We headed out.

I wanted to wait for the Observer's report, but I also felt a sense of urgency. A "let's get this over with" attitude.

On a happier note I could see that the spread of the purple grass was beginning to reach as far as the Sunrise Motel. Small patches of it here and there, even new bushes of an obviously different character than the scrub brush native to the Badlands. A small victory.

Small triumphs could add up. Small changes could become large shifts over a long enough timescale.

How long did I have? A very long time, judging by Meadran's lessons. Even Jaina thought that Mages (and presumably Druids) aged much more slowly. Then there was the issue of Regrowth seeming to reverse at least some of the effects of aging. With all of that working in my favor, I could see living a few hundred years. That was hard to grasp.

Looking out at the mixing environments, desert and alien grasslands, I pondered what it would look like in a century. Would all of this be forest by then? Would the jealous Corpos scorch it all?

As we got closer to home the mana in the air had me buzzing a bit. Moving back and forth between the differing densities was interesting. Could that be a way to train my mana capacity? Like running in high altitudes to benefit your lungs. Hmm.

Arriving at the new outskirts of New Lordaeron. So much had changed with Jaina's guidance, and even the few days we had been gone gave her ample opportunity to expand. She had also snagged a good chuck of my CPoints. Even with the thousand I had gotten from the Quest I was now down to 4000 total. When did that happen?

My eyes bulged, "What the hell has she been spending my Points on?"

John looked over at me.

"Jaina has used 5000 Company Points for something, or more likely a lot of somethings." I wasn't really mad, but I was fucking shocked. I trusted her, but wow that was a lot. I thought back to her reports, did anything in there indicate where all the points went? No.

In the future, I think I'm going to require an itemized list of expenses. So this odd sensation of being stolen from, wasn't as much of a thing, going forward. I didn't need more unpleasant feelings, especially right then.

"That's a lot?" John asked.

Oh right, I hadn't really discussed the Points situation with them. While we were parking I filled all the fellas in on the way CPoints worked, and what kinds of things they could buy.

The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

I stopped to take in the view of the Town.

Several new buildings were present close by. The obvious ones were the Church, with its belltowers and giant golden rayed sun iconography, right by the Town Hall and just in front of the Barracks. The building next to that, billowing out smoke while creating a clatter we could hear from here, must have been the Smithy. Others were likely new housing for everyone, they looked some where between apartment complexes and medieval villas.

Off to the north, I could make out several new farms. I couldn't yet tell what they were growing from here. Okay, that explained some of the CPoint usage.

Up on the hill next to my mansion was an ornate tower, its peak was maybe 400 feet high and surrounded by a aura of mana that even those with no talent could see. the base was larger around than the Town Hall. What was all that space for?

We stayed together as we made our way from the parking area to the Town Hall. Folks greeted us warmly as we passed them. Lots of these people were new faces to me, summoned from the Town Hall I supposed. In fact I didn't see any of the people I was most familiar with nearby.

In fact, I thought it was bizarre that Jaina wasn't here to greet us.

I reached out through the Psifield, 'Jaina?'

'My Lord!' I could sense surprise with a tinge of bright joy and recent deep pleasure. I chuckled, wondering who the lucky bastard was. 'I'm so sorry! I got caught up in my latest spellwork that I didn't sense you.'

'No worries Jaina, just checking in on you. We'll be at the Town Hall when you are ready.' I tried not to let my amusement bubble through the connection.

'Yes, My Lord.' I cut the connection.

My gut didn't like it. Something was burning in the back of my mind.

All I could do was keep on task, until I had a clearer picture.

As we passed the Church a white robed figure, hood raised, exited the large double doors.

"My Lord! It is so nice to finally meet you." A man's voice from under the deep hood.

I was immediately on guard. I could feel the rest of the boys tense up as well.

"Is something wrong?" The voice sounded genuinely concerned.

I reached out with my new senses.

His mind was a gentle place, his thoughts full of devotion to his God. I relaxed a little. Golden energy surrounded him. Faith.

Something growled in my heart before I clamped down on it. The Emperor Class was angered by Faith not directed towards it.

"Sorry our last encounter with a clergyman didn't go very well." I decided to be friendly once I could tell he was nothing like old Grais.

"Oh, I'm sorry. It is always a shame when a priest loses their way." No condemnation, no suspicion, and no doubt that we were honest. This man might be the purest adult soul I've ever met.

"It was a shame indeed." I didn't have the heart to explain more to him.

"I am Father Mauris if you need to talk my door is always open to you. I'll leave you to your work." No pushing, no proselytizing, what kind of priest was this?

"I might just take you up on that. Good day, Mauris." I meant it too. I felt a need to get to know this person. More importantly protect them from this world. Odd, where did that feeling come from?

We crossed the last few yards to the Town Hall.

I reached out to touch the building, then hesitated. My BTC was twitching like crazy.

"I don't know what's about to happen, but I might be stuck for a while. Please guard my back."

"Don't worry Hoss, we've got your six."

"Uh huh."

My hand made contact with the building and everything shifted.