Spice of Strength - Chapter 4 - A'mara Books

4

(Rinday, cont.)

D’zani Yortse hurried across the Triangle from where she’d been helping in the Refuge that afternoon. She wasn’t overly excited about the dance night at the Blast 2, but her younger roommate, Vissia Chale was only 16, and really needed a maqla, but they were a bit short of female maqlas.

Cyanus wasn’t keen on granting exceptions to the same-gender rule. “I failed my female chola,” he replied whenever asked. “I might have been able to help her better had I been a woman.”

“Isn’t that better than not having a maqla at all?” D’zani had asked him.

“I think it would have been better had my chola waited longer,” he replied. Apparently, he was remembering the painful relationship his chola had endured. He didn't hide his beliefs that maybe she could have been spared that had someone like Nina been her maqla instead.

At 19, and no longer a chola herself, D’zani was old enough to be an older sister, but not old enough to mentor Vissia properly. Still for social engagements, she was happy to serve as a bit of a chaperon, to try to keep the impulsive girl reined in a little.

D’zani reached their apartment and found Vissia getting ready for the dance. Her friend was as fair as she was dark, she mused again.

Vissia had already put on her favorite dress and was busy brushing her auburn hair. She put it up neatly and stylishly into a French twist which suited the girl very well, D’zani realized. The young woman could pull off almost any style with flair and finesse.

“Sometimes, I really hate wearing my cloak everywhere,” Vissia complained, putting on her forest green Towani cloak. “I want to meet guys! I don’t want them intimidated by my A’mara cloak.”

“If they’re intimidated by the fact you’re A’mara, then they’re really not the right type anyway,” D’zani advised wisely. “What’s wrong with the guys in our Complex anyway?”

“Don’t get me wrong, D’zani. I love our A’mara brothers, but I haven’t found anyone I wish to date there. They’re either way too young or way too old. I mean, even Piryan (nice as he is) is a whole five years older than me. He’d be the perfect age for you though!”

“I’m not ready to settle down,” D’zani said. “I don’t even know which country I want to be in. I love Towani, but at times I miss Kri’enden intensely. I’d rather travel a bit first, but I’ve not been approved to do foreign missions yet.”

“Doesn’t stop you looking,” Vissia said. “The right man will be able to travel with you – and you guys can choose your favorite place along the way.”

D’zani was sometimes amazed at how much wisdom her friend offered, when her impulsiveness didn’t get the better of her. It gave D’zani hope.

“How do I look?” Vissia asked.

“You look great!” D’zani said admiring the way the young woman rocked the flirtier styles. She would get plenty of attention, that was for sure.

“Aren’t you going to change?” Vissia asked.

“I’m fine the way I am. As I said, I’m not really looking for a man,” D’zani reminded.

“At least brush your hair!” Vissia insisted.

D’zani sighed and stood at her mirror. She brushed her very dark hair up into a simple ponytail and secured it with a thick band. Yes, that would do.

But Vissia wasn’t satisfied. “Try this sparkly golden lace!” she exclaimed. D’zani watched in the mirror as her roommate wrapped the lace a couple of times around the base of her ponytail. She put it into a bow and left trails of lace draped with her hair. “Much better!” Vissia proclaimed.

“I think it’s too much,” D’zani said. “But I’ll leave it – for you.”

“It will sparkle under the lights and gain the gaze of every man there!” Vissia declared. “I think we’re ready now.”

D’zani adjusted her tribal cloak, and left her shaze on the bed, as they usually did. There was plenty of surveillance at the Blast 2 so they weren’t too worried about having a surprise shaze battle. The maqlas tended to frown at the idea of the ladies being unarmed, but they reluctantly permitted the practice, realizing it was difficult to dance with a scabbard on the hip.

The two young women left their quarters and headed downstairs.

Nina, the abári’s wife met them at the entrance. “Be mindful,” she reminded the young women. “Don’t listen to the charms of all the young men. Listen to your gut and make sure they are men that my husband and I would like for you to have.”

“We will!” Vissia exclaimed excitedly.

“I will look after her,” D’zani promised.

“Thank you,” Nina replied, relief clear on her face.

Vissia and D’zani completed the short walk in the warm summer evening air and entered the Blast 2 teen nightclub near the waterfront.

<Over here,> Vissia sent to D’zani. There were a couple of seats near the dance floor. Vissia sat so that guys could see she was eager to dance. She hoped it wouldn’t be a long wait, but they seemed to be a bit early with not too many attendees yet.

“Hi guys,” she greeted politely as Tyree and Seryan sat a few chairs down from them.

“Good to see you ladies,” Artem replied as he joined the other guys.

“Glad you made it,” D’zani said to the young chola.

“I almost didn’t,” he replied. “Thankfully, Zukie convinced my maqla to let me come.”

Vissia rolled her eyes inwardly. She didn’t want these guys scuppering her chances of finding someone. “I’m hungry!” she said walking towards the refreshments table. She needed to lose the cholas!

D’zani went with her, seeming to understand the strategy. Yet, the cholas followed them.

The floor was beginning to fill with dancers, just the cover Vissia needed to lose the guys.

<Restroom!> Vissia sent

“I need the restroom,” D’zani said loudly so that the guys could hear.

“Me too,” Vissia added, gratefully.

“Girls and restrooms!” Artem joked as they walked away.

Vissia and D’zani didn’t go into the restrooms. Instead, they found some vacant wall just beyond.

“I know Artem is too young, but Tyree isn’t that bad,” D’zani said as they parked again. “Seryan is still undiscovered as well.

“Artem and Tyree are great friends,” Vissia agreed. “But...”

“You’re looking for something else?” D’zani asked.

“Yeah. I don’t know what it is,” Vissia admitted.

<Shush!> D’zani sent as two young men approached them.

“Do you dance?” the taller one asked D’zani.

She nodded shyly and went with him.

Vissia gave her a mental ‘thumb’s up’ as the shorter one regained her attention.

“Are you available?” he asked.

“Yes!” Vissia said loudly to be heard.

He took her hand and lead her to the dance floor.

NEXT CHAPTER

Other Chapters of this set

Acting the Part - chapter 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Building on Promise - Chapter 1

Acting the Part, part 2 - Chapter 10

Spice of Strength - Chapter 1

Maps and Guides

continents of Alacantis and Kranisis (five maps)
continent of Almara (five maps)
countries of Kri'enden and Yezi'im (four maps plus "other places")
characters, pronunciation and glossary

PLEASE CATCH UP!	LINKS TO BUY! (in chronological order)
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	Acting the Part - 851 T.C.E. Collection of Romance The Neví have infiltrated the Terrenden Freedom Party. Dr. Jarly is on the run and the Curator still dominates the Terrenden stage. Famous actor, Derick Aiden has released his Neví expose film and now the Neví want him dead... In this collection, we meet more interesting women. Kauri - a simple receptionist who doesn’t realize one of her wildest dreams has come true; Tirry - an elections manager who is always the bridesmaid and never the bride; Zara - a chef who has all but given up on finding love for herself; D'zani - who isn’t even looking, but has to chaperone her more vulnerable roommate; Soala - an heiress who is expected to marry, but refuses to marry someone she doesn’t love; Moxara - one whose past griefs have locked away her heart. We also get updates on some of the lovely ladies we met previously.

Lori Svensen
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photographer/graphic artist for Viking Visual
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