Author's Corner:

At last, Hector and Eliwood's parts begin, and the full story of Drake shall be revealed (in due time, of course). For the first, and grossly prolonged I might add, chapter, I'll be fusing two separate POVs, Hector and Eliwood to set the stage for the meeting in Santaruz. It might sound a tad awkward, but bear with me.

Lao Who Mai – Refer back to the prologue for the allusion to the Terrascars. (And if you don't want to, I'll provide a short explanation here anyways.) Terrascars were an Etrurian idealist group that Drake helped to exterminate prior to his first meeting with Lyn.

Dias of All Final – I'm glad that you like how the battles are turning out so far, as I hope I wasn't too confusing in the explanations. (I did insert a lot of my personal views/background information on various fortresses, formations, armies, etc.) As for the Lyn/tactician pairing, we'll see…

DotDotDotMan – I apologize for my spread in updating, since I do have finals coming up. Right now I'm trying to put out a chapter a week at the latest. And regarding to your line of thought, the answer is… (Insert drum roll here)… Maybe. (And yes, unfortunately, the torture will continue for a little bit.)

Hammer of Terrascars – Chapter Seven

Dawn of War

May 23rd, somewhere in Castle Ostia,

"Hector," a scarred noble bellowed furiously, "I've told you countless times not to be embroiled in Pherae's affairs! We are House Ostia, the leader of the Lycian states, and we cannot appear to be flustered or confused at any given moment, particularly with the recent friction on the Bern border. I cannot and will not send someone to search for Marquis Pherae!"

"So be it, Uther!" His brother, a blue haired lordling still ill at ease with the formalities of the court, snapped, "You understand fully well that Marquis Laus is connected in some manner to this, yet you fail to do anything! What is Ostia's might used for if not for this?"

"Invasion?" Uther said aghast, "Are you insane? How the hell is the Lycian Council going to survive that kind of shock? The unity that we have been painfully built up over generations would be sundered in one swift stroke because you, Hector, do not possess any common sense."

"Ahem," Oswin coughed, interrupting the furious argument between the siblings, "I'm somewhat thankful that this is within the castle's private chambers and not in the court itself. The gods know what would happen if they heard about this."

"I couldn't give a damn about what they think," Hector growled, "Feh, I don't care if Uther won't send anyone, since I'll be going along anyways." With a curt nod that could've singed the word bowing, Hector quitted the room, grumbling about the stinginess of nobles.

"Lord Hector!"

"Let him go," Uther said, rubbing his temples, "Though, Oswin, you understand what I must ask of you."

"Of course, milord."

Near the rear of the castle, Hector was still grumbling as he trudged towards the escape tunnel. Large castles like Ostia and Araphen always possessed two entrances, one located at the main gate for normal occurrences, and another solely for the purpose of allowing the marquis to flee from an enemy siege. It was here that Hector chose to make his escape from the suffocating confines of proper court etiquette.

"Let's see," he said while checking the knapsack over his shoulder, "Axes, a vulnerary or two, gold, some food…"

"You didn't bring enough gold, and that food will only last you a morning at most."

"I don't eat that much!" Hector retorted, "Wait, what the hell?"

A young thief appeared from behind one of the stone pillars and winked cheekily at Hector, "Matthew, at your service. Ever since you heard about Marquis Pherae's disappearance, Cecilia had guessed you would do something like this."

"Cecilia, eh?" Hector groaned, and not for no reason either. Cecilia was an Etrurian mage sent to Ostia as part of a diplomatic agreement between Etruria and Ostia. Aspiring to one day become a key figure in the Etrurian military, she had certainly exceeded the expectations her instructors. Showing a brilliant aptitude for brain-wracking tactical situations, her teachers had sent her to Castle Ostia for further studies. To keep up the public opinion that the relationship between the two countries was going well, Uther had assigned her the task of Court recorder. She also possessed this annoying habit of predicting what Hector was going or attempting to do, to Uther's never-ending amusement and amazement.

"The very one," a teal-haired girl dressed in a purple cloak said upon rounding the corner carrying another knapsack in her arms, "I agree entirely with what Matthew said. Those supplies will last all of one morning with the three of us."

"Three?" Matthew asked, "I originally meant for two."

Cecilia fixed him with a blank look, "Very funny, but I'm coming along too. Lord Hector will find himself unable to handle everything with an ax sometime on this journey, and I'll be there to pull him out."

"Absolutely not," Hector snapped, "I'm going by myself. And with no one tagging along in the shadows." He glared at Matthew, who was suddenly very interested in the stone floor.

"And how do you plan on dealing with the three knights just waiting for you outside this tunnel?" Cecilia asked calmly.

Hector looked bewildered, "Knights? What?"

Cecilia and Matthew looked at one another. "She just said there are three knights waiting for you beyond that tunnel," Matthew repeated with a grin.

"Ostia doesn't guard this exit," Hector said.

"Who said they were knights of Ostia?"

Hector bit his lip, then glared at the two in front of him, "Fine, come if you will, Cecilia, but Matthew you're not coming. I cannot bring along my brother's vassal who can potentially sell me out at any moment."

"When I say I'm coming, milord," Matthew said in a serious tone, "Then I'm coming as your sworn man. My word as a thief, sir, I will serve you to the end of my life."

Hector made no reply as he hurried down the tunnel towards the exit, his ax drawn in anticipation of battle. With Cecilia and Matthew trailing his footsteps, Hector stormed through the dusty stone corridors guided only by the flickering torches that threatened to go out any minute. For safety reasons, the torches were supposed to be lit indefinitely, as the marquis may have a pressing reason to flee at any given moment. However, given Ostia's legendary reputation as an impenetrable fortress, the tunnel has seldom seen use. Rounding the last corner, Hector came face to face with one lance-wielding knight.

Hector was surprised to say the least, "I thought you said there were three?"

The shock was mirrored on the knight's face, "The leak told me there was only one?"

Matthew smirked, "Uh, yeah, there was only one knight. However, Cecilia persuaded me to say three because she figured that would be the easiest way for you to bring us along."

"Enough," the knight had overcome his shock and was quite furious at being ignored by his prey, "I am Wire of the Black Fang, and Lord Nergal has decreed your death, Hector of Ostia."

"We'll see about that," Hector growled, "Cecilia, Matthew, I will deal with him alone!"

With a jarring crash, lance and ax connected in a shower of sparks. Pitting their formidable strength against one another, Wire stabbed his lance furiously towards Hector. The lord, in turn, feinted with his ax before withdrawing the weapon and catching his opponent's lance shaft in his right hand. Pulling on the lance, Hector drew his opponent towards him before smiting clean through Wire's war helm, slaying Wire instantly.

Ignoring the applause behind him, Hector gestured towards the tunnel opening, "Now that he's been dealt with, can you two return to Ostia?"

"I doubt that, since if we return…" Matthew began.

"A certain alarm will be raised of a certain lord's disappearance," Cecilia added.

"That," Hector retorted, "Is blackmail."

"Hey, I'm a spy, what did you expect?"

Hector scowled, "Come on, we've wasted enough time. We must hurry to Pherae, passing through Santaruz along the way."

May 22nd, outskirts of Pherae,

"Are you determined in your decision, Eliwood?"

"Yes, Mother," Eliwood replied, "I will find Father, and bring him back to Pherae."

"You have his stubbornness as well," Eleanora sighed, "Go with my blessing and god speed."

"Isadora, I entrust my mother to you."

"Your will be done, milord," the female knight replied, "I shall guard her with my life itself."

After Lady Eleanora and Isadora left, Marcus heaved a sigh, "Now where is that blasted Lowen? A knight must always be punctual."

Eliwood held back from smiling at his friend's expense, "Come now, Marcus, Lowen is usually fairly on time, I'm sure something has deterred him from meeting us. Where did he head off to?"

Marcus grunted, "He said he'd be seeking any swords-for-hire at the local town."

"Since we're not doing anything, let's go find him ourselves."

Pherae's townships were typical of the various villages that dotted the Lycian landscape. They were a closely-knit series of homes that surrounded the central town square that boasted of a tavern that doubled as an inn for travelers. Wooden palisades surrounded the village and was said to deter invaders, though a determined foe could certainly force their way in regardless. Most villages in Elibe did not have any sort of militia, and solely depended upon their walls for safety. Many a village was pillaged and razed to the ground simply because the bandits took them by surprise through the main gate. If the main gate was not closed by the time the bandits arrived, its townspeople were easy prey for the vile brutes.

"Such a subdued atmosphere," Eliwood noted as he could see the fear written on the villagers' faces.

"Most likely due to the disappearance of the marquis along with many good knights," Marcus suggested, wrinkling his brow.

"Hmph, as if it were that easy."

Marcus and Eliwood turned to the voice addressing them. Two burly fighters were standing beside the tavern, one of them looking oddly familiar while his comrade was nursing a mug of ale. Raising his tankard in greetings, the fighter nodded towards the tavern. Catching Marcus' eye, Eliwood led the way into the tavern where all four took a seat.

"The village has recently been taken over by bandits," the fighter explained while taking a swig of beer, "Claims that Pherae's best knights are gone and the land's for the taking. Ach, where are my manners? Bartre's the name."

"Dorcas," his friend replied slowly, "Greetings, Lord Eliwood."

"Ah, Dorcas," Eliwood greeted with a smile, "I believe we met during the Lundgren incident."

Marcus gritted his teeth, "Even if Pherae's chivalry is away, these scoundrels shall not defile this peaceful land with their presence."

"S-Sir M-Marcus!"

A knight with a mess of green hair atop his head stumbled in with a young girl in tow. "I'm glad that I've managed to locate you," he babbled, "Lord Eliwood must…"

"Easy Lowen, calm down and speak slowly."

"I am Rebecca," the girl piped up from behind Lowen, "I'm the daughter of the village magistrate and we desperately need your aid, Lord Eliwood! The bandits will take everything!"

"Then we will aid the village," Eliwood replied firmly, "Marcus? Lowen?"

"At your service, sire!"

"Might as well count us in as well," Bartre said, "I've been looking for a brawl for some time now."

"Take me along too," Rebecca said, "I have some skills with the bow and would like to strike a blow as well."

The group failed to notice someone slithering away from them. "Groznyi will pay good money for this tidbit of information. Hehehe… Omph…" Struck from his daydreams, the informant had tripped over someone's boot and fell head over heels.

If Eliwood was ignorant of the man's presence earlier, he was aware now. Marcus and Bartre were upon the fallen man instantly, pinning the spy to the floor.

"Whew, he almost got away and told the bandits," Lowen whistled.

"Those conspiring against their enemies should not speak so loudly where the walls have ears, Eliwood of Pherae."

Eliwood smiled, "Of all the places… It is good to see you again, Drake."

Drake leaned back and stretched before climbing out of his chair. He had been enjoying a pleasant luncheon until he heard Eliwood's rather loud discussion and prudently prevented a suspicious character from leaving the area.

"Elibe is a small place, Lord Eliwood."

"Indeed it is," Eliwood agreed, "Might I ask for your aid as well?"

"I highly suspect that you are not solely here to deal with bandits," Drake said as he dropped a few coins on the counter, "I'd wager you are off to find your missing father with only a small group of retainers."

If possible, Eliwood's smile broadened further, "I see that one year has not diminished your observation skills. I am guilty as charged, though I hope you could offer me some of your vaunted advice along the way."

"Where do I sign up?"

Eliwood and Drake shared a laugh as the group gathered around to make plans for the town's liberation.

To say Groznyi was furious would be a gross understatement. In a space of two candle marks, nearly a quarter of his men had mysteriously 'vanished,' despite the remainder's futile attempts to locate them. Just now, the three who were assigned to guard duty in the town square had abruptly faded into thin air, along with the others that were guarding the perimeter walls.

"Boss! Boss!"

"What is it?" Groznyi snapped angrily, "Have we found those fools yet? I wager they were drinking themselves silly in the tavern."

"No, but Thomas and Owen are no longer at the main gate!"

"What?"

"Hey, don't hurt me, I'm just the messenger…"

Groznyi punched the man anyways, if only to let out some of the pent up frustration.

"Enough! Get every idiot in this gang to meet in the town square! Now!"

Eliwood and Drake chuckled from the second story window of the inn as they watched the scene below. The bandit leader was giving his men a verbal hiding, berating them for their incompetence and laziness on the job.

"So predictable," Drake said amusingly.

"Agreed," Eliwood replied, "Once we eliminate the leadership, the others will be easy to persuade."

"Rebecca, are you ready?"

Rebecca nodded grimly as she pulled out her bow and strung an arrow. She had asked Eliwood for the opportunity of retiring the bandit leader, a small payment for the terror he had subjugated her village to undergo. With calculated precision and aided by an immobile target, she let the arrow fly. Straight and true the bolt struck Groznyi between the eyes, and the bandit leader fell over with a crash.

It was a few seconds before the remaining bandits understood that their leader was no longer lecturing them. Bewildered, a few approached the corpse before another fell with an arrow in his back. Spinning around, the bandits were greeted by two cavaliers on horseback followed by two ax-wielding fighters out for blood. Dismayed at the fall of their leader, the bandits fled stumbling out of the town, with the two cavaliers hot on their heels.

"I can't image the chaos if they actually paused to fight," Rebecca said.

"I was hoping they wouldn't be level-headed enough or organized enough to do that," Drake replied, "As most bandit bands go…"

"Cut off the head and the snake will die," Eliwood finished.

"We've wasted much time here," Drake added, "Lord Eliwood, if you plan to catch up with your father, the trail will grow colder as time wears on."

"True," Eliwood said, "We'll collect Marcus and Lowen before setting off. I plan to arrive at Santaruz in a few days. Marquis Santaruz is a good friend of my father, perhaps he'll know something. Miss Rebecca, I thank you for your aid…"

"What are you saying, Lord Eliwood? I'm coming too!"

"What?" Eliwood asked in alarm, "But that is…"

And so it begins once more, Drake thought as their conversation faded into the background, I must walk the ways of war once more. I suppose the souls that once lived for battle can find no peace until death. In atonement for the souls I have slain, I shall forge a peaceful Elibe at any cost!

May 25th, western Santaruz border,

"Ugh, what an amazingly tedious journey," Cecilia groaned.

"If you're complaining now," Matthew teased, "You shouldn't have come in the first place!"

"Quiet both of you!" Hector growled, "There's the Santaruz border… I'll be damned…"

The border post was situated between two mountain ranges, snugly fitting in the valley below. Two guard towers loomed over the miniature wall, with a stout wooden gate separating the path and Santaruz territory. The gate was wide open, with soldiers standing guard, inspecting the people entering and leaving Santaruz. What held Hector's interest, however, were the cleric and armored knight that were waiting calmly for someone to show up.

"Hello, Lord Hector!" Serra squealed happily, eliciting a groan from Matthew and Hector.

"Oswin and Serra," Hector said sarcastically, "Will I ever be free of my brother's influence?"

"Probably not," Cecilia observed.

"Lord Hector," Oswin bowed, "Lord Uther was deeply distressed at your unexpected departure, and dispatched the two of us to accompany you wherever you go." In other words, wherever the hell you are, Lord Uther will know.

Hector made no reply as he passed through the border guard along with his entourage. Fighting back the urge to throttle Oswin, Hector contented himself by observing the countryside. His moment of peace was rudely interrupted by the distant clash of steel somewhere to the south. What could that be happening over there? At that moment, a dozen bandits emerged from the forest slightly ahead of him, conversing loudly.

"You sure about this, Zagan?"

"Positive, once we rid that red-haired noble from Pherae, they'll pay us handsomely."

"You think we can pull off the job?"

"We outnumber them four to one! How can we possibly fail?" Zagan guffawed.

If Oswin had not held him back, Hector may well have dashed into the crowd ahead with his ax drawn.

"Unhand me, Eliwood's going to need help!" Hector snapped.

"How do you know they're talking about Lord Eliwood?" Serra asked.

"And how many red-haired nobles from Pherae are there since the disappearance of Marquis Pherae?" Cecilia asked Serra.

"Come, we must go to his aid!" Hector said before turning to the guards, "Can we count on your aid as well?"

"This isn't Ostia, Lord Hector," the captain of the guards said sarcastically, "You can't order us around here."

Patience wearing thin, Hector floored the man with a powerful punch to the face. Oswin merely lifted an eyebrow before sighing, "Just an excuse for more violence…"

"Oswin!"

"Coming, coming…"

May 25th, southern Santaruz border,

"Santaruz," Dorcas announced taciturnly.

"Instead of infiltrating Laus with such a small force," Marcus suggested, "Perhaps we could ask the aid of Marquis Helman?"

"That would be wise," Eliwood agreed, "Marquis Helman has had close ties with Pherae for several years now, and I'm sure he'd be willing to lend us his aid."

The group was currently resting at an abandoned guard post situated just within the borders of Santaruz. When Santaruz actually needed the extra garrisons, these guard posts were typically staffed with a full complement of soldiers, but the current run-down state signified that a province-wide mobilization has not been necessary in quite some time. Though age-worn and crumbling, the location was feasibly defensible, with only a small opening between the two walls leading towards the beaten path. In the event of an attack, enemies would have to wedge themselves through the gap quickly in order to engage the defenders. Whoever had placed these fortifications certainly knew what they were doing.

"Lord Eliwood," Rebecca called out, "Someone is headed towards us from the path."

Eliwood looked up from where he was sitting while Marcus held the reins of his steed in hand, "Visitors? Hostile or friendly?"

"I'm not certain, but a dozen bandits couldn't possibly want to share a cup of tea with us," Bartre replied from his vantage point atop one of the guard posts.

Marcus smiled thinly, "Even if they did wish ill upon us, they shall find that our weapons too sharp for their tastes."

"At any rate," Drake replied, closing his journal, "We must be ready for whatever they're up to."

"Do you have a plan?" Eliwood asked.

"We could easily take them in a pitched battle," Marcus said confidently.

"That we could," Drake replied, "But that's assuming we're only up against the dozen brigands coming here. Beyond that, this is highly suspicious."

"In what way?"

"We're not a plausible target for a normal raid," Drake pointed out, "Look at us. Which idiotic bandit crew attacks well-armed travelers with little potential for loot? And they are operating a bit too close to Santaruz border patrol for my tastes."

"Do you mean that…?" Eliwood couldn't finish his sentence.

"I don't know, but that's still a possibility," Drake admitted, "I don't want to believe it either, but my mind tells me not to ignore little details. Regardless, our primary objective is to crush these attackers first. We'll ask questions later, assuming there are any survivors on their side."

The dozen bandits halted before the two small forts where Eliwood and his companions were encamped. The prospect of attacking a well-armed force had been daunting, but the potential rewards for slaying the noble were well worth the hassle. The problem was actually killing the noble, who as of this moment has yet to show his face.

"Maybe they haven't seen us yet? I can't see anything except for that campfire."

"Don't be daft, we made too much noise on the way here."

"Shut up! They can hear us!"

"Argh," their leader grumbled, "You, go around the right side. You, go around the left. You, head down the middle. Report back whatever you can find."

The three grunts looked decidedly unhappy, but didn't question their orders. Drawing their axes, the scouts stealthily navigated the area and disappeared from view. After a few moments of peace, someone let out a shrill yelp but was abrutly silenced. The sound of rapid footsteps echoed from the middle path where one grunt had entered, and lo and behold the same grunt was sprinting back as fast as his legs could carry him. He might not have bothered if he knew a well-aimed arrow would pitch him face forward not three yards away from his leader. The two others did not come out.

"What the hell happened here?"

The nine remaining bandits jumped before turning around to face their enraged leader, Zagan. He was jabbing his thumb impatiently at the corpse before them all.

"Well, Zagan," the bandit leader babbled, "I sent in three of the boys to find the target, and they just wound up dead!"

"And why didn't you wait for the rest of us?"

"I… Uh…"

"Because you wanted the gold," Zagan finished silkily, "And you didn't want to share." Swinging his ax, Zagan lopped off the head of his incompetent captain.

"Anyone else want a piece of this?" Zagan asked lazily, continuing when no one answered, "Alright, you idiots, CHARGE!"

Zagan stood still as a score of bandits rushed past him to attack, smiling smugly at his own genius. There was little reason to risk himself in battle when there were plenty of willing subordinates to die for him! The bandits, in their haste to obey Zagan's command, all threw themselves at the opening between the two fortresses, which unfortunately could only allow a few of them to pass at a time.

Zagan sighed, "Incompetent brats, why can't they go around?"

"Because bandits are too stupid to comprehend simple strategy," a female voice said behind him.

Zagan turned around in time to see a blue-haired lord wielding an ax approach him, "Well, the fun started without us, I see."

"Who the hell are you?" Zagan demanded.

"You who are about to die," the lord said contemptuously, "Do not need to know my name!"

Inside, Eliwood and his comrades had their hands full trying to hold the bottleneck. As Drake had surmised, the bandits, upon seeing one of their own freshly slain before their eyes, abandoned all reason and only sought to rend apart their foe. Hence, they stormed down the center eager for blood, but managed to jam themselves in the narrow confines. While Eliwood, Marcus, Bartre and Dorcas were thwacking bandits left and right, Rebecca was raining arrows wherever the enemies were thickest. After putting down his third opponent, Eliwood noticed that their enemies had ceased to press forward, content only to defend themselves.

"Drake, what's going on?"

"I'd suspect that another group is attacking these bandits from the rear," Drake said, "And they're doing a decent job of it as well."

At that moment, the bandit line broke apart to yield a blue-haired man in armor holding an ax lightly in hand. Stopping before Eliwood, the man looked Eliwood up and down before clapping him on the back.

"Well, Eliwood, you don't seem to be missing an arm or two, so I'm assuming you're alright."

"H-Hector?" Eliwood asked in surprise, "What the devil are you doing here?"

Hector feigned an insulted look, "What are you doing here without telling me?"

"What?"

Hector snorted, "My best friend runs off to find his missing father without giving me a call. Well, since you don't bother asking for my help, I'm coming along anyways."

"But your brother recently succeeded the throne, and I thought you might help him settle in?" Eliwood asked.

"That I'd help him out in court?" Hector asked incredulously, "You're kidding right? The court would be at its wit's end if it found out that I was quietly helping my brother without getting into trouble. No, better off going on some mad adventure with you than vegetating at Ostia."

"As if you could ever sit still anyways," the young female behind Hector spoke up.

"Hm? I don't believe we've met," Eliwood said, confusion evident on his features, "I've met Oswin, but the others are unfamiliar. Are they your traveling companions?"

"Yes, whether I accept them or not," Hector replied, "This is Cecilia, a mage-in-training from Etruria who is currently studying at Ostia," Cecilia curtseyed, "The others I hoped for better, but they are…"

"That," Serra said with finality, "Was uncalled for."

"As I was saying," Hector continued, "They are…"

"Matthew, thief doubling as a spy in service of Ostia and Serra, a cleric evidently in service of House Ostia as well," Drake explained calmly to Eliwood before looking back at Hector, "Did I miss anything?"

Serra squealed in recognition, "Omigosh! It's Drake!"

"Figured me out, eh?" Matthew said with a wink, "Long time no see, Drake."

Hector leveled a look at Drake, "And you are?"

"Drake, a tactician of some sorts," came the reply, though he tried to hide his face from Cecilia as much as he could. The fates must be mocking me again, pitting me with someone hailing from Etruria, Drake thought.

"You're pretty young for a tactician," Hector murmured, "Even in Ostia, we don't have anyone near your age. Oh wait, excluding the tactician wannabe behind me."

"That," Cecilia said with a hint of annoyance in her eyes, "Was also uncalled for."

"I'm older than I look," Drake said mysteriously, "And age hardly determines the level of skill a tactician possesses." Cecilia beamed at that comment before throwing a look at Hector that clearly said, "I told you so!" Yes, age matters little, Drake thought, I've probably fought more battles already than you ever will, Hector of Ostia.

"Drake has my trust," Eliwood said, "He validated his skills last year in the Caelin campaign, something I saw with my own eyes."

"Is that so?" Hector said, "Very well, I shall see your skills firsthand."

"Hey!" Cecilia interrupted, "I thought I was the tactician?"

"You," Hector said dryly, "Haven't exactly been recommended to me based on your skills. I'll take Eliwood's word regarding Drake's skills."

"Why you!" Cecilia was furious, "That was…"

"Also uncalled for," Hector finished, "I know, I know."

"A-anyways," Eliwood said, "Let us hurry to Castle Santaruz, I've been meaning to speak with Marquis Helman after dealing with this rabble."

"Castle Santaruz?" Oswin asked, "Pardon the interruption, but something happened on our way here."

"Indeed," Hector agreed, "We saw the bandit group heading off to attack you and asked for aid from the Santaruz border guards. The captain, a knight of Santaruz, refused to lend us his assistance."

"What?" Eliwood exclaimed in disbelief, "How can that be?"

"Whatever the cause," Cecilia interposed, "We'll find the answer…"

"At Castle Santaruz," Drake finished, winking at Cecilia, "You beat me to it."

That took much longer than I anticipated. I re-wrote several parts of this chapter because they were rather awkward… Review if you have the time!