"Decay in the walls?" asks Aden, after hearing Tobias say that.

"Yes, while checking the hole that was made in the west wall for the drain pipe to go through, I noticed that the logs in the wall were rotten. I'm having Tobias check the rest of the walls for decay. We may end up tearing the walls down." This get a response from everyone.

"Are they that bad?", "Oh dear.", "Where would we live?"

"All right, quiet. We wouldn't be tearing the walls down tomorrow. We'll let Tobias finish checking all the walls then decide." Changing the subject I ask, "Tobias, how many buckets are available? We need to take at least three more with us to the inlet."

"There are two by the gate that you have been using when making bricks and I can get another two from the stable."

"Good, that should be enough. Is everyone finished? Emi, you and Eliza do the dishes. Aden, go get your key to the vault. Tobias, you round up the buckets, also a shovel and a hoe. Kalvin, you and Mark can see to the horses. Tilly, you know what to do. Sophia, Helen you are with me." I stand, picking up my dishes, placing them on the tray. After the others copy me, Emi and Eliza take the trays to the kitchen. Aden heads to his office, Kalvin, Mark and Tobias head out the door.

Sophia and Helen follow me to the domain office, where I gather the evidence bags and the bag of coin. Making sure I don't have the paper work, which doesn't need to be in the vault, I hand out bags. When Aden steps in I hand him a bag then we head to the vault. After laying our bags on the floor, Aden and I insert our keys and open the vault. Retrieving the bags we enter, placing the contents on the shelves and the coin table. The bag of coins will need to be counted and sorted like the other bags but that will need to be done another day. Locking the vault back up we return the dining room.

"Every one have their swimsuits? a towel? No, well, go get them." They go fetch their things and return. While we are waiting for Emi and Eliza to finish, Tilly asks for some help with the supper. Tilly has one of the panniers near full of equipment and food.

"This needs carried out to the horses, if you would," pointing to the pannier. "And I need to fetch my swimsuit and towel." Saying that she leaves soon returning with a small bundle which she hands to Emi, who has finished washing the dishes. "Would you carry that in your basket, Emi?"

"Of course, Tilly."

Eliza who had run out as soon as the dishes were finished returns carrying a bundle, then asks Tilly if there is another basket available. Tilly goes to one of the shelves, taking down a basket like the one Emi carries handing it to Eliza.

"Everyone ready? Let go then. Aden the other side of the pannier, please." Together Aden and I carry the pannier out through the garden, out the gate to the horses. There Kalvin replaces me, then they lift it on to the horse. Everyone mounts, those carrying baskets are handed their basket and we are off.

As we approached the town hall, I spotted Jason waiting there. "Good morning, Jason. How is your day so far?" I greeted him.

"Fair, Your majesty. And yours?"

"Oh it's fair also. Have you your tools?" He nods, "Good. Eliza, would let Jason have your horse, you can ride double with me." Kalvin dismounts, helps Eliza dismount then boosts her up behind me. Meanwhile Jason mounts the horse Eliza had been riding.

As we ride to the east out of town, Jason starts asking questions, "What are you all doing today?"

"Oh different things, Tobias is going to do a bit of simple joinery for me, the rest of us are going to be filling some small ponds and building a pier. Then are going to have supper on the beach and play in the water."

"This trough I am measuring for, what is it's purpose?"

"I have built some shallow ponds near the shore, there will be a lift on the shore to move water from the sea to the trough. From the trough the water will go into the ponds."

"How much water will be in it at one time?"

"In the trough, not much. With the correct slope the water will flow out as quickly as it can be put in. So maybe one or two buckets full at most."

"You could just carry the water in buckets."

"Yes, that will work but I intend to have many more ponds and only intend to have two or three workers tending them. It would take more than that if they were carrying the water. With the trough, one man opens the correct gate, then lifts water into the trough until the pond reaches the correct level. Then closes that gate then opens a new one to fill another pond."

We have crested the hill above the ponds, "There they are. The trough will be on the broad pathway between the ponds. The pier is going to be in line with that pathway with the lift at the seaward end. The trough will have gates near the center, one gate leading to each pond."

"What are the ponds for?"

"They are to make salt. The seawater placed in them will evaporate leaving the salt behind."

We have reached the place we normally leave the horses so dismount. Kalvin stakes out the horses near the trees. "Emi, may I have the lift plan, please?" After recieving it I lead Tobias and Jason down to the ponds. I show the plan to them both, I might as well get an expert opinion on the design. When they start talking about mortis and tenons, chisels and doweling, I leave them to it. Returning to the others I ask, "Which do you want to do first, fill the ponds or build the pier?" Which turns in to a lively discussion.

After five minutes of back and forth they come to the conclusion that filling the ponds would be better. "In that case, at least three of you put your swimsuits on. You will be the head of the bucket line, dipping the water out of the sea. Or all of you can put on your suits and we can rotate the order."

There is a rush to the cabana, Emi beating them all. She soon comes out in her suit. Calling Mark over, she asks him to fasten the frog on the back of her suit. She turned showing that the frog is undone. He blushs, but is wasting no time in doing as she asked. Both of their tails are twitching. I heard Eliza mutter,"I wish I had a frog that needed fastened." Kalvin, who is close enough to hear her, blushs. Helen who heard also says,"I can arrange that." Now it's Eliza turn to blush.

Everyone is watching Emi and Mark so I slip into the cabana to change. It doesn't take long before I am out. I goto the pannier that doesn't have supper in it and dig out the buckets which I carry down to the edge of the sea. On the way I stop at the test holes. The one that holds water still has a finger joints depth of water in it and a crust of salt on the edges. I can see salt forming on the bottom too. I take one of the buckets and proceed to fill the hole with water. I look around to find the bucket that has been left here, spying it near one of the ponds. Once I have the five buckets piled near the location of the pier, I notice Jason giving me the eye. Tobias notices at the same time and gives Jason a whack on the arm, "Show the queen some respect. No ogling her or her friends." He has noticed some of the others are now in their suits.

As the others change, they come down to the water. Some are splashing water at each other, while some lay on the beach in the sun. When they are all there, I grab the buckets, taking them out into the water with me. As I fill the first bucket I say,"Alright, line up. We will fill the top two ponds first. Space yourselves a step or two from those next to you. Pass the bucket to the next in line when you get one. The person that pours it in the pond then runs to this end of the line, bringing the bucket with them. Everyone moves up one place. When pouring the water, try not to make a hole in the bottom of the pond. Try placing the bucket on the bottom and tipping it over. Here's the first bucket."

Soon we are passing buckets up the line to the pond where they are dumped. It doesn't take very long before the first pond is full. "This pond is full, your majesty. Now what?"

"Move to the next one over."

They shift positions to the other upper pond. When Eliza comes to the beginning of the line, I have her switch places with me. My shoulders are getting a bit sore lifting all the buckets. When I work my way to the head of the line, I see that this pond is close to half full. Dumping the bucket I trot down the line to Eliza, handing her the bucket, "If you get tired, switch out with someone." Taking the bucket I pass it on. I move up the line several times before the pond is full. Once it's full, I call a break, "Five minute break." They all trudge up the hill to get a cup of tea that Tilly offers them. They relax in the sun, sipping tea while I checked on Tobias and Jason.

"You know you don't have to help with the water lift, Jason." He and Tobias have the tops of the posts notched and a holes drilled in the sides ready for pegs. They are working on the cross bar and were nearly finished with it.

"It is fine, your majesty. I'm enjoying working in the sun for once, being in the workshop is fine but can get boring. This takes me back to my journeyman days, working on projects for folks in the fields. Having to figure out how to do something with the tools at hand. It's been awhile since I have enjoyed myself this much."

"In that case, you're welcome to stay."

"Well I can't stay too long, the wife is expecting me for dinner and it's probably that time now. I had better go."

"Did you get the measurements?"

"Yes, I did. I'll come tomorrow with a sketch of what I'll build you."

"Come in the morning as we are selling the wheat harvest tomorrow afternoon and will be busy until supper."

"Alright, tomorrow morning it is. Tobias, 'twas a pleasure working with you. Your majesty." He made sure he had his tools then walked over the hill.

"Oh, I am glad he is gone, so many questions that I couldn't answer." Tobias grumbled.

"What kind of questions?"

"Oh, why are they all in their undergarments, Do they do this a lot, those kind of questions. And why are you in your undergarments?"

"This is a swimsuit, clothing made to swim in. It allows free movement in the water."

"Swimming doesn't need much movement."

"Oh really? The way I do it, it does. We will be swimming later, you'll see. But now it's time to finish filling the ponds."

As Rosa I was able to whistle loudly, but had yet to try it here. I place a couple of fingers in my mouth and try. It comes out as a blast of air. After adjusting my fingers, I try again, this time a loud shrill whistle is produced. Tobias stares at me, sticking a finger in his ear. Everyone on the hill side sits up and is looking around. I do it again, though not as loudly this time. When everyone was looking at me, I yell, "Break's over, back to work."

When they line up this time I have them form a double line, one to pass the full bucket to the dumper and one to pass them back to the filler as the distance is much shorter. The lower ponds take far less time to fill, as the turn around time for the buckets is less. As we pass buckets, several people ask, "How did you make such a loud noise, your majesty?"

As I need both hands to pass buckets I tell them, "I will show you later." When the lower ponds are full, I ask. "Do want a swim break or to work on the pier?" A swim break wins, of course.

Everyone but Tobias heads into the water, some splash each other, others just start floating around on their backs. Emi grabs my hand leading me out in to deeper water. About the time water is over her knees, she dives in, swimming five meter out under water. When she comes up for air, she turns, looking at me. Taking a deep breath I dive, swimming just above the sand I pass Emi and move ten meters beyond her, then breach like a whale, shooting out of the water to my knees then falling back. That must have impressed her as I heard a loud ,"Wow." from her. While I wait for her to reach me I have a thought, swim fins. I wonder if leather would work for them.

Emi swims up to me, staying an arms length away like had told her to. "How did you do that, coming out of the water like that?"

"It's a matter of speed, I came from the bottom and just swam hard to the surface. You want to race to the beach? I'll give you a head start."

Not saying a word, she takes off. I let her get about two body lengths ahead before I take off after her. She is getting better at this, I have under estimated her speed. I do catch her as I run out of water to swim in, my arm hitting the sand of the beach on the down stroke. I roll to my back, beaching myself, breathing hard. I can hear her breathing just as hard next to me.

"You are swimming much better, I had a hard time catching you."

"I had a great teacher. It sure makes one tired though, now I want to nap."

"Go lie in the shade, I'll come wake you when it time to go back to work." She crawls to her feet, slowly walking up the hill, near the cabana.

"Where is Emi going?" Mark asks, seeing her go up the hill.

"She's tired so is going to nap. You ready for the big event?"

"I'm getting a little nervous. How are we doing this?"

"After working on the pier for a while, we'll take a break. Sophia will choose a spot, motioning you over, I will lead Emi to you. Sophia will say what she is going to say, you give Emi the ear ring. I will hand her the other to give to you. You two kiss and you're married, then we party."

"I'm glad someone else is the one planning this, it too much for me."

"Relax, even if it gets messed up, it will be fine. Now go swim, I need to talk to Tilly and Sophia."

In my head I call to Sophia,'Could you and Tilly come talk to me, please.' I sense an 'Okay' in my head. While talking to Mark I have crawled up on the beach and I'm now sitting looking at the water. Soon Tilly and Sophia come swimming up to me, walking the last few feet to sit by me.

"I was just talking to Mark, explaining how we are doing the wedding. I thought I should tell you too. But first, how long will you need to prepare supper, Tilly?"

"About an hour. Most of it is ready, just needs to bring the pot to a boil."

I glance at the sky, it's past noon, maybe 1100, "Do we want to have the wedding at 1400? And supper after. Or later?"

"1400 is fine with me, gives me enough time to cook."

"Now, Sophia, at about 1400 you find a place to hold it, calling Mark over to you. When you do that I will tell Emi that you wish to speak with us. We will walk over to you, placing Emi on your right, then I with step back, you take their hands and say what you are going to say. They do the ear ring exchange then they kiss , they are married. Will that do?"

"Sounds good to me, I better think of what I will say then." replies Sophia.

"You haven't done that yet? Then yes, you had best do that."

"There, it's finished." Hearing that I turn, there is Tobias mallet in hand. The posts to hold the lift appear finished. With a smile on his face he comes and sits with us. "The poles are assembled, princess."

"Thank you, Tobias. Now all we need is to build the pier and raise the poles." I look around at the others, most were laying supine on the beach. It looks like it time to get back to work, but I'm not ready, I have to lay out the pier first. "Tobias, I need two branches, about my height. Will you go cut them, please?" He takes his mallet, returning it the his tool bag removing a small ax. As he goes up the hill, I head to the panniers, to retrieve the shovel and hoe. While there I lean down and kiss Emi awake,"Time go back to work, love." I help her up, handing her the hoe, then walking down to the ponds. When we get there I start digging a trench in the beach, the inner edges spaced wider apart than the pathway. Starting at the high water line, I dig down until I hit stone. It's deeper than I thought it would be, but I make a ditch 50 cm wide to the water line and beyond.

The others see I am working and come to help. Handing the shovel off I tell them to dig a ditch on the other side of the path, the inner edge even with the path edge. As this will only keep one or two of them busy, I have the rest start to fill the ditch I'm digging with stones from the piles beside it. When Tobias returns with two branches I wade out to how far I want the pier to extend, sticking them in the sand. The sand from the ditch is placed between the ditches and on the pathway, building it higher. I tell the stone movers that the stones only need to be as high as the top of the pond walls. Kalvin takes the hoe and starts digging the cross trench out in the water.

A little over two hours later the foundation ditch is dug and filled with stones. The pathway between is half filled with sand. This is when I tell Tilly,"I think it's time to start supper, isn't it?" She nods, heads up the hill, taking Emi and Kalvin with her. I see them pick up the pannier that has the supper makings in it then haul it down to the beach. Emi heads in to the woods that surround the inlet carrying a basket. After Emi disappears in the woods, Tilly speaks to Kalvin who puts on his trousers and shirt, saddles a horse and rides over the hill. Tilly is scooping out a fire pit, lining it with stones and setting up her cauldron. Emi returns with her basket full, of wood I assume, because Tilly takes it and lays out a fire which she soon has burning.

I divert some of the stone movers to moving sand. Filling buckets with sand which get dumped between the stone walls then packed down. We are near finishing filling the pier with sand when Kalvin returns, leading the maids and Abbey down to where Tilly is set up. They are all carrying something, some have jugs, others baskets. When they reach Tilly, she starts them filling the cauldron with the jugs.

I decide to find the balance point of the lift arm, I have Tobias and Kalvin lift the arm off the ground then have Mark and Aden try lifting it using the hoe handle as a pivot, moving it back and forth until the thick end balances the thin end. Using Tobias' axe I put a notch at that point. Then I have them lay the arm on the pier with 75 cm or so hanging over the end of the pier. "Where the notch is, is where the uprights go." Aden grabs the shovel and starts digging up the sand they just stamped down. Soon there was a pair of holes big enough to put the uprights in. Calling everyone over I explain we are going to lift the uprights up onto the pier, then set them in the holes. But first the arm needs moving. The guys pick up the arm laying it a short distance away. Then we pair up, Tobias and Kalvin at the heavy end, then Aden and Mark, Sophia and Helen and Eliza and I. We face our partner, squatting down taking hold of the log in front of us with both hands, on the count of three we lift. Then side stepping upon the pier we plant the uprights. Eliza and I, having released the logs first get to back fill the hole while the guys support the poles and Sophia and Helen insure that it's straight.

"Eliza, can you tie knots in rope?"

"I can."

"Guys, we need the arm placed between the uprights."

Taking the ax, I chop a groove in the arm on three sides, then loop the rope around the arm in the groove, leaving long tails. Those tails get thrown over the cross bar of the uprights, one from each direction. "Kalvin, you and Tobias take hold of the arm while Mark and Aden take one of the ropes. Helen and Sophia you two take the other."

"Ok, left." They lift the arm up, so that it is even with the top of my head then while Kalvin and Tobias hold it, the ropes are wrapped around the arm and the cross bar again.

I have Eliza stand on my legs just above my knees while I hold her legs, leaning back to balance her, as she ties the ropes tightly. When the ropes are tied, Eliza hops down and everyone let the weight of the arm rest on the ropes.

Success. The arm hangs there, then slowly dips towards the heavy end. "Tobias, I need a length of rope twice my height, please." I tie it at the far end of the long end after cutting notches on the sides. Going to the heavy end I cut a deep notch about a hand width from the end from which I hang a bucket by it's handle. The heavy end drops, of course. Taking another bucket, I tie it to the rope, adjusting it so the bucket is head high when the arm is all the way up. I then pull the arm down and toss the bucket in the sea, where it stays. I have the others put stones in the bucket at the heavy end until the arm is near balanced. The bucket slowly rises from the sea, stopping when the bucket is at the waters surface.

"Now all that is needed is the trough. Who would like to test the lift?" Kalvin and Mark are right there, ready to test it. I move off the pier, getting out of the way. The arm is soon going up and down, dipping into the water, being dumped then dipping again. As they are testing it out, Abbey approaches me saying, "Tilly says fifteen minutes to supper, your majesty. And what are they doing?"

"They are testing the water lift. It's going to be used to refill these ponds when the water in them dries up. There will be a trough to carry the water to the ponds. Would you like to try it? Go ahead."

In my head I call to Sophia,'Fifteen minutes until supperis ready, it's time for a wedding.' Out loud I say, "Mark, a moment please." When he approaches I ask,"Do you have the ear rings? It's time." He hands me a cloth wrapped object. "When I leave to get Emi you tell everyone here what is going to happen." I start walking toward Emi. When I get to her I say, "Emi, Sophia wants to talk to you and Mark."

She looks toward the lift, seeing Mark and Sophia standing a short distance in front of it. "Now? Supper is near finished." she protests.

"She says it's important." I take her hand, pulling her away. "There are others to help with the supper so come along." I glance over my shoulder to see if Tilly and the maids are following, which they are. When I get next to Mark I pull Emi up beside him then step to the right a couple of steps. Looking back the way we came, the others are approaching quietly.