2 February 1124

　　Matilda was stunned to see Margery run off into the forest, ignoring Pa`s calls and chasing after the Miller family. The frenzied crowd redirected their abuse at the fleeing girl, hollering insults and good riddance. The sudden loss of another daughter was too much for poor Ma who collapsed into Pa`s arms. William and Elizabeth ran to her side.

　　The Miller family disappeared from sight and the crowd`s yelling subsided. Pa lifted his distraught wife to her feet and they joined the remaining crowd heading back to Holford. The charged atmosphere was extinguished as drizzle turned to rain and the crowd dissipated. Ma`s wracking sobs drove the villagers even further away.

　　Everyone was silent as they walked down the muddy road back to Holford, processing the morning`s tumultuous events. Deciding that the family would be absorbed by their own loss, Matilda darted into the forest to get some space of her own. She caught William`s eye and shot a look urging him not to follow.

　　She cut towards the smoking remnants of her mill and it was only when Ma`s weeping was replaced by forest sounds that Matilda realised just how weary she was. Her jaw ached from the Labourer`s brutal attack and her burns throbbed. Already feeling woozy, she threw up after looking closely at her blistered fingers. They`d already started to smell.

　　Matilda was terrified of infection and headed straight to the millpond, grabbing a bucket and a coarse rock to clean herself as best she could. She stripped off her clothes but took particular care with her tunic which had crusted onto her shoulder from puss.

　　She cleaned herself meticulously, using twigs as makeshift tweezers to remove every strand of fabric or ash from within her burns. Each new discovery made her retch.

　　Convinced that she`d cleaned most of the filth, Matilda went for an awkward swim to wash out her wounds. The cool water soothed her burns but she began to shiver uncontrollably and suddenly became lightheaded.

　　Clutching onto consciousness, she dragged herself to the safety of the shore. She caught her breath and collected her burnt clothes before staggering naked back to the mill, head foggy and legs like jelly.

　　Several times she found herself dropped on one knee. She arrived to the safety of the warehouse and was drying herself with her blanket when she was hit by a particularly strong wave of nausea. The dirt floor rushed up to meet her and everything went black.

　　+++

　　It was dusk when Matilda woke. She hated her body`s weakness and for letting the Miller`s sabotage rob her of a day`s work. She ignored her rumbling stomach and went straight to wash herself again before donning fresh clothes and fashioning bandages for her burnt hands.

　　Matilda stubbornly resumed her work and toiled well after the sun had set. The fire was extinguished but her anger remained ablaze, at everyone and everything. She tore charred bits of timber apart to salvage all that she could. Some of them were still warm.

　　The clouds cleared and moonlight streamed through the completely collapsed roof, allowing Matilda to continue her work late into the night. It was only after a third fall, when Matilda landed heavily and burst a giant blister, that she finally conceded the futility of her efforts and begrudgingly sought some rest. She was asleep almost as soon as her head hit the dry dirt floor.

　　+++

　　Matilda spent the next morning poring over the wreckage of the mill and cataloguing the full extent of the damage. She determined that the fire had been deliberately concentrated around the mill mechanism which meant there was little left but the stone shell of the millhouse. Luckily the majority of the warehouse was unscathed.

　　By midday, Matilda had created a decent stack of salvaged timber in the warehouse. She was wrestling with a particularly large beam when William arrived carrying Elizabeth`s food basket. Matilda was ravenous but refused to pause her work and continued to wrangle with the timber.

　　William placed his basket on the warehouse floor and vaulted down into the mill`s basement to assist. The pair had almost succeeded when the task required Matilda to break her stubborn silence.

　　"No, push to your left!"

　　With one final shove, they hauled the beam into the warehouse and sat down, exhausted.

　　"You look terrible," William told Matilda bluntly. "Have you stopped at all?"

　　"I cleaned myself up when I got here," she replied simply. "There`s work to do."

　　"Not yet, you need a break. I`d bet you haven`t eaten since the fire."

　　Matilda`s stomach growled viciously. "Fine."

　　William started preparing her a meal of bread and cheese. He`d even smuggled the family`s precious supply of honey.

　　"I didn`t know whether you`d prefer to eat it or use it on the burns," he told Matilda as he passed over her meal.

　　Matilda mellowed with each hearty bite. It was heavenly.

　　"Thanks Will," she said, feeling more herself. "You were gone awhile, what`ve you been up to?"

　　"Taking care of Ma," William replied. "Trying to at least. She`s a wreck. That`s two daughters gone now. Plus Mama. Poor Elizabeth hasn`t been allowed out of her sight which is sucking the life from both of them. I`ve never seen Pa so angry. He put Arnold`s brute in the stocks overnight to wait for Sir Phillip. Arnold would be either brave or stupid to set foot back in Holford."

　　"What about the villagers? Did they continue their rowdiness?"

　　"Not without you to fuel their frenzy. They all went their separate ways as soon as we returned. The reality only settled in today, now that the excitement`s worn off. Everyone`s on edge, asking how we`ll grind flour or how the Baron might seek vengeance. Some even talked about finding Arnold and getting him to come back."

　　Matilda felt her hackles rise. "Over my dead body!"

　　"It won`t happen," William reassured. "Pa won`t let it. Nor I. Or Joshua, the Apprentice. But he`ll need your help. Poor guy`s in way over his head. He was so proud to finally stand up to his boss and even moved into Arnold`s house. But people are already banging on his door demanding their flour. Some are even asking for their grain back. But he just sits there, trying to understand Arnold`s leger. I don`t think he can even read. Perhaps he could be one of the first students here at your school."

　　William shot her a cautious smile.

　　"I`m sorry for falling asleep. I really tried to stay awake, I swear."

　　Matilda knew she`d asked too much of the Boy. "It`s not your fault. I pushed you too hard. Myself too. Arnold was bound to get his way eventually."

　　"True," William said thoughtfully. "I guess it`s only upwards from here then. We certainly can`t sink much lower. What will you do with the place now?"

　　Matilda had given it a lot of thought and told William that as terrible as the fire was, it presented an opportunity. The pair walked around the site as Matilda shared her plans to build a completely new mill, one with a much bigger waterwheel and a more efficient mechanism that could drive all sorts of machinery. A mechanical bellows for the Smith and a water-powered saw for the Carpenter. Perhaps even an electrical generator. It would be revolutionary. Provided they could fund it of course.

　　Matilda was just explaining how falling water would drive her improved design when she heard thundering hooves racing towards the mill. Baron Walter rode into the yard at full gallop, flanked by Sir Phillip and another knight. He sat atop the tallest horse Matilda had ever seen. It was solid muscle and lathered in sweat from a hard ride. The Baron reined in his steed, smoothly dismounted and marched towards them.A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

　　"What in damnation is this?" he yelled, waving at the charred shell. "I gave you a building that lay untouched for decades and within weeks it`s burned to the ground?"

　　"It hasn`t&" Matilda was cut off as Walter continued his rant.

　　"And my miller? MY miller! I hear he`s been kicked off MY lands, by MY own peasants no less! How can my quietest hamlet turn so suddenly to chaos? I ordered you to keep the peace!"

　　"We tried. My lord," Matilda added stiffly. "William and I kept to ourselves, just clearing the mill. It took weeks but we were almost done. The village craftsmen were already making replacement parts."

　　"But did you tell the Miller what you were doing? Did you tell him why you were clearing it?"

　　"He witnessed your decision!" Matilda replied angrily. "Of course he knew what we were doing&"

　　"So you flaunted that you were usurping his position in the village?" the Baron asked matter-of-factly. "No wonder he attacked you, I would`ve too!"

　　Matilda resented the Baron`s insinuation that they`d deserved the attack but, channelling all the lessons from the Institute diplomacy curriculum, she strained every fibre of her body to hold her tongue. She stared at Walter in tense silence, waiting for his temper to burn out.

　　"I will say my lord," Sir Phillip interjected, "It may be missing a roof but the building is much clearer than last time I rode through."

　　"Right you are Phillip," Walter said pensively. "Well, it`s done I guess. Now what are you going to do about it?"

　　Matilda seized the opportunity and gestured with an injured hand. "It`s been a painful ordeal, but there are positives that can come of it."

　　The Baron stared at her with disbelief.

　　"The blaze cleared out the remaining areas much faster than William or I ever could. The destruction of the mill`s mechanism is certainly a loss but we can install a more powerful design when we rebuild a new mechanism."

　　"Why would we need to build a new mechanism," Walter asked impatiently. "There`s already another mill, without a miller!"

　　Matilda took a deep breath, letting the frustration of the man`s obstruction flow over her.

　　"I hope to work with Holford`s smith to create a mill-powered forge capable of producing stronger metal and with the carpenter to create a mill-powered saw. Among other things. I guarantee that no other region in the entire Kingdom has access to that technology."

　　Matilda led the Baron and his men around the site, showing them the extent of the damage but taking care to paint it in a positive light. She explained how her plans for a more efficient mechanism would work and how it could allow the mill to do more than just grind flour.

　　"This is all fine and well," Walter chimed, "but with neither mill operating the villagers can`t process their own flour. You promised me double output but expect me to go without any income? It`s unacceptable!"

　　 "I could train the Miller`s apprentice&" Matilda started but Sir Phillip interrupted.

　　"I must say, this contraption is well beyond me but she does seem singularly knowledgeable. Your mind is a valuable commodity Miss Matilda. Walter, if she succeeds with this, maybe she could revive other projects. The old copper mine perhaps?"

　　"Oh no, one project at a time," Matilda insisted but Walter`s eyes had already lit up.

　　"Now that`s an idea," the Baron mused. "It could certainly compensate for the reduced milling revenue."

　　"And longer term&" Sir Phillip hinted.

　　"Yes!" Walter cried without a second thought.

　　Matilda protested. "There`s no way I can complete both projects at once. Any time spent on the mine would be less time to restart the mills. I can teach the Miller`s Apprentice but not both."

　　"I won`t hear it," Walter said. "You will inspect the mine and make it profitable again. The damned Miner is still wallowing around somewhere nearby isn`t he?"

　　"He is, my lord," Sir Phillip said, giving Matilda an unusually sympathetic smile.

　　"Then Matilda will find him and have him show her around the mine. And you`ll also help the Apprentice. Yes. Cease your work on this ruined endeavour this instant and don`t return until the Apprentice has dealt with the flour."

　　The Baron`s last statement was issued as a command, his tone concrete and eyes set.

　　Matilda paused. There was no way around it.

　　"Okay, my lord. I`ll inspect this mine and see what can be done. But I make no promises of success. And I`ll help the Apprentice get his affairs in order while also continuing planning with the village craftsmen." Matilda`s tone was concrete and her eyes set. "At least permit them to progress so we can begin repairs when the apprentice boy is trained."

　　Walter nodded and turned toward his horse.

　　The exchange left an unpleasant taste in Matilda`s mouth so she decided to push her luck.

　　"My lord, the mill has rightfully remained your property. As will the mine. But may I request compensation for my output?"

　　Sir Phillip shot Matilda a cautioning look but she continued.

　　"I`ve proven myself to be both capable and honourable. I request full authority to make alterations at both sites as I see fit, with the specific goal of maximising your long-term output."

　　"That seems fair," Baron Walter said warily.

　　"And I would request half of the profits," Matilda continued with a completely straight face. "To finance the work."

　　The Baron baulked. "Half!? You`re daft woman!"

　　"Only of the profits," Matilda reassured. "Surely my efforts are worth something to you. You`re asking me to turn dead and unprofitable sites into golden geese. If I leave&" She looked at him pointedly "&or something happened to me, the sites would remain untouched. Wasted. Useless."

　　"She has proven to be an asset Walter," Sir Phillip confirmed. "Perhaps half of a half might be fair?"

　　"Careful Phillip," the Baron warned, only half-jokingly. "It appears you and the Redhead are in league with one another." He sighed. "You`re a wilful woman Matilda but fine, half again. An eighth of the profits to distribute as you see fit. I`ll hear no more on the matter."

　　"Yes my lord," Matilda said with a grateful curtsy. The mere promise of income would encourage cooperation with the villagers.

　　Satisfied that his interests were no longer threatened, Walter mounted his horse and started back to Holford at a more leisurely pace. Matilda gave a knowing nod of gratitude to Sir Phillip as he too mounted up and departed to detain Arnold`s labourer.

　　"By all that is holy, how did you manage that?" William exclaimed as the knights disappeared from sight.

　　"I don`t know," Matilda said with a big grin. "It rarely hurts to ask? Come on then, we`d better earn our keep and see what this apprentice has gotten himself into."

　　William helped Matilda hobble back to Holford and they quickly made the rounds. Timothy was glad to see Matilda in one piece and excited to make more tiles for a new roof, a welcome change from the endless pots that were his namesake. His one condition was that Matilda finally show him how to make glass. Knowing of its future utility for her projects, she agreed instantly.

　　Matthew was harder to convince. He`d been happy providing minor support but his frown deepened as Matilda explained what they would need for the new waterwheel and mechanism. His interest grew when Matilda promised to teach him how to forge larger components and he became genuinely excited when she explained how the larger waterwheel would drive large saw blades for Walt and automated bellows for Matthew`s mechanical forge.

　　"You can do that!?" he cried.

　　"Sure can. We could even try making steel," Matilda baited.

　　"Why do I sense there`s more..?" Matthew asked warily.

　　Matilda sighed. "Well, the Baron gave me another task. He was quite insistent that I find the Miner and revive his old copper mine. Do you know where to find him?"

　　The joy in Matthew`s face disappeared. "That old mole. He owed me a lot of money. Good luck getting a coherent sentence out of him, he`s the Brewer`s older brother and rarely without a drink. I`ll try to find him for you. He`s either sulking in some cesspit near the Brewer`s or at his hovel near the mine."

　　Matilda thanked Matthew and left to find Walt. She needed a much bigger favour from him and wracked her brains for the best approach.

　　"Na, can`t help ya," he said. "Ya`d need my entire stock of dry timber."

　　Matilda ended up having to literally beg for Walt`s assistance. He was intrigued by the idea of a saw mill but it was the Baron`s promise of future funds that eventually convinced him to provide enough wood for at least the roof. Even then he demanded a hefty cut of profits.

　　Matilda was satisfied with her progress but her head throbbed and her burns ached as they made their final stop to help the Apprentice. She shivered as they passed the Miller`s empty house, her mind replaying the previous day`s confrontation.

　　The mill was a complete shambles when they arrived. Bags of grain were strewn across the floor and fallen stacks of flour had torn open. The Apprentice was covered in the white powder, making his hair look prematurely grey. Combined with his gaunt eyes and scrawny physique, he looked like an elderly man.

　　William and Matilda spent the rest of the day helping Joshua get the place in order. William restacked the grain and swept up the flour while Matilda worked with the Apprentice to decipher Arnold`s needlessly complex accounting system. Having spent the winter teaching the family, she was shocked at Joshua`s lack of rudimentary numeracy and helped develop a schedule to put his customers` minds at ease. Matilda suggested significantly reducing the Miller`s overinflated fees to further alleviate any concerns.

　　Next they worked with the mill itself, helping Matilda intuit how the machine was supposed to work. They managed to grind their first bag of flour after hours of experimentation and had the site working - though still far from smoothly - by sunset.

　　"Well it`s official," Matilda announced. "I think we can call you Joshua Miller now."

　　Joshua gushed with gratitude and his eyes had regained some life by the time William and Matilda set off for the cottage. They were both weary but felt they`d accomplished a lot.

　　They were almost home when an arm grabbed Matilda and dragged her behind a hedge. William cried out with a mixture of shock and warning. Matilda acted out of instinct and, despite her burns, swept her assailants feet before landing a flurry of punches.

　　"Ow! Stop it!" Matthew cried, trying to push Matilda away.

　　"Oh, sorry," Matilda replied sheepishly. "I don`t like surprises."

　　"Noted," Matthew wheezed as he clutched his stomach. "I found the Miner for you. Want to see who you`ll have the pleasure of working with?"

　　The pair followed the Smith to a pigsty behind a nearby building. Matthew gestured to a lumpy pile of rags.

　　"There`s your miner," he said, barely hiding his amusement at Matilda`s disgust. "Looks like you`ve got serious work to do."

　　(C) Jay Pelchen 2023. All rights reserved.