Preparations

"My friend, what brings you here?"

Snyder teased Dath'Remar as he watched him walk in.

"You kept this well hidden. You actually moved the elves from three cities here without anyone noticing. Is that why you didn't want to join me in opposing Malfurion?"

"I wasn't hiding anything. I was simply fulfilling my duty as a ruler and helping them find a new home."

"Dath'Remar, Malfurion's faction will never let magic shine in Kalimdor again. Take my advice: rather than waiting for them to drive you out, you should leave of your own accord."

"Hmph, I won't leave of my own accord. I love my people dearly, and I believe they'll accept the existence of magic! The Night Elves cannot develop without it."

Snyder said no more after hearing Dath'Remar's words. He knew his old friend wouldn't give up until he hit a wall, so he dropped the subject. He showed Dath'Remar around the city and told him about his plans for building the new home.

"My friend, I hope you can lead your people well and help them survive. I don't know when we'll meet again."

Watching Dath'Remar depart, Snyder was overcome with emotion. Now that they were parting, he didn't know when they would see each other again.

Dath'Remar was also overcome with emotion after the visit. He knew Malfurion and the others had compromised with Snyder because of his strength, while he himself could only rely on his own strength to resist them. If things reached a point of no return, he would take his people and leave as well.

That vial of Water of Eternity he had obtained from Illidan the Betrayer was his greatest safeguard.

After seeing Dath'Remar off, Snyder went to the portal.

"Brother-in-law, you're here." Jarod Shadowsong, who was guarding the portal, came over to greet Snyder when he saw him arrive.

"How are things?"

"Everything's normal. No elves here have dared to attack this place."

"Good. Have you seen your sister?"

"I have. She's still as full of energy as ever."

Jarod shuddered at the thought of his sister's iron fist of love after he returned that day.

"Once our home is built, there's a mission I'd like you to undertake."

"What mission? Please tell me."

"In a woodland east of the new continent, a force full of order is suppressing something. I need you to lead the Hand of the Bright Moon to investigate it. If necessary, I'll go deal with it myself."

When Snyder opened the portal, the vast energy had amplified his perception of the elements. He had sensed the earth elementals wailing there and had decided to investigate.

"Understood. I'll set out once our home is built."

"Good. Your sister does care about you a great deal. It's just that the way she shows it is very... yes, very special."

Jarod didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

"My lord, the Druids Malfurion sent have arrived."

A guard reported the news.

"He sent them over so quickly?" Snyder was very surprised.

"Cenarius must have noticed the strange phenomena that occurred when you raised the new continent."

"I'll go see them first."

Snyder said goodbye to Jarod and followed the soldier to where the Druids were.

"Greetings, Your Eminence, Demigod Snyder. I am Fandral Staghelm, a disciple of Archdruid Malfurion."

"Hello, Fandral. You don't need to call me a demigod. There's no need to be so formal here; relax."

It was the first time a mortal had called Snyder a demigod, and he wasn't quite used to it.

"My mentor, Malfurion, sent me to teach your people the ways of the Druids. But are you sure you want your people to settle here? This place doesn't seem capable of supporting so many."

"Of course not. This place is no longer suitable for my people to live in. We're going to a new continent."

"I heard a little about it from my mentor. What can we do?"

"You can start by choosing a group of Druid apprentices to study under you. Then follow my assistant Elisande to the center of the continent and find a place suitable for planting a tree."

"Planting a tree? I'm honored that you hold nature in such respect, but why do you want to plant a tree in the center of the continent?"

"It seems Malfurion didn't tell you that I have a blessed seed of my own."

As he spoke, Snyder took out Faledor's seed. The various powers gathered within it made it extraordinary.

Fandral was also awed by the seed. Although its origins were too ordinary, the various energies had fused perfectly, making up for its shortcomings.

"I'd be happy to help. When do we leave?"

"There's no rush. Choose the apprentices first. I'll have Elisande inform you of the exact departure time."

After saying goodbye to Fandral and his companions, Snyder returned to his office and had a guard summon Prince Tortheldrin.

"My lord Snyder, you called for me?" Prince Tortheldrin had hurried over without delay upon receiving the summons.

"Prince Tortheldrin, I'm very pleased with the way you handled things. Your quick thinking spared us a great deal of unnecessary trouble."

"It was my duty, Lord Snyder. I have sworn allegiance to you, and keeping this place safe is my responsibility."

"Once the kingdom is established, you'll be my finest general."

"I am willing to die for Snyder!"

Prince Tortheldrin struggled to contain his joy. He understood that he had become a noble of this fledgling nation.

"There's one more reason I called you here."

"Please give me your orders."

"I'm having Elisande select some troops to go with the Druids Malfurion sent and find a suitable place in the heart of the new continent."

"I want you to lead the army in building a defensive fortress around the portal on the new continent. It will serve as the bridgehead for our migration."

"I'll see the task done." Recognizing the importance of the assignment, Prince Tortheldrin spoke solemnly.

"Go make your preparations. Set out as soon as you're ready; time waits for no one."

After Prince Tortheldrin left, Snyder closed his eyes and began sorting through the events of the past few days and his musings about the future.

"You need a proper rest." Maiev came to Snyder carrying food.

Hearing his beloved's voice, Snyder opened his eyes.

"But I still have to make plans for establishing the kingdom."

Maiev walked behind Snyder and began massaging her beloved, while Snyder gazed at the map of the new continent and fell into thought.

"My love, I need you to establish a prison agency to regulate conduct in the kingdom and apprehend criminals."

"No problem. I was looking for something to do anyway," Maiev agreed.

"You can select people from the army and the civilians. Oh, and I've given Jarod a mission." Snyder told Maiev why he had sent Jarod on the mission.

"Let him go. His military talents mustn't be allowed to fade." Maiev approved of sending Jarod on the mission. She understood her younger brother's talent in military affairs. But his freedom-loving nature gave her a terrible headache, so she often disciplined him with her iron fist of love.

"Let's have a child." With that, Snyder swept Maiev into his arms before she could react and opened a passage to their resting place.

The night passed without further incident.