All reports of Energystic Subversion are to be treated as credible. Repeated false accusations or accusations found lacking any basis will result in penalties of 0.75 weregild.

  Verifiable cases of Energystic Subversion will be confirmed under truth binding and will result in penalties of no less than 3x weregild and up to Energy Breaking.

  ~ * ~

  Valene had barely been back at his desk for an hour when two high priority messages came through. Seeing one was from Phelann he read it first, his eyebrows lifting in surprise.

  Count Clyde Velli attempted to subvert Lady Lysanya. She broke free and removed him with prejudice.

  As he went to open the second Yshe barged in, Valene's current assistant chasing after her complaining about her needing an appointment.

  "Val, the Velli-"

  "Phelann sent me a note. How did they get in?"

  "Permission reset when ownership updated."

  Valene blinked then covered his face with his hand. How had he overlooked that they were changing the Ownership when dual binding.

  "Yeah. I thought you might understand. You almost condemned them."

  "I know Yshe, I know. And now I bet I know why the Arbiters are sending me a note."

  "Oh?"

  Valene pulled the note up and read it aloud after making sure it matched his suspicion.

  "OverSeer Valene,

  You are required to present yourself for Arbiter Judgment in the matter of the improper binding of a newfound Seed leading to the assault on the person of a Scion of Holding Velli.

  High Duke Velli and the tribunal are awaiting your immediate arrival."

  "That's a load of-"

  "I know Yshe, but thanks to you and Phelann they won't get away with it. I'm assuming Lysanya didn't file a complaint?"

  "If she did it was after I left, Phelann was still with them so if she didn't say."

  Valene sighed and stood up. "I'd walk you out but-"

  "Arbiters won't want to be kept waiting. We'll talk." Yshe said as she headed out the door.

  Valene left a moment later, turning down the hallway and into a portal that took him to the Arbiter Council's main hall.

  "OverSeer Valene," he was greeted almost immediately. "They're waiting for you in the third court."

  "Thank you. I know the way."

  As Valene entered the courtroom he saw the accuser, High Duke Velli step away from the Arbiter with a pleased smirk beneath his hooked nose and heavy mustache. He kept his face neutral as he approached, ignoring the Duke to greet the Arbiter.

  "Arbiter."

  "OverSeer. Glad to see you didn't delay."

  "I've been here a half hour, he's had plenty of time to get here before now."

  "High Duke Velli, the summons was only sent out after your complaint was formally filed. For an accusation of this severity the expectation is that the accused arrive within an hour of acknowledged receipt. The OverSeer arrived in under 10 minutes."

  Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  "My grandson-" Valene and the Arbiter both started to object before the Duke corrected himself. "My descendant that is, was assaulted and will likely need several days for his Husk to recover. I demand this 'Lady Lysanya' be summoned to face judgment and pay recompense."

  "Arbiter, if I may?" At the Arbiter's nod Valene continued. "I thought I was accused of improper binding of a Seed, but now you speak of assault?"

  "That was part of the filing delay. His Eminence originally wished to file the complaint regarding the Seed. When he received news of the assault-"

  "Alleged assault"

  "-of the alleged assault he reframed his complaint to cover both."

  Taking a step away from the pair Valene sat and waited until the Duke had done the same. All he had to do was ensure the Seed was considered valid and the rest would be easy.

  "Shall we start with the Seed binding?" Valene asked.

  "My descendant-"

  "Arbiter, the alleged assault took place in the Holding associated to the Seed if the binding is proper Lady Lysanya is the ruler of Holding Syl."

  "I agree the Seed binding takes priority. High Duke, your claim?"

  "The records show that Engineer Yshe was involved. She is a known exile with a reputation for bending the rules."

  Valene smiled, if that was their argument then this should be straightforward. Apparently Velli had forgotten who he was dealing with.

  "Engineer Yshe is exiled but is in good standing and has, since her exile, actively nurtured new Engineers who are now highly respected Seniors and Architects throughout the WidePond. The majority of which have done so without any implied familial ties or sponsorship."

  "She exited retirement right before the binding!"

  "She periodically retires and returns to active status. She actively trains Engineers and reactivates her status when she desires to practice her craft. Every group has such members, do they not?"

  The Arbiter nodded with a smile. "They do, my mentor is one such. If there is no further argument?"

  Velli frowned then shook his head. "Fine. The binding was valid, but I still wish recompense for the assault."

  Finally Valene had his chance and turned to face the Duke, his smile a reminder of why few had trifled with him in the past. "Which assault would that be? The intrusion of your descendant into a freshly bound holding to try and claim it from the pair who are the legitimate Holders?"

  "The pair-" Velli repeated in surprise. "The Holding only has the Lady listed."

  "He is listed as Seneschal but it was a dual binding. But please, let us have your accuser come forth and testify under truth binding as to what happened."

  Velli blanched, quickly masking his reaction with bluster but the damage was done.

  "I'm sure I can ensure the Lady and her co-ruler are present first thing in the morning if you wish to expedite a full trial," Valene continued.

  "That will not be necessary. I withdraw the second charge and accept the judgment on the legitimacy of the binding."

  "High Duke? You were requesting maximum penalties for the violation of your family's heritage. You were-" the Arbiter tried to chime in.

  "I said it is not necessary!"

  "If you are certain." Apparently the Arbiter had not caught up.

  "I am! Now I must return home. Are we done?"

  "Charges dismissed."

  Valene stepped over to the Duke before he could leave and held out his hand. "I'm sure your descendant will be happy to see you. I trust he'll make a full recovery and be ready to explain why he visited the Holding."

  Velli looked down at his hand then finally took it. "You have nothing, you can't prove anything."

  "I can't, but can the Lady?"

  Velli stormed off and Valene made a mental note to look into this Count Clyde and find out whether he made a recovery or took a turn for the worse. It wouldn't be the first time a family avoided Subversion charges by getting rid of a scion who failed an attempt.

  Turning to the Arbiter Valene gestured to his EDN feed. "If you're curious about Engineer Yshe, look at who the accuser was in her case."

  The Arbiter frowned then took a moment. What few lines he had to his face grew sharper and Valene saw the feed flicker as further information was referenced. "Count Mahk? As in the current High Duke?"

  "One and the same. Unfortunately Senior Engineer Yshe was not the same careful meticulous Engineer Yshe who handled the ritual today."

  "Senior?" A few more glances at the feed and the Arbiter blanched, his relative youth more apparent than ever as sparse dark stubble became the only color on his face. "For that?"

  "The previous High Duke also requested maximum penalties and summary justice. I know the Velli Family is powerful and able to open doors for up and coming Arbiters. If I might be so bold, I suggest speaking with your mentor about alternative appointments that keep you out of the High Duke's eye."

  "You think he would?" the Arbiter asked, his voice nearly cracking despite him likely being in his fourth decade.

  "He can't touch me. He can't go after Holding Syl anytime soon."

  "I'll consider your words OverSeer and talk to my mentor. If he agrees…"

  Valene nodded, there wasn't anything more overt he could say or do.

  A few minutes later he was back in his office at his desk. He sent off a quick note to Yshe to let her know it was handled and another to Phelann asking if a complaint had been filed with the Arbiters, and if one ever was to ensure he was advised of it's status. That done he refocused on his work, groaning at how much had built up in his multiple absences.

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