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Posted: Wed Aug 29, 2012 8:23 am
Issimenna Sorrian Menna watched the villagers come for requests, unsure of how she was supposed to act. In Doko she's be staying silent and nodding in agreement with whatever her father had said. Was that all she was supposed to do here as well? She had to keep up the ruse that Skyron was indeed in charge. But she paused when he held up a hand to stop the farmer. She only relaxed slightly when the man smiled. Despite her best efforts, she still wasn't easy around him. It helped that Oban was nearby, even if she couldn't actually acknowledge him. She just managed to make out Oban's message. But the question was, would Skyron follow it?
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Posted: Wed Aug 29, 2012 6:58 pm
Oban Sorrian "Good farmer...I believe I have a solution to your dilemma...." Prince Skyron informed him. To the relief of his twin brother, and perhaps many more who'd questioned Skyron's intentions, the prince repeated exactly as he was told to do so. Lucheston for now appeared to have been right about the manner which the two brothers would act when the time came... After many of the citizens had left the chamber, their problems that day hence forth resolved, Oban stood from his end of "The Whispering Throne" A name which had been given to the craft by it's creator, and stepped over to the seat which the soon to be queen of Garnoff sat, leaning onto the side of the seat to address her. "My lady... if I may call you that. Here in Garnoff the people know you are a strong person, and they look forward to having a strong queen...and to make it simple...I really could have used your help on the horse carriage's crash into the bakery." He laughed, recalling the loaf of bread with a hoof print the baker had brought as evidence. " If you could...could you help us as well?" He asked of her, though in truth he had not known how the lady might take the question. Oban was unfamiliar with the etiquette which came with being a lady, thus was unaware of whether or not it seemed right to his beloved wife to be giving advice to a king. In truth he knew well that she was intelligent, for the ruse had been her own creation after all, which had developed into a rather splendid procedure for the kingdom.
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Posted: Wed Aug 29, 2012 10:14 pm
Issimenna Sorrian Menna stared ahead carefully as Oban spoke. Garnoff might not have been in the iron grip of a tyrant, but court gossips were everywhere. Showing too much favor to a man you weren't married to (or everyone did not think you were married to) was fodder for vicious rumors.
"We have to set up a precedent." She said slowly, thinking through everything as she said it. "Once Skyron has asked for my opinion on various matters and it becomes clear that it's what the king desires, I would be able to speak more freely. Until then, it would look like I was disrespecting him." It wasn't an equal system, but it was one she'd grown up around. The only difference was her father only appreciated her opinion when she was agreeing with him. She was slightly surprised that Oban was so unsure. Although the queen was more keen to talk about Skyron and her gown than political matters. Perhaps she just did not care to assist.
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Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2012 1:08 am
"WAKE UP YOU" a voice shouted loudly in Evangeline's ear shaking her bedroll beneath her.
The startled girl leaped to her feet, startled by the shouting and was eye to eye with her brand new superior officer. Having just recently completed training and put out on orders, Evangeline had not seen combat, death, corruption, or anything beyond her hometown or the training camp. Her father had kissed her cheek as they approached the church where her whole life would change "Easy there, little Eva, this is for your own good. These people'll take good care o' ya and you'll make us all proud right?" She nodded sheepishly, tears welling in her eyes, but he turned and left her at the smooth marble steps as if watching him go was her first test of strength.
That sunken feeling she experienced that day was what she felt now having this highly experienced Paladin commander staring her down with a stern face. "I'm very so-" she started to say but was interrupted by the superior's lecture. "We don't have time for your apologies! Get your gear on! You're already an hour late for your patrols, Princess! One more act of negligence and I'll have you back in training in half a heartbeat! Do you understand?" Evangeline nodded tears falling freely from the corners of her delicate blue eyes. The superior gave a scowl "I CAN'T HEAR YOUR HEAD NOD PRINCESS! I SAID 'DO YOU UNDERSTAND?!" Evangeline cowered at the raising of her commanders voice and whimpered her reply loudly to end the coversation "Yes Commander!" The officer wheeled and stormed away muttering about how weak and spineless new recruits were leaving the sobbing young woman to begin donning her armor.
The church had provided an elegant suit of white polished steel laid with bronze depicting the symbol of their god, a brilliant sun just below the collar, with bronze veins branching out all along the trims of the armor, carefully detailing the outline of the muscles hammered into the plate. Evangeline strapped this chest piece on as her tears began to dry. Her greaves were difficult to put on without help but she dare not ask after already being so late.
After much work she pulled the final strap tight, securing the greaves to her gently hips. She could already feel the leather rubbing her thighs and knew that by the evening she would be sore and blistered. Her boots were simple enough and she stepped into them as she tied back her flowing blonde hair.
Her gauntlets beared the same emblem of the sun on the exterior of the forearms and chainmail stretched from the mouth of the glove to connect to the underside of her thick shoulder plates. This method was one she invented on her own allowing her to travel lighter without anyone knowing she wasn't wearing full chain mail under her armor. This feature was also included on her greaves and she even had a chainmail hood made to protect her neck. She dawned the hood and finally her helm, a straight bucket shaped plate helm with a visor and a slit for her to see. She stood fully equipped like a marble sentinel until she lifted her heavy shield, which bore the holy symbol, and fixed it to her gauntlet. She hooked her steel morning star to her hip and heavily walked into the sunshine, her armor clacking against the marble floor.
Ourside the streets were alive with the day to day civilians, she wasn't looking forward to her patrol but at least Evangeline wouldn't have to see her commander for awhile.
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Posted: Sat Sep 01, 2012 12:49 pm
After hours of spreading malicious rumors and giving off a jewel or two to ensure it was done, his work was finished. He had to report to Skyron somehow. Although the rumors spread like wildfire, it might take a few days to reach the royal court's gossiping ears. He, although did not think this too much as assassin's work, the amount of jewels in the bag had allotted time in his schedule for such work.
And, he finally heard the rumors come back. All about Oban cheating on someone when he was younger, to all the way that he was planning on overthrowing Skyron. He heard them everywhere, and looks on their faces told him they believed. "The bigger the lie, the more likely people are to believe it. And these lies are going to be passed like fact soon after this day..." Micheal cackled before coughing and looking around, to make sure no one heard him.
He had a mission, and he finished it dutifully. It was a picture perfect example of what money can do. But was he thinking of morals at the moment? No, he was thinking of the amount of money he would be able to rake in, and the trust of Skyron he would earn. Obviously a reliable hand was one you can trust, even though there would be suspicions of him assassinating the prince, it would never happen. He wasn't as sly enough to pull of that magic trick. Rokan, as he learned, was he shape-shifting maid. And soon after Skyron was officially king, he would dispatch Rokan. He would try and interfere in the master plan, he knew it. He was simply too bad to ignore this.
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Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2012 4:40 am
Evangeline's patrol was mostly a quiet one, as quiet as the bustling streets of the Glowing City could be. She kept a sharp eye out but while doing so, prayed that she not find anyone worthy of noting. Her prayers were ignored when a small street fight broke out. Evangeline didn't have a hard time breaking them up but it was more due to her armor, the men didn't give her a chance to speak and rather stopped when they realized a Paladin was going to get involved.
Evangeline's occupation had that kind of reputation where often their presence was more intimidating that what they actually had to say, and while Evangeline was ok with not having to speak very much she didn't like the idea of everyone being afraid of her, though it's probably what her father had wanted when he brought her here. She felt like a bit of a waste, having trained for nearly 4 years and only having a suit of armor and an intimidating prowess.
As she returned to her route she stumbled upon a shady looking man speaking to himself then cackling at the air. She feared that this man may be a thief or an escaped convict. She approached him from behind and gave him a gentle tap on the shoulder. "Excuse me," she said meekly. "Sir you are behaving rather suspicious with your monologuing and laughing, I need to see your credentials" She didn't have the "intimidating factor now that she opened her mouth and her soft voice barely reverberated through her steel visor. Still, she was wearing a Paladin's coat of arms and perhaps it would still be enough to ensure this strange man's cooperation.
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Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2012 7:03 pm
Skyron Sorrian As a crowd gathered into the square, their eyes rising upwards to face the temporary king's as he stood before them, the muttering of the citizens filled the air as they discussed the possible announcement which Skyron Sorrian was about to make. As their ruler stepped forth towards the podium from which most decrees had been declared, the people suddenly hushed, their voices put out like the flames of a candle. "Good people of Garnoff... As word may have reached your ears..." He paused, taking on a discomforted expression as he let the rumors emerge to the surface of their thoughts. "For I know it has reached my own....I declare that the king shall have his own personal guard...so as to protect from all forms of danger." The mass of people shifted visibly, as the unease settled in with most, and the idea of this new group took hold. "This group will be known as the Hunters...and shall be headed by a man known as Micheal, an comrade I have learned to trust." A group of armored men then stepped forth, previously hidden behind a wall of Silver Knights. These men rattled as they marched, their armor covering nearly their entirety with plated red and silver. Upon their breast plates, a chimera roared, an interesting choice of symbol for the Hunters due to the fact that Garnoff's lore showed great disfavor with the beast. These red and silver men were armed with apparently the most valuable weapons that could be found within the kingdom, and some even appeared to withhold powers of Dengen. The Hunters were a fierce force to behold. "Thank you..." Skyron waved to the crowd of people as he and his new found escort left from the city square. A wide smirk could be seen upon the features of the false king, for he had created his own loyal guard lead by the very man he had once hired to slay his brother. A suiting reward for the good work the dark mercenary had displayed thus far. After all, who would not desire to command over such skilled warriors. *** "What was that all about?" Oban asked his brother, his arm thrusting aside in an exaggerated gesture. "What need do we have for more guards ranks, especially to protect the king. All of Garnoff bows to you, and it's Silver Knights have sworn loyalty willingly to me, what enemies do we have unless you create them? By increasing protection for the king you show distrust of the people, and it is the people themselves who have brought this family to where we are today." The true heir scolded his brother for creating this sign of distrust, and for wasting valuable resources on useless additions, but none of it seemed to phase the false king. The amount of apathetic feeling towards the subject could not be stated more clearly by the taller of the twins had the young prince literally brushed his shoulder at the notion. "I believed it necessary, and even if I wasn't king I could have still created the Hunters for myself." Skyron replied, though in truth his argument was somewhat childish, and solved nothing. Oban simply shook his head at the words, realizing now more than ever why Lucheston had proclaimed him as heir. He was far too humble before, but now as the lord was placed in a position of authority he could see what his father had before him. "I ask you as a brother...to seek my council upon such decisions." With that the Sorrian left his foolish elder sibling be...
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Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2012 10:25 pm
Issimenna Sorrian Menna was shocked and terrified when she heard the news. A king creating a guard specifically for his own benefit. The Silver Knights were more than adequate enough, loyal to the king and the people. But a group of men loyal only to the king? She was exceedingly nervous, more to than before. She paced in her rooms, thinking furiously and coming up with nothing. It wasn't until a memory occurred to her that she realized why it made her so scared.
He put together an army. It was in the stories everyone told her. She was barely a toddling thing at the time, kept away in the nursery in the arms of nanny or governess. But she'd heard it well enough. Doko came into the city, marrying the princess to become the favorite of the people. In the beginning he was so well liked, the people brushed off his first few indiscretions. By the time they'd begun to object to the things he did, he already had too much power. And it will happen again. How strongly were the people objecting to this?
Garnoff was her haven in comparison to the kingdom she'd grown up in and she was not letting it follow the same course. She managed to keep her composure until Elle came in, carrying a vase of flowers "The Hunters have to be disbanded." She said firmly. "As soon as possible. Send an express to the king, tell the people the truth, anything. A war from without is better than one from within." This was no longer simple paranoia. Skyron wanted the throne and since it wasn't given to him, he was going to take it. "Shouldn't the king have protection?" Menna turned sharply, unaware that the queen had walked in behind her maid. Menna had wondered where the woman had been.
"The Silver Knights are more than enough." She replied. The woman may be older than her, but she knew she was the cleverer out of the two. "An entire army dedicated to one man is too much power. Too much risk." The queen seemed more perturbed by the blunt way Menna was saying things than the things she was actually saying. "We are on the brink of a war. Someone tried to attack you, didn't they?" She wasn't very convincing, not just because the incident had been an act. "Yes, we are. A war with a tyrant." She knew she should have watched her tongue, but the woods kept spilling out. "A tyrant who was well-liked by the kingdom until he decided he did not have enough power. Created his own personal guard and it became a personal army. The kingdom is caught in an iron grip because they could not see the dangers. I can." The queen glared. Calling her favorite a future tyrant was not perhaps the smartest move. But Menna wanted her, and Skyron, to know they would not be taking the kingdom so smoothly.
"It will be difficult for you to understand, but I have a duty as a mother to look at the best interests of my sons." The woman brushed by Elle, sitting on the chair by the vanity. "Oban has never done terribly well in the spotlight and the people need a leader they can follow." Menna stood, glaring at her. The woman wasn't terribly intimidating, as she did very little in politics. "Skyron is handsome, yes. But a bitter coward eager for something he cannot have." She looked to Elle, who was exceedingly uneasy to see two royals fighting so. That, at least, she could help. "Find Oban and tell him I wish to speak with him." Elle nodded, grateful for the excuse, and left quickly. The queen stood, prepared to argue in her son's favor. Menna waved her off.
"You're right. I am not a mother and I don't understand a mother's duty." The queen seemed mollified that her daughter-in-law was agreeing with her. But it didn't last long. "But I am married and I understand a wife's duty. Your husband has placed Oban on the throne out of careful consideration. Undermining him by encouraging Skyron in the things he does goes against that duty." There was a long moment of silence between the two, measuring opposition. They were both vying for two very different men and neither were willing to surrender. Eventually, the queen took her leave, but not before one parting shot. "I see we are going to be disagreeing on this. As neither of us can agree on what sort of clothes a queen, future or otherwise, looks appropriate in." She looked pointedly at Menna's attire and walked out. Menna stared after her for a long moment, before shaking her head and laughing.
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Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2012 1:50 pm
Oban Sorrian As the sun over Garnoff began to settle beyond the horizon, the young heir to the throne let his head fall into his hands. Since Skyron's sudden decision he had been pondering. What if my brother is not so contempt as I was...what if he wishes to be king...what if he plans to be king. Suddenly angry at himself however, Oban thrust those thoughts aside, for he felt that trust was a very important thing among rulers. " What right do I have to believe my brother would betray me. We've grown up together equally, and he shall lose nothing from father's decision." The lord ran his fingers through his hair, as if the action could rub away the thoughts which itched at his mind even still. The air in the room seemed stale to him, and he would have left the place had he simply felt the energy to rise to his feet. A moment later however, he was given the incentive he required to move. The young maid which had served his wife in the recent days burst through the door, seeming in a hurry. Surprised at the sight of the wise king to be, the maid gave a hasteful curtsy before addressing her lord. " Prince Oban, my lady wishes to speak with you immediately." The words, though spoken in a soft voice, which seemed to wish more than anything to be distant, they filled the lord with enthusiasm. Oban hadn't seen his wife that day aside from her presence and discussion within the throne room that day, and was eager to see her once more. As he further examined the maid's features however, it became unfortunately clear to the man that he would not be seeing her in a pleasant situation. " Come, I'll meet with her immediately. "
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Posted: Thu Sep 06, 2012 6:54 pm
Issimenna Sorrian Issimenna had tried to keep the queen's words from bothering her, but still she couldn't get them out of her head. She didn't care about appearances, she'd lived in luxury and it had given her no happiness. But she worried about Oban. His allies were few and every day revealed another one of Skyron's supporters. It would be a simple matter of Skyron's guards versus the Silver Knights. At the rate things were going...Skyron could overthrow the kingdom before Lucheston returns. The thought chilled her.
Menna sat on the bed, rubbing her eyes. She looked up when the door opened. Elle walked in, dropping a slight curtsy. It was one of the habits Menna despaired of ever stopping, so she allowed it. The maid stepped aside to reveal Oban. Menna stood, taking a deep breath. Skyron was his brother. He'd grown up with him, trusted him. He saw a friend where Menna saw a tyrant. "I'm sorry for the secrecy, but I don't know who to trust." Had any of the Silver Knights decided to move to a higher paying position? "This guard of Skyron's...I believe it's the beginning of something." She paused for a long moment, trying to guess at how to continue. She had failed with her mother-in-law. She could not fail with him. "I know...I understand I do not know Skyron as well, but I do know how a kingdom is taken. My father took his city very similarly with the creation of the Black Knights. Skyron has the favor of the people based on charm and that's very dangerous. That sort of power corrupts a man." She walked forward slowly, hoping he was really listening to her. "We need to tell your father what's been going on." It was the only thing she could think of that might stem the tide of what she knew was coming.
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Posted: Fri Sep 07, 2012 11:23 pm
Chris Rushlon The Wanderer The trail between start and destination had once again been uneventful, which continued to be seen as good fortune toward the traveler. Perhaps there was a chance that that mage had left him alone for good? ...No, not even close. And once again, his mind had wandered far away from that concern as he stepped into the gates of another place. This time... it was Garanoff.
There wasn't much he could say about the place, his ideas and thoughts never based on emotional joys or sorrow. With a shrug to the sights, he proceeded into the city, his walk taking him around the place. He passed many locations, one of them being the well-heard castle. At one point, his path took him past what appeared to be a female knight speaking to a figure, though what this argument may have been had no importance to him. Continuing on from there, he soon passed by a place resembling a shop. Of what kind, he didn't know at first glance. As before, he had every intention of passing it by.{ Entering from The Grand Port, page 3 }
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Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2012 6:09 pm
Oban Sorrian As Oban appeared before his beloved wife, for once without a smile reaching his features, he couldn't have seemed more discontent. His brother was often given many things in this world without labor, and before hand when father had decided upon Oban to be taught the way of the sword rather than he, the young lord recalled his sibling striking out against him for some time. Whether it was a blow to his torso or perhaps inserting an unwanted ingredient into his day's meal, it took quite some time for the taller of the twins to accept the matter. Now...with a kingdom taken from his grasp.... " I know how you feel...and though he is my brother I fear that he is far to power hungry to simply sit upon the throne which is not his own...It pains me to do so...but we'll have to order that he disband the Hunters." A Silver Knight approached then, stepping in behind the lord and taking a stand of attention behind him. Fortunately the motion allowed his armor to clash loudly, an abrupt metal noise announcing his own presence. Turning as his heel dug into the soft carpet of the royal quarters, Oban could smell the sweat which fell from within the hasted guard. " Yes Marrick." The prince asked, surprisingly recognizing the man even past the plates of armor. " Sir, I've come to report the final preparations of the Dengen Masters around the city walls, Sir. They should protect Garnoff from intruders, Sir." Marrick quickly relayed the information, assuring the young king to be that no more incedents of intrusion would occur from that point forward. As the knight waited for dismissal however, Oban turned to glance at Menna, the expression of discontent not yet removed from his eyes. Turning once more to the knight before him, the Titan of Garnoff asked Marrick what was upon his mind. " Where is Prince Skyron?" The question was simple, but the apparent confusion with the guard, as if the heir had been testing him, gave him some concern. " Lord Skyron Sorrian is presently within the city giving speech to declare your latest decree..." Marrick informed him. " What!" Oban's shock burst through him, for the heir had yet to create a decree...
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Posted: Tue Sep 11, 2012 6:56 pm
Chris Rushlon The Wanderer Passing by the shop without much distraction, Chris continued his walk through the town in silence. Thoughts and questions began to form in his mind as he did so. The most curious of the group being how the guards of this grand city didn't question him about the weapon he wielded and what his intention with it would be. It wasn't like he cared about whether this happened or not... he just didn't think a confrontation like that would be necessary. Regardless of this fact, he continued on, sliding in to an alleyway as to take a shortcut to the next street.
Upon exiting, he found himself in what could have been considered a city square. It appeared to be the kind of place where speeches of various sorts were given and, from the looks of it, one was about to begin. There was a crowd around the area where a male of obvious nobility background stood, seeming like he was preparing to issue some statement of sorts. While this speech meant nothing to the wanderer, he chose to take a seat on a bench, staring toward the crowd and man, intending to hear whatever words came from him...
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Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2012 2:04 pm
Issimenna Sorrian Menna wasn't so sure that ordering Skyron to disband the Hunters would work. He was growing more sure of himself and his right to reign every day. He would listen less and less as time went by. If Lucheston didn't come back soon...but now wasn't the time to think of that. Menna's head turned as the knight came in. Dengen master. She'd yearned for a title like that, but she doubted she would ever achieve it. However she didn't have time to depress herself about it, as the news that Skyron was giving a decree that Oban hadn't given him was surprising enough. She picked her skirts up and half-ran out of the room. She slowed down only slightly when people began to stare questioningly. Please be a morale speech. She thought. Or an apology. Anything but a law.
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Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2012 2:16 pm
Skyron Sorrian Standing upon the platform, sitting upon a throne as the crowd was kept back by the men clad in red, Skyron Sorrian finally stood to address those who had gathered upon his request. The group of citizens were held back far enough so that they could not see the other side of the throne, could not spy upon Oban's side of the chair...this of course was so that Skyron's latest speech would be most effective. "People of Garnoff....You have been betrayed." The lord opened, a significant amount of air taken in by the masses in gasp as they shuffled with anxiousness. Many began to whisper as the temporary false king held his hand as if to hold back the sound of their voices. "The citizens of Garnoff....they took King Lucheston in....they placed him as their leader..." Pausing dramatically, the young man then let his eyes fall, lifting them to face his subjects after a moment's pass. "And yet he grasped their trust and crushed it in the palm of his hand. As the people have called, as the people have desired, you demanded that I be made heir. As the king saw this he made certain that the people would be pleased with him, give him favor, and thus before you all named me so. What he did not tell you is that I am no heir to Garnoff, but only to a throne where another shall inform me what I must or mustn't do. Only to a kingdom which I shall never truly rule, even despite all the desires of that kingdom's people!"The crowd began to stir at this new realization. By their supposed ruler's words, their own king had betrayed them, and had lied to them, something which none among those standing before the prince enjoyed...and Skyron knew it. Many muttered their concerns among friends and family, some listened in more intently to discover this betrayal in more detail. "Skyron!" A roaring yet familiar voice echoed through the crowds. Making his way towards the platform in clothing not much better than most of the citizens, as the crowd parted respectfully, Oban rushed through, a few Silver Knights striding in behind him. The dark black shirt he wore allowed him to stand out a bit more than those of the others within the crowd, and his face appeared for the first time appeared to be angry, something which none had before witnessed. "What is this?" The Titan of Garnoff demanded, speaking up to his twin brother from bellow. Skyron only smirked down at him, turning as if he had smelt something fowl suddenly, and facing the citizens once more. " Here....Here is your true heir!" The Sorrian spat, jabbing a finger towards his sibling. " Daily he places words in my mouth such as a mother places food in that of a child's, a man who values the company of his soldiers but not his citizens, which we all know whom that resembles." It was horrid, for the crowd turned in anger towards their prince bellow, eyeing him after the clear reference to Doko was mentioned and labeled upon the Titan. " I cannot speak lest he speak the words to me...." Taking an arm onto the side of the wooden throne, Skyron heaved the double sided chair over the side of the platform where it fell to the ground bellow, and all could witness the end which Oban sat upon. " People of Garnoff....you have been betrayed!"
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