Chapter 24

Chapter 24

Author's note: It seems the novel is picking up steam with a wave of new readers. Some of the reviews hitting the front page probably helped, so thanks for those. I think we also got out first troll who downvoted most of the reviews, so I know I'm doing something right. :D

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Neleh was walking towards the gate the next morning, bright and early. Her roommate Kanako had been glad to see her back last night, but had given another tearful farewell this morning. Neleh was quite amused with her new friend. The naga girl really wasnt big on hiding her emotions. Kanako had been especially sad when Neleh had mentioned that shed be gone a few weeks. To cheer her up, Neleh had promised to give her tips on improving her skill with fire magic, when she got back.

Neleh was dressed in her standard form fitting travel clothes, with the added heavy cloak. She was also carrying a decent sized bag of supplies on her back. The hunters were in charge of procuring and handling the supplies, but it was better to be prepared, and the hunters were for the most part rookies, so mistakes would be made. One of the first things Neleh had done when she got her magic was to enchant the silver rings holding her half sleeves in place into storage items. The rings had a moderately sized magical pocket dimension, where she could store anything smaller than a dragon. The rings were filled with food, drink and camping supplies held in magical stasis, but she wasnt sure how common storage items like this were in this world, so she had the bag for camouflage. She had seen one or two similar items, but that was it.

When she got closer to the gate, she could see that most of the mage students had already gathered. Despite what Dalyor said, these mage students seemed to be pretty decent with early mornings. Most of them didnt even look all that sleepy. Aneirin noticed her walking closer and made a cute frowny face.

What are you doing here? This mission is only for students of the third circle or above. And I certainly received no word from the teachers about you being some kind of special exemption. She said with disapproval clear in her voice. Apparently she thought Neleh was some kind of overeager wannabee achiever.

That would be because Im not coming along as a mage. Im the priestess assigned for this trip. Ill be taking care of healing and supportive magic. Neleh said with a grin, although her grin didnt show from below her mask.

You? Youre a qualified priestess? I pegged you as someone much younger. The confusion was obvious on Aneirins face. She was certain that Delia had mentioned Neleh as her youngest sister. Maybe she was confusing Neleh with the second oldest sister, who was also a priestess.

No youre quite correct. I am young. But I also happen to be one of the few priestesses still in Elunes favor, and I learn fast. Im quite qualified for missions of this level. Neleh had some poorly veiled mirth in her voice.

Its not polite to rub it in. I dont like crummy winners. Elune whispered with mock chastisement.

I guess Ill have to take your word for it. If the grand temple decided that you are our priestess, then that is what will happen. Aneirin wasnt all that convinced, but she was also pretty good at adapting to situations, and making a big scene was not going to make things better. And Delia had described her youngest sister as a genius, and Aneirin trusted Delias judgement, even if it was biased.

Micah approached the two. Hello Neleh. I have to apologize for what happened in the duel. Things might have gotten really ugly, and you really saved me there. I had no idea that spell would be so effective. I thought that at best I could shatter Daemons shield and make him waste some power. I still dont know what you did to stop the spell. He said with a thankful smile and a small bow.

Yes, what did you do? Im curious as well. Ive seen Piercing used once before, and to my knowledge, the only way to stop it is to use a physical obstacle, like an earth wall, or to unravel the spell. But it seems that was not what you did. Aneirin asked, suddenly also curious.

Now, now, a girls got to have some secrets of her own. Its impolite to pry. As for you Micah, I could see from your face how much the result surprised you, which is why I made the judgement as you heard. I hope you werent too unhappy with a draw? Neleh said with a mysterious air.

No Im just happy to not get expelled from the academy. You know the feeling, when you realize you royally screwed things up, and only luck saved you from real disaster? Micah asked with a shudder.

I know the feeling. The important part is what you learn from such events, so that you wont make the same mistake twice. Neleh said with a feigned serious tone, although both of the older students could hear the amusement in her voice.

Oh believe me, Im not using that spell again. He said emphatically.

Then you learned the wrong lesson. The problem wasnt the spell, it was the context you used it in. Piercing is a very effective spell when used correctly, just dont use it if you arent willing to kill the person you use it on. What you should learn is that theres a place for everything, and that wasnt the right place for that spell. Also you need to know your enemy better. You were losing that duel before that, and thats because you didnt prepare properly. Neleh said with sudden seriousness that got the attention of the older students.

You are right. Im curious though, how would you have handled the duel with Daemon? If you were me that is. He asked suddenly really wanting to know her answer.

The group of hunters was a varied bunch of people with equally varied expertise. There were couple of warriors, a game-hunter specialized in tracking and scouting, two archers that were also proficient scouts, someone that appeared to specialize in information gathering and thieving skills and other various skills. Normally the hunters would also have one or two mages turned into hunters but since the academy was providing the magical power, those werent necessary in this party.

Neleh noted with some chagrin that they were pretty light on frontline fighters, which meant that she would most likely be helping with that role with her sister. With the mages and archers, their group was quite backline heavy. At least they had Dalyor and herself. Shed have to buy a shield the next time they passed through a moderately sized town. Her touki and magic would protect her better than any plate armor, but a shield would be useful when fighting multiple opponents, instead of one really strong person. She wasnt as proficient with fighting with a shield and spear, since she preferred to either use her spear two handed, or in a pinch even use two shorter spears, but she would manage.

Now that she checked more closely, her sister used a fencing rapier with two sharp edges, Dalyor a pair of swords, one shorter than the other, and the two warriors in the group both used a bastard sword. So shed be the only one actually equipped with a shield in the group. She would have to compensate with several protective spells over the whole group. She already had some ideas.

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Anauel the Chosen of Alarae, the Protector of the Celestials, was holding a meeting with a pair of her most powerful advisers and the celestial known as Rachiel. Rachiel had just finished recounting the events of Nelehs Awakening ceremony to the three powerful celestials on Anauels command. She had heard the report before, and recognized the benefits of having Neleh owe her a favor by keeping things quiet, but these were her closest advisors and friends, and they had to be told. Knowing might affect their decisions in the future. Rachiel finished her report.

So the elves have a second Chosen. And one that has unheard of potential, no less. This could be trouble. The black winged advisor mused.

Is it possible to get rid of her? Or alternatively control her? The white winged advisor asked.

Killing her is a possibility, but I would not recommend it. She is blessed by Alarae, and I would assume for a good reason. You dont get blessed by all of the major gods without them having plans for you. Going against those plans could end up really badly. Anauel said.

How about the girls personality? Is she likely to use her strength against other races in an aggressive manner? The black winged advisor asked Rachiel.

Its hard to say for certain. The girl gives me a feeling comparable to a sleeping dragon. For now she is passive, and will remain so until provoked, but its hard to say how shell react to provocation. Well, no, she would react in a very decisive and hostile manner to provocation, but only certain types of provocation." Rachiel mused.

Elaborate. The white winged advisor encouraged.

She holds her family in very high regard, and if someone threatens that family, there will be corpses. I get the feeling that she has no scruples about taking the lives of countless people, but she would not do so without reason. Its hard to describe exactly, but I get the feeling that she sees mindless killing dishonorable. Not evil, but dishonorable. As a whole she seems like a very passive person, but with the capacity for quick and decisive action. Rachiel explained. She seems like a person who doesnt have too many moral hang-ups, but doesnt enjoy the suffering of others either. And there are certain things that really ruffle her feathers as a person, such as rape and causing needless suffering.

A dangerous person. But also a flexible one. She sounds like someone who could be our greatest friend or worst enemy. The white winged advisor said.

Im quite interested in her ties with the one we know as Gabriel. Anauel said. Gabriel left this world shortly after meeting Neleh, and from everything weve heard the only reason she spent several years on this world, was to find her. The girl seems to have some ties to things outside our world.

That would explain her abnormal potential. Personally I find it a good thing that Gabriel is gone, but for how long? The black winged advisor asked.

This needs more investigation. We have too many questions, and not all that many answers. I would very much like to meet this new Chosen of Satai. Try and see if it could be arranged. Anauel said, making up her mind.

Ill see what we can arrange. You visiting the elven lands would draw quite a bit of attention. Ill see if we can mask it with a visit to some high ranking elf, like their Chosen or the emperor. The black winged advisor mused. Theres another matter to consider. We have found out about a plot that will most likely plunge the Elven Empire into a civil war. How should we proceed with that?

I say we let matters run their course. The elves have a little too much power and influence at the moment, and will have even more so with a second Chosen. A civil war among them would even things up quite a bit. The white winged advisor said emphatically.

Theres an interesting thought. Anauel thought to herself. Us celestials are a force for good, but we cant fix everything. Its hardly our fault that the elves want a civil war, and wed just be allowing things to run their course. We cant fix all the problems in the world, and sometimes saving the many means not saving the few.