Arguing for a living isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but Koara embraces her calling to analyse societies and fight for change.

Koara has always loved being able to predict the effects of social change and what is needed to make it happen. On her own world, she set matters in motion when she was twelve years old, and it cost her her planet. While some folk enjoy an evolving society, others fight to remain the same, and their actions can take a violent turn.

Citadel Lowel becomes her home and a Yaluthu adopts her as its own. Life is going along well until she is given an assignment that removes her from her comfort zone and she has to alter the way she sees the worlds around her or disaster will take over.

Excerpt:

After she finished her report, she looked to the master councillor and waited.

His mouth opened and closed. Finally, he scoffed and looked to those assembled. “Well, what do you expect of one so low born?”

The room erupted in laughter. Several faces were serious, but there was an overall motion to drown out what their minds were thinking about with noise.

Koara sighed. She had tried. Nothing would crack a ceiling that tightened as you approached.

The moderator looked over his shoulder. “Thank you both for your words. We now await a decision.”

The laughter ceased as if cut off. The condescension turned to wariness.

The balcony that she faced slowly illuminated. A figure got to its feet and stepped into the light of the chamber. Koara had seen the Avatar in news vids, but she had never seen him in person.

The Avatar smiled at her, and light swirled in his gaze. “Koara Ulings, you are very wise for one of your years. May I have a copy of your report?”

“Um, of course, Avatar.”

The master councillor had his mouth open. “Avatar, you cannot be serious.”

The Avatar looked over at him and smiled slightly. “When it comes to the security and prosperity of my people, I am always serious. I will look into the details and assess the plan that Miss Ulings has proffered. If it is as thorough as I think it is, a school will be built and the class system will gradually be dissolved into a merit system. You had better start studying, ladies and gentlemen. The free ride is over.”

Koara was suddenly the focus of dozens of pairs of eyes. The crowd rushed at her, but the Avatar leaped over the balcony edge, landed on the stage after a graceful arc over the crowd and he caught her up and kept her safe while he used energy to throw the nobles back on their butts.

Koara held the report to her chest and closed her eyes as the Avatar moved through the crowd. They might not be happy, but no one messed with the Avatar.

“Well done, Koara. I have been waiting for someone in your class to finally make it this far. How old are you?”

“I am twelve. I wrote this for a school project and ended up here.” She smiled shyly.

“Heh, at twelve, I was still trying to get second desserts.”

“Desserts are only for birthdays.” Koara crossed her arms.

The Avatar sighed. “I am guessing I have more work ahead than I thought.”

He was walking through the halls with her in his arms, and she was getting the idea that she was being taken to her home.

He asked her where she lived, and when she answered, he took to the skies. Koara waved at her teacher and looked at the city around them.

“Why did you set up the ruling class?”

He shrugged. “Originally, it was a meritocracy, but a few folks kept their riches instead of investing it in the future of those they cared for. The rich got richer and the number of those in charge dwindled. I hadn’t realised how bad it had gotten until your lovely dissertation.”

Koara smiled. “My mom always said I had a talent for arguing. I tried to treat the master councillor with respect, but it was very difficult.”

“You did very well. That vid is being broadcast over the globe right now. There will be an uprising, and I am thinking it is about time. Changes need to happen.”

They cleared the wealthy district, and the poverty of the basic housing surrounded them.

Koara showed the Avatar into her home and introduced him to her parents. Her school project had taken an odd turn, but she was kind of happy with the way things had turned out.

Avatar Trimel-Kadoth stayed for dinner and took in the entire expanse of their home, their food and the clothing that they had access to.

As he rose to leave with a copy of her report in his hand, he asked her parents, “May I come back and speak to Koara again? She seems to have an excellent mastery of what is necessary to make our world whole again.”

Her parents agreed, and Koara bowed her head as the Avatar ruffled her hair.

When he left, she turned to her parents. “I think I won the debate.”

Her mother hugged her. “Good girl. Now, go and do your homework. Something tells me that you are going to be consulted on a fairly regular basis.”

Wrinkling her nose, Koara did as she was told. There would be time for arguing later. There always was.