Energy Patterns can be used as identification. Every Awakened, Holding, and Relic is unique. The complex signature at their core remains constant, the superficial manifestation will grow and evolve.

  The Pattern of a Technique will change with refinement, of a Husk when leveling or modifying.

  ~ * ~

  As they stepped into the sunlight Seb saw the last of the tension Anya had been holding onto slip from her shoulders. Adjusting his pace he fell in beside her, walking in silence for a moment.

  I'm sorry, he sent. I should have said something more before I told the Seneschal we were taking the house.

  Yes, you should have.

  He couldn't help but wince. Her anger wasn't nearly what it had been but it was now directed at him. He knew he deserved at least some of it.

  If you have a Holding they have to treat Rios as attacking a foreign Sovereign, he started to explain, his excitement over the matter seeping back into his tone. It will force neutral arbitration no matter what so the Court won't have any say. Penalties for attacking a foreign Holding's representative are harsher than attacking your own Heir.

  What do you mean?

  It's a rule to prevent any funny business with marriages or fealty. If separate Holdings are involved then it needs to be looked at by a neutral third party. And the separate Holdings is at any point between the incident and the verdict. There is nothing in the rule that says you cannot become independent after the incident occurs. He slowed, waiting for her to stop as well before turning to look her in the eyes.

  The Seneschal gets to protect her Majesty's reputation by making it an external matter instead of treachery or rebellion by following your godparents' wishes. And the penalties are higher.

  Do you think he knew? she asked.

  He nearly spoke over me the moment I accepted, I think he was making sure you couldn't reasonably say no. Just like he knew what I was doing with the pledge.

  About your pledge, she smirked. If you ever pull a stunt like that again I might have to kiss you in front of everyone for being so-.

  She felt him startle but kept going with what she really wanted to tease him about. Now was not the time to dwell on how significant it was to her that he made the entire pledge about her and only her, not her family.

  But I do hope my Seneschal realizes he's going to be responsible for implementing my goals, not just supporting them.

  He chuckled. Of course my Lady. And your current goals are to get checked out by a doctor, get enough clothes for the week and then find out what your new home looks like.

  I need more than a week's worth. And I'm fine.

  You agreed to after Court, and I can feel you trying not to wince.

  He turned to lead her fully into the Shallows. And a week is so that we have time to do proper shopping, for everyday and for Court.

  She sighed as she followed, lowering her head to look at the ground for a moment while she let herself smile despite her resigned tone. Yes Seb. But when they agree with me I'm going to say I told you so.

  The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

  ~ * ~

  I told you so, she sent as the left the clinic.

  Nope, doesn't count, she heard almost instantly. He said you needed to take it easy for the next day or two to be safe.

  Anya didn't give up. But he still said I was fine. No lasting injuries, only bruises.

  Still means you have to take it easy.

  Anya didn't bother answering. Seb might not have been in the room with her but they'd stayed connected the whole time. She'd told him everything the doctor said. They both knew he was right about her taking it easy, there was no need for her to admit it. Instead she looked around and gestured down the street to a department store. We can grab clothes there then head to the new place.

  Swing by your apartment first so I can grab my bag. I can run home tomorrow to pack some more. If you're feeling better, he gave her a mock glare, you can come along and see if I have anything appropriate for Court.

  I'll be feeling better, I promise, she said as she led the way to the store. And if she wasn't feeling better? She'd only let him know once they were already out and about.

  ~ * ~

  They got through their errands as quickly as they could. Anya put her hood back up after the first few stares, angling it to hide her bruise as best possible rather than deal with the attention.

  Getting out of the taxi in front of her new home Anya took a moment to look it over. If she hadn't been told about the Construct attached to it, she wouldn't have looked twice at the cookie cutter home. As it was she led Seb to the front door and let them in.

  "I guess we might want to look at getting or at least renting a car?" he asked as they stepped in. They'd dropped the band on the drive over to avoid seeming too silent.

  "If you can drive and have a license. It might make moving in easier, and getting to and from court."

  "I'll rent something tomorrow then."

  They spent the next several minutes looking through the rooms. Although fully furnished it was exactly as generic inside as out. All the walls in pale neutral tones and floors a mixture of laminate and carpet. Luckily the primary suite had plenty of space while the second was only a little smaller.

  "I get the master," she said after looking at both.

  "Of course my Lady."

  She pretended to pout. "You're supposed to argue at least a little so I can remind you that you're my retainer, not remind me that you're the retainer."

  "As you say my Lady," he responded with a smirk as he dropped his bag in his room and her new clothes in hers.

  Their tour complete she led him into the garage and to faint markings of a door on the wall. "Construct entrance. Once I unlock it we'll see it more clearly."

  He nodded as she opened the box and extracted the shard of crystallized Energy that made up the Attunement. Focusing on her own Energies she fed them through the crystal and towards the imprint, the door taking shape as she did.

  The door snapped into full focus as the Crystal dissolved, its purpose complete as the Construct attuned itself to her. She opened the door and led him through into the Deep Low, a few steps leading into the Construct that took the place of a basement.

  For all that it would serve as the basis for a Holding it was still quite small. Holding Lys sprawled the equivalent of several blocks, hallways and passages connecting room to room. This Construct, her potential Holding, only had three rooms and the shortest of hallways. A Training Hall to one side, large enough to practice or spar comfortably, a Meditation Chamber to the other, meant for a single individual but large enough for two to be comfortable and at the end what would serve as a common room, perhaps thirty feet to the side.

  "I expected more I think?" Seb said as they stood in the middle of the last room.

  "Give it some time. Engineers can expand or add on to a Construct but that takes Energy and effort," she answered, stepping over to the wall to activate the Vault access.

  A quick pulse confirmed she had been granted the requested access. Stepping back over to Seb she felt herself yawn even though it was only mid-afternoon.

  "I need to show you how to meditate so you can-"

  "Not today," he cut her off. "I'm worn out and so are you. We head upstairs, I'll order something for dinner and we can take it easy until we call it a night."

  Anya nodded then followed him back into the main house.

  Less than hour or so later they were sitting on the couch finishing their take-out and arguing over whether the cake was the first or the third on display. Soon after she had her feet tucked up beside her and was resting her head on the arm while fighting to keep her eyes open.

  "Anya…" she cracked her eyes open as she felt Seb shaking her shoulder gently. "It's time to head upstairs for bed."

  Grumbling she pulled herself to her feet, wobbling for a moment as the pain in her side pushed her off balance. She made her way up to her bedroom and muttered goodnight before closing the door. Habit got her through the routine of getting ready for bed before she tucked herself into the covers and closed her eyes, sleep finding her as she shifted to get comfortable.

  Current Bonus Chapter Goals:

  - 7/10 Followers

  - 5/10 Favorites

  - 2/10 Ratings

  - 0/2 Reviews

  Join me on .

  Patreon is 5/10 chapters ahead