"Your majesty, the rebellions are bad enough without killing the horses of your noblemen to achieve what has been done in Spain with those... 'aero carriages.'" Edward tried to explain. "Horses aren't necessary anyway. Not with what we've been able to put together."

Henry narrowed his eyes at what looked like a crossbow built for the hands of a giant. "Nothing is faster than horses..."

"Cannot arrows reach their mark before a horse?"

Henry was quiet and seemed a bit ruffled.

Edward gestured toward the men standing around the contraption. They started to whip and lead a pair of oxen on either side so that a thick rope was drawn tightly back. A groaning sound came from the arms of the contraption as it was drawn and then finally locked into place. There was a call from the Ox teams and then at the front another team guided an 'aero carriage' into the groove so that it was like a loaded crossbow, the carriage being the bolt.

There was another call and the driver climbed into the carriage. He gave a wave.

Edward turned to Henry. "At your call, your majesty." He gave the King a smile.

Henry nodded. Edward raised his fist, then pulled his arm down. The lock was released and with a low twang the winged carriage shot off into the sky. No cliff, no horses.

When it became clear that the aero carriage was going to stay in the air for awhile, Henry's mouth fell agape.

"It won't stay in the air much longer than the Spanish aero carriages as it currently exists--however, we think putting in a lathe or a pulley might allow the carriage to remain airborne by spinning a smaller wing at the nose."

"Huh... well.... well done Edward."

"As you wish, your majesty." Edward grinned from ear to ear.

As Henry looked on, marveling at everything, Edward reached into his bag. He produced a large leatherbound book with a space cut in the pages. A screen flesh dimly, words and pictures changing. "Looks like the rebellions are still going to happen. Everything according to plan..."