Chapter Four

I am alone when I wake the next morning, though the bed is still warm. I remember dreaming, I need to talk to the others as they were in my dream. Getting off the bed I use the chamber pot, wash up then put on the drawers and chemise I laid on the bed the night before. I am looking in the wardrobe when Emi knocks on the door, "Enter," as I take out pair of loose trousers and a loose sleeved blouse. Oh, I need stocking, too.

"Good morning, Rufina," Emi greets me, "did you sleep well?"

"I most certainly did, with a most interesting dream just before waking."

"Benten?" she asks.

"Yes, Benten." I reply.

"I see you are ready to ride today." noting that Emi is wearing trousers and a blouse, near identical to the ones I selected. I am now sitting on the bed putting my stocking on. Standing I slip on the blouse, connecting the frogs, then step into the trousers. These are modified men's pants with a two columns of frogs, one on either side of center, securing a flap in the front but only one set is able to be undone. Securing the frogs tightens the waist so they stay up but I garb a belt anyway. Two is one, one is none, right. If a frog fails I don't want to lose my pants. I then slip on my slippers and pick up my boots.

While I was dressing Emi has been emptying basins, filling water pitchers, emptying the chamber pot and collecting dirty clothes. She is ready to go at the same time I am, so down to breakfast and a chat with Tilly.

When we arrive at the kitchen, Tilly is making ham sandwiches. As I see what she is doing, I suggest some prepared mustard if she has it. She does. "Interesting dream last night wasn't it?" I comment.

"Yes it was." they both reply.

"Have you had breakfast yet, Tilly?" I ask her. She replies that she and Emi haven't eaten yet, they usually eat at the same time I do. I suggest she fry three eggs while I toast the bread. I get the loaf of bread from the bread box and slice three slices about finger thick. I then realize I don't know how to make toast in the here and now. "Is there a trick to making toast, Tilly?"

She smiles, "Yes, there is, can you flip an egg? If so I'll trade you jobs." Handing me the spatula she picks up the bread and sticks a two tined stick in though the crust, then holds it over the fire ala marshmallow. I turn to the pan, noting that the edges of the egg is getting crisp and browning, so I flip the egg. There is enough fat in the pan that it doesn't stick. I remove the pan from the heat as I judge it is getting too hot. While frying the egg I remember a gadget I once saw to make toast on a campfire, a wire mesh tent that the bread was leaned on with a few coals under the tent. The egg is nearly done, "How's the toast coming?" I ask Tilly. "This egg is done." She places the toast on a plate, holding it while I place the egg on the toast.

"Here Emi, have some breakfast." she takes the plate, sits at the table and starts eating.

I cracked open another egg, placing it in the pan. Cooking over open flame is quicker than on a electric range, "Flipping the egg, how's the toast coming?"

"Should be done when the egg is," replies Tilly.

Emi had sliced some apples and made a pot of tea. Tilly and I soon joined her at the small table eating our toast and egg, sipping our tea. I tell Tilly that I want the maids to close the new section of the palace today. Because Emi would be with me, she would be in charge of the house. We then talked of Benten, wondering when he would turn up. We cleared the the table when we finish then we help Tilly finish our luncheon, which is placed in pair of cloth bags.

As Tilly is tying the draw strings on the bag, Aden and Kalvin arrive, coming from the third floor guard barracks. Aden goes to his office to pick up materials to take notes with. Kalvin greets us with a gruff, "Your majesty, ladies." I don't think he is a morning person.

"Good morning Kalvin. Are the horses prepared?"

"Four horses are waiting, your majesty."

"Have a good day, Tilly. We should be back before 1500."

"Thank you, your majesty, I'll see you then."

Aden is waiting at the vestibule so the four of us exit together. Aden assists Emi to mount while Kalvin assists me, then they mount. Kalvin leads as we head to where we are to meet Lian, with Aden trailing. Emi has the bags slung off the back of her saddle, one on each side. Arriving at the town hall, we find a horse saddled and tied near the door.

Kalvin goes up and knocks on the door, which is opened a few seconds later by Lian. "Minister Lian, the Queen has arrived."

"Your majesty."

"Good morning, Lian. Are you ready?"

"Yes, your majesty," he then mounts and we are off.

I spend the morning talking to farmers asking if they were able to grow enough food for their families, the characteristics of the soil and what exactly did they grow. I had to remind Lian to take notes a few times as he appeared distracted. Once I saw him go over to Aden and ask him something. Shortly after I caught Lian staring at me with a worried look on his face. I returned the stare with one of confusion which made him look at the notes he had been writing.

I motioned Emi over and whispered to her to keep an eye on Lian, to watch how he acts. I asked her to find out what Lian had talked to Aden about, unobtrusively.

As we were inspecting the fields, I noticed a group of farmers harvesting a stand of grain. There were a dozen people working with sickles, cutting the grain, another group tying the cut grain into sheaves then stacking them. I asked Lian why they weren't using scythes to cut the grain?

He replied that it was more efficient to cut with sickles as scythes scattered the stocks making it harder to gather into clean sheaves. When he said that it reminded me of teaching farmers in India to use a cradle equipped scythe to cut their grain. I was trying to remember the basic design of the cradle as we moved to another area of the farm. I remember there is a rod that is above the blade of the scythe to guide the stocks to the cradle and the motion of the scythe is straighter than when cutting hay. I also remembered that one man could cut four to six times the grain of a single man with a sickle could. I will need to see about get some made soon.

I speak to a few more farmers, their wives and some of the older children, asking about what they grew in their plots by their home. I also examined some of their homes, noting the flax in various stages of processing being stored there. I asked the wives how much cloth they were able to make in year, its quality and if what they made was enough. When I asked who did the weaving they said there were a number of weavers in town who did it for shares of the spun yard. I also asked about their diets, if they ever went hungry, how often they ate meat and what kinds and how they preserved it.

I examine a few bee hives from a distance, not wanting to get stung. I ask the farmer who's hive they are how much honey they will produce and how many times it swarms. He says it will produce about five pounds of honey and he didn't know what a swarm was. I will have to get some hives made as soon as possible, five pounds of honey is not much, when I kept bees on earth I could get twenty pounds while leaving the bees enough to over winter, plus a new hive from a swarm.

As it approached 1000, we came to the flour mill, a smallish stone building with a undershot waterwheel. The mill was closed up, as harvest was approaching, grain to be milled was in short supply. Aden informed me that the mill could produce enough flour a day to make the bread for the town for two days, so the mill only ran half a day. After harvest it would run all day for a week to produce a small stockpile of different flours.

We found a shady tree to have lunch under. As Emi handed out the napkin wrapped sandwiches, Aden, Kalvin and Lian stared at theirs in confusion, until I unwrap mine and take a big bite. They got the idea then, soon having crumbs on their laps. Emi broke out the jug of tea and the cups, then passed out the apples.

When I was finished with my meal I stood, brushing crumbs off myself then wandered down to the river. The waters edge is inaccessible due to rushes and other brush, so I head toward the mill. The upriver side of the mill has a built up path going to the raceway which is bridged with a grill guarding the entrance. There is a large wheel connected to the gate that controls the amount of water going to the waterwheel. At the wheel I turn and look upstream. My view of the river doesn't go very far as the river bends about 100 yards upstream.

Not going to be able to build a overshoot wheel at this location. Turning back around, looking at the waterwheel, I see the raceway drops about 2 yards to the bottom of the wheel, good, a breast shot wheel is possible. If not, at very least the wheel could be rebuilt with curved blades.

As I contemplate the waterwheel, Emi arrives. saying that every one has finished their meal and are ready to move on. I softly ask if she was able to talk to Aden again. She had, Lian had asked if the rumors were true, that you had stopped drinking. Aden had confirmed that you had. I thank her and we head toward the horses. I called to Kalvin, "Kalvin, would you please find several of the serfs that hunt, I would like them to lead us through the forest." He mounts and goes to find some hunters.

Kalvin returns, leading three men, hunters I assume. "Your majesty, these men are the hunters you ask for."

"Good afternoon, gentlemen. I would like you to guide me though the forest," I tell them. They lead us to southeast, going along the river. The trees in this area have been coppiced and pollard, I'm assuming for firewood, the ground's bare of brush, though there is plentiful low plant life. I can see signs of hogs rooting here and there, the ground being dug up.

As we head inland, I ask, "What types of animals do you hunt?" They hunt mostly rabbits and sometimes deer, there are wild boars on the island too but these the hunters leave alone for fear of injury. They take a occasional fox or wolf, which are the main predators, "Though," Kalvin overhears and quips, "they are smaller and weaker than the mainland variety."

Finally arriving at the wild forest, I ask them to show me any plants that bear fruit or nuts, they immediately head off the beaten path. Following them we quickly come across a wild chestnut tree. Apparently, the ones near Haven are scavenged regularly as one way the serfs use to boost their own nutrition, but they grow wild over the whole island.

I could have a chestnut plantation set up, though it would take years to reach maturity, it would still be a good investment. Any thing to insure the food supply, the more diverse the better. Substance farming is too dependant on good weather, a rain storm at the wrong time and people starve. While touring the farms, I noticed a lack of root cellars, were they a late medieval development? I'll have to ask Tobias or Aden. Food storage is important for survival.

The hunters point out to a few plants, most of which I do not recognize and the hunters do not think have any value. I see no berry bushes near the waterways, I was hoping to find raspberries or the like. Finally one of them points out a plant I recognize, Alkanet, a low growing plant with blue flowers No one but me seems to understand their importance beyond being pretty. Thankfully, that class I had taken on the history of dyes and textiles is finally paying off, the roots of Alkanet produces a red, purple or blue dye, depending on the ph of the liquid it is in.

They grow much faster, unlike the chestnuts and once processed the dye they produce should bring a good price in the market. I have them dig up a few plants to take home, if I can get them to grow I may have a good cash crop. I have Aden note where they are growing, in what type of soil and the light conditions. These will need to be the same for them to thrive.

I identify some of the trees growing, mostly deciduous trees, Ash, Oak, Chestnut, Beech, Walnut, Sycamore maple and Norway maple, mostly European verities. I ask if there are evergreen trees growing on the island. I am told there are, they are higher up on the mountains. Not finding anything else worth noting we bid the hunters goodbye and set out for the coast.

Entering a small inlet, I notice the white crystals in pockets on the stones in the tidal zone. Salt.

In medieval europe Salt was highly valued, not that it was hard come by but that it was in high demand. Salt is used to preserve food and leather. On the coasts it was easily available but inland was a different story. And governments taxed it to the max. So between transportation costs, taxes and profit, salt was more expensive the farther you went inland.

"Aden, do we import salt?"

"Yes, your majesty. There are small amounts processed from the sea but most is shipped in and it is expensive, three silver a bushel."

"Very good, if we can't sell it we can use it ourselves." He gives me a look like he doesn't have a clue. I walk along the high tide line, examining the ground. It is not too stony, mostly sand. The slope is not bad, taking 20 feet to raise 1 foot until about 70 feet from the tide line where it doubles. There is about half a mile of shore like this. I can uses this. "Lian, I need a work crew, maybe five men with mattocks, shovels, baskets and buckets."

"What will they to be doing, Your Majesty?"

"Digging, hauling soil, what else does one do with digging equipment? I want some shallow ponds dug here."

"To what propose, your majesty?"

"The production of salt."

"With the harvest to start shortly, I don't think we can spare the men at the moment, your majesty. Perhaps when the harvest and fall planting is finished."

Oh, he is up to his tricks is he. But on second thought, harvest is coming and all the workers will be busy. "Harvest is yet a week away, five men can be put to work until then." All the ponds needn't be dug at once, if one or two get done before harvest calls the worker away, some salt can be made.

"As you wish your majesty." I give him a stare, I don't trust him.

I am unsure how to implement some of the options, or where but they can be done. Plans need to be made.

The afternoon has flown, supper time is drawing near as we head back to town to leave Lian at his front door. As we ride toward the palace, "Aden, Kalvin would you join me for supper?" . There are questions I wish to ask and information to pass to them so I figure supper time is a good time to do it.

"Thank you, your majesty." "With pleasure, your majesty." they reply. Kalvin helps me dismount, while Aden assists Emi, then they lead the horses to the stables. Emi holds the door for me as we enter. When the door has closed behind us I ask Emi, "Should I tell Kalvin about myself?"

She pauses for the moment then replies, "As he is with you any time you leave the palace, you should tell him." As she is saying this we have crossed the atrium and entered the kitchen.

"We are home Tilly." I say to the room in general. "How have things gone today?"

"Welcome back, your majesty, Emi. The maids have started closing up the new section of the house per you command. Supper will be about another half hour or so."

"There will be two guests for supper tonight, Tilly. Aden and Kalvin will be joining us."

""Very good, your majesty."

While Tilly and I are talking Emi lays the bag containing the remains of our lunch on one of the tables then moves the items to the wash tub. "What do you want done with the plants, your majesty?" ask Emi as picks up the basket.

They need to be replanted soon. "They need to be planted but I'll not sure where to plant them, I will need to talk to Tobias about that. You can put them in the shade of the pergola for now." She goes to do that.

"Was there any headway regarding Lian?" asks Tilly.

"Yes, there was. Lian was acting strange today, like he was worried about something. I will be telling Kalvin about the poisoning after supper, when I do I wish you to be there, also."

"Yes, your majesty."

"Now I believe Emi and I need to freshen up before supper, so excuse us. Oh, is there hot water available?"

"Yes, always, your majesty." She gets a extra pitcher and fills it with hot water from the chaldron on the fire, which she hands to me as Emi hasn't returned.

As I reach the balcony Kalvin and Aden exit the vestibule, Aden goes to his office, Kalvin heading the stairs to goto his room upstairs.

When I enter my rooms, I set the pitcher on the table in the sitting room then take a candle out to light it at the head of the stairs. While I am doing that Emi comes up the stairs. "Why not fetch your clean clothes, Emi, while I prepare the water then we can scrub each others back."

"I'll be right back, your majesty."

I half fill the basin with hot water then pour in cold until then temperature is right. I sit down on the chest at the foot of the bed to remove my boots. Then standing, I remove the belt and undo the frogs on the trousers letting them drop to the floor. Stepping out of them, I sit again and remove my stockings, the pick up both trousers and stockings and drop them into the basket. The blouse soon follows. I then use the chamber pot, even clean it is stinky. There is a knock on the door as I am about done, "One moment, please." I say as I finish.

"Enter."

Emi comes in with an arm load of clothes, wearing a robe and slippers.

As I slip out of my chemise, "The water is ready. Who's first?"

"You first, your majesty. I am the servant after all." removing her robe and slippers. Taking up a cloth which she dips in the warm water then soaps it up. Starting on my shoulders she scrubs my back, then wets another cloth and wipes the soap off. She hands me the soapy cloth and turns her back to me. I reciprocate , going from her shoulders to just above her tail which the end of is twitching as I scrub. I rinse both cloths then hand her one after soaping it. I then soap the other and wipe my self down. I then sit on the chest to wash my feet but Emi takes the cloth and does them for me. Oh, that feels good. I then change places with Emi and give her a foot wash and massage. The tail is going again. I have the feeling that Emi is a sensual person, I hear her sigh.

We dry ourselves, dressing in clean clothes, her in her uniform and I in a blouse and skirt. "Emi, is showing skin frowned on in the here and now?"

"How do you mean?"

"Some of the cultures on Earth look down on you if you show any skin, going as far as wear a scarf and vale with a skirt to the floor,no skin except your hands showing while others are fine with the equivalent of our under garments. There are even places that allow showing your breasts at the beach, with just a patch of cloth here." I place my hand to cover my crotch.

"I not sure what the norm on the mainland is currently but the last time we were there, the women dressed much like you have the last few days, bare arms are fine, bare knees are too. Just a hint of cleavage, no bare shoulders."

"So, if I went down stairs with my skirt this high and no stocking I would not be thought a woman of loose morals?" I had brought my skirt about a hand width above the knee.

"No, that would be fine."

I look though my stockings but could not find any anklets so decided to just wear my slippers without stocking. I left the skirt at its normal length, just below the knee.

Emi pours the basin into the chamber pot, putting a little water in the basin then rinsed the wash cloths. After dumping that water she hangs the cloths on the edge of the basin to dry.

We then go down to supper.

I look around the atrium as we exit the stairway, looking for Aden and Kalvin. They are both sitting at the dinning room table waiting for me. "Gentlemen," I greet them. Aden immediately stands and pulls out my chair for me. After we seat yourselves, Emi and Tilly appear with food, slices of meat pie, slices of bread and tea. The pie is mutton with carrots and turnip in rich gravy, yum.

When we have almost finished eating I turn to Kalvin, "Kalvin, did you notice any thing different about me today?"

"You seem be happier than you have been, kinder to the serfs and more polite to everyone but Lian."

"I believe Lian deserves some rudeness. Have you heard that I have be ill?"

"Yes, your majesty. And I am glad that you are feeling better."

"The reason I was ill is that I was poisoned." He stiffens. "In the afternoon, four days ago, Aden brought a bottle of wine to me which I drank. With in minutes of drinking that bottle of wine I collapsed." He grabs his knife from his belt, getting ready to lunge over the table at Aden. I shout, "HOLD, Aden was just the delivery person, Lian is the one that sent the bottle. Aden, as you know I hold you blameless in this matter, it's all on Lian."

"Kalvin, we tested the bottle, there was a herb in the wine, a poison. Nora the herbalist has confirmed it and we have her signed statement to that fact. So now we need to connect Lian to the herb some how."

"This is not the main thing I wish to tell you though. Lian succeeded in killing me. You noticed that I have changed, Aden, Emi and Tilly noticed those changes also. Though devine intervention I was resurrected. I am now a reincarnate."

"Aden is this true? Is she no longer our queen?"

"She is still the queen but is also a person named Rosa. We three can confirm that there is a god involved, we have meet them in a dream, all three of us. Rufina has died, long live Rufina."

Emi and Tilly, silent until now, tell him, "It's true, Kalvin, she is different but for the better.","She has plans, plans to improve the condition of the people of the island, she wants to teach everyone to read, write and tally, cloth them, improve the food supply. You were there when she ordered and paid for the wheelbarrow, and steamer. Those are for Tobias and Tilly. So, will you help us help her?"

"You seem a much kinder person than she was, I will help. I didn't enjoy what she had me do at times."

"The poisoning is not all Lian has been up to, apparently he as embezzled funds from the kingdom."

Turning to Aden, "Aden, I do have high justice don't I? Or is that held by someone else?"

"Yes, your majesty, you hold high justice."

"Good, we don't need to involve anyone else in this business then."

"I'm wondering if Lian is stupid enough to leave incriminating evidence laying around. I think I have enough cause to have him arrested, then search his home to look for more evidence. But who would I replace him with? Is there anyone else on the island qualified to do the job. Aden, what is the education level of the population, can most people not write their names like Nora? Or read?"

"Most of the serfs are like Nora, illiterate, some can write their name but that is the extent of it. Most of the freemen are shopkeepers and craftsmen so can read, write and tally. I'm not sure if there is anyone on the island that would be qualified to replace Lian. I'm not sure even I qualify to do Lian's job."

"From what I saw yesterday, I don't think Lian is qualified to do Lian's job. Should I arrest Lian and jail him or let him stew, wondering how I survived a whole bottle of poison? If I let him stew, he could get into some other mischief, causing danger to myself or others."

The others look at each other, Tilly nods to Emi who says,"Arrest him, he is a person that thinks others aren't as smart as he is, always looking down on people. You have seen how he treats even you, his queen."

"I agree he is a pompous buffoon. Is there really enough to arrest him?" asks Aden.

"Maybe not for the attempted murder charges but I do have evidence of maleficence in office."

"What does it total?" ask Emi.

"Over four thousand silver." come the answer from Aden.

"No wonder he can afford such a nice house." exclaims Tilly.

"So arrest him on the charge of maleficence, run a search of his house and property, gather evidence to support a attempted murder charge. Do you all agree?"

All four agree to this course of action.

"Kalvin, in the morning just before dawn, I want you to take a platoon of guards to arrest Lian. The charge is maleficence in office and thief of the property of the kingdom. You are to leave guards at his house and two at his office. Once you have him locked up, please search both, taking care not to damage any property, paying special attention to any herbs, any communications and money. If any are located call for Aden, do not remove them until he arrives."

"Aden, when you remove anything, make a receipt indicating what is remove and from where, with two witnesses. I will not have someone make accusations of manufactured evidence. For the witnesses choose two freemen of good repute."

"Very well, gentlemen, you have your orders, make them so."

They depart, Kalvin going up stairs to the barracks, Aden out though the front door.

After they leave Emi, Tilly and I discuss what was discovered today in way of new crops or income sources. A list is made.

1. chestnut plantation 2. Alkanet farm and dye production 3. Salt evaporation ponds 4. Honey production 5. increase livestock production 6. switch from a two field to a three or four field system 7. scythe cradle 8. flax production (this is a large, multipart long term project ) a. thread b. linen c. canvas d. rope e. cordage

As Emi and I discuss these, Tilly goes to the kitchen, returning with a tray that holds a teapot, some teacups and some cookies. Cookies? Sugar. What is the source of sugar here?

"All right, Cookies, flour, sugar, butter and maybe eggs. Where do you get sugar, Tilly?"

"Import it, it's quite expensive, too."

"If I remember sugar cane requires a subtropical climate so that's out. Sugar beets. They can grow in temperate to mediterranean climates. Something else to buy, bah. Anyway, Lian is going to be arrested in the morning, Aden will be in charge of searching for evidence. So I will be a home body tomorrow, sketching thing to have made."

"Your majesty, I think you should go to bed, you are rambling," Tilly says.

Looking out the door, into the atrium, I can see that it is very dark out there. "I do believe you are right, Tilly. Well, then good night, see you in the morning." As I stand, Emi does, also. Taking up a candlestick, she leads me to the stairs, letting me go first. Following behind the candle lights the steps at our feet. I pause in the clear at the top, waiting for Emi. She heads to the door of my rooms, opening it to let me in. Then she goes to my chamber where she lights a pair of candles, casting the room in light. As she mixes water for bathing, I start removing my clothes. My skirt and blouse are laid on the chest, I can wear them again tomorrow, as I only wore them a few hours this evening. My chemise and drawers join them.

Emi has also removed her skirt and blouse, having her drawers and chemise on yet. I come up behind her, sliding my hands under her chemise, caressing her stomach, kissing the nape of her neck. One hand slips into her drawers, the other caresses her breasts. I hear her sigh, "You are insatiable aren't you?"

"I enjoy sex. Don't you?"

"Oh, I do indeed. And it has been so long."

I can't help it, I yawn, long and hard.

"But it appears you are very tired so let's just wash up then I'll put you to bed." She steps back, lifting her chemise over her head. Laying it with the rest of her clothes, she then asks me to undo the frog on her drawers. Doing that for her, then sliding them down, I rub her bottom. The tip of her tail twitches. Handing me a wet soapy cloth I scrub, rinse then dry her. Then she washes me. After drying each other off, she lays me on the bed, then cuddles next to me, holding me tight.

My eyes are heavy as I say, "We should sleep in, it's been a busy couple of days." I barely get those words out before I fall asleep.