Encouraged by the success that marked Ferdinand Tildrum between Evermore and Goldpaw, King Evan and his loyal friends set a new course:
"To Hydropolis!"
The pioneers of promoting an idea that could unite the whole world did not really know anything about the new country that they had in their plans in the context of the global project, except that it was isolated in the middle of water, but the first success made them believe in the success of the upcoming expedition in other countries. Tani was especially jubilant, in which hot pirate blood made itself felt, causing a thirst for adventure and movement forward.
"I am already completely ready for the trip. Soon it's in the bag and the new state will be our ally!" rejoiced Tani.
"Tani," Evan laughed, "I am going to believe in success, but I think it's better not to overdo it with self-confidence, but just to do what we have to do, go towards the goal gradually."
"And I, on what I insist again, wouldn't flatter myself at all in your place," Batu boomed, "And this self-confident young man," Batu nodded toward Roland, who, with great happiness, didn't hear what Evan, Tani and Batu were talking about, and, having covered themselves, with huge folios of books and ancient tables with inscriptions borrowed from the Goldpaw archive, was writing something concentrated on parchment sheets. "Well, what a bookworm! And what does he read wise in those tablets?! - puts nonsense and pink hopes into children's ears. It seems to be such a learned and serious person, and nobody knows what is really on his mind. How do you not understand that this does not happen in this world. What you have in mind cannot be, because it cannot be! Every country – not just country! - Each person is fighting for his place in the sun. No matter what good intentions Evan may have, other kingdoms will not understand and ridicule him. Everyone cares only for his their own benefit.
Evan, Tani, and Batu stood the library of Evermore just beginning to replenish with its own books, thanks to Roland, who had a passion for books and devoted almost all his free time to them. Roland worked in a remote section, isolating himself from distractions.
"Batu, you said exactly the same thing when we first approved our diplomatic program," Evan moved his eyebrows, a little saddened by the negative position of the leader of the pirates, "and yet, the first result is already obvious – Ferdinand Tildrum didn't seem ridiculous to Pugnacius, and it was successfully concluded between our countries, which will prevent the possibility of any war between our states. Now Evermore and Goldpaw as a family, coexist with each other. Not to mention the fact that Evermore has replenished with new citizens, thanks to which the country begins to flourish. We can always count on the help of a friendly country, even in the face of any danger," the young king argued.
"So be it," muttered Batu. "But this is only one country, and there are other countries ahead with their claims. And who is this type of Doloran is, who somehow plunges one country after another into chaos. If Doloran steals your divine connection with Lofty, then what will happen?
"Hey, hey, hey, Bruiser, what are you saying!" burst out Lofty, who, like a little sun, immediately rolled to the speakers, waddling from one tiny paw-like duckling leg, to the other, hearing that they had mentioned him. "Nothing can separate me and Evan!"
"Shut up, dad!" could not stand Tani and stamped her foot angrily. "What are you doing here in the library?" the girl gave Batu a mocking look from head to toe. "Roland is right: what do you really mean in state affairs! Evan will cope and Doloran will overcome, you see. I fully support him and believe in him"! She said firmly.
Batu scratched his head, puzzled, and sighed.
"Ah, daughter, on your mind, your feelings have completely turned your head!"
"What?! Tani exclaimed and blushed deeply. "What are you talking about?"
Evan looked puzzled at Tani's flushed face.
"Nothing," the pirate laughed good-naturedly, giving Evan and Tani a sly look. Batu could flare up at times, but was outgoing. "Do as you know. Just don't say later that I didn't warn you."
Batu, once again casting a displeased glance towards Roland, shook his head and left the library.
Finally, Roland slammed another volume, carefully placed it on the bookshelf, and turned to Evan and Tani Although he was finished, his gaze still expressed an unbroken connection with the texts, his face was very thoughtful and focused, which testified to the continuous intellectual activity in his head.
"Roland, did you decide to be like Boddly from Goldpaw Archive?" Soon you will completely disappear among these shelves," said Tani, with round eyes examining the considerable amount of huge volumes that Roland laid out on the desktop separately for further reference.
"Not really," Roland laughed. "Books are my passion, but imagine the happiness of a book lover when he opens a library of a world unfamiliar to him. In my world, the order of things and historical events are already familiar to me, but what can I say when a completely new cradle of experience and wisdom is revealed to me. If it weren't for state affairs, I would spend all the time here - with books."
"Well, we can imagine," Evan cheered, discovering yet another weak spot of his older friend. "Your erudition, experience and wisdom are indispensable in the arrangement of Evermore and, I think, will play a considerable service in our future adventures."
"I hope and thank you, Your Majesty," Roland said respectfully.
"Among the people close to me, my father, King Leopold, had a passion for teaching, books, and history back in Ding Dong Dell. Father and Otto Mausinger were famous throughout the country as wise rulers and were a support for each other's knowledge, complementing each other. They were the closest friends," Evan's face dropped for a moment at the memory of the betrayal of the one whom the boy trusted, seeing the sincere and strong friendship of the king-father and adviser.
Tani put a hand on Evan's shoulder.
"And Nella!"
"Nella? asked Tani
"Yes, Nella also loved books. Nella got a job as a servant in the Ding Dong Dell castle when I was a baby, being a girl herself, and as long as I remember, she spent her free time in the royal library, and then taught me to search for answers to questions in books. Nellf taught me a lot, having even dedicated me to the various secrets of the universe revealed in books, but very often gently refused to answer my direct questions: she compared knowledge with the precious treasures that are obtained by seekers at the cost of tremendous effort, time, sometimes sacrifice, and, accordingly such is the price and knowledge. Writers, researchers and historians have put a lot of effort into delivering knowledge, therefore their results must be treated with due respect. Knowledge must be obtained as a jewel, and then polished and brought into proper shape. In this way, Nella instilled perseverance in me."
"What a wonderful teacher you had! She taught you so many things!" Tani marveled. "And, according to your stories, she is so kind, gentle, strong. What a pity I didn't have such a mother," Tani sighed.
"She really was an excellent, incredibly wise teacher and ... an extraordinary woman," Roland said thoughtfully. "Now it's clear whose merit is bringing up a man like you," he looked at Evan.
Evan did not find what to answer to Roland's latest remark. After the memories of Nella, silence fell. Evan could hardly restrain the tears that began to go down his throat; Tani looked at Evan with warm sympathy, taking his hand and squeezing lightly in hers; Roland bowed his head and turned to the window, standing in his usual closed pose with folded arms.
Suddenly, on the other side of the end, there was a sound like a stunning shot or a slap. The inseparable trinity jumped in place in horror, covering their ears with hands.
"What was it?!" Tani exclaimed, not taking her hands off her head. "Ah, how it rings in my ears, as if someone had hit right on the head!"
"Lofty!" Evan gasped.
The Kingmaker jumped from one foot to the other in delight.
Yes, I managed to stir you up, you are so boring! Lofty complained, looking incredibly pleased with himself. "Do we really have a lot of time to indulge in despondency? Let's have some fun: we have Hydrpolis on the map!"
"Yes, really!" Tani supported, clapping her hands in joy. "We have evaded the topic of conversation."
"Yes, and the reason for the interruption was my obsessive person before Batu left," Roland put in.
"What? Did you hear everything? Including what Batu said?" Evan looked apprehensively at Roland, remembering how he flared up in response to Batu's open claims to the main consul at their first meeting, at which Roland presented a project to implement Ferdinand's diplomatic policy. Batu was indignant that crazy ideas were supported by a young man who came who-knows-where, in contrast to which Roland resolutely rebuffed, saying that Baru did not understand political affairs at all.
Roland laughed good-naturedly.
"And I heard that too. Don't worry, Evan, I'm not angry with him. Firstly, Batu really does not understand anything in political activity, and secondly, he proceeds from the value system that he is used to seeing around himself, and not the value system that he needs to strive for. Yes, our path is narrow, thorny and complicated, unusual, even, perhaps, crazy for others (and I can even understand in some sense)," Roland recalled his bitter experience of ruling the state in his world, "but, as Nella said, a high goal, high knowledge is achieved by tremendous efforts and sacrifices, right, Evan?"
"So," Evan nodded.
"We have to move on," Roland went on. "I believe Batu will eventually understand the significance of the path chosen by Evan and us."
"So, are we already go?" could not stand Tani. "There is no longer any strength to wait."
"Tani, while you have to moderate your ardor," said Roland to Tani. "The way to Hydropolis lies across the ocean on a ship. To great luck, the shipbuilders from Capstan-upon-Hull give us a ship for saving their friends, we managed to get a solid tree from the Forest of Niall to build it, but that is not all. The construction has just begun and, I am afraid, will end no sooner than in three months."
"Three months?" Tani's face, all this time radiating joy, instantly became sad. "It is so long!"
"It is," Roland confirmed. "But this is a great opportunity to complete our state affairs and tasks before leaving, so that later I will completely devote myself to the next steps. In addition, I think if we want to speed up the process of building the ship, the builders in Capstan-upon-Hull will need our help. So, Tani, you can so far direct your overflowing energy to help shipbuilders. You can and it is advisable to invite Batu to the process. He physically surpasses all of us and will become an indispensable assistant in shipbuilding.
"Oh, that suits me! " Tani came to life again, dreaming about a fun romp under the sun with sailor songs and stories during lunch and dinner by the fire on the seashore. "And I think the father will like the new duty: he loves when his physical abilities are judged as he deserves, and the marine atmosphere and traditions of the Capstan-upon-Hull will seem close to him in the mentality of air pirates.
"Evan, you improve the infrastructure of the country and look for new subjects for our kingdom from Goldpaw. I will also take care of my diplomatic duties and at the same time make inquiries about the new countries that we have to visit," Roland pointed to the pile of books on the desk.
Evan, Roland and Tani, were encouraged by the prospects ahead and plunged into their duties with even greater zeal despite the rather long waiting period for the upcoming and long-awaited trip. Especially all members of the expedition were involved in the work on the ship in Capstan-upon-Hull. In Capstan-upon-Hull, where space was appealing with pacifying charm, togetherness with golden glares affectionate smiling under the sun's rays on the bright blue surface of the sea, sweet sea air, which you wanted to breathe to your full chest, standing or sitting on the pier, lowering our feet into the blessed coolness that relieves fatigue and alarming.
"Capstan-upon-Hull is the place where the soul is healed! In this city of sailors, music, as if inaccessible to an external organ, is heard only by the inner strings of the soul. This music is crystal clear, like the local sea and sky, merging with each other. " characterized the city of Evan, sharing his impressions after the first visit.
Elusive to external organs of hearing music was heard by other members of the expedition, but could not rationally explain this phenomenon.
"This is the magic of Capstan-upon-Hull!" residents and workers of Capstan-upon-Hull shrugged with a mystical smile.
Work on the ship involved in the process a solid part of subjects from Evermore, consisting mainly of air pirates. Clutter reigned in Capstan-upon-Hull, but the clutter was solemn and festive. The sailors, cheerfully singing songs and exchanging jokes with the representatives of Evermore banged with hammers, scrubbed with saws, rustled with tools. Children of air pirates and shipbuilders were playing hats and hide-and-seek, climbing under boats, moorings and getting underfoot. The construction of the ship rallied people from different regions and created an atmosphere of celebration. Around reigned joy and merriment
Tani was running barefoot around the city in the hot sand, tied her head from the sun with a black and blue stripe scarf, whose job was to deliver the necessary tools from one worker to another. Having delivered the instrument to the shipbuilder who was working on the bow of the ship, the out of breath Tani begged tearfully begging for permission to drive several nails. Her hair strands knocked out of a scarf.
"Sir, please. I want be helpful, not run, carrying one hammer back and forth."
"You are helpful this way."
"Oh please! You must understand that I will not leave you alone. I'm the daughter of air pirates, after all," Tani proudly shook her head, so that her hair was scattered with curls in all directions.
"Oh well, what to do with you. See how to do it right," the shipbuilder began to show the technology. "Now come on, try to drive that nail higher," Tani took a hammer into her thin hands. She wanted to hit the nail with a hammer. But, due to her short stature, she could not reach but the girl didn't want to give up."
"You see, you are too little for this job," the man laughed.
"No, I can handle it. Sir, help me," demanded Tani, and the sailor, putting the girl on his shoulders, allowed her to satisfy her whim.
After a while, Tani made friends with the sailor-builder and sang sea songs together.
Batu carried on his hands over his head a huge, three-meter-long, wooden panel made of wood, which Evan and his team managed to get with difficulty in the Forest of Niall.
"Tani, daughter, look how strong your dad is," the pirate turned to the amused Tani, bending and straightening his arms with a giant wooden beam. "I also have a strong skull, so I can easily place this piece of wood on my head."
"Dad, by no means," Tani answered fearfully, but it was already too late: Tanya safely laid the board on his head, but that did not hurt him.
"This board is like a feather for me. I can carry three more on top of this bar! "Batu boasted.
"Really?" Then bring me to Evan and Roland on top of this piece of wood.
"Easy!"
Tani climbed from the sailor's shoulders right onto the bar to Batu, and, laughing and singing a sea song, she went to meet Evan and Roland, who worked on the pier. Evan controlled the process and gave orders to the builders, and Roland drew something with a ruler and a pencil on large sheets and calculated, occasionally, squinting from the sun, glancing at the ship under construction. Evan and Roland, having brought state affairs in Evermore to a more or less logical end, arrived in Capstan-upon-Hull and joined the shipbuilding process,
So, in peaceful labors and worries, the day was approaching sunset. The sun began to set over the horizon, and the inhabitants of Capstan-upon-Hull tuned in for evening rest and relaxation. Traditionally, the citizens of Capstan-upon-Hull in the evenings, gathered around the campfire by the sea, singing sea ballads, which were popular in the city.
"Well then, Roland and I are going to Evermore. Tani, are you staying here?" Evan asked Tani.
"I really want to stay," said Tani, who fell in love with local people, the freedom-loving atmosphere, warm meetings and songs around the fire. "Evan, Roland, and you stay, you will not regret it. It is so good in the evenings!"
"Your Majesty and you, Mr. Roland, stay in Capstan-upon-Hull at least for the night, make a company by the fire. This is a great honor for us," said Ben (now Tani's friend) supported the idea. "Moreover, we have where to stay. Overlooking the sea wonderful outdoor sleeping rooms
"Well, Your Majesty," Roland said, looking around at the sunset with pleasure, "I think we can afford it today."
"Yes, Roland, and I think so," agreed Evan.