The Shallows are what the Unawakened consider to be the real world. Low Energy density and little else.

  The Deep Lows are an artificial Energy density baseline used by Constructs to ensure Awakened Relics function properly.

  The Depths have Energy densities that correspond to Awakened levels. A 3rd level Depth has ambient density and threats on par with a 3rd level Awakened.

  ~ * ~

  Lyselle concluded court as quickly as she could get away with after Lisa left. Since it was an emergency session it was simple enough to dismiss the typical attempts at currying favour. As to the usual comments that would be made after the Princess left? She was slightly disappointed that no one was foolish enough to repeat them today. Unfortunately it still took the Seneschal over an hour to arrive and make his own report, his entrance finding her pacing back and forth in irritation.

  "How did this happen? You told me you had eyes on any of the potential threats. That her being in the Shallows without guards was as safe as being in the Holding, safer even."

  "I apologize Ma'am. I believed Rios to be low risk. He was monitored when on duty and kept from any position that would give him autonomy," the Seneschal replied. "Short of locking down the Holding and putting us on war footing there is little we can do to prevent Awakened from coming and going when not on duty."

  "Obviously he-" she paused, caught herself then turned to sit behind her freshly restored desk. "Never mind. She dealt with it and despite the look of those injuries she's going to be ok."

  She sighed and forced herself to let go of some of the tension. Seeing the injuries was a shock, she knew from personal experience just how badly a Husk had to be injured to cause minimal bleed through, and those bruises were nearing the point of actual damage.

  "What did she ask for?" she asked, distracting herself from the mental images of the bruises.

  "Her Inheritance and an appropriate temporary residence with stipend. I approved the release and of the offered residences she accepted the Construct house without stipend." His voice faded away, still audible but only barely. "With the option of it being ceded to her if she so chose, the verdict being the deadline for deciding."

  "You what!?" Lyselle stood up once more, her desk shifting across the floor as she did. "You go too far."

  "Your Highness, she requested a residence. Your agreement with her godparents-"

  "I know exactly what I agreed to. It doesn't change the fact that you did not have the," she took a deep breath. "I see your point. But remember your place."

  The Seneschal bowed his head.

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  "The boy actually accepted the residence on her behalf. I could tell she knew that it was an offer of her own Holding, but the moment I clarified they could accept at any time before the verdict he nearly jumped across my desk to say yes."

  "The boy," she snarled. "The gall of him to lie to my face, to tell me he 'made a mistake' in how he gave his pledge. And then clarifying that they slept separately, that I was implying-"

  "Elle, you were."

  Lyselle froze, he almost never called her that anymore. Not since she had become Sovereign, and never without good reason. Looking at him more carefully she considered what he probably thought of all this.

  "I was. Tell me I didn't have good reason to think that they spent the night together," she replied as she started to calm down. She didn't have to be Sovereign Lys right now. She could be a mother talking with an old friend who had seen her daughter grow up.

  "He's sharp, they both are. I'm curious how they'll turn out once they find their stride." The Seneschal crossed to the far side of the office, pausing next to one chair and looking to see if she was going to join him or keep them both standing.

  Smiling despite herself Lyselle went and sat down, gesturing her permission for him to sit as well. She might not have to be Sovereign in this moment but he would still act the proper Seneschal, even if he wasn't speaking as one. "I don't like it. First time she brings a boy home-"

  "She didn't bring a boy home, she brought a retainer," the Seneschal corrected her gently.

  "A retainer who dared me to call his bluff on our first Court interaction. Who stood up for her in front of all the courtiers. Who saved her life," she retorted.

  The Seneschal laughed. "He pledged his efforts to her as a life debt, when he knew his story would make it clear he saved her life. Then he swore to stand up for her, apparently even to her mother."

  "It's not funny Tomas," she said despite her own grin.

  "It's a little funny."

  "Fine, if it had happened to anyone else it would be hilarious," she admitted. "I can't protect her anymore. She's going to have a Holding, she's going to have to Dive without guards, without any backup."

  "She's not a child anymore. She'll have Sebastian I suspect."

  "He's barely Awakened. He doesn't have any training. He-"

  "If he puts half the effort into training that he did into making you want to kill him… Especially with her Gifts."

  "How close are they Tom? You saw more of them than I did. More importantly you saw them interacting when she was away from the courtiers. You said he spoke over her about the house."

  "She trusts him as a person. I don't think he was putting on an act standing up to you. She glared at him when he accepted the house but I interrupted her, told her how lucky she is to have run into him."

  "You didn't," she said in mock shock.

  "I did, and warned her she needs to get his Pattern and title registered in time for the Verdict. I don't think they fully understood why I'd stress the urgency."

  "And she intends to go by Anya now, Lisa will vanish along with her Husk."

  "Anya…" she trailed off, thinking for a moment. "It fits her, maybe better than Lisa did."

  "I agree."

  "Send all the information to the Arbiter's Council, we're engaging them to determine the verdict. Especially since I suspect they'll have to be involved anyway which would delay decisions."

  "I'll send out the request when I take my leave, everything is ready for their review," he answered.

  "Because of the Construct House, right Tom?"

  He simply laughed. "Because I know her mother would destroy her own Holding if the Arbiters didn't rule in Anya's favour. Because I can't guarantee they would. And yes, because they're going to accept the Construct House."

  "Sovereign Lys would be offended to hear you speak of her Holding, her Heir, and Arbiters in that way."

  "Then I guess I'm lucky I'm talking to my good friend Elle about her daughter."

  Smiling Lyselle leaned towards him, all anger gone from her voice as she cast her thoughts back to when all they were was good friends. To lighter times and brighter memories. "Do you remember…"

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