The Elves kept themselves to themselves for the most part, preferring to spend all of their time in the trees beyond the wooden palisade that partially encompassed the town. It was slowly being taken down for the wood to be used elsewhere. There had never been a planned out effort to take it down. It was more a case of. Oh, we need planks for a floor or a door, or a table. Go get them from the palisade. Luckily, the dwarves had the skill and the tools to produce planks from them.

The only thing the elves really got involved in was to help create the pool in the centre of the trees they’d claimed as their homes.

Joel had worked with them to stake out the area they could use that would put them within the eventual wall. Though None of them were happy about the size of the area they’d been given. The promise of more territory once the second wall was created did appease them a little.

The pool itself was far larger than I’d imagined. Submerging the base of a number of trees in the area. The elves didn’t seem to mind that at all, and I figured they knew what they were doing a damn sight better than I did.

I was impressed that they carried out a lot of the land clearance themselves, using tools the dwarves had provided them with.

Once the area of the pool was dug out, they drew off a channel from the stream to fill the pool with a further channel that ran back to the stream once the pool had filled. It took a surprisingly small amount of time for it to fill, though the elves were in it before it was even half full. Swimming or generally just chilling out in the murky water.

It was nice to see how happy they were to have the water area, for a day at least. But when the relaxing didn’t stop it quickly became a point of annoyance for everyone else, who could see and hear the Elves having a great old time, while they all worked their fingers to the bone.

I was beginning to think I was going to have to say something to them. When Grigor finally forced my hand. Coming over to me while I made the most recent mint and raspberry compote of Stamina, to store in Sania’s robes. As he loomed over us, his unhappiness at the situation was written all over his stern face. “You should say something, to them. They are taking advantage of us.”

“I actually agree,” Sania added quickly. “It’s setting such a bad precedent to the point of being insulting. If we’re not careful, others are going to stop working so hard to get our town off the ground.”

I didn’t want to, but even I had to admit it didn’t look great. For the first few days for sure. They’d been through a lot, but it was a little over a week now, and they hadn’t even started building their own houses. Though in truth, they took very little from us, finding their own food source from the area. That didn’t matter either, because it was something else that separated us as a community and that, in my opinion was what we had to build if we wanted this to work. “Okay, okay. I’ll go and have a word with Zeine,” I grumbled.

Both Sania and Grigor nodded satisfied. I actually felt relief coming through the bond from both of them. They must have been wanting to complain about the Fensalfar for a while.

Once the Compote of Stamina was complete, giving me nearly a full set of Physical buffs aside from Constitution. I handed it to Sania, then reluctantly headed over to the Fensalfar area to light a fire under their arses.

I found Zeine by himself, sitting on a low branch hanging over the pool. He wore no cloak now, despite the cold. None of the Fensalfar did among their trees. They instead wore strips of cloth, with tassels and beads hanging down from their waists and necks that covered their bare necessities. Considering how elegant they actually looked, I found the raggedy ass attire a strange counter point.

As I approached, he let himself fall from the branch, executing a perfect splash free dive in the now clear water, eight foot below his perch.

He slipped from the water moments later to stand beside me. Moving so much smoother than he had on their arrival. To my eyes, he looked about twenty years younger.

“I see the rest has done you wonders,” I noted with a smile.

“Indeed. As you age, the capacity to regenerate diminishes. We regenerate from our homes, but being away from our forest and our own pools for so long has taken its toll on many of us, but especially me as the eldest to survive. Thanks to you, I’m now finding balance once more. What can I do for you Lord Clive? You seem troubled.”

“I am troubled Zeine. There are a few vocal voices in Far Reach that feel like you guys aren’t pulling you weight, when everyone else is working so hard.”

“Zeine nodded sagely. Do you feel like that Clive?”

“Honestly, I don’t know, man. Maybe a little. I’ve got so much other stuff running through my head, and… I don’t know what to think, but people are pointing it out to me, so I’ve come over here to touch base and find out what your all doing and what your intentions are. Honestly, if you really are all just chilling out and doing laps around the fucking pool, we helped you build, then I won’t lie. I’ll be pissed off and probably demand you pull your fingers out your arses and help out. However, I didn’t get that kind of impression from you Zeine, so I’m hoping you’ve got something else to tell me.”

Zeine smiled at me, seeming to relax a little. “I didn’t know how I’d feel about living here, Lord Clive. I felt all of the same things Solla spoke out about. But Solla is not yet wise. He is strong and capable, but full of youthful pride, and we needed you. I think you understand our position and you’ve given us everything we needed, a home, protection and understanding. I didn’t think I’d like you Clive, but you are proving yourself to be a fine leader. So, if I may, let me enlighten you a little more on our race. This is perhaps a conversation we should have had a few days ago and that is my fault, as I should have predicted these issues would arise.”

I tried to follow, but I was quickly starting to lose interest in his long-winded meandering answer. I almost felt he had my cards marked and he was trying to bore the living daylights out of me until I just left without any real answer.

“Okay, Zeine. And thanks for your kind words. We can talk now.”

“Indeed. It is important to have good communications among our people if this new experiment is going to work, dwarves, elves and beast kin all living in….”

“Zeine. Are you taking the piss now? Can we cut to the chase. I don’t want to be here busting your balls, either. Give me something positive to go back with, or we’ll discuss what work you guys can be doing for the betterment of our home here. It’s not always going to be like this, but right now I need everyone pulling together.”

“To the point, Clive. I apologise for my rambling ways. It is a characteristic of my people. When we are healthy and happy, at least, it was…

“Zeine, you’re off again, mate.”

He actually looked surprised himself this time, and gave an embarrassed smile, clapping his hand over his mouth. Taking a moment, he spoke again. This time, making a visible effort to be succinct.

“The Fensalfar are experts at wood working without killing the trees. We can grow food in abundance and produce a well-stocked fishing pool here that will provide a great deal of food for Far Reach as a whole.

Part of what we can create and achieve is locked within the area we inhabit. We must become one with our environment and let the local energy infuse us and return it. By cycling the essence of our homes, we form a much stronger bond and can achieve far greater things. Before long, this area will be among the most highly productive areas in your budding kingdom in both woodcraft and food production. We just work very differently to the Dwarves and the Wultr, but we are working nonetheless.”

“That’s great to hear. You really should have led with that,” I smiled. “When do you think we’ll see some progress?”

He nodded thoughtfully. “If you can, you give us a few more days to cycle. That should be enough to begin producing sustenance. We may even be ready to start on the bridges.”

“Bridges?”

“Between the trees. We will be creating a network of walkways for our homes.”

“Okay. Sounds good to me and I look forward to seeing these bridges. Sorry to have to come at you like this, Zeine.”

“I understand. I hope the rumblings of discontent do not become too loud.”

“They’ll be fine. Oh, and the foundations for the wall will be starting next week too, so be aware that we may need to take some trees down.”

Zeine shook his head. “I have spoken with Builder Joel. We have an agreement that he will leave our section until last. We are in the process of encouraging the trees to move for your structure to be built. I hope we can save every tree in time.”

“You know we’re going to have to take trees down still, Zeine. I mean we will try to keep planting where we can.”

“The Fensalfar will see to the replanting. We will make every effort to keep the city healthy and vibrant with natural energy. Imagine fruit and nut trees lining every road and corner of Far Reach, bursting with accessible food for the inhabitants. There won’t be many cities of man that can claim to have free access for all, to nutritious food.

I couldn’t keep the smile from my face. “I really do like the sound of that, man. I’ll speak to Joel about leaving spaces for tree-lined streets. That sounds like the kind of town I want to live in.”

We said our goodbyes and Zeine went back up into his tree. He could have totally been bullshitting me, or he could have been doing exactly what he said. I preferred to believe he was telling the truth because I liked the sound of it. If he wasn’t, then nothing would be lost in giving them a little more time. It wasn’t a forced labor camp after all. We were just trying our best to create something.

On my way back, just as I was just hopping over the stream onto the dwarven road, a strange shadow passed over head, a sharp rush of air, and a man in front of me. With the then the cause of which landed in front of me. With a full head of hair of well-groomed brown hair and a stylish beard, it took a moment for me to comprehend who it was. Then he offered a wry grin, and my flailing mind caught up.

Natom Fucking Hilgresh.

“Is everything okay, Clive? You suddenly seemed terrified,” came Sania’s worried voice in my mind.

“Natom, in front of me, right now.”

“Shit! I’ll get everyone.”

For some reason, her use of the profanity snapped me from my stupor. “Natom,” I said with as much distaste as I could muster.

“My, my, Clive. How you’ve grown.”

“What the fuck do you want here? Have you come back to finish the job?”

He stared at me for a few moments before responding. Almost as if he was looking straight through me.

“No. Not yet,” he said looking disappointed. “You know, I thought it might have sprouted with the transformation, but apparently not.” He started looking around Far Reach with bemused interest. “What is this place you’re hiding in? This is all new, isn’t it?”

“I’m not making small talk with you Natom. You’re a fucking pshyco.”

“That’s fine. At least I know where you are now. I wasn’t happy to hear you that you hadn’t arrived back with Devotion. But this actually works out better for my purposes. Now I won’t have to negotiate with her, when the power of Creation is ripe for the plucking,” he smirked.

The sound of heavy footed marching drew my attention over his shoulder. Fakasta and Stilbraker, with their full complement of soldiers were marching out of the tunnel. To the left of them, Sania was arriving with Grigor and the other more powerful warriors of Far Reach.

“What are you doing here, Natom?” Stilbraker shouted.

Natom turned slowly, to see who spoke.

“I could say the same thing. Since when did dwarves build settlements in land that belongs to Malatia and the followers of Devotion?”

“The Crasters have ever been the domain of the dwarves as well, you know,” Fakasta snapped.

Devotion will not be happy when I inform her of a dwarven stronghold here on the surface of her territory. It might well be just the push she needs to join with Justice in the annexation of Kalabri.”

“This isn’t a Dwarven stronghold. It’s a Neutral city and we are trading partners. Just as we are with many cities in both Knuntang and Malatia.”

“Yet it looks to me as if you’re building this place,” Natom said, eying the dwarven craftsmen all around.

“Nope,” Joel said. “That’d be me. I’m master builder of Far Reach. Seems my experience in construction from Earth counts for a hell of a lot here. The Dwarves and Darkness just have a vested interest in our fledgling town.

Natom shook his head still grinning. He slowly turned back to me. “So you have aligned yourself with Darkness after all. Clever, I must admit. But it won’t save you in the end.”

“How thin can you stretch yourself Natom?” Stilbraker asked.

“I could ask the same question of Darkness. No matter what spin you wish to put on this,” he said gesturing around. “You have set yourselves against Malatia, too. They will see this as an act of aggression and with Destruction and Justice already pressing on you, I can only sympathize.”

“You’re a real piece of work, Natom,” Stilbraker snarled.

Natom wasn’t bothered in the slightest. He turned on me. “I’ll see you again Clive,” he said with a wink, gave a friendly nod to Sania then shot off into the sky. Out of sight in seconds. The air of Far Reach itself let out a deep breath.

I watched where he’d disappeared for a long moment before facing the people of Far Reach.

“Thanks for having my back there, everyone. I think I’m going to have to put a lot more thought into our Natom Hilgresh problem.”

“Aye. He’s a problem, no doubt about it. I’ll report what happened to Grimstrom and the King. They’ll want to know about his threats regarding the riling up of Malatia.

“Thanks, Fakasta. I’d be interested to know their opinion.”

The crowds dispersed and I tried to push down the sickening dancing that my stomach was doing at Natom’s arrival, so I could speak to Sania and Grimstrom.

“Zeine told me they are cycling the energy in the area. They have to do it, to be able to use their powers. Once they do, we will apparently be glad to have them here. We’ll just have to wait and see.” I said trying my best to feign nonchalance. Of course, they could both feel my emotions, so it was a pointless exercise.

Grigor gave me a rare smile, full of sympathy. “I will tell everyone to calm themselves over the Fensalfar. I should be able to subdue them for a week before we may need to revisit the issue.”

“Thanks, Grigor. I appreciate that. Hopefully we’ll see progress before then.”

He put his hand on my shoulder. “We will find a way to endure, Clive. I believe in what we are doing here.”