We chat about what to expect as we walk down the hill to the town hall. Hopefully we can avoid most of the scenarios. When we arrive there are people waiting, some I recognize, many others I don't. After Aden unlocks the door everyone files in. Sophia, Emi and I move to the front, taking seats at the table there. Helen sits at one end of the second row of seats. Kalvin stands in the back corner, out of way but ready to handle any trouble makers.

The craftsmen enter, milling about, establishing their pecking order. John the smith arrives, going promptly to the center of the second row, followed by Jason, Steven and Daniel. Jeffery, Gordon and a third man I am unfamiliar with enter taking the seats behind John. The other blacksmith takes the seat at the end of the second row next to John who greets him. Clara and another woman enter, look over the seats then go sit next to Helen, where they start a whispered conversation. Harry enters, striding to the front row, sitting directly in front of me. I nod to him in greeting, he nods back. The ones that are either late or undecided on where to sit now get either the front or rear rows.

When everyone is seated, I stand, "Thank you for coming. Most of you know me, those of that don't, I am Rufina, your Queen. To my right is minster Aden, to my far left is my companion Emi, and to my left is Sophia, Goddess of Knowledge. Last week when you were told of this meeting you read a short synopsis of what we would be discussing today."

"As Queen I desire to rise the standard of living for the people of our home. To accomplish this I need things made. To get them made in a timely manner I need craftspeople like YOU. But I have more projects than you can handle with your available employees. I could send these projects off the island but doing that does not help the people of Haven. If there is a shortage of craftspeople on the island, I will therefore create new craftspeople. When I asked my advisors why some of them didn't have apprentices of their own they told me that there is a shortage of young people desiring to be in the trades. And that some of the those that desired to enter could not because of the fees charged. They further stated that it takes money to support a apprentice and their business could not support an apprentice."

"In the synopsis you read last week I stated that I would grant to any young person that desired to take an apprenticeship the fee to the craft of their choice. I also stated that if a craftsperson could not support a apprentice that I would help with their support. For these grants of money I have stipulations though. The apprentice must be taught the craft in a timely manner. The apprentice is NOT a servant or a slave. The apprentice is not to be abused in any manner by anyone of the masters household, be they family, journeyman or other apprentices. The apprentice is to be courteous to the master and the journeymen in his employ. The same applies to the master and journeyman, they must be respectful to the apprentice. There will be periodic testing of the apprentice to confirm that he or she is learning. Any person many apply to any craft, even if that craft is usually not open to them."

"There is what I purpose. I would like to hear your thoughts on the matter as it concerns you." Look the crowd over, there are several people with scowls on their faces, one of them being John. "John, you look like you have something that is bothering you, what is it?"

John stands, "Your majesty, You stated that any person could apply for any craft. Does this include girls/women to Blacksmithing?"

"Yes, it does John. What is your objection to women as blacksmiths?"

"They have never been Blacksmiths."

"And why would that be John? Do all tasks of blacksmithing require great strength? Is not a young woman capable of gaining strength the same way a young man can?"

"Not all tasks require strength and girls can be strong but why would any women want to be a blacksmith?"

"Perhaps they enjoy working with their hands, making something from nothing, seeing something in their mind and making it real. Why did you want to be a smith, John? Remember why you became a smith and you will have your answer."

The other smith speaks up, "But can they learn the skills needed?"

I turn to him, "Have you ever made a shirt? Do you think that women can't learn skills? Look at the women at the other end of the row, all three of them can make any article of clothing you would desire, can you? What's the difference? They work in cloth, you in metal. Other than that what are the differences. You both see the item you wish to make in your mind, you both use learned skills to shape that item from the materials of your craft, with the tools of your craft."

There is a long discussion on this point, with them finally agreeing to allow anyone to apply and be accepted in any craft. The discussion about the other rules is light in comparison. They wanted to know what the stipend for a apprentice would be. I asked those that had apprentices what it cost them to keep an apprentice for a week. I knew what I paid for Jose to work with Daniel so had an idea. The costs ranged from 5 to 9 copper a week, depending on what they feed them. I make a note, set up a cafeteria for the apprentices to eat at, good healthy food. Five copper a week couldn't have much meat included. I suggested that a copper a day, that would be for three meals, at least one a day with meat or fish, and a bed to sleep in. They were agreeable to that.

They all agree to the other rules though there are questions about the testing. I tell them that the testing will be once a season. At the beginning of the season the master will write a statement of what he intends to teach the apprentice that season. At the end of the season the tester will arrive then using the statement of the master test the apprentice to see if the master has attempted to teach the apprentice what is in the statement. If the student shows that he has been taught, the master supplies a new statement. If the student is lacking in learning it will be determined if it is the student or the teacher at fault. Help will be offered.

I ask if an apprentice is taught to read, write and to do sums? They say that usually the youngsters know that when they apply but some need to be taught more. I ask if I were to start a school to teach reading, writing and sums, would they send the apprentices to it as part of their apprenticeship? They agreed to that as it would save them from doing it.

"Are there any other concerns?" I look toward the seamstresses and weavers representatives.

"We had concerns that these new weavers that you wished us to train would replace us but Sophia stated that you were going to increase the number of looms on the island. Is that statement true?"

"It is. I intend on replacing every loom on the island with a larger more productive one and add more. So no, you will not be training your replacements but your coworkers. And seamstresses, you will have so much work because with the cloth these new looms produce you will be making clothes. Clothes for everyone on the island to start with, then for export. You in other crafts will benefit from projects that I will begin. The different items that I will order for these projects will have a market on the mainland. Several of you have already benefited from some of these projects. The others will soon."

"When will this be beginning, your majesty?" asks Daniel.

"We will let the people know about this tomorrow or the next day. If you have an applicant for apprenticeship tell them about it. If you know parents with eligible children let them know. Within the next three days send a letter to the palace addressed to the apprentice program, stating the number of apprentices you can take and your craft Don't take on to many at once, those of you that are the only person in your shop, limit yourself to two. Those with journeyman could take more, but don't over do it. I make this suggestion to help the apprentices, too many and they wouldn't get the attention they need to learn properly. Also too many would over crowd your workshops, effecting your work."

"Think about what you will teach your apprentices, write your statement of intended teaching. When we get applicants we will inform you. If I don't receive a letter within three days from you, we will take that as you not wanting to be in the program. If you have questions or problems come see us at the palace in the afternoon, preferably directly after dinner."

"If there are no more questions this meeting is concluded. Thank you for coming." I sit down. I am tired, having been standing the whole time. And thirsty. I ask Emi if she had any thing to drink. She didn't but suggested the inn. She leaves, saying she will be back shortly. The crafters are clustered around chatting with each other.

"Aden, is the boatwright here?"

"He is, do you want to speak with him?"

"Yes, please. And Harry." He leaves the table, approaching one of the men that had been in the front row. The man comes to the table.

"You wish to speak with me, your majesty?"

"Yes I do. What is your name to begin with?"

"Harvey, your majesty."

"Harvey, you are a master boatwright correct?"

"I am, your majesty."

"I wish to extend the dock and need some information first. I have an idea to build boats to float a new dock on so pilings aren't needed. The current dock is five measures wide, could small boats be built to support a dock and the cargo being moved over it?"

He gets a spacey look on his face, being in deep thought. When he comes back to reality, "A small craft 7 measures in length with a deep draft and three to four measures a beam would hold up a piece of dock five by five measures, the deeper the draft the more weight it could hold."

"Would you be capable of building ten to fifteen of the correct sized boats within the next year?"

"That would be a large number of boats, your majesty. I can usually built three or four a year."

"What limits the number a year? Material or manpower?"

"Both. I have four men that work under me. Usually when a fishermen orders a new boat it takes a minimum of two years before he receives it, one for wood to season and one to make the boat." Damn, seasoning wood again.

"Which wood are your boats made of? Oak?"

"Yes, Oak."

"I will be sending you a sketch of one section of dock. Would you send me a written estimate of materials used and labor costs for one of the boats needed to support that section of dock."

"As you wish your majesty."

"Thank you. Will you be joining the apprentice program?"

"If I will be building boats for you, I will probably have to. You will receive my letter in a couple of days."

"Very good, I will be looking for it." He steps away, bowing slightly. I nod to him.

Harry approaches the table, "Harry, good to see you. Pull up a seat. I have an order for you."

"What am I working on now, your majesty?" He pulls a chair up to the table and sits down.

"Do you do work for Bob the builder?"

"I do. Is he doing a job for you now?"

"Yes, he is modifying ex minster Lian's house for me. Did you do the roofing tiles for that house?"

"I did. Will he need more roofing tiles?"

"Yes, he will. And I need some for another project. I am not sure when Bob will be needing his tiles but I need enough for a small building right away. And I will need some floor tile also."

"How many and when?"

"Two to three weeks and I not sure how many. Bob is coming tomorrow to make a materials list for the house, I'll ask him to give me an quantity for tiles for the bath house then. If you come visit me late tomorrow afternoon I can give you the numbers for all the tiles. If you come at 1375 I should be available."

"Thank you, your majesty. Have you gotten to work on the writing instrument?"

"No, I haven't, I have been very busy of late. Would you like to experiment with it?"

"May I? Could you describe it to me, please?"

"Like I said it's a mixture of clay and ground charcoal, baked, but not fired. The mix is usually formed into thin strips then placed between thin strips of wood to support them as they are brittle. When drawn across a piece of paper they would leave a trail of material on the paper. Too hard a mixture and no trail, too soft and the trail is dark and the pencil wears quickly. Oh, they are called pencils. I wish you success with them."

He stands, "I will see you tomorrow, within the hour before supper. Good afternoon, your majesty." He bow slightly as Harvey had done, I nodded to him.

Emi has returned with a teapot and several cups on a tray. She pours a cup for me then one for Sophia and her self. Taking a deep breath of the steam off the cup I am surprised. It is real tea not herbal. I was unaware that tea was available. I must order some from Mark. Sighing I take a swallow. It's bitter unsweetened but oh so good. "Thank you, Emi."

"You are welcome, Rufina. The inn keeper called this Shangeen tea. It's quite expensive, one of the merchants sold it to him but most people won't order it at the price he has to charge. He was happy that I ordered it."

"This tastes and smells like black tea from Earth. When you take the pot and cups back to him, ask if he would sell his remaining supply. Strike a good bargain if you can but get it please."

"Yes, your majesty." She says, frowning.

"What's the matter Emi?" She doesn't sound happy with me.

"Some times you sound like your old self at her most selfish."

"Oh."

"Rufina, look at me please." says Sophia.

I look at her. Our eyes meet, the green fire in hers hold me. I blink, what was I doing? Emi was sad, what about? Ah, I was acting like the old Rufina. "Sophia was something wrong."

"I adjusted a few links so that part of her personality wouldn't come out as strongly."

"Thank you. I'm sorry Emi, I/we are sometimes selfish though I try not to be. Tell me when I am so I can moderate it. But I still would like the tea. Herbal is fine but it's getting old having the same blend everyday."

The craftspeople have all departed. "Shall we leave?" I stand handing my cup to Emi. She collects Sophia's and her own then picks up the borrowed tray. We head to the door which Kalvin holds for us. We follow Emi to the Inn. Kalvin again holds the door so we can step inside. Once inside Emi take the tray to the counter, laying it down. A slim middle aged man comes out from the backroom.

"Innkeeper, I have returned your teapot and cups. My mistress wishes to buy your remaining stock of Shangeen tea if she could, will you sell it?"

"For the Queen I will. I doubt that I could sell it other wise. I purchased it for 10 silver for the boxful, she may have it for 9 silver. He reaches under the counter removing a nicely carved box, about a foot square and four inches deep. I approach, looking at the box. It appears vaguely Chinese in design to me. I would value the box at a silver, more if it is foreign made. "Good afternoon, your majesty. Do you agree to the price?"

"Is the box included?"

"It is." he opens the box, showing a bag that fills the interior of the box. I pick the bag up, it's about a pound. What I remember of the price of tea during the middle ages 9 silver for a pound is a fair price.

"Emi, the purse please." She hands me the coin purse from which I take nine silver coins. I hand them to him, "Which merchant sold this to you, may I ask?"

"Jackson, your majesty." Ah, the one that was banned from the island.

"Thank you. What is your name good man? I like knowing the names of the those I do business with."

"Scott, your majesty."

"Thank you Scott." I look around the common room. It's a largish room, with a slightly higher ceiling than the town hall making it appear spacious. There are ten tables with two to six chairs around them. Large windows cover two of the walls, letting in light, wooden shutters tied open beside them. Of course there is no glass, I have yet to see any windows with glass. I bid Scott farewell. Emi places the box in the ever present basket as we leave the inn.