The next time I saw that side of her she was talking about her roommates, youngsters she would call friends one moment, family the next. I felt I knew them long before I met them, worried about the impression I'd leave with them, and certain she'd defend them however she could if she needed to.
The third time? She was gazing into my eyes, and that's all I'll say on the matter.
~ * ~
Alex took a deep breath before entering Seer Headquarters. He knew who he was here to see, he even had an appointment. His former mentor hadn't been able to do much for him. Velli had acted too quickly, too completely for anything to be salvaged.
"No one will take you," he'd been told. "No one will cross Velli, at least not anyone you'd want to work for."
He'd all but begged, desperation ruining the image he'd spent so long cultivating. He needed something, anything, there had to be a way. A meeting, a few scant minutes with the OverSeer, that was all.
"Anything more and I'm a target."
He'd never thought that helping someone would make you into a target. He'd never had to consider the consequences. He'd done his job, been fair, been as impartial and conscientious as anyone could be. He knew he didn't always have all the details, no Arbiter did, not when working the sorts of cases he'd been handed.
"Name and purpose of visit?" the receptionist asked, startling him.
"Alex, here to see OverSeer Valene. I. I have an appointment."
"Alex…" she trailed off as she consulted her feed. "Arbiter. Severed contract. 15 minutes of the OverSeer's time?"
"Yes ma'am."
"Straight down the main hall. Seventh door on the right, his assistant will let you know where to wait until the OverSeer can fit you in."
"I thought my appointment was for a fixed time."
"The OverSeer is a very busy man, if his schedule needs to change you will be fit around it. Unless you believe you should be a priority of his?"
"N- No."
"Seventh door on the right," she said as she looked past him to the next in line. "Name and purpose of visit?"
~ * ~
Alex's meeting was an hour ago. At least that was the time he'd been told to be here. The OverSeer's assistant had been friendly, explaining that he had received an important report and would be delayed as he dealt with the news. She'd offered him water, even let him know there were some biscuits around the corner.
Her smile had dropped at one point. She'd only pulled up his appointment when it was clear he was going to be waiting past the scheduled time. She'd confirmed who he was and then he'd seen the pity, the moment of sadness at the details attached to his name.
He'd had a few reactions so far. Indifference and disgust were most common. Disbelief from his mentor, but pity? That wasn't something he knew what to do with.
He was an Arbiter, he had a promising career, at least he had had. He'd almost asked her who she thought she was, how dare she pity him. Then he'd remembered why he was there, what he hoped for. Pity did him no good, but it was better than disgust by far.
Finally the door to the inner office opened and Alex was being ushered in.
"Arbiter Alex," Valene said. "You end up on my calendar and yet I have no idea who you are."
Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.
"Sir, we met a few years ago."
He could feel the weight of the OverSeer's gaze, as though the room itself was pressing in on him. His mentor had felt that way at times, when angered, when frustrated, but never simply from being looked at.
"High Duke Velli," Valene said after a long moment. "The assault case on his family member."
"Yes Sir. That was the time," he answered. "You told me to stay out of his eye."
"And instead you went to work for him for several years. Glowing reports, commendations, excellent work. You saved them expenses and settled disputes that had been pending for years?"
Alex went to answer only to be waved to silence as Valene kept scrolling through the feed. His career, his very life, reduced to a few moments of documentation.
"Terminated without write up or reason. Open records flagged as unhireable and untrustworthy. No outright charges or implication of malfeasance, but the implication is that you're as dirty as they come."
"Sir! I have never. I would never. I-"
"Relax. Take a deep breath," Valene said before sighing. "I said the open records say that. The now-redacted records show you were one of their cleanest employees, especially among the Arbiters. They ruined you. Professionally and personally."
"Yes Sir. If I hadn't memorized a few contacts I would be here in dirty rags. I had to borrow funds to pay for clothes and lodging."
"What do you expect from me?"
"I don't know. My mentor couldn't help me, he said it would make him a target. You told me they couldn't touch you, that you were safe from the Prince."
He barely caught the grimace as he referred to the Velli heir. The fact he saw it at all made him wonder just how the OverSeer felt. There was no way he'd seen that by luck or accident.
"I am, or at least I was from the High Duke. His elevation shouldn't change things, at least not for a time."
"Is there any way I can work? For you? Or someone who will overlook what they say and give me a chance?"
"I don't need an Arbiter, I don't think…" Valene paused. "It won't be as an actual Arbiter. And you'll have to earn trust. Likely have someone looking at your every move."
"Will I have privacy when on my own time? And somewhere to live?"
He could barely believe what he was asking. Work that wasn't as an Arbiter? Watched every moment? And yet here he was, asking whether he'd have somewhere private to live. Asking if he would be given a chance.
"If they say yes then you will. I can give you the opportunity, you have to convince them."
"Convince who?"
"Holding Syl, and possibly my protege."
~ * ~
Valene sighed once Alex had left. Velli had been a problem for a long time, this wasn't the first life they'd tried to destroy purely for being at the wrong place at the wrong time.
Thankfully it seemed as though Alex wasn't about to give up on everything. He'd tried to reach out, tried to find a solution, and had managed to find his way here. His mentor had helped, the man's name was vaguely familiar and was senior enough in his own role to make things happen. But Alex had managed to remember the case, had asked for the help to begin with.
Whether or not he'd work out for Holding Syl was another story. He doubted the boy would be happy to find out he was going to have to head to a SmallPond, let alone that he'd be working in the Shallows. Then again there was a note from Phelann waiting, it had shown up just before Alex came in.
OverSeer,
I suspect you are already aware through other channels but Holding Syl formally announced this year at the Earth Convention. Holding, Partnership and Wall.
They were summoned by the Keepers for a visit following the announcement. It was a social call with Lysanya's Godparents. They were told they were on track for Elite Training Halls and how that could lead to the WPI. Their current pace should get them there.
My outstanding reports will be delayed. The first two require clarification from the source, their information does not align with any options. Your request for further trend analysis will be delayed, I am prioritizing personal commitments for the next week.
You told me for years I should, I finally understand.
Phelann
Valene read the message quickly, found himself reading it a second time, and then a third, his eyes lingering on the last bits. He needed that report, he needed to confirm what he'd started to suspect was happening and she expected him to wait? She had commitments, she had responsibilities, she had… never taken any time for herself since she had first come to his attention years ago.
First she refers to them as her friends, then she starts handling small holding tasks for them so that they can focus on Diving, on passing the wall in near record time. Now she was taking time for herself.
Perhaps sending Alex to Holding Syl had potential after all. He hadn't expected them to be quite this fast despite all the potential he'd seen in them. Phelann was wrong about his already being aware, he hadn't been keeping track of them since between her and Yshe he felt he'd learn everything he needed.
An Arbiter joining a Holding that had just announced itself as competent and talented? There might not be much to do yet but if they kept going they'd soon draw the attention of minor Families if no one else, especially if knowledge of their having a Seed became commonplace.
Valene nodded to himself, the plan for Alex would work. At least assuming he didn't ruin his chances by making a fool of himself. A quick note to his assistant ensured everything would proceed. Reroute Alex's temporary lodging to Deep Earth, he'd be more comfortable with others who had passed the wall. Set up a meeting between him and Phelann, ensure she had the background she needed to determine whether he would be a good fit from the WidePond perspective. She could introduce him to the Holding at a Liaison meeting, bring the suggestion up and give the Arbiter the best chance to make a new life for himself.
And if he couldn't? Maybe Yshe needed someone to clean up her workshop again.
Want to support Confluence Saga?
Leave a comment to tell me what you think of the story so far.
Want to chat about the story? Come to .
Current Bonus Chapter Goals:
- 270/500 Followers
- 51/100 Favorites - Bonus Saturday
- 33/50 Ratings
- 4/5 Reviews