by Chris Hechtl
The minister instantly nodded. “Indeed they could. Yes, yes indeed they could!”
“I've been getting some protests from that quarter,” the Duke rumbled. “Wise. It employs them while allowing us to sell our goods abroad. Ingenious,” he smiled at Ryans.
Ryans shrugged. “No, just simple economics. Supply and demand. With more food your people will be safe from a famine. And with the excess they can pay their taxes, and even make improvements for their farms.”
“Indeed,” the Duke nodded. “What exactly did you have in mind?” he asked, eying the gaijin.
“Oh, I think some may like to buy some of the new plows and tools. Some may also wish to improve their homes and farms as well. Or buy new seed and stock for next year.” He shrugged. “Others may start larger families or expand their farms.”
“Wise,” the Queen nodded. “And this will make the money flow and as you said earlier, stimulate the economy?”
Ryans nodded to her. “Yes your majesty. By spending their coppers on new goods and tools they employ others. For instance if they wish to replace their clothing or bedding then they employ the farmers who raise the crop, the men who transport it to the mills, and the textile mills to make the fabric.”
“And in turn the mills buy more raw materials and new machinery,” the Queen observed, looking thoughtful.
“Why new machinery?” The Duke asked, looking from one to the other.
“To keep up with demand. And to keep up with their competitors. If one mill can produce ten times as much as another then the others are at a disadvantage and will wish to catch up,” Ryans explained.
“Ah,” the Duke nodded. “Where will they get the money to invest?”
“From banks and loans from people like oh, say you my lord,” Ryans bowed slightly to the Duke. The old Duke blinked at him and then looked thoughtful. “For a suitable interest on your part of course.”
“Of course,” the Duke nodded, rubbing his chin. His eyes gleamed. It was a tricky scheme but if it worked he only had to put up some seed money.
“And all this helps the economy? How does it help the crown?” the farm minister asked.
“Why taxes of course. And jobs,” Ryans replied. “Each of the mills is taxed, as are the wages of the workers. The workers make an honest wage, keeping them off the beggar lines and out of the back alleys, while also allowing them to contribute to the economy themselves. After all, they need food and clothing for themselves and their families too!”
The minister's eyes lit at that. “Indeed. I... Your majesty if you'll excuse me.” He bowed as the Queen nodded. The fat man got up and rushed out as fast as his bulk permitted.
“I think we put a bug in his ear. Or at least an idea,” Ryans chuckled when the minister had departed. “Since this interview is over, do you want to jump to the review of the treaty?” he asked. The Queen and Duke exchanged looks then shrugged. The Queen nodded.
“All right, we're deadlocked on only a few minor pointed now, but I was hoping your grace could apply his wisdom on how to unsnarl them and get things flowing once more... On the subject of mutual defense...”
<==={}------------>
Dinner was going well. He felt pretty good, having kept from strangling some of the more obnoxious lordlings. When a man came in holding his hat in his hands a few snickered.
“Are you the entertainment?” one of the lordlings asked amused.
“Nah, he's the oddest dressed jester I've ever seen,” one heckler said.
“Not likely. He's a trade captain. Septimus,” another answered. He nodded to the captain. The captain nodded back.
The man's hands rung the hat back and forth. He looked around then locked onto Perry and Ryans. He was dressed in a rough woolen sweater and dark gray robes. A broad black leather belt wrapped around his waist. It was a little large for his thin wiry frame, part of it hung out past the buckle.
“Don't look now but we've got company,” Perry said softly. Ryans looked up and nodded politely to the captain.
“Is there something you need?” he asked, ignoring the murmur of conversation around them.
The thin man cleared his throat, then went back to tugging his brim.
“Well? Come on man, we don't have all night!” a knight sitting a few seats away said testily.
“Technically we do. I don't have anything to do the rest of the evening,” Perry said, looking around. “Let's start with a name maybe?”
“Ah, Septimus my lord. Captain of the Audacious,” the man said.
“Okay, Septimus, how can we assist you?” Ryans asked, smiling. He waved to a nearby empty chair. The captain looked at it for a moment then shook his head.
“Ah sir, I... Since the ships are in dock for the winter we've had a real rough time with the barnacles and parasites. I've got to replace two of the ships in the fleet.”
“Uh huh...”
“And I was getting word of wondrous things you... you have brought.”
“Well, it's a bit early for steam power, let alone diesel captain,” Perry said, giving Ryans an exasperated look.
“I'm afraid he's right. We would like to refit the fleet but the budget won’t allow it.”
The man looked torn. “Refit the fleet my lord?”
Ryans nodded. “With new technologies, engines that don't require a sail.”
“Ah,” the captain blinked. “If you say so. But the barnacles, do you have a way to get rid of them?”
“Seems like good old fashioned work and a sharp blade is in order,” a heckler called from nearby. Deidra glared.
“I'd say copper,” Ryans said, rubbing his chin.
“Copper?” the Gunny asked, then nodded and snapped his fingers. “Crap, I forgot. It's used in marine paint and on hulls!” he said and shook his head sitting back in his chair.
“Well, since you’re a marine and not a squid I think we can forgive you. This once mind you,” Perry smirked.
“Copper my lord?” the captain asked, ignoring the gaijin byplay.
“Sure. Copper. Old ships used it back in the day. They clad, that means plate over by the way... they clad the keel and bottom of the ship,” Ryans explained. He looked around and picked up a copper bowl. He held it up. “See the copper oxidizes in air turning it this green patina. This forms an antibacterial layer. The barnacles and beasties hate it.”
“Ah,” the captain said, now rubbing his own chin. “I dare say that may work. We already have cast iron plates for the bottoms to stop the leviathans from breaching the hulls...”
“Leviathans?” Perry asked, looking a little surprised. “Really?”
“Oh aye my lord. Great beasts that like to chew through the hull. Copper is weak though.”
“So? You only need a small thin layer. You could tack it on in overlapping layers. Beat it as thin as you can,” Ryans explained, using his hands to explain overlapping shingles.
“It's got to go on a clean hull though. Otherwise you’re just wasting your time. What's on the hull will eat right through,” the Gunny explained. They looked over to him. “Gunnery sergeant remember? Besides, I did some deep sea fishing from time to time.”
The captain nodded to him. “Well ah, Gunny you're welcome to crew for me at any time.”
“Thanks but I'm heading home soon,” the Gunny said, taking a gulp of ale.
“I'll see if we can give you a leg up on some other minor things captain,” Ryans said getting up. He gave Deidra's shoulders a caress. She pulled him down for a brief peck. “I'll see you later,” he murmured to her.
“You'd better,” she murmured back, smiling.
“This way captain.”
<==={}------------>
He was making his way back to his room when he felt a hand grab him in the dark. He spun, starting to fight back but was pulled in quickly.
He felt steel fingers on his arm and another on his lips. He let out an explosive breath as he recognized Deidra's wickedly gleaming eyes in the dark shadowy recess.
“Thought I was a mugger? In the castle?” she joked, lips curving upward in a smile. He grunted as she released her lock on his arm and worked her hands up to his chest. Slowly her fingers began to gather fabric.
“Stranger things have been known to happen. And in far stranger places,” he said, getting his mental balance back, or at least trying to. What she was doing didn't help that or his adrenalin levels.
“Speaking of which,” she smiled again, pulling him down for a kiss.
He tried to chuckle but she smothered it out. They heard footsteps and she pulled him deeper into the shadows. She felt his hands wandering from her hips to parts lower and further inward. She gently but firmly elbowed him in the ribs. He oofed obligingly but didn't stop.
A pair of guards moved past their hidey hole, oblivious. When she was sure they were gone she grabbed his naughty hands. “Will you stop?” she hissed, eyes glittering up at him. He trapped her hands with his and leaned down, kissing her lips, then moving to kiss her exposed neck and collar.
“What this?” he asked softly. One hand broke free and wandered south of her waist line. She groaned softly. He turned her just enough to kiss her sounds away. A hand cupped her breast. She wrapped an arm around his waist then cupped her hand to her other breast.
“You’re impossible,” she said, panting when he let her up for air. He grinned and nipped her ear. She turned, snapping her teeth at his ear but missing.
“You started it,” he pointed out.
“Well, we're going to have trouble getting back to your room unnoticed,” she murmured, hearing another guard coming.
“Why? I thought we were having fun... right... here.” He timed it so she had to strangle her gasp as his fingers exposed her breast then quickly tweaked her nipple. He locked his lips to hers as the guard passed.
She closed her eyes for a moment, feeling his kisses move down her neck and to her shoulder again. They moved lower and lower and she gasped again, wrapping her hands in his hair as his lips found her exposed nipple.
“What is it with men and nipples?” she murmured as he licked and kissed. She hissed as he nipped her.
“Some... oh hell, later,” he murmured as her own hands began to work naughty magic on him.
“Yes. Much, much later,” she murmured, cupping him and finally capturing his ear. She nipped the lobe then breathed in it for a moment.
“Much, much later,” he grinned softly in agreement. It was the last coherent thing either said for some time.
<==={}------------>
Serena came into their suite and nodded to her husband as looked up from the seat by the fire. “How was your evening my dear?” he asked, setting the sheaf of papers aside as he stood.
She smiled, brushing the shawl off and then dropping it onto the back of her matching chair. “Well, though I don't think well enough,” she said.
“Oh?” he asked.
“I don't think we can block this vote my dear,” Serena said, shaking her head as he took her hand and seated her. She smiled.
“Ah?” he asked.
“No. The momentum is too much in their favor now. The new things the gaijin are introducing far outweigh their outlandish ideas and scandalous dress,” she said mockingly. There was just a hint of sourness in it as well.
“I hadn't expected it to work actually,” Rojer admitted.
“You hadn't?” Serena asked as he seated himself. “Then what was all that I did?”
“Call it laying the groundwork,” he said amused. He had tried to throw every roadblock into the works he could, to slow the treaty down. His attempt at calling a recess so the lords could visit their lands had backfired. They had gone but none had delayed their return. Indeed all had rushed back after only a few days at home, too eager to see what the gaijin had come up with next and too much aware that if they were not there to see to the politics they could be put in a tenacious position. Each wanted his voice heard and wanted the biggest piece of pie for themselves.
“So what now?” Serena asked in exasperation, sitting back and propping her feet up on the dogzard in front of the fire. He snorted softly as she toed her shoes off.
“Well, I had hoped her majesty would come to me to get my support. I in turn would garner concessions out of her. Unfortunately that is not to be. The blasted gaijin have thrown that particular plan into the sewer,” he said in disgust. “All this talk of investments and such. Apparently a few who invested early are already reaping rewards and they've started bragging about it to the others. Now all are eager to get the treaty over with to get their share.”
“Ah,” Serena said thoughtfully. “How are we to benefit from that?” she asked.
He smiled. “I've got plans from some and I've decided to buy into a carpet investment. Also factories in the duchy next year of course.”
“Oh of course,” she said, envisioning rich rugs and wall hangings in their home. “That means we can redecorate,” she said with a rich smile.
He chuckled. “Indeed.”
“Where is Yorick?” Serena asked, looking over her shoulder.
“Oh, out and about on business,” the Duke said, smiling. She looked at him, one eyebrow raised. He shrugged. She cocked her head in inquiry but he refused to rise to the bait.
“Indeed,” she finally murmured, resting her hand on her face. “So what now my dear Dominus?”
“Now, we plan on what else to do. If this vote goes as I expect, I think we must shelve most of the plans and work on something else.”
“Long term?” she asked. He nodded.
“It just means we wait, build our support and reap the benefits of all their hard work,” he said. She grinned.
“And of course you're no longer stalling so you should get some credit for moving things along,” she said pointedly. He chuckled.
“Something like that my dear,” he said. She snorted softly.
<==={}------------>
Zara smiled a little the next morning over breakfast. Deidra smiled, feeling a little mussed still, but sated. Zara seemed to be bubbling in delight however, she tapped at her shoulder. Deidra frowned and touched her own, then looked. She could just make out a bruise. She turned a glower on her lover.
“What?” he asked amused. She glared. Zara giggled, pointing to his neck. He sighed, reaching up to touch his neck. “Let me guess, you marked your property again?” he asked.
Deidra couldn't hold the glare. She sighed as he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her. “You’re impossible you know that?” she demanded.
“So are you dear. But I wouldn't have you any other way,” he murmured in her ear. They turned to see Septimus talking excitedly with Nate as they came into the hall.
“Good morning gentlemen,” Ryans said smiling. Nate didn't look up; he waved them away, too engrossed in their discussion.
“I do hope we, I mean you, can help improve the ships. I'd so like some xocoatl again,” Zara said wistfully. “It's bitter but when warmed it's quite good on a cold winter morning.”
“Huh?” Ryans asked, blinking.
“It's a brownish drink the Maya, Nasca, and Inca drink,” the Queen answered. “Quite invigorating too.” She nodded to her daughters as she sat down.
“The Olmec do as well. Don't forget them,” Deidra said, buttering a slice of bread.
“Um... yeah they do, or did. Wait, how do you know...?” Ryans said, turning from his lover to the Queen in his confusion.
Zara smiled. “Because we trade with them silly. If and when we can get a ship to their lands,” she grimaced. “That's why I was so hoping the new tech could be applied to the ships. This year’s shipment didn't make it. We're not sure why.” She frowned. “Most likely a bad storm,” she shivered. “It's a pity, we like the Xocoatl during the long cold winter.”
“Ah. Okay...” He shook his head, bemused. “I'll have to look into that some other time. Chocolate trade is... interesting,” he smiled. “Do they have latex?” he asked, suddenly suspicious. Wanda had artifici
al latex going but it was hard to make.
“Um?” the Queen asked, spoon raised.
“Ah, it's a whitish liquid. It dries into a rubbery substance,” Ryans explained.
“Ah yes, I think he means the gum,” the captain said, nodding and leaning forward to see them. “Yes we trade for it with them. It's used in a few things.”
“Okay. So they must have carried cacao and rubber tree seeds when they came over. I wonder about coffee. Interesting.”
“Indeed,” the Queen nodded.
“We're definitely going to have to broaden trade then,” Ryans said firmly. He nodded to the captain. “Latex is used in a great many things. Tires for instance. Wire insulation is another important application.”
“Ah,” Zara blinked. “Wait...” Her face cleared and she brightened. “So that's what Max was talking about! I see now! You're right; it'll make it so much easier than the stuff we're using now! It gets all gummy and sticky when it's warm out or the wires get too hot!” She rose from her bench.
“Sit down daughter. Eat your breakfast,” her mother said, touching the bowl. “It can wait.”
Zara sighed and sat down with a huff. “It has waited this long I suppose,” she sighed again, then picked up the spoon. Ryans smiled as she began to eat the porridge.
Chapter 27
The final treaty signing was attended by all the Dominas and Dominuses of Duluth and the Imperium. It was a warm Indian summer week, blessed by natives and Terrans alike. They knew that the warm spell wouldn't last for long though. Each Dominus was dressed in his finest robes and took his or her turn signing the treaties and getting their photos taken by the gaijin. The Terrans made certain they each got a copy of their own as well as a photo of their signing it to take back home to show their people. More than one lord loved the photos, admiring them and loving the idea of being able to show their children and their descendants. Many posed with their wives and families for additional photos. For a fee of course.
Ryans of course had another thing in mind when he'd had the photo ops set up. No lord could deny that they had signed the treaty now.