The last ray of the sun disappeared into the sky, spreading in a dull pink watercolor between the torn clouds, together with the descent of the sun over a smooth blue sea strip of the horizon. Twilight gradually descended into the city at the pier, slowly and smoothly, as if gently wrapping a sleeping space in a hug. Nature froze in a soothing pacification of the night: crickets sang smoothly and melodiously in the bushes, a timid splash of water and crackling of a fire were heard near the sea , where Evermore and Capstan-upon-Hull citizens settled down , tuning the strings of the soul in accordance with the rhythm of the sea night. Countless stars glittered overhead, which seemed to quietly sing their universe melody of the earthly human ear.

For some time, all those gathered at the traditional meeting around the fire were silent, as if conspiring, merging with the peace and harmony of this magical action of the sea night. Meetings around the campfire on weekends after work were traditional, but they were not thought out in advance and were not specially organized in any way. The main principle of holding meetings around the fire was to follow the melody inside the soul, which had to be felt before starting the meeting. The first step towards merging with the harmony of the sea night was taken by Ketch from Capstan-upon-Hull, carefully sorting out the strings of the guitar and playing the melody, and then he sang a sea ballad to the accompaniment of the instrument. The sounds of melodies and songs were soothing and calming, perfectly complementing and emphasizing the beauty of the night by the fire. Evan felt how the soul was filled with nightly harmony and extraordinary inner satisfaction. He absentmindedly glanced around those around the bonfire: some citizens from Capstan-upon-Hull beat with their feet and, closing their eyes, leaned back, looking at the starry sky, others carefully began to sing along, then Tani joined in with a melodic clean voice; Roland sat, staring intently at the blazing bonfire, sometimes throwing firewood into the fire, thinking, as always, about something of his own - tall, deep and inaccessible. The atmosphere of the night, the crackling of the fire charmed and captivated him, forcing him to put to sleep the pain aching on the shutters of the soul, which he forgot about in the bustle of the day.

The ballad captivated not only with its pacifying melody, but also with a lyrical plot, perfectly conveying the individual flavor of Capstan-upon-Hull sea: simple, heroic and, at the same time, sadly tragic. The ballad sang the tragic story of one shipbuilder and sailor who built the fastest, lightest, most beautiful ships in the world: their speed was like a flight of an eagle flying fast in the sky, agility and strength like a panther, when it easily defeated terrible storms and waves, and majesty and beauty are like a blinding sun rising in the glory of the rays during the early dawn. Once, while plowing the expanses of water, the shipbuilder heard wonderful singing coming from the mountains along which he sailed on one of his glorious ships. The singing was so attractive and magical that the young man forgot about everything in the world and sent sails to the mountains. Finally, he saw the source of the sweet sound: a girl sat on the highest rock, whose beauty overshadowed the beauty of the morning clear dawn, her skin shone in the sun. She was in a dazzling white dress, pearls flaunted around her neck and hands, with her delicate white hands she combed her golden long hair, a halo streaming down her back and shoulders. The shipbuilder and the girl fell in love, but the price of their love was very expensive. The girl was the niece of the bloody King of the Storms, dragging everyone who looked at the beautiful girl in the net to the deep bottom of the sea, where they died. Such a fate awaited the glorious shipbuilder, but, charmed by the excellent boat of the young man, the King of the Storms offered a deal: he would give the girl to the shipbuilder as a wife and he would be granted life if he could build a ship from gold extracted from the sun's rays, the sails should be woven from the shining of the full moon, and the external decoration must be made with the magic dust of twinkling stars. If the shipbuilder does not complete the transaction, then the King of the Storms will imprison him at the bottom of the sea, from where there is no turning back. The young man, who was beloved by sun, moon and stars, received solar gold for building a ship, moon fabric for sails and the shimmering dust of stars as a gift from his friends-luminaries and built the most perfect and incredible ship in the world as if from a wondrous dream. But the King of Storms outwitted an honest young man: not wanting to give a beautiful girl, he took the ship, and dragged the shipman to the bottom of the sea. Unable to overcome the sorrow associated with the death of her beloved, the girl, mourning the glorious shipbuilder, died, and her spirit turned into a sea tear, merged with the sea of these places. Since then, travelers and residents of the environs of the seas have been catching a gentle melody poured in water and air - this undying spirit of the girl mourns her beloved, narrowed, forever drawn to the bottom of the sea...

There life does not play
And the light does not sparkle,
Only the miraculous image in mortal dreams.

Ketch sang the final refrain twice in a melodious bass and fell silent. For a while everyone was silent, not breaking the connection with ballad reality.

"So, according to legend, the melody that everyone hears in Capstan-upon-Hull is the spilled mournful song of the girl in which she mourns the shipbuilder?" Roland broke the silence, not taking his eyes off the bewitching fire of the fire.

Ketch nodded, tossing firewood into the fire.

"Is that just a legend? Or do you believe in this story?" asked Evan , keen on the lyrical plot of the ballad.

"This is a legend that we believe in," answered Ketch's wife Leslie, with a pleasant smile, pouring mint tea into tin mugs. Otherwise, how can we explain this magical, quiet melody that we all hear in Capstan-upon-Hull?"

"But why, if this mournful song, does it seem to us not entirely sad? In the song it is also felt a comforting note, as if in it sorrow is combined with a clearance and, perhaps, even hopes?" asked Roland.

"Because in love light is enclosed, even if it is tragic love. Love is stronger than death. Love conquers death," Ketch's wife thoughtfully answered.

"What happened to the ship and the king of the storms? How dare he so mean and bloodthirsty to deal with an honest shipbuilder?" Tani exclaimed, clenching her fists and frowning.

"Having lost his beloved niece with the shipbuilder, the King of the Storms deeply repented - and the evil spirit with which he was obsessed, prompting him to commit heinous murders, came out of him. The Kind wanted to free the young man from imprisonment, but it was already too late: the young man was sleeping in a sound mortal sleep. Tormented by shame and sorrow, the king sailed on a ship into distant water and settled on the deepest depths of the far ocean. Since then, no one of the living have not seen him or heard of ...

Residents and visitors of the city, including Evan, Roland, Batu and Tani , spent time in a pleasant conversation and discussion of the ballad until late at night.

"Well, my friends, it's time for everyone to go to bed. Get up early tomorrow and meet a new day to work on the less brilliant than that of honest mariners, but also worthy of the title of King Evan Dorisfan Nyandal ship," Ketch bowed respectfully to Evan. "Thank you, Your Majesty and your friends," he smiled at Roland, Tani and Batu, "for adorning this evening with your presence. See you tomorrow night!"

After extinguishing the fire, citizens of Evermore and Capstan-upon-Hull , wishing each other good night and singing the melody of the ballad that everyone loved, went to bed. Soon, the last lamp went out, and the sea harbor plunged into a deep sleep.

The daytime Capstan-upon-Hull clutter contrasted sharply with the harmony and silence of the night. As soon as dawn broke, the small sea town was filled with knocking, whistling, cutting, sawing, creaking sounds of a global building process. Life played and raged. Residents of Evermore and Capstan-upon-Hull, involved in the common work, managed to establish strong friendly bonds and felt the joy of unity and unity. This was the case when the work not only tired, but, on the contrary, gave spiritual strength, confidence, inspiration. The anticipation of the next evening meeting by the fire, singing, telling atmospheric tales and stories reinforced the effectiveness and perseverance in shipbuilding.

Since royal and state affairs were more or less established in Evermore, Evan and Roland considered it necessary and useful to stay for a few days in Capstan-upon-Hull, especially since their help was more necessary than in Evermore. In addition, they wanted to let off steam and diversify the duties in the palace, consisting of endless negotiations, making plans, diplomatic visits, working a little in an atmosphere of freedom, harmony with the sea, nature and each other, breathing in the sweet-salty, juicy air, striding hot over the heaving shiny sand grains. Even Roland left the library's favorite walls and rolled up his shirt sleeves, sawed wood planks with a saw, sometimes staring at the blue sea, which seemed joyful and welcoming. Evan consulted with the chief shipbuilder about the city manager. Tani, who was tired of driving nails and wanted variety, sought permission from Ben to paint the finished bow of the ship. In a surge of enthusiasm, Tani deftly climbed the ladders and shook a brush, dipping it alternately in a bucket of red paint.

"Hey Roland," called Tani, proudly putting up her brush and showing the results of her labor, "I am already painting the stern of the ship. Appreciate my efforts."

Roland raised his head and looked carefully at the small area painted by Tani.

"Well done, Tani. It turns out very well , "Roland approved. "Hey, Hey don't spray me paint!" he backed away, as from the top of Tani's brush, which the girl proudly waved, sticky drops were falling on Roland's light shirt.

Tani made a guilty face.

"I'm sorry, Roland! Oh, and the saw goes to you like a sword. You look even more courageous with it. Do you want to change your role from Roland with a saw to Roland with a brush and paint? And I will cut the boards with the saw. Well, I really want to!" asked Tani.

"You can't, Tani, this is not a job for girls. You'll get hurt," Roland answered.

"Well, please!"

"Besides," Roland went on, laughing, "you didn't complete the previous instructions requested from Ben."

Tani pouted her lips.

"And if I complete Ben's assignment, will you let me to cut the boards?"

"No," Roland was uncompromising."I think if you accidentally hurt yourself, Evan will be very upset and will not forgive me," the young man uttered the last words, lowering his voice, mysteriously chuckling.

"Oh, look out, you are so boring, stubborn man" Tani soaked thoroughly brush in the paint and began to shake off its top down to the spot where Roland stood, but he has successfully evaded the falling drop and backed to his work.

Tani made a face and ran to Ben for new paint.

At lunchtime, citizens of Capstan-upon-Hull and Evermore had a rest in cheerful communication. Wiping sweat from forehead, Roland put down the saw, shook off the wood shavings and went for a walk in solitude along the coast. The sun stood high above and burned into his head, but the heat was not unbearable, thanks to the cooling water flowing underfoot. The sea, as was most often the case at Capstan-upon-Hull, seemed calm and welcoming. Roland, like everyone else, caught the magical melody of the sea harbor with his fibers of his soul, but he heard not only the song of the girl mourning his beloved from the ballad, but fragmentary images - dear and beloved to him - were tied to this melody. Here she seemed to come to life from fragments of the past ... a thoughtful and serious look of green eyes fixed on the sea distance, the wind tears off the blue ribbon from her head, freeing her dark hair, scattering over her shoulders; with a flick of her hand, she throws the strands falling on her face back. She slowly turns her head, and a quiet joy illuminates her face. And looks at him as if she had been waiting for so long. Her fluttering light blue dress, delicate and soft movements, full of warmth, and, yes, her eyes radiating life...

"Roland!" Roland shook off the bursting images from the sick and nonexistent past. In the middle of a small estuary, Evan sat on a large stone and, bending low over the water, thoughtfully looked at its surface. Seeing Roland, he was delighted and invited to join him.

Roland went to Evan and sat next to him on a nearby stone.

"Memories flooded?" Roland inquired and received an affirmative nod as an answer."Understand."

"I remembered Nella. The fact is that Nella was very fond of spending time at sea. She had a passion for the water element, could spend hours standing and admiring the seascape and thinking about something."

"Really?" said Roland. Evan was surprised at the look with which Roland looked at the boy and could not explain it at all.

"Yes. Nella took me for a walk from early childhood to the sea. We played together, studied, Nella told about unknown countries somewhere beyond the horizon, about other worlds - and about your world too. She always explained history and geography as if she had seen some of the events she told and the countries with her own eyes - in such a colorful, lively, figurative, detailed way. Moreover, "continued Evan, "Nella taught me to see the world sometimes not as it usually appears, but from a different point of view or from a different angle. Once we were sitting by a pond and Nella told me to describe the world as it appears in the reflection of water. I saw the nearest space in the water with a really new look: the clouds resembled islands, and the sky - the ocean that washed these islands, only it was so clean, transparent and serene, it lacked a bottom. On the smooth surface of the body of water appeared a magical city soaring in the airy ocean, and when the sun came out in the sky and its rays fell on the mirror surface, the city and the ocean in the water were covered with luxurious gilding. And Nella told amazing tales about this mirror city. I do not know, if she read them somewhere or invented herself, but I loved them very much and until now all memorized.

Roland listened to Evan carefully, and inside he was perplexed by the strange feeling that arose in his soul every time Evan opened the pages from Nella's life before him. He imagined how she was leaning over the water, carefully guiding her hand along the mirror surface, leaving a path of drops, spreading and merging with the water in symmetrical crystal circles, she straightens with her hand the dark hair that has pulled out of her ponytail. Her image merges with her...

"Roland, what are you thinking about?" Evan asked suddenly, puzzled by Roland's missing expression.

"Well, nothing special. Evan, the thing is that whenever you tell me about Aranella, I..."

"Evan! Roland!"

Evan and Roland turned: Batu and Tani walked towards them with happy faces. Batu was dragging a net on his back, and Tani, skipping along, kept up with him.

"Tani and I caught a whole network of large fish - there will be something to cook for dinner. There are a lot of fish here!" boasted of Batu.

"Fish cooked on a bonfire with spices is delicious," Tani said.

"Oh, great! You are great!" Evan was delighted.

"Friends, how about swimming? Water beckons to plunge into it!" Tani suggested.

"Tani, a wonderful idea! But only I do not know how to swim!" answered Evan.

"Don't worry, I will teach, Evan! Come on!" Tani grabbed Evan by the sleeve and dragged into the water just in clothes.

Evan quickly learned to stay on the surface of the water. Tani and Evan, laughing, were splashing water.

"Perhaps I will refresh myself," Batu ran into the water with his whole heavy body, taking up a wall of water.

Roland stood and watched the cheerful company with a quiet laugh.

"Roland, come to us and fun with us! The water is wonderful!" Evan waved.

"No, perhaps I will abstain," Roland said, laughing.

"Boss, you know how to solve this small problem," Tani gave a signal nod to Batu, and Bati with one powerful fist hit the water and raised a wave that flew into the air and wet Roland from head to toe.

"Well, you leave me a choice: I have to join," Roland concluded.

After the second half of the working time, in the evening, the residents of Evermore and Capstan-upon-Hull gathered around the campfire under the measure squelching of water near the shore and tapping of the boat sliding on the surface, hitting the pier with the side part again. The guitar reappeared peacefully, and a low, pleasant bass started another sea ballad. Appetizing aromas of fresh fried fish were carried in the air. Ketch's wife poured refreshing mint tea into tin mugs again. Crickets as usual created an excellent background for a cozy and romantic evening filled with romantic images. Roland, Evan, Batu and Tani, filled with the energy of the sea after bathing, were drying by the fire.

When Ketch finished singing, his wife asked the audience softly.

"Friends, maybe someone else has a story that you would like to share with us?"

"Yes," Ketch supported. Capstan-upon-Hull is famous for its variety of ballads, but they do not arise from scratch, but are born from stories. Your Highness, King Evan, and his friends, maybe you have a story that can form the basis of a new ballad?" Ketch turned to Evan, Roland, Tani.

"Ahem, ahem," a loud Batu's coughing was heard from the side, which attracted attention. "Actually, there is one story, and I will share it with pleasure. Once I dumped with one light slap a giant obsessed boar, he was forced to obey me and become a vehicle for moving around the desert. Well, you can imagine how a boar is lucky with such a thug like me on the back. And he grunted so funny!" Batu clutching his stomach, burst out laughing uncontrollably.

'Daddy, do not disgrace us" whispered Tani, blushing for her awkward pirate.

The Capstan-upon-Hull citizens also laughed amicably, it was not history that could made them laugh, but Batu himself with his extraneous inserts that did not fit into the general atmosphere and theme of the conversation, was represented in a rather comical form.

Evan decided to take control of the situation.

"Actually, I have one story. I just remembered it during the day and decided to share it," Evan announced, exchanging glances with Roland, with whom he discussed the background of one of such stories.

"Please, Your Highness, share with us. We will be pleased to hear her," said the boatman Ben, who was sitting next to Tani.

Local children, having heard that a new fairy tale story will be told again, abandoned the castle, which they sculpted not far from the sand, sat down next to their parents by the fire and looked at Evan.

"Once upon a time there lived a young man named Lorain, who inherited the throne of a great and rich kingdom from his father and became king. He continued the wise policy of his father and in the same way he succeeded in governing the country: it developed in all spheres and became rich. There were no people in the country. Residents of the country respected and loved their wise rulers. Over time, Lorain's personal life was also embellished with the appearance of a beautiful girl. He met her, strolling in one of the many gardens of his castle. The girl worked as a servant in the royal palace, but the young man had never seen her before and was fascinated by her kindness, modesty, and extraordinary beauty. The young king and the girl fell in love, and soon the girl became his queen: beloved wife, best friend and valuable adviser in all matters, including state ones. The king and queen felt the happiest people on earth, rejoicing, doing good, serving the people and enjoying each other. Joy and prosperity reigned until the king appointed the position of chief adviser to a clever, intelligent, but cunning man with an unkind look. "My dear, beware of this man. With bad intentions, he came to us," the queen warned the king. But cunning and meanness remained out of Lorain sight, fascinated by the advisor's dexterity, insight and intelligence. Sweet and flattering speeches obscured the mind of the young king: "Why not shine with the glory of our kingdom and not point the spears and swords to the neighboring state? Its king has long been sharpening a tooth on our kingdom. It is time to teach the brazen ruler and glorify the power of our army. We must not be perceived as humble sheep. No, we are proud eagles and must show that we still have strength, in addition to naive kindness, which is outdated and irrelevant in our days, when strength prevails first! " The vanity that poisoned the heart of a good young man made him forget his father's covenants. No matter how the girl pleaded with her tearful husband not to listen to the adviser's destructive speeches, the king was not going to retreat: "This is our chance to show who we are. Victory, or death! " "It will destroy both the country and you!" The queen screamed after him in vain.

Success accompanied the young man in a bloody battle, the neighboring state was captured. The last battle remained - the duel of the rulers of the states. The king deftly knocked out weapons from the hands of the enemy and set his sword to his throat. "Have mercy, King Lorain, spare! Why did you cruelly spill the blood of my innocent people and want to kill me? Take away your anger. Our states were friends with each other, and we personally were close friends. Why are you raising a sword against your brother? What have we done to you? " the ruler of the crushed kingdom prayed in tears. "For what? You dare to ask for what?" King Lorain cried in anger. "And why did you, scoundrel, prepare an enemy invasion of my country?" "The enemy invasion? What are you speaking about? This is a lie and slander. We were not going to attack your country - the only country in the world where people obey the law of good and ministry of each other, where good and friendship reign. , - he concluded with sadness. - Now there is no this country. Wake up and look around - blood, only blood - that's what you left around you, with one movement of your conceited heart, destroying everything that you and your glorious father have been building for so long and hard. Oh, how embarrassing you will be now! And I feel sorry for you... You stained the memory of your father and everything that was dear to him ..." King Lorain came to his senses and was horrified by what he had done. He returned home, heartbroken, contemptuous and frustrated by his people, submitted, by himself. Everyone turned away from him. And only one creature in the world continued to love him passionately - his wife. She did not say a single word of reproach, only hugged him tightly with tears. "My poor Lorain..." Since then, Lorain has pulled away from government affairs, which were supported with help of Queen Louisiana. He retired to the royal gardens and indulged in lonely grief. He sat on the edge of a large pool of fish, admiring the reflection of the royal palace and trees, a bright sky in the water. The castle, reflected in the pool, looked completely different, in a new way and seemed to be another edge, beckoning with the splendor of golden palaces, refined gardens swaying gracefully in the wind. The castle was so light and soared on the islands in the midst of heavenly sparkling lakes. "It is so beautiful! I wish I could go there - into this world behind the mirror!" Lorain began to spend all day by the lake, not taking his eyes off the glorious mirror-city with enchanting images that arose there. Queen Louisiana began to worry about his state of mind and decided that a curse had been imposed on him. Once Louisiana dressed in a light blue dress, in which Lorraine first saw her, and with her hair loose went into the garden; she went to the pool where her husband was sitting, and looked at the surface of the water. Lorian saw a girl in the water, dazzlingly beautiful, looking at him, with her hair loose. She smiled gently and beckoned him to her. "How beautiful you are, maiden!" he exclaimed. "Thank you, Lorain!" Louisiana was blushing with pleasure, but immediately turned pale: Lorain said this, not looking up from the water and not even turning in her direction. His words were addressed to her reflection, but not to Louisiana. Lorain has lost a sense of reality. Louisiana burst into tears and ran to the castle. "Wait, don't run away!" Lorain shouted and threw himself into the water. He found himself on a small island, breaking the mirror barrier, in the midst of the airy golden lakes in the desired land. Lorain untied the boat and crossed the air lakes towards a large island with a wonderful castle, admiring the luxury of a city surrounded by a golden glow. Everything was covered with gold, trees, bushes, flowers were made of gold and silver. Lorain searched for the girl throughout the wonderful city until he saw her with the king in the garden. When the king left the girl alone, Lorain rushed to her. She smiled warmly at him. His heart trembled. "My wife!" he exclaimed, holding out his hands to her. The girl recoiled in fright: " Sorry sir, you mistaken, I'm not your wife." "What?! You won't recognize me? Forgot, bewitched? By him, this villain who has bewitched you and stole the glory of my kingdom for yourself?" cried Lorain in anger and despair, grabbing the girl's hands and looking into her eyes. The girl forcibly escaped. "Who are you? What do want? Dorian, safe me!" she shouted. King Dorian arrived with a guard immediately grabbing Lorain: "What do you want?" "You took my wife, my country, my happiness. My life has passed to you, " Lorain charged. "I didn't take anything from you, and you lost your country and wife yourself, voluntarily drowning in blood. And for the vile insults you have to answer, sir!" Dorian answered coldly giving a sword to Lorain. And two kings from different sides of the water glass crossed their swords. Their forces were equivalent, but Dorian dealt a mortal wound with a deft movement - Lorian fell, writhing in death cramps, to the ground. Desiring to leave the last blow behind him, Lorian took out a bow, collecting the remains of vitality, sent an arrow into the heart of the enemy, but, unable to maintain balance, fell and fired an arrow up - into the sky. Lying on his back, he saw that the top was not just the sky, but a mirrored water wall through which he got here, behind it was his country. In the water it also seemed amazing and beautiful, in the splendor of fame and beauty. "How could I not understand how beautiful my country is?" He saw Louisiana in the distance, above the mirror wall. She was sitting by the pool and crying. His wife was beautiful, kind, tender. She mourned his disappearance. "Goodbye, my queen!" But what is it? Horror frightened away the deadly breath of King Lorain: a fatal arrow crossed the mirror wall and pierced right into the Louisiana's heart. "No!" he heard a scream behind him. With the death of Louisiana, life went out chest of a girl from the world beyond the mirror: screaming softly, she fell into Doloran's arms. Death left Lorain, as the wound was not deep. In mortal anguish he realized that he and Dorian were bound with one soul and one girl, and that by shooting at another, he wounded himself and killed an beloved girl, " Evan finished and fell silent. Struck by the tragic story, listeners dropped their heads. The children looked at Evan expectantly and bewildered.

"Evan, what is it? Is this a fairy tale? And where is the happy ending?" Lofty was indignant, appearing from nowhere. "And where is the conclusion, in which it turns out that Lorain dreamed about everything and he, as if nothing had happened, would continue to rule the country with his queen in happiness and prosperity?"

"Well, I think if everything had turned out so optimistic, then the fairytale would not have been very true," said Evan.

"But a fairytale is still a fairytale and it is supposed to be a little implausible, right?" Batu objected thoughtfully.

"Actually, Nella suggested to choose the ending that, in my opinion, would be best suited. It may be a dream, or it may be true," said Evan.

"I vote for the first option!" said Lofty loudly, bouncing from one foot to another.

"It's good if this is a dream," Tani continued further, pondering, "Then, when did Lorain awaken: after an aggressive war, after water mirror events, or did he just see everything in a dream: a war and a water mirror events, but in fact nothing like happened to him?"

"As for me, waking up after a military campaign is a better option," Ketch expressed his opinion.

"I suppose Nella also left this question opened in her story. Let everyone choose and decide for themselves, " concluded Roland.

A couple more ballads on the guitar, a discussion of the tale told by Evan, pleasantly ended the evening and night of the last day, after which everyone went to tents. The night froze in crystal-sea rapture and silence again.