The time had come to figure out what Arthur was going to do, Layla and Kurt went together to the outpost at the edge of her well's growth in the area, the new well had helped that growth to extend even further, but a less pronounced and much slower that Layla's. The two had come there together.

Kurt wasn't looking forward to this because he had no idea what was about to happen. Would he stay? There was little reason to keep a prisoner of a clan that for all intents and purposes doesn't exist anymore. So he was definitely trying to go easy on everything.

Once they got to the outpost they saw Jacob and Sara out talking about something he couldn't hear. Until they saw him. Sara waved them in, Jacob seemed less thrilled this time.

"Would you mind getting Arthur for us?" said Layla to Sara.

"Umm, yeah, I guess today is the day."

After a bit Arthur and Laura walked out of the outpost's tower. They walked towards Layla and Kurt.

"Princess Layla, Lord Kurt," said Arthur, bowing a bit. Laura followed suit but her face was not as pleased.

"It is time for your decision Arthur, as you can see we have lived up to our side, both your son and wife are right here, safe and sound as you say," said Layla.

"Do we have any more news from Dakota Springs?"

"They have surrendered the Fire clan is practically no more, I'm sure there are a few remnants out there though. Not all of you were there I would assume after all."

"So it's really over."

"It appears so, your clan crimes have been partially punished."

"Crimes!" said Laura.

"Yes, crimes, my kind were captured and enslaved by the Fire clan, myself and Sir Kurt were captured personally by Sir Arthur as well, these are all crimes. I thought he would have told you,"

"We have discussed it," said Kurt, "and we are willing to let you all go on your own, there is little reason to keep you here anymore, all things considered. You could also of course swear to us, and have a place here."

"Yes this outpost could grow larger and more comfortable," said Layla, "and of course you would be allowed to come and go. We visited several human villages as well."

"Human villages," scoffed Laura, rolling her eyes.

"Can you not see, there are other villages in this world, apparently many of the Fire Clan are completely ignorant of humans thinking civilizations are special only to them. So superior, yet from my perspective you have uncontrolled emotions, an awful greed, weak bodies and short lives. I would barely call you civilized if not for some choice humans, your husband being one of them. Even as an opponent he never spoke disrespectfully, nor acted in a way that was unfitting of his station. I respect that." Arthur nodded back, as a way of saying thank you, "This is my kingdom, and I am here offering you what should be considered a very generous offer, if you continue to mock me, my kindness will wane. If you remember, I was not so kind to many of the Fire Clan." Layla gave Laura a passing look, not a stare, like it wasn't even worth it. She had basically politely threatened Laura's life.

"Kurt are you going to—"

"The only reason you are even safe is because of me," said Kurt, Princess Layla is correct, this is her land, and you will show her some respect. We are not in your land, nor am I in your house, you are in mine."

"Okay okay, calm down everyone," said Arthur, "we don't need to lose our cool right at the end. The offer as I understand it is better."

"I want to stay," said Jacob, "here."

"Jacob," said Laura.

"He's a grown man, Laura, he gets to make his own decisions. But I think we will be taking up the offer of being released."

Laura grumbled, apparently that wasn't the plan she had in mind at all, leaving Jabob.

"We will be approaching the border in a month, I think that will be the best place to drop you off at," said Layla, "I believe we can provide a suitable cart and horse as well. If you contact any branch of the Montgomery Trading Company they should be able to get the message to me, or Jacob."

"Why not back home?"

"I can leave you there as well," said Layla, "that would be faster but I'm afraid Arthur might be detained by the current occupants. I'm not sure about their policy on family members. That can happen today most likely." Layla smiled.

"And that's all?" said Arthur.

"No, if you choose to do this I will break your fountain and establish a new guardian, this will hurt and wound you Arthur, and it will never fully heal." said Layla, "But I can not have it another way. You will either join us or not. And if you don't join, I will not protect you from anyone else from that moment onward. You both will be on your own. We will accept Jacob if he wishes without you."

"That also hurts Cindy," said Arthur.

"She is prepared, it was the price of moving for the rest, one they gladly accepted I might add, this is no different. The whole reason it hasn't happened yet, is because of her and Kurt. The price is more than worth it to move her well, she was in pain in a way you simply can't understand."

"It's true," said Cindy who had come along in the middle, "I am so much better here, I'm deeply in debt to Layla for what she has already done. Arthur, you don't have to go."

"I'm not staying here with all these monsters," said Laura. "I can't do it."

"What if you were closer to the gate," said Sara, "we are sort of traveling the world over here, you'd get to see it without making the trips."

"I'm listening," said Laura.

"Well usually we are in some city or another, if you were to have a place near enough to be able to go there daily, it would be different than here. There are usually more humans near there as well working to bring things in and out," said Sara, " and Susan and Jerry are near there you could probably stay on that floor. While you wait to complete your new place or you might like their set up to be honest. You'd have human neighbors and everything. You never really saw everything."

Laura looked at Arthur, and then looked at Jacob, "really both of you? Well I'm not going alone." She turned back towards Layla, "Arthur getting paid for this work?"

Layla gave her an annoyed look back, then turned towards. "Sir Kurt? This was your idea."

"We can work something out with Carl, we probably need a guy for this eventually anyway," now that I think of it. Things are getting bigger hopefully."

"If that is to your liking we can build a place, the gnomes take good input so you can tell them how you want it," said Layla, "it will take time of course. And I'm going to be keeping a watch on you, think of it as…what the word… parole, probation. I don't want to hear many complaints about it."

"Then I think we have a deal."

"For now," said Layla, eyeing Laura, "I don't trust this one."

Layla turned to leave and Kirt came to follow her, he didn't want to stay much longer.

"Hey," said Jacob, "that means we can leave the outpost and stuff?"

"Yes," Layla said, not turning back around but giving a wave.

Sara nudged Jacob who then said, "Thank you, your majesty."

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