The Malatian settlers stood waiting to the north side of the castle where there was little activity taking place. They watched the residents of Far Reach with furtive expressions which changed to open hostility when they saw me approach.

“I waved at them,” with a wry smile on my face. “You came here with an army, so you can all knock the dodgy looks off if your faces if you’re gonna be living in Far Reach. Don’t think I won’t boot the fucking lot of you and get another two hundred Malatians sent up with sunnier dispositions.”

“As hard as it may be to acknowledge, Lord Clive is correct. We are here as allies and hopefully friends at some point.”

There was some mumbling, but impressively there seemed to be a general consensus that causing conflict right now was not a good call.

I was about to speak again when Elsbeth, Mal and Boris came through the crowd of their own people. Elsbeth immediately addressed the Mother, asking how the meeting went and pointedly ignoring me. Mal, on the other hand watched Joel and me like a hawk. His face expressionless, but after decades of knowing the bastard, I knew he was bubbling to talk to us both, for good or ill.

I winked at him to wind him up a bit. Then dropped to my knee and clapped for Boris who came bounding over, letting me hug him. After the brief moment, he took a few steps back and sat on his haunches waiting for Mal to come over. He looked at me with real intelligence in his eyes. As if to tell me he knew things were tense.

“So this is it then. The newly annexed city state of Far Reach?” Mal said, partaking in conversation with us while the Mother and Elsbeth had their own separate discussion.

“It is. And now you're stuck here with us, I hope you’re less of a prick than last time.” Joel answered

“I was the prick?” Mal said pointing at himself in disbelief.

“Hey, hey. None of that matters,” I interjected. “Mal, I hope you can find some comfort here. There’re some real good people among the races we have here.”

“I’ll be training, mostly,” Mal replied in a curt tone. “My dream of becoming a high-level paladin hasn’t been forgotten and I still hope I’ll be able to help you return to your old self, one day.”

I laughed. “That ship’s long since sailed, mate. What the hell have they told you?”

“You mean you’re actually happy as a demon?” he said with a bit of heat.

I shook my head still laughing. “I’m not a Demon or anything like it, Mal. Things have changed, and you don’t appear to be in the loop.”

“I know you think you’re something you’re not. Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy you’ve got some skills and some strengths, but some of these guys actually think you’re some kind of god and it’s bullshit,” he whispered. “It’s the only reason you’re still alive, so I don’t blame you for playing along and I won’t say anything either, but this is me, mate. You’re Clive. You’re great and all, but you're no fucking god. And we do still need to sort out this demon shit man.”

I disregarded his words. There was no point in trying to convince him of anything and I didn’t actually care if he believed any of it or not. Beyond the support of a good friend of course.

“I’m happy you’re here, Mal and once I’m back, I hope we can thrash this out over a few beers. But until I return, don’t be a dick. Look after these people like they’re your own family and make sure the Malatians do the same or I won't be happy when I get back.

“Like I give a shit if you’re happy when you get back. You need to get your head out of your arse, mate. And get back from where?” he replied testily.

“I’ve got to leave for a little while. God shit to do,” I laughed.

“Honestly? I've just arrived to settle in this shithole where with you and you’re fucking off?” Mal protested with a surprising amount of passion.

“Yup. But don't get your knickers in a twist Mal. Joel isn’t going, anyway. He’s the head builder here and he'll be in charge of building your temple. So you better be nice to him too, or he’ll build you and leaky ramshackle hut.”

Joel snorted. “Is it still classed as leaky if it doesn't have a roof?”

As I laughed, I noticed Elsbeth was now listening to us as was the Mother. They both wore expression of pure offense which only served to increase how funny I found Joel’s crap joke.

“If that is how you wish to conduct yourselves, I will have our own people put a roof on. In fact, I will have our own people build the temple here,” The Mother snapped.

“They're just being a pair of bellends. Ignore them,” Mal said to the Mother and Elsbeth. “Of course they're going to put a roof on the beautiful temple they’re going to build us. Or I'll kick both of their asses.”

“Pretty sure your army already tried that, and you guys got fucked up pretty bad,” Joel replied. It was an effective way to massively increase the hostility of the Malatians surrounding us.

Joel seemed oblivious to the change in atmosphere and kept on. “But I’m only here to build my buildings. I’m not much interested in the fighting. This isn’t actually a game, and I’ve got no plans on dying if I Can help it.”

“I agree,” Mal said. “I just wish Clive did. Instead he’s tromping around pretending he’s lord of the manner and I haven’t got a clue why everyone’s letting him.”

The emotions I felt from Mal’s words were conflicting because in one sense I completely agreed. It was all mental. But, again I didn’t want to have a deep and meaningful with him in front of Elsbeth and the Mother. We’d have it one day.

“None of that matters, Mal. If we get back to the point, I'm leaving, and the chances are it’ll be in the next few hours. But this is my home and these people have been through a lot, so treat them with compassion. I hope you find living here half as rewarding as I have.”

“I doubt it, but I’ll tolerate it for as long as I have to. I still can’t believe you’ve caused all this trouble here with Malatia and as soon as it’s over and you got everything you wanted, you’re disappearing.”

“This may come as a surprise, mate. But Malatia and this whole dance with them constitute about a fifth of the shit I have to deal with. They just aren’t that important to me, and I still don’t trust them.”

He looked about to retaliate, but I hadn’t finished. “And as for me leaving. At least I’m not leaving when you needed me the most. When you were the most desperate you’d ever been in your life, and you’d spent days contemplating ending it all. I mean that would be really fucking shitty, right?”

My expectation was that Mal would turn a nice beetroot hue. The colors of anger and embarrassment. Instead, he went white. As if he’d seen a ghost. “I know,” he said bleakly. “I didn’t have any choice, Clive. I’m sor…” his words were cut short. His face then turned the red color I’d originally expected. But he said nothing. Just stood there silently seething.

I had a horrible suspicion he had just been directly controlled and had been in the past. I was furious, but I couldn’t do anything about it. Not yet, at least.

“Don’t sweat it mate, I said patting him on the shoulder. These things happen and it’s all water under the bridge now. When I get back, we will be able to bury the hatchet properly.”

“In his back?” Joel smirked not picking up on all of the undertones of the conversation.

“And at least with Joel here you’ll be able to settle in quickly. If you need anything, just ask him.”

“I will…” he wanted to say so much more, I could tell, but fell silent unable to articulate whatever he wanted to say.

I said no more. Not wanting to speak with the Mother or Elsbeth any more than I had to. Plus Mal was already reeling, so I made a quick exit leaving Joel to continue the conversation.

Finding myself at a bit of a loss as I waited for the council to pick a team, I walked over to the Fensalfar’s forested area. Of all the places within the town, that was notably the most soothing and calming area. With the help of the singularity blossoming in me, I could actually see the work Zeine had alluded to, but none of us could see. The energy of their place was far more vibrant than the forest outside, and I could see why. The golden neuma of the Fensalfar was entwined with the greens and grey energies of the forest. It made me realize how much more there was to learn and I kinda wanted to see what the naturally processed energy felt like to use, myself.

As I wandered, Rella came up to me. “Can I help you my lord?”

“Uh? Oh, no, just wandering. Having a look, really. It’s soothing to walk around the pool among your trees. You’ve done a great job here. I can actually see how you’ve weaved your own energy in with the area and it is beautiful.

She looked surprised by my words, struggling to reply for a moment. “Thank you, my lord. It brings me great peace to know that you appreciate our efforts to bond with this area. In years to come, I’m sure we will benefit Far Reach immensely. I know of no other Elven establishment so intertwined in a multi racial settlement and I’m fascinated to know how we can achieve harmony together here.

“Harmony sounds amazing. I hope we can do that too,” I mused.

As we talked, Zen appeared from the council meeting. He smiled and waved as he walked over to speak with us. “Ah! Just the two people I would want to see. Lord Clive. Grimstrom is back. You are good to go, though a limit has been set on forty companions for you. There are other stipulations, but you would be better served speaking to him about that. As for the forty, the council has decided on who will go with you. I have chosen Rella and her team as they are the most skilled warriors we have when you take them as a unit.”

Rella look shocked by the news. “We are leaving? I was just explaining to Clive how settled I was feeling in our new home.”

It was hard not to feel a little shitty for her as Zeine smiled softly and replied. “You are the only one I trust, dear daughter. I can only apologise that you must go, yet this is an important quest. One which is vital for all of our people. And by that I mean Far Reach as a whole. Now go and make yourself ready. retrieve your warriors end meet at the castle within the next 20 minutes.”

Rella nodded mutely and walked off into the trees. I felt bad for her, but then I felt bad for everyone involved.

I spoke briefly to Zeine as we walked back to the castle where the council was now grouped out the front of the storage entrance.

The Mother was still with her people. They were being led away by Joel to choose the location of their temple. I chuckled internally as I heard her demand it was built next to the castle and Joel replied in the negative. Pointing closer to the wall and explaining that the land around the castle was already planned out. I was proud of his confidence and assurance as he spoke. Even laughing at Mal as he thought he could sway him to move the building closer.

Casting them from my mind I joined the waiting councillors. Grimstrom got to me first, stomping a few paces ahead of the others.

“You’re cleared to travel in the Nideland Clive. Here’re the rules. You can take a maximum of forty people with you. That means whoever you find up there, if they don’t fit in the forty, then they don’t fit in the tunnels. They’ll have to make their own way back. No exceptions. As soon as Destruction see we’re letting people escape into the Nideland, they’re going to make an attempt to get down there.”

“Seems a bit severe, but okay. We do what we must,” I replied. “Destruction mustn’t be able to believe their luck that you’re letting them just eradicate the surface Neutrals of Kalabri still.”

Grimstrom looked uncomfortable, and shrugged. “It is what it is. We’re all doing the best we can with the road ahead.”

“True enough,” I acknowledged, and turned to Sania. “So we have the forty?”

“Close enough,” she said smiling softly as she leaned against the warm noon sunlight. “It wasn’t tough,” she continued. “We’re taking the best of each race we have here. Wultr, Krysan, Dokalfar, Fensalfar and Nystiobek. That way we have a good mix of skills, and we have proof for those we meet on our travels that we’re helping everyone no matter of race.”

“Sounds like a solid plan to me,” I said wistfully, looking around Far Reach. It really had come on and I felt a huge sense of sadness to leave.

“We’ll be back soon enough, Clive. Stronger than ever,” Sania said coming over and taking my arm in hers.

I laughed. “Thanks for the positivity. I bloody hope so. I’ve gotten quite attached to this place.”

We fell into a comfortable silence, greeting those who were coming with us as they arrived. There were ten Dokalfar, including Queen Danivra and by her side, Alial, the healer. Five Fensalfar led by Rella, five Krysan led by Scralex’s brother. Another Kuryosa named Ralaex, five Nystiobek, with obviously Grastad at their head. Then ten Wultr, including three Woltar, who’d evolved in the last two battles. I looked over them with pride. We were a strong group, of that there was no doubt, and I appreciated that there were only thirty-seven of us. That meant we could travel with at least three of the super strong warriors we were looking for.

After our team assembled, I was surprised to see, from what I could tell, the entire town had come away from their tasks to bid us farewell.

I hadn’t planned on giving a speech, it wasn’t really my bag. Yet my mouth jumped ahead of me with ideas of its own. “Hey everyone!” I shouted. “As I assume you’ve all heard, a few of us will be leaving Far Reach for a little while.”

I looked around at those staring up at me with a surprising amount of intensity. Like they were hanging on my words. I gave them the broadest, most confident smile I could muster.

“We’ve all suffered at the hands of either Destruction, Natom and justice. Hell some of us have suffered at the hands of all three, Well we’re going to get ourselves some more reinforcements, and I guarantee, once we’re back, Far Reach is going to be ready to give each and every one of them fuckers a such a kicking their great grandkids ‘ll feel it. Now, I want to wish all of you good luck here. Build, get stronger, laugh, and love each other. We are Far Reach. Oh!, and I know Devotions people are here now, and we’ve made peace with them. And Darkness are our friends. But I want you all to remember, this town is for us. The Neutrals that have been, beaten and harried and tortured. Us who have seen our loved ones killed by arsehole gods who think this shits okay, safe from their palaces wherever the fuck they are. Treat our guests as is befitting guests, but remember that’s what they are. They are guests within Far Reach.”

The noise of cheering and clapping and was thunderous. It forced my smile wider and my confidence higher. The touching moment was barely even marred by the irate look on the Mother’s face as here and the other Malatians stopped and listened to what I had to say. I turned to Grimstrom to gauge his reaction, but found he was expressionless. Almost too expressionless.

“Oh, don’t worry. He was very upset,” Danivra said through the bond with a clear surge of happiness at Grimstrom’s displeasure.

Except I didn’t actually want to piss Grimstrom off.

I waved to our people and set off into the tunnel toward Nuinaer with a sudden sense of ominousness at leaving.