Morning finds the five young women snuggled together, front to back, arms and legs intertwined. When Tilly arrives to wake Rufina for training, she lightly pinches the ear lobe of the queen to waken her, "Time to train, Rufina."

"Thank you Tilly." Rufina mumbles as Tilly lights the candle on the bed side table before she leaves. Rufina has a problem though, she is sandwiched between Sophia in front and Emi behind with little room to move. She solves this by reaching behind her and rubbing the crotch of Emi causing her to roll to her back, opening some space for Rufina to move. Straddling Emi, Rufina teases her lips, licking them gently. Her tongue slips between those lips, caressing the backsides. When Emi's tongue seeks hers, Rufina starts caressing the roof of the her mouth, running the tip of her tongue along her gums. Emi's hands start wandering, caressing different places. Only when Rufina reaches a such a state of arousal that she collapses does Emi stop.

Whispering in Rufina's ear, Emi asks, "Do you wish to continue? Or to get dressed for training?"

Rufina sighs. She would love to continue but duty calls. Giving Emi a final kiss she drops a leg to the floor and push away from Emi, standing. Taking Emi's hands she pulled her up, giving her a hug. As she does her morning toilet, Emi lays out stockings, shorts and a short tunic. After dressing, Rufina dons her armor with Emi's help. When finished she give Emi another hug, kissing her soundly, "See you in a hour, Love."

Reaching the back courtyard, I lean my sword against the post hold up the balcony then approach Kalvin. He hands me a spear shaft this morning, a stout piece of wood, oval in profile, 2 inches by 1.5 inches, and 6 feet long. He shows me how to hold it then the basic moves; thrusts, parries and blocks. How to move from high to low position and the opposite. Then we start sparring, I wish I had access to foam rubber, even a slow moving spear shaft hurts when it hits you. When 95 minutes has passed, he takes the shaft from me, handing me a cup of water. After downing the half the water in one go, I note that the others are waiting. Finishing the water, I lay the cup next to the sword along with my helmet and gauntlets.

"Good morning everyone."

"Good morning, your majesty." Their voices are as one. I'm not sure why but I like it. Should I speak to Sophia about that? Is it a manifestation of the old Rufina?

All but Emi and I go out to the patio, while Emi removes my boots and grieves. Once I am bootless we move to the front, dropping into vertical centering. After a short wait we begin... 35 minutes later, "And vertical centering."

Afterward Emi and I retreat to my rooms, where Emi prepares the water for my bath. Once the water is ready she strips me down, scrubbing me from head to toe. She rinses then dries me. "What will you be doing today?" she asks.

"Checking the stove first thing then sketching to near dinner time, then preparing to speak to the people about the apprentice program. After the announcement I will be visiting the craftsmen, delivering new projects for them to work on. Then swimming if there is time before running the walls."

"Very well. Tunic until dinner then." She lays out one of my knee length tunics along with underwear and anklets. Getting me into my bra and panties she then sits me on the chest and start brushing my hair. Stopping just short of finishing she slips the tunic over my head then finishes my hair. After giving me nice long kiss, we descend to breakfast.

As we eat we are discussing the mornings plans. Helen has an order that needs filling so will be busy in her workshop. Aden is going to be at town hall setting up for the apprentice sign up. Sophia is going to help Helen by spinning. The others have their normal duties to attend to. I will be sketching this morning. I remind them dinner will be early because of the apprentice program announcement at noon.

As I wash the dishes, I decide to check every ones Bug out Bag at dinner. I then realize I haven't put my own together, unless Emi has done it. "Emi, have you put a B.o.B. together for me?"

"No, should I have?"

"No, it's my responsibility, I should have done it. Did Aden bring some baskets?"

"Yes, would you like for me to deliver one to your room later?"

"Yes, please. Is yours completed?"

"Everything but some dried meat. I have a small pot of grains and peas, I have a fire starter, candles and clothes, just like you suggested."

"Good, I was thinking to have an inspection of them later, at dinner probably as the last time I asked only you and Tilly had theirs finished."

After finishing the dishes I check on the stove, smoothing the clay surface with a damp cloth after pressing a few cracks closed. I then ask Tilly for a small pot of chickpeas, a fire starter and a couple of candles for my bug out bag. Taking everything to my rooms I find Emi has already delivered a basket. I open my wardrobe, pulling out a pair of modified drawers, a chemise, a blouse, a pair of stockings and a pair of trousers. I fold each of the items in to as small a bundle as possible, placing them in the basket. I get out a wash cloth, wrapping the candles and fire starter in it before placing them all in the basket. I wrap the pot in the trousers before placing them in the basket.

I dig out the hated straps and several pads. I think about it then stick them in the basket, I still have the new setup with enough pads. I need another small pot, a chunk of soap and a small bag. Returning to the kitchen, I ask Tilly if we have extra small bags and pots? We do, she fetches me one of each. She ask what I want them for. I tell it's for my bug out bag, the pot to put the chunk of soap in and the bag to put my old strap and pads in. Oh, good idea, is her reply, she hadn't thought of that.

Taking the things to my room, I finish my basket. All I need is some dried meat but that is going to take awhile. Now where to put it? Back vestibule? The study? I'll have to think on this. Taking it, I go to the study to start sketching. Placing the basket by the door, I check the sketches I have done, removing the serving cart, stacking game and the skein winder laying them to the side. I start sketching a hand truck; two heavy handles, with wheels to the side of a platform. Recalling the conversation with Daniel and John about bearings for the spinning wheels I do a sketch of two different sizes of bushing style bearings. I am just finishing these when Tilly sticks her head in saying it's fifteen minutes to dinner, would I inform everyone.

I put the sketches away then I go tell Aden that it's time for dinner. Then I make a loop, starting with the garden and Tobias, the workshop for Helen and Sophia then my rooms for Emi catching Molly, Mable and Christina on the way. After a quick wash up, Emi and I come down and set the table. Shortly everyone is gathered. Tilly brings out the meal, a large pot of stew, with bread and tea.

When we a nearly finished, "Attention everyone! Last week I asked you all to put together a bag of clothing and items. I would like to know how you are coming along with them. So when you are finished eating, please fetch your bag."

After each of them finishes their meal, they stand, placing their dishes on the tray then go fetch their bags. I have them unpack them in the atrium, laying the items on the floor in front of them, myself included. Some over packed, some under packed but none are complete. None have any dried meat though most have some grain and or peas. Tilly had thought to include a pot to cook in. No one but I and Tilly had our straps. None of the others had soap or wash clothes. Aden made note of who was missing what so they could be reminded later. I asked them where we should rendezvous in case of emergency? After a discussion we decided on near the well in the orchard. I tell them I will design a shelf for the back vestibule to store the bags and our shoes. We then repack our bags then head off to dress for the announcement.

Emi and I place our bags in the study, in the corner behind the desk, out of the way but quickly accessible. We then go change. I am dressed in a skirt, a blouse with a vest, knee stockings and my brogues which are shined to a gloss. Emi gives my hair a quick brushing, announcing that I am ready. A quick check of her own attire and hair and we are ready.

A quarter hour before 1000 we leave the palace heading to the town hall. Aden unlocks the door, holding it for us as we enter. I had noticed that people were gathering on the out skirts of the plaza when we arrived so I will have an audience. I assume vertical positioning, relaxing before I must begin. Shortly after noon Aden opens the door, the other four file out, two going right, two to the left. I appear last, standing between Sophia, on my left, and Aden, on my right. The crowd quiets.

"People of Haven, I, Rufina, your Queen greet you."

There is standing room only, close to 800 people standing in the plaza. In unison they all bow saying, "Your majesty." I return their bow. When they quiet again, I begin.

"I have come today to tell you I have plans to make Haven a better place to live. To make this happen I need things crafted. To have those things crafted I need craftsmen but alas the craftsman are already busy with my projects. I could buy the things I need crafted from craftsmen on the mainland but that does not help my people. So, as I am lacking craftsmen, I shall create some. I have spoken to the craftsmen of Haven and we have come to an agreement on a plan."

"As of last night, there are fifty six openings for apprentices. Beginning tomorrow morning, any person, nine years of age or older, with the desire to become an apprentice, can apply for any of these positions. All that is required is that you come to the town hall and answer a few questions, fill out a paper and sign that paper. If you are lacking the fee to apply for an apprenticeship, the kingdom will grant you the amount of the fee."

"You should note, I said ANY person can apply for one of these positions. This means it does not matter if you are male or female, Human, Catkin or Gwynn you can apply for ANY of the positions. If you can or will not work with someone different than ourself, please save us all grief and do not apply."

"There will be a notice posted, stating the requirements for those applying. If you are unable to read, you only need inform the person helping you apply tomorrow and they will explain the requirements, rules and regulations. If more people apply than there are positions, your application will be kept for the next round of apprenticeships."

"I thank you for your attention and I wish you a productive day. Good afternoon." I turn and reenter the town hall, the others following behind. Aden closes the door.

I collapse in one of the chairs, I don't like speaking in public.

Sophia and Emi come over and sit next to me, "Well done Rufina, well done."

Emi hugs me, kissing my cheek, "Yes, love, that was splendid. Just the information needed, no more, no less."

Aden and Kalvin are preparing to post the notice on the board outside the door, getting the tacks and the hammer ready. When they open the door, we hear the crowd asking questions. "People, most of your question can be answered by this notice, please read it or have it read to you." We can hear hammering on the wall, then the door opens admitting them again.

Once Aden is inside he locks the front door. "You wished to visit Daniel, Steven and Jason this afternoon correct?"

"Yes, I do."

"We will never get out that way without being mobbed, so..," He open the door behind the desk. "Let's use the back door." Standing, we file through the door, which Aden closes behind us. He unlocks the back door, having Kalvin exit first. When Kalvin gives the all clear, we exit the town hall. Aden locks the door and we head to Daniels shop.