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"I swear I am going to kick him in the face if I ever get to meet him." Said a voice I heard as I slowly woke up, noticing a weight on my pelvis that was warm and purring. I reach down to pet the very heavy cat and I feel feathers? That woke me up instantly and I see a very large cat with wings in my lap, it looked like a large orange tiger house cat mixed with a lynx with eagle like wings. "Close your mouth unless you want to catch flies Gwen," a very amused sounding voice said to me from the pile of fur and feathers.

I spy the unicorn I saw before I passed out standing next to me looking at me concerned, then I notice I am wearing a shirt and my back doesn't hurt at all. The unicorn nudges me with his nose, "you are healed. It's been a few hours, do not worry." The unicorn looks amused, "I informed Shadow that he should take the women back to your camp while I arraigned for you to be healed. He should be back in a little while."

The winged cat lifts it's head and snorts in amusement, "'told' he says. What he means to say is that he stood over you and threatened your body guard with physical harm if he didn't get those. What word did you use...? Oh yes! Nattering women out of here before they alerted the whole forest of your whereabouts."

The unicorn points his horn at the cat, "now all I was doing was protecting her. She didn't need to know what I did fur face." The cat stands swatting the horn and steps off of me so I can stand and then jumps onto my shoulder. "Anywho, my name is Cheshire. I have a couple of propositions for you."

It was the unicorn's turn to snort as he steps in front of me. "More like demands, but then I have a couple as well. My name is Alberich, yes; I am a unicorn. No, I don't go hunting for virgins to lay my head in the laps of." Cheshire chuckles on my shoulder, "that distant cousin of yours really did mess up the human's perception of your species didn't he?" Alberich puts a fetlock over his nose in a very human like mannerism, "yes. As you know Gwen from your recent education of species by that Earth Dragon. Magical variants of a species are a slightly divergent species. The more 'gracile' of my species, like your thoroughbreds are of a more magical nature. One of my ancestor's liked the way virgin female humans smelled and caused quite a stir among the species of humans. Now humans think we're all just as air headed."

Cheshire chuckles again, "well at least the species I am related to is slightly feared by humans. I am the magical variant of the gryphon species. Yes I have a cat's head, however I can change it at will to a bird's head to speak with my cousin's or to clean my wings. No one has come up with a good way to clean feathers other than a bird's beak as of yet. Also contrary to most cat species I and all gryphons love water."

Alberich looks behind me and I could hear Shadow moving behind me, "at ease Shadow the bird brained cat on her shoulders is fairly harmless. Now that you have rejoined us we can explain what we want of you Gwen."

Alberich indicates to a rock under some trees where what appeared to be a water skin was sitting, "please sit there. The healer requested you drink what is in that skin when you woke up, I'd prefer to not cross him. You should never anger a healer, unless you both know it is in jest." As I move towards the rock Cheshire launches off my shoulders and glides down next to the rock waiting. I sit and pick up the water skin as Shadow takes it from my hand and sniffs it's contents. "Come now Shadow, if we wanted the Hunter dead she wouldn't be alive right now." Cheshire admonished my bodyguard, who hands the skin back to me after a grunt and speaks. "Correct but seeing as how I am sure neither of you two set fire to that building those weirdo's were in I needed to know what the 'healer' left wasn't poison. I am satisfied that it isn't."

I take a drink expecting what ever it was to taste horrible to discover it was some kind of infused wine and I raise my eyebrow at Alberich. He chuckles, "oh no worries it shouldn't get you drunk. However he has never had the chance to work on a Hunter before, I doubt you'd react in a worse manner than a human would." I finish the skin and set it back on the rock, "alright. What did the two of you want from me? Seeing as how it was you Alberich who called me over here." Alberich tosses his head in an equine nod, "well it is a demand formed as a request. All other species know of your talk with Granite, and how while you are a Hunter you do not like the idea of killing indiscriminately. All other species wish to help you acquire your dream of a place where all would be welcome and safe. Human's are not the only ones who are in danger from Dragons, well the Dragon's who have no love of other lives. We know of the idea you have for your government that you wish to institute. We just ask that any other race that joins your city has an equal say on your council. That is the first part."

I think about his words a minute and then I answer him, "this is good. I was hoping to find a way to reach out to other species and ask if they wanted to be part of some kind of a council to govern inter-species crimes in the world. This will make that much easier. Also I would institute that aside from the city council made up of two people from each trade city wide we will also make for two of each species. Will that suffice?"

"Good to hear now can we move this along please? I have work to start on." Spoke a voice from behind Alberich who then spoke, "ah apologies Defeck Largechest. Gwen this is dwarf leader of the dwarves of the former UK, Defeck Largechest. He has some questions regarding the city you wish to construct."

I tilt my head questioningly, "alright? I will do my best to answer you." The dwarf came from behind Alberich, and while I had imagined what they would look like it did surprise me. He was about three foot tall, without an ounce of fat on him. He did have very shaggy hair on his head, but unlike stories he didn't have an impressive beard. "Looking for a beard Hunter?" He rubs his 5 o'clock shadow, "they get in the way when you work. Only Elders have beards Hunter, we are excellent craftsmen though."

I nod and he pulls out what appears to be a clip board made out of stone from a pack on his side. "Alrighty Hunter, where in abouts did you want this city of yours to be?" I inform him of an area I discovered on the south eastern shore of the Bristol Channel, between the channel and the lake that was near the shore. The dwarf thought for a minute, "so possible sandy soil, but right on the other side of the channel from my city. Excellent choice Hunter," he makes a note on his clipboard, "ground may need reinforcement. Did you plan on having a council chamber? Also were ye plannin' on having it open to the public?"

I nod my head, and he makes another note on his clipboard. "Large council chamber designed for public and multi species." He looks up a moment from his clipboard and eye's Alberich a moment as if asking a question the unicorn nods and then he makes a note he doesn't voice. "I am sure you plan on having a city guard separate from any Hunter's compound you will have, any specifics on that?" I nod my head, "well a training salle of course. Also I want each guard to have a separate room for themselves, with a communal eating area. Probably connected to the city's main store house for city owned items." Defeck writes all that down, "include stabling for intelligent species as well as war horses."

He thinks a minute, "so for yer Hunter's compound do ya want rooms for guardians as well as for you Hunters? Say start will ten rooms each a main dinning hall, kitchen, training facilities, stabling for both war horses and intelligent species. Also a private bath house, we don't want people up in arms over the fact you Hunters tend to bathe with your guards. Smart idea by the way, that way no one can get you while you are trying to relax. Best put it near the back of the city so you can't be in the way of those who wish ya harm."

He looks over his clipboard, "so aside from basic houses a public bath house and standard trade shops and a public stable anything special you need?" I think a moment and answer, "well we need a greenhouse to grow rare plants in. Large enough to grow trees in, why all the questions?" The dwarf chuckles as he makes notes, "ye will fine out Hunter. Now a greenhouse huh? Best ask that healer what he thinks is needed for it, oh Hunter. I have a few citizens who are going to join your city when you get there, we dwarves have a different mode of traveling you humans are unable to use. Something about the depth and a genetic fear of the deep land." He shrugs and waves a goodbye as he vanishes into the dimming light.

Alberich notices the sun setting, "well I guess we should hurry this along so we don't have to travel too much in the dark. My next demand of you Gwen is to take me on as another guardian for you, unlike my cousins my type of unicorn has no issues with letting people ride us if we permit it. I am a warrior and can train any quadruped animal to be a beast of burden or a war steed. I can also be Arms Master for non humanoid species who wish to be guard members. I also have a couple gifts." Alberich gives a nicker and a group of nine horses appear from the woods the most impressive a large stallion who seemed to be herding the rest of the group. The stallion makes the rest stop in the clearing and he walks forward toward Shadow. "Shadow this is Coal, he has been trained by me to be a war horse. He is very obedient, and the only way you could fall from his back is if you have never ridden a horse before. You will need something to keep pace with Gwen if she is on my back, and while I am still faster he can mostly keep up with me. I will speak to the twin's self appointed mother about them riding with you while we are journeying. Incidentally you notice there are no saddles? This is because they are being made, we have both been measured for them and until the dwarves are satisfied we won't receive them."

I nod my head slightly surprised by all this, "oh another thing Shadow. I will link your mind to Coal's mind so you can give direction directly to him, it is a good method for fighting in a battle to be able to just think what you need."

Cheshire walks in front of me and sits down focusing on me, "and as for me Gwen. I wish to join you as a guardian as well and I also have demand. While Alberich gave you horses to use aside from Coal they won't stick around if they spot a Dragon, but I have a method to protect your whole group on the trek across the land bridge." I stand up excited, "you do? Tell me what it is I have been racking my brain over it for days."

Cheshire looks amused, "it's simple really. I have arranged with my cousins to provide an escort for your group, the only request is that when we go to pick up the escort you bring the twins with. There is a group that lives on the cliffs near the land bridge, which is where we need to stop before going across. Shadow will be able to bring Coal because he has been trained to not bolt even if he sees a Dragon."

I look at the horses and Shadow staring at Coal, I get the feeling he has never ridden before. A chuckle enters my mind, no he hasn't why do you think it amuses me to have given him Coal? This way I get to teach the 'unteachable' something new, Cheshire isn't the only one who can be amused by humans' actions. I guess the voice was Alberich, and he is right speaking mind to mind would be the simple way to communicate while in a fight.

Cheshire looks up at me, "we are demanding this because we know why you can't harm humans. Yes we are aware of this 'quirk' of yours, you can blame the great wizard Merlin for it. Back in the time of Arthur when humans and Dragons were last at odds with each other Merlin thought that Hunters were too powerful. So he cursed all of you genetically so you are unable to harm a human, I am sure you have already discovered some loopholes in this. Here is another for future reference, human magic races are not humans per say. So if you feel the need to let loose some frustration on some old wizardly type if you ever meet him, feel free." I filed the information away furious for knowing the why behind the problem only Shadow had known, I guess the other species already knew. So that explains their 'offer' a bit more.

I walk to Alberich's side, "alright I accept." I wonder how I was going to get onto his back, when Alberich knees his front half down; allowing me to climb onto him. "One of the first lessons you will need Gwen is how to mount on your own, but we are in a hurry right now so I will help." I look over at Shadow who gives Coal a wary look and walks over to the horse's side, and ungracefully jumps onto his back. {I imagine his second time doing that will look much better than that. He is a quick learner, and in case you were wondering they were arguing over who was more bad ass}. I stifle a chuckle, making both Shadow and Coal look in my direction. Cheshire lands on Alberich's rump, "nothing to see here you two. It was merely an inside joke between the two of them." {Yes Gwen I can hear your conversations I am magical after all.}

Alberich heads in the direction of where Jake was meant to camp with Shadow behind us on Coal herding the group of horses. About an hour later we approach the camp, I shout to the sentries that were currently on duty. We never camp outside without them. "Hey it's just Gwen and Shadow with some help everyone will want to see." I notice the guard who told me about Calliope falling back look down the road at me and do a double take then lean backwards and say something to people behind him. Then children start pouring out of camp, "LOOK IT'S A UNICORN! CAN I TOUCH IT?" Alberich snort and then very loudly shouts, "ALRIGHT ALL OF YOU CHILDREN BACK INSIDE THAT CAMP BOUNDARY YOUR CARETAKERS SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES FOR LETTING YOU OUTSIDE EVEN IF IT IS KNOWN WHO WE ARE." The kids all stop at once shocked, and slowly back up now scared of the unicorn shouting at them, I see the guard chuckling and I spy Harriet with the twins just inside the camp boundary,{ that woman is smarter than I gave her credit for Gwen I shall have to apologize to her.}

I chuckle as we enter the camp, our camp is set up in a ring system. The people capable of fighting and can are on the outside ring. People capable of fighting but may not know how are the next ring in and the ring closest to the cooking area is where the children and elderly and otherwise weakened are kept in camp.

Shadow jumps off Coal who takes the horses into the nearby trees to graze, {don't worry I threatened to geld him if he lost any of those horses before we got to the land bridge. If we are lucky enough they stay after you will have a nice start on a good herd for the city}. I nod in agreement, as we approach the center of the camp where Jake is standing with Calliope in tears next to him and I have a mental eye roll.

Alberich stops so I can slide off his back and Jake walks up to me looking angry. "Did you let Shadow strike Calliope? You know my thoughts on using violence on people." I hear Tammy snort in the background, I guess she wasn't impressed with Calliope. I look Jake squarely in the eyes, "yes I did. Would you like to know why before you go accusing me of tossing around authority? She stated that I had no power because I was traveling with the weakest in the group, instead of with the most powerful. Which by the way she should be traveling with the children as she is at least four months pregnant."

Jake whips his head around at the girl who smartly had stopped with the fake tears, "is this true?" Calliope lifts her head up high, "of course it is. I am the daughter of a Headman, I am someone important. Yes I am pregnant too, with Johnny's child. I was with the boy because he was the only high ranking male of that age group left, I didn't care about him. I didn't like being surrounded by my father's goon squad however."

Jake very calmly walks over to Calliope and slaps her across the face just like Shadow had, then grabs her by the arm and looks about. Tammy steps forward, "sir I'll handle her if you don't mind. I like Harriet so I'll keep the girl in line till we get to where we're going." Tammy turns to me before heading off with Calliope, "by the by Hunter. Once we is at the city I want to join your city guard. I use to be a police officer, I liked the job and since these people you has here are so nice I want to help." I nod my head and she takes Calliope out of the center of camp.

Jake looks at Alberich, "is that a." Alberich snorts, "I am intelligent SIR, I can understand you and converse just fine. The word you were looking for is unicorn." Cheshire then lands on Alberich's rump again, "and I am related to gryphon's. Greetings to all of you, my name is Cheshire and the hot headed horse under me is Alberich. Also just so you know while that big black horse won't hurt you, he is a war horse so best if you keep the kids from annoying him. He is keeping an eye on those horses we brought to help make movement much faster for everyone." Jake looks about and I point to outside the camp where Coal took the herd.

Alberich looks around a moment then walks over to Harriet and bows his head, "great Lady. Before seeing you I thought you were just as simple mined as the rest of the child caretakers, however seeing you keep those precious twins inside the camp shows me I was wrong. I apologize for my ill thoughts towards you." Harriet blinks twice then reaches out to touch Alberich's head, "well seeing as I never thought I'd see a unicorn. Especially since we know I'm not a virgin." Alberich winces at that and Harriet looks confused, "ah Harriet. Like the tales of Dragons not everything is accurate. There was one unicorn in the past who liked virgins, that is of the magical type of unicorn. Alberich isn't a magic type, if you want a comparison he's a war horse and a horse trainer." Harriet nods at the description, Alberich turns to look at the twins and addresses Harriet again. "I have a request of you Lady, these two need protecting. Until other arrangements can be made I would prefer they ride Coal with Shadow unless there is danger. Aside from me you won't find another horse like animal as fast."

Harriet pats Alberich on the shoulder, "well since you asked verses demanding it of me; I agree. I am also going to guess you already have something better in the works?" Alberich looks her in the eye and chuckles, "oh I like you; nothing gets past you. Yes we do have a plan for the twins."