Chapter 16

Chapter 16

Author's note: Something new to read.

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Most of the Khalidor family took time to visit the new house Asheara had bought in Rhianon. She and Elsaria had moved to the capital city, and were now living in a house not too far from the academy and the temple. The other sisters very much enjoyed the chance to spend some family time, and the house had become something of a gathering place for them to spend their free time, whenever any of them had time to spare.

Delia had reached a good point in her studies, having completed all the shared classes and was now only studying her specialty in wind and water magic. She most likely had the most free time out of all of them. Selene had completed most of her studies and was now doing practical work as a senior acolyte. She took part in ceremonies and sometimes went along with patrols of guardsmen or groups from the hunters guild, both groups often having use for a priestess with healing skills. When she was not on these treks, she had quite a bit of free time, but then could be gone for a week or two at a time. Selvaria was rarely around, being tied in training with the army.

Elsaria had taken to spending quite a bit of time with Alduin, learning the skills necessary for a hunter. She had great instincts as a warrior, but she didnt share her older sister Selvarias desire for justice or her plans to join the army. It seemed much more likely that she would join the ranks of the hunters as an apprentice after her Awakening, which was less than a year away. There was also the fact that now wasnt the best of times to join the army if you werent Eldarinwe, and Elsaria had clearly inherited her mothers Moon Elf looks.

Asheara was also giving Elsaria lessons every now and then, when Alduin was too busy. She had been a successful hunter herself after all. When she wasnt training her daughter, she took to crafting. She had been a fairly decent tailor during her adventuring days and she had decided to renew the craft. Normally her mediocre skills would not have been sufficient to be very successful in the capital, but she had one thing the local tailors didnt, the patterns for female undergarments Neleh had come up with. It wasnt something you could advertise really, but word of mouth was a powerful thing, especially with something like this.

Interestingly the noble ladies of the capital had been very interested in the new types of undergarments, and there were even rumors circulating that one was much more likely to get lucky when equipped with the undergarments made by Asheara. Or Neleh as it happened, because she wanted the practice too, to not lose her edge. She spent some of her sparse free time coming with new models. Apparently, the more risqu the model, the faster it got sold. The tailors in the capitol had copied the designs of course, but Neleh was the one that came up with new ones all the time, and the lucky rumor didnt carry over to other shops for some reason. In any case, Asheara was making good money, even though she wasnt exactly in great need of it.

Neleh rarely got time to visit the new house after the splash she had made in the ceremony previously. She had made a real impression, and the audience had been made up of the more powerful members of elven nobility. Nimue had been busy for weeks after the ceremony fending off requests for audience from the various nobles.

The others are mostly an annoyance, but youll have to take four audiences at least. My position doesnt allow me to say no to them. Nimue told Neleh one evening. She had been able to shoo off other requests, but these were out of her league.

Neleh sighed. So who do we have and what do they want?

The two most important ones are Shalheira the Chosen of Elune and Estelar the advisor to the emperor. A quick test, what do you think they want? Nimue, ever the teacher, turned the situation to her advantage.

Estelar is easy. He wants to meet me because the emperor wants to use me as a symbol to maintain peace in the realm. Not a bad idea as such, the image of a young maiden with an ardent hope for peace and unity can touch a lot of people. The fact that I was the one that performed the ritual of the blessing just gives more credence to the idea, by elevating me above your average young maiden in peoples eyes. As for the Chosen, it is hard to say. I honestly dont know her position in all things political, which makes that meeting dangerous. Never go into a negotiation when you dont know the primary goals of the other party. Neleh was not happy with her ignorance. Someone important like the Chosen could make a big difference in her life, but she simply didnt have enough information, and the Chosen was good at hiding her motivations.

Fair enough, even I dont know Shalheiras goals. You are most likely right about Estelar. What about the other two, the crown prince of the Sun Court Aelrindel and the first princess of the Moon Court Sumia? (Nimue)

In both cases, part of it is an attempt to garner the support of someone they assume to be favored by Elune for their clan. Elunes favor is in short supply these days. In Sumias case it is also an attempt to strengthen their control over the temples, and a bit of the symbolic thing in common with the emperors advisor. As for Aelrindelhe wouldnt by any chance have plans for an engagement would he? Neleh asked with a raised eyebrow.

Nimue gave a grin. He would indeed. The royalty rarely marry for love, and the pool of acceptable candidates is not immense. A future priestess obviously favored by Elune and blessed by Aphrodite is a good catch. Even if she is a Moon Elf. I wouldnt be too surprised to see requests from the other royal families as well. Her grin had grown positively evil.

Youre enjoying this, arent you? Im guessing you didnt try that hard to fend off Sumia and Aelrindel. Neleh only got laughter as an answer.

You couldve made your favor a little less obvious. Neleh sent a thought with a slightly accusing tone towards the goddess.

I couldve, but it is much more fun this way. And the fact remains that you have my favor whereas the other elves, not so much. I wouldve rejected their request for a blessing, if you werent the one making the request. The old priestess was wise to have you do it. The ritual simply gave the perfect chance to make my point. Also, as you well know, making a connection like we have requires a bit of a special circumstance. You are the one that wanted better access to my power, now you pay the price for it. The goddess had a bit of a chiding tone towards the end. Even if she was amused.

I know. Doesnt mean I have to like it. Neleh sent the thought with some resignation.

Neleh returned the salute with a small bow added in. Good day Great Silver Estelar. She bid him goodbye not as the emperors advisor, but as a warrior.

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When Neleh exited Nimues office, she ran into the old priestess on the way out. It was obvious by her face that she had somehow listened in on the conversation. Nimue gave a grin and a playful high-five.

You know its not polite to eavesdrop on other peoples conversations? Neleh had some mock severity in her voice.

Oh you know I wouldnt have missed that one for anything. You handled it well. Its hard to turn something like that down and not burn bridges, but you even managed to get a job offer. Ill need to pay even more attention to you. Should I set your audience for the Chosen next? (Nimue)

Yes, when its convenient for her. Ill go for my warrior lessons in the meantime. I believe some of the other acolytes are already waiting. Neleh wasnt the only acolyte taking warrior lessons, although the others were several years older than her. She was not surprised to find the others had already gone to the training grounds, considering she was late. The other students werent overly fond of Neleh, in large part because they felt pressured by the young girl who was beating them in both warrior skills and priestess lessons. Its not like they hated her, they often traveled together to the training grounds, but they werent friendly either. For the most part they ignored her, and she was all too happy to oblige them. Jealousy was a natural, if ugly, feeling that everyone falls prey to at some point.

She was halfway between the academy and the temple, when she felt several distinctly unfriendly presences surrounding her. She stopped to look around, already formulating possible plans depending on the nature of those waylaying her. She saw several black dressed people approaching her, definitely not students or acolytes. The location was not overtly visible to others, but a fight would draw attention from all sides. So whoever it was didnt plan for a long encounter. A quick grab was the most likely plan.

Before the assailants drew too close, Neleh mouthed a quick prayer for appearances sake and drew on Elunes power to perform one of the higher level holy spells she knew. A large golden circle appeared on the ground around her, and a dome of translucent golden light rose to surround both her and one of the assailants. She quickly grabbed the hair ornament from her hair and restored her spear to full length, ramming the point of the spear straight into the throat of the surprised man.

Dammit! No-one said the bitch could invoke the golden sanctuary! The apparent leader cursed while the others struck the golden barrier with no apparent effect. Neleh knew the barrier could take quite a bit of punishment before breaking, although there were ways around it if you were prepared. Or had enough power to crush it outright. She didnt want to take any chances, so with a small grin she started to call for help with her best impression of a scared little girl-voice.

The assailants could already hear the sound of armored boots closing in, and decided to retreat. The last black dressed man had disappeared around a corner when several temple guards run to the scene. They took the scene in with a glance, Neleh standing inside the golden sanctuary with one black dressed man dead at her feet.

They went that way! Neleh called and pointed the way. Couple of the guards stayed to protect her, while others gave chase. One of the guards was interviewing Neleh, when both Nimue and the fiery haired spear instructor Solana burst to the scene.

Are you alright? They both called, Nimue angry and Solana clearly worried.

Im fine. There were eight of them waiting here, and I think they were here specifically for me. Neleh thumbed towards the corpse while talking.

Nimue stalked angrily towards the body to see what she could find out. Solana still worried started to check her for any wounds. Are you sure they didnt hurt you? They couldve used poison in their weapons. Even if youre not feeling it yet, it might be dangerous later on even if its just a nick.

I am fine. I surprised mister corpse over there, while the others were stopped by the golden sanctuary. Neleh stayed patient, a bit curious about her teachers overblown concern.

The mention of golden sanctuary brought a raised eyebrow from the woman. Since when have you been casting high level holy spells?

The goddess giveth. Neleh tried a bit of mysterious humor, not wanting to reveal her abilities.

Yes I do, dont I? She heard Elunes amused voice in her head.

Be careful that she doesnt also taketh away. Solana said still worried but with the beginnings of a small smile. Neleh noticed she had a very cute smile.