Chapter 12 - The Completion of the Water Wheel

The sun hung high in the sky as dozens of craftsmen and farmers gathered along the riverbank. Wooden beams, thick as a man's leg, had been carefully arranged beside the half-built structure—the framework of Aldric's greatest innovation yet. The air buzzed with activity as men hauled materials, hammers struck wood, and ropes creaked under tension.

Aldric stood at the river's edge, overseeing the final steps. After weeks of work, the water wheel was nearly complete.

Wulfric wiped sweat from his brow, stepping beside Aldric. "Never seen so many men put their backs into somethin' like this before." He grinned. "They're actually excited, my lord."

Aldric smirked. "That's because they know what's at stake." He turned to the gathered crowd. "Once this wheel turns, it will provide water without the need for constant labor. No more endless bucket-hauling from the well, no more depending solely on the weather."

The farmers and craftsmen exchanged eager glances, whispering among themselves. For generations, irrigation had been a grueling, back-breaking task. If Aldric's promise held true, it would change everything.

An older farmer, Matthos, scratched his chin. "I'll believe it when I see it, my lord. Ain't nothing come easy on this land."

Aldric gave him a knowing look. "Then let's see for ourselves."

The last wooden paddle was secured into place. The craftsmen, covered in sawdust and sweat, stepped back as Aldric and Wulfric moved forward for the final test.

Lucien, standing atop a small boulder, stretched lazily. "So? Shall we see if all this effort was worth it?"

Aldric ignored his sarcasm, signaling to a group of men by the riverbank. "Remove the support beams."

With a series of heavy creaks, the wooden braces holding the wheel in place were lifted. The structure groaned under its own weight for a moment, then settled into position. The farmers collectively held their breath.

For a moment, nothing happened.

Then—the river took hold.

The wooden paddles dipped into the rushing water, and the great wheel lurched forward. Water splashed as it began to turn, slowly at first, then with smooth, steady movement.

A cheer erupted.

"It's working!" someone shouted.

"Look at it go!"

Aldric felt the rush of satisfaction as the wheel spun flawlessly, its momentum powering the wooden shaft that led into a series of pipes. As the wheel lifted water, a primitive aqueduct system directed the flow toward a reservoir.

Within moments, water gushed into the waiting channel.

Matthos, the skeptical old farmer, stumbled forward. His wrinkled hands cupped some of the flowing water, letting it run between his fingers. His lips parted in shock. "By the gods… it actually works."

The other farmers rushed forward, touching the water, splashing it, feeling it as if they needed proof that it was real. Some were laughing, others just staring in awe.

One young farmer turned to Aldric, his voice almost hesitant. "You mean… we won't have to walk miles to fetch water anymore?"

Aldric shook his head. "Not if we build more of these."

Another farmer clapped Wulfric on the shoulder. "You seein' this?! No more haulin' buckets every damn morning!"

Wulfric grinned. "Aye, I see it." He turned to Aldric. "This is bigger than just saving time. With steady water flow, the fields won't dry up. Our people won't waste hours fetching water that could be spent farming, building, or resting."

Aldric nodded. "This isn't just about convenience—it's about giving you all more time to grow, to prosper."

The excitement spread like wildfire.

Lucien, still watching with crossed arms, let out a low whistle. "I'll admit it—I didn't think you'd pull it off. But you've just redefined farming in this land."

Aldric exhaled, his work finally complete. But even as he watched the water wheel spin, he knew… this was only the beginning.

The crowd gradually dispersed, farmers eager to return home and tell their families about the day's events. The craftsmen, still buzzing with pride, promised to build more of Aldric's designs in the coming weeks.

As the sun dipped lower in the sky, Aldric found himself restless.

The innovations he had introduced were only one piece of the puzzle. If he wanted true progress, he needed to know the people better.

So, he made a decision.

He turned to Wulfric. "I'm going for a walk."

The older man raised an eyebrow. "A walk?"

Aldric nodded. "I need to see how the people live—not just here, but throughout the territory."

Lucien snorted. "A noble taking a stroll through peasant villages? That's a rare sight."

Aldric shot him a look. "If I'm going to lead them, I need to understand them."

Without waiting for further commentary, he set off down the dusty roads leading away from the fields.

The Village Streets

The village sat nestled against the rolling hills, its thatched-roof homes simple but sturdy. Smoke curled from chimneys, carrying the scent of freshly baked bread. Children ran barefoot through the dirt paths, chasing one another with squeals of laughter.

Aldric walked at a steady pace, observing.

At a small marketplace, a woman haggled fiercely over the price of vegetables. A blacksmith wiped soot from his forehead as he worked on repairing a broken plow. Nearby, an elderly man sat outside his home, slowly weaving a basket, his hands rough and calloused from years of labor.

It was peaceful, yet Aldric could see the struggles in the details—the patched clothes, the thin livestock, the way some homes had weakened beams, showing signs of disrepair.

A group of farmers noticed him and stiffened. Some bowed respectfully, others hesitated, unsure whether to acknowledge him.

Aldric stopped. "How's the harvest coming along?"

One of the men, a stocky farmer with tired eyes, cleared his throat. "Better than last year, my lord. But still not enough to fill every belly through winter."

Aldric nodded, his gaze flicking toward the small sacks of grain stacked nearby. "Have the new farming techniques helped?"

Another farmer, a younger man with sunburnt skin, scratched his head. "The manure trick… it's working. Crops are growing stronger. But… well, it's just slow. We've been doin' things one way for so long. Some folk are still skeptical."

Aldric folded his arms. "Then we'll have to prove it works—on a larger scale."

The farmers exchanged glances, hope warring with uncertainty in their expressions.

At that moment, a young girl, no older than six, peeked out from behind a wooden crate. She had messy blonde hair and wide, curious eyes. In her small hands, she clutched a withered carrot, gnawing on the end.

Aldric crouched down to her level. "Is that your dinner?"

The girl nodded slowly. "Papa says we gotta save the bread."

His chest tightened. He turned back to the farmers. "No child should have to ration food." His voice was firm. "I'll make sure of it."

Wulfric, who had followed at a distance, sighed. "You're going to work yourself to death at this rate, my lord."

Aldric stood. "Not if it means saving lives."

He exhaled, looking around the village one last time.

This was why he had to keep pushing forward.

Because until every child had more than just a single carrot to eat, his work was far from done.