Jump Chain 5 - Merlin

Part 12

Camelot. Albion.

I laid out what looked like a hand drawn copy of some old plans before the two craftsmen. Both of the men leaned forward, and while they might not be able to read, they could understand the plans easily enough. I'd created the document using information stored on one of the many data discs I had in my Cosmic Warehouse and I'd copied them out by hand.

"This is a recreation of a design I studied during my travels" I told the two men "It's called a spinning wheel and I believe it will be of great help to the seamstresses of this kingdom".

The spinning wheel I was going to try having these men create was from a later part of the Medieval era, called the Saxony spinning wheel meaning that it was quite an advanced bit of technology when compared to what the locals had now. However it was not so advanced that the natives of this world wouldn't be able to build their own version of the design.

According to Cortana's predictions the spinning wheel could increase the productivity of clothes makers by as much as a factor of ten. Which would mean more clothes even for the poor, these clothes would be cheaper to make, and there was always a demand for them so I wouldn't be putting anyone out of work.

I knew that food, clothing and shelter were the three basic necessities for the survival of human beings. I intended to work towards improving the lives of people in these three areas. I'd already made a start in the food department by suggesting to some of the farmers that they should adopt a new system of planting.

The Norfolk four-course system as it was called in my world, was a method of agriculture that involves crop rotation. Unlike other methods such as the three-field system, the Norfolk system doesn't involve a fallow year, but allows the fields to be used all the time. Instead, four different crops are grown in each year of a four-year cycle: wheat, turnips, barley, and clover. It was developed in Norfolk, England as the name suggested.

Crop rotation was important because growing the same crop in the same place for many years in a row (which was a process called monocropping) depleted the soil of certain nutrients. That could lead to fields becoming barren, which could ruin a farmer's livelihood.

With rotation, a crop that leaches the soil of one kind of nutrient is followed during the next growing season by a dissimilar crop that returns that nutrient to the soil or draws a different ratio of nutrients. In addition to that, crop rotation mitigates the buildup of pathogens and pests that often occurs when one species of plant is grown in the same field year after year.

The local farms already employed a two-field rotation, in which half the land was planted in a year, while the other half lay fallow. Then, in the next year, the two fields were reversed. Farmers in Europe transitioned from a two-field crop rotation to a three-field crop rotation during the Middle Ages, but that was centuries away by this point in history.

Since I was a knight, and had the Authority Perk at least a few farmers would be willing to take the risk in trying a new system, and over the next decade while I was still here, I should see an improvement in the yields of farms that adopted my methods, if all went well other farmers would also adopt the practice and increase the amount of food available to all.

While there were other things I could introduce to help improve things, such as Water and Wind Mills, which shouldn't have been invented yet, I didn't want to do too much too quickly as not only would that draw a lot of attention my way, it could also overwhelm people.

"It doesn't look that complex" said Tom the blacksmith "but it's made out of wood not metal".

That was mostly true.

"There are some small metal parts that will require a skilled hand to create" I said to Tom while pointing out the parts on the paper "And I hear your daughter is a talented seamstress. We'll need someone to test the spinning wheel".

The other craftsmen, who was called Bill, would do most of the construction work as he was a man who worked very well with wood. He and men like him had made most of the stuff in this very room. Furniture ranging from chairs to beds. If anyone could create the spinning wheel it would be him.

"I'll need three of these devices made as quickly as possible and I'll pay for the cost of the materials as well as the time" I told the two men before turning to address the blacksmith "I'm sure that once we have a few working that more people will want them. I'd like the first spinning wheel to be given to Gwuenvirne as payment for her help. Someone will need to demonstrate the device to buyers, and I'd like her to perform that task. I'm sure she'll get a lot of use out the machine".

Tom nodded in agreement.

"My girl will help" he promised.

No doubt he was envisioning the wealth he could obtain if this invention took off, he didn't seem like the greedy type and if my memories of the show were correct he'd been thinking more of his daughter's prospects than his own. Which made him more appealing to work with.

Someone knocked on the door and I bidded them to enter, when I saw that it was messenger, I turned back to the two men I'd been talking to.

"Please study the design and get to work as soon as possible" I ordered "Come see me if you need money for materials and such".

The two craftsmen made their way out while the young man, who I knew to be a messenger who made sure people who lived in the place got their letters, which were few and far between compared to amount of post someone could get in my time.

"Thank you lad" I said, while taking the letter.

I passed the boy a coin, and he bowed before departing. Then I unrolled the crude paper and read it.

"Son of a gun!" I shouted.

That got Cameron's attention.

"Is something wrong, Master?" she asked.

Indeed it was.

"Terrible news" I told the Terminator "I have a cousin apparently, and she needs a husband. My father wants me to find one for her here in Camelot".

My memories of my family in this world weren't important to me, but they did exist and I was able to recall a few girls who'd come to watch my knightly training. Young noble ladies didn't have much to do in this day and age, so watching boys work out and try to clobber each other, was a good a pass time as any.

"I vaguely remember her" I mentioned to Cameron "Some small girl who chatted endlessly, her parents died when she was young. I think she's called Maeve".

My family wasn't that well off, our holdings were small, and as such my father couldn't afford to keep me, hence why I'd made my own way, and now he wanted his niece taken off his hands.

"It's a good idea" my bodyguard said "Camelot is full of men who can provide a comfortable life for your cousin, and you can entice them with a large dowry".

She was providing some good advice. It would be a simple matter for me to use my wealth and position to find a husband for some young woman. It wasn't as if I cared who she ended up with, as long as they didn't mistreat her that is.

"My father wants me to pick met her up from where is staying and bring her here" I mentioned.

For some reason my cousin was staying with another noble family. I didn't care why, what I saw here was an opportunity to spend a few days away from Camelot. I could beam to my cousin's location at around the time I would be due to arrive if I'd travelled their on horseback. The dull part would be travelling with her and any servants she brought along, back to Camelot.

"This is why I normally go with drop in" I muttered to myself.

It was my own fault. I'd decided to become a Knight of Camelot during what was suppose to be a relaxing Jump, and okay compared to other Jumps this had been a snooze, but I could do without the family obligations.

"Go see the steward" I instructed Cameron "Tell him that I require a room for my cousin who will be staying here at the citadel for the foreseeable future".

Thankfully this was a big place and there were always empty rooms for guests. As for any maids I could worry about them later, after all my father hadn't instructed me to take care of them.

"I'll run this by Prince to ensure there aren't any problems, and to get a few days off" I said.

Cameron didn't leave right away. She didn't exactly look as if there was anything on her mind, yet somehow I knew she had something else to say before her mouth opened to speak.

"You can use your cousin staying here to your advantage" stated the cyborg "She could befriend the Lady Morgana, and maybe find out how her ladyship feels about you".

That plan had the potential to backfire, as if Morgana hated my cousin she'd feel more negatively towards me as well, but for now the Seer was a sweet and forgiving person so I wasn't too worried about that.

"I'd like to get the measure of her before I let Morgana exchange words with my cousin" I said.

For all I knew this Maeve hated my guts. And I wouldn't blame her since I barely acknowledged her existence.

(Line Break)

Isle of Blessed. Albion.

When I'd decided to visit the island during the time when I should be travelling to met my cousin I had expected to have a lesson in the use of magic, and that I might have time for a couple of lessons, as well as an opportunity to go to bed with the High Priestess.

What I hadn't expected was to end up sparring with a woman as she worked to perfect her skills with the sword as well as her magical talents while under Nimueh's tutorship. Also I hadn't imagined that she'd be so much better at duelling than I was.

While I knew that Morgause, the woman who kept knocking me on my ass, was the half-sister of Morgana Pendragon; it was unknown to me if she had any other siblings, but that seemed unlikely as I felt sure that they would have appeared in the show at some point.

I did know for certain that Morgause was born into one of the noble houses of Camelot, the house of Gorlois. I didn't know who her father was, but I did know that Vivienne, the wife of Gorlois, was Morgana's mother, and they'd both inherited their magical powers from her.

However Gorlois was not Morgana's father and I didn't think he was Morgause's either as I'd seen a portrait of the man and he looked nothing like Morgause or Morgana. This Vivienne woman must have cuckolded her poor husband something awful.

Gorlois was a sorry man in life. His wife had cheated on him with his best friend, who happened to be Uther, who later betrayed his friend by not sending him reinforcements during an important battle, and then Uther had taken the girl who Gorlois had thought was his daughter as his ward.

For some unknown reason, Gaius was asked to smuggle the infant Morgause out of Camelot when she was very young and he had given her over to the High Priestesses of the Old Religion. Gaius did so, and swore an oath to never reveal his actions to anyone. An oath he broke in the show, but only because Arthur was in danger.

Uther was led to believe that Morgause had died, also due to an unknown reason. In fact she lived and Morgause studied magic for many years, eventually becoming a very powerful sorceress, before acting to take her revenge on Uther Pendragon.

As things turned out I'd become part of that training, and if asked I would have admitted that Morgause was a better swordsmen, or swordswoman or swords person, or whatever, than I was. Which was really no surprise and in the show she did beat Arthur in a duel, and he was the only Camelot knight able to challenge me.

A part of me wanted to think that Morgause must be using magic in order to keep defeating me, not directly, instead she might be enhancing herself, but that might be my pride talking, and that was dangerous as I couldn't risk underestimating someone who could one day be my enemy.

Given what she might do in the future it was tempting to kill her now, but that would be a little hard to get away with Nimueh watching, and besides she hadn't actually done anything as of yet. Also she had use to me, if only as a sparring partner so killing her now made no sense.

"That's enough for now" stated Nimueh "Morgause you're more than a match for any knight of Camelot".

Those words could well be true. Morgause wasn't that physically strong, however she was fierce, she stayed on the offensive, and kept moving, her footwork was superior to mine, add to that she was very nimble. If she was someone else I might find her attractive due to her skills and fearsomeness, but this was Morgana's sister and she was kinda scary as well. Besides if I so much as flirted with her sister, and Morgana ever found out it would affect my chances with her.

"I wouldn't be so sure about that" I said to the two women, as I picked myself up off the ground "Arthur is better than me".

Okay so that was debatable, and sure I could have defeated Morgause if I'd used my near-ascended powers, but there was a fair chance she could beat the prince, and I didn't want her rushing to Camelot in order to challenge the young Pendragon.

"Be patient" Nimueh said as she and Morgause got close to each other "It is not yet your time".

When they started kissing I figured that Nimueh's teaching methods seemed to include being intimate with her students. Not that I minded as she was a hot teacher.

(Line Break)

Fortress of Ismere. Albion.

I walked around the fortress and found that I was pleased with the job Cortana had done while directing the bots to fix up this fortress. While most of the most of the place was still empty, it was all clean, plus spider free, and those places that had been converted into something useful to me had only the best equipment.

Cortana had insured that I had workshop all set up should I desire to some tinkering with machines as I sometimes did, she'd also set up a lab for scientific studies, as well as a room for magical practices, which had been put together with potential explosions in mind.

Sure I had a layers of personal shields and body armour to help protect me, however that wouldn't help much if I brought the roof down on myself so Cortana had placed some force fields around the room, which could any explosions contained.

My AI had also ensured me that there was a place for transportation to be stored. Not that I had a fleet of cars or anything like that, but I'd already built a boat so I should be able to build other craft. Space ships were banned in this setting, but that didn't rule out stuff like planes, helicopters, tanks, and perhaps even submarines.

Well maybe not that last one as I wasn't qualified to control such a craft and in any case I had no interest in whatever was going on under the sea, if there were merepeople and the like I didn't want to annoy them. Plus there was a lot of land to explore.

The bedrooms and kitchens were nothing special, although they were a lot more modern than anything else in this world, what really caught my eye was the command centre that Cortana had set up. Form this room I could see what the probes and the satellite could see, and when in this room I would be able to make use of the technology here to do many cool things.

Aside from being able to monitor most of Albion at any time I could access the transporters, which would allow me to lock on any number of people and beam them around, or really high up into the air if I so pleased. Shame that there were no active volcanoes in this part of the world or I could have dropped dangerous people and objects into the lava. Perhaps I could work on extending the range.

There were no physical controls in this room, instead there was a command chair, similar to those found on Ori or Ancient ships. A direct neural interface was a far more elegant means of controlling such advanced technology. I no need for buttons or switches, not when I do things with my mind. Also the chair required the user to have the ATA gene so it acted as another layer of security.

"You need to make this place proof against scrying" Cortana reminded me as I sat down.

That wasn't a big concern as if a certain High Priestess was able to keep track of me at all times she have enquired about my teleporting by now. Besides when it came to Nimueh I was far more concerned about she wanted me to do that she saw while spying. I could always erase her memories if needs be. Assuming I could disable her for long enough.

"Any signs of armies on the move?" I enquired.

Things had been tense in Camelot ever since that whole poisoned chalice idencent had nearly started a war, and the deaths caused by the vampires hadn't helped with that.

Thankfully Bayard had not marched an army, he desired Camelot's wealth, as did many powerful men in this part of the world, but clearly he'd realised that he couldn't take the kingdom. Which wasn't surprising as the castle had strong walls and brave defenders, any attacker would need a great advantage in order to ensure victory.

According to the history files in my databases, the kingdom of Mercia was Anglo-Saxon, and it was established after the supposed death of Arthur. It covered much of south Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Staffordshire and Northern Warwickshire. For some time it was the most powerful Kingdom in Britain.

Yet in this world it wasn't an Anglo-Saxon kingdom and nor was it anywhere near as large, this among other things had convinced me that this world was an alternate version of my own with changes that went back possibly thousands of years. If nothing else this meant I didn't need to worry about radically altering the future of my world, or something close to it.

On the other hand that didn't mean it was a good idea to cause too many changes as then events that were suppose to come to pass wouldn't, and while that worked out better in the Stargate verse I couldn't be sure that it would here. Besides improving things for the better in that setting had been a lot of work, and I didn't fancy going through all that again.

At least not yet anyway. I was suppose to be taking some time off Jumper stuff, and now that I had a proper fall back position. I could focus on enjoying myself, at least somewhat. Later if needs be I could use this place as more than a hideaway. From here I'd be able to command whole armies or destroy them.

I leaned back in the control chair that Cortana had set up and I felt my mind connect to the systems that had been set up here. I could feel the security systems, the transporters, the replicators, the force fields, the computers in the lab and workshop, the cloaking device that with a thought I would be able to activate, as well as other devices. It was all here at my command.

"Yes this will do nicely" I said.

Now that I had a proper home away from home, a place I that could be used for research and experimentation, I could relax a little more, knowing that Cortana had somewhere to beam me to should thing go wrong for me in Camelot. Which did ease the burden on my mind.

(Line Break)

Camelot. Albion.

"Are you sure that I can't terminate her?" Cameron asked me, and not for the first time.

Maeve, my cousin for this Jump, was in the carriage while Cameron and I rode on horses. The trip home would have been more comfortable in the carriage, but seconds after meeting Maeve I'd decided to keep my distance. She was pleasant enough to look at, alas she was a talker, more so than the women in my original family, and the entire time I'd been within her line of sight I'd been pelted with questions, which would haven't been so bad only she never gave enough time to give her a proper answer to any of them.

"I'm considering it" I said to my cyborg companion.

Okay so I wasn't going to let her kill someone just because they were annoying, however that didn't mean the option wasn't tempting.

"Welcome back Sir Gothic!" someone called out.

To my surprise the prince had come out to greet me. I hadn't expected him to note my arrival nevermind come out to the courtyard. However I soon realised that Arthur was actually here to met my cousin, and he made a fuss over her arrival, taking her hand and helping her get out of the carriage.

I had to wonder what his motivation was for doing this. He might just be making an effort to be polite, or he could even be trying to make me seem more impressive to my cousin. Then again knowing the prince as I did this could all be some plan that involved embarrassing me.

Not that it really mattered. Maeve was only my concern until I found someone stupid enough to marry the talkative young woman. Then I could wash my hands of her and get on with something that actually mattered. Such as my studies of magic, or the improvement projects.

"This is my cousin the Lady Maeve" I told Arthur, who of course already knew that "Cousin, this is Prince Arthur, Knight of Camelot and heir to the throne".

I half expected Maeve to swoon, but she and her handmaiden, whose name I'd even not bothered to learn, just giggled a lot. I had a feeling that soon I'd come to loathe that noise, in fact the loathing was already starting.

"Merlin!" Arthur yelled "Come help with the bags".

Maeve had packed quite a lot, hence the need for an expensive carriage. Already several servants were attempting to sort out of the bags while getting them off the top of the carriage. At least the trip here had been uneventful, we'd not been bothered by any bandits, and traffic wasn't a concern in this era.

"We have a room prepared for you" the prince told my relative "And we'll find somewhere for your maid to sleep".

My mind was that was of a near-ascended human, as such I was able to keep track of the conversation while also taking in my surroundings, and I couldn't help noticing that someone was watching. It was Morgana, she was probably just curious about this new arrival. She was too far away for me to make her expression.

Hopefully this wouldn't turn out to be some sort of territorial female thing. There were other noble women around, but none of them were as young or as good looking as Morgana, and I didn't think she'd approve of the attention the prince was giving Maeve.

"Thank you, your highness" my cousin was now saying, when she wasn't busy giggling.

I sighed and told myself that the sooner I got this girl a husband the better things would be for us all. Clearly she wanted a man in her life, and after meeting Arthur I figured that she wouldn't settle for anything less than a Knight of Camelot assuming we couldn't find a nice prince.

Well a knight that wasn't me. Although if I recalled correctly it wasn't so odd to marry your cousin when part of noble family. Not that this was a possibility for me I had no desire to start a family, as I wouldn't be around long enough to see any kids grow up, and I only wanted women as companions if they had skills that were of use to the group.

Which was why I once more looked up at Morgana, but she'd gone from the window. Hopefully she was okay. I'd hate to have upset her.