"Oh yeah," Cithis said as if she'd forgotten that she was expected to say something. "Theiose is refusing to become the father of Heroise's children. Heroise feels that we need to increase the population here as fast as possible. While everyone agrees about that point, not enough agreed to solve this problem. So, we put it on hold until you got here."
Jenn couldn't help but let out another sigh. While she respected that this probably wasn't an easy subject for them to deal with, for her it at least was a good place to start a precedent, as well as lay a bit of groundwork for a few ideas she'd already had that didn't deal with any of the other problems that were a little more pressing.
"I understand the need to increase our numbers, but using that as our primary means to increase how many people we have to work here is too slow," Jenn said, first addressing Heroise. "That said, I also do not feel that we should be forcing the men to bear that burden, as they would be the ones raising the children themselves. If they choose to do that on their own, then that's their choice. Otherwise, I will not support them being required to father children with anyone they don't want to father children with."
When Jenn finished speaking, the young man looked relieved and grateful as he nodded at her, while the young woman looked annoyed, but still nodded at Jenn. Both turned and left at the same time, making Jenn wonder what other problems might be sent her way in this vein. She could see at least five other groups that looked like they had disputes, disagreements, or other issues that had been set to the side for Jenn to resolve, or pass judgement on at least.
Then without her needing to say anything, the next group stepped forward. One person was a young woman that was about as old as Shirley who looked like she'd been in the sun quite a bit, which made Jenn wonder if she'd lived most of her life farming or something like that. The other person was a girl who looked like she was maybe as old as Cherie and looked like she might have spent more time indoors, since she didn't look at all like she spent much time outside.
"Kirese feels that Plionse is being too hard on the farming tools and that she can't keep up with the repairs with everything else that is going on," Cithis said, motioning to the girl as Kirese and the young woman as Plionse. "While Plionse says that the tools that she's been provided with have been cheap and low quality."
Though, as she listened for more, only to be met with silence, Jenn realized that the issue that was stated was what she had to work with on resolving this issue. Which she didn't see any good resolution to this, since they really didn't have time to really deal with this issue right then. After all, until they got more people to work with, Jenn didn't see that they'd be able to really improve the quality of whatever tools they were able to get in the first place.
"I'll look at this later," Jenn said, not sure how else to phrase it. "I'll need to look at the tools as well as where they're being used. Otherwise I doubt I'll be able to make any decision that's help anyone."
Or any decision about what I should be making it about, Jenn added silently. She wasn't sure if this was what she should expect, but she also had a feeling that this was only going to be the beginning of problems she was going to have to mediate between down the road.
As the girl and young woman left, Jenn had the distinct feeling that they weren't happy to not have the issue resolved, but she was pretty sure that neither would be completely happy unless Jenn sided with them. Although, she was at least happy that both left without any further complaint.
The only problem being it already added to what she needed to take care of later on.
The other problems weren't any more difficult for Jenn, but they certain weren't any less tedious. The only positive that Jenn could think of about it was that there seemed to only be five different issues. A few of them seemed to have multiple people with the same complain, though against different people. Jenn wasn't sure if this was something she should expect later on, but she also had a feeling that she might need to figure out something to get these things handled in a more efficient manner, including a way that she didn't need to be involved herself in most of them.
"So, what's next?" Jenn asked as the last of those who needed her to resolve a conflict left while she rubbed her temples to try to soothe a headache from all those problems.
"We need to give you our report of what we were able to accomplish while you were gone," a woman with steel grey hair said. Just was pretty sure that her name was Zirisia, although she wondered if she should ask them to remind her of what their names were.
The only problem with that was the fact that she hadn't had good experiences in the past when she'd mentioned that. She had a feeling it wouldn't be quite the same here, but she didn't think it would set things off to a good start, regardless. Not to mention the fact that it might affect the morale of the people at the meeting.
So, Jenn just nodded, not sure what else to do. Though, she wondered if maybe they should sit on the floor rather than just stand around. Although, she wasn't sure what was acceptable behavior here. She had a feeling that she could set whatever precedent she wanted, but at the same time, worried that it might not come across in a positive way.
"Why don't you start then," Jenn said to Zirisia.
Zirisia looked like she was startled, as if she didn't expect to go first, but she quickly gathered herself, swallowed, and nodded. "We're still looking for a decent source of metal we can use to try and make adequate tools, but we haven't been able to locate anything quite yet. We don't know if any of the mountains in this area even contain any metals, but we're still searching."
Jenn waited for Zirisia to say more, but after a minute, she realized that the woman had finished all that she'd had to say. Though, since Jenn hadn't a clue as to what to expect, she couldn't really say that she was surprised, just that she had expected there to be more to the report. Yet, she didn't see a reason to say anything about it. As it wasn't like she really knew what she was doing herself.
Jenn then shifted her eyes to Polelin. The only other person whose name she was certain she could remember. The others were a little foggy for her at the moment. She was at least certain that she'd been told their names during their first 'meeting' after she'd saved them from being slaves, but even without the Lost messing up her memory a little, it had been about a month ago.
"Polelin, would you like to give your report next?"
Polelin nodded and he began to speak.
Overall, as the others gave their reports, Jenn got a general sense of what was being done. The buildings had been thrown together so everyone could have shelter in the event of rain, though when they had the bare minimum of the rickety houses before they started to try and build the houses a little more sturdily. Not to mention a storehouse for the food they did currently have. Although, they were still trying to find a good source of hardwood lumber to work with.
Most of the farming tools they had were rather old or flimsy at best, so they were also working on trying to solve that issue, but at the moment, they were more worried about if they food they'd planted would reach the point they could harvest it before the season in this world turned to winter. Which Jenn could completely understand.
The groups that had gone out hunting had found a few animals, but hadn't been able to get close enough just yet to get anything substantial. Which Jenn could only take to mean that they couldn't count on any food through that method.
There were also worries about being able to create a thriving population, which had created the problem that Jenn had had to give a ruling on earlier. Which a few of the people in front of Jenn right then were expressing their concern about.
However, Jenn was adamant about what she had said. She didn't see any reason to go into detail about it, but assured them that she had ideas to help deal with that same issue without changing what she'd already decided.
Lastly, there were concerns about how the settlement was going to function. As many were speculating that they were still slaves and that Jenn was just merely their new owner. While others expressed their skepticism about that point.
Jenn felt like there might have been a few subjects that had been broached that she couldn't quite remember, but she didn't let it get to her. She was confident that they'd come up again if they were really that important. Besides, she had a feeling these people would be a little forgiving of any lapses she might have as she worked at learning the ropes of this place. Or at least as long as those lapses didn't lead to anything really serious.
"Is there anything else?" Jenn asked, hoping they'd say 'no.' Then after a minute of silence, Jenn decided to take that to mean 'no.' "Okay, so a few things I want to make clear. One, none of you are slaves. Anyone is free to leave whenever they want, but their lives will be in their hands at that point. Second, once we're able to get things settled enough, I'd like to try to work at creating a currency so we can start making it clear to everyone that they're not slaves here." Jenn paused for a moment as she thought about if she should state that there would be no slavery here or not period, but pushed that to the back of her mind as she felt there were other pressing issues to deal with. "Third, I have things I need to deal with that would require me to leave periodically. Some of which is a bit dangerous."
Jenn was surprised at the reaction that point got. She hadn't expected everyone to be so opposed to the idea of her leaving them. She supposed that she understood their worries, that she might be trying to abandon them or something, but in regards to her search for the griffin canyon, she knew she couldn't find that from staying here.
After a minute of trying to understand anything anyone said, and failing, she held up her hand, hoping they'd quiet down. When they did, Jenn couldn't help but feel a little surprised at that point. She wasn't sure if her magic had been involved with that point, but she wasn't going to push the issue. She was just glad that they'd quieted down.
"I accept you're not happy with that idea, but maybe we could have a stand-in for me," Jenn suggested. "I mean, when we bring in other people, I'd rather not have to deal with anyone trying to pull me back into being a slave. So, if you would find any girls who are about my age and can use magic, of any kind, then we can work at taking turns being in charge." Jenn paused, and when she saw some looking like they were about to complain again, she quickly added, "Or at least publicly in charge."
Jenn took a deep breath and let it out slowly. She was already getting rather tired and would like to take a nap, though she felt she should finish up the remaining points before dismissing everyone. She had a feeling that this might be the best opportunity for her to put out some of the ideas she'd had.
"Next, I want everyone to learn how to read," Jenn continued after a moment, only to receive some complaints again.
Mostly along the lines of that the only ones who should know how to read should be those who were in charge. Some were opposed in general while others seemed like they were opposed in principal. Yet, while Jenn didn't understand why it was important, she just had a feeling that it was. Otherwise it wouldn't have been an issue she'd hear every so often on the news about literacy rates. Although, a few were concerned about how that would affect the production of the various jobs that had been assigned to everyone at the moment.
"Where I'm from, "Jenn said, wanting to try and quell any complaints about this issue right away, "everyone is supposed to learn some basic things. Like reading. Now, it doesn't always work out that way, but that's what's expected." Jenn let her gaze meet each person in the eye. "That said, I'm not saying we have to stop everything until everyone is completely literate, but I'm confident that everyone will be better off if they know how to read." Jenn paused for a moment before she came up with an idea. One she hoped would solve a few other problems as well. "Kirese and Plionse will be the first two to learn to read and write, in addition to my adopted children Cithis and Haln. Plus, they are to be trained to fight, which is also part of the last point I wanted to make."
Again a roar of opposition and complaints erupted. Jenn was able to catch a few cries of possible rebellion, that she'd get killed while she slept if she did that, and even that everyone would kill each other at the slightest provocation. If she wasn't so serious about the issue, she might have found some of the claims to be rather entertaining. However, she merely found them tedious and annoying.
When the complaints began to die down, Jenn gave her reasoning. "We all know that you probably wouldn't have found your way here if I hadn't shown you the gate, right?" Jenn paused and waited until everyone gave a murmur of agreement before continuing, "Well, none of us has the power to close it. So, if anyone comes through that gate and wants to attack, we'll be defenseless if no one's trained in how to fight. That's my reason for wanting everyone to be trained in fighting as well."
Jenn could see the eyes of most of those before her that they hadn't thought of that point and were going to accept her idea, though there were a few who looked like they clearly still didn't like the idea and wouldn't agree to it. Not that she cared. She just wanted them to know what her reasoning was. As long as they wanted her in charge, then they would need to accept what she decided, even if they didn't like it.
After a moment, Jenn continued, "Anyway, as I said, that was part of my last point. I remember hearing about a mercenary guild that people could use to get jobs as mercenaries. So, I thought that we could send mercenaries out to earn money so we could purchase things that we might not be able to get so much of here. Plus, I want a part of that money to then be used to buy slaves and bring them here to increase our population."
Faces gaped at Jenn, like she'd said something that was rather appalling. She wasn't sure if what she'd said was a real problem, or really what she'd said, but she felt like she should find out what it was before finishing her idea.
"Uh… is there a problem?"
While it was clear to her that there was a problem, it also looked like no one wanted to be the one who said it. Though, Jenn felt like she should wait until someone did say it. Jenn waited and felt her legs start to complain about her just standing for so long, but eventually one of the men spoke up. He had long dark green hair and pink eyes. He said, "You're going to be buying slaves? Does that mean only those of us here now won't be slaves but anyone after will be?"
Jenn felt like she head was going to explode from the headache that was coming on. While she understood their logic, she wished that she could just get them to understand her the way she wanted them to, without all these other problems.
Sighing, she shook her head. "No, we'll be buying slaves, but when they're brought here, they'll be as free as any of us. They'll be given a place to stay and allowed to contribute to whichever occupation suits them best, but they will not be slaves. In fact, they'll also be expected to learn how to read and to fight."
Jenn felt the tension drain out of the room like a deflating balloon and felt relieved that she was able to have muddled through that point. "In addition, we can discuss anything else that we might need to put the money towards. Those are merely a few thoughts I had about why we need to have some people be mercenaries."
"What should we call ourselves?" Laer asked.
Jenn hesitated on that point. She wasn't really sure what she should say, as that hadn't been a topic that she'd even considered. Even peripherally. "Let's discuss that later, okay?" Jenn said, unable to suppress a sudden yawn. She really didn't want to deal with any more just then. Not before she had a chance to take a nap. "I'll consider that later, okay?"
"Of course, my lady," Laer said, giving her a slight bow.
Jenn wished that they wouldn't, as that merely added to her headache, but she didn't feel like pushing the matter. Especially since she doubted that she'd be able to get anything resolved about that anyway. At most she expected the to agree with her and then continue on as they had before. Which would merely be an exercise in futility.