Chapter 41

Chapter 41

Author's note: This chapter ended up being a bit shorter, but the next one should be out sooner because I already have a pretty good idea about the contents.

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Neleh had finished her classes a little earlier, and was now overseeing Ashearas training. The training was pretty simple and monotonous, so it gave her plenty of time to think. Tomorrow was the day she was supposed to take part in a ceremony promoting her into a full priestess. That would probably draw some attention, especially since her mentor as an older priestess was supposed to attend the ceremony. So the Chosen would be elevated as a priestess while the empress attended as her mentor. Yeah, that would draw some eyes. Neleh was still somewhat uncomfortable with being the center of attention. Luckily the ceremony itself would be fairly minor, and only allowed the acolytes and their mentors to attend.

They would normally be expected to host a small party afterwards, but luckily the imperial court was planning on finally hosting the major party in honor of the coronation of the new empress, which was pushed back earlier. The big party was supposed to take place the day after tomorrow and as a result, there was no point in Neleh having a separate party the day before. Shed have to make an appearance at the empress big event though. Lot of schmoozing and pointless socializing expected. Maybe she should try to do something to liven up the evening? She did manage to finish the spell for music after all, so it might be a decent chance to try it.

Shed most likely finally meet with the naga at the event as well. She had not been avoiding the meeting exactly, but she had made no effort to make contact either. She knew there would be trouble when she finally did have the meeting, and she didnt want to set any rumors flaring about secret meetings with the naga. Most competent people were already aware the naga were looking for something or someone, and it might be better if they didnt realize that she was the objective of their search. It might even be better to have the meeting with the naga in an official setting. It could look a little odd, when the naga made very little effort to make contact with the new empress, but were eagerly seeking out the new Chosen, and a new duchess-to-be in charge of a province with heavy naga presence. Nimue wouldnt mind, most likely, but some of the other nobles might see things otherwise, so it was better to try to avoid any potential trouble.

There was also the matter of Asheara choosing her new path as a warrior. Neleh had a hunch about the choice her mother was going to make. She didnt have the power to predict future. In fact, any attempts at divination usually blew up in her face. Fate could not control her, but in exchange the resentful bastard refused Neleh any knowledge of the future as well. But she did get hunches, and they were never wrong. If her hunch was correct this time as well, then she would have to make some preparations.

Asheara wasnt in bad shape, and was actually taking to her training extremely well. She clearly had gifts as a warrior, but those gifts were sadly underutilized. Her old master Alduin might have been a Medjai, but clearly he hadnt focused on warrior training when training his pupil. Almost everything else could be fixed or trained from the beginning, and Asheara was still fairly young, despite having so many children. The problem was that there were certain things that had to be done while the body was still growing to reach a maximum effect, and one of these was strengthening the source of inner power, the Dantian, and the channels that allowed the transfer of internal power, the Ki veins.

You could increase your inner power later in life, and most of the growth actually did happen after reaching adulthood, but the rate of growth was determined by the foundations laid down while the body was still growing. That was one of the reasons Neleh herself worked so hard in her own training. If you wanted to slack off, then it was ok to do so later on in life, but now was a crucial time for her to develop the basic foundations of her future. And Asheara had quite severely missed that part of her training while young. To top things off, if Nelehs hunch was correct, then Asheara would need those foundations on the path she would choose.

There were ways to fix the problem, but that required some effort on Nelehs part, and would also necessitate some preparation beforehand. She had a plan to fix things, but she wasnt too keen on what she would have to do to complete that plan. And it would also require her to show some of her knowledge to Azrael. There was no real chance of hiding what she was about to do, and it would be easier if she had Azraels help when the time came. Neleh wondered if there was some way to wiggle out of telling Azrael where her knowledge came from. The celestial was bound to see many weird bursts of knowledge in the future, especially if her plans for her duchy would work, but most of it she could explain away as being the ideas of a genius. This however

They were supposed to go and do some preparations in the city for the upcoming ceremony and the empress party this evening. Neleh could acquire the first ingredients of her plan then.

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Neleh had forgotten how much time could be wasted shopping for clothes for a big party. She had previously handled her own dress herself with slight assistance from some people, but she hadnt had the time to do so this time. Partially because she was actually busy, and partially because she now had the ability to make a dress out of magical shadow and had gotten quite attached to the ability. So her experience with clothes shopping was limited. When she mentioned her plan to the others, they had shot the idea down immediately. Asheara did it because she wanted Neleh to use her magic to make clothes out of materials they chose for both of them using her magic. Asheara loved the idea, and had wanted to see it after Neleh created their house out of the ground. Previously Neleh had mentioned that she would need the materials prepared beforehand, for her to be able to do it, hence they were now selecting fabrics and other materials. Wondering what kind of accessories would go with their imagined dress.

Azrael and Kanako shot the plan down just because they loved shopping. It wasnt hard to imagine that Kanako would, but the sparkly eyes of Azrael had really caught Neleh off-guard. The celestial was trying on dress after dress after dress, in anticipation. Apparently the celestial loved parties as well. Finally Neleh managed to escape, saying she had another errand to run. She quickly made her way to one of the best blacksmiths shops in the city, famed for having access to many rare materials and creating many great and rare items. She was greeted by a receptionist when she arrived, the actual masters of the shop working in the back.

Neleh knew she would most likely have to use her new rank to get what she wanted, because it required quite a bit of cooperation from the owner of the shop. Would you be so kind as to call the owner of the shop? Tell him the Chosen has a request. Neleh told the nervous girl who had clearly recognized her.

I always get a small kick out of your so called signs of humility. You dont have a shred of that particular attribute. I dont think Ive ever had a priestess this dishonest in their prayers and shows of faith. The ever amused goddess answered back.

You wouldnt have it any other way. Youd die of shock if I suddenly started to act like the perfect little priestess. Besides, humility is essentially downplaying yourself and if I tried to show any, it would be false humility. I have a pretty good idea of my own worth and so do you, so there's no point in trying to downplay it. Neleh replied with a grin.

True enough. Your nature is one of the main reasons I picked you as my Chosen. Youre not perfect, but you arent in the habit of misrepresenting yourself either. You dont pretend to be a loyal servant of mine, but you do my work if it is for a good reason. We can both live with that. Welcome to the life of a priestess. Elune finished.

Since the ceremony was held in the morning, Neleh was back attending lessons after lunch, earning a wave of congratulations from the other students of her group. It was the afternoon after the lessons when the day finally got interesting. Asheara had sought her out, her face showing that she had made a decision.

Congratulation on becoming a priestess honey! You made it before Selene. Well have two priestesses in the family. Despite her other concerns, she would of course congratulate her daughter first.

Thank you. I have an unfair advantage though. I didnt have to do a full period as a trainee thanks to my position as the Chosen. Otherwise Selene would have gotten there first. That said, it seems youve made a decision of some sort. Neleh said getting to the point.

Yes, Ive made my decision concerning my path as a warrior. Asheara started, and took a deep breath before continuing. Since it is my position to protect your back, its only natural that Id choose the defensive second path to do so better. In fact I do want to do that as the secondary focus. However, when you mentioned the school of the fourth path, Shinmei-ry, something just clicked inside me. I cant explain it, but something just tells me this is the path I was meant to travel. Asheara finished with an air of certainty.

Neleh sighed. I suspected as much. Dont ask me why, but I was also certain that you would choose this path. Maybe it was something in your eyes when I mentioned it.

Asheara gave a wide smile. More proof that it was meant to be. Besides, you said it was one of the styles you are the most familiar with, so it makes more sense. She frowned. Yet somehow you arent pleased. She sensed Nelehs apprehension through the bond.

There are a couple of problems with that. Firstly the combination you chose is a good one, the defense of the second path is a great combination with the offense of the Shinmei-ry, and fits perfectly if we consider you a bodyguard of sorts. However, the Shinmei-ry style requires large amounts of internal power to bring out the best of the style, and you dont really have the power for that. Much of it can be trained, but it will be hard because you didnt prepare for it as a child. Your Dantian and Ki veins arent really up to the task. Neleh said with a grimace.

Asheara furrowed her brows in thought. Is there nothing that can be done? I cant say Im an expert on the subject, but Ive never really heard anything on the subject.

Neleh sighed again. I already prepared the solution for the problem, Im just not too happy about using it. It is fairly difficult to do, and there is a possibility of it going wrong. Dont mind it, thats my problem. You have another problem to solve. Some of the techniques of Shinmei-ry can be performed unarmed, but most of them require a very specific type of weapon, and that type of weapon isnt really used on this continent. I can make the instructions for it, but I can think of only one person really worthy of making a weapon good enough. Neleh finished with a small grin.

Oh no, youre not serious are you? Asheara said really disliking the idea.

I am. Well have to pay Elluin a visit. I wonder what father will say when he finds out that hell be making you a weapon? A weapon that will require quite a bit of effort too. Its better if we make the trip right after the party tomorrow. It will take some time to finish the weapon, and its better if you can start getting used to it as soon as possible. Besides, a small trip will do us some good, since Ill most likely be really tired after the problem well have to solve tonight and the party tomorrow. Neleh finished with a grin.