Lady Momus and the child would be coming to dinner soon, she had to have everything ready before they arrived. She bustled around the table ensuring everything was positioned perfectly.
As she placed the brandy jug on the table her face went blank and she pulled something out of her pocket. The servant pulled the stopper on the tiny bottle she had been given and the contents hissed as if they had been under pressure. She poured the black liquid into the brandy and watched as it disolved instantly leaving the liquid crimson again.
Her face became animated again and she shook her head as if clearing it. She positioned the jug on the table and finished setting up the table. Lady Momus and the child would be coming to dinner soon, she had to have everything ready before they arrived.
Pearl Mountain
Moderator: Tasslehofl Momus
She stood on the great stone balcony, multifaceted eyes on the horizon as she felt outwards for a sign of something other than the despair that she felt emanating from Phal. The small dragon had stayed lodged on the balcony for the past few weeks. Odd but yet he had never been that far from her side. She was more worried that he hadn't even taken the time to hunt, yet, as was her nature she had seen to it that he had been fed. She pulled the emerald green cloak tighter about her, it somehow failing to ward off the chill that sat in her bones. Thinking of food, her stomach startled her from her thoughts of something that she just quite couldnt fathom. She had heard bad rumors from without the manor and had sent a few out to see if there was any merit to what she had heard. They had disturbed her deeply and coupled with the fact that she hadn't had word from Tass in weeks didn't make her disposition any better. She sighed as she wished that he was there with her. Unbidden, thoughts of the last conversation she had with him creeped up again. He had acted odd but she was not one to go against his wishes and would do as he had asked. As he had wanted, she had stayed sequestered with Indigo.
Another rumble of her stomach made up her mind and she turned away from the balcony's edge and went off in search of Indigo. The girl...young woman, she corrected herself, had come quite into her own. She had tried putting her foot down but she had failed miserably trying to argue logic with Tass and when Khirsah had agreed to take on Indigo's lessons, well, she knew when to throw in the towel. She decided that her fears were not to be the girl's own and almost ungraciously she had given her consent. She knew that Indigo would strive even harder if she knew that her mother was against it. At least she didnt have to worry about Indigo sneaking off anymore trying to learn the extent of her abilities on her on. Pausing, she heard the muffled tune of someone humming. She smiled as she knew already that her daughter was reading. And so it was in Tass' study that she found her, a glimpse of ebony tresses peeping around stacks of books. She had grown used to the sight in the past few weeks and if the books gave her solace, it was more than she had at the moment. She cleared her voice, hesitant to even disturb her but she needed her to accompany her tonite.
"Mamere," the young woman called from behind an overly large tome, expertly closing it and sliding it aside, her hand flinching as if to grab another. "I didnt see you there"
"Is ok," Spike smiled as she spoke. "I was wondering if ye can see to accompany me for a bite. I need to speak with ye, and I promise to let ye see to the books afterward." She was grateful that Indigo for once didnt want to argue the point that she had more to read. She had already been through Tass' library thouroughly. Indigo joined her in the hall and as they walked, their whispers contained at Indigo's silent command went unnoticed.
After a light dinner, a girl came in and poured up Spike's evening's glass of brandy. With sniffer in hand she placed a kiss to the top of her daughter's head. She went into her rooms and settled down into the plush sitting chair that stood beside the hearth. As she did everytime Tass left her side, she kept her evening vigil at fireside. He seemed to find it amusing to startle her by appearing from within the flames. She hummed a soft tune as she waved slender fingers over the glass, warming slightly as she asked of it. Sipping at the brandy she let her eyes dance with the rhythm of the flames as they leapt about. The days weight seemed to hit her all at once as she placed the glass to the table beside the chair. Her eyes slowly closed as she gazed at the hypnotic dance of the flames. It was no surprise that her last waking thought was the imagining of seeing Tass step from within the flames. Just a dream she whispered to herself as the blackness overwhelmed her. A moment's breath as she realized what was happening, too late to fight it she tried to ward herself as she slipped away.
Indigo snatched up an errant peice of bread and with book underarm she decided to see if what she found in the written word truly existed. She thought she knew all of the old dank hallways, unused since forever she thought. Khirsah had taught her well enough to know she should never be closed minded. Mamere would surely beat her if she was caught but that incessant need to know the everywhere's to this place had got the better of her yet again. The lecture, that she swore her mother had written behind her eyelids, had been given till she had it memorized, and yep, was worth the trouble. She knew she was safe here, Papa Tass had told her so, so it must be true. A last glimpse at the page she had earmarked as she shoved the bread into her mouth, then a quick glimpse to be sure she was unseen, she couldnt help but smile as she whispered the words the Elder had taught unknowingly, he had led her to believe that anyway, and she too slipped away from sight. She could not afford to be followed by Mamere's spies tonight.
Another rumble of her stomach made up her mind and she turned away from the balcony's edge and went off in search of Indigo. The girl...young woman, she corrected herself, had come quite into her own. She had tried putting her foot down but she had failed miserably trying to argue logic with Tass and when Khirsah had agreed to take on Indigo's lessons, well, she knew when to throw in the towel. She decided that her fears were not to be the girl's own and almost ungraciously she had given her consent. She knew that Indigo would strive even harder if she knew that her mother was against it. At least she didnt have to worry about Indigo sneaking off anymore trying to learn the extent of her abilities on her on. Pausing, she heard the muffled tune of someone humming. She smiled as she knew already that her daughter was reading. And so it was in Tass' study that she found her, a glimpse of ebony tresses peeping around stacks of books. She had grown used to the sight in the past few weeks and if the books gave her solace, it was more than she had at the moment. She cleared her voice, hesitant to even disturb her but she needed her to accompany her tonite.
"Mamere," the young woman called from behind an overly large tome, expertly closing it and sliding it aside, her hand flinching as if to grab another. "I didnt see you there"
"Is ok," Spike smiled as she spoke. "I was wondering if ye can see to accompany me for a bite. I need to speak with ye, and I promise to let ye see to the books afterward." She was grateful that Indigo for once didnt want to argue the point that she had more to read. She had already been through Tass' library thouroughly. Indigo joined her in the hall and as they walked, their whispers contained at Indigo's silent command went unnoticed.
After a light dinner, a girl came in and poured up Spike's evening's glass of brandy. With sniffer in hand she placed a kiss to the top of her daughter's head. She went into her rooms and settled down into the plush sitting chair that stood beside the hearth. As she did everytime Tass left her side, she kept her evening vigil at fireside. He seemed to find it amusing to startle her by appearing from within the flames. She hummed a soft tune as she waved slender fingers over the glass, warming slightly as she asked of it. Sipping at the brandy she let her eyes dance with the rhythm of the flames as they leapt about. The days weight seemed to hit her all at once as she placed the glass to the table beside the chair. Her eyes slowly closed as she gazed at the hypnotic dance of the flames. It was no surprise that her last waking thought was the imagining of seeing Tass step from within the flames. Just a dream she whispered to herself as the blackness overwhelmed her. A moment's breath as she realized what was happening, too late to fight it she tried to ward herself as she slipped away.
Indigo snatched up an errant peice of bread and with book underarm she decided to see if what she found in the written word truly existed. She thought she knew all of the old dank hallways, unused since forever she thought. Khirsah had taught her well enough to know she should never be closed minded. Mamere would surely beat her if she was caught but that incessant need to know the everywhere's to this place had got the better of her yet again. The lecture, that she swore her mother had written behind her eyelids, had been given till she had it memorized, and yep, was worth the trouble. She knew she was safe here, Papa Tass had told her so, so it must be true. A last glimpse at the page she had earmarked as she shoved the bread into her mouth, then a quick glimpse to be sure she was unseen, she couldnt help but smile as she whispered the words the Elder had taught unknowingly, he had led her to believe that anyway, and she too slipped away from sight. She could not afford to be followed by Mamere's spies tonight.
Malchor awaited his guest in the entry hall of his new home. His keep was almost complete. Built on the defiled remains of the elf wench's pathetic house the construction had progressed rapidly once he had impressed the fallen people of this land into his service. The huge double doors swung open and four large demons entered carrying an iron box covered in hideous demonic runes. Malchor gestured for them to set the box down and approached with barely contained pleasure. He peered in through the bars at his guest. The female elf lay unconscious, curled into a ball. Rael had asked for this one specially, but that didn't mean he couldn't have some fun while he waited. "Take her to the dining room," he ordered with a ghastly smile.
They hadn't caught him yet. Trestun Scall leaned his back against the tree and breathed in and out heavily. He knew he hadn't lost them. By now he figured he couldn't lose them.
He'd been running for three days, ever since his unit had been overrun while escorting refugees out of the warzone. They had arrived at the port city of Nerthus to find it in flames and the demons waiting for them. His comrades had died there or sometime during the nightmare that followed. Three days of running and hiding.
But he had seen. He had seen and they wanted him dead before he could tell anyone. He just need to escape the wards the demons had set. If he could just get far enough ahead of them he could transform. He would fly and warn Lord Momus. What they were doing would destroy this world. It would destroy all the worlds. He had to tell someone, warn someone.
He heard the hounds coming and he was off again, behind him the trees were burning. The demon were burning the forests of Kadir. He didn't know if it was to find him or simply because they hated any and everything that lived. It didn't matter, he couldn't go back regardless.
He looked back and he thought he caught a glimpse of them in the flames. They'd have to catch him first.
He ran.
He'd been running for three days, ever since his unit had been overrun while escorting refugees out of the warzone. They had arrived at the port city of Nerthus to find it in flames and the demons waiting for them. His comrades had died there or sometime during the nightmare that followed. Three days of running and hiding.
But he had seen. He had seen and they wanted him dead before he could tell anyone. He just need to escape the wards the demons had set. If he could just get far enough ahead of them he could transform. He would fly and warn Lord Momus. What they were doing would destroy this world. It would destroy all the worlds. He had to tell someone, warn someone.
He heard the hounds coming and he was off again, behind him the trees were burning. The demon were burning the forests of Kadir. He didn't know if it was to find him or simply because they hated any and everything that lived. It didn't matter, he couldn't go back regardless.
He looked back and he thought he caught a glimpse of them in the flames. They'd have to catch him first.
He ran.
Malchor relaxed in front of the fire. He could not feel the heat but the image of a decadent lord taking his ease agreed with him. He sipped on his drink, the taste made him almost feel alive again. He had not had elves blood for centuries and the Lady Momus had seemed oh so reluctant to provide him with a sample. Even after he'd treated her to a dinner of baby dragon, no accounting for taste. After all his hospitality she refused to share. He'd enjoyed the sounds her limbs had made as his servants had shattered her arms. And her blood, her wonderful tasting blood, he'd enjoyed taking it from her as she scremed defiance and obscenities. He sipped slowly savoring the taste as he waited for nightfall. Perhaps he'd invite her to dinner again tonight.
Several less pleasant thoughts skittered across his mind as he rested. The brat still eluded his agents but soon she would be his also. And then there was Rael. No word had been heard from him since the invasion began. Malchor wondered what his former liege was up to, no matter, he would deal with him when he reappeared. He would learn pain this time. This time the halfbreed would kneel to him.
Malchor. The voice again, the voice had shown him so many things. So many possibilities. Malchor leaned back into the chair and listened. They are coming. The dragon lord is healed and he is bringing the guardians with him. Malchor could see them, two humans a demon and a stunted dragon. They would hold little challenge for him. Destroy them. Feed me the blood of the guardians and all I have shown you will be yours. Worlds will kneel before you. Gods will fall to your might. Malchor leaned back and listened to the voice. The blood spilled over his taste buds and he savored it as he dreamed the dreams of power and the voice spoke on.
Several less pleasant thoughts skittered across his mind as he rested. The brat still eluded his agents but soon she would be his also. And then there was Rael. No word had been heard from him since the invasion began. Malchor wondered what his former liege was up to, no matter, he would deal with him when he reappeared. He would learn pain this time. This time the halfbreed would kneel to him.
Malchor. The voice again, the voice had shown him so many things. So many possibilities. Malchor leaned back into the chair and listened. They are coming. The dragon lord is healed and he is bringing the guardians with him. Malchor could see them, two humans a demon and a stunted dragon. They would hold little challenge for him. Destroy them. Feed me the blood of the guardians and all I have shown you will be yours. Worlds will kneel before you. Gods will fall to your might. Malchor leaned back and listened to the voice. The blood spilled over his taste buds and he savored it as he dreamed the dreams of power and the voice spoke on.
It waited.
Thousands of years had passed since it last had felt the energy flowing like this. It had waited on the edge of this world. Watched as the dragons came and formed it to their will. Waited for one with not just the power but the thirst for destruction that it needed in order to rise again, to feed again. But none of these creatures could be used. The dragon lord protected them and he was abhorhent in his respect for life.
So it waited.
Then the female came. It could feel the destruction clinging to her. But she denied the power. Refused it when it could be hers and refused herself in the process. But it had a scent now. It followed the trail. The dimensions opened before it as it sent out its creatures, things that lived between the worlds, things that had no name. They brought it word of the source of the taint. An entire civilization cast down but somehow they still existed.
It watched and it waited.
Then the dragon lord broke the barriers and it rejoiced. Soon, it would have the one it sought. They came through and it found the one it wanted. A despot, a general, a bloody conqueror already, the creature was perfect for its needs. Glory to the Nameless, it had found its new lord and soon the universe would shake.
It called. It taught. It seduced. Its new lord accepted the bargain and they began to merge. The energy flowed through it and into its lord. They drank deep of this world's very life essence. When they moved on nothing would be left but a barren husk.
Thousands of years had passed since it last had felt the energy flowing like this. It had waited on the edge of this world. Watched as the dragons came and formed it to their will. Waited for one with not just the power but the thirst for destruction that it needed in order to rise again, to feed again. But none of these creatures could be used. The dragon lord protected them and he was abhorhent in his respect for life.
So it waited.
Then the female came. It could feel the destruction clinging to her. But she denied the power. Refused it when it could be hers and refused herself in the process. But it had a scent now. It followed the trail. The dimensions opened before it as it sent out its creatures, things that lived between the worlds, things that had no name. They brought it word of the source of the taint. An entire civilization cast down but somehow they still existed.
It watched and it waited.
Then the dragon lord broke the barriers and it rejoiced. Soon, it would have the one it sought. They came through and it found the one it wanted. A despot, a general, a bloody conqueror already, the creature was perfect for its needs. Glory to the Nameless, it had found its new lord and soon the universe would shake.
It called. It taught. It seduced. Its new lord accepted the bargain and they began to merge. The energy flowed through it and into its lord. They drank deep of this world's very life essence. When they moved on nothing would be left but a barren husk.
Trestun Scall dragged himself up onto the beach gasping. He had escaped the wards but the demons had simply sent flyers and dracoliches. He had escaped them for the moment by transforming as he flew through a cloud bank and turning into his humanoid form, praying that his remaining magic could protect him from the impact with the water. They had missed the tiny figure falling to the sea below and he had survived so at least that much of his plan had worked.
He pushed himself up onto his knees and and leaned back looking up and down the beach in either direction. He wasn't sure where he was now but he was sure that without his magic to disguise his location it wouldn't be long before they found him again. The surf crashing into his back almost toppled him. He had to get moving or he might never be able to.
He lurched to his feet and whispered a quiet prayer to anyone that might be listening and staggered forward slowly pushing himself into a steady jog. He would reach his lord yet. His mind wandered to pleasant fantasies of food and rest as his body moved without thought.
He managed to stagger into the treeline moments before the dracolich landed with a thud. It sniffed the ground and let out a roar calling to its companions. Trestun looked back and saw it through the trees. That might be someone I used to know. The thought flashed through his mind as he began to pick up speed away from his pursuers. He didn't know where he was finding the strength but it came and he used it.
He ran.
He pushed himself up onto his knees and and leaned back looking up and down the beach in either direction. He wasn't sure where he was now but he was sure that without his magic to disguise his location it wouldn't be long before they found him again. The surf crashing into his back almost toppled him. He had to get moving or he might never be able to.
He lurched to his feet and whispered a quiet prayer to anyone that might be listening and staggered forward slowly pushing himself into a steady jog. He would reach his lord yet. His mind wandered to pleasant fantasies of food and rest as his body moved without thought.
He managed to stagger into the treeline moments before the dracolich landed with a thud. It sniffed the ground and let out a roar calling to its companions. Trestun looked back and saw it through the trees. That might be someone I used to know. The thought flashed through his mind as he began to pick up speed away from his pursuers. He didn't know where he was finding the strength but it came and he used it.
He ran.
Malchor reached out with his mind the way the voice had taught him. He could feel the barriers around this world. He traced them with his mind learning as he went, gaining power as he learned more.
Already he had control of Matlal and Kadir, the remaining living had been hearded into pens to act as food and entertainment for his ever growing force. Already he had doubled the size of his armies as the people of the isles were decimated and now his people had made their first forays on to Odhran. Soon he would control this entire world. The voice promised him it was only the first.
Malchor looked down on the slaves as they dug downwards. He could feel it getting closer, soon he would have his prize. The voice called and he would follow. And then he would rule.
Already he had control of Matlal and Kadir, the remaining living had been hearded into pens to act as food and entertainment for his ever growing force. Already he had doubled the size of his armies as the people of the isles were decimated and now his people had made their first forays on to Odhran. Soon he would control this entire world. The voice promised him it was only the first.
Malchor looked down on the slaves as they dug downwards. He could feel it getting closer, soon he would have his prize. The voice called and he would follow. And then he would rule.
Trestun limped out of the treeline. His left side had been burned by dragons fire and his arm was lashed to his chest to keep the shattered bones from moving but every movement threatened to send him into unconsciousness. They had almost gotten him but not yet. He could hear the others crashing through the forest behind him. Up ahead he could see Lord Momus' manor. Almost there.
He didn't see the demon until it hit him. He flew off his feet and landed on his broken arm. The blackness took him before he could even think about screaming. When he came back to himself he was alone. The pain was back but he was alive. He sat up and promptly dry heaved, for a moment he was actually greatful that he hadn't eaten in days.
He looked around and saw the smoking remains of at least three demons or maybe dracoliches. Whatever had killed them had incinerated them beyond hope of identification. He could see movement in the trees, they hadn't given up on him yet. Luckily he didn't have to go back into the trees. He tried to stand but his legs gave way and he crashed back down barely staying conscious.
On his knees, using only one arm, he began to crawl towards the manor praying he'd make it that far. Using everything he had left inside him he went on.
He crawled.
He didn't see the demon until it hit him. He flew off his feet and landed on his broken arm. The blackness took him before he could even think about screaming. When he came back to himself he was alone. The pain was back but he was alive. He sat up and promptly dry heaved, for a moment he was actually greatful that he hadn't eaten in days.
He looked around and saw the smoking remains of at least three demons or maybe dracoliches. Whatever had killed them had incinerated them beyond hope of identification. He could see movement in the trees, they hadn't given up on him yet. Luckily he didn't have to go back into the trees. He tried to stand but his legs gave way and he crashed back down barely staying conscious.
On his knees, using only one arm, he began to crawl towards the manor praying he'd make it that far. Using everything he had left inside him he went on.
He crawled.
Malchor could feel it now. He walked slowly down into the excavation site. As he passed the workers they fell lifeless their essence sucked from their bodies. One by one they died. Before he was halfway down into the pit the word had spread and the slaves ran before him in a panic. The power grew as he got closer the slaves huddled on the other side of the pit as he approached the center. A black liquid pushed upwards out of the hole and flowed towards him. He stepped into it and it flowed up his body covering his whole body. The power suffused him. He reached out with his thoughts and the remaining slaves died as one, their souls adding to his power.
He and the voice were now one.
Malchor felt it when the former lord of this world returned. He smiled. There was a crack, somehow when the lord returned something had prevented the wards from closing. Something that felt...familiar. He couldn't get anything through yet but given time he would be able to break through.
He could feel the energies flowing from the land and the people and into him. Soon he would suck this world dry and then the real fun would begin.
Malchor walked out of the pit and with a gesture the dead slaves staggered to their feet. No need to waste good resources. He climbed onto the back of his mount and looked around at the destruction he had wrought and he laughed.
He and the voice were now one.
Malchor felt it when the former lord of this world returned. He smiled. There was a crack, somehow when the lord returned something had prevented the wards from closing. Something that felt...familiar. He couldn't get anything through yet but given time he would be able to break through.
He could feel the energies flowing from the land and the people and into him. Soon he would suck this world dry and then the real fun would begin.
Malchor walked out of the pit and with a gesture the dead slaves staggered to their feet. No need to waste good resources. He climbed onto the back of his mount and looked around at the destruction he had wrought and he laughed.
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Rael Ashen
- Junior Adventurer
- Posts: 10
- Joined: Sat Jun 18, 2005 11:42 pm
He stood atop the Pearl, watching the lands and islands around him blacken. Death, destruction, and decay were spreading. It was glorious. It, however, was not his glory. No, that had changed. His second in command had turned on him. He knew it would only be a matter of time for it to come, and it would seem that he had garnered help in doing it. Who, or what this help was, he could not figure out.
“You do not need to worry about them, Teifling. They will be dealt with.”
He turned and sought the one who the voice belonged too. There was nothing. No, that’s not correct. There was something. A blur in the swirling snows that capped the Pearl. Rael squinted, forcing his eyes to focus through the glare. Eyes… they were eyes. Dark purple eyes… almost black.
Rael snarled. He never liked dealing with people he couldn’t see. They were the ones you couldn’t trust. Well.. he trusted no one, but that was always besides the point. “What?”
“You must really listen better, Tiefling. I said that they will be dealt with.”
Rael’s snarl grew and he reached in quickly, pulling on the power of the black… His eyes, of their own will, flew open. The power wasn’t there!
The eyes chuckled. “You see surprised. Worry not, your power will return to you when I leave.”
“Who are you?” Rael’s words were barely audible through his clenched teeth. No one had ever stolen his power before… no one was capable, nor that powerful.
“I am no one to be trifled with. That is all you need know.”
“Then why do you come if you provide no information?”
“Because it is not information which you require. It is power. And you will have it. But you must be patient.”
“I have been patience, phantom. The time for being patience has ended.”
“Then you will see to your own downfall…” The voice trailed off with the wind, and the eyes vanished.
Rael snarled one last time. He would be patient. He had been for eons.
“You do not need to worry about them, Teifling. They will be dealt with.”
He turned and sought the one who the voice belonged too. There was nothing. No, that’s not correct. There was something. A blur in the swirling snows that capped the Pearl. Rael squinted, forcing his eyes to focus through the glare. Eyes… they were eyes. Dark purple eyes… almost black.
Rael snarled. He never liked dealing with people he couldn’t see. They were the ones you couldn’t trust. Well.. he trusted no one, but that was always besides the point. “What?”
“You must really listen better, Tiefling. I said that they will be dealt with.”
Rael’s snarl grew and he reached in quickly, pulling on the power of the black… His eyes, of their own will, flew open. The power wasn’t there!
The eyes chuckled. “You see surprised. Worry not, your power will return to you when I leave.”
“Who are you?” Rael’s words were barely audible through his clenched teeth. No one had ever stolen his power before… no one was capable, nor that powerful.
“I am no one to be trifled with. That is all you need know.”
“Then why do you come if you provide no information?”
“Because it is not information which you require. It is power. And you will have it. But you must be patient.”
“I have been patience, phantom. The time for being patience has ended.”
“Then you will see to your own downfall…” The voice trailed off with the wind, and the eyes vanished.
Rael snarled one last time. He would be patient. He had been for eons.
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Rael Ashen
- Junior Adventurer
- Posts: 10
- Joined: Sat Jun 18, 2005 11:42 pm
His watched quietly as the man stepped from the rift between the worlds. He was a man he had seen before, but had never seen. A man who lied in stone. A man of power. A man who could destroy him. There were few of those kinds in the Hell’s, yet he came from there none the less.
It was wise that he had sheltered himself atop the mountain. It took much for those who came here to protect themselves enough that they would not freeze in an instant, and that gave him the chance to stay hidden as their focus was on their own lives.
He had started this war, but it was his subordinate who had taken it full blown, and in the end, ruined it. There was much to say about being patient. Malchor was not that.
He turned then, leaving those he brought into this land to their fate and slipped into a deep crevice that he had found atop the mountain. He was free from the Hell’s at least, and it was time to be patient once more.
It was wise that he had sheltered himself atop the mountain. It took much for those who came here to protect themselves enough that they would not freeze in an instant, and that gave him the chance to stay hidden as their focus was on their own lives.
He had started this war, but it was his subordinate who had taken it full blown, and in the end, ruined it. There was much to say about being patient. Malchor was not that.
He turned then, leaving those he brought into this land to their fate and slipped into a deep crevice that he had found atop the mountain. He was free from the Hell’s at least, and it was time to be patient once more.
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