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By the next morning I was already tired of the concept of just sitting still not doing anything. I knew we needed to head to my proposed city, yet unless I wanted to piss off my healer it probably was not a very good idea. While the old saying went "don't piss off your doctor they know how you are put together", a full healer knows how to make anything taste like anything. Gilorndir was very good at making medicines taste like what ever carrier liquid he put them in. I shudder thinking of how good he could be at using poison on people. I hear Starburst's rumbly voice, "no worries there Gwen. While your Old World doctors had an oath they supposedly followed healers, unless they are insane. Have a compulsion in their minds to prevent them from harming anyone. It was as if the Gods determined they must only heal with their gifts."

That knowledge surprises me, {so for all his bluster he really can't hurt me?} Starburst chuckles, "no; but from what I have heard his best friend is a dwarf and is highly protective of him. Not many people like to irritate dwarves so they tend to follow the healer's orders."

I attempt to lift my head as a group enters my tent, I had requested through Cheshire a meeting with anyone who took on the role of leader within our currently small group. Alberich was in the group along with Harriet, Jake, Samuel, Tammy, Jose, Father Peter, Atsuko, and StrongWing. Alberich had a dual purpose for attending this meeting, he was to be the horse master and temporary arms master of the city. However, he was needed to broadcast my words to the few who didn't have a strong ability to hear a mind voice. However in the case of StrongWing, Cheshire would translate as she is incapable of hearing a mind voice.

{I am glad all of you are able to attend today, seeing as how we are kind of stuck here. I figured this was a good of a time as any to start discussing government and economy}. After hearing what I had said Jake speaks, "well aren't you going to be in charge like a Queen of something?" Starburst chuckles, "human you do know that in recorded history no Hunter has ever been the head of a valid government. There was one once and you'll never hear of it spoken about, as the Hunter in question had gone insane and started to conquer the world in an attempt to prove he was the most powerful." He pauses as if thinking, {Gwen; I am going to tell them they have to know}. He then continues, "that is why the great mage;" Alberich stomps a hoof at the term. Starburst continues, "Merlin cursed the Hunter genes from being capable of harming anyone who is human."

The room goes silent and Jake glares at me, "why didn't you bring this up to us before?" Jake stands and Shadow does at the same time holding his hand out then speaking. "Jake, why think military give her to me?" Samuel grabs Jake and yanks him back down into a sitting position, "listen man. While those of us from the base have been with her the longest, we knew even if we weren't told. Which we were not told, why else would someone who supposedly can kill the greatest of creatures would need a bodyguard if there wasn't some flaw in what she is. We just happen to know what it is now, and I understand the why of not telling anyone. Can you imagine if bandits heard the Hunter could not fight humans?" Alberich steps towards "Jake, she'd be dead. As bandits would band together to attempt to kill her so they could raid our group, do you wish for that?"

Jake looked shocked at the idea of bandits attacking our group in mass and just shook his head and sat down slowly, muttering. "Sorry, I hadn't thought." Cheshire growls as if agreeing to Jake's comment, I sigh deeply and then continue on.

{I was thinking of creating a ruling council, but it won't be a permanent position in any sense of the word. The idea is two people from all major industries, two people from the guard. Two people from the combined churches of the city, as well as two from all major races. Then the deciding vote would be that only one member of the Hunter's 'guild' would be on the council}.The people look surprised at my idea, {I realize this council will probably be rather large in size as I am referring to in the industry people. Two shopkeepers,two miners two farmers, two food hunters, and two traders, two healers; anyone on the council will be elected by their 'group' but will only serve no more than two years at any time. They also, provided there is enough available for it; cannot have concurrent places on the council. This includes the Hunters, though I would like to say that no person can be on the council unless they are considered an adult.Which means Cassie could be on the council because she is considered an adult by her people. If there isn't enough people in a group to fill out both positions on the council the current holder gets two votes.}

Father Peter speaks up, "Hunter Gwen. Do you really think that more churches will set up in your city?" I give him an incredulous look, {of course I do Father Peter}. I weakly raise an arm and attempt to wave it as if indicating the group. {Not everyone believes the same thing. So yes I expect that there will be more 'churches' in existence over time in the city itself. Also no one can be on two seats at the same time except for in the case of the not enough seats for them to be properly filled. I also would recommend, provided there is enough people to make it happen. That you have to wait three cycles of the council before you can be re-elected to the position}. I wave a hand, {each group can set up the voting in their groupings themselves. Now I know there will be times when a quick decision must be made. I would suggest that the Hunter 'guild' make those decisions in a temporary stance, which would include delegation in case of things like the city being attacked. Quick decisions there would obviously be to delegate to the guard.}

Everyone nods their heads, and I hear Cassie, "what are you doing there girl?" Then a small scuffle as Cassie chases an embarrassed Calliope into the tent. Shadow stands and quickly restrains the girl and looks at Harriet and Tammy. The two women look at each other, and Tammy responds. "When we finished eating she was sitting near where Jessica was telling stories to the little ones." Jake stands and walks over to the young woman and quickly glances at Cassie, "is the baby still alright?" Cassie tosses her head, "yes he appears to be well still. She was hovering outside as if listening to what you were discussing inside."

Jake nods his head, "good; it appears we will need to restrain her till the baby is born. Alberich, is there a way you can contact your healer friend so we can know if there is a way to feed her if she refuses to eat on her own?" Alberich nods his head, "I am sure he can arrange soothing." Jake waves at Shadow, who then ties the young woman up; she starts ranting. "I heard her secret, and I will tell EVERYONE about it."

Starburst rumbles a response, "go ahead little human. No one will harm her or those two younglings, and if anyone attempts to attack the town they will regret it." Calliope turns white somehow forgetting there was a rather large reptile behind my tent, more like wrapped around it though.

Jake then walks over and puts a gag on her, "I will pass the info around the group as well as the idea that it should be kept quiet." I nod, {though I think Jessica needs to put it in her histories. Everyone should remember it was Merlin who did this to the Hunters. It is a horrible weakness, which is probably why so many of the other species have decided to protect my kind now.} I wave a hand, {I even have a Dragon guardian. Somehow I doubt we'll see that happen all to often.} Starburst lets out a rumbly chuckle, "yes well you were special enough my brother wished to speak to you so that was enough for me."

Samuel spoke up, "I will inform our guards; they will keep it quiet. As well as double their efforts to keep unwanted people from entering our camps." Jose also spoke up, "I think as we will be here a time while you and that astronaut heal we will start making arrangements for this location to be a permanent stopping point for people to traverse the land bridge." I nod my head as the others agree, {also as I know food hunters need training you can use any facilities the guards or the Hunters have for training your people}. Jose nods a thank you, {now we need to discuss our economy. I personally prefer the idea of a trading economy, however I do know in some cases this is not feasible. Such as a tavern or inn works better in a cash system. So we need to make some choices on how to make it work.}

Harriet nods in agreement thinking a few minutes, "well if we set what the prices are maybe we can make both things work. However make the prices based more on supply and demand, base them off say a bushel of in season vegetables. Not fruit, as fruits are harder to accumulate a bushel of without a great deal of work in some format. Example apples verses zucchini, you must care for a young apple tree for years before it produces anything. If you plant a few zucchini plants you are over run with them. Strawberries require a lot of space to produce a bushel, beans do not; see?" The others nod their heads in agreement.

{Alright Harriet, what type of metal should we make our money out of? I am sure one of the elvan smiths would love to make coins for us}. Starburst rumbles another chuckle, "yes probably with your face on them Hunter." I shudder at the thought of my face stamped onto a coin. Jake speaks up instead of Harriet, "well how about three different metals? We can use gold, silver, and copper. As most people would consider the gold would be the highest denomination." Alberich chuckles, "that is based on human concept of value, you will be changing your ideas on that in a short period of time as dwarven mining methods are so different than human ways that gold is a common metal. Yet having the coins of those denominations will make people think we value the same things they do, at least the humans will. Most of the non humans will prefer trade, I will ask the armorer to make wearable pouches for those of use without hands. So we have some method of carrying money around." I tilt my head knowing he was hiding something from the group and seeing as how he hasn't informed me of anything it must either not be terribly important or I'll find out later. I hear him chuckle in my head, {oh you'll find out later Gwen. As will the rest of your group, new thieves to our city will need to be watched closely as they might try stealing some amusing things}.

I don't comment on his statement and continue. {Next order of bushiness will be discussion of the concept of taxes. We all know people don't like paying them, however to have things like the guards and paved roads we will need something to pay for it}. Everyone begrudgingly nods their heads. {I have a proposal for the taxes, which oddly can be used also for most of the payment of criminal fines as well. First let the taxes be a flat ten percent of your earnings, now let me expand on that}. Everyone waits for what I am going to say, but look like they have questions.

{A farmer can give ten percent of his harvested crops in payment of his tax bill, which would then be stored for use to the guards or a facility to feed poor people. A clothier can again pay ten percent of their wares, does this make sense to you all now}? StrongWing speaks up Jake winces as he doesn't hear the language, "so my people pay some fish to stay in city? Can do that simple." Tammy nods her head, though I imagine she only heard a portion of that, "it would be an easy way for the jewelers to make the coins for the city use then as their tax. With miners paying in the metals needed to make those coins, this could very much work in our benefit."

{Yes, alternatively; if someone feels they cannot pay their taxes they could work for the guard for a period to have a portion of their taxes forgiven. The guard is a city institution so it can be used as a vehicle to pay the tax. On a side note, unless there is a murder or something gervious no death penalties. Also people can donate a skill to pay their taxes, such as a stone mason paving a new street to have their taxes forgiven for a period of time. Now a statement with this is anything to offset taxes must be something useful to the city no useless statues spread all over the city.} The people nod in agreement.

Everyone nods in agreement, {you aren't agreeing just because I suggested it are you}? Jake responds, "no as they are good ideas. Just not things most of us would have thought of, I guess it's due to your make up as a Hunter. I am sure you have more finer details for how you think our economy should work." I nod my head, {I think letting people know the basics of what we decide on the monitory values is what we should do and tell them they are permitted to freely trade. However if there is a dispute and they bring it up to the council we will use a set listing of prices to make the decision. I think this list should be displayed in front of the council chambers. I will not however abide by slaves being brought into our city, what ever anyone's viewpoints on this subject do not matter as I am making a blanket statement that it's not happening in our city}. Tammy chuckles, "no worries there Hunter Gwen. I would take down any slaver personally."

Samuel claps her on the back, "and I would help her Hunter Gwen." I chuckle and nod in response,} oh also. I think we need to decide who will lead the guards and I wish to nominated both Tammy and Samuel as co-leaders of the organization. I would suggest however that for the council one of you two be on it and one of the regular 'men' as well. This way the needs of both are taken care of}. The two of them look surprised and Harriet speaks up, "I second that." Alberich taps the two on the shoulder, "I concur with Gwen's choice. You two would make good leaders of your group, also her suggestion for the council is a sound one as well." He turns to the rest of the gathered people, "what do you all say?" The rest of the people in attendance agreed to the choice Tammy blushing and Samuel stuttering his thanks.

{I believe if we need new 'guard captains' we should as our arms masters to tell us which they think will be best and why then we can choose from them}. Everyone nods in agreement, {Cheshire have you been relaying this to Jessica}? Cheshire picks his head up, he had looked like he was sleeping of course. "Yes Gwen she said she'd write everything down once she'd done with the children and give you the official copies, while keeping a set for the library." {Thank you Cheshire, a question though will another of your kind be joining us}? Cheshire ruffles his feathers uncomfortably and Alberich speaks. "Gwen, Cheshire's type are ever rarer than the hippogryph. While they are a gryphon subspecies, it has been centuries since one has been born to gryphons. They tend to be born of their own at this point, and I believe worldwide there is about a total of ten. They don't tend to get along with each other either, so you can guess." I nod my head understanding, it was sad to think of though.

I turn my head to Atsuko, {you will be the second official 'healer' of the city as there is a need for some of your skills and you and Gilorndir can discuss that when we are all at our home. Now we need to decide on a city name}.

Starburst rumbles a statement, "I think you should be naming it Gwen as you had the idea to start the city to begin with. Let us at least give you one honor in the city." Everyone agrees with him as so I think a moment, {alright how about Hope Point? As the city will be on a bay and the city is hope for our futures}. Calliope gives me an evil look and Jake comments, "I think that is a perfect name Hunter Gwen; thank you. I think the other minor details can be worked out as we need them as these seem to be the main ones." Everyone nods their heads but I speak up. {Moment, we do have one more thing that should be addressed. Jake, we will need someone as a voice of the council to make announcements and to address visiting delegations if/when they show up in the city. I think you should be that person as you are a good leader, it would be an official government position. Aside from the guards the only one in the city, though it would have one downside. You would have to also be in charge of handling the tax system. I hold up a hand, be aware anyone wanting to offset their taxes have to petition the council before hand. The council will decide if they have a valid baring and for how long no taxes would be paid.

Also, the guards would be expected to have their quartermaster double check over your records once a year. This way everything is legit and no one is cheated, and we can prevent greed. I would like to vendor to have our city not be bound by greed}. Alberich chuckles in my head at my comment about greed, Jake bows his head. "Thank you, I will accept; someone needs to do this position. I am certain that my position keeps me off the council?" I respond, {yes. However, you will have to attend any session to announce anything that is pertinent to the people. I am sure you have no issues with that idea?}

He nods his head, "yes; and I thank you for the honor Hunter Gwen. Now I think we need to leave you to rest Hunter, I'd not like to have your elf healer go after me for not letting you rest properly." Gilorndir speaks as he walks into the tent, "good because I was going to shoo all of you out after I checked on your bound woman here." Gilorndir walks over to Calliope, Shadow placing a hand on her shoulder before she could move. He looks her over and places a hand on her belly and after a moment he turns to me with one eye open. "I received an odd message from a female hippogryph saying she wanted to be guardian of the new Hunter seeing as how her mate vanished." Alberich holds me down before I could stand, {the dead one?} Gilorndir nods his head then nods at Calliope, "this little man will be another Hunter. I believe she was referring to him, she will meet with everyone when we arrive in the city." He turns to Harriet who hadn't left the tent with the others, "what shall you name your grandson M'lady?" Harriet blushes before responding, I see Calliope's eyes roll. "Based on what Gwen has said I think we'll name him Gwain, as he was the one famous for killing Dragons anyway." Starburst chuckles in amusement over the name. Gilorndir looks back at me again, "I imagine Gwain is one of those who is born one by random chance. I will inform his guardian of his name, and that she will be able to be present for his birth; which is rare you know." He walks over and hugs Harriet before she leaves the tent and then comes over to look me over as Shadow escorts Calliope out the tent.

"I expected more stress from you seeing as how that idiot girl will spread the information about Hunters to everyone." I shrug my shoulders, {not much I can do about it. While she is a vile evil person, her being forced to be watched till after she gives birth will be punishment enough for her misdeeds. She is what was wrong with the Old World, I don't wish for it to exist in the current World.} He sits back, "a noble sentiment; from a noble woman. Ecthelon might wind up liking you, he's the arms master that is coming to the city. He can be rough around the edges Hunter Gwen, but he is good at what he does." I nod my head and he leaves satisfied that I appear to be healing properly and before I knew it I fell asleep danged healer gave me something to make me sleep.