The Mechanical Era

"That's what he said," Arjun replies as he stood in front of Kristina from the other side of the table.

"And he did not freak out?" Kristina asks.

"Nope. He kept calm and made a decision quickly."

"So it is fair to say that her majesty is wrong?"

Arjun nods. "It seems so."

"Should we write a letter? Asking them for permission?" Kristina asked.

"It would be best."

"I will write down a letter then. Can you send it to his majesty as soon as possible." she requests.

"When will it be ready?"

"By the end of the day perhaps?"

"Alright then. Can do."

...

As the sun rose, Richard woke up alongside his wife, a blonde-haired housewife with deep brown eyes like her husband, a small straight nose, and a round face. They first got off cleaning their teeth. Their family in particular practiced rubbing their teeth with a fine powder made out of sage and salt, stamped and baked. It got rid of the yellowness of their teeth.

The family got around to the table, where Mia had already prepared their breakfast around 12 to 1 am. It mostly contained dried bread, vegetables, cheese, and dried fish that had a salty taste, with either a cup of water or beer to drink. Today was a beer!

"Are you going to do what sire had told you?" Mia asked in her feminine voice as she served out the food.

"As I told you, sire promised us that he would allow us to sell any extra food that the farm makes. We can earn a little more money if we do. It could mean we can buy some better tools, the things have all gone a lot rusty, and donate the rest to church." Richard replied.

"Have your friends talked about this?" she asked.

"Yes, I talked to them. They said that they also want in as well." Richard replied.

"Father, when can I join you in the fields?" asked a small black-haired boy at the age of 5.

"You can in next year. You seem to be more enthusiastic about it. Unlike your oldest brother here." Richard pointed to the 14-year-old blond boy who was quietly eating his food with a wooden fork in his right hand. Marco turned to his father, ready to speak his mind.

"This young man right here only got working 3 years ago. I didn't even know how I let you get away for so long," he remarked.

"I honestly would rather be a merchant instead," he remarked.

"Money is a sin, my child. Didn't you learn that from church?" Mia said.

"But isn't money the whole reason why we do anything?" he rebutted. Richard was starting to get angry. Mia saw it grow on his face and decides to end the topic.

"Silence! We will not talk about that matter any further. Let us focus on eating what god had presented us." Mia says.

"But..."

"No buts Marco. Now eat your food. You are going to need it.

...

The sun was now directly above the farmers, who had been working for 4 long hours implementing Kant's four-field system. Tired, sweaty, and dirty, they all collectively decided that they needed a good long break before going back to work. Marco dropped his dull iron hoe on the ground and walked over to a small tree.

The tree provided shade to rock smooth and comfortable, that he felt it was made to be sat upon. On the tree itself, a heart with two names was carved out of it. He sat down and took out his bottle to drink.

It was when he was drinking, two smooth pairs of hands closed his eyes.

"Guess who?" a cute voice said. Marco simply smiled.

"Hmm... I wonder who it could be. Could it be Jordie? No, wait! Is that you Linda?." Marco teased. She then took her arms then hugged Marco from behind.

"How is it going to Cassie?" he asked. Cassie was a young girl about Marco's age. The woman had black hair tied up in a long ponytail, eyes the color of the blue sky above, and a smile that charmed anyone.

She wore a brown hemp gown like the rest, but with a rare blue kerchief on her head that she got for her birthday. Cassie looked to be sweating and exhausted, just like Marco.

"So what were you up to?" Marco asked.

"I was carrying buckets of water from the well to my mother. She needs help with cleaning our clothes and all. What were you doing?"

"Same as usual, farming. However this time, my father is implementing a new crop rotation that Sire Kant himself had ordered." Marco responded. Cassie wondered what it was.

"Oh? Can you tell me about it?"

"Yea sure. It's called the four fields crop rotation. Instead of having three fields, we are having four separate fields. The Sire wants to reduce fallow lands, and increase production."

"Isn't that risky? How did he manage to convince them?"

"Ironically, he offered that the extra amount of food produced can be sold by the farmers themselves, and won't be taxed by the palace."

"If that is so, that truly is ironic," Cassie said. Marco looked at the fields. Several thoughts had come to mind. Cassie noticed that Marco was daydreaming again, and decides to interrupt.

"Still dreaming of becoming a merchant? Sell spices, and acquire riches?" she asks.

"Yea. I still do." He responded honestly.

"Of course, you would. Ever since you met that man you dream of moving to the inner city, and I don't understand why you would."

"What do you mean?" Marco asked.

"Look around you! Why would you want to leave? This place is nice and all. We have a beautiful landscape, with a wonderful family, and lots of space! You won't get that if you become a merchant in the city." she replies.

"That is true. But that had been my dream for a while. Though I don't currently have the skills yet to become one, nor do I have the money to move to the city. So I decided that I remain here for the foreseeable future." he said. Marco then got closer to her ear to whisper something.

"Besides. there is someone here that you want to take with you?" she whispers. Cassie hides her face blushing a bright pink while Marco chuckled.

"Anyways, I got to get back. I need to bring this bucket of water to mother. I will see you around, Marco." she says, and leaves the site under the tree. Marco smiles and decides that he should also get back.