The Engineering Guild is the independent group responsible for the administration, maintenance, and expansion of Constructs. They possess the knowledge and expertise to reshape and re-organize the elements that make up a Holding and ensure all the components are integrated properly.

  Most importantly they are trained to ensure that the Construct generates or absorbs sufficient Energy to keep everything running, which is particularly important once you start adding inter-Construct transportation.

  ~ * ~

  As they stepped back into the sunlight Anya took one look at Seb before stepping in front of him and holding out her hand. Keys.

  Seb froze, looking at her in surprise before handing over the car keys. I thought you didn't drive. You've never-

  I'm able to drive, I just really dislike doing so.. I have my license, she cut him off. You're not driving right now.

  For a moment Seb looked like he was about to argue, only to nod silently when she grabbed his wrist to stop the slight tremble. If they hadn't still been connected by band she might not have even noticed he was still affected by whatever he'd felt from Valene. That he'd felt and she hadn't. But all she could feel was him trying not to panic, trying to pretend everything was fine.

  Getting into the car she grumbled as she adjusted everything then pulled out hesitantly. It had been a few years since she'd driven and she could feel her hands trying to crush the steering wheel.

  Think his protege will be anything like Sean? she asked after the first block.

  I hope not, he answered. I might never get any answers because he'll never let me ask my questions.

  She chuckled then nearly over-corrected. This is your fault, she sent with a mixture of a glare and her clear concern for his state of mind.

  I would have managed.

  Or you would have startled again and broken the steering wheel.

  Maybe, he admitted after a moment. I-. All I could think about was hiding, escaping, getting away from him.

  As she stopped at a light she reached over to squeeze his forearm and smiled.

  Try to relax and rest, I can get us there.

  As she pulled away from the light she saw him lean back and try to get comfortable. She could still feel him tense every time she adjusted the wheel, but the fear and anxiety he'd been projecting was gradually fading away.

  ~ * ~

  After having been parked for a couple minutes Anya finally reached over to get Seb's attention by poking his shoulder. "Seb, we're here"

  If she hadn't felt him finally relax and doze off, the band dropping the moment it did, she might have worried when he startled awake. Instead she poked him again with a grin. "Wakey, wakey."

  "Wha-?" He looked around then grinned sheepishly. "I fell asleep?"

  "Five maybe ten minutes ago," she answered. "I considered letting you sleep longer but we need to get this done and you seemed to have recovered."

  He yawned and stretched as best he could before nodding. "I feel better. Thank you."

  Most of the strip mall parking lot was empty. A few trucks parked off to the side had the same logo as their destination. The rest of the properties were either vacant or had faded signs that had seen better days. Once again the business name seemed a little on the nose, Home Re-Engineering had signs in the windows advertising Home and Yard remodeling while also blocking almost all sight of the interior.

  Making their way into the store, Anya was slightly disappointed to not find herself stepping into another Construct.

  You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

  Not a Construct, she heard from Seb at almost the same moment, the words coming at the same moment as the connection.

  I was just thinking that, she sent back as she smiled at the receptionist.

  "We're here to make an appointment with Yshe."

  "I'm sorry Ma'am but we don't have any consultants by that name," the receptionist answered, looking up with a long-suffering smile.

  "We were told to ask for her by name and to tell her that Valene thought she would want to know that he," she pointed at Seb to ensure there was no ambiguity, "can see Energy patterns that look like stairways going both up and down next to the actual entrance."

  "I-" the receptionist paused as he took in the words before continuing. "I'll have the messaged passed to her. May I ask who is hoping to speak to her?"

  "Lady Lysanya, formerly Princess Lys, and Seneschal Sebastian"

  Making a note he picked up the phone. Anya could just barely hear him pass on her message before hanging up and gesturing to the seats in the lobby. "She's on her way, if you'd like to have a seat?"

  ~ * ~

  Maybe 10 minutes after they'd sat down the door to the back of the building banged open and in walked one of the oldest Awakened Seb had yet to see. Despite her grey hair and frail appearance she had grease marks on her hands and forehead.

  "Sam! Where are these two children Valene thought I'd find-" she caught sight of them even as the receptionist started to point. "Never mind. I see them."

  Stomping towards them she held out her hand, first to Anya and then to Seb. Right as he was about to shake it he felt the slightest echo of his experience with Valene. If last time had felt like imminent destruction this time it was more akin to slipping on a patch of ice. "You're dangerous, but not the way Valene was."

  Seb? Anya sent, concern filling her words.

  I'm fine. I can handle this, he sent back, doing his best to share exactly what he'd felt this time and getting the slightest nod in return.

  "Kid, you have no idea how dangerous he is," Yshe answered with a laugh. "Valene is something else entirely. I'm retired and trying to enjoy my old age with my family."

  Behind her the receptionist, Sam, started to snort only to choke off the reaction when she spun to level a glare in his direction.

  "Engineer Yshe, Valene said you would be curious about our situation if we told you we have a small Construct, my new Holding in fact, but that Sebastian could see stairways going up and down next to the actual entrance," Anya interjected.

  "Oh? Seer Path then, or are you planning to be an Engineer?"

  "I-" Seb looked back at her in confusion. "I only just made my Husk and we're planning on Diving once we get the Holding in order."

  "Hrm. So probably not." She tapped her chin. "Rare to see that so early, but not unheard of. What did you do, pause midway through?"

  "No?" he considered for a moment then just went ahead and clarified. "Once I saw them a few days ago I see them almost every time I look down the hallway. The walls can be a little distracting some days and hide the extra patterns."

  Once again Sam started to react, this time dropping a pen, only to turn back to his desk, trying to pretend he wasn't listening in.

  "Sam, get your stuff. We're going to go take a look at this Construct of theirs. I'm guessing they were sent here because they needed work done."

  "I'm supposed to man the desk today."

  "Boy. Go. Get. Your. Stuff." she repeated, emphasizing each word with frustration. "Ain't no one else going to show up and if they do someone will hear the door."

  "Yes Auntie," Sam replied before scurrying off. As he stepped out from behind the desk Seb finally got a good look at him. He'd probably be close to 6' tall if he wasn't slouching and his shaggy brown hair could use a trim. He wasn't about to guess Sam's age now that he knew how old Anya's mother actually was but he looked like he was still in his 20's.

  Seb and Anya exchanged looks before chuckling.

  "He's a good Engineer, or at least he will be if he ever gives it the attention it deserves," Yshe said and shook her head.

  "Now, you have a Vault access?"

  "Yes Ma'am," Anya answered.

  "Call me Yshe, or Engineer Yshe if you must. But don't Ma'am me."

  "We have a Vault Access, a Training Hall, a small Meditation Room and an open space."

  "Sounds standard enough," Yshe said with a nod. "I'm guessing you're going to spend some of that Weregild on upgrades?"

  Seb startled and felt Anya do the same next to him. "How-"

  "We have EDN access here. I took a few minutes to look you up before walking in. Tried to make a few guesses at what Valene saw in you two."

  "Now," she continued as Sam came back with a satchel. "I'm retired so Sam will be your Engineer for any work that gets done. I'll go along and make sure he doesn't blow anything up or waste any Energy." She chuckled then clarified. "Don't worry, he'd have to be an even worse Engineer than he pretends to be to risk blowing anything up. He can hook up and install anything you need and I can look over his shoulder and tell him-"

  Sam sighed as he finished her words, obviously something he'd heard more than once. "That in her day she'd have killed to have someone with a fraction her experience looking over her shoulder and helping her learn."

  "None of that sass," Yshe pretended to swat him with a smile. Her hand moved fast enough that Seb only realized she'd moved right as her fingers paused less than an inch from Sam's head, only to flicker away again after he'd had the chance to duck.

  Anya? Did you catch-

  Fast. At least as fast as I've ever seen my mother move, Anya answered, the surprise evident in her words.

  As they stepped outside Seb took the keys back from a grateful Anya and made sure Sam had their address. The Engineers pulled out right behind them so hopefully the address wouldn't be needed, but it didn't hurt to make sure in case they got separated.

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