"A gentler government was tried, once, not that long ago. It sort of fizzled out without really taking off, though." He shrugged. "The people here are not of a type to really like being governed. There are too many differences, perhaps, or simply a matter of it not really being in anyone's blood. In the records I've been through, the land within the barrier hasn't really had a functional government in centuries. I won't say they've gotten on 'just fine' without one, but they've learned to manage, and have become fiercely proud of their independence." He tilted a wry smile at his petite friend. "And no few of us Outlanders feel the same. I've toppled governments and I've helped enthrone new ones... but I've never really been one for acknowledging that they have any authority over me, and I'd rather not start now."
His smile grew, as did his amusement, as she took on a regal quality, whether she realized what she was doing or not. "'Us'?" he repeated, bemused. "'We?' Your enthusiasm is gratifying, Melinoe, though if you wish to hire my Guild to help you with your map we should discuss what you can offer in trade." His chuckle was good-natured, but the smiling man was a bard, not a rug, and he sat in his Hall with a silver brow arched in curiosity. Drawing her a map could be done easily enough; Sam and Amalia between them, who had lived here all their lives, could probably scribe a fairly accurate map, augmented by his own explorations and those of Caiside, too. But they kept such knowledge largely in their heads, as did most of those who had lived there long enough. It wasn't as though the Settlement was that large, not compared to cities he had known back on his world.
"Don't make Zariah's mistake," he warned her quietly, some of his humor fading. "Who would a map benefit? What purpose would it serve to those who have lived here all their lives, and already have that knowledge in their heads?"
He sat back, and Isuma raised her head solemnly, wriggling as the rhythmic patting grew uncomfortable. She hopped down to the floor and scampered over to a basket with a pillow on it, near the hearth, curling up to watch the humans with wide golden eyes as she made herself at home in her little nest.
"Mmm. The answer to that question is a more complicated one," he admitted with a smile. "Three...no, four groups were required for that to happen, and several deaths. One of which was only... temporary," he said with a slight chuckle for the cheerful demigod.
His smile grew, as did his amusement, as she took on a regal quality, whether she realized what she was doing or not. "'Us'?" he repeated, bemused. "'We?' Your enthusiasm is gratifying, Melinoe, though if you wish to hire my Guild to help you with your map we should discuss what you can offer in trade." His chuckle was good-natured, but the smiling man was a bard, not a rug, and he sat in his Hall with a silver brow arched in curiosity. Drawing her a map could be done easily enough; Sam and Amalia between them, who had lived here all their lives, could probably scribe a fairly accurate map, augmented by his own explorations and those of Caiside, too. But they kept such knowledge largely in their heads, as did most of those who had lived there long enough. It wasn't as though the Settlement was that large, not compared to cities he had known back on his world.
"Don't make Zariah's mistake," he warned her quietly, some of his humor fading. "Who would a map benefit? What purpose would it serve to those who have lived here all their lives, and already have that knowledge in their heads?"
He sat back, and Isuma raised her head solemnly, wriggling as the rhythmic patting grew uncomfortable. She hopped down to the floor and scampered over to a basket with a pillow on it, near the hearth, curling up to watch the humans with wide golden eyes as she made herself at home in her little nest.
"Mmm. The answer to that question is a more complicated one," he admitted with a smile. "Three...no, four groups were required for that to happen, and several deaths. One of which was only... temporary," he said with a slight chuckle for the cheerful demigod.
