Diving after you cross the wall is almost identical to Diving before you cross it. If you can fight two levels up, you can probably still do so. If you struggle against monsters at your own level, you'll still likely struggle.

  That isn't to say you won't run into new surprises. You're still Diving at a deeper level and facing more competent foes, who now all have Affinities. Test yourself, do not assume you will race forward.

  ~ * ~

  Fay didn't know what to do. That wasn't entirely true. She did know what Seer Phelann should do. But she wasn't just Seer Phelann, sometimes she wasn't sure if she was ever Seer Phelann when she was at home.

  She'd given her personal opinion on their Path Selections. She might have been a little vague in doing so, but she'd still done it. That wasn't what a Seer Liaison did, that wasn't what a member of the Seer's Council did when operating as their representative. Her role was to observe, provide relevant answers and record everything she could.

  She did do that, her reports were mostly complete, mostly delivered in a timely manner and completely devoid of personality. Her notes were more complete and full of personality. She had shorthand for when they got distracted by band communication, for the cute little things they said and did. She had other symbols that were her suspecting they were off training.

  The records didn't need to know about that. They certainly didn't need to know about the time someone, an unknown person, swapped Anya's milk out. No one needed to know how innocent she'd acted when Anya spent the whole morning grumbling that her coffee tasted syrupy rather than milky.

  She had a job to do, she had a responsibility to the Council to convey their offer to Holding Syl. An Awakened with extensive Arbiter training, a potential prodigy, required employment and was willing to take on any and all administrative duties. His record was not spotless, Velli had done a number on it, however everything prior to that pointed to someone perfectly suited to take on a Seneschal role, assuming he was willing to relocate and step away from typical Arbitration work.

  She'd met with him, spoken with him at length about his experience, about his knowledge and abilities. He'd explained everything, the court case, the employment offer that seemed perfect, his downfall, even the truth about his desperation. He was boarding in Seer Council facilities, he didn't have anywhere or anything to his name.

  He was perfect for the Holding. He could handle all the day-to-day work that Seb had never done, not that Seb had ever really been the Seneschal. He could take on those tasks that she'd been doing to help out, those things that she didn't fully know the process for beyond the obvious.

  Seer Phelann would have put his name in front of the Lord and Lady the moment she next saw them. She would have explained the benefits of having such a presence, the potential for the future of the Holding. They had formally announced their Holding and that they were past the wall. More importantly, they had a Seed, they would be gathering interest from parties throughout the WidePond in the years to come.

  But a Seneschal would be a formal retainer. He would need a place to stay, he would need a room befitting his station. The guest room wouldn't do, the Holding had no living spaces. Even if the Holding was expanded, and Yshe would be discussing options with them for doing so, he'd need an office.

  He'd see how much time she spent in her office, he'd see that she lived in the house despite not being a member of the Holding. She wouldn't be able to be family if she had to distance herself. Fay wasn't going to give up being family, not again.

  Briana knew something was wrong. She'd asked if she could help, told Fay she could talk about it. Fay hadn't, not at first. She hadn't wanted to be a burden, not over something like this.

  It had all come spilling out last night. She'd nearly broken down, she'd nearly curled up and hidden herself away. But she'd managed to explain the problem, to admit her fears. And Briana… Briana just wrapped her arms around her, held her and told her to trust her family. They weren't going to get rid of her, they weren't going to cause problems for her.

  Fay knew she had to tell them, she had to make the suggestion. If she didn't then she'd have to explain to Valene why she wasn't doing her job, she'd end up disciplined, she'd have a mark on her record. Worse she might even end up re-assigned, removed from Holding Syl.

  She'd trust her family, she'd trust the instincts that agreed with Briana. They cared about her, they weren't going to hurt her. They'd find an answer, together.

  They'd be back tomorrow, the party was the day after. She had time to explain, they all had time to think. She wasn't going to let this affect the party.

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  ~ * ~

  "You want us to take on a retainer?" Anya asked.

  "I." Fay paused and cleared her throat. "Holding Syl would be well served by having someone with formal administrative and contractual experience managing affairs when you are off Diving. Your priorities limit, with good reason, the time you can dedicate to such efforts."

  "We haven't needed anyone so far," Seb said.

  "I've been keeping an eye on things. It hasn't been much but you were also a complete unknown. I don't have the knowledge to handle anything complex."

  "Fay," Anya said. "You could have told us."

  "No, I wanted to. It isn't much."

  "But you think we should bring on a retainer," Anya continued.

  She saw Fay straighten, saw the last trace of her sister vanish behind professional demeanor.

  "OverSeer Valene asked that I, as your Liaison, evaluate an Arbiter, and should I feel his talents would be to your Holding's benefit, propose you retain him."

  "Why would he suddenly suggest a stranger out of the blue?" Seb asked.

  "Alex, the Arbiter, has a history with House Velli that has left him all but unemployable. The accusations do not match his record nor his behaviour when we spoke."

  "Velli?" Anya said, frowning and trying to place the name.

  Wasn't Clyde's name- Seb began only to fall silent as her temper flared.

  "Is he one of theirs?" she asked.

  "No. Not any longer. He oversaw a complaint the House had levied. They hired him with a wonderful seeming contract. Then terminated him without warning after he'd devoted himself to the work."

  "So they ruined him as revenge for being part of a case, but not right away," Seb said, his own emotions turning cold.

  "Yes."

  Hire him, he sent.

  We don't need-

  Anya, think. Clyde's family ruined his life for being involved in a legal matter. They went after him simply for being a witness.

  She frowned, considering. Seb was right. Her anger about how Clyde had acted had driven her to be impulsive before. For his family to act the same way… it wasn't an accident.

  "Do you think we should?" she asked.

  "Arbiter Alex would be a great asset to Holding Syl," Fay replied.

  "Fay," she said. "I'm not asking Seer Phelann. I'm asking my friend, my sister. Should we bring him on."

  She saw Fay collapse in on herself, she saw the moment where she stopped acting a role and became vulnerable. She saw, and had her in her arms a heartbeat later.

  "What is it?"

  "There's no room for him. He'd be Seneschal, he can't just have a guestroom. He'd need an office. He'd be here all the time."

  "Yshe can expand the Holding," she answered.

  "But he'd know. He'd know I work from here, that I live here. He'd know that I'm not here as Seer Phelann. He'd know the rules."

  "Rules?" Seb asked from the couch.

  "Official representatives from organizations. Seer Liaisons, third party Arbiters. We are impartial, we are distant. We don't work with family, we don't give advice as friends."

  "You are family though," Anya said.

  "I can't be, not if you bring on retainers, especially senior ones with experience."

  "Fay," Seb said. "You. Are. Family. If the rules don't like it then we change the rules. Right Anya?"

  "Seb, we can't just change the rules. The Seer's Council won't just let us decide Fay gets to break their rules."

  She felt Fay lean into her, tension leaving her shaking.

  "There was a Seer at Holding Lys, she wasn't Council, was she?" he asked.

  "No," Fay said. "Holding Seers are part of the Holding. They represent the Holding's interests, not the Council's."

  Anya?

  You mean? she asked. She knew what he was thinking, she didn't need him to state it but she wanted to make sure, she needed to know he meant it.

  She's family, no matter what her job says.

  She won't believe we mean it, she'll think we're just trying to-

  We show her, he sent back. Same as we made it clear she was family. Just keep your thoughts focused.

  That wasn't my fault, you were-

  -showing off. I know.

  She felt the band drop, she felt the lack of his presence, somehow more significant in this brief moment. Before she could dwell on it he had reconnected, and she could feel Fay's uncertainty, her pain, her panic.

  Fay, she sent.

  Don't retain him, he'd know. But you need to retain him, he's perfect and he needs this.

  Fay, she sent again, Seb echoing her. Fay.

  Why? Fay sent back, her confusion growing with every moment.

  You're family, she sent. Holding Syl needs a Seer. We need you.

  You- I-

  Family works together, Seb added. You won't break rules.

  She felt Fay starting to accept, starting to realize they meant it.

  There are other rules. I can't share things the same way. I can't tell you without your asking.

  Fay, Anya sent, her mental tone hiccuping with laughter. You mean Seb will have to actually ask you more questions?

  Yes..? Oh!

  I'll have to pester my older sister with everything I can't answer, Seb added.

  And I'll have to share all the details I know. What kind of sister would I be if I didn't make sure you both had a proper education.

  Exactly, he sent.

  Yes, Fay sent.

  Anya shifted slightly, giving Fay space to straighten. Once she had Anya stood, gesturing for Seb to stand next to her.

  It has to be out loud, Fay said as she moved to stand facing them. Well, it doesn't have to be, but tradition.

  "Out loud it is," Anya said with a smile.

  "Phelann," she continued. "Will you join us in Holding Syl as Seer?"

  Fay started to bow, maybe even to kneel when Seb stepped forward and caught her shoulder. "You're family, not a retainer."

  Anya saw her startle, saw her look to her for confirmation. At her nod she straightened.

  "I, Senior Seer Fay-lahn, will gladly join Holding Syl and serve as Seer."

  Anya blinked, not surprised by the tears threatening her composure. Before another word could be said they all met in a hug, holding one another and letting the moment flow through them.

  They didn't need to speak, didn't need need to convey any words over the band. They all knew what they meant to one another and in this moment that was all they needed.

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