Shannon Pemrick [Pemrick - Surrendered

Book 1 | Destiny

Book 2 | Pieces

Book 3 | Secrets

Book 4 | Exposed

Book 5 | Surrendered

Book 6 | Reborn (coming soon)

Phyre held up his arms and announced, Ambassador Lazshika!

Orange light flickered across the forest clearing, casting tall shadows of people onto the trees. The night sky, while dulled by the air pollution of the city beyond the forest, twinkled with stars. People in decorative costumes danced around the fire while others mingled about in the clearing.

As I expected, everyone wanted to talk to me. Some just wanted to congratulate me on my passing of the test and official Ambassador title, while others wanted to chat. I knew I was going to have to get used to it since I was now the Ambassador, but that wasnt going to be easy for me. I wasnt a people person. And on top of that, I had limited knowledge of rituals and customs for the tribes beyond the West Tribe. There are many people far more qualified than me.

The ever-present voice in my head not belonging to me, spoke, Oh, stop it. Youre plenty qualified.

One good thing that came of it was my reconnection with Arnia and Jaybird. They apologized for missing the test, but were happy for my end result. After speaking with them for a bit, they went to join a group of North Tribe shaman. The two had really hit it off with the tribe, and it made me wonder about their future after we were free. They could benefit from a teacher, and the North Tribe was the only one I knew of to have any metal shamans or metal elementalists in the area.

I sighed with relief when I was finally allowed to sit down and relax for a moment. Raikidan sat down next to me, and my friends took their seats around us. They had stayed with me while I had endured all the greetings, and I was grateful. Their support made it easier to deal with, and Raikidan had also done his job by pulling me away when I became too overwhelmed.

My brow rose in surprise when a stout, blond dwarven man with a large septum piercing came up to us and handed me a mug, his braided beard with metal rings and clasps with large decorative plates bounced in front of him. I hadnt seen him since the competition in his city of Azrok, several months ago. Vorn?

Aye, lass. He smiled and shifted his hammer as it leaned on his shoulder. Ye didnt think I be missin this ol party ye be havin, did ye?

I chuckled and took the mug of ale. Good to see you too, but did you really have to bring your hammer with you?

He laughed, his eyes shining bright. Lass, ye know I dont go anywhere without it.

All right, you got me there.

I went to take a swig of my drink as he walked away when I noticed a woman looking like a near spitting image of Ryoko, frantically searching for something. A dark-skinned elven man with tattoos, piercings, and a partially shaved head followed her, attempting to calm her down. Peacekeeper Ryoko and Varro? Why would two of the Peacekeepers be here? I had been quite surprised to see Peacekeeper Ryoko show up during my test, so seeing them here at my party was quite the perplexing sight.

Looking around, I found Peacekeeper Pyralis mingling with his clan, along with a green-haired, golden-eyed woman. I guessed her to be Peacekeeper Reiki. Pyralis presence with his clan didnt surprise me, due to the strong connection he had to them when I visited the clan over the summer.

Mingling with some shamans, and now Vorn, were Peacekeepers Assar and Raynn, the latter throwing me off briefly since the Raynn we know looked eerily identical.

Where is she? Peacekeeper Ryoko mumbled.

Calm down, Varro said. Well find her. We have all night.

I shook my head. Peacekeeper Ryoko, youre going to make this night very interesting. Ryoko, Varro, over here.

Ryoko looked at me, her brow twisted, and then squeaked when Peacekeeper Ryoko appeared suddenly in front of her. Peacekeeper Ryoko tilted her head and looked Ryoko over. Ryoko stared back at her with uncertainty.

After she was done looking Ryoko over, Peacekeeper Ryoko laced her fingers into Ryokos hair. Your hair is so silky. I could never get my hair like this. How do you do it?

Ryoko shrugged. Conditioner. I can only imagine the beauty products we have now are a lot different than what you had.

Peacekeeper Ryoko thought this over and Varro chuckled. After years of war, hygiene wasnt a priority to put resources into.

Peacekeeper Ryoko nodded. Thats true.

Ryoko touched Peacekeeper Ryokos hair. Yours is really soft, thoughmore so than mine, if you want my opinion. Consider yourself lucky to have such naturally soft hair.

Peacekeeper Ryoko smiled wide and the two began talking about similarities and differences between them. Amused, I listened in while paying attention to the dances the Southern and Northern Tribes were performing around the fires.

The two women had quite a bit in common, but they also had many differences, and I could tell this talk with Peacekeeper Ryoko made Ryoko feel a lot better about herself. She had always thought less of herself because she was a clone, feeling that being a clone marked her as unable to be her own person.

I just hope they dont try to dress the same. Then well have a problem.

Oh, dont even suggest that. I dont want to deal with that again.

Those twin assassins you trained?

Yeah, that was stuff of nightmares. Psychic assassinsthe first of their kind. I was glad the project ended and they resumed standard psychic training.

Ryokos ears twitched as the two went back and forth. Off topic, but Im going to forget if I dont ask now. Peacekeeper Ryoko, did you actually end up dying alone? That ending to your life always seemed a bit fishy to me.

Peacekeeper Ryoko giggled. No, I didnt. Whoever made up that story is dumb. I had my pack. She gestured to Varro. And I also had him.

I looked at Varro with interest and he laughed. Surprise!

Surprise indeed.

Life is full of them! Youre in for a bumpy ride in the next coming weeks.

Whats that supposed to mean?