16334 and half way up the mountain. a lot of law and little looking.

Mike shook his head a bit and had to smile some at the banter, they might say they weren’t a pair but he was starting to see why there would be rumors about them. “Sounds like you two have known each other for some time. You wouldn’t have a problem getting into the forest. Getting a permit to be in them is just a matter of a getting someone with the right pull on your side. Truly it isn’t too hard to do. In your case, just offer to bring my brother and his family on a hike. Once he sees you know what you are doing he will get you the permit. He is the ambassador that is coming over to speak with your congress in December, and I am sure he would be delighted to have a way to get a break. I knew that Joe was in the exchange program, but didn’t know that you were going as well. Or is this related to the rumors of you pending engagement?”

Yuma shook her head. “I am not sure just how it came up, but in one of the calls about his trip the griffins got mentioned and your brother said he would like to see them. Therefore I have already been told I would be taking him on a trip to see them. I am not too sure how he will feel when he meets me, but it was felt that I was the more appropriate choice of guide, even if my age might trouble him. Joe’s family is also on the Hill, just a bit lower than mine. We grew up together, his sister is in our class and has been one of Tulip’s group since we were in the third grade. That meant we were at each other’s house a lot, as until junior high where Tulip went I did.” He was looking a bit confused. “The Hill is what the area where the wealthily live is called, it is a hill as well, the top is Government, and the older money, the newest is the lower rings. It is silly, but such rivalries seem to be unavoidable. I took the admittance test for Oxford, wanting to see what it was like, not knowing that Joe was going there next year. I do bet that it is helping the rumors, as is the fact he is pushing for me to go, for all I haven’t heard anything from them.”

Mike said. “We weren’t expecting much form the booths, but wanted to try. I know we have some that would like to come to your schools at least for a year or two. They want to know how you do the things we use magic for. That is why the exchange program was started, but then we learned of your college fairs and had to see if it would be possible to set up. We doubted that there would be more than ten that were willing to take the test, but it might get some interest in keeping the program going for more than the two years that it is set for now. Three of the four places ran out of tests and so will be bring double the amount with them next time, and your education board has asked us to set up in three more centers. It is surprising to us to find you so welcoming, you are thought to be closed to all outsiders. We knew it wasn’t quite that bad do to the contact you have with Canada, but didn’t think you would be as open as you are.”

Joe said. “A number will have taken it just to see how  they do, but a few are likely interested in it. We have been closed off, and tightly so. It was the only way we could recover after the massive crash we had. It has taken us this long to get to the point that it feels stable enough to start opening up more. It was a mess here, the years at the end of the war and just after it are full of valiance and devastation. So much of the economy at that time depended on imports that were no longer there that everything just fell apart. Things were bad as the Founders struggled to rebuild, and a lot went wrong in the first. It was. There is little about the first years any of us are proud of. There was too much bloodshed and extreme violence. Some were too eager in embracing the message of the Rebirth of the nation. Then once that was stopped there was a whole lot of rebuilding that was needed before we were stable enough to risk letting others see us. A lot of what was put out there was a sham to cover just how fractured it was.”

They had just passed the first turn and Mike looked around in surprise as the number of the hikes did indeed drop fast, yet the trail still looked good. Yuma said. “We are going to start climbing more and then just past the rest the trail is going to get rougher. It is still easy to see just more gravel then the paving stones they used on the lower portions. Now if you need a break say so, we are not in hurry I just don’t think to stop before we are at that rest.” He nodded a bit. “Joe it wasn’t all that simple. You are leaving out that the Government only coved a few cities for the first three months, and then slowly expanded. The news of it traveled faster than it did, causing a lot of the violence as the people took to the ideas, glad to have a target. It was done so they would have to fight less to establish the laws. They did come to regret a lot that was done, once they learned just what their actions had caused but that doesn’t make up for inciting the actions. They put out statements condemning the violence, but made no moves to stop it outside of the areas they held.”

Joe smiled a bit, at seen the shocked look on Mike’s face. “Sis you have scared him. I do think that some of those stories lead them to believe that we are not free to condemn our leaders when they need it. Truly there is no danger in saying what you think. The only things that are not permitted to be talked or written of is those that promote the worship of idols or the use of magic. It is fine to discuss both in the historical content, just to advocate for it in the present, but at worse it would just be a fine, but more likely not even that just penance assigned by the Church courts. No records made of it. Our leaders are elected and if three fourth of the population agree they can force an early election to be held. The ones in office are not permitted to run again, so it is in their best interest to know what people think of them.”

Mike shook his head. “It is just to hear you condom the violence, and yet. Well we are given to understand that you put those who practice other religions to death, which makes us think you are a bit to um.” He trailed off.

Yuma laughed. “Our image has us as a bunch of bloody barbarians that are quick to stone anyone that disagrees with us, but you don’t want to say that. Don’t worry we know it and realize the danger of it. That is a part of why the push for more openness is gain ground this time. We do not stone people and none are put to death lightly, but it is used without any lengthy appeals. Convicts are given one chance at getting a lower sentence, after that is done if it stand the sentence will be carried out in no more than a month. By injection, not stoning. It is a last resort, no one likes to use it, but some crimes make it the only fitting response. Only to crimes warrant it, which would be murder and causing lasting harm to a child. That is sexual abuse or permanent maiming. More likely is a life sentence, but it will be a very short life. Things tend to happen to child abusers. Most of the others that are in the long term prisons are there for murder and have no problems committing another one. Our system is likely going to be found to be harsh as we do have mandatory sentences, but there is room in those so they can be adjust to so existent. Still there are times when it seems like it is to much, but all are taught about the criminal code and the fact that the sentences are there for those that brake it. They are not there in the juvenile system, of course, nor are any records kept of those hearings. Childhood problems shouldn’t be allowed to ruin your life. Everything is done to see they won’t. However there are times that the crime is just to severe and it must be moved to the adult system. Sorry my family is the Justice branch, so I received a lot more on this then most would and simple questions tend to bring long answers. This is the stop so take a bit to look around and fill your canteen if you need to. The next place fit to fill them at is at the top. The others after this tend to be broken, or dirty.” Yuma left them to look around as she went over to the restrooms.

Mike shook his head a bit as he looked around, amazed at the sight. “I am surprised that you even have water here. We would have used spells in a location this remote. So um, magic users aren’t put to death? I have wanted to ask just how it was handled but feared it would worry people if I did. I wasn’t sure just what was safe to ask.”

Joe looked in the direction that Yuma had went then said. “I can see why, there is a lot of fear about even talking of it. No one wants to encourage any to look at it. It is a complicated issue and it wasn’t easy for the Legislators to agree on anything. In the end some think that what they found is worse than death, others think it too little but most find it fitting. Those convicted of practicing magic will be exiled, the only contact they can have with any here is over monitored channels, and citizens are urged to make that very limited. Now then it isn’t as harsh as it could be, the government has treaties with Mexico and Canada, the convicted are relocated there with the contents of their bank accounts and personal items. The government, ours, pays for three months rent on the apartment as well. It is not a lot, but it is better than nothing. Those moving on their own, with no conviction or those practicing a forbidding religion are given four months’ rent and are not banned, that is they are welcome to visit and all ways of communication are open. Those leaving on their own even retain their citizenship as long as they vote in the elections and are here four months out of the year. They don’t like to exile anyone so the information on moving is given out starting your last year of high school. The first few times a person is caught they are told that they should look into the relocation options before they get arrested. It isn’t easy, but at least there are options.” That is if you are not in a government family. If they found out what Yuma could do she would be sent to school and trained as a finder. It was just a price of her name, and another reason he wanted to get her to leave.