (NEE-koh MAS-tin) Jerreck/Jilia’s son

Ronin Lane (ROH-nin)

Saraca Krijo ** (Suh-RAH-kuh) abári of Terrenden

Tle-sun Orivesk (tlay-SUN or-ih-VESK)

Yewan Avicent (YEW-an AV-ih-cent)

A’mara in Kri’enden (Joton)

Gaetan Rookley (GUY-tan)

Kivana N’jia * (n’JEE-uh) abári   

Sheena N’handu (nuh-HAN-doo)

A’mara in Tephsa (Palerma)

Andrian Ramsley * (ANN-dree-un RAMS-lee)  abári

People in Varkevand

Ardin Kree  leya-sensitive in Varkevand

Jenna Orivesk (or-ih-VESK) wife of Tle-sun

Kami Kree (KAM-ee) wife of Ardin

Tle-sun Orivesk (tlay-SUN or-ih-VESK)

Balan/Neví

Curator  head of the Neví

Belmara Wolfkin (bell-MAR-uh) Terrenden #2/ Irola #1

Breckan Hurst  Towani

Elíaz Kalvåg (ee-LYE-as KAL-vog) Towani

Elið Seyri (EE-lith SAY-ree) Towani #2

Fashi Wolfkin (FASH-ee) Terrenden #3/ Irola #2

Halley Herri’an (HAL-ee HERR-ee-an)  Irola #4

Jasper Jarly (YAR-lee) Terrenden #1

Rurik Shimian (RUHR-ik SHIH-mee-an) Irola #3

Tasp Yaiver (YAY-ver) Towani #1

Joton Shaze Academy

Cruro Stóri (CROO-ro STOR-ee)  Manager & instructor

Prenz Keshi  shaze fighter

Ulek Malami (OO-lek muh-LAH-mee) shaze fighter

Politicians

Chloë Greene (CLO-ee) Peer Councilor – Towani

Dustin Taylor  Peer Councilor – Jracenii

Sisters of Vasana

Sister Lidja (LID-ya) Balan Cloisters

Sister Reyða (RAY-tha) Balan Cloisters

Mentions (absent or deceased)

Danen Tapp deceased victim of the Ilim City Diner Disaster

Ek-ul Forester A’mara in Kasago

Jessten Toban * first wife of Varkevand

Laisen Toban * abári of Varkevand

Levon Tharn deceased chola to Tle-sun

Marosio Muran deceased A’mara, chola to Yewan

Moxara Tevy  A’mara from Varkevand

Orun Nwosu * abári of Kri’enden

Ralun Gullan jailed Balan

Shallona Kitz deceased Balan/Yerdua

Tra-nic Kree deceased victim of the Ilim City Diner Disaster

Zarkonn alias of Zaynen Lev 

Zaynen Lev jailed Balan

Other Individuals

Iyva Erynnis (Ehr-INN-niss) fugitive with Death Edict

Joen Vaala  (VAH-luh) presumed victim of Diner Dis

Vasana (vuh-SAHN-uh) Goddess of the leya

Zilan (ZYE-lan)  fugitive with Death Edict

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 as follows:

Solstice

Brezanari

Kalinari

Equinox

Komanari

Lashanari

Solstice

Casminari

Tulinari

Equinox

Sebenari

Avrinari

Solstice / Year End

♥

Note: glossary and image credits at the end.

♥

Author’s note about the structure of this book:

Acting the Part is a binding novella which wraps around the stories of Building on Promise, Spice of Strength, and Sands of Survival. This collection puts them together as they’re meant to be.

1

(Terraday)

mid-Kalinari – early 851 T.C.E.

Irola – Derick Aiden’s penthouse

Fifty stories into the sky, the real estate was breathtaking. Sure, the view over the harbor and out to sea was amazing, but the prices were equally staggering.

Derick Aiden enjoyed being able to watch all the fishing boats as they made their journeys out to sea and back. It made him think of his upbringing in the small fishing village of Ska’illi in Maalan. Although it was far away, somehow being on the ocean, knowing any of the ships could be sailing to Almara brought him a sense of comfort. The only other thing that brought that level of comfort to him these days was thinking about his only friend from that epoch of his life, Joen Vaala. It was Joen’s confidence in him – at a time no one else thought he would amount to anything – that had kept him going all these years. It was his friend’s sense of honor and duty which had inspired him to write and produce the films that needed to be made, no matter whom he happened to incense in the process.

Derick made a mental note to fulfill his intention to make Joen an official partner in his film company. It was the least he could do for all the man had undergone for him. The only question that remained was how to do it without getting his friend killed. As far as he knew, Derick was the only one in existence who knew the current alias of Joen Vaala, and he would not share it with anyone, for any price.

A knock came at his door, bringing him back to the present.

Enter, Haku, Derick said, turning his recliner to look at his agent.

You do realize the impact your film is going to make, the tall blond man said. I’ve been pacing half the night worrying about you.

"That is the point of my film, Haku, Derick replied from his recliner. He swiveled around to admire the view across the sea. It is time that people start to understand who the Neví really are – from the inside out."

You will not be safe here, Derick. We cannot protect you against the Neví, Haku Solent warned.

Then, I will have to go somewhere safe for awhile, came the reply. It's one of the reasons I've been growing my hair out from the day I stopped filming.

Do you really believe they will stop looking for you? Ever?

No, but I will not remain at the forefront of their minds for long. Then, I can work on my next film about them.

"Are you trying to get yourself killed? Why not just enjoy your fortune and fame like other movie stars do?"

Other movie stars are content to act in other people's stories. I must create my own,  Derick Aiden replied, turning his chair back towards the man.

Only because you insist on doing so. You could be the most popular actor ever, yet you choose to be a rebel.

I do not choose to be a rebel, Haku. I choose to do what is needed, not necessarily what is popular, Derick said with a smile before shifting into an accent he liked to use for disguise. I will go into hiding tomorrow. I know the perfect location.

Haku nodded grimly. Fortunately, I have already contacted Ja’tel. He is willing to hide you. If you are determined, I will call him back, to let him know you’ll be with him tomorrow.

You know me well, Derick replied beginning the process of securing all his work to his flyppcards and hard storage units both on and off the island. It would be good to have a short holiday from his work. 

♥

Irola – Balan Center

A bilfly on the wall of the sparring room heard the loud clanging and sparking as the two fought furiously with shazes. The blue-haired man was clearly stronger, faster and more experienced, but the purple-haired young woman was learning fast. Several times, she got the better of her opponent who would then fall dramatically into one of the foam pits eliciting peals of laughter from the young woman.

You know I’m letting you win, Zilan said as he climbed out of the foam pit.

Iyva Erynnis launched furiously at him. He easily defended himself from the emotional onslaught and deflected her into the foam pit braying with laughter. That’s what happens when you let emotions rule your battle arm. Get up and fight me properly.

Say ‘sorry!’ she demanded.

Make me, he challenged with a grin.

Iyva visibly calmed herself first, then attacked Zilan, her training shaze blazing as she met his in a fiery clash. He parried the first strike, deflecting it aside again, but she kept up, thrusting another jab at him, then coming down from above. She tried every trick he had taught her, and well, he realized. She was becoming a worthy opponent for him, which thrilled and excited him beyond measure.

Zilan found his own skills sharpening as he was forced to improve himself in order to keep ahead of his student. He fought furiously back.

Finally, they had a stalemate, shazes in a bind between them, both nearing physical exhaustion. Yield, he said.

Never! she replied. You yield!

Impossible, he answered grinning at her.

Just then, she distracted him with a light kick to his groin forcing him to tumble into the foam pit, but not before he locked his leg around hers, pulling her with him.

The shazes fell harmlessly beside them, no longer attached to a source of energy.

Zilan pulled Iyva into his arms. Their lips were drawn together in the hungry passion that had driven them the past few weeks, fighting completely forgotten.

Somewhere, a bilfly suddenly buzzed around in alarm.

Zilan hushed Iyva. he said mentally.

They both ducked under and wrapped themselves tightly in the leya. Just then, the door opened.

This place smells, Fashi! the loud woman complained. The Curator would be most displeased if she knew how badly Zarkonn was running things before he was imprisoned.

Belmara, I think that may be reason no. 1 that Zarkonn has not been busted out yet. Him and Nameless One both, Fashi Wolfkin replied.

He should have called us in ages ago. I will get this place ship-shape in no time. Do you have our recruitment plans in place?

Nearly, Fashi said. I know the A’mara well enough to know the signs of disgruntled leavers and members alike. We will fill our ranks soon enough to replace those we lost in the chopper crash or who are in jail.

Anyway, I think this place will do for our headquarters. Let’s go and make a few purchases to make it feel more homey, Belmara replied. They closed the door.

Zilan and Iyva could hear them continue down the corridor, chatting loudly as they went.

♥

2

(Terraday, cont.)

Irola – Balan Center

A few moments later, Zilan released a big exhale. I think we can breathe again, he said to Iyva who also sighed a breath of relief. "Anyway, we need to leave. Good thing we’d already worked out another place to live so we don’t have that headache ahead of us." 

Is it safe? she asked. Why are you afraid of them? Aren’t they on our side, working for the Curator?

"We will talk about that later, Zilan promised. Right now, we need to get out of here."

They hesitantly came out of the sparring room. Zilan felt around through the leya. I think it’s safe. He stopped at the locker. We will need real shazes, not just training ones, he said opening a special compartment and taking two of the velvety scabbards. He grabbed smaller ones too. I don’t know when or how we will be able to have access to them again.

He closed up the locker. Pull the leya around you again, we need to leave undetected.

They walked quickly down another corridor that sloped downhill away from the sparring room. At the bottom, Zilan turned and used the leya to silently open a hidden door. He slipped through followed quickly by Iyva. The door closed behind them.

Down the next corridor they hurried silently. Finally, another hidden door opened to reveal a stairwell.

Why not take the zip-lift? Iyva asked.

And alert everyone to our presence? he asked. They descended the stairs, quickly and quietly.  About ten floors down, they left the stairwell to another corridor, except this was a skywalk. Pulling the leya around them again, they hurried along. Three more blocks and they were in familiar territory again - suddenly in their own building.

Okay, we can take the zip-lift now, he said. They went another 5 levels deeper into the Understory to the apartment they had been sharing ever since they’d heard that Zarkonn had been arrested and they had admitted their love for each other. Made it easier to study together, they had reasoned.

Stowing the shazes safely, they sat to rest, Zilan turning on the holonews.

So, why were we in danger? Iyva asked.

Well, Belmara obviously didn’t know about us. If the Curator knew about us being here, then clearly he would have told the people he sent to replace Zarkonn. So, I’m not sure now. Unless the Curator already knows..., Zilan said, not saying the unspeakable.

Who is the Curator? Iyva asked.

No one knows. I don’t even know if it’s a man or a woman or something else...

How could it be something else?

If the Curator was actually an alien...

That’s silly! Iyva exclaimed.

Anyway, no one knows who he ... or she...  is, Zilan replied.

So, who are you? Really? I thought you were part of the Balan – that’s who I thought I was with, Iyva asked. Was Zarkonn actually Balan himself? 

Actually, I have reason to believe that Zarkonn and the Curator are Yerdua.

Who?

An evil group who want to disrupt our world to gain for themselves. It has been said that those at the top of the Balan are Yerdua, but no one really knows because you can’t find out until you are invited... or have the misfortune to battle one – at which point, you’re probably dead.

So, who are you? How can I trust you if I don’t know who you are? Iyva asked.

You trusted Nameless One before you knew anything about him, Zilan reasoned.

I turned out to be both right and wrong with him.

And so you are with me, Zilan said.

Are you Balan? she asked more pointedly.

I was trained A’mara first. I was trained Balan second. Now? I am no one’s pawn, Zilan replied. That’s all you need to know for now. We needed to get out of that building because if Belmara and Fashi don’t know about us, then it’s just about possible that the Curator knows I wasn’t actually Balan. In that case, we could be in a lot of danger.

Might we have to leave?

Possibly. I’ll know soon.

♥

Irola – A’mara Complex, Conference Chamber

It has been suggested in the Council of Elders that it might be time to name the Neví as an illegal organization, Ja’tel Krijo said to the group of A’mara in the conference chamber.

Surely, that’s a matter for the Council of Sages when it comes to legality, Yewan Avicent suggested.

There is worry that there may be Neví amongst the Council of Sages, Ja’tel replied.

That doesn’t seem very reasonable, Yewan challenged. "It takes a huge majority to become a Sage Councilor. Surely, it would take decades to get even one Neví into the Council of