Spice of Strength: Acting the Part, #3

By Lori Svensen

Meet Zara Vine, the chef at the Wind Rose, who doesn't believe someone could love her enough to commit to her. Although the new head gardener Emeric Jalairs is besotted, he is also too shy to talk to her. What is her twin sister Zukie to do about it?

Also meet D'zani Yortse, a young A'mara who isn't looking for romance at all when she escorts her roommate to a local club. When she meets Elíaz Kalvåg, she's swept off her feet, but can she trust him?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Viking Ventures
• Release date: Feb 11, 2019
• ISBN: 9781386062813

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)  A northern continent

Iloren  (ih-LOR-en)  A country in Almara

Jerven *  (JERR-ven)  Capital city of Iloren

Towani  (toe-WAH-nee) A country in Almara

Towani City    Capital of Towani

♥

Kranisis (KRAN-ih-siss) An equatorial continent

Çtaráña  (stor-AHN-ya)  A country in Kranisis

Omrill  (om-RIHL)  A’mara center of Çtaráña

♥

Kri’enden (KREE-en-den) A country and a continent

(note: k sounds like German/Scottish ch or Welsh ll)

Joton *  (JOE-ton)  Capital city of Kri’enden

♥

Other World    Terrenden word for Earth

Terrenden (TAIR-en-den)  The name of this planet

Velantia  (vel-ANN-tee-uh) An ancient island kingdom

––––––––

Pronunciation Guide – People

Groups

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

Balan (BAY-lan)  rebellious leya-talented

Neví (neh-VEE) organized gang

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

♥

A’mara & Assoc. in Towani (Towani City)

Akeld Majan (ah-KELD MAH-jahn) Zukie’s husband

Artem Hulver  (AR-tehm) Akeld’s chola

Catalia Vendar  (kuh-TAL-ee-uh)    councilor in Towani

Cyanus Ivald * (sy-AN-us EE-vald) abári

D’zani Yortse (d-ZAN-ee YOR-tse)  

Emeric Jalairs (EM-er-ik jah-LAIRS) greenhouse head

Kinokei Zeren (KIN-oh-kay) stella  

Kwillon Okoro (oh-KOR-oh) 

Murin Colí (koh-LEE)

Nina Ivald * (EE-vald) First wife

Obion Laugar  maqla to Ory

Ory Tapnell

Seryan Keledo (SER-yan ke-LEH-doh) chola to Emeric

Tyree Nwosu  (tye-REE n’WOS-oo)

Vissia Chale (VISS-ee-ya CHAIL)

Zara Vine   chef of the Wind Rose

Zukie Majan (ZOO-key)   gardener in Towani

her children:  Kynu, Vaara and Raani

♥

Mentions (absent or deceased)

Edina Kalvåg deceased mother of Elíaz, lover to Elið

Lia-linn Çtenus  deceased abári of Çtaráña

Vanti Niella former gardener in Towani

Vinu Barns  deceased husband of Zukie

Zarma Eris deceased abári of Towani

Betel Seagle A’mara, Akeld’s former chola

Coomar Everes  A’mara abári in Çtaráña

♥

Balan/Neví

Belmara Wolfkin (bell-MAR-uh) Balan/Neví #2 of Terrenden

Breckan Hurst  Balan in Towani

Elíaz Kalvåg (KAL-vog) Balan in Towani

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

Fashi Wolfkin (FASH-ee) Balan/Neví #3 of Terrenden

Latássi Abuto (luh-TASS-ee) Balan in Towani

Tasp Yaiver (YAY-ver) Balan #1 in Towani

♥

Other Individuals

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

Orun Nwosu (n’WOS-oo) A’mara abári in Kri’enden

Saraca Krijo (Suh-RAH-kuh) Abári of Terrenden A’mara

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.

♥

1

(First Rinday in Lashanari)

Towani City, Towani

A black hawk drifted lazily in the early summer sun, high above Towani City. It watched the water far below, hoping for a ripple that might indicate a fish close to the surface. Equally tasty would be the rejected fish thrown overboard as the boats returned later when the fickle tide rose enough to let them safely over the reef which guarded the harbor of the capital city. But, for now, the hawk would wait, content to soak in the sun and laze in the updrafts of warm air.

♥

There was very little time for laziness at the towering Refuge in the middle of Towani City. This structure was probably the largest purpose-built social project aimed at helping the hopeless on the entire of Terrenden, and certainly the largest building (not on Irola) that wasn’t run solely for profit, education or governmental purposes.

Very near the Refuge was the A’mara Complex, the A’mara being heavily involved with the project. Creating the third point in the triangle across the way, was the smallest of a set of large greenhouses, for which Towani City was rapidly becoming famous across Terrenden.

At the heart of the Refuge, and often helping to bind the three points of the triangle together was a restaurant called the Wind Rose. It had formal dining on one side of the state-of-the-art kitchen, and on the other, was the canteen for the A’mara and residents of the Refuge. It was probably one of the best-served canteens on the planet as the dark-haired chef, Zara Vine, was more than happy to whip up an extra batch of lasagna or the day’s special to help feed the residents. She was more than happy to help those who had helped her get started in this grand dream of hers – and who remained her most loyal patrons, even though she had begun to make a name for herself throughout the city and beyond.

At lunchtime, many of the A’mara were eating in the canteen near the kitchen. Zara watched as her twin sister Zukie Majan sat with the man who had swept her off her feet only a few months previously. The ginger-haired A’mara had apparently been considered one of the more eligible bachelors before Zara had managed to interfere just enough to make sure the pair fell in love. Zara chuckled at that memory and sent a basket of bread rolls out to her now-pregnant sister. The fact that Zara had remained single was an annoyance, she had to admit, but it had been worth it to see her sister remarried and her restaurant started here in Towani.

♥

Catalia! Zukie called as she saw the former waitress walking in, hand-in-hand with her partner, Murin Colí, a dark-skinned A’mara who wore a deep purple cloak from his native Tephsa. The couple joined them a few moments later. Murin’s chola, Kwillon Okoro, a tall Kri’enden teen with a tribal cloak, sat opposite Artem Hulver, a young man wearing a silver Maalan cloak.

Guess what, guys! Catalia Vendar said as she sat down.

What?! Zukie asked, chomping at the bit.

We’ve finally decided to make the life-bond together! Catalia said, grinning. Murin was smiling as well, his arm around his beloved.

It’s about time! Zukie said. But congratulations!

You two probably have loads of advice for us! Catalia said.

Most of it is simple, Akeld Majan said, looking at Murin. She is always right!

Everyone laughed including a tall, fair skinned, aging man wearing a pink fringed cloak. A woman wearing a fringed aqua stole walked with him; another young Kri’enden man walked closely behind. Akeld is spot on! he said with a smile.

Cyanus, Nina, Tyree, please sit with us! Akeld invited.

I have some news for Zukie, actually, Cyanus Ivald said as he sat close enough to talk to the woman. Our new head gardener will be in later. I will introduce you as soon as he gets here.

Zukie felt slightly worried.

Don’t worry, your job is completely secure. You are doing a fabulous job, actually, but our funding is reliant on A’mara being at the helm, Cyanus explained.

Okay, she replied with a smile.

It is my hope that the two of you will be able to function as a team, Cyanus added.

I will do my best, Zukie replied.

That is all I expect, Cyanus said with a smile.

♥

You’ve had a weekend to think about your inability to fight, Tasp Yaiver started off telling the Balan students nearby. Anyone care to explain to me what went wrong?

The students were generally silent.

Breckan? Tasp indicated.

Not enough practice? Breckan Hurst suggested.

Perhaps. As a result, practice will be a daily requirement. It was embarrassing to have you not be able to overcome a teenage girl!

She has Kri’enden-style training, another young man observed.

So what, Elíaz? Tasp demanded. "Are you really unable to handle a teenage girl?"

I can, he replied.

So, why didn’t you? he asked.

Elíaz Kalvår didn’t reply at first. Although he thought he knew why he would not fight the pair, he wasn’t sure how to say it in such a way that wouldn’t get him a Death Edict of his own. It just didn’t seem right, Elíaz finally said. Their leya imprints did not read like horrible, dishonest people. They were... noble, somehow.

I don’t believe the Curator normally tells us his reasons for issuing Death Edicts. Just that they have been issued. Are you questioning his judgment? Tasp asked.

No..., Elíaz said quietly.

"But you did – you decided that you knew better than the Curator whether this pair deserved death. I suggest you think about your actions – further examples of insubordination will find you... punished," Tasp warned.

Yes, Mestari, Elíaz said, humbly, but keeping a thick guard on his thoughts.

Do not allow a misguided sense of ‘honor’ to get you into the same trouble that this Zilan got himself into, Tasp warned. That’s all I will say about the man.

I do have a question, Elíaz said.

What do you ask?

If this Zilan is so dangerous, why is it that none of us are dead or even injured? Elíaz asked.

You may go now, Tasp said with strained patience.

As Elíaz left, he found himself wishing he had defied Elið at the non-battle and gone with Zilan, asking for instruction. He knew that he feared the Death Edict, but maybe it was a price worth paying if he ended up with a mestari who could train him in honor as well as to that degree of shaze proficiency. If Zilan ever returned to Towani City, he knew he would go with him without further hesitation.

He went to his quarters and began readying himself for the evening’s activities while awaiting his roommate, Breckan.

♥

2

(Rinday, cont.)

Zukie Majan put the pebbly mixture into the smallest seed trays. She used a wooden dibber to press a hole into each tiny compartment. Then, she dropped a seed into each one and lightly covered them. Next, she placed the tray into the stream of water which trickled through all the seed trays and into the fish tank below, filled with fingerling fish.

She wished she’d known about aquaponics when she was still in Iloren – before she met her husband. It still made her blush to think of that stupid stunt she’d pulled, following Akeld and Betel across town until she’d accidentally bumped into them. Why she’d done it, she’d never be able to guess, but she was eternally grateful for that bit of foolishness, for she would likely have never met Akeld otherwise. She rubbed her belly, where their unborn child grew by the day.

Akeld had already proven to be a great father to her children – it made her realize all the more what a miserable father her deceased husband, Vinu, had been. Where Vinu had been demanding and condescending, Akeld was encouraging and uplifting, completely the opposite. Sure, even Akeld wasn’t perfect. He couldn’t cook or barbecue and he snored something fierce unless Zukie elbowed him back to his side. And sometimes he tried just a little too hard, afraid of failing, but that just made her love him all the more.

Zukie, I have something which may be of interest to you.

Zukie’s attention returned to the present as she turned to see the stella approaching her with a small box.

Hello, Kinokei. Pleasure seeing you, Zukie greeted the woman with a hug. Their shared interest in plants and Zukie’s willingness to listen to the older woman’s many stories had endeared them to each other very quickly after the younger woman’s arrival.

I’ve been sent these seeds from a stella who claims to have been around since the days of Velantia, Kinokei Zeren said, opening the box to reveal a bunch of small packets.

Velantia! Zukie repeated. Surely, that’s impossible!

Stellas often live an unusually long life, Kinokei informed.

But we’re talking over 1000 years! Zukie replied.

I’m only saying what she said to me, Kinokei stated. I don’t find that as fascinating as the fact that she said these seeds came from the Other World – through the portals.

Is it possible that everyone originally came from the Other World? Zukie asked the question that she’d always wondered since hearing about the portals between Terrenden and the Other World.

I have heard it said. I think only the Guardians themselves could enlighten us on that one, Kinokei replied. I have never heard of the Guardians answering the questions though... Anyway, I would like it if you could start a separate plant collection using these Other World seeds. It is possible that Terrenden could find them useful.

How many of these things have you heard of before? Zukie asked, thumbing through the first few packets of seeds."

Maybe half. But the ones that we have had, such as tomatoes, there are varieties here we have never heard of in our world. Clearly, someone found a reason to bring them here, so we need to find these things out.

I will do my best, Zukie promised.

I know you will. As will your daughter, Kinokei said, indicating Zukie’s slightly rounded tummy.

Daughter?

"A’mara and stella, she will be – honoring both lineages, Kinokei said with a wink. I hope you will allow me to teach her."

If my daughter so wishes it, Zukie replied.

Kinokei smiled and went to another part of the greenhouse.

Zukie grabbed another seed tray, prepared it and planted a couple of each of the