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Birds were singing a merry tune as sunlight filtered down through the bows of a green oak. Returned walked along a path, whistling a quick rhythm, watching the wildlife tumble in the grass about him. Yes, he thought, humanity has done a fine job with this world. This place will do... —— Seven Months Later —— Returned stood proudly atop the battlements of his brand-new fortress. He had inspiringly named it "Fort Fortress". Hmm, he though, If my name is any indication, perhaps I should leave choosing names to my advisors. He shrugged, and went on enjoying the fruits of his labors. Even here, on the Alleyplanet, where the science of returned was well known––even taken for granted––there were still people who worshiped returned. That was, in fact, how he had managed to build this monstrosity anyhow. He had the faint worry that the laborers would stick around after the project was done, and he hadn't the faintest idea what to do with a bunch of fanatics. He shrugged, discarding his worries, and resolved to enjoy this day. The short man, Keleth, walked up. "Hello your majesty. How are you doing on this fine day?" "Thank you Keleth. Yes, I am in fact enjoying this day immensely. You know, the opening of the fortress and all. Sadly, I'll have to leave after this, I have a wedding to attend. By the way, are you good with names?" "Um, maybe. My kid has a good name." "You have a kid?" "Yes, his name is Jonathan." "Good name. Are you good with city, or, maybe, perhaps, fortress names?" "The name is kind of lame, isn't it." "Yes. I fear that I am absolutely hopeless with names." "I think I noticed. My lord Returned. How about 'Fortress Eternal' my lord?" "I like. I like it a lot. In fact, have the scribes change the name to that. Thank you, Keleth." "You're welcome my lord. I assume you caught the reference?" "Mm. Are the people almost settled in?" "Yes my lord. They are setting up temporary residences and shops in the main courtyard." Returned looked over the edge, and indeed, many canvas tents were erected in the courtyard. The Fortress was huge, perhaps a square mile, and the construction had been a huge undertaking. It had taken more than seven months with the assistance of large amounts of investiture, including the sacrifice of two other returned. "It will happen soon Keleth. Soon, we will have a city to rival the capitol. A center of trade and economics. A hub of politics and industry. A truly majestic city shall arise here." "Speaking of a city, we have the projected logistics worked out." He handed a writing pad to Returned, which was perused with a careful eye. "A militia of one-hundred thousand strong? Getting a little optimistic are we?" "It's also to serve as a defending garrison, and possible an invasion force." "Are we to be a sovereign state, or under Alleycity jurisdiction?" "If I may advise to start out under their jurisdiction..." The conversation went on like this, discussing many of the logistics and specifics needed for running a budding city. After the conversation with Keleth was over, Returned sauntered over to his office, in the top tower. "Milton, please summon my officials." The thin secretary jumped over to a desk, where he grabbed spanreed. "And what would you like me to say?" "Say this: @#Voidapple, @Gancho Libre, @MetaTerminal, and @beantheboy12. I summon you to the new Diagramist headquarters. You are to report here, and we shall discuss goals and objectives of our great guild. Thank you." The spindly man wrote this, and then hesitated. "Um, sir, what about the... other one?" "Hmm? Oh, yes, draft another message." The scribe took another spanreed in his hands, and set it to the paper. "Say this: Hello @Furamirionind. You have acted with great loyalty and are to be commended. Although your position within the greater guilds has been very beneficial, it is time to end the charade. I'm calling you to the headquaters of the Diagramists, and you will now serve as the known leader of the Silent Gatherers. Godspeed." Milton finished the message then set down the pen. He looked at Returned gravely, "This will cause quite a ruckus in the Alleyverse. They will not be happy." Returned slowly walked over to his window, and surveyed the budding city below. He finally turned towards Milton, "No, they will not. It is time though. Time to break expectations. It is a new era, after all."