The next day I started A&B and Lily on a joint project, a blast furnace.

The hardest part had been convincing them of its necessity. I had tried to explain that it was needed for large quantities of cast iron and eventually steel. I made it clear to them that my plans would only be possible with it but it still was a hard sell.

Lilly I think saw it as a threat to her livelihood. Which I guess it was in the long term but she wouldn’t be out of work in the next 10 or 20 years and not at all if she adapted. Bolt just felt it was a distraction from stadium building.

He wanted to start on the next one immediately. I made it clear to him that this was more important this year. I had to get more infrastructure built up. England, hell all of Europe, was still using Iron blades and chainmail armor for waging war for crying out loud.

I told them both that they had doubted me in the past and had not been proven right. They agreed and when I promised them a nice hefty silver bonus upon completion they both got it in gear. Money talks regardless of the century.

That leads me to my next dilemma. A blast furnace works by forcing large amounts of air during the smelting process. In the 21st they used electric or gas powered fans to do this which was obviously impossible.

Steam power would also work but even that was years away. I have no way to get an airtight seal, at least yet. I would need to get better at casting and I still need a way to lathe pistons and bore the cylinders. I needed power to make engines that made power.

The obvious solution was water power as that was doable with Ager tech.

I just needed to find a water source with the right geography as it needs to be dammed up to create a head. I could use a fast flowing river and a water wheel although I was leaving that for the worst case as a dammed source is more controllable/reliable.

I sighed. This was going to take some up close and personal scouting for this one. I decided it was time for a vacation anyway.

“Lawrence!”

“Sir-yes-Sir”

“Find me someone that knows every stream and branch within a week's walk of London. I want a good scout who knows them all, especially any good fishing spots. I am going on a vacation for a couple of days. Make plans for my absence and tell all my staff to do the same.”

“Vacation Sir?”

“I need to get away from the city to clear my head. Just tell everyone I will be leaving on a trip for a few days and will be out of contact.”

After he left I went to the market to get someone to do a rush job on what amounted to tent hammocks. They would tie in-between trees like a hammock but had a roof. When I found a canvas maker and told him what I was after he assured me he could make it almost waterproof by coating it in this tree sap he used.

Similar to how tents were almost waterproof in the 21st I would guess. If it is raining you aren’t dry camping no matter the century. This way though at least we won’t be soaked if it rained.

I decided to take Goodwin and told him to pack some clothes, a fishing pole, and his bow and quiver. As well as 2 days rations (I was afraid what he would consider rations) and a water flask. I also bought us some traveling cloaks that would help if it started raining.

I packed up my lucky pack with clothes, one of the lighters, a few pieces of silver for trade, salt in case of a deer kill, and this journal. I also brought along the Bowie Knife Lilly had made me as a gift when she learned I had trained with one in Muay Thai. Sweet girl under the surface really and smart too.

I only casually mentioned once what one looked like and she made one up that was damn close to one. The blade was about a foot long and of course made of iron but it was a damn good blade and well balanced. She even added a nice knuckle guard that I had said could come in handy if I found myself against a sworded opponent.

I didn’t want to be completely unarmed just to look that way. Along with that I also had four ceramic jars the size and shape of milk bottles that I hope to stay unused and unbroken. I also brought along a couple joints of my first bit of green as I might need a painkiller (that’s why I smoked it before for the pain I swear).

After I was packed I went to find Cristina to make sure she knew to take over my classes. She was capable enough to do it better herself now anyway. I then I went to the Rump Roast and met Lilana who Claire had chosen to take over in her stead. I made sure she informed Claire where I would be.

It ended up taking the rest of the day to touch base with everyone and Lawrence had informed me that he had found a guide by that time.

He was a local hunter by the name of Osgood of the house of Godyear as he introduced himself. He had assured us that he knew every creek and fishing hole within a weeks walking distance.

“I need to find a location close by that has a stream that falls down a hill or mountain. Preferably in a great crevice or where it has run into rock or dirt and it cuts through it. A narrow valley would also work. Do you know of such a place?”

“I know of several Sir Arthur. One you have to pass through in order to get to one of the best fishing holes around.”

“Let's check that one out first as I want to get some fishing in. Hell if I'm not going to use this trip like a Vacation.”

“Vacation Sir?”

“Never mind, just get ready to leave. I want to leave by noon tomorrow. I have to go see the King so I won’t see you till we leave. Good day Osgood.”

I found that since it was getting late he was already in his quarters. I told the servant I had found that I needed to see him to inform him that I would be leaving for a few days tomorrow. He took me to the King's study.

“Who is this late an hour?” He said as I knocked.

“Sir Arthur, your majesty.”

“Oh Arthur, come in, come in, always happy to hear from you. It seems to help my treasury immensely each time I do.”

“Yes your majesty, that is exactly why I come at this late time. I came up with another way to help the royal treasury. But first I must find a piece of land outside a city to do so.”

“More land? You are an ambitious one aren’t you?”

“I am your majesty. Just as that last piece of land you granted me made you a lot of silver, this one will in time make you much more. With your permission I will head out tomorrow to find a suitable location for your majesty. While I am out on your lands I asked that I be allowed to hunt your deer to sustain us.”

Without permission that could see you hung by the neck in a tree to warn off other poachers.

He frowned but nodded his consent.

“Also I have selected a piece of land nearby to you here to open the new Rump Roast. Your food will be able to get to you still hot your majesty. If you would just sign this I will have Cristina and Goodwin bring the silver for its purchase tomorrow morning before we leave.”

“You don’t even need a Loan this time for it?”

“No your majesty the Rump Roast Concession my side project for the Games paid for it sir. I also will of course include the royal treasury’s taxes in tomorrow’s payment.”

“I guess before long I’ll be borrowing from you.”

Oh god I hope not. That is like flushing money away. Uh King Henry you still owe me that silver I lent you. Lent me I thought it was a gift Sir Arthur. Made me sweat just thinking about it.

“I doubt it, your majesty. I have plans that will help the royal treasury as well. Not just by my hand but by helping the English help themselves make their own fortunes, which you of course get a portion of.”

“You do think big don’t you Sir Arthur?”

“Your daughter said the same thing once.” .

Oops. Piece of advice kids, if you have been caught sleeping around with the King's daughter don’t act like you are familiar with her.

He sighs but smiles “Oh it's alright the whole Kingdom knows that you have eyes for my daughter. Somedays I wish you were of high birth because I do believe you would do good by her but In order to give her the best chance to succeed me she must be married to one of high birth. I’m only concerned about her future. You must see why I forced you to stop.”

“I do your majesty and I respect you being this candid with me. But I will leave you with this to think about. Is it really about her and her future or your own that you worry about? Geoffrey could cause as much tension amongst the barons as a commoner husband would.” and with that I left.

Only as I was walking out of the Tower did I realize how I bad I had screwed up. Matilda’s eventual marriage to Geoffrey wouldn’t be announced for some time now. I also hinted I knew he wanted to name her successor. How the hell was I to explain how I had known that?

I decided since it was late to just stay at my quarters at the Tower. Lina was waiting for me. I hadn’t seen her in over a month.

“Lina, I haven’t seen you in a while. How are you?”

“I’m sorry I did it!” She said sobbing.

“Did what?”

“I hired the assassin. Sir Stephen made me do so. He first wanted me to do it but I couldn’t.”

I had always assumed he had done it but there was no way to get any proof. I also thought I might have been letting past events shape my conclusions. Now I see I was correct but I also had no more proof then I did 5 minutes ago.

A peasant girl who I had been sleeping with wouldn’t convince a jury back home. Let alone the King who was Stephens uncle and who knew I didn’t like him.

“Well this is why you kept wanting to share my bed. You were his informant. Clever bastard.” I said under my breath but Lina heard.

“He is no bastard, sir. His birth was legitimate and both his Father and Mother were Nobles.” She said seriously.

I chuckled “No you are right but he is a piece of shit I know that much. And to think I tried to let bygones be bygones and he tries to kill me.”

“Lina, don't tell anyone else this. Do you understand me?”

I ask to which she nods her head while whipping her eyes with a handkerchief I give her.

“I will deal with Stephen in my own way when I return.”

“He will kill me once he learns I have told you.”

She was probably right. Damn when did I become the protag in a Harem anime?

“Not if you work for me. I will get the King to assign you to me exclusively and I will place you at the Inn. That should keep you away from him and safe in my care.” That’s going to make the King rib me again I would imagine

“Thank you Sir Arthur. I shall stay with you in your bed then?”

“No.” I sigh knowing I’m making a sacrifice here “My employees are not to treat me as anything other than their boss. You can stay in the servant’s quarters as Agatha is at the Inn.”

That made her pout a little but she also seemed relieved. She probably had been forced into what amounted to prostitution (not to mention assaination) and she didn’t even get paid well for it. Feudalism makes absolutely no sense to me. How there were not more revolts is mind boggling to me. After she left I undressed and got into bed tossing and turning for an hour probably till sleep finally came.