Chapter 1: Playing Nice in Ostagar

It was late in the day when they finally arrived in Ostagar. Alriana looked at the massive architecture of the ruins of the shemlen. Everything was huge, bigger than most of the things she had seen living with her clan much like how shemlen tended to be taller than elves. Thinking about it, a wicked thought stole into her mind as Duncan explained the history of Ostagar to her. When he paused, she then asked, "Is the reason the buildings are so big because you shemlen are so tall or do they say something about you that we Dalish don't know?"

Duncan was surprised anything came out of her mouth since she had been silent the whole trip there with the exception of speaking when asked a direct question. Her question though had him look at her and he thought he detected a mischievous look in her eyes but the look was quickly gone. He looked up and saw the Tower of Ishal and thought about what she was asking. He replied, "It was the style then."

"I suppose then the need to compensate was high."

Duncan was about to say something when another voice called out, "Ho Duncan!"

Duncan turned to see the ruler of Ferelden, King Cailan approaching. He replied, "Your Majesty. I wasn't expecting…"

"A royal welcome? I was beginning to worry you'll miss all the fun."

"Not if I can help it, your Majesty."

"Then I'll have the mighty Duncan at my side in battle after all. Glorious! The other Wardens told me that you've found a promising recruit. I take it this is she?"

Duncan looked at the Dalish elf who was merely surveying the scene as if something amused her. He prayed to the Maker that she would not do anything that would put anyone in an awkward position. He slowly began, "Allow me to introduce you…"

Cailan interrupted in good humor, "No need to be so formal Duncan. We'll be shedding blood together after all." He then directed his attention to the new recruit. "Ho there friend! Might I have your name?"

Meanwhile, Alriana had been watching the exchange between Duncan and the shem king named Cailan. Never had she met someone who had enthusiasm for something as serious as playing war. She found it amusing and watched as the signs of idolizing legends became evident in the shem king's face. She was surprised though when he deigned to greet her in a friendly manner.

No matter where you go, you are Dalish. Never forget that.

The memory surfaced rapidly and Alriana lifted her head to look the shem king in the eye. She replied in a tone that could be considered friendly but could also be taken the wrong way by the wrong person, "I am Alriana Mahariel."

Duncan thought she sounded coldly polite and would have berated her but was forestalled by Cailan replying, "Pleased to meet you! You are Dalish are you not? I hear your people possess remarkable skill and honor."

It had surprised Alriana that this shem king actually liked some aspect of her people when many shemlen just saw her kind as inferior. She replied, "I am surprised that you know that much of our people. For the most part your kind think of us as savages and hate us." Her voice suggested that she was challenging him on his opinion.

Cailan though was not unperturbed. Rather he was more like Duncan and wanted people to work together. He replied, "To be fair though, your people can be a bit standoffish. Not that I blame them of course."

Alriana smiled at the king's response. She rather liked this particular shem and he had answered well. "Well said. We are a proud people."

"I tell you this: You are very welcome here. The Grey Wardens will benefit greatly with you amongst them. I, for one, am glad to help them."

Duncan decided at this point to interject with important news, "Your uncle sends his greetings and reminds you that Redcliffe forces could be here in less than a week." He hoped that Cailan would heed the advice that was coming from it.

"Ha! Eamon just wants in on the glory. We've won three battles against these monsters and tomorrow should be no different. I'm not even sure that this is a true Blight. There are plenty of darkspawn but we've seen no sign of an archdemon." Cailan had turned around to gaze across the gorge towards where his camp was.

To Alriana he sounded disappointed and she was not even sure what an archdemon really was and was not about to ask at the moment. She asked, "Disappointed your Majesty?"

Cailan turned to look at Alriana and grinned, his enthusiasm returning. "I'd hope for a war like in the tales! A king riding with the fabled Grey Wardens against a tainted god! But I suppose this will have to do."

Alriana looked at Duncan and noticed a look pass over his face. Apparently Duncan had a different feeling about the upcoming battle against the darkspawn and either the shem king was too blind or just too confident that things would end quickly. She could only survey the situation until the comment just popped of her mouth, "It is still a battle."

Cailan turned to look at Alriana with a grin on his face. "The Grey Wardens will definitely benefit from your outlook on life, friend. I'm sorry to cut this short but I must go before Loghain sends out a search party. He waits eagerly to bore me with his strategies. Farewell Grey Wardens." With a wave, the king turned and left for his tent.

Alriana watched the king leave with a look that was a mixture of confusion and amusement. She had to admit that she liked the enthusiasm of the king. At least that would not dampen the spirits of the men who fought for him. On the other hand she wondered if he was being stupid for being overconfident that this battle would end it all. She was not that eager to get into battle but only fools thought that battles were quick and easy. She looked towards Duncan to see what he wanted her to do.

Duncan looked at the Dalish before motioning her to head towards the bridge of the gorge. "What the king said is true. They've won several battles against the darkspawn here."

"I can see why he is confident this one will go well but you don't sound very reassured," Alriana looked towards the Grey Warden.

Duncan looked at her. She did not have to say it but her eyes demanded an answer. Most people made their demands vocally but she was subtle. She was his recruit however and she was going to learn much over the coming months. Better to get a start on it. "I know there is an archdemon behind this. But I cannot ask the king to act solely on my feelings."

"Why not? He seems to regard the Grey Wardens highly though rather more akin to hero worship."

"Yet not enough to wait for reinforcements from the Grey Wardens of Orlais. He believes our legend alone makes him invulnerable."

Alriana scoffed, "Foolish." When Duncan looked at her sharply for her criticism, she added, "His enthusiasm is good for keeping spirits up but legends aren't going to see you through a battle."

"You know this from experience?" Duncan laid the challenge.

Alriana took it. "I studied the history of the Dalish when they fought with Andraste. Besides hunting works the same way. You plan and you execute but there is no room for fools in it for the glory."

Duncan regarded the elf with a respectful air. She was practical when it came to getting things done but she was not hard hearted. She did become more civil after their ambush and would talk. He even suspected that she had quick wit and a sense of humor. "An honest answer and one I would expect from someone gifted like you." He continued to walk until they were at the steps leading down to the bridge. "Our numbers in Ferelden are too few. We must do what we can and look to Teryn Loghain to make up the difference. To that end, we should proceed with the Joining ritual without delay."

Alriana was adjusting her bow when she caught the last part. "What do you mean? What ritual?" Her eyes narrowed in suspicion as she searched for any kind of trickery on the Warden's part.

Duncan did not miss it. She did have a right to be suspicious and tradition kept him from telling her more. The least he could do was explain the basics. The details would come later. "Every recruit must go through a secret ritual we call the Joining in order to become a Grey Warden. The Joining is what will cure you of the suffering your tainted blood surely brings you. If it had been possible, I would have done it before now."

This is you duty…and your salvation…

So this is what Keeper Marethari meant by my salvation, Alriana thought as she heard the bare bones of this ritual. It did not seem fair at all and part of her wanted to go into a childish tantrum but she stalwartly refused. She would not disgrace her people or her clan. She was Dalish. Instead she asked, "Why is this ritual so secret?"

Duncan was surprised she had not reacted to this bit of news. She certainly had demanded why he could not give her the cure before they left her clan. Now that she knew why, she was behaving as if it did not matter. It would be a mystery to solve later and he explained, "The Joining is dangerous. I cannot speak more of it except to say that you will learn all in good time. Until then you must trust that what is done is necessary."

"Meaning that you ask me to trust you." It had been stated bluntly and demanded an equally honest response.

"In a manner of speaking."

Alriana nodded and replied, "And this is the part where I would ask why I should trust a shem. Very well. What do you need me to do?"

"Feel free to explore the camp as you wish. All I ask is that you do not leave it for the time being."

"Since it is you asking I will respect that." Alriana then noticed the look on the Warden's face. She frowned slightly and said, "Just because I feel like I was forced here doesn't mean that I'll do anything to disgrace myself or my clan. Besides I'm not angry. Not with you." She then turned her head away wishing that the ground could swallow her whole.

Duncan nodded in understanding. "There is another Grey Warden in the camp by the name of Alistair. When you are ready, seek him out and we can proceed with the ritual. Until then I have business that I must attend to. You may find me at the Grey Warden tent on the other side of this bridge." Not saying anything else, Duncan walked down the stairs leaving Alriana alone.

Alriana watched the Grey Warden take his leave. Now that she was quite alone, she could get a sense of her surroundings. It had been discovered at a young age that she had a talent of connecting to the forest and it served her well when she went hunting. It had proven useful when she and the Warden were ambushed on the way to Ostagar. She could hear them as the forest spoke to her, telling her of an unclean force. She had been up and alert, bow in hand. Now she would use it to become familiar and find this…she struggled to form the name with her tongue…this Alistair.

"It may be allegory, meant to teach us that our own evil causes suffering. Or it may be true. It's as good as an explanation as any for now."

Alriana looked at the elderly mage with a look of respect. This Wynne was as good a story teller as Paviel and she was fascinated by the shemlen and their Maker. The Chantry she was not particularly fond of considering the way how they treated the mages. It was just as bad as how the shemlen treated her people. This woman though was different. She had years and wisdom and she considered it foolish to not listen. She replied, "At least it is something to ponder. Even for us nonbelievers."

Wynne smiled at the elf staring at her. She had first noticed her skirting around the tents looking for something and knew right away that she was the new recruit that Duncan brought. She found it a delightful surprise that the recruit was a female and an elf. Being a mage, Wynne held no reservations about the young Dalish since she had mentored mages of different races. She smiled and replied, "Yes, occasionally it's wise to contemplate one's actions. But I am certain Duncan has more for you to do than talk to me."

Alriana recognized it as a dismissal, much like a mother telling her children to run along and play. She found that she did not want to leave but the mage reminded her in those words that she had to find the other Grey Warden. She gave a nod and replied, "Thank you for your time."

Alriana continued to wander about the camp until she found herself next to what was supposed to be an infirmary. Opposite was one of the shemlen from the Chantry giving blessings to some of the men. Instinctively she wrinkled her nose at the sight of the sister of the Chantry and tried to pass without being noticed. She was noticed by a very large shem. He looked at her and said, "Greetings. You must be the third recruit we've heard about."

"You've heard about me?"

"Not a great deal but someone brought word of your arrival. I'm Ser Jory a knight from Redcliffe."

Alriana shrugged as if the place had no meaning for her. To her it was just another place where her kind were slaves and generally not welcome. She just stared up at the huge shem with an expectant gaze that made him uncomfortable.

"I wasn't aware elves could join the Grey Wardens. Those camped in the valley are all human."

Figures. He probably never even saw an elf warrior. Alriana knew that his comment was just making conversation but it still rankled a bit. A thought stole into her mind and she decided to have fun. She replied in a tone that implied offense and a glare to match, "What is that supposed to mean?"

It was fun seeing the slight panic in Ser Jory's face as he replied, "Just that in some places elves are not permitted to join the military."

"Seems to me joining the military means being a servant," and Alriana waved her hand to indicate an elf servant running through the camp.

Ser Jory looked helpless and eager for an escape. Alriana would give it to him if he found one. He replied, "Well…if you're here than means I must be getting back to Duncan." He took his leave and walked away so fast as if he were afraid she were going to skewer him with one of her arrows. Alriana waited until he was gone before letting out a small laugh and following back down the ramp.

Going down she heard a conversation going on. Pausing, she shamelessly eavesdropped and peered through the branches to see a shem male trying to flirt with a female warrior. From the dirty look the female was giving, the rogue was unsuccessful. She waited until the female left before heading down. As she figured, she was stopped by a one liner that she found utterly ridiculous. She turned to face the shem figuring that she would give him a piece of her mind.

The shem spoke, "Well you're not what I thought you'd be."

"What did you think I'd be?"

"Not an elf."

"So you have a problem with me being an elf," Alriana replied as she narrowed her hazel green eyes.

"No problem at all," the shem replied, "My name's Daveth. Now that you're here, do you think they plan to send us into the Wilds?"

It was not lost on Alriana that the rogue was ogling her. He was looking at her but not at her face and she rolled her eyes in annoyance. To show, she crossed her arms to hide her breasts and saw the light go out of his eyes. She replied, "No idea. Frankly I feel like I could take anything on right now."

"Indeed. Well I best be getting back to Duncan then."

Alriana sighed with relief when Daveth had gone. If he was a recruit, she would have to find the means to stay away from him. By Dalish standards she was pretty though some of the elders said she was of a rare beauty, whatever that meant. It was in the lore that they had collected but for some reason the information was always held out of reach for her on that. At least the males in her clan did not ogle her like that shem did. Muttering over it, she made a turn and walked up a ramp into a shaded portion of the ruins.

Looking to the left she saw some elven servants cleaning a long table. Curious about it, she walked up and saw a large map of Ferelden that had been pinned to the table. She looked at it and tried to visualize the trek that she and Duncan had taken from her clan down south to the small symbol of a tower that marked Ostagar. She looked elsewhere and saw a marking for Redcliffe, the name of the place that Ser Jory said he was from. Looking at the map, Alriana felt that she was at a disadvantage since all she knew was of her clan and the Dalish and the names of nearby villages where they camped. Now that she was to be a Grey Warden, she wondered if she was going to see these places marked on the map. She glanced over at the elven servants clearing up everything. A small part of her felt contempt at them for losing their way but much more of it was directed at the shemlen who saw that her people were only good to be servants. Was it compassion? She did not know. All she did know was that there some good shems, like Duncan, though she was reluctant to admit and she was amused by King Cailan whose enthusiasm reminded her of that of a puppy.

Turning away from the area that she could only assume was the war council area she noticed a large ramp that seemed to lead up into the sunlight. She had not explored there just yet and maybe that was where the one named Alistair was. She walked deliberately and quietly so as not to startle anything. For ruins, they were quiet and she could tell that they had been returned to the earth. For the first time since leaving her clan, she could feel some semblance of relaxing. She walked quietly up the top of the ramp and came across two shems conversing. One was a mage, which she could tell from the robes and the staff. The other was dress in armor with blonde hair and was looking like he would much rather be elsewhere. She slowly inched forward, curious about the conversation.

Alistair had noticed the movement from the ramp but chose to ignore it. He figured that it was one of the servants running around was getting too curious. Not that he minded in the least. His attentions was focused on the mage before him and he felt his defenses rise out of force of habit all the while recalling the insistent manner of the one who sent him there.

The mage was scowling at him and he did not take it as a good sign. It might end up being one of those moments where he might be turned into a toad. The mage spoke impatiently and with annoyance, "What is it now? Haven't the Grey Wardens asked more than enough of the Circle?"

Alistair was always one to revert to a joking manner when he was placed in uncomfortable situations. Yet reason dictated that he get to it and just say what he had been instructed to say. "I simply came to deliver a message from the revered mother, ser mage. She desires your presence."

The message had the effect that Alistair knew would happen. Here I am being put in an awkward position just because some people can't get along. The mage scowled at the mention of the revered mother and replied, "What her Reverence 'desires' is no concern of mine. I am busy helping the Grey Wardens—by the king's request I might add."

"Should I have asked her to write a note?" Alistair was smirking when he said it unable to resist. It was also a testament to how he disliked being put in that position. It was then he noticed that he had an audience. She had been quiet when she arrived and she had maintained a discreet distance but he could tell that she was listening. Nice to have an audience.

"Tell her I will not be harassed in this manner."

Focusing his attention back to the mage, Alistair felt his defenses go up. He replied, "Yes, I was harassing you by delivering a message." His sarcasm came out as naturally as breathing and he knew this would serve only to infuriate the mage more.

"Your glibness does you no credit." The mage was clearing trying to resist the impulse to turn the fool in front of him into a toad. It rankled that the revered mother sent this ex-Templar to demand his presence. The fool may be a Grey Warden but he was still a Templar and the mage resented that.

Alistair was equally annoyed and just could not help but rile the mage even more. "Here I thought we were getting along so well. I was even going to name one of my children after you… the grumpy one."

For a moment Alistair thought he detected the hint of laughter or even a chuckle but a quick glance at the woman told him otherwise. Still it would have been nice to know if he managed to get on someone's good side after all that. There was a moment when the thought crossed his mind that the woman could be another mage and was just waiting to trip him up. Before that could be explored further, the mage continued, the contempt for Alistair clear in his voice, "Enough! I will speak to the woman if I must." He then walked and gave a movement to shove Alistair aside. "Get out of my way fool!"

Alistair just let the mage shove him and watched as he went to go see the revered mother. He was rather used to getting shoved out of the way so it did not bother him in the least. It was then that he was able to turn his attention to the woman who had been watching and was now walking towards him. Upon closer inspection he recognized the distinctive ears of the elf but he was most intrigued by her face. The pattern of curls of her tattoo framed her face and while clearly meant to be a mark of distinction, he thought it suited her. As soon as he thought of it, he nearly blushed at the thought. Besides she was staring at him as if expecting him to do something and that caused him to inwardly squirm, reminding him of times when he got in trouble. He decided to try to break the ice in the only way he knew for certain…with humor. "You know one good thing about the Blight is how it brings people together."

Alriana, having watched the entire exchange from its beginning, understood about the mage being upset at the treatment granted by the Chantry since her people were considered little better than mere servants. However she thought it unreasonable that he take his anger out on the messenger though the messenger had not made things easier by sassing the mage. She did find it rude that the mage shoved the other out of his way and nearly barreled into her on the way out. She narrowed her eyes at the mage, not afraid of him and went up to meet the other who was just staring at her.

At first it might as well have been a staring contest but then he said something that reflected her thoughts about this whole cooperation thing that the woman Wynne had mentioned earlier. She glanced back at the direction the mage had taken and replied, "I know exactly what you mean."

"It's like a party. We could stand in a circle and hold hands. That would give the darkspawn something to think about."

Alriana looked at the man with a look that she was sure one of shock. She had never met anyone who was this glib about anything serious. Apparently the look on her face encouraged him to say more, "Wait, we haven't met, have we? I don't suppose you happen to be another mage?"

Alriana caught the hint of worry as if she might be. She figured that for the little shock he gave her, then she might as well pay him back. She knew it was childish but there was something in his manner that encouraged her to be as such. She gave a sly smile, "Would that make your day worse?"

Alistair saw the look and thought that she might be one though her manner suggested otherwise. He decided to play her game. "Hardly. I just would like to know my chances of being turned into a toad at any given moment."

"Well then I guess you'll have to live wondering that. Now finding yourself with an arrow sticking out of your arse might be more in line with my skill set."

"Knew you weren't a mage," Alistair replied, "Unless you can charm that quiver to ignite on contact."

"So you want to be a flaming arse now?"

Alistair took a moment to take in her words and let out a laugh. She's got wit. He had to admit he was impressed with her wit at the double meaning. He looked at her face and saw the smirk and saw that she really was joking with him. He then realized who she was. "Wait I doknow you. You're Duncan's new recruit, the Dalish."

Alriana had to admit that she was rather proud of herself for her response to the man's strange sense of humor though she never would have dreamed of saying something that was along the lines of an insult. It startled her that he laughed at her comment. She found the sound to be pleasant but her face betrayed none of that as her face had a perplexed smile while he commented that he did recognize her. "How could you recognize me? I've never seen you before shem."

"Shem?"

Alriana made no apologies for the word. "Human."

"Oh. Anyway the reason I recognize you is because Duncan sent word. He spoke very highly of you." He failed to mention a few things though. "One was your skill with a bow."

"I'm a hunter. Nothing special about that." Alriana shrugged her shoulder as she studied the man in front of her. There was something familiar about his face that she could not place at the moment. She was aware that she was being studied equally by him and that she was curious to his opinion of her.

"Yeah but he implied something more and if your comment about the flaming arse was any indication, then…"

"Hunting is a skill and a necessity to survive. For my people at least," Alriana replied.

"I'll agree to that. Now we could stand and talk all day but I think we wouldn't get anywhere without learning each other's names at least. I'm Alistair, the new Grey Warden, though I guess you already knew that."

"What? That you're Alistair or the new Grey Warden?"

"Take your pick. Anyway as the junior member of the order, I'll be accompanying you when you prepare for the Joining."

"Since you know that I am Dalish we can exclude that little detail," Alriana replied with a slight shrug of her shoulders, "I'm Alriana." She held out her hand.

Alistair gave a look at Alriana before extending his own hand only to have it grasped by the wrist in a firm grip. "Right that was the name."

"And I'm sure you remembered that from Duncan sending word about me."

Alistair did not miss the sarcastic tone of her voice and felt that he may have stuck his foot in his mouth. Then again with that standoffish stare, it was enough for anyone to feel if they stuck their foot in their mouth. He shrugged his shoulder and replied, "Take it as you want. It's pretty hard to form judgment based upon a mere description."

"Shemlen have been doing it to my people for a while now. Few are an exception." Alriana stared at Alistair, her hazel green eyes meeting his brown ones, asking him if he were one of those exceptions.

Alistair heard the unasked question in her statement and wondered how to best answer it. "Golden rule works best."

Alriana nodded in agreement. Alistair thought he was safe for the moment. There was something about the woman that unnerved him yet he was not repulsed by it. If she survived, he would try to get to know her better. Duncan did not say much about her except that she had exceptional talent but nothing that told Alistair about who she was as a person. His thoughts were interrupted by her asking, "That argument I saw… what was that about?"

He looked at her to find a curious gaze replacing the intense one from earlier. "You heard that huh? Well the Circle is here at the king's request and Chantry doesn't like that one bit. They just love letting mages know how unwelcome they are and that puts me in an awkward position."

"How so?"

"Well I was once a templar."

Alriana was familiar with that order. Occasionally they came across them when they were travelling. Those times, the Keeper and Merrill kept their talents to a minimum. The stories she heard about what the templars did to those who wielded magic was enough to make anyone wary of them. Yet this man claimed to be one and he was a Grey Warden. It was mind boggling. Without thinking how rude it sounded, she blurted out, "You were a mage hunter?"

"Not that's all templars do but yes." Alistair was used to the label that the templars were given for performing their duties. The way she said it though made it seem like it was a dirty thing and to be honest he thought so too. He felt he had to explain, "The Chantry raised me until Duncan recruited me six months ago. I'm sure the revered mother meant it as an insult—sending me as her messenger—and the mage picked right up on that. I would never have agreed to deliver it but Duncan says that we're all to cooperate and get along. Apparently they didn't get the same speech."

"And I suppose sassing mages fits right in with cooperation."

"Not if said mage sees fit to shoot the messenger."

"Yeah in the arse."

For the second time Alistair found himself laughing at Alriana's responses. "You know maybe you should go against the revered mother. I'd pay to watch that fight. Anyway since you're here I'm assuming you're ready to prepare."

Always coming back to that, Alriana thought before one of her headaches started coming on. She squinted a bit aware that her eyes were watering a bit. The sooner we get this done, the better I feel without the headaches. Out loud she said, "Yes. The other recruits are waiting by Duncan's tent."

Alistair noticed Alriana squinting and would have said something but when she wiped the tears away and straightened up, he knew better than to ask. She was no mage but her look could certainly make a person feel they were a toad if they got on her bad side. Looking at her, she seemed unusually pale and he wondered… Putting that thought aside he said, "Then we should be heading back. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. Lead on."

"Nope. Dogs and I don't get along. You do it, if you're so eager. Leave me out of it."

"Spoilsport."

Alriana had been heading back to Duncan's tent when she caught the sound of dogs. She wandered near the kennels and peered over the fence to take a look. One of the dogs did not look so well and she asked the kennel master what was wrong with the dog. When she heard the dog was sick from drinking darkspawn blood, her heart went out for the dog. The kennel master asked if she could help in muzzling the dog for treatment. She was going to do it but she could not help but tease Alistair who was looking annoyed that she was stopping to see a dog.

After he refused, she told the kennel master that she would do it and took the muzzle in one hand and opened the gate with another. Once inside, she dropped the muzzle on the straw and crouched down to better look at the Mabari dog. The dog gave a growl but Alriana knew that it was only because he was ill. She let the dog growl and did not flinch. She then began speaking in the soothing tones of her people and the dog calmed down. Slowly she reached down and took the muzzle and slowly wrapped it around the muzzle. She gave a gentle pat and stood up and walked out of the pen.

The kennel master was impressed with her work. As a result he asked for her to keep an eye out for a white flower with a red center if she was heading out into the Wilds. He had explained that the dog had a better chance with it. She agreed knowing that she could spot elf root hidden in thickets better than most folks. With nothing more to do than see what Duncan wanted, she looked at Alistair and said, "Lead on," in a tone similar to one he used earlier.

Alistair had been watching the whole thing and was rather impressed that the Mabari did not decide to bite her hand off. He had been impatient at first that she had stopped for the dog and was annoyed that she found a means to tease him about muzzling the thing. So he watched as she went in and muzzled the dog and stepped out as if it were an everyday occurrence for her. He figured it was the words she had used, if he could ever figure them out. She walked past him before turning around and told him to lead on, mimicking him. He felt for sure that she was going to have him running around in circles by the end of the day.