Amanda and I spent the morning going over her plans for the remains of my outposts and New Lordaeron. She made it clear that while I would always have a place among them, and a say in how things would be run, it wasn't mine anymore. She seemed afraid of saying it out loud, but it didn't bother me much. I both enjoy and loath responsibility.

The weight of other people on my back, while I had no chance of understanding myself and my situation, was a burden I was glad to be rid of. Though I hope she understood the summons would always place loyalty to me over the Nomads. Not that it would matter if I never pushed it.

"I'll help out as I can, and at some point soon I'll head out to New Lordaeron to meet these new people you brought in. Pay me a fair share of profits from the sale of any exports I had a hand in, and we'll call it nova. From what I've gathered your fellow Nomad Nations deserve a place to call home, and I have no desire to play at being some kind of leader to people I don't know, and more importantly, don't know me."

Mith leaned into my leg, once again in his small form. He knew it hurt me, but he also knew I wasn't just going to let it lie. He might like Amanda and the Nomads, but he was bonded to me.

My words had sounded pretentious, to me, and yet, Amanda relaxed. I even got another hug, which I returned this time. Maybe this meeting had started out rocky, but at least Amanda and I were cool.

Not so much for the doubles of my former paramours. I could feel their disapproving stares. Though I was strangely alright with that outcome as well. I should never have gotten that involved with anyone I didn't know well in my situation. Especially not them.

Mith rumbled, not quite vocalizing a growl. He felt my turbulent emotions, and knew who to blame. I rested my hand on his head and he stopped, knowing now was not the time.

More trouble would come of it someday, but not yet. Perhaps by the time it did, I'd in in a much better position.

"So what are you going to do now?" The Nomad leader asked.

"I've cut deals with Rogue and the Mox, that should let me figure my new abilities out. I'll get some paying gigs, and work on some quests. It will be some time before I can afford to ransom our friends back, unless I find a shortcut or two. Keep in touch?"

"You know I will." Amanda smiled, and I returned it. Her people were already mounted up and ready to leave. She quickly followed suit.

I watched them drive off. My face smoothed over into a blank expression.

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The feeling of not knowing what was next bore down on me. It wouldn't do to be lost, I needed to order my thoughts.

Reina came up to me. "Are you really going to let them take your lands My Lord?"

I looked at her and she backed up a step. She knelt and mumbled an apology. The sight of her on her knees hurt bitterly. I couldn't stand my own people being afraid of me.

Mith gave a soft whine. I gave him some ear scratches.

"Sorry Reina, it's alright." I waved her to stand up. "In answer to your question, of course I will. For now. But someday, I'll build a better place for my people. And someday beyond that, this world will be ours."

I stared up at the sky, it's dusty colored tint saddened me. I still longed to fix this broken place, but I was no longer in any sort of rush. Heeding the lessons that could be learned from trees, I would be as patient as an oak breaking through rock with its roots.

"Let them have that land and that place. I will indeed help them, and I want you all to get along with them. We don't need more enemies and need all the allies we can get." I looked back at her, "But keep me informed of their actions."

'They not bad, they help, we help.' Mith chimed in. I nodded at him, he saw right through all of this. He saw through me.

"As you wish, My Lord." She dipped her head to me. She pulled her agent out, and I tapped mine against hers, sharing connection data.

I patted her shoulder, "Be well and tell all of my people, to be patient. I will gather you all up as soon as I am able."

She returned to her home.

I spent a few minutes looking at the crops, reaching a decision. I caused a few plants to finish their growth cycles and harvested them for seed stock.

Mith bounced around now that the tension had been released, he was back to his cheerful self.

Orange corn, red beans, blue potatoes, and purple rice. I had a feeling I could grow them in my Hub. It would be a good idea to make myself as independent as I could. I envisioned a food truck, for some reason. Grow a bunch of food in my Hub and then use it to run a food truck. A heavily armed and armored food truck to be sure. Hmm.

I liked the idea.

I walked back to where I left the Chevillon, just letting my mind sort through things.

Mith frolicked during the walk, investigating everything nearby. It was hard to stay serious when he was such a ball of playfulness.

The remnants of the Khalai buildings still bothered me greatly. I wondered what I could do to have them returned to me. I missed the effect of the Psifield, there was a comfort in it. A joy in the connection it brought with it. I also missed Alina, not only for her information proceeding, but for her no nonsense view of existence.

I missed Meadran's advice and the feeling of resting under his canopy. I missed joking with Raynor and John. I missed having Jaina to help with planning things out.

They would be returned to me, no matter what I had to do.

The ride back to MB 4 was uneventful. Though it was a hoot to see Mith with his sticking out of the passenger side window. It reminded me of the long rides I'd take with Ruger back on my old Earth.

Life wasn't so bad right now and I shouldn't let things I couldn't control upset me. I had a way to figure out the subtilties of my power, I had a Hub to explore and a store of ridiculous proportions. I had allies. I had a clear set of goals and a purpose.

Mith barked at some of the passing cars.

Most importantly, at least to me, I had a dog.