Dividing The Lands
1499 Words
"Once the livestock area had been relocated, that means we would be able to see an improved courtyard in the centre of the town square, is that right, Your Majesty?" Old Jack inquired excitedly and I responded to his queries.
"Of course Old Jack, we can't rush since we have very limited manpower. Thus we could only do things in stages and from this end first before we moved up to the courtyard. Besides, the livestock and vegetable gardens would be able to move up first once the first row of houses in the first cluster had been built."
"It seems 3 months are too short for this projection, it may even take 24 months to complete the whole works." Ben highlighted as he looked at the plan that I had written on the pieces of paper strewn on the conference table."
"Don't worry Ben. This town is not going anywhere and once the river project had been completed, the citizens would then see how big the town square would be and how many crop fields could be planted accordingly. I would like to reserve 10 vegetable farms or even more of we have more crops fields that could be segregated."
"Won't the town square be exactly dead centre as according to what you had shown to the residents?" Frank asked as he was wondering that more deforestation project would be involved, thus making slow progress instead.
"Not really, half a mile would be measured from the riverbank in the centre of the courtyard, which means directly in front of the domain entrance right down past the domain and right till the orchard trees behind us."
"Half a mile across would be enough."
"Then take 1 mile from the end of the half-mile on both sides means we have a two perimeter made. An extension of the river would be made behind us to mark the perimeter of the Town Square."
"Then, we have a balance of 1½ mile from the riverbank right up ahead, right? Then the same perimeter would be made when it reaches the end of the mark and stretches 1 mile each in both sides."
"Here, I draw it for you so Priest Earl and Priest Walter could perform the perimeter tomorrow onwards."
I went to the writing slate, drew a rectangle that represents a domain. Then I draw an arrow line downwards and then a perpendicular line to mark the 2-mile perimeter. Then drawing above then wiggly line denotes River Ure and the same arrow lines were drawn.
This time everyone understood what I am trying to say and they were surprised that the crop fields across the main river line were very spacious. Eagle calculated the area and discovered that we would end up with a lot of crop fields, vegetable farms and livestock enclosures...!
"My Golly... There are more than 200 crop fields, Your Majesty. You can even have 50 for vegetable farms even." Eagle finished his calculation and showed me his results and everyone gasped...!
Now with the current 45 crop fields and every hastened harvest, it could help to sustain the current population for a few seasons ahead. And now we are talking about more than 200 crop fields. 180 for crops and 20 for vegetables plus about 10 for the livestock. Wow... Gracehaven is going to be rich...!
Each plot of farmland would be 100 feet by 100 feet...!
I was awed when I saw the sight before me. I knew for a fact that a 100 feet by 100 feet crop fields would yield an approximately 1000 pounds or slightly more wheat that could sustain 19 families for a month...!
If we have 180 crop fields, that would feed at least 3,400 families a month. Based on hastening crops by Penelope, we would a have 2 harvests in a month and that could easily be 6,800 families based on 55 pounds of wheat per month...!
Well, we need to arrange the crops according to the manpower available. Right now the crop fields were 60 feet by 60 feet and were managed by an estimated 90 workers or slightly more.
Then we have those working to remove the grains from the spikes and those who cut the stalks and turning them into hay. Besides we need manpower for the grains drying kiln, the storage, dehusking and milling as well.
Suddenly, the discussion turned back to where we started building Gracehaven before and it was nostalgic to jog back the memories as we discussed the overall plans just like the days before.
"Your Majesty, what would become of the Gracehaven's Finest Bakery, Blacksmith and Gracehaven's Greasy Spoon. Would there be changes made to them as well?"
"Draw me a proposal on how you would like to see your bakery grow, Jennings. It would be a 2 storey building, with the baking done upstairs with the 20 Ovens and downstairs would be there the display and storage of bread, biscuits and cakes. How does that sound? "
"You mean I could draw the design and implement the new bakery? I would prefer the upper level to be open aired on all sides with a firm roof and awnings. Then the selling area would be closed up with a huge display at the front and an entrance."
"It would be squarish in design and 20 ovens and 10 bakers working at the same time. We could have some new sales staffs as well to handle the sales on the ground level."
Jennings and Hereford were both excited and decided to draw the plan there and then. Since the bakery would be upgraded, it would also be relocated to allocate a huge ground for the arena and meeting area.
The dining table and benches would not be discarded but will be moved to a place near the food preparation area instead which would now be a permanent fixture as well. Since lunch will only be provided in time to come, there would be plans for an outdoor seating area with a roof over their heads this time.
Next on the chopping block would be the Blacksmith and Old Jack doesn't want much from his store. All he requires was a place for the Priests and Priestesses to gather in their Guild a second level of the blacksmith complete with conference table and chairs.
Space would be double or tripled where a showcase of finished goods would be at the storefront and the blacksmithing would be at the rear of the store.
I looked at the less demanding features of the blacksmith and agreed to the plan.
Gracehaven's General Store would also undergo a facelift into a two-storey store double to triple the size. Commonly sought items would be in the ground level where the second level would be items of slightly higher value.
Gracehaven's First Tailor and Loom would also be relocated and expanded where the operations for tailoring and looming be done on the second level and the bundles of cloth and made to measure clothes be done on the ground floor. Chadwell and Innes the tailor were happy to hear about the changes. Besides, the work area would be spacious and grand this time.
Last but not least the Gracehaven's Greasy Spoon. It would be upgraded to a two-storey building as well. Food prep would be done in the innermost of the building where the second level and front most of the store would be for dining. A few tables and benches would allocate for outdoor dining as well.
Everyone was quite delighted to hear the changes and even the woodcutter and sawmill area would also be relocated to free up space for the courtyard.
When everything was recapped to them, everyone had their goals and plans and we soon adjourned the conference in the domain.
"Your Majesty, the grounds for arena had been calculated. There would be enough space to hold an arena since it would be shaped like an inverted 'U' with the opening facing the domain. Would you want it to be a permanent fixture made from something more durable like iron structures and wood seating?"
I pondered and asked around for a while before Old Jack mentioned that it's better to make the arena' s structure permanent as its safer and also its one of the attraction for the events.
"Alright, I need someone to draft the design for that and the rest of the building. A model would be fine rather than drawing on paper and ink. Thank you and that's all for tonight..."
I finally concluded everything while I went to the nursing room upstairs to bade my goodnight and kiss those lovely twins before I head down next door. The helpers cleaned up the conference table of my papers and set it aside as they do not wish to jumble them up.
It's going to be a long night after this once again... A whole new restructured Gracehaven would start tomorrow by daybreak.
- Writer
