"Vulpis may be our Dean in fact," Talus says. "But we'll need a proxy to take his place in town council meetings or to appear in public. I doubt very much a talking silver fox will get quite the reaction we're hoping for."
Tomas looks a bit surprised at the suggestion that he should sit on the town council. "I am happy to provide the leadership for our hospital. I am a might concerned, as are we all, that if I sit on the town council, the meetings are unlikely to go well. On the other hand, none of the mundane assistants are yet of sufficient skill to serve in the leadership role." (OOC: The nurse may be better equiped than I think. Henri is no where near up to it.)
"Oh, my, no," says Talus. "I wasn't suggesting that we put you on the town council, Tomas. The whole point is to get the magi off the town council. When I said that we should have the administrator of the hospital on the town council, I was suggesting that we name a mundane administrator - if in name only - who could represent the interests of the hospital. Perhaps I should have said that more clearly."
"That works for me. "
I agree. The covenant is already almost build, at least all of its major building. Perhaps Penko's skill will be better used in town. The same for Madaleen; she is quite skilled, however she does not speak italian. She should learn it before she becomes a guild dean. Personally, I think we should refrain from assigning deans for the scribes, hospital and collegium ans instread send our autocrat, when we hire such an individual, to represent us in the town council. That way, we will not be seen as stacking the town council; we will have three votes out of seven, enough to defend our interests if we insists that important matters, be be decided unanimously. It will hopefully shield us from charges of interfering with mundanes. Also, it will be probably easier for the count to leave us be if we only have marginal control of the town.
I disagree. We should keep people whom we trust in the payroll of the covenant. But you are right. Garcin has been unofficially leader of the turb for some time now, and it should be made official, and he shall get all the benefits that goes with the position.
OOC: So to summarize
Yes, town council of six, three elected by townspeople, three by us. Mayor will be selected from the councilors (i.e. first among equals). Unofficially agree for the mayor to be a representative of the count.
OK
Hagar Quim + blue grotto + a few more places to be determined
We will undertake the investigation. We ask for one year to complete it.
Also, I think we should refer ourselve as a collegium :
Quote from wikipedia: Collegia could function as guilds, social clubs, or burial societies; in practice, in ancient Rome, they sometimes became organized bodies of local businessmen and even criminals, who ran the mercantile/criminal activities in a given urban region, or rione. The organization of a collegium was often modeled on that of civic governing bodies, the Senate of Rome being the epitome. The meeting hall was often known as the curia, the same term as that applied to that of the Roman Senate.
If I follow the plan so far, the town council will be comprised of Penko as head of the mason's guild, Madaleen as head of the weavers guild, an appointee by Henry, and three selected by the Collegium, and Henri's appointee will be elected as the first Mayor. Terms of appointment are undefined, presumably set by those appointing various representatives.
Carlos is able to tentatively offer Haggar Qim and the blue grotto for selective use of some form in exchange for proof that Al Faquesh is engaging in the trade of Christian slaves. Selective use means there may be other rights to the area that might still be given to someone else- for example you might have use of the standing structures, right to capture crabs, rights for use of the docks in the caves, rights to collect driftwood, etc. (I'm guessing the driftwood would be of the least interest)
I think the most important thing about Hagar Qim will be the right to set up a lab (i.e a field camp, or an excavation, or anything that can cover a lab) due to the aspected aura. We could always come invisibly in the middle of the night, lift a boulder, tunnel under and reset the boulder, moving back and forth via AC, but really it would be easier to have permission to build.
I'm not sure if we'd want to use the existing structure; as we well know it's not secure!
I think you have the essentials of the deal set forth properly.
Carlos puts away his papers and shakes everyone's hands before leaving. A couple of days later he drops by to inform you that the Count has agreed to the proposal, and the new mayor should be arriving midsummer, or perhaps in the fall.
Shortly after Carlo leaves there is a knock at the door of the meeting chamber. Standing outside is a handsome man in travelling clothes wearing a Mercere red cap.
"I hope I'm not interrupting," he says to the gathered magi. "Someone outside said you were in a meeting, but with the departure of that fellow who looked like an envoy it seemed like you might be free."
"We are, please enter. Welcome to Domus Aureus. You bring good news, I hope ?"
"Thank you," the man says as he enters the room. "My name is Benedict ex Mercere. I have a few letters for a caravan covenant that were languishing at Harco for lack of anyone knowing where they were. I spent a while following the trail of the caravan until it ended here. I must confess that I expected to find the caravan in Malta, not another covenant. I hadn't been aware there was a covenant on the island. Has the caravan passed this way? And do you have any letters to go out?"
"Alas," answers Tartessos. "The caravan travels no more. Jarcovius met with mishap and the few remaining magi keep vigil for his return. While we are at it, we have made ourselves comfortable in this place. We are not a covenant, per se, but are fast growing into one. Perhaps we can regularize our status at Tribunal sometime in the next few years.
Do you now our colleague, David? He is of your house and is currently travelling on business."
"I've heard the name before," Benedict replies when told about David. "Though our paths haven't crossed yet." He shakes his head. "I'm sorry to see that the caravan is done. I apprenticed in a caravan covenant and was looking forward to seeing how this one was run." The Redcap shrugs. "But what's done is done. May I stay a few days to see what you've built here? If it's not a recognized covenant, it's nearly as organized as one. I'll be happy to see what you have and give testimony when it comes time to petition for recognition, if you like."
"Yes that would be appreciated. We don't have much yet in terms of accomodations; many of the furnitures we have are leftovers from the caravan or are of simple craft that were purchased here in Malta. However, as you apprenticed in a caravan yourself, you must be used to a spartan setting." The magus get up and pushes his chair under the council table.
"Fortunately, the food is exeptionnal ! Patrice, the covenant chef, honed her skills as we visited many places in Europe and beyond, and she never cease to amaze us. No meal is ever the same as the previous ones, but they are always equally delicious." When the Bonisagus reaches the newcomer, he extends his hands :
"I am Antonius Ex Bonisagus Filius Carolus Ex Bonisagus. Do you have any letters for me ?"
OOC: With Talus there, you have as much furniture as you have wood to make it.
Benedict takes Antonius' hand. "I look forward to my first meal here, then," he replies. Then he thinks for a moment and adds, "I believe there is one for you. It looks fairly old, I'm afraid. It might have been waiting a while for delivery."
" Terra of House Merinita. I suppose you probably don't have my letters. I didn't really tell Mercere I was moving. I do have a letter to send though. I suppose its traditional to wait a bit to give it to you." Terra wanted to detail the results of her ill-fated blood sacrifice. Not much of a break through, but hopefully no one would repeat the mistake and it would keep diabolists from disguising some rituals as Faerie. "I hope nothing was delivered to my old address."
"Ah really ? Nobody ever write me anymore... That's strange. I wonder who it could be.... If you have it with you, I would be more than happy to relieve you of its weight.", says Antonius, puzzled.
"No letters for a Terra of Merinita, I'm afraid," Benedict replies. "Perhaps you're right and they don't know you're here."
Then he reaches for his satchel, opens it, and withdraws a folded letter. "Here you go. I'm sure the mystery of the sender will be quickly solved."
[hr][/hr]
Perhaps it's his parens wishing him a happy birthday. 
Antonius take the letter from Benedict`s hand.
"Thanks you for your perseverance. Most would have probably let this letter be forgotten under a pile of dust... If you will excuse me, I will retire to my sanctum. Feel free to come and see me later, it is the easternmost building with a dome towering above it."
The Bonisagus then heads towards the exit of the council chamber.