Banished Prince Charming

Chapter 80 - Unbecoming Behaviour

During the merriment, Eagle mentioned to me that we need to have more reinforcements so that we would be well prepared at any time and at any cause.

"How fast and how many would you think it would be appropriate?" I inquired since Eagle was the Secretary and he has a better picture on the wellbeing on security and defence.

"Just another 5 would do, Sir. We won't want the citizens to be alarmed at the sudden influx of the Shadows here. They would likely be able to arrive together with Marcel." Eagle proposed and I agree without much hesitation.

"At least with the addition of extra manpower from the Shadows, any loopholes could be covered and security may be tightened. The citizens would not be involved to take any forms of arms training then."

"That's right, Sir. If you may I will despatch a message now and my headquarters would like ae to source out the men required. I will inform the headquarters to look for a blacksmith, a carpenter, a herbology as well."

"Thank you so much for your kind effort and support, Eagle. We really appreciate what you had done so far." I clasped my hand to my c.h.e.s.t and bowed slightly as my gesture was taken aback by Eagle. He never expected a royal to bow before his subjects as he quickly bowed lower to show his respect and went off to the windmill to send a despatch through his carrier pigeons.

Soon after, he returned to his seat among us as we discussed on the matter that might be overlooked. Such as additional families that would influence the population and the growth. We then discussed with matters concerning the village that might be severely lacking in the future.

An excited engineer came forward to ask permission from me for an attendance and I replied, "Don't have to be formal and besides we are having some merriment after dinner and we are not sitting on the dining table right now."

"Oh, Sir, thank you. It is like this. You wanted us to show you a sample of a hand cart that could be traversed easily am I right? Would you mind if we have some space to deliver somethings from you?" he asked enthusiastically. It seemed this young Shadow before me is really fit to be an engineer if sorts rather than being a shadow killer or part of the militia.

"Alright then, please proceed," I replied and Frank, helped to clear the ground to make way as the engineers pushed in 3 items, the handcart from Darlington, the wagon that was used to transport earth a few days back and a small scaled-down version of a handcart with only two wheels at the back and a handle in front.

Frank hushed the crowd and asked everyone to gather around for the next improvisation if things to come and all citizens placed their cups or simply drained the contents down their throat. The engineers then pulled and pushed these contraptions and presented before me.

"Sir, as you can recognise this handcart, it comes from Darlington. It is being pushed by 3 small wheels, am I right to point that out? But small wheels to accommodate for heavy loads is not recommended."

"You also mentioned about traversing and ability to turn wagon without overturning it and its contents and people aboard. OK, let us show you an example." having explained these two items, two engineers supported the front of a wagon while another two knocked the wheels out from the front.

The knocked-out wheels were then hooked up at the sides, making it look like as if the wheels were placed much higher than it is before. The young engineer then explained, "Prior to moving out, these front wheels would be knocked out and placed in this manner, with the horse tethered to it. OK guys, turn it around portside 90 degrees angle."

When the two men who held on to the wagon turned sharply, the turning radius of the wagon decreased tremendously. It practically turned using its rear wheels and I noticed one turning clockwise and the other anti-clockwise.

I clapped my hands and I bellowed, "That's practically what we wished for. A two-wheeled wagon that would not be easily overturned and able to move around and parked almost effortlessly...!" the citizens who saw this couldn't believe what they saw because they thought that a four-wheeled wagon would be better than a two-wheeled.

"When we wanted to untether the horse or park it for some time, we could use one of the front wheels, slot it back in its axle and knock the wedge back in. This way the horse does not have to bear the weight of the wagon and its contents throughout." explained the young engineer.

"Yes... Yes... Splendid idea...!" and I noted it down in my journal of today's findings. Next, the young engineer moved to a scaled-down version of the wagon into a handcart. "Pulling requires less energy than pulling and it works well on elevated and uneven ground. If a wheel is stuck in a rut, it would be best pulled over it then keeps pushing against it with the full weight of its contents."

Here we have somewhat similar to a full-sized horse-drawn wagon. This would be best suited with at least a 14" wheels which Minister Ben had helped to craft. Bamboo was used as its platform and a simple protruding axle serves for the wheels to be fitted.

The young engineer then approached 2 young boys who suddenly became scared and wanted to back out but the engineers told them that these could be used to carry clay bricks and they finally agreed.

"Alright, you two boys sit on it while I bring you one round in the village OK?" the young engineer ushered the boys to sit cross-legged and before he brings them around he explained, "Sir, this is to show you the effectiveness of carrying a simple load. this wooden bamboo handle with a T at the end acts as a steering handle as well. Look how easy it operates."

Since the two boys who were sitting on the back of the wagon with its front pointed high, the engineer grabbed hold of the handle and moved sharply and the same effects were shown. The wheels acted as a pivot that made it possible to turn around on its spot. Lesser friction, lesser turning radius, full marks on simplicity and adaptation.

"I like the ideas. But there's room for improvements. Make these wheels to be in the centre here so that it would use as an equilibrium instead of only relying on the back end of the wagons instead. What do you think?" I implied at the improvisations since it would make sense to the user at the end of the day.

The engineer slapped his forehead and exclaimed, "By golly, Sir. Why didn't j think of that before? All this while I was thinking about just removing the front wheels of the wagon but I forgot about physics and weight distribution...!"

"Hahaha...all of you are good in your planning and research, while in my part, I would try to make improvisations to improve everyone's lives as well as making things simpler. The horse-drawn carriage doesn't need to carry the spare front wheels anymore. So what are you going to call this two-wheeled wagon?" I laughed at the young engineer's antics as he was just acting like me. Even in front of a royal, he would behave as it was a normal thing for him to do

"A dray, *hic* Your Majesty *hic*, it is a dray *hic* back in my town in Thornaby *hic* hahaha... Why? Have you not heard of *hic* dray or Thornaby *hic* before?"

A female slurred voice emerged from the crowd of citizens when a lady emerged from within as the citizens made way for her to step forward.

"Oh my gosh... Not her again. She is known not to be able to hold her liquor and one cup of wine would make her as drunk as a lord who drank a keg of wine himself...!" I exclaimed as I watched the staggering figure walking towards me and was held back by her two comrades.

"Audemars... We have *hic* been friends since university and *hic* since I am here you have *hic* not come and see me and say *hic* hello or anything if that *hic* sort." she raised the cup to her lips and found that it had been drained and reached out her hand for someone to pour another for her.

"Enough...! Don't serve her anymore. You two comrade of hers should hold her down and control her, not letting her be an unbecoming behaviour of a lady." I advised and felt shameful towards her attitude after not being able to hold her drink.

"Hehe... *hic* come here Audemars, come here *hic* and give me a kiss for *hic* old times sake... Hehe. Are you *hic* shy, Audemars?" I placed my hands on my forehead and lowered it to the table while making a sidelong glance at Eagle.

"Really... This girl can be full of nonsense at times, but she can be one of the fiercest fighters I've known in class. Hahaha. Please deal with her, Eagle. Don't be too harsh on her. It would take some time for her to open up on why she joined Gillman. She is of a noble bloodline."

"Yes, Sir. It is my duty to uphold each of my men's aptitude to gain respect and not this type of dishonour. I sincerely hope to get me, men, in as soon as possible. She would be placed in replacement duties." before I could oppose and rebuke Michelle for her unbecoming behaviour, Eagle had left the seat and waved for several of his men to take the trip away as well as the handcart and the wagon, leaving the two boys on the new wagon feeling dumbfounded in what to do next.

=*=

The first boy asked his mate, "Weren't we supposed to take a ride around the village by that big brother?"

"How would I know. He just turns this thing around and then now they have left us here. Hmm, how about we take turns. He said we can use this for the clay bricks once it has finished firing or something like that?"

"I don't know," the first boy replied. "Why not we take this for a spin or a joy ride now? This sure looks like fun... Hehe. I kinda like it. I wish Grandpapa Jack could make these for us."

"Hehe... Let's go. I ride, you pull and then it's my turn. And if the girls wanted to ride, the payment is one kiss on the cheek per round. Hehe." the mate cheekily suggested as he nudged his mate to get off the wagon as he stayed on there, waving his hands like riding a royal carriage while blowing kisses.