The primary king of a city is usually considered to be the legal owner of its lands, forming a circle around the central city temple or palace (which is almost always at the centre of a city). In the case of the city of Ebih as with most cities, this honor falls on to the king, and in some cases the emperor Zu-Kalam. Owners or renters of property within the city are technically tenants of this entity, but a god's temple (or in this case the emperor and his government) rarely disturb tenancy or ask for rent, instead relying on services, goods, and compliance with city law as payment.
One of the services which the 'true' owner of a city asks of his people is that those who own land provide a certain ammount of men for service in the army, as well as dues to keep it running. Each neighborhood (or small village) is required to provide both a bowman and a pikeman and furnish them with supplies for whatever campaign they are called for, and some areas are even required to produce a horse and an able rider capable of mounted combat.
A single man was only bound to serve in the military for six years, but each local area is required to produce these militiamen annually. Often, these services are performed by Ardu, but Amelu are required as part of their civil service to serve in times of war. Recently, claims of exemption produced by doctors, priests or judges have been a serious bone of contention between the Ardu and the Amelu in the higher law courts of the city of Ebih, and such cases are known to go as high as the seventh court of law or even in front of the king of the city. Religious officials and shepherds in charge of flocks are exempt from service in the military by necessity, unless they volunteer otherwise
When communities declare themselves beholden to a temple or institution of their own division (which is their legal right) they are no longer required to pay any dues or render any services to the city itself. However, these communities are then responsible for maintaining canals, bridges, quays, and roads, as well as for defending themselves and their property. This is the case more often than not, but occupants of these settlements lose any estate granted by the king in the form of a house, garden, field, stock or regular salary. They are however exempt from any personal service or government errand, which they would otherwise be forced by harsh penalties to accomplish.
