Capítulo 145: Looking forward (3/3)
The castle bustled with quiet murmurs and bewildered glances in the days following the new rules from the King. Old habits were being upturned, and few understood the reasons behind the sudden emphasis on cleanliness and hygiene.
In a small room, two women worked beside a steaming wash basin, piles of clothes and linens waiting to be cleaned.
"I can't believe we have to wash everything that's been used!" one grumbled, scrubbing a pair of trousers. "It's ridiculous! What's the point?"
"Exactly! And we're supposed to use those new soap bars every time, too. What could he be thinking?" the other replied, shaking her head.
"Ah, and can you believe it—they want us to wash ourselves every single day? It goes against everything I've ever known. My father always warned that washing too much weakens your natural defenses, invites bad spirits even."
"Me too. I think I'll just pretend and keep to my own ways," the first woman muttered. But then, with a smile, she added, "Though, I will say… I don't mind that tiny brush they gave us for our teeth."
"Oh, I love it! At first, I thought it was strange, but after using it, my mouth feels so… clean," the second replied, laughing. The women went on with their work, still baffled but cautiously appreciative of the few small comforts.
"I noticed the King is happier lately."
"Really? Why is that?"
"I don't know but the few times I saw him I noticed he always had a smile on his face."
"Maybe I know why. Few days back when I was passing on front of Linus' door I heard him talking with Astrodes about our crops and how everything was going to change for the better." Astrodes was the third advisor of Threo.
"Are you sure? Because that is amazing to hear."
"It's true, believe me!"
"But the ones that got the bad side of it are the cooks. Can you believe all the water they are going to use from now on must be boiled first and cannot be taken from the main river?" A river crossed the capital and it was normal for the people to throw all their excrements and trash into it, making the water unusable.
"But why?"
"I don't know!"
That day, light snow falling from the sky, painting a breathtaking view of the city and even the scenery of the mountains and forest surrounding it. By now there were two printing presses fully built and working. One was inside the castle and another one inside the monastery where the priests and clerics were producing vast amounts of copies of the Bible.
Totally opposite from that, the one inside the castle was making copies of a math book, the updated version of the one Rafael made with the help of those old mathematicians.
It took a while until Rafael mannaged to convince everyone for that to be the first book to be copied but they accepted in the end. He was also waiting the study and research about gears and levers to be done but he knew it wouldn't be ready in just a few months.
The last visit he made to the three mathematicians he gave a few hints, ideas and examples on how it worked and how to calculate it.
The production of paper increased a bit after the process became second nature for the workers but there was still a rising demand for it. Rafael was also devising a way to speed up and increase the production.
Meanwhile, in a private room of the castle, Threo and Rafael, along with other advisors, marveled at a small paper balloon Rafael had brought as a demonstration. As it floated up from a candle's heat, the room filled with awe.
"Ha! Incredible! We're on the verge of conquering both the land and the skies!" Threo exclaimed, his eyes bright with excitement.
Even Lucia, the Queen, who had come to inquire about these new "cleanliness" rules, was entranced. She'd intended to question the King's recent strange orders but was instead mesmerized by the sight before her. "How… how is it floating?" she asked, her suspicion momentarily forgotten.
Rafael explained that the hot air from the candle was what made it float. She thought it couldn't be something so simple and yet she have never heard of it. There was fear that it could be magic and witchcraft in play but she remained in silence.
Still, Threo's mind whirled. "We need a larger one. Imagine—being able to see our lands from the skies!"
"I don't think it will be possible, sir. You see, for it to keep going up it needs a steady flame under it. In this small example a tiny candle is enough but what about a bigger one? I don't think we have a way of sustaining a fire large enough when it's off ground."
"Can't we use some wood?" One asked.
"No, it burns too slowly and the hot embers expelled can burn the entire balloon down."
"This can't be. We need to find a way." Threo was seeing something unbelievable. The idea of flying in the skies, to be able to see far away in the distance, it was so close to happen and yet so distant.
"Don't worry, we will think of something milord, now we have more important things to discuss. Tomorrow our troops will depart from here, they'll take maybe a week to arrive and siege the city of Carilan, west of here."
"They have my orders, it's time to take back our lands." The king said with a serious expression.
"But are you sure this is the right thing at the right time to do?" Lucia asked with concern.
"There's no better time than now. For some reason the Swabian soldiers' are retreating from the central area and reinforcing the south. Because of that we will only have to deal with the Austrasians."
"We expect to find between one to two thousand men defending Carilan." One general said.
Three thousand of our troops against, let's say, fifteen hundred. I don't know if the odds are at our side. I think it is going to be a tough fight, Rafael thought.
"My King, tomorrow the new equipment for the crops will be ready. Do you want to see it?"
"But of course!" Threo spoke energetically, leaving Lucia confused. She did not know about the new things Rafael gave them. She wanted to ask but gave up in the end.
After a few more reports and decisions from the group, the meeting was ended and everybody left.
Lucia walked through the corridors, thinking about what she heard during that hour long meeting.
There were strange words she didn't knew of.
Later that evening, Lucia returned to her chambers, where Pepin, her other son, awaited her.
"So, how was it?" Pepin asked, not looking away from the window.
"It was unlike anything I've ever seen," she said, sinking into a chair. "They spoke of strange things, new ideas, plans beyond comprehension—and I even saw something… impossible."
Pepin turned to her, curious. "What did you see?"
"A balloon that flew, as if by magic. Rafael said the heat made it rise, but I don't believe it could be so simple. It felt unnatural. I wonder if there isn't something darker at work…"
"Magic or not, it's clear that Rafael's creations have changed everything," Pepin muttered. "Because of him, my brother has cemented his position. Every noble now swears their loyalty to Threo."
Lucia placed a comforting hand on her son's arm. "Perhaps it's best to let go, my dear. Threo's rule, with Rafael by his side, might truly bring strength to our kingdom."
Pepin clenched his fists. "If Threo didn't have Rafael, none of this would be possible. With him, even a fool could rule."
Lucia sighed. "So they say. I've heard rumors that everything from that new building material to the strange new weapons comes from that man. Son, I don't think it will be possible for you to get your rightful place back."
Pepin closed his eyes and sighed.
Status de energia semanal
-- Ranking de
Poder 
-- Pedra de
Poder