(a Vasanaday in Casminari)
Jenna 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 sort of thought that it might be her best friend, Tirry. 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.”
Tirry looked sympathetically at her friend as she left. Although Jenna's feelings about A'mara were not unique, knowing her friend as long as she had, she had to wonder if there was something she had kept secret all these years. It was not like her to be prejudiced. Tirry sighed and walked the two blocks to her own apartment, stopping only for a half gallon of jelip milk.
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. 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 in a hiss.
“You have unfinished business with him, I take it,” the Curator replied.
Shallona grunted her confirmation.
“Be mindful that your emotions do not interfere with your mission.”
“Won’t interfere, Curator” she promised.
“Neither allow them to fuel you. Any attack done with emotion is a failed attack,” the scrambled voice warned before cutting out.
Jenna was back in school.
She sat on a large piece of driftwood, holding hands with the boy she had loved for the previous four years. Ralun's dark red hair gleamed in the sunset as she looked at him.
He wrapped his travel cloak around her and kept her warm in the chilly spring air.
“I have to go to Irola,” he said softly.
“Why?” she asked. “Our journey together has only just begun.”
“I have to complete my training. I will come back as often as I can,” he promised.
“Every weekend?” she asked him.
“I doubt it will be as often as that.”
“Can't I just come with you?” she asked.
“Not yet. I have to prepare a place for you while you finish school,” he replied. “I will come back for you when we're both ready.”
She had tears running down her cheeks. “Don't leave me!” she cried.
“Remember me... wait for me... until I can come for you,” he said.
“Write... send messages... something for me to remember by,” she begged. “I can wait, as long as I have hope that you will return.”
“Remember this,” he said giving her a long, long kiss.
Then, Ralun was gone.
(Note: Please see the Prologue for maps, place guide and image information/credits.
Please see the Epilogue for vocabulary and Character guide.)
