As Daniel walks away I turn my attention to Aden. "Aden, Daniel brought up a point I was unaware of. Seasoned wood supplies."

"Yes, the wood cutters will need to cut more so there is enough to make everything."

"You'll make sure they cut enough won't you? Do you know if the trees get replanted after they are cut?"

"How much lumber is going to be needed? Do you want the trees replanted? I don't think they are now, but it can be arranged."

"I most definitely want the trees replanted. If they aren't we will soon be out of mature trees to harvest, then where will we be. Plus it's not good for the land to be without tree cover."

"Very well, I will pass it on to the tree cutters to replant after cutting a tree. Should it be the same type of tree?"

"Yes. They should plant three for every one cut down, so there is a good chance at least one survives. The island should be large enough to provide timber and firewood for the population forever if managed correctly."

"Three trees for each one removed. Seasoned lumber supply. Anything else?"

"Not right now. I need to get going, I still need to talk to Jason and Steven. See you at dinner."

"Your majesty."

After consulting with Kalvin on direction we head to Jason's workshop. When we enter, we are soon greeted by Jason's wife, "Good morning, Your majesty. Ye be speakin' to me husband again?"

"Yes, please."

She goes to the back room. Soon Jason comes out, "Good morning, your majesty. How may I help you today?"

"I have some questions about what you are capable of making. Can you make wooden screws, wheels, or gears. I have need for all of these but don't know if you can do them."

"Wooden screws are difficult but doable, depending the size and load I can make wheels. I can make pegged gears like on the mill but the fancy toothed type, no."

"I was talking to Daniel just now, he will be building some looms for me. I am thinking that you could build the frames for the looms, while he builds the heddle, the reed and other parts. Would that be agreeable with you?"

"How large are these looms? and when would we be working on them?"

"Quiet large, the cloth they will make will be larger than I can reach across. They will not be started until the threshing machines and cleaners are finished."

"So some time this winter, perhaps?"

"Most likely, though Daniel may start making parts sooner. How is the cleaner coming along? And the wheel barrows? And are you still making scythe cradles?"

"The cleaner is finished or rather my part of it is, The wheelbarrows are nearing completion and I still get a order or two for cradles."

"Good. I was hoping they would not reject them out right. Have you gotten orders for wheel barrows, beside mine that is?"

"Oh yes, though they grumble about the price, they still buy."

"Emi would you get out the salt pond water lift plans, please. I have a project I'm working on at the seashore and need some way to move water. Thank you Emi. This what I have come up with to move the water. I would like you or one of the journeymen to build this water channel for me." I point out the sluice to him. He nods.

"When would you need this done?"

"The lift and pier will be built tomorrow. If you wish to, you could come to down to the shore tomorrow and measure where it will go. We will be heading there at 900."

"I will have someone watch for you then."

"That's all for now, so I'll let you return to work, have a pleasant rest of the day." I hand the plan back to Emi to put away then head out the door.

As we walk to Steven the furniture maker's workshop I tell Emi I will want the plans for the massage table, the dry toilet and the hair washing chair."

"What are those? You haven't mentioned them."

"The massage table is a low table that you can use when giving massages so we don't have to lay on the floor. The chair leans back so your head is above a basin when washing hair. The toilet will replace the chamber pots."

When we reach Steven's shop, I have Emi lay the plans on a table. She is doing this when Steven appears,"Your majesty, how may I help you today?"

"Good morning Steven. As you can see I have plans and you are the lucky one to get to build them. Look them over. If you see anything that can't be done, let me know." He looks the plans over, nodding, asking a question every now and again.

When he gets to the toilet plan he asks, "Do I build the mechanism in this one?"

"Yes, if you can. Is there something that would prevent it from being built?"

"Not really, It will take some time to get to work right, I am sure."

"That can be the last thing you work on then, it does need to work correctly as I want a number of them built. The pipes, here, I will have Harry the potter build and deliver. How is your supply of seasoned lumber? Do you enough?"

"I have a stock of lumber out back."

"Good, I don't want you to run out. Are you acquainted with how the wood cutters fell the trees and prepare the lumber?"

"Yes, I am. They chop the trees down, take off the limbs which are used to make charcoal. The the trunks are moved to where the pit saw is, where they are sawn in to planks and timbers. They are then stored in a shed on the edge of town or in my back lot until they are needed. Why do you asks?"

"Oh, curious is all. What will you charge for the table and the chair?"

"The table will be one silver and the chair one silver and ten copper. The toilet will be two silver."

"Emi, the purse, please." I counted out four silver and ten copper. Emi handed me paper and pen, which I wrote a receipt on, handing him half and the coins.

"When can I expect delivery?"

"In two weeks for the table and chair, I'm not sure on the toilet. Will that be a problem?"

"No, that is fine. Keep in touch about it, I may be able to help."

I thanked him for his time and bid him a good afternoon. When outside I asked Emi what time did she think it was?

"It's about 925. Do you want to go to the palace or somewhere else?"

"Would the women that wash our clothes be close by? I keep intending to meet them."

"They are only a short detour on the way back." She heads west, crossing the bridge then walks down river for a ways. We soon came upon several women, scrubbing clothes on the rocks at the rivers edge. Clothing was covering the bushes up slope of the women. Emi calls two of the women over and introduces them to me,"Your majesty, this is Janet and Jeanie. Janet, Jeanie this is Rufina, the queen."

"Good morning ladies. I would like to thank you for the fine job you do on the clothes we send down to you."

"Thank you, your majesty." they reply in unison.

"I am aware that the the amount of clothes that we have been sending to you has gone up. Do you feel that you are be paid the proper amount for the work you do?"

"I myself would could use a bit more, your majesty. The copper you are paying was fine when there were just a dozen pieces a day, but the number is up to three dozen now. And there are all those fine under garments too."

"Would like like a bit more also, Jeanie?"

"Yes your majesty."

"Alright then, as of today you will get two copper each."

"Thank you, your majesty."

"I see you use the bushes to dry the clothes on, is there nothing better?"

"No there isn't your majesty."

"Well there will be shortly. Do you ever used hot water to clean the clothes?"

"Very rarely, your majesty, it takes a lot of wood to heat the water."

"I would like you to wash the undergarments you receive from the palace in hot water. I will supply a cauldron and supply the wood for this purpose. Do you always do the wash here?"

"Yes, this is our area, we work here every day. When will these changes begin?"

"Within three weeks I hope, it depends on the availability of the cauldron. I will let you know as soon as I know. And now I must go, I thank you for your time and I hope you have a good day."

As we walk back to the palace Emi asks, "Why would you want to wash just the undergarments in hot water?"

"Remember when you first figured out that I wasn't Rufina I said that I could reduce disease, washing undergarments in hot water has to do with that. Some diseases are caused by the body being invaded by very tiny animals call bacteria. Bacteria, like any animal, needs certain conditions to survive. They need a source of food, moisture and the proper environment. You and I can grow our food, find water and are comfortable in wide range of environments. Bacteria can not do these things on their own. They will grow in a place waiting for something to move them. If they end up in a place that is hostile to them they die. If the conditions are right, they thrive and multiply."

"The problem is that some bacteria produce poisonous substances or eat what they are on. Those bacteria, if they enter the body, cause illness. So to help prevent illness, you need to prevent the bacteria from finding some where they can grow. The first way is eliminate sources of food. Next is interrupt their transportation. Third is to alter the environment so they can't live."

"Cleanliness is the simplest way to do all three. Washing interrupts their transport by removing them from the body, removes sources of food and if hot/warm water is used alters their environment. Undergarments are good breeding grounds for bacteria, they are warm, moist and can have food on them. So washing them in hot water kills them and removes any food they can eat."

"Wow, that is some reason. So these bacteria are everywhere?"

"Yes, in the soil, water and the air. Even on and inside us all. We are hugh dwellings for billions of the wee beasties, most do us no harm and some we could not suvive without. Sauerkraut, pickles and other fermented foods are produces of bacteria."

We have arrived at the palace, removing our footwear at the garden door. We stop by the kitchen so Emi can get a pitcher of hot water, before going up to my rooms. After using the pot and cleaning up Emi asks, "So reducing illness is as simple as controlling these bacteria. Now I understand why you bathe, wash your hands and clothes so much. Are there other way to control bacteria?"

"Yes there are. Boiling drinking water, controlling rats and mice, cleaning wounds with alcohol and using proper food preparation and preservation methods. But the most basic and easiest is keeping things clean."

We had finished cleaning up and had gone down to the table. "What is it you are talking about Rufina?" Sophia wants to know when she sits opposite me.

"I asked the laundry women to wash our undergarments in hot water from now on, Emi asked why? So I was telling her why."

"Ah, the basis of illness prevention, the control of bacteria. A very good subject."

"Are there other way for illness to start?" Emi asks.

"Yes, viral infections, cancers, metabolic malfunction and environmental poisoning. But this is not a good subject for the dinner table."

Helen and Eliza were setting the table, Emi rose, going to the kitchen, soon returning carrying a tray. She started placing the contents of the tray on the table, plates of bread and butter, bowls of vegetables and condiments. Tilly brought out the platter holding the main course, thick slices of ham. Once everyone has been served, I ask how their day has gone.

Eliza says she has finished the prince cards and one of the queen cards and will do more that afternoon.

Mark had concluded his business to his satisfaction.

Tobias has been doing his normal chores all morning and has yet to start on the bathhouse, though his friends have gathered a large quantity of branches for the walls.

Helen, Sophia and Aden tell of their morning. Aden passes the letter to me, the back is covered in signatures. Helen also passes her letter to me. The back of her letter has many more signatures than the other.

"Both the weaves and seamstresses have agreed to select a representative for the meeting. There was quite a discussion about the contents of the meeting sheet. They were divided on what it means but Sophia talked to them, calming them."

"Most of the weavers were unsure of why you want so many apprentices trained, fearful of be replaced. I explained that the number of looms was going to increase not decrease, so more weaver would be needed. The seamstresses are unsure of why more seamstresses were needed until I told them you wanted to supply clothing to all the people on the island."

"Helen, was the shop to your liking?"

"Yes, the storefront is just right, larger that my current one, with room for a changing room, a fitting room and some storage space."

"Good, when will you be moving in?"

"I was thinking I would move the workshop first then work on getting some supplies built up then moving the shop. It will be a few weeks."

I told them what we had done this morning, meeting the cobblers, their problems and what we did to remedy them. Then talking to Harry, Daniel, John, Jason and Steven then finally the meeting with the laundry women.

"Aden, I need another delivery of sand, please."

"More bricks?"

"Yes, more bricks."

"What are you building now?"

"A stove to heat the laundry water. Do I have a volunteer to deliver a message to Harry the potter?"

"I will be going to my shop this afternoon, I can do it."

"Thank you, Helen."

We had finished eating, so started the cleanup, Emi and I filled the trays, taking them to the kitchen where we washed them. After drying them and put them away, I went to the study, I had a plan to sketch and a message to write.

I started calculating the size of a rocket stove to fire the water heater. First I need to figure out how big the caldron should be. Then using that I can use it to size the stove. I had a thought. I returned to the kitchen, looking at the caldron which was full of hot water. That is about the correct size, too tall but the correct diameter. I got a piece of twine, measuring the top of the caldron, then tied a second knot at where I wanted the height. I returned to the study, then sketched a caldron with straight sides, slightly narrower at the bottom than the top. I cut the twine tying two knots at the original end. On the sketch I noted that the measurements were from the double knotted end to the single knots. I then wrote a note on the back of the sketch to Harry explaining what I wanted. I rolled the message into a tube, tying it with a piece twine. Then went in search of Helen.

I found her in her new workshop, talking to Molly. "But she said I could use this room."

"Not until I hear it from her or Emi."

"Hear what, Molly?"

"Ah, your majesty. Mistress Helen says at you gave her permission to use this room as a workshop but I haven't heard about it."

"I did give her permission. Would you and the others help her move everything out that she doesn't need."

"Very well, your majesty. I'm sorry that I doubted you, mistress Helen, forgive me, please."

"You're forgiven Molly. When would you free to help me?"

"Later this afternoon I believe. What will you be moving out?"

"The desk and its chair, the bed, the night table, the chest, the rugs and the small table. The wardrobe can stay, I can use it to store cloth."

"I'll have the other maids help move it all. Where should we place the furniture, your majesty?"

"It probably will not fit down the stairs so the cellar is out so place it in one of the other rooms on this floor."

"As you wish, your majesty. If you'll excuse me, I have things to do."

"Thank you Molly. Now Helen, here is the message for Harry. Are you going to stay in town or come back?"

"I'll come back after delivering this and picking up my loom and a few other things. Why?"

"Just wondering, I thought you were going to be weaving today."

"I'm just about out of processed flax. I will need to get more before I can weave more cloth."

"Do you want to use the wheel barrow? I can ask Tobias for you, I want to talk to him anyway." We had walked down stairs to the garden door.

"Would you, please. I need to visit the necessary, I'll be right back."

"Alright, I'll meet you outside the garden gate." She headed to her rooms while I went out the door.

Once I was outside, before I went to the garden gate, I looked toward the northeast corner where the bathhouse was to be. I could see some of the plaster was missing from the wall. There was a pile of dirt on the path, apparently they had started digging the foundations for it. I didn't see Tobias so continued out the gate. The wheel barrow was in it's place by the gate. I walked around the corner toward the well hoping to find him there, but no luck. Next I tried his room in the stable, but he wasn't there either. I was out of places to look. I was going to return to the garden when Tobias came in from out back, ah, he was using the privy.

"Your majesty, can I help you?"

"Helen wishes to use the wheel barrow this afternoon Tobias. Is that all right?"

"Of course, Princess. Would she like help with it?"

"We will have to ask. She has a errand to run for me then she is moving some of her things to the palace. She should be at the wheel barrow by now, we can ask her." Afterward we went to the gate, where as I said, she was waiting.

"Helen, Tobias wants to know if you would like help with the wheel barrow."

"Oh, thank you, Tobias, that would be most helpful."

"Alright, I'll see you two later." I returned to the palace, where I went to the study to sketch more plans.

The first plan was for a clothes washer, a basket with an open weave bottom, fairly tight side weaving and open mesh lid. Then the handle for the basket, a large U shape to fasten to the outside of the basket. Finally was the tub in which the basket would just fit, with two grooves the handle would fit in. It would work by pushing the basket containing clothes down into the water then letting it rise and repeat. The only problem I can see is the tub, I'm not sure the cooper can make it, I'll have to ask him. I make a note to ask the cooper about the tub.

Next up is the redesign of the thresher which should be simple enough, just widen the body and drum. Laying the original plan out, I start sketching. I need two sets, one for the craftsmen here on the island and one for Mark to take back to his company. The drive mechanism is unchanged so I make a copy of that page. Oh, how I wish I could drive it with pedals like all the videos on the internet, but I think the drag of the crappy bearings would be too much. I have ridden bicycles with badly adjusted bearings before, it's not fun.

I then start making two copies of the body, the drum and the grill all with the width dimension increased. After doing the body and drum take a break by walking around the atrium several times, stopping to see how Eliza is progressing with the card faces. She has the queens near finished. She is deep in her zone so I leave her to it, knowing how I hate being interrupted when I am in my zone. Getting back in your zone once you are out can take a long time and sometimes you can't get back in it.

Helen and Tobias return about then, I see them carrying things in though the garden door so wander back to the new work room. The maids are moving furniture out as Tobias and Helen are moving things in. Her loom is there as is the warping rack, in pieces as it is large when in one piece. They return carrying a bag each placing them in a corner. "We will need a cart to carry what remains." She tells me.

"Tobias, is it too late to hire a cart today?" I ask him.

"I believe it is, princess. It's near 1400 now, by the time we find a carter it would be too late. I could go find him and arrange for him to meet us at the shop in the morning if you want."

"Have him come here and pick you two up after breakfast. Will you need extra muscles to move the rest?"

"It wouldn't hurt, the table is large and heavy."

"You could ask Mark and Kalvin to help in the morning then. I need to get the sketching done so will see you both at supper. Later." I went back to the study to finish the plans. I had one set finished when Emi sat down on the other side of the desk. "Hello, love. How has your afternoon gone?"

"Not bad, I was able to get done what needed to be done. I have hot water ready for bathing in your room, if you wish?"

I look at the plan then at Emi. The plan can wait a couple of hours, I go around the desk and hug Emi. "Do you have clean clothes ready, too?" She nods. "Good, let go get naked." I whisper in her ear, which gets a grin from her.

We nearly run to my room, only stopping to light a candle at the top of the stairs. We then retreat to my room, where we start undressing each other, getting in a kiss or five plus some feels. I was in a state by the time my clothes were off, she is impatient, caressing and kissing me all over. I am soon over the edge. As I shuddered she held me up, kissing my neck then my lips. As I recovered, my fingers started exploring her, lightly pinching, probing and caressing. When my lips were freed they joined in, kissing her breasts and nipples. She was soon near the edge, shuddering as I had as she went over. We collapsed on the bed, too weak to stand any longer.

"We need to get washed or we will be late for supper." I whisper in her ear before I nibble on it, pulling it with my lips, getting a moan in response.

"I knew I should have started earlier, I never leave us enough time." she grumbles as I stand up, pulling her along. Soon I am washing her back, then down her legs, then up the other side. Her arms are next then her neck, breasts and stomach, finally her crotch. Though I try not to rub too much she is soon groaning in pleasure. She hugs me close, giving me a deep kiss, her fingers starting to wander over my body. I put the wash cloth in her hand then turn my back to her. She get the hint, scrubbing me as I had her, to the same results, I was soon over the edge again. Soon after there was a knock on the door, "Supper is ready, you two, you have five minutes."

"Thank you, Tilly. We'll be right down." I replied as Emi wiped me down a final time. We were soon dressed, out the door and down the stairs. Emi goes to the kitchen as I go to my place at the table. A few are missing yet, Kalvin, Tobias and Mark. I ask what everyone had been doing this afternoon.

Sophia told of wandering around town, looking at shops, talking to people. If the person she was talking to had children, she asked if they were thinking of taking an apprenticeship. Some of the more well to do parents said, yes, their child has expressed interest in the trades. The lesser well off parents said their child has shown interest but they didn't have the money to pay for it. Sophia had told them not to lose hope, something was about to change. While she was tell us this the guys arrived.

Helen and Tobias report the carter would be here at 700 the next morning to pick them up. They should have the table, the only thing remaining, here by the time we were to leave for the inlet. Helen asked Kalvin and Mark if they would come help move the table. They said they would.

Emi and Tilly appear with supper, a mutton leg surround by roast vegetables. The plates were soon filled with carved meat and vegetables. Soon we were eating and chatting. Aden reported there were now 6200 sacks of grain thrashed and in the barns. Eliza reports the queen cards are done and preliminary sketches for the kings are under way. Mark says he is starting to clean out his new shop, had gone to the Daniel and ordered a sign made. I tell Aden I have all but one sheet of the revised thresher plans finished and I will finish them this evening after supper.

When we all have finished eating, Helen and I clean off the table and wash the dishes while the rest of them break out the cards and Go boards. As we wash dishes I ask Helen if her business was surviving?

"When I am open there have been a few customers coming by asking about the new undergarments. I have to tell them I'm short on cloth at the moment, if they would bring some cloth I would gladly make them some. I have only had one person take me up on it, so far."

"Would it help if I bought some cloth for you? That way you would have it on hand."

"That would be a help but I need to knit the stretchy cloth, I'm the only source of it on the island."

"Don't I owe you for the maids straps?"

"You do. You could buy me some skeins of yarn with that money, that's what I would be using it for anyway."

"Alright I can do that. I notice your warping frame this afternoon, how long a warp can you put it?"

"Seven measures or just short of seven meters."

"I'll have to design a new one for you before building your new loom. Seven meters is way too short for the amount of work that goes into preparing the loom."

"Seven is too short? How long a piece of cloth are you thinking of?"

"Between fifty and sixty meters. There will be twelve hundred warp threads on the new loom, it's not going to be a quick setup. It will probably take all day to set up the loom, you will not be wanting to do it more than once a week."

"TWELVE HUNDRED WARP THREAD. Are you crazy?"

"Why? That's only a piece of cloth two meters wide with six thread to the centimeter."

"Two meters wide? How am I suppose to reach the shuttle with a cloth that wide?"

"It will be equipped with a flying shuttle, a device to send the shuttle back and forth with the pull of a handle."

"So that is what you meant when you said I could make twice the cloth in half the time."

"Actually it's four times the cloth in half the time. It takes less time because your hands stay on the beater and the shuttle control handle. Making longer pieces of cloth it more efficient too, you spend less time loading the loom. If you make 70 meters of cloth instead of 7 in one go, that's nine times you didn't have to load the loom."

We had finished the dishes and were sitting in the kitchen sipping tea. As we sit I start to think about looms and their parts. Would wire heddle be better than string . Who could make all the heddle we will need. How many peddles would be a good number. Should the looms be expandable, able to add shafts and their controls. Would a crocheted heddle work and be worth the effort to make. How fine a yarn can we make. I come out of my rabbit hole to see Emi sitting where Helen had been. "Time for bed, Love. You have been sitting here staring in to nothing for an hour. Helen got bored and came to play rummy." She came around, giving me a hand up, then lead me to my room, stripped me down and tucked me in. I don't remember her leaving.