A home wasn’t chosen yet. One would be the royal island. I had to pick something worthy. I had a lifetime to search. What else was there to do?

This one was flat, with green in the middle, and a long, thin strip of beach. Pretty and I’m sure there was sustenance nearby. Plenty within the oceans and the Volardi delivered they own food and medicine. They wanted me to survive.

I left their packages to rot even as they continued to deliver. It was their way to ensure dependence. Freely offered and lesser races would eagerly take as if they were gods helping a inferior race.

No, we did that many rotations ago.

My steps were slow, and I looked up at yellow fruit I didn’t recognize. It was edible. The Volardi made sure. In my side vision was a red armored ‘thing’ with too many legs. It scurried away as I approached. Perhaps I would try and catch one.

There’s certainly time to do that.

I sat on the beach and surveyed my kingdom.

All mine.

I don’t remember falling asleep, but a low hum took me out of my dreams. A circular silver craft drifted over the beach. The top melted away and my greatest enemy looked down.

“Hello Fuath,” said Matros.

“It’s been one hecred already?”

“The chronometer would have told you.”

“I’ll not use your technology. I want a planet free of the Volardi. I still state you violated our agreement.”

“No, I haven’t. I promised you would get a planet where you could go where you liked. I never said it would be Augo. I’ve kept my word. We’ve shared our lands with the Ryba. There are specifics I can share with you, but we never agreed to that. You’ll have to wonder what goes on with your former people.” He smiled before he continued. “The Volardi aren’t so prideful as to not learn from another race. Your desire for exact words served me well.”

“As for me, my people are free. This is a small penance to pay for my people. Now go. You said you wouldn’t touch foot on my…”

“Yes, and as long as I’m on this craft, my foot shall not touch your planet. Exact words Fuath.”

“No matter. The Ryba will sing my praises. My wives will find a way to let them know.”

He looked off into the distance. “Perhaps, but I don’t believe so. You were erratic and willing to drag your race down, just to hurt Volardi. You attacked my Femeni and nearly killed my child.” He shook his head. “No, I think they’ll follow the exact words and the spirit of our agreement. They rule now, and nobody will know you did this.”

“It was still worth it.”