When the three of us arrived at the table it had been set and most of the other are seated, chatting among themselves. Rufina greets them as I help to sit.

"Evening all, I hope you had productive days."

"Evening your majesty," was the reply.

By the time I sit myself, Tilly and Abbey have arrived with the meal; a pair of meat pies, one pork, the other rabbit, plates of sliced bread and a large apple pie. The meat pies are placed in front of Rufina, who serves the up, asking us each which we prefer. The meal is pleasant, the food delicious and the company jovial.

Partway through the meal there is a knock at the front door which I go to answer. Opening the door I find Alton the woodcutter standing there.

"Good evening Miss Emi. I was ask to come speak with the Queen today but circumstances prevented me from coming earlier."

"Come in Alton." I lead him to the table.

"Your majesty, Alton is here to see you."

"Ah, Alton. Good of you to come. Have you eaten yet this evening?"

"Not as yet your majesty. I intend to stop at the inn on my way home."

"Then sit and sup with us, there is plenty. Emi, will you fetch Alton a place setting. Abbey could you move Emi and yourself down one seat, please. Here Alton, sit next to me so we can speak."

I go fetch a plate and utensils as Abbey moves our plates down a spot. I return as Alton is settling into the chair next to Rufina. I hand the plate to Rufina then setting the utensils next to Alton then seat myself.

"Do you prefer rabbit or pork, Alton?" inquires Rufina.

"Rabbit, your majesty."

Rufina serves up a portion of the rabbit pie handing it to Alton, "Enjoy," she tells him then continues her meal. The others continue eating and chatting with each other.

Rufina pours herself some more tea before turn her attention to Alton. "I have several questions for you, Alton. First do you know a quickly growing plant, that grows in clumps, has long narrow leaves with a stock that is jointed. I know it as bamboo."

"I have heard of a plant like that, but none grows on this side of the island, the climate is too dry for it. I have heard it grows on the other side of the island to the east of Iron River. Why do you ask?"

"I have need of poles at are 20 feet in length, with a diameter 2 to 2.5 inches over the length, that are strong yet light weight. Bamboo would fit that description."

"I can enquire about some then. I have an acquaintance that lives in the area, I will send him a message."

"I also need 20 posts, ten foot in length, 4 to 5 inches in diameter at the small end. These can be delivered to Jason as they will need to be modified before use."

"Twenty posts, ten foot long, 4 to 5 inches in diameter delivered to Jason. Any time limit?"

"In a couple weeks if you would, please. And if you can't get the bamboo poles would you find a substitute?"

"How many?"

"Twenty."

"Twenty poles, 20 feet long, 2 to 2.5 in diameter, light weight. The same two weeks?"

"No, you can take three for those."

"Very well. Is that all?"

"One last thing. Would you pass a message on to all of the woodcutters and the sawyers that I would like to speak with them in four weeks. Aden make note that there will be a meeting with the woodcutters and sawyers at that time."

"What should tell them it is about if they ask?" Alton asks the queen.

"Cutting timber, what else. We need a fair amount of timber cut this winter for the projects I have planned. I also have new ways to cut trees I will be showing them. Also I plan on building a sawmill."

"A sawmill?"

"Yes, a waterwheel powered saw, to cut the logs into timbers and lumber."

As Alton and Rufina have been talking the others have finished eating and after clearing the table have brought out the gaming equipment. There is a spirited rummy game in progress along with a Go match. Rufina brings her business with Alton to an end and escorts him to the door, "Thank you for coming Alton."

"My pleasure your majesty. About the meeting, when and where will it be?"

"The town hall, early in the morning."

"Very well, early morning at the town hall in 28 days. Good night, your majesty."

"And good night to you." She stands and watches as he crosses the courtyard heading to the main gate. Then she closes and bars the door before joining the others at their games.

I have taken the tray of dishes to the kitchen so that Helen and Eliza can wash them. I join the Rummy game, winning a few hands but lose the game. Rufina challenges the loser of the Go game but loses in a close game. The Rummy game has ended so some of the players have left to go home while others watch the Go games.

"I count 150," Kalvin, who has just finished playing Sophia, says.

"And I have 152," Replies Sophia.

"Lost again, darn it," Kalvin sighs, "Good game, Sophia." He and Eliza stand, taking each others hands then walk to the garden.

Helen and Sophia whisper to each other then go to the kitchen.

Rufina heads toward the stairs, with me following behind. At the top of the stairs I pickup and light a candle then lead Rufina to her rooms. I quietly ask, "Do wish some hot water tonight?"

"Yes, love. Thank you."

After lighting some candles, I take the pitcher then head back down stairs. I meet Sophia and Helen, each carrying a pitch, at the head of the stairs. I light a candle for them then descend the stairs to fill my own pitcher.

When I return to the room, Rufina has the basin half filled with cold water. As I am mixing the water to temperature a knock come on the door.

"Who is it?" Rufina asks.

"Eliza. May I enter?"

"Come in."

The door opens enough for Eliza to enter before she closes it. "May I spend the night with you, your majesty? Kalvin has duty tonight and I don't want to be alone." I turn my head to look at her, she looks sad and puffy eyed, like she had been crying.

Rufina approaches her and lifts her chin, looking in her eyes, "Of course you can, sweetie." She pulls her into a hug, "Why are you crying? Did you and Kalvin fight?"

Eliza shakes her head, "No, I got mad at him for not telling me had duty tonight sooner then ran off."

"Did you think that he may have not known earlier? I can think of several reasons he would be called on short notice. And you need to remember that a soldiers life is not his own, he must respond to his superiors commands."

Eliza buries her face in Rufina's shoulder, "I forgot about that."

Rufina continues to stroke Eliza's back as she holds her as she cries. "Would you like a bath? The water is ready." Eliza nods. Rufina guides her to the chest, sitting her down on it then removes her slippers and stockings. "Emi, lets begin with washing her hair."

I come behind Eliza and lift her tunic over head, leaving her in her bra and a pair on shorts.

"Ah, Helen made you a pair of shorts. Do you like them?" Rufina asks.

"I do. The only thing is I can't get in the pockets without lifting my tunic up."

"Oh, that is easy, have Helen cut and hem some slits in your tunics slightly above the pockets so you can slip your hands into the pockets."

As they are continue talking about pocket slits, I start washing Eliza's hair, soaping it well then rinsing it. Rufina is seated on the floor washing Eliza's feet and lower legs, giving her a foot massage. After a while Eliza is moaning in pleasure from our ministrations. When I lean her back to rinse her head I notice her nipples tenting her thin bra, which I point out to Rufina. Rufina smiles as she undoes her own bra, letting it fall to the floor. She then stands then walking around behind me she lifts my tunic over my head dropping it to the floor. My bra and panties soon follow, all the while I continue massaging Eliza's scalp. When Rufina comes back to stand in front of Eliza she has removed her panties and is naked.

Taking Eliza's hands, Rufina pulls her to her feet and into a kiss. Rufina's hands slide into Eliza's panties grabbing her bottom. Meanwhile I slip my hands between them undoing Eliza's bra then pulling it off her. I then lower her panties to the floor. Standing back up I cup Eliza's breasts, flecking her nipples while nibbling on the back of her neck. Rufina has moved to her throat, licking and sucking at the hollow at the base. She drops to her knees, lifting one of Eliza's legs to her shoulder then buries her face in Eliza's crotch. Eliza gasps then moans. I release one breast and turn Eliza's face to me, kissing her lips, nibbling, sucking on her tongue. Soon she is licking the inside of mouth, caressing the roof of my mouth and gums with her tongue. She is breathing hard, moaning and trembling. Suddenly she lifts her other leg, wrapping both of them around Rufina's head, clamping her in a head lock as she quivers and spasms. As the spasms subside she goes limp in my arms.

Rufina unwraps the legs from her head, placing Eliza's feet on the floor then stands. "Do you have a good hold on her?" I nod. "Hang on to her while I finish washing her then." She soaps a cloth then scrubs Eliza's front, arms and legs. Then we switch; I wash her back while Rufina holds her. After she is rinsed and dried, we lay her in the middle of the bed then we continue our own baths. When we finish, we clean the room, dispose of the water and extinguish most of the candles before joining Eliza on the bed. Rufina blows out the candle then lays her head on Eliza's shoulder as I pull the sheet over the three of us. We are soon asleep.