Page 145 of Legacy Elite

He's by the window with a glass he isn't drinking from.

"Father."

"You look well."

"I look like a man who hasn't slept since Thursday."

"Yes," he says. "That's what I meant."

I sit.

He starts somewhere I don't expect.

"How is the officer?"

"Corvin. He'll be fine in six weeks."

"Is that the academy's estimate or the hospital's?"

"The hospital's."

"Good." He turns the glass a quarter. "I've had a security team standing by since Thursday afternoon. Four people. Falken hasn't asked and I haven't pushed, because if Draeven puts its own people around that girl it'll be in three newspapers by Friday and it will not be described as generosity." He looks up. "But they're there. I want you to know that."

"Thank you."

"Don't thank me. I'd have done it for anyone."

He wouldn't. But he'd like to be a man who would, which is one of the reasons I love him.

"Now," he says. "What did she ask for?"

"You've got the minutes."

"I've got a summary from a liaison. I'd like it from you."

"Why?"

"Because you were in the room and Isolde wasn't."

So I give him the words she used.

Access to every sealed Fourth House record the Council still holds. Formally. However they want it worded. She'll sign whatever's put in front of her.

"And?"

"That's all."

"That's all?"

"That's all. No land. No seat. No title. She hasn't asked anyone to restore anything and she said so in front of everyone."

Isolde says, "Does she intend to?"

"She hasn't said."

"That isn't what I asked."

"It's the only answer I have."