Chapter 319: Ahead of Schedule
Prince Russel looked back at his troops. "I should let you get back to your duties. I've got to get all these louts ready for their last mission before heading home from deployment, and if I don't watch them closely, they'll forget that we're still working soldiers."
Dominic laughed and nodded in agreement. "I should go remind my lovely wife that I do take my job seriously as Duke, and that I'm not just running off to play in the forge."
The two men parted ways, and Dominic went to check on Alexis, who was in the Library, napping in a comfortable chair.
Perhaps he didn't need to feel too bad about the time spent in the forge.
Carefully, he tilted the Princess so he could sit beside her, then pull her up into his lap as he focused on enhancing his Spellbook. That was the only major project for the day unless they got visitors, so there was no need to wake her up from her nap.
At least until dinner was ready.
Pops arrived right on time with Mead at his side, and Dominic had to fight not to laugh at how nervous the little Dwarf looked as she was introduced to everyone.
"Princess, this is Mead, Pop's new apprentice. She's on her first day, but she is showing good potential. Her mother is with Baron Keith, working at his estate." Dominic explained.
"Good evening, Apprentice Mead. It's good to have you here in Wistover. The Master Smith has been looking for a reliable Apprentice for a while, as his former Apprentice keeps getting called away on other duties." Alexis greeted her.
Mead giggled, then looked horrified, then bowed and apologized.
Pops stood her back upright and patted her on the back. "Relax a little. You can consider the forge to be a Royal Commissioned business, she's not going to bite your head off."
That didn't help the girl look any less horrified, but when Jasmine and Millie came in from the servants' showers, she did begin to relax.
"It's common for us all to eat together. The only ones who don't are the kitchen staff, who are busy and eat... well, I don't know if they eat before or after." Dominic explained.
"After. The meal isn't ready in time for them to eat before." Alexis clarified.
The farrier hustled the Apprentice off to the far end of the table for some 'girls talk', while Pops came to sit with Dominic and Alexis.
Half the table was empty in between them, even with the Royal Guards seated, but that gave them a bit of privacy for their first meeting.
"So, you took in a little girl to be your new apprentice? I didn't expect it of you, old man. What happened to your notoriously picky standards?" Alexis joked.
Pops shrugged. "She knows how to hold the flashlight. She will figure out the rest easily enough."
Alexis smiled. "Alright, we won't say too much about your soft spot for the downtrodden. But will she be able to keep up in the forge? I know that the way you and Dominic have been doing things isn't quite the usual."
Pops nodded. "Oh, she will for sure. She might not be at the Duke's level, but she's a full-blooded Dwarf. She will be able to work the forge just as well as I do once she has some years of practice under her apron.
She's also right enthusiastic about making new tools. You should have seen how lively it got once we started in on the steam hammer for the factory. I'm going to end up making two of them now so that I can have one in the forge as well."
His indulgent sigh made Alexis smile. "How is the factory coming, anyhow?"
"We got the last of the major tools in today. The Techno Wizards delivered the orbs for the kiln, and I made up a cutting die to make lids, so they'll be sending people over to start making canning jars tomorrow.
Betty from the Witch coven says that they've got a wax gum to seal the lids, so the harvest season won't be wasted." Pops explained.
Alexis drummed the table with her fingers as she considered the potential.
"That will work out very well. But come to think of it, we're going to have far more than we need soon. Any word on the livestock so that we're not all vegetarian by the end of the month?" She asked.
Julio joined the conversation. "The Guild is bringing a convoy to us, along with ranchers. Technically, they're hired ranch hands, and we will put them on grazing land belonging to the Duchy, but I have been assured that we will have a good mix of breeding stock."
"Excellent. We will wait for them, and that should solve our meat issue in half a year. Did they send milk animals?" Alexis asked.
Julio nodded. "Water buffalo with calves. Not the best for cooking, but it makes wonderful cheese. There are sheep as well, and those will also be an option."
Alexis smiled. Indeed, Water Buffalo milk was awful. It was a staple of farm households because the animals produced so much that even their own calves didn't need it all. But it was only good as an aged cheese.
She had heard that once upon a time, the species had three to four calves at a time. But now it was more common for them to only have one, which left a huge surplus of milk production.
"Is there any other business for the week? If not, I will make plans to intensify the training of my staff." Alexis asked.
Dominic smirked as the maids stood up a bit straighter.
"I will just be working on my magic and some new magitech designs this week. Nothing that will need their assistance." He added.
Pops shook his head. "I will be back to normal orders tomorrow, as we finished the order for the factory."
Julio shrugged. "Unless a caravan shows up early, it's just paperwork at my end."
"Then it's settled. Enjoy your evening. Now, what did the lovely Miss Beth make for dessert?"