Most, if not all, Combat Path Awakened, and even many non-combat Path, know the basics of how to wrap Energy around their limb when striking for a burst of power. The equivalent imbuement provides a weaker burst however it can last for dozens of blows for similar Energy expense.
More complex imbuements leave behind hindrances, or pulse with energies to attract or deflect incoming strikes. Almost every technique can be imbued, almost every effect can be recreated as an imbuement as long as the Awakened understands it.
~ * ~
Valene looked at the most recent report on Velli activities and nearly broke his desk in shock. He kept an eye on them, especially after their attempt on both him and Holding Syl less than a year ago. The loss of the scion who had made the attempt on Lysanya was not their most subtle of actions but compared to this?
In a shocking turn of events, Princess Maria was found dead in her bed.
Witnesses report that she appeared to have died peacefully in her sleep however no formal cause of death has been reported. A Velli retainer reported that despite her frequent public appearances she had been facing medical issues over the last several years.
Sovereigns Velli have proceeded with the elevation of High Duke Mahk to the role of Heir. Prince Mahk has released a statement indicating he will continue to pursue his sister's initiatives and that no changes to Velli Holdings will be forthcoming.
Of all the drivel he had expected to see in the report of a death of prominent member of a Great Family, this was near the worst. She was in good health publicly but had been suffering? Nonsense. She died peacefully in her sleep? Possibly. That her brother would not change anything? He had been changing their affairs for years and she had signed off without hesitation.
For Mahk to have moved so openly to consolidate his power meant something had provoked him. There had been no signs of the other Great Families caring about his actions, they all had their own plots and schemes going on after all. The Other, even in his own thoughts he avoided calling them anything but that, best not to develop a habit and slip, were minding their treaties and doing what they always did.
Was Clyde the clue he had overlooked? The young man who failed in an attempt to gain a Seed? The claim that the Arbiters rejected? It was possible he supposed. But then why would he act against his sister, every indication was that they agreed on how their family was acting.
Valene frowned and called up a second feed, details on actions that he knew could be traced to Velli, as well as those that most likely were. Nothing stood out except- That was strange. Velli had acquired a Dive Administration company on Earth. They had never shown interests in SmallPonds in the past, why would they care about a group as small as Skall's Depth Administration.
A quick cross-reference made him snarl. They were the company that Syl had used prior to obtaining their own territory. The company they would most likely use to handle any access to their Depths once they were deep enough to allow others to use the earlier levels. Was the Seed what he wanted? They were rare and extremely useful but why would this new Seed be of such interest.
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Except that Lysanya fought back, she offended the family honor by assaulting one of their children. She did what very few ever managed and resisted. Valene sent a message out to Phelann, requesting her presence as soon as she could make the time. She'd have to make sure Holding Syl cut their ties with Skall's, that Velli didn't get inroads that way.
~ * ~
For the first time he could remember, Valene found himself surprised by Phelann's appearance. She still wore a pencil skirt and blazer, she was still the perfectly attired professional that no one would ever fault. Her hair was still in a bun, but for once it didn't look as though her roots were being torn out.
Most importantly she came in smiling. She came in, sat down and smiled at him. It wasn't much but the only time he'd ever seen her smile was when he had told her she was getting access to a near-private lab. She was, unless he missed his guess, happy.
"Phelann," he said. "How are things going with Holding Syl?"
"They are progressing rapidly. Seb caught up and they've started working as a proper pair."
"It's been what, six months since they bound the Seed?"
"Seven Sir."
"Seven?" he asked then nodded. "I suppose it has."
"Already level 4 though and working together."
"Yes sir. Seb and Anya have-"
"Who?" he interrupted, wondering if he had heard correctly.
"Seb and Anya? Holding Syl," she answered then her eyes widened. "Forgive me. Sebastian and Lady Lysanya."
Valene nodded and pulled up the information he had about the Velli losses as well as their acquisition of Skall's. "Have you see this?"
He gave her time to look it over while his thoughts returned to her casual use of diminutives. Sebastian he understood, she'd been referring to him as Seb almost since the onset, he was Adult Awakened, he hadn't been the most formal from the beginning. Lady Lysanya however was born in a Feudal Holding. Why would Phelann be calling her 'Anya'?
"Sir," Phelann said, pulling his attention back to her. "This acquisition explains a few things. I'd seen the contract Skall's sent over, they had their formal communication sent through me since they are so rarely home, and it was so far from standard as to be almost predatory."
"Had they accepted they would have been paying nearly 6th level wereguild to have Skall's administer the 3rd and the prices got worse the deeper they went. That was on top of the usual Diver fee."
She was handling their communications too? He'd had to remind her to pay attention to non-critical requests in the past, she'd been so focused on her work that she'd forgotten to answer them. But here she was handling something that wasn't the responsibility of a Seer Liaison, or even of a Holding Seer.
"I trust you will be telling them to turn it down?" He asked.
"I planned to when I saw them next," she said with a nod. "I suspect it will also mean that Healer George's lessons will no longer be available, she has been working with Skall's for some time."
Valene nodded before dismissing the feed. "Thank you Phelann. I apologize that I have not had the chance to speak to you in these last few months."
"I understand. Work can take up more time than expected on occasion."
"No," he disagreed. "As your mentor I should be setting time aside for these conversations."
"Thank you sir. Was the Velli news the only thing?"
"Yes," he began then corrected himself. "The only pressing thing. You would tell me if you had concerns or needed anything?"
"Of course," she said then rose. "And thank you for the assignment, it hasn't been what I expected."
"As long as you are happy with it."
"I am sir." she answered
"Good."
"Until next time Sir."
Valene watched her head to the door then pause and look back at him.
"Valene?" she asked, her tone calm.
Now she was using his name without panic, without it being part of a worry he was upset? What was happening?
"Yes Phelann?"
"Seb and Anya," she said and smiled once more. "They're my friends."
Before he could answer she'd turned and walked out, leaving him staring after her.
Friends, that was what was different. Valene smiled and pulled back up his feed. He had work to do and after all these years Phelann had finally found herself some friends.
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