The Bringers of Dawn

by Zannerson

Once, a star fell near the island of the Torrentine river's, Empowering the house of Dayne with the Sword of the Morning. Now another one has come, and it will bring more than just Steel and Power. The line of Dayne will enter a world greater than they ever knew.

6. Chapter 6

CHAPTER 5

Normalization

3 months after Gedric's return – 247 AC

Time flows swiftly… but perhaps only in hindsight for the denizens of Starfall. The seconds feels long, as if every breath must be done by hand, else the body forgot it's alive. The days as well, each hour passed with multitudes of activity every minute or so. most accepted the large, steel and iron alien object with stride, most though… still distrust and doubt in their cores.

But as the months pass, everyone looked upon their dates and days with mild disbelief "Have the days gone so quickly?" They thought. Long is the hour of their lives, but as it passes them through, in reflection it felt quick, so very conflicting of the moment. The months felt like days, the seconds an hour. Such is the circumstances of adaptability, so much change with just as much of an activity. The time the day is over and they took their rest to their dreams, the world proceeds to move quickly.

And Changes as much…

The settlement besides and near Starfall are not copious, if perhaps we compare them to the outrageously abundant lands of the reach or even the north at least. Dorne is not well known for its fertile lands, in fact, dead dunes and sands all around. Though for the area between the red mountains that divided the fertility of Reach and treachery sands of Dorne, circumstances are unique.

The Torrentine rivers flow with silent grace, giving ample life to those that live around. The very notion that it connects to the sea where Starfall resides gives both a greater majesty if one should wish to be poetic in that regard. At most a hundred thousand people live there, from one edge of the river to the other, Starfall to Nightsong. Lapses and lapses of villages small and large all the way.

Together House Dayne, Blackmont and Caron, associate together in ensuring proper livelihood for all of their houses. Mostly proper ways of agriculture to better use the land and the waters for food and the such. It has gone well for hundreds of years, no deceitfulness… no doubts or treasonous actions. How can there be? When one wrong move could be the end of thousands of people. Caron may be sworn to the Baratheon's, but the Daynes and Blackmont are kin in alliance, though only trade it may be. They guard the edge of the Mountain and the Dornish Marches, in that they are mutual with the Dayne's.

A time ago, due to proper planning, many farms and processes of trades have been established to ensure great assembly of goods that regards to livelihoods, blessed is the river. let it never be said that the trinity of Red Mountain never cared for the smallfolk. Now they are all used to proper rations and supplies due to such planning. If such plans were to be abandoned now… gone are a quarter of the smallfolk lives between the red mountains. This has gone on for more or less a couple of centuries, a contract of legacy inherited to their sons and daughters.

That was the news of the yesterday… Now however…

On the seat of Nightsong where House Caron lives, much news has been received on the ocean end of the Torrentine River's. the most recent one being the celebration of the birth of the second son of House Dayne, Gawain Dayne is his name. A strong boy, a cry that vibrates stone and steel. Letters of congratulation is due to be sent to Starfall, but an invitation has been received as well, a festivity for the birth.

Lord Baryon Caron, the current lord and master of Nightsong now sits on his office, reading the message of the aforementioned invitation from Starfall. "Odd…" He thought "Erick is never one for revelries… perhaps this is the lady's doing" Surmised the lord, as he finished reading the letter, he folded into the other stacks of its kin. News and Information of all things essential and otherwise neatly divided from each other.

But these days, Baryon cannot tell one from the other, and the same can be said for his Maester as well.

For below him, right beneath his beard is a cavalcade mess of letters that speak of odd tidings on the standing of Starfall and High Hermitage. The oddity starts not long two months ago, when trade and request of goods have been lessened, a smidgen on what he usually provides, until he barely has some at all, though the payment seems to have an increased of Interest on it, "A notion of Goodwill perhaps?" Baryon once thought, a time ago.

Even the carriages that brings the trade is not allowed to pass High Hermitage, a news informed by letter as well from the Starfall Lord, but late after the goods has been sent, yet the trade still has been concluded as per the deal. No longer can merchants or trade go beyond High Hermitage much less seeing Starfall in the Horizon. Moreover… no merchants or traders or in fact anyone at all of any kind seem to came out of Both Dayne household as well.

He asked the Blackmont's for any knowledge of such unusual activities of the Starfall household, and they replied as clueless as he is. Baryon knows well of how necessary the trade between them is, with the decrease of the requests means compromising their subordinates to a smidgen of rations, though greater their farms and barns have been compared to the days of old. Perplexity swirled on the Nightsong lord "something has happened…" He thought "Yet the news I acquired are very imaginative…"

It started no less a month ago, when he sent ravens to enquire the Daynes of High Hermitage and Starfall of their situation and early stages of their trade negotiation for these monthly sessions, also sending scouts to the latter for confirmation. But both prospects came back with odd and conflicting reports. "You have my appreciation for your enquiries" Erick has written "But nothing significant has happened here, we only have local troubles I assure you; I'll inform you of our state on the later date"

Sir Galad, the lord of High Hermitage said of the same notion as well "All Is swell sir" He writes "Hermitage stands tall as always, ready to receive your trade". Yet, for what reasons are the cadets the receiver? Unwelcoming thoughts barrages the core of his mind, as he pace from one end of his office to the next scratching his stubble brunette beard that ordained his jawline.

"Has he found another trade…" Baryon speculates "would he truly betray the trade alliance?" He questioned, once, some time ago. And then the scouts came back, and they spoke the same news of the letters from various sources he disregarded unto the wind as pallid words of the insane. As he approaches them, they're body are as still as statue, yet their heads look upon one another, daring each other to speak first.

"You there" Baryon pointed to one in particular, the scout that wear drabs of the merchant-like "What news you can give me?"

The scout swallowed a lump before voicing himself, his eyes darting to the ground and up as he speaks "We arrived at High Hermitage, my lord… but we are barred from entry, the gatekeeper won't let us pass the river and castle" Silent came again, a sudden one. Whatever came next, they dared not speak with lightness.

"Go on then young one, tell me" Baryon said, hands twined behind him as they speak.

"It's the walls of High Hermitage, My Lord" The scout continued "They are wide… from the stony edge of the Red Mountain to the other end, it barred the coast of the river as well"

Baryon raised his brows, an expression of daze. It is well known that the Dayne's are planning to fortify their lands against bandits and corrupt merchant of the likes, but they are of recent planning. The last he hears of it; the makings of the wall were half a year ago "And it was barely as wide as a small town" He thought "they cannot be this fast… I would have heard of this"

"Are you sure?"

"No lie My lord" He gaze to his compatriots for a moment before returning to the Lord "We all saw it… but there is more"

"What of?" Baryon gets his bearing

"The Walls…" The Scout continued, with grim fascination on the twitch of his lips "they are of STEEL!"

---

The morning light comes soothing the window of the room, in time rarely do the winds of Dorne brings soft breeze of comforting heatless wind, yet much less it is rare near the coast of its lands, in that regard Starfall is blessed. Gedric look down from his room towards the training ground below, where the soft sound of warrior grunts and clashing steel is still heard on the high walls of his castle. Rare are the voices that spout dangers and heresy in these grounds now, his lord father and mother took care of such character rightly and where they go the young heir do not know.

The world is changing and the lives within it walk on by as if it is a meager day has passed, servants walk on with normal pace, cleaning and neatening their task, household guards stand their ground with some half-way dozing in the slow day, fisherman colliding with the waves as they search for marine life underneath the shadow of a steel fortress of an alien ship.

How odd it would seem in foreign eyes in overlooking such a view, how easy It is to accept such grandiose entity that easily over taken the might of the wall on the north, it has been three short months… yet more than enough time for terror and anxiety to be expelled with wonder and curiosity. Laughter is heard in a second as Gedric daydream whilst looking upon the spears of light from the sun that stricken with the roof of the steel ship, how unnaturally alien… how oddly wonderful.

He looks down towards the source of the merry voices, Maester Volkron and one of the Learned men of the UNSC having a bolstering conversation on the other side of the loud courtyard. It is a surreal feeling, to be capable to hear voices with clarity of a Myrish glass from this high upon the tower of his room, The Maester looked like an ant from where the boy glances of the openable window, yet his words are palpable.

"They Scream and Ran Away!" The Maester Spoke, in-between a fit of giggle and a miniscule laughter "The second the machine roared they fled as if they are burning flesh! Thought I summoned a demon amidst their settlement!" He finished, the other man of the UNSC listened on with a curious grin.

"I Understand" The Other man spoke "It is quite a jump in advancements you know! Can't tell the difference between alien and normal things!". He joined in with the chuckle, exchanging joy and knowledge heartily as smallfolk and noble knights alike walk on by, as if it is just another day.

So much change in so little time, even the castle has its own way towards a new dawn. Gone are the days of humid and scorching air, machines of the civil kind have been fitted on all parts of the prestigious fold, The air is cool and with it also the temperament of the residence.

"Air Conditioner…" one of the learned men of the ship said "Trust me… You'll love it!"

And indeed, they have, the lady of Starfall especially. It was quite the conundrum of emotions, in the early part of the settling of the people of the UNSC she has been nothing less than hostile, and it would be quite odd if it was otherwise. When your flesh and blood has been abducted by a monstrous entity, to be distressed is to be human.

Fits of scream and rage can be heard from the Palestone sword tower, where the office of the lord lay bare, husband and wife duked on regarding the unique circumstances, no profanity is thrown but the tone of their voices are insult enough to each other. The loud voices have receded somewhat after the birth of the second son of Starfall, but no three days more and the shout comes once again.

The embrace did not stop of course, in the end they are husband and wife, but such events call for long council and in time it would inevitably fall to extreme measures, but that was more or less a month ago, now a compromise has been found and silent peace and curious notions has replaced it, and Gedric longingly looks down upon the clattered shine of swords down below.

A yearning that has been found short as the sound of a knock on the door splintered through "Gedric?" An elegant voice "Gedric, love. Are you in there?". His soul soothes as he heard the Voice, Gedric lazily jumped down from the window and stride towards the wooden portal.

"I'm coming mother!" He lightly spoke. Her bearings are quite the Anti-thesis to his father's existence, whenever she comes, she brings voices of loving songs and the smell of flowers, often he lay in her laps these days, the last few months have been an odd experience for the young heir, and one with no other ones to relate and share too.

He opened the door and looked to his mother's figure, more powerful than she has ever been as she hold on to his brother's small body in her arms. "Gedric…" The lady of Starfall spoke with a playful scolding tone "Did you grow taller again? I told you you're not allowed to do so" she kisses her eldest forehead, a gesture that is not tiresome considering Gedric is her shoulder height already.

Pink tint on his cheeks and a pout, Gedric replied "I can't help it mother…". The lady went pass the eldest son into his room, the latter closed the door as they enter, ensuring the cool air contained. She walks on to the bed and lay to sit. The baby cooed as he noticed the raven hair of his elder, reaching out to touch him from afar, unbeknownst to the concept of depth of field.

"Gedric look! He wants to see you" The mother spoke, smiling and glowing from the wistful interaction between her two sons. It was a surreally joyous moment for her, to see both of her children alive and curious upon each other, in such moments the sentiments of motherhood often raised to its peak "Come closer Gedric, he wants to know you!"

"I can't mother…" Gedric said, eyes drooped to the floor "What if I… what if I broke him too"

"Nonsense Gedric he is your brother" The mother says, noticing her first born approaching the window instead of her, she quickly stood up and pull his arm and urge him to sit beside her and his little brother. "Look at him Gedric… at least let him touch you" she said.

He grunts and sigh on the circumstances to humor her, as he lay rest his buttocks on the edge of his soft bed, he looks down towards the adorable form where the mother puts beside him. The little brother's arm is enclosed to his own chest as he looked to the giant figure of his elder, curious and inquisitive he reached out to touch him, touch his and glowing eyes as if he says a miracle.

Gedric lean down in respond, easing his brother's journey in knowing his family. The brother cooed on his giant kin gesture, seemingly excited that his goal is closer at hand. As he reached the soft cold locks of his eldest hair, he proceeds to pull on it, curious on how and why every shining dark straw seems to pass through his fingers like Fae and soft silks, he giggled and chuckled enthusiastically on the notion.

"You see!" Mother said "Gawain loves you! Look at his face, he sees a hero in you already! My goodness!". Regardless how thrilled Little Gawain maybe, it would seem the mother is triple in the same emotion. Whatever distressed she felt on the ongoings of Starfall, it has been whisked away with the whimsical nature of such interactions between her sons.

A prospect that did not last longer than both her and her second born would hope, as not even a moment after Gedric stood to full height with quickness and pace around the room with childish restlessness. Gawain looked on in strange sadness, questioning vaguely in heart why a blissful moment could end so quickly.

The little brother turns and looked to the mother, seemingly enquiring for more of the interaction with his elder, cooing and grunting as he moves his body up and down in impatience. "Gedric, love. He is not done with you yet…" She said "Why must you move so quickly? Should I ask Maester Volkron to give you milk of the poppy?"

"Why!? Why would you do that?" Gedric asked, voice as exasperated and irritated as his figure "I didn't do anything wrong! Those are just stupid wooden furniture's and stupid cup of glasses!" He finished, The mother sighing on tantrum. Gawain however looked on with curiosity on the development, bustling and eyes narrowed to learn more.

"If we go onward with your way, love. Everything in this castle would crumble" she replied "everything will be well soon, worry not, your father is finding a way" as Gedric's pace reach close to his mother, the latter took the opportunity to grab his arm and pull him once more, this time beside her than his brother.

"Nothing is broken here!" He said again "In my room!"

"Well perhaps because now you can control yourself more than usual" she replied as she scrubs her first-born hair, fixing and straightening his locks as she pecks his forehead as well "in due time, you'll be sprightful for practice once more. With your father! Yes?" Gawain excitedly squeal on with delight as he assumes it is a merry occasion "your father looks forward for your practice just as much as you are!"

"So, I am not in trouble then?" Gedric enquired, tone presuming he will be disappointed with the answer.

"Of course, not sweetling…" The mother answered "Can a mother not visit his son? You silly fool!". She reached out and gave him a hug, barraging him with kisses on his cheeks, forehead and hair alike. Gawain looks in envy of the attention she gave him and proceed to screech as loud as possible for both of their care. "You see his jealous now" she said, smiling as she grabbed the youngest body closer to them.

"Hold him, will you?" she said, pushing the youngest towards Gedric, the latter nervous and anxious on the prospect. Gawain however looked on, still curious on the occurrence, seemingly expecting his older counterpart actions with wide wonder eyes. "You're not going to hurt him Gedric, go on…"

An assuring word beckoned from Gedric's fear, slowly but with uncertain surety he extends his arm with snail pace, seemingly terrified that from the prospect of hurting the youngest, he even closed his eyes, as if his lack of vision would disperse any notion of hurting others. "See!" he suddenly heard his mother exclaimed "Open your eyes love… for all the seven gods…"

And that he did… he did not even feel his brother's weight…

As his visions regained, Gawain's inquisitive blubbery face stared at him with a smile as Gedric held his brother far away from his body, as far as his arm can extend. "Enough of this you!" The mother, mentally exhausted exclaimed "Pull him close or his underarm will sore!". As he did so, the younger brother rest his head on his brother's shoulder only for no less a second until he raised to see his face on the eye level.

Gawain squirmed delightfully, like a glorious triumph that reaches the mountain…

Followed by an attempt to eat his brother's cheek…

"Mother his trying to eat me!"

"Oh, hush you, his kissing you"

Moments similar to this wholesomeness played on repetition with various differences, in a moment Gawain climbed up to Gedric's hair, biting and chewing on the glowing locks that shines under the sun's rays. Another moment he crawled around the room, touching every object he could find that signals his interest, a minor dispute come when he chewed on the wooden carving of a sword that his eldest made, a small tug of war where Gedric have to significantly control his strength.

Gawain however just kept on laughing on the happening, giggling with a squeal with every pull…

"I could've hurt him…" Gedric said, worried.

"You break many things on your return, love" The mother replied "Glasses and plates, wooden chairs and walls… but when you hug me and hold my hand when your father's ire come into call, I did not feel any pain at all… your heart knows what to do…"

"Ewww 'my heart'! Mother why are you so trite" Gedric responded playfully with a vomit gesture.

"Hush! You insolent child! This is how you treat me consoling you!?" She slapped him playfully on the shoulder, before tickling him all around. All of them laughed on the great playful banters and gestures and for along moment everyone in the room is happy.

Not long after the lady of Starfall took his youngest child away from the playful bout right after she sees the exhaustion starts to set in on him. Gedric however just stand there looking sheepish, not a sweat one bit on his features.

They exchange expected pleasantries as a mother and son should, Gedric once again pacing around the room like a restless child and Leyna of Starfall begun speaking and enquiring regarding his eldest state, all questions answered with a lazy tone of course… which followed by a scolding from the lack of attention she has gotten, Gedric merely pouts. Other than such, everything is well.

"Gedric are you not tired!?" She asked, exasperated on his relentless motions.

"No mother! Not one bit!" He replied with a smooth delivery, Leyna watched on with confusion. The young heir is often restless in his growth, but this development is greater than before, usually in this length of time he would be exhausted lying down on the floor after such acrobatics but here he moves with no sign of slug.

Unnatural is what she would call it, once in a while she saw him jump and leapt from places that would cripple a grown man, unconsciously lifting and breaking objects with ease of a sliding paper. Much debate came from this bewildering progress by the ruling Starfall pair, which ends with a conclusion with isolating Gedric in his own room for a time until they can understand the implication of his circumstances.

"The UNSC will speak more on his matter…" is what Erick said on Gedric's well-being, which the lady concludes with dreadful prospects, magical in nature perhaps. It does not help that the lord of Starfall sees his eldest son's growth with wariness rather than pride considering the feat of strength he seems to show, "Which means there is more he did not tell me…" sooner or later Leyna will find the truth in all of this.

The room is especially large, fitting for the son of a prestigious house. And Gedric kept leaping and pacing with a pace of a rabbit much to the annoyance of the lady "Would you sit still!?" she asked.

"I'm not made to be sitting mother!" he replied, his childish tone still lingers on the complaint "I want to get out! When can I go outside again!?" he jumps and leapt around the room as he spoke, energy unrelenting as it is unlimited.

She cleared his throat before speaking softly "Your father will come here in a moment" Gedric stands still paralyzed as quick as he did touch the floor "I believe a compromise might be due, you are a child after all and need greater room to grow…"

"Hmm… compromise?" Gedric tilts his head in confusion.

"Compromise… it means settling a difference or a confli-" her scolding face appears once more "Gedric have you not heed the Maester lessons well!?"

"I forgot… it is most likely because I am contained here and my brain got smaller!" Gedric responded.

Leyna merely sighed before continuing on "As I was saying, your father will seek to find a better way for you to spend your time here… you have many expectations after all, as the heir, a Dayne and a noble all…" She said, Gedric sitting down beside the bed his mother is sitting on, the latter scruffing his head as she persisted on.

"When he gets here, he will most likely allow you to go outside…"

"YES"

"With supervision…"

"Ah…"

"Listen until it is over will you, love. You wouldn't know the true aspects of a negotiation until it is finished" Gedric nodded with impatience.

"As I was saying… your father already picked the proper guardian on the occasion, you'll see him after our meeting with your father" she said, interrupted once more by Gedric.

"Is he someone strong!? Like father!? Is it Sir Dalt? Gwendal?"

This time Leyna stopped speaking, looking at the window shining with the same pout that Gedric equipped moments ago complimented with an eye roll, Gawain looked towards his mother and the places she stares at, confused on what point of interest that took her attention.

"All right… I'll be quiet now…" Gedric relented

"Good… my word you are tiresome" She huffed, laying down on his son's bed as both Gawain and Gedric sits beside each other, a fact that Leyna found quite adorable "Now please listen closely… for the LAST TIME…"

---

Starfall Courtyard

The stare did not bother the captain in the slightest as he stand on the edge of the castle's courtyard looking through the horizon of the sea. in this mid-day times, the black tinted eye wear he wore does help in dispersing some of the heat of the sun, still he finds such inconvenience of the enjoyable kind because…

"… it's been a long time since I feel a sun on a planet…" he said, followed by a relaxing sigh "I have to say, the Vitamin D feels really good on the skin after staying on that god damn ship for almost a year, isn't that right lieutenant?"

"Uhm… yes sir" Julian replied, awfully weirded out with the interaction 'Everything all right sir?"

"All right!?" The captain scoffed "Jesus' lieutenant… look at where we are! I'll be damned… I did not expect to be touching ground again…" He exhaled with appreciation "Gotta be honest Julian; I was expecting to die on the empty vacuum of space… I'm glad things gone otherwise…"

"Appreciating it every day sir?" Julian inquired lightheartedly.

"Every day, son… when you spend most of your life on floating hunk of steel you can start valuing the organics you see" the captain replied "This is a God damn blessing… a new start, and we are at the vanguard"

"We're not the only one's sir" Julian spoke in addition.

"Yeah…" This time the captain exhaled with mental exhaustion "We can only hope the others make it where they gone…" he took out his officer's hat and scratch his scalp for a minor comfort "We lost their signal before we even enter slip space a year ago, I don't know what to tell the others… some of them have families on the other ships…"

"We could just delegate that to Major Mike, His always been good on PR, considering he is a career officer as well it is right up his alley" Julian suggested

"Yeah, you got that right lieutenant, I'm thinking the same thing too" The captain replied, his gruff voice did not hide his incensed mental fatigue "Though I am sure, they'll be asking straight through me the second they've gone restless on the lack of info… I just told Mike to just gave the bare minimum"

"What? Why bother going that short?"

"The more intel they have the more they'll ask questions and the more they lost focus, so I rather put that on the foot hold for now…" The captain answered "we're in the process of making an HQ on this planet right now, all eyes have to be on deck, especially the fact we could be the last remnant of proper humanity, we can't have any slip up of any kind… Considering present medieval company into account"

Julian shakes his head left and right with subtlety, actually taking in the environment to make sure of… uncertain eavesdroppers "Seems like a controversial info to let out loud on public grounds like that uh… sir. Why are you telling me this here?"

"Because" the captain exhaled "I'm putting you in charge on creating the HQ…"

"What… Ah shit, Hol-"

"Language…"

"Right, sorry sir, permission to speak freely?"

The captain shakes his head "Alright, son. Go on ahead…"

"Sir, I have to tell you I am horrid in social working, this is not the kind of shit I deal with. With all due respect, this seems to be a proper job for the career officers on the R and D departments" Julian once again proposed

"Yes, I thought of that…" The captain replied "what I meant lieutenant is that you'll be the commanding officer that will be accompanying those engineers on creating those spaces and places that we need, I am not actually ordering you to directly shape the base"

The captain continued to relay "You'll be actually on a… let's say on the minimum, a protection presence. According to Lord Dayne, Mountain Clans roams the area, bandits that pillages in all sorts… you're going to make sure that will not happen on UNSC grounds…"

"Is that all, ju-"

"God, what is it with your young'uns and speaking without letting others finished. Permission to speak freely denied!" The minute those words came out, Julian muttered a tried-and-true military apology before the captain persist in his explanation "another actual reason is because that kid, Gwendal will be accompanying the project as well, so you are going to make sure he doesn't try anything or put his hands on… uncalled grounds."

Julian sheepishly nods his head as his gaze fleet to the horizon of the sea, seemingly thoughtful on the cavalcade of information given. Now, plans and stratagems flowing softly towards his mind, preparing himself for the task unconsciously.

"You are put to this task because I hear you have made proper contact with the aforementioned lord, yes?" The captain state with a question "We have been busy and all on the rebuilding process and what not, that we haven't actually been debriefed on that part haven't we…"

"No sir, the lord and I just exchange basic info, nothing compromising."

"Well that goes without saying" The captain said "though I'm sure it Is far from basic on his perspective"

Julian chuckled lightly "No sir, there has been many occasions he wanted to call me a madman… fortunately for me things just developed just right"

"Yes, after this we need to get in more of what you talk about with him… I'm sure you also get some intel from him as well, yes?"

"Right sir, but… I think everything is what you already know by asking the Maester guy" Julian replied self-consciously

"We'll work on that later, for now however" The Captain pulls out a documented paper from the inner working of his uniform coat "This here is what you need to know on your mission lieutenant… make sure you read it properly, as I said we've been out of commission for some time, proper due process of any kind might be lost on us"

Moments pass in minutes, as the sun shines on the paper like white mineral. Sea gulls are squawking loudly on the skies and crags of rock that littered the coast. Both men find respite on such easing silent, no sense of awkwardness as the lieutenant read the document with attention unparalleled.

"Sir? Sigrid Eklund?" Julian enquired with a rhetorical tone "Is a Spartan necessary? I'm sure even a couple squad of marine will do the job"

"As I said…" The captain huffed "don't take any chances… we can't be too careful"

"Alright sir, as you say" The young lieutenant intended to walk away, before he stood silent on his ground and chances to enquire another info "May I ask for a status report sir?"

The Older man glanced lightly behind him towards the young before he speaks "we have enough resources to make more than a dozen proper outpost and firebases, got some info from jitters that two thousand marines survived the fall, a quarter thousand ODST, two dozen of spartan 4 and a set of Spartan 3 Headhunters…"

The captain shrugged "All in all, our situation is much better than we expect it to be, that is if we're not counting the civilian brackets, we have thousands of those…"

"Is there anything I can help regarding High Hermitage here" Julian Extended

"That's not your call, let mike handle that" The captain said "His progress is quick though, he took twenty worker drones with him, Finished the steel wall under more or less a month…"

"Wait… that's what he has been working on?! I thought that project is scrapped" Julian exclaimed on surprise "But… Sir, can we actually afford that!? A steel wall from corner to corner"

"We have a plan, son" The captain interjected "To put it short, anything between High Hermitage and Starfall will be UNSCs grounds, anything beyond that for all we concern are foreign area and entities. Not your fault you didn't know, you were outside the ship on the briefing."

"I see… And lord Dayne agreed to this?"

"All he knows is that we are going to exchange advancements… we are of course, which is the guise for our… let's say… mutual takeover. Keep this info shut from public grounds" The captain lightly growled

"I… I'm sorry for asking sir, my presence on the ship is minimal" He stares down sheepishly again, from the light he slightly looks like a boy.

"It's alright Julian, I enjoyed the discussion" He exhaled once more "In any case feel free to rest and supply in Alexandria, all info regarding our reserves and resources are disclosed to officer level personnel. Take that information as you will, and make proper planning of it when you do your mission, I expect nothing less than a job well done, do you understand?"

"Yes sir"

"Very good. Disappear…"

And as the word and order spoken, Julian retreated to the shadow of Alexandria. Its bellows of steel still loud and proud on the current crash of waves of the sunset sea. Captain Gunner scans his surrounding again, before the light that reflects from the milk walls of the Castle, congregation of diverse fittings littering the area.

It is a queer view, as Technology slowly creeping in on the household of Starfall, Man of UNSC uniform and knights of Westeros walking around on casual pace. Guards and Sentinels conversing and enquiring on the weapons wielded on the marine, ODST's guarding the entrance of the ship intimidating any servants that wonders to close and Knights of doubtful and wonder stares curiously blanketed the corners.

"How do I approach this?" The captain thought, a circumstance so unique as diamond in the grain of sand. As the sun shine behind his coat, that darkens his figure below the mid-day sun, every soul feels the winds of change that comes before the implosion of distrust.

"We're all humans here… we can trust each other in this, we have too" The captain state in mind "Right?"

For all that he plans on using the grounds of southern red mountain for UNSC development, he has no interest on deposing the dynamic of authority of this native land, so long as the standing Lord of the area is not anything less than symbiotic commensalism, then no direct action is necessary. "As long as we're in understanding, there's no need for conflicting parties…"

But then… a discouraging info went to his head "that's right…"

The Project Dianthus kid….

And the spartan candidates…

In a moment he realizes the complication of the situation are more intense than he once thought. And he sighed for the inevitable exhaustion that is to come

---

High Hermitage

The wind is strong on this day, but within it no heat has been carried. Sometimes the breeze from the mountains is more forgiving the closer the winter comes; the chill is soothing more than disparaging. A rare occurrence for High Hermitage but more often happen than not in consideration their close placing near the mountains, so it stands to reason whenever it came, the people around appreciate its visitation.

And in this current time, more so to the lady of high hermitage. As time goes by, what is considered to be natural for her and everything surrounding her are slowly dissipating for the sake of efficient calling. Still, the gardens and the river crags and waters are uncompromised in such development, but looking upon the progress of strange men in equally as strange garb and tools is a worrying view for her, especially on the magical devices that occasionally fly to the steel wall that covers the passing of her Hold.

Sleep does not come easy anymore, such methods and contraptions are not without abnormal exchange, to find her husband coming home accompanied by cavalcades of magic of this high of caliber is to her to be very suspicious. Enquiries that are thrown to his lap are replied with answers of enthusiasm and wonder, "Something else came for the house of Dayne this day…" She recalled her husband say "Trust me on this, love. We are heading towards a greater day" She recalled him finishing.

She must be honest with herself, the progress these men of the UNSC have made have been nothing less than staggering. A steel wall from one end of the mountain to the other is a work of miracle, many times especially during warfare such hardy materials are in demand for armor and weapons, slow are their makings and hard they are to find and bend. It must be an outstandingly rich house and army for them to be capable to equip at most a quarter of their infantry with full steel work, and that is even at the best of days.

And now walls of pure steel as high as her castle blocks the view towards the land of blackmont, "What must we pay for this?" she wondered, machines that cool the air, man with raven black armor that hides their figure, flying steel dragons that carried them in swift speed from one corner of the world to another, one must marvel on where does it end.

A knock on the door wakes her from her stupor "Come in" She lightly spoke"

"My lady, Your Lord husband has arrived home…" A female servant said, as she peeks her head through the door "He awaits you at your office my lady"

"Thank you, tell him I'll be there soon"

"Of course, my lady"

The days are long since she met her significant others face, rarely do they part, at most a week, but now ever since the workings of magics he has been engrossed on such developments for more than a month, many of her questions have been answered from the start of these endeavors but a torrent more would take their place, and she found them unanswered to be wanting.

She strides with quickness many would mistake to be a glide, her purple well ornated dress make her movements seems like a phantom, flattering her noble pace. A bow and words of formality are given to her as she passes her servants on their place, a regular prostration every second she walks. As she walks through the halls of Hermitage's out fields and bridges, she finds UNSC people surrounding the area, they nod their head as she passed, bowing lightly as they said "Ma'am".

All of them held an impassive face, no emotions and seemingly inhuman. They work on their task with attention of a smith, some not even recognizing her presence.

Perhaps it is the custom where they came from, but she found the lack of actions of decorum disrespecting to her, she is the lady of this noble dwelling, and in heart she is infuriated by the insolence, do they realize that or not she does not know. In these moments, due punishments would usually follow, but she does not know the purpose and the capabilities of these types of men here, interfering with her husband's work would mean to hinder High Hermitages progress, much knowledge need to be had before proper actions.

She arrived to the great door to the Lord of High Hermitage office without a stop to her step, yet before her hands can reach the handle, the door decides to make its own way first for some to go outward. She notices the figure that leaves the office, the one they call to be Mike of the rank of Major, the chill soft breeze of the room accompanying him out.

"Oh! I uhh… excuse me miss" the major says, followed by a simple head bow and a quick stride towards the entrance of the castle, not even a moment to converse with her, his figure nervous and anxious, in mind he is as uncomfortable to the circumstances just as much as the lady and all who resides within.

"Aryan? Come in would you!" Galad said, still standing before his table. She entered in a hurry, closing the door with a quickening. She took a full breath before facing her husband, who looks bewildered on her state "why are you exhausted?"

"In all intent and purposes, Galad. I ran here…"

"I did not need call upon you in such a hurry, I'm sure…" Her husband replied, moving in on her tired figure as he carried her shoulders "Something else in you needing answer, is it?"

"Of course, I do!" She snapped back, frustrated from the obvious "why are they here now! Inside the castle?! Have we not agreed for them to stay under, near the settlements?"

"They are not here to stay sweetheart, they are here to work" Galad replied, smoothly as he guides her to the soft sit "Much of their magics are to be given to every house of Dayne as per the agreement… have faith in this, you'll see our power rise! I am sure!"

"I've seen their work Galad, I am unsure of this" She relayed solemnly "this work of reparation is… is just too much! Many things I do not recognize as I pass through these halls. I even know not of what these contraptions are capable of…"

Her husband sigh as he leaned back on the chair beside her "Did you not partake on such apparatuses Ary?" He said, resting his hands on his knees as he looked on lazily towards her "Did you not see the steel and magic that flies through the air? Should we just discard such powers for others to take?"

"I saw it…"

"You did not sweat on your journey here do you not?" he asked rhetorically "You feel the cool wind as you go room to room, as these contraptions cast away the unforgiving air?" He grasps her hand, his body leaned in to comfort her "We greet the new day, to a better future. It is happening and we cannot stop it… I rather have us as the vanguard that takes all the spoils…" he stood towards his table as he rummages through the stacked paper.

"You didn't see it on its culmination love…" He continued to spoke "I know the kind of power these men you so afraid of have, you are correct to fear them"

"Have we no leverage against them?" She asked in subtle fear "They cannot truly have so much control… this is our home!"

"It is of the necessary circumstances Ary…" He replied "it is quite a long story, but to make it light, they need us as much as we need them for their work… we will lose nothing and more to gain!"

Galad took a paper to his hand as he read them whilst continuing on with the elaboration "Erick understands this… and I truly wish I can find the word to tell you what truly is the implications of these events Ary... but please understand, I'm doing this for our family"

"I know you are…" She exhaled softly "It's just there a great deal i do not understand..."

"You will in time..." He leaned down once more and kissed her on the cheek "Before the year ends… we will be a threat to the royal fold" he says, as if it is another nonchalant statement to be had

"Galad!" She exclaimed loudly with a whisper "a treasonous statement!"

"I am just speaking in truth…" He replied "Whether the other take's it as such or otherwise is no longer our concern" He groaned before continuing on "Dawn comes for us Dayne once more"

"What do you mean?"

"First, it's the sword of the morning, and now?" He extends his arm towards the window where the reflection of light from the giant steel wall visits the office "Now we have this… this is a work of providence Aryan; we have to participate and dig deep!"

She looks down on the ground with contemplation, ideas spring through her mind, boggling her every second "oh Galad… I do not know how we should approach this"

"Please…" He spoke again "in time you will understand, for now have faith in me at least…"

"By the gods this is madness…" she whispered with fatigue "What of Gwendal? Where is he?"

"He is still In Starfall, watching over my nephew and grandnephew…" He answered "He is safe and in a good position for any essential happenings, these are changing times and we need to ensure we stay together on it… If there are news, we will be quick to know and Gwendal we learn much from the man of the stars…"

"Is it truly safe?" She worriedly asked "I have been hearing news from the patrol, they carry weapons of the mystic, no? throwing thunder as if they are common wooden arrows… shooting mountain clans before they realize they are dead"

"They are not against us Ary…" He said again, exhausted of the repetition to ensure his love "they won't move to attack us, he is at his safest place"

"Very well…" at the time being the news is enough to shelf for others "So you will not tell the Targaryen's of this development then?"

"No…" Galad said "Erick is of the same mind, both of us believe that we need to know more about these folks and their powers before promulgating the knowledge to the other kingdoms… this includes the Martell's"

"So, you are withholding information…" She exclaimed in surprise "This is dangerous"

"They do not NEED to know anything" He spoke loudly, a certain tone of a growl escaping him "They have no interest in listening to our words back then, no interest for honor and they prefer the company of imperturbable RAPIST and MURDERERS!" with every word his voice raised ever more so, noticing that she touches uncertain grounds, she kept her mouth shut "If they found no import of our station, then why should WE bother THEM of our hardship right?!" He shouted "RIGHT!?"

"Still, he holds the grudge…" Aryan thought, the last Blackfyre rebellion was more or less a decade ago, yet the events of the time still linger on in his heart as if it is caked within his blood. She wonders if Erick still holds the same resentment as well, though considering that they are both in agreement it sure to say it is.

"Merchants and traders alike have been questioning us… is this the same reason why we have confined them here as well?" she asked, intending to switch the topic before it escalates to diabolical grounds.

"I… uhh" He rubbed his temple as if the act itself dispersed the angered clouds "yes… yes, they know too much. Seen too much" He explained "In the coming time they will be allowed to leave, for now they have to stay. I am confounded what to do with them, this time however there are other issues in mind"

Silence decorated the room now, more than a minute they stay in deep quiet. Such a short time the exchange of information has been as exhausting as it is informative. It is not her intention to question her husband so thoroughly, what she needs are just answers to ease her respite, to know that they are not heading towards uncommon grounds that summons their downfall.

"I'm sorry…"

"Don't…" He said softly "Don't apologize… it's just" now a sweat came down upon his forehead before he swiped it away "we are in a time of transition… I understand the conflict in such times, I understand how you feel, closer than you realize… it is the same feeling I have the first time I stopped using wood and start using steel, when I stopped using blunt and start using sharpened edges…"

His on his knees now, kissing her precious fingers "When I stopped sparing and start going to war… it is uncertain I know, I didn't know if I would come home alive or even if my training would serve me well on my first bout against my enemies… things are changing and you are afraid… so am I"

"I don't want to lose what we have…" She spoke

"I know… so am I" he replied "but this is different, this change is clear!" He whispered with excitement "We are moving to greener pastures! When it is done… in fact, before it is even done, we don't need to trade with Highgarden anymore! Not with caron's not even with the Blackmont's… I saw what we can have…"

"This proclamation is maddening" is what she wanted to say, looking upon his husband is like looking to a fanatic. But his eyes are still just as powerful as before, blonde locks as strong as his purple eyes, against such pleasing forces she cannot help but to relent, she fought hard enough as it is. "Very well… let it be said my faith in you is without falter" she decided to say in the end.

"This is destiny!" is what he wanted to say "another fallen star to rise us up against our enemies, for our old glory" But he did not want to be seen as more insane than he already is, he won his wife now but it is on undefined grounds, for now love prevails until she can find another reason to doubt him, in that he cannot accept.

"They roam to freely Galad, that is what I am worried about. I saw them prancing within our halls, face as steady as a rock, they seem to think the place is theirs…"

"Alright… if you are worried so much, I will tell them to make haste. Believe me they are as horridly confused as we are, you'll have your space soon…"

"That's- that is all I ask…" She stated, word that is untrue as many queries goes unanswered and withhold deep behind.

"Do they know?" She enquired another "The Blackmont's and the seat of Nightsong?... we have moved pass our usual trade time…"

"They know…" He sighed he seems to be doing those often these days "just the fact about our temporarily withholding of trade, as far as he knows. Some caravans of Blackmont's and Caron's did try to enter the steel gate, I did not allow them" He answered

"They would want answers for why…"

"And they'll have them of course, the bare minimum of it" He replied back "I just relayed that we found ourselves in a… uncertain minor disasters that made trading impossible, which of course is not untrue…"

"But their man did arrive here, yes?" She said "They will report back to him about-"

"The steel walls?" He scoffed "Of course they will, he will be as confused as a newborn baby… oh how I like to see his face when such news happens upon him!"

"And if they come here? What do we do?"

"Ah… about that"

"You don't know do you…"

"I do!" Galad spoke, voice high pitch in a playful manner "I wrote letters"

"Without my council!?" Aryan bellowed in tremor "Galad what did you say!?"

"It's just of the usual merits" He replied "I spoke of weaknesses of our time, feigning it of course, and not entirely untrue, the weather has not been good for our people yield"

"Blackmont's heir is in Starfall…" She spoke straightforwardly "He will want answers on his state, if he is not allowed to leave or inform him…"

"He'll come here, and we will speak of it" Galad responded, eyes down to his feet where he sat

There in silence they enjoy each other's company, uncertain are their circumstances and inflamed are there spoken words. with warm lights above their heads, heatless and artificial, without the beckoning of flame, courtesy of their heaven's fall visitors. She stood up with grace from where she is, figure as lascivious even with her unformed fitting dress, walking over to her lover and sat on his lap.

"You move too much, these days" She said "I rarely see you with a sword… only twice a week"

"I still do… you just have not seen me much"

"Why should we not rectify that?"

"I'm here, aren't it?"

---

Inside the Light of Alexandria

Everything is in a condition of moving around, wherever Julian looked something is always in motion. He is glad of that fact, in this phase and state this usually means a good sign of proper conduct, everything is what it should be in the grounds of the UNSC. There are a lot of hurdles on their journey on making a new outpost or home as some would call it, but nothing in comparison on what they have to go through on their way here.

The very notion that they can touch ground again and have the capability to feel the heat of a giant round star that gives life to a planet is a humongous miracle for them, an event they would gladly capitalize to rebuild. Even now as Julian walked towards his destination, he intends to appreciate every lingering feeling of optimism that casted around.

"Julian!" a man shouted "Over here!"

Turning his head to follow the voice, Julian recognized another officer of the same rank as him. Looking upon the large view of the hangar from a high platform "Come over here will ya! It's been a while"

They exchange pleasantries as they meet, making sure they are alright before the questions come into play "I heard what the captain has in store for you, you got lucky man you actually manage to go out there. Gotta says I am a bit jealous"

"I wouldn't say I have the same feeling jits, truth be told… I'd rather stay on this ship; I've been out there more than necessary honestly" Julian replied

"Heard you got lock up by the locals mannn, how did that happen?"

"That's just me acting on what I think, trust me… I'm going to start double taking from now on"

The sounds of hammers banging against steel covered the platform and hangar butter up by the sounds of drill and sparks that colored the view. Such sounds would be ridiculously maddening for the Un-initiated, but for the man of the uniform, it is a smooth sound of safety and comfort "yeah, I guess you got a point, we've been on direct fire for so long I'm starting to forget what man at work actually sound like. Gotta says, the noises of tools fixing stuff is much more comforting than plasma shots going around you know" Lieutenant Jitters said, hands on the railing as he spoke.

"Yeah, I know… though I got a different experience, not every day you got confined by a crowd playing medieval dress up…" Julian replied.

"Oh man, you gotta tell me all about that" Jitters playfully smack Julian's back "I never got the chance to walk out onto the scenery, all I got is local authority coming here with a superiority complex bigger than the UNSC infinity… I Gotta tell ya, I found a lot of civilians with a stick up their ass demanding shit, but that one?... the king of the God damn hill"

"Right…" Julian said with a whisper, miraculously Jitters still hears it underneath the commotion of metal work "I got that too, the natives already talkin about it like crazy. I heard that Lord Dayne's kid got hitch to be a Spartan, yeah?"

"Fuck man, that's right" Jitters answered "Scanning malfunction from a specialized drone, that's the redeeming quality on the stick up his ass though, at least he got a good reason why he smacks his big mouth around…"

"Shit… what does that mean for us?" Julian wondered aloud "That kid is essentialy-"

"UNSC property! I know!" Julian replied with elusive tone "The captain and the Superintendent work a way around it and let the kid stay with his parents though, the Dayne dude that is… they made a compromise, I don't know the deep level intel though"

"Shit man, the Dayne guy is the local lord here. The closest thing we have to a government around. I guess that's the right call, I mean the kid's staying in the castle here anyway, right on UNSCs eye and hand, so it's not like his going anywhere… considering the alternative" which is an unnecessary dispute with the lord otherwise, Julian thought in which Jitters agreed.

"Yeah man… especially the fact the kid is a Dianthus…" Jitters elaborated shortly

"What…" Julian's face transmogrified to a look of curiosity and shock "Wow holds on a minute… Project Dianthus!?"

"Yep"

"Glassman's Dianthus!?"

"Yeah pal, keep it-"

"Dr. Glassman!?"

"Fuck! Julian, keep it down!" Jitters whispered sternly "That's senior level confidentiality…"

"Right sorry…" Julian shakes his head with an apologetic look "I thought that was scrapped…"

"Apparently not, amongst other things…" Jitters said "Dianthus, the thirteen ships and the fucking steel wall on that high hermitage location! Seems like a lot of heaps got recycled"

"Did the captain tell you anything?" Julian asks, whatever set of queries he wants to ask took a backseat for present priorities "Considering Dianthus capabilities, the kid needs to stay on the ship!"

"We got that already" Jitters replied nonchalantly "The kid's body is already developing rapidly, he already started breaking things, glasses, plates, hell he even flipped a thick table once, the situation is nasty. Won't be long until there's actual casualties…"

"Damn, no wonder. I mean if the kid is previous version of Spartans, I can understand in temporarily relieving him… hell even straight up canceling him from the project… but" Julian turns his attention back to his compatriot "Do the captain have any plans on retrieving him"

"Yeah… we got the hurry up and wait and see treatment" Jitters answered lazily, obviously disagreeing with the advance of the topic "he said he wants to let the Dayne learn it the hard way that they need our help on taking care of the boy before actually taking him in… understandable as you said, there would be more trouble if we just took him in non-consenting like"

"Yeah… that's actually the reason why they are angry with us in the first place…"Julian thinks.

"You know what the captain said once. Learning things the hard way sticks like gorilla glue. They have to come to us first" Jitters said with a smile ordained with an ego "besides, his being supervised as we speak…"

"By who?"

"Everyone man!" Jitters answered, as if the notion of the topic is as ridiculous as their circumstances "every personnel outside of the ship are obligated to watch over the kid… I forgot his name… Gedric right?"

"I got it… but none of them stationed inside the castle though"

"So, I've heard, but they don't have to" Jitters said "just as long as everyone knows where the kid is in and outside the perimeter. In case things gone loco"

"Guess that's wise"

"You're god damn right"

"Yeah well, I'm sure we will sort things out on that later. On the other hand," another subject comes into Julian's mind, one he meant to ask these whole time "I heard that Major mike got assigned on to High Hermitage, heard he got himself working on a steel wall"

"Yep, I hear its essentially done too!" Jitters said "From the mountain side on the east to a steep hill on the west part of the river"

"So not all the way to the west end of the mountain?" Julian asked

"Jesus' man! No, of course not" His counterpart exclaimed "Time constraint and lack of resources, not to mention the wall distance is damn unreasonable… do you have any idea how many men we need to secure that much gap?" a rhetorical statement. "No… it's just to surround the eastern part of the river bank of the castle, the western part however is for our firebases and outpost. THAT is major Mike's real mission, settling the east on Starfall and the west on Hermitage. Everybody wins right?"

"Yeah, that makes sense, I saw a lot of settlement on one side of the river, the go to should be building things on the other side" Julian spoke concurring "still, more or less two months to build a steel wall with all those worker drones? That's pretty long on our standards…"

"We're not using instacrete man, we're using real steal… Titanium and all. The captain wants to save those for urgent times"

"Now hold on a second…" Julian eyes wonders up and down in judgement "Don't tell me we are using parts of the ship or the materials we have here to build that… a lot of FUBARs here and there, we need all the materials we can get to bring up our faculties!"

"No no, we mined on the mountain side on the west" Julian responded, outwardly contented with the news he brought "its practically a gold mine in there, a lot of minerals and all untouched! Makes sense anyway… we are practically on virgin territory, the people here are not really savvy on the geology education, so none bothered"

"Martial nation huh?"

"Guess so… kind a fitting considering we land here I guess…"

"If you want to be romantic sure" as Julian spoke the words, Jitters playfully punch his shoulder.

"A new start, right?"

"If you say so… that is if they don't find they're way here…" Julian said, and the solemn darkness of the ship becomes despondent more than powerful.

"Hey man…" Jitters sighed "no trace, the captain made sure of it. Slip space onto the uncharted for five years would give us a lot of time"

"Yeah sure, but then… Where do we go from here man…" Julian shakes his head "I mean… it could be just us"

"Could be" Jitters shrugged "or maybe, just Maybe, it could be NOT just us!"

"To far away from us…" Julian said

"I just hope they are safe man..." Jitters replied

---

Starfall Courtyard – Training grounds

The sun is a few hours away from dusk, for the man of the Dornish marches and the Red Mountains the humidity is well accustomed to, even the sweat the follows… they learn to move and live with it. salty waters that fall from the skin like tiny islands mobile and powerless against gravity.

Gwendal moved with unusual grace, powerful and fleet as the whipping wind he swings. Sword shines with his hair, the eyes narrowed like a man half-asleep. Everyone watches on with usual awe, they do practice heartfully everyday for every man of the Dayne household, but not as much and as the unnatural progress of Dayne's blood. Half a decade of practice and you might have a chance to fell three men if you practice in Starfall with all its illustriousness made knights, but for the same amount of time for a Dayne, one might as well mistake them for spirits of warfare visiting.

The heir of Hermitage hones his skills this day for hours now, and for the days before and what comes after. It is with reason some would challenge him on his bout, knight of other houses and within, blunted sword strikes ring with honor and respect. No insult came from such exchange, in reality, in this martial household, to challenge and spar is considered to be an honorable and pleasant notion.

Gwendal stand on his metaphorical hill, upright and proud for all the dozens upon dozens of men he defeats today, come one come all… there might be a time where the blood of the fallen star would feel in their combat prowess, Gwendal intends to be the opposite, sword of the morning or otherwise.

"How many is that now?" Orlo queried "forty?"

"Yes forty… in a span of 4 hours" Dalt replied, looking on to the many injured soldiers and man-at-arms all over the yard. All of them non-lethal of course, but that shows more of the Hermitage heir control over his skills and strengths. "This is a dangerous one…" Dalt thought, staring at the golden purple figure of Gwendal, dancing with his sword awaiting his next opponent "How did they progress so proficiently, these Dayne's truly hold secrets do they"

Caliber of the peak, even when he lazily pirouettes with his sword, Gwendal's movement looks like a blur, like his soul is struggling to kept pace with his actions. "Are you well?" he asked. Towards the five-man sprawled around him.

"We're fine my lord…" He says, catching Gwendal's offered hands as they stood up "As if there were any doubt…"

"You fight well, if it was any other knight, they would fall quickly I'm sure…"

"You honor me Sir Gwendal, I hope the next bout we have I can give you a proper challenge"

Gwendal merely nods his head in respect as he watches them walk away, his blunted steel still swinging on his left hand in practice. What comes after however… is an event that would call every attention of every man of the day.

"How about you take on me" said a certain man, armor as dark and tactical as the baritone of his voice. Plates of armor all over his body that shines with the color black that betrays its own nature. His frame is bulky and true, just the same as a made men of a warrior making, standing slightly shorter than Gwendal but taller than almost all men here.

"There he is…" Deziel Dalt Whispered to no one in particular "I believe it is in due time we start to see how they held against a Dayne…"

"I am uncertain of this…" Said Orlo, arms crossed as the wary-ness of the circumstances he believed "The outcome could be disastrous… we have an image to maintain"

"Gwendal will win" Dalt said "He was holding back, and if what I saw this sergeant will can do on combat, he will fall short.

Its not until the early part of this month that the man of Starfall can put a name to the darkened mane that is presumably the knight of the UNSC. They call themselves ODST, of what they preferred in their tongue Hell jumpers. A name that comes from the boast they bring through their stories, falling from heights towards a war raging beneath. A monstrous moniker, one that could make their opponents question themselves, in that both Dalt and Orlo can nod in slight deference.

But what kind of war they go to and who they face? In that they are elusive "I'm sorry sir… not my place to say" and "That is a confidential info, I am obligated not to speak about that sir…". An Enigma that the Lemonwood knight finds very curious, to partake in a war where no one is permitted to exchange about, what strange notion he thought.

Though they seem to exaggerate, their skills fail them not. Sergeant will and his man of the ODST have founds themselves fighting on a spar with the Starfall man-at-arms in multitudes, and their stratagems are on point, most times they manage to defeat Westerosi with tactics considered basic and tactical, but their movement fast and swift as if they were born to fight.

Many were ashamed of their loss against foreign entities, but the rest shakes their head in acceptance. They bring powers of the stars with them on their way down here, so they surmised it stands to reason they are more skillful than the mortal plow.

Especially for the fact when they spar, they follow the kingdoms way of using blunted steel, but it is apparent they are not use to such combat, yet it did not stop them from excelling against many men. Dalt and Orlo did not had a chance to fight them themselves, but now they will see the fight of them against a proper "warrior-lord". It has been a long time coming.

Both Gwendal and Will took their stance on fighting grounds, the former standing leaning forward nonchalantly and the latter taking a formal one with his legs solidly apart. "Who's move?" Will asked, his expression hidden under his darkened helmet.

Gwendal however just stood there, giving his opponent an interval of two brows raising concurrently, motioning his blunted sword up and down in taunting.

Will smirks underneath his visor, looking forward in putting the young heir into place and ground pound. With nary a second to waste he lunged forward with a stabbing motion, Gwendal replied by strafing and right and swatting the sword away from its goals.

Will takes the momentum of the swat and swing his body to finish with a one handed diagonal overhead swing. Gwendal just like before strafed to the side this time without moving his blade other than to ensure he did not step on it.

Not losing the velocity of the wind, the ODST sergeant put his foot forward and swing it right back, this time followed by a series of slashes that easily recovered, very unlike a normal combat. Gwendal looks on with curiosity on the fighting style, bewildered on how this bout would end, yet still not appearing one bit fatigue by the clash as he stands and countered unblinking.

In one move though, their sword interlock. And with a tactic that is standard to the hermitage heir, he relented his strength to make the sword fell for him to counter with a usual move, only to saw a fist on his peripheral vision heading straight toward the crown of his head.

Eyes wide, Gwendal swiftly ducks his head, the fist missing him entirely as sergeant will slipped and carrying his body uncontrollably as he is failing to get his bearings. It was a very close call, a millisecond away from connecting to him, in revelation Gwendal death glared but kept his composure as per his noble grace and teaching "You fight without honor…"

"And you are not effective" Will spoke as he stands and gained control of his slip "If you capitalize on that slip, I would've been knocked out on the ground"

"This is how you fight!?" Gwendal said with a soft and stern tone, like a falling sting of a high-speed object falling while aflame "beating down a losing opponent… cheap tricks and banditry? If you held a grudge against me, speak it"

Will scoffed on the proclamation, the interaction between the household and the UNSC are very much amiable, laughter and wonder all around as they exchange culture and power. But underneath lies a spiteful notion, the imprisonment by Gwendal and the treatment of the sergeant during such is not a secret news.

"How bout a bet" Will suggested "If me and my mates lose against you and your folks…" He steps closer towards Gwendal, trying to intimidate failingly as his head fell near the others neck. "You come down to our ship and we take you prisoner and not feed you for a week like a fucking dog how about that… see how you like it"

"Oh?" Gwendal spoke, tongue licking like snake underneath "Mayhaps if you land your ship properly and not abduct a child on your way in, perhaps there wouldn't be any hostility on our action, wouldn't that be right?"

"Just answer the fucking question you coward…"

"I accept" Gwendal let out with vitriol "Filth…"

These exchanges are made with a whisper, but from the predatory body language alone the atmosphere is clear. "It would seem this has taken into a personal level…" Dalt spoke, as he observes curiously. Orlo looks back towards the oncoming fight as his eyes narrowed, still he stood unblinking, wondering if he must break the inevitable crisis.

"Ricky, Dubois… on me" Will called out to his allies, two men of a similar stature as they stand and walks towards the ring where they will fight, confused on the development as they approach "we will be fighting together, lets show this bozo how we make the ground shake!"

"What!... sir, you serious!?"

"I fucking am…" He replied "Get that fucking sword on the ground!"

"Jesus, man. What the hell's goin on" Ricky enquired, his hidden face worried and anxious on the status at hand "Are we really doing this…"

"Fuck man, he took things personally again!" Dubois whispered loudly as he leans towards Ricky whilst walking towards the sword "Man… I'm really not looking forward on what the captain says when we're done here…"

"Won't be very long…" Ricky responded, his hands carrying the aforementioned sword as he swings to familiarize with it "The captains watching…". As he says, upward on the walls of the courtyard, Captain Gunner looks down. His face shielded by the rays of the sun.

"Horn dog is right…" Dubois said "I should've gone with Robby to that Hermitage place… now I have to take part in another fucking drama"

They both stand as sentinel behind the sergeant, taking their combat stance as similar as their master. Will looks back towards Gwendal, face contorted with pocketed anger for pass grudges. "Go on then, call your out-of-date fuck faces friends to you!" He shouted, venom and rancor voiced as clear as crystal. And within that moment every man of the UNSC recoiled and cringe from the declaration, both Dubois and Ricky paralyzed on their stand, no different than being terrifyingly mesmerized.

That statement snapped the threads of cordiality as fast as lightning strikes, the man-at-arms that surrounds them stands and widened their gaze with ire as the world around them seems to stood still, as if time itself is stunned by the change. Gwendal however, face impassive as before, looking on to his opponent with a look of disappointment.

Everything breaks loose as all Westerosi flocks shouted and raged on with the controversial circumstances, yelling profanities and proclaiming death sentence to the foreign entity that they surround themselves and themselves surrounding, some took up a sword the rest settled with vitriol words and cusses. The UNSC held up their weapons, confounded whether to pull the trigger or let the sleeping dogs lie. The higher officers however decide to calm their environments.

Hopeless it may be….

"That is enough…" Gwendal whispered loudly, and one man-at-arms heard his statement, like dominos the silent fell to them, as one man tell the other of the hermitage heirs expected assertion "Your move…" Gwendal said again towards his opponent, everyone is silent now seeing the fight is still coming on, some men of Starfall Urging loudly for their noble cousin to win "I stand alone…"

"Your call…" Will said, unbeknownst to the others of his nervous beating heart as he realizes of the conflict of his making, inevitable is the punishment the minute the captain hears of this, nothing less of court martial. Regardless he moves forward with his men, intending to finish the fight he started, even though his compatriots behind him lacks the spirit for a proper fight.

This time however, Gwendal strike first. His body lunged forward as it twisted for a stab upward from the waist up. Will saw the movement and lean his upper body back, barely dodging the swift movement much to his surprise. Unfortunately, Gwendal twist his wrist with a snap of a whip as the sword follow suit to smack will's face with flat side like disrespectful slap as he recovers and lean forward once more.

Will's helmet protected his face from the blunt force but it did not dissuade the impact that forced him to recoil sideways.

The revelation that for a moment the ODST sergeant is out of commission, Gwendal used his footing to turn his body and sword to strike at his nearest opponent, the sword slash it sideways in a horizontal motion and just like Will, Ricky Dodges the strike by leaning backwards though with a little step back.

Seeing that his friend is in danger, Dubois capitalized and do an overhead lunge towards Gwendal's head. Noticing this behind the locks that shielded the sun, the hermitage heir swings his sword upward and as it clashed with the others swing, he pushes it downward as his sword rest on the upper part of his opponent's blade, then Gwendal swing upward towards the undefended visor of the ODST Dubois.

Wide eyed, Dubois noticed the blade too late as it scrapped his visor and he also recoiled back same as will did with the attack. Not having a moment to stop, Gwendal carried the momentum and twist his body to make a fast and strong swing towards Ricky once more. Fortunately, the man, read the movement well and blocked it immediately, though sparks fly from the collide, shocking the ODST with how weighted the impact is.

For a whole second, Ricky is the hermitage heir's dancing partner. As he swings and flick every opening he got. Every strike betrays its true power, looking as if it would be an ant bite whilst it actually feels like a dragon's crunch. "FUCK!" Ricky thought as he flinched with every hit taken "I'm wearing armor for fucks sake, its not supposed to be this painful!"

Due to the plates that he wore, ODST Ricky would have nothing more than a bruise, but the very fact that he actually felt it brings anxiousness to his already faltering form. Will saw that his compatriot having difficulties to defend, jump right in to the fray. Stopping the barrage of punishments from persisting on.

But they do not know how a Dayne fight, how they move with their sword's que and sign…

Gwendal block three strikes from Will and swing back to Ricky's hand before he can get the momentum.

Gwendal swiftly countered Dubois swing and hit him with the pommel of his sword, blocking another two strikes from Will, he immediately strikes Ricky again on the knees, breaking the man's form.

Will intend to flank him as he moves towards Gwendal's back, the heir of Hermitage saw this, blocks his overhead and push him with the interlocking sword to his front and ensuring all three ODST is in a line where he can see.

Dubois swings his sword without elegant but with all the brutality one would expect from a rabid bear, it was controlled, ideal yet still feral but predictable, though if it hit a man, death would be ensured. Quite unfortunate for him Gwendal dodges every swing.

In the midst of that, Ricky tried to stand again… Gwendal ducked from Dubois swing and use the movement to hit Ricky on the head with the flat side. His down again.

"Again… Predictable…" Gwendal said as he saw a diagonal swing from the sergeant of the ODST, blocked it downward and swing his sword upward to meet it with his chin, Will moves backward once more.

On that time however, Dubois wanted to move forward again, as he turns his face towards his opponent though… a sword stab struck again on the middle of his visor, punting him backwards.

Frustrated with the moment, Gwendal swings with one hand with a little more force than before. Will saw this and blocked it, but the impact is too powerful and he hit himself with his own sword as Gwendal's push it right on his face. He slipped and fell down again. Will is incapacitated.

Ricky manages to stand, but as he recovered his vision, he saw that both of his mates are sprawled on the ground writhing in pain. When he looks towards his Dayne opponent, a tip of the sword wrung closely to his neck, eyes narrowed and mouth unseen, Gwendal adorned a smug look to dare the lone ODST.

Shaking his head on the circumstances, Ricky he relented and drop his sword on the ground, eyes looking down as well, despondent on the result of the battle.

And just in a moment… everything is silent, excluding Will's and Dubois grunts of pain.

Every man of the Westerosi and UNSC looked on in awe, they expected a bout of greatness but this… many thoughts swirled that cavalcade of the same matter, from both sides of the party.

"Holy shit… that is how a Dayne fight!?"

"That was to many swings in less than a second…"

"Fuck… so what I saw when lord Dayne fought the Golem in the ship… that wasn't an illusion…"

"If I could only be a quarter that good…"

"What sort of blood flows through them to be this monstrous…"

"Jesus' fucking Christ…"

"No way… three ODSTs… his not even sweating!"

Will as he writhe on the ground, shell shocked by his defeat. Even now he feels the shame, as his training merely resulted to be put as an example in front of both his flock and their feudal counterparts. Even now the sounds of disappointment from his superiors and fellow brothers alike converging onto his features. He even contemplating death is a better alternative to the result of his blunders now.

"Come on, sarge… let's get out of here" Ricky said, as he lifts him up and walk away with Dubois in tow. He passes through both Westerosi who spit on the step he takes and his fellow UNSC personnel's who can't even bear looking at him. He wonders, if he compromised the planning the top has made on this endeavor, a thought that comes with a short span, as in time he walks dejected with nothing in his mind.

Gwendal however, bolstered with the victory stand upright like a sword well forged. He did not move from he stood in his victory, merely turns his back on his defeated foes. A play of intrigue, to signal the waste that is his opponent.

In heart and honor though, he bears no hate on the people of the UNSC. Over all the strength he respected and the advancements they have gave to the people of Starfall and Dayne alike, Gwendal actually have more than a modicum of respect over their presence here. Some of the settlements, walls and forts now have steel walls. They have created a mining post on the near mountains, equipping the Dayne's and their man with steel of great making and materials and teachings that would bode them well in the coming future.

He is of the curious lad, the magics and wonders these heavenly people have bring have been nothing more than miraculous. They even share foods and other rations, resources that the Dornish marshes and the red mountains fail to bring, in that he is more than grateful, and he wonders the wide shock eyes of the rest of the Kingdoms the moment they hear of their ascension.

He only knows the minimum in hindsight regarding their arrival here, an escape from their world destroyed by a sort of "Disaster", other than that they all proof intangible. Nevertheless, he looks forward in adopting most of their magic, especially the weapons they hold. The Dayne are of a warrior clan, to be mighty in battle is to be their livelihood.

But sergeant Will is of the Queer sort, ever since his release from Gwendal's custody he moves with a twist on his shoulders, as if he sees enemy in every move a fellow Westerosi make. Lieutenant Julian however bears no grudges of the sort, though a superior individual like he has been given much more accommodating confinement as oppose to the Sergeant.

It is of no matter to him, as he walks forward towards his respite. The day have done nothing but improve his swordsmanship and peaked his ego, a good rest would be the final activity that would completely make his day. That is of course… until a man decided to interrupt.

"I… uhh… Good evening, sir" a man said beside Gwendal, he turns his head to see a gray-haired man, an elderly one… but one with a figure of a commander, tall and lean "I'm sergeant major Ronald of the UNSC" He says "I would like to apologize for my man's act towards you, he is greatly distressed for… recent actions, as we all like to believe. I hope this doesn't compromise any of our dealings"

"You will hear no conflict from me Sir…" Gwendal said "But bear in mind the discipline of your man for now on… I'm not one to delegate blame…" he looked behind the Sergeant majors' shoulder "but they are of another thing entirely" Gwendal said, pointing at the congregate of knights and UNSC, half way on warfare.

"I'm sure… if there is anything we can do to reme-" before the man could finish his words another booming voice cut him of the railing.

"That was a great fight!" The shout heard through the walls "how about you take me on!" it continued, and if Gwendal is mistaken that sounds like…

A woman!?...

And there she stands, six and half foot tall. Just slightly taller than Gwendal, the latter's eyes reaching only the bridge of her nose. "Who are you this time?" Gwendal stared wide eyed in bewilderment, trying to ensure that he did not just mistake a woman to challenge him to a bout.

She wore an armor that can only be judge as outstandingly robust and lean, as if it has been created or be born with the wearer intact with it, from what he sees right now, the plates and folding of it fit the lean body well but should have been compromised by the sheer weight of it. yet… she moves with refinement within it, as if she is not wearing armor at all, one foot step over the other in line like she is walking on top of a small pipe.

She took off the helmet to reveal a blonde dame, with eyes that glows pale blue, a dark red lip that is full and begging to be eaten. Everyone is struck by the event again. A face so refined like a warrior but still retaining a feature of a sweetheart, by the second the protest of all men is dispersing to instead attend to this woman that stands taller than all men here and around. Even with her armored suit, the man-at-arms cannot help but be lewd on their mind still, some of their predatory faces does not help their cases well.

"I gotta say, you move well for a pretty boy…" She said, smiling with a conceited look. Gwendal cringed on this, seemingly uncertain what to feel "I'm interested… try not to disappoint me yeah?".

"I won't partake in this madness…" Gwendal said, a second away from walking away until…

"Hey… If you don't have what it takes, I understand, guess you just like to fight the scraps right…" She speaks with insult, head tilting to emphasize on her arrogance. Gwendal stands petrified on the declaration, glaring deathly towards the blonde dame. As they speak, the sergeant major whispered incredulously towards the woman, hands behind his back, Gwendal are uncertain to what is it they speak of.

But it seems the blonde dame has no interest to listening to what he has to say "Don't worry sarge" She said, the only words Gwendal can hear on their conversation "you said, we have an image to maintain yeah? I got this…" The sergeant major sighed shaking his head, and promptly left the premise.

"So, are you in or what?" She asked, every man, woman of servant, knights and ladies alike look upon him for an answer. Expectations of greatness now leaned on his shoulders; Gwendal can only make one statement on this particular event before dishonoring himself.

"You are a woman…" Gwendal said, the Westerosi flock gave no expression, but all the UNSC ones have a warning look, as if they understand and shelter themselves for what comes next "A woman is not of battle, it would be dishonorable to fight you" and just like that every uniform that bears a symbol of an eagle holding a lightning wince from the statement, as if they are expecting a storm to smash through the earth.

The blonde woman laughed and looked to the ground with a vain expression as she lay her hands on her hip, a click of her tongue can be heard before she responded with blatant contempt "I guess… if you are not man enough… I understand, I don't really think you have what it takes to handle me anyway. Much less any woman…"

This time it is the Westerosi side that recoiled, some closed their eyes for the inevitable clash, others gaze on with anticipation of what is to come. Though everyone of such flocks already realized the coming gale, to give such an insult to a noble is not without consequences.

Gwendal inhaled before he makes his choice… a choice that is clear for all to make. He unsheathes his sword once more, walked back towards the fighting area and put the tip of his sword to the ground as he lay his hands on the hilt in resting. In mind he is frustrated on what has occurred, in one hand he needs to protect his families honor, in another he is to fight a woman. The Dilemma is palpable.

"That's what I'm talking about… Don't worry kid…" She said, the moniker twists the hermitage heir anger two-fold "I won't go to hard…"

"DINH!" She yelled, and in a moment someone else appeared from the rays of the sun. Another warrior like her, with the same majesty of an armor she wore "come over here for a second! Take this Mjolnir off me, for a second"

With a sigh the other outrageously armored men approached her, standing slightly taller than his partner. With a press of a couple of buttons, the sound of wind and steam took of from the back of her armor as it spired open to eject the full figure of a woman out of it, wearing a suit so tight she might as well wear none at all.

But the preparation did not stop there… she unzipped the suit she wore, revealing herself with only an undershirt that only covers her chest and upper back with her midriff, arms and shoulders lay in the open and a bottom wear that stops only at the bottom of her buttocks, with its remarkable fullness essentially bare for all to see. Each of this attire is as tight as the suit before it, her figure is as willowy as much as it is muscled.

Gwendal gawked at the view; the blonde dame figure is no less of an Elite peak of humanity. Her shoulders, arm and hands are broad and extraordinarily muscular, her core and body are as tight as it is defined, especially the thickness of her legs, one could shred meat on her stomach, but even with all that it still curves as right as any woman should… or what a woman should aspire to be as Gwendal thought. Her breast seems to be begging to spill and flop out as the cleavage suggest, but the small tight shirt or tunic gave them no chances to escape.

Her blonde hair fell straight backwards onto her back, divine and radiant like wings…

The very fact that she stood there, unashamed and half naked as she taunts him on is a gargantuan shock for everyone, some of the knight almost feint. Even the UNSCs are petrified with the view. No one expected a pseudo lascivious activity on this shocking day!

"Damnit… you don't have to take off the exo-suit" the one named Dinh said, looking away.

"The Exo stuff has augmentations too, pal. Gotta gives the kid a chance…" she replied

Dinh looks towards the Blonde Dayne that is her opponent, looking at him up and down like a judging titan before he spoke again "Don't hit him too hard, he actually looks prettier than you"

"Oh, shut the fuck up" She replied "Fuck it's been so long since I came out of that god damn armor…" She continues to say as she stretches her body upwards, refining the tightness and arc of her body… Some men are drooling now…

Even Deziel and Orlo are flabbergasted with the progress of this situation… confused on how to end this if matters gone crooked. "Orlo…" Dalt called out. "Perhaps we should see what she has to give…" Orlo replied eyes wide open and still, Deziel rolled his eyes as he can guess where the Master-at-arms is looking.

"The name's Sigrid by the way…" she said, jumping up and down as she limbered her body, Gwendal stand there looking stunned as before, gawking at her movement "Wake up kid…"

The blonde Dayne shakes his head lightly and closed his mouth "I'm not a!-" He inhaled and spoke softly and colly "I am Gwendal…"

"Yeah, I get that…" She responded, finishing up on her stretches much to most of the audience dismay, with a sword in hand and the other on her hip "you want to go first?"

Gwendal took his stance, one thing common sense can realize… is that the woman is accepted by the UNSC as a warrior, and considering her flocks reaction on her entrance she is of the top and dangerous sort. Essos, Dorne and even the north has woman that lived their lives as warriors, it stands to reason some of them would reach the peak of warfare, the ancient Migrating Rhoynar are already prove of that. Not taking any chances, he falls to his teaching and plans to take this combat seriously.

"Alright then…" she said, preparing to charge "My move…"

It was a close one, Gwendal barely hold the weight of her powerful clash, she moves like an impatient cloud, different places in every moment and second, he did not think that she could move this recklessly so he let his guard down. But instinct take the place of what should be his conscious mind, and his body goes off on its own, barely blocking the strikes that she gave though still looking as deftly as ever.

"Wow… you actually blocked that" She said, brows high up as she looked impress "Don't worry that's just a warm up"

"What…" every second there is always something that catch him of guard, Gwendal tightened his body now, eyes focus like a hawk with a Myrish eye glass and footing as solid as it could be. If what she says is true, then withholding is a mistake most true.

True as the sun that brings the light, Sigrid charge forward with fleeting speed that wind and thunder would be a jealous of. Again… Gwendal barely picked up on her movement, but fighting instinct honed by his uncle Erick and his father took its place on pacing himself.

Sigrid moved to the left, Gwendal saw her footing and yet did not see her sword. "She's going overhead!" he immediately swings his sword up, it clashed as sparks flew from the collide.

"Don't wait!" Gwendal's father Galad shouted, as his seven-year-old body sprawled on the ground "Every strike needs a sacrifice! It is the way of life, even the sword… you cannot make a move without disregarding other path ways… see it through, strike and shield at the same time, there is always an opening!"

Pushing Sigrid's blade away, Gwendal swiftly stride forward with his footing and use his chance to strike his sword with the momentum from his previous movements, following the command of his body, sword and teachings.

Sigrid however lazily dodges his movement by ducking and swiftly move behind Gwendal's back, gliding like snow on leave. Every audience cannot even comprehend her movement, for Gwendal however, he manages to see her move passed him, quite unfortunate he cannot turn his body towards just as quick as she is…

"Why did you freeze!?" Erick shouted, looking down to the small form of Gwendal "did you saw what happened? Did you feel that sting where I hit you?! On your chest!? Do you know whose fault is that?!... PICK UP YOUR SWORD!" as the young hermitage heir listened and obeyed, Erick moved closer to his face "Listen to me!" he whispered, voice as stern as the words that comes "a body unmoving is a dead one… to live you must keep moving, every action taken is an action that could decide if you are a corpse or otherwise!"

Erick grasps his young cousin's shoulder "always take action you hear me… as long as you can move you have a chance to make every thing better…" He says, his sword pointing towards Gwendal "DO NOT FREEZE! If you're blind hear where they are! If you are deaf look through the shadows, whatever you do, ALWAYS take action, ALWAYS move!" Words repeated and lesson heeded well

"DO NOT FREEZE!"

Gwendal's body maybe outclassed by the speed Sigrid shown, it is too late to twist his body nor does he believe he can match her strides… but his arms have a chance. With one quick movement he jumped forward away from Sigrid and moved his arm upward above his head while twisting his hand to shield his back with the sword that stays diagonally behind him.

With the opening gone, the blonde dame's sword collided with his blade instead of his spine, and with a deft Gwendal twist his foot and turns his body with the swing of his sword, and once again their sword interlock.

Sigrid however did not even budge with the clash… her body still as a statue, as if the sword is just the passing wind.

Gwendal followed through with a series of slashes and Sigrid matched each one, the most infuriating part is she still unmoving with only her one arm doing the work, smiling as she stood there. Frustrated and angered, both hands come into the hilt and Gwendal swings an overhead one as well, this time however…

Sigrid shifted ever so slightly…

"Oh fuck… alright" Sigrid nods his head, "Yeah, ok kid… ok" her smile turns voracious, nothing less than cannibalistic "Hands on kid… let's see what you can do, I'm going full frontal!"

There is no swift charge now… no speed of the gale or tactical movements. She moves forward like an army toppling a castle through sheer force. In less than a second, Gwendal realized what she planned to do. "She's… she's going all in now…"

She reaches the striking distance, and proceed to swing with Real Impact. The velocity is unreal, all of the observers this time saw where she moved, but the way the wind dispersed with her movement… the way her sword make a path through the atmosphere… it seems even gravity do not want anything to do with her.

Gwendal met her every strike… but every hit vibrates his arms, his eyes shakes as if the earth quakes. His breathing goes haggard now, with each clashing steel taking away every air in his body bit by bit until he is left with nothing but a squeal on his throat…

"Got you now!" She exclaimed, swinging down onto Gwendal's scalp

The hermitage heir raised up to meet her…

"Why are you holding it like that!?" Galad asked, looking upon his bended over son as the young Hermitage Heir is holding the log where his spine is "You confounding fool! That is not how you hold that thing!" He says, lifting up the giant log and putting it on top of Gwendal's shoulder with ease that the young heir is perplexed to where his father has found such strength. "Your body is in pain… you feel the sore that is unnatural in and out of your body… do NOT fight against that. There will be time where such things are necessary, but if you can help it… Do not fight it! work with it"

"You have no idea how much your body understands itself… when its in pain you need to either find a way around… or train the weaknesses away, you understand!" Galad lifted his own log thrice bigger than his progeny on his shoulders as both father and son walk up of the stair in different strains. "They always say that skill matters more than power… or spoken otherwise of those… they are wrong" He said, the log on his shoulder do not move at all as if it's a part of him "they think those are anathema of each other… but skills mean nothing when you not have the weight to make it true… Gwendal" For a moment the young heir stop moving and look up to his father"

"You may not realize it now or perhaps not realize as much as I need you to be… but you are responsible for more than your own life…" His father turns towards him as his eyes met him with attention unmatched "you will make choices someday, and it will be a decision that it will not only affect yourself… but also your family and subjects… make the wrong decisions or having no strength to make the right one will not only cost you, but your closes one as well"

"I wonder… when such time comes… do you have the power to save everyone you need to save? To appease to everyone that owe themselves to you or you them? I hope so… for now, believe that moving forward is not enough…

You need to also make the right steps!"

it won't be enough to blocked it head on, so Gwendal make a move and stride to the left while holding his sword upright albeit tilted downward. The motion work, as Sigrid's blade instead of giving the full brunt of weight against Gwendal's body, it instead slides downward of his sword, putting away the force to the wind.

Once again capitalizing on the chance, he twists his body right and slashed horizontally towards her. Sigrid did not seem to be surprised by his movement and merely lean his torso back lazily, dodging his blade perfectly, again she swings while his in motion.

But Gwendal learned to kept his body moving as instead of stopping to make another move, he followed the impetus of his actions. Putting his left foot back and right forward, he ducks and swerve from the swing, making sure that the blade clash and slide once again, like a sunshine that set and rise in a matter of seconds.

These exchanges are on repeat for more than a minute, as the Dayne kept up with her, whilst she looked on looking somewhat confused and mildly attentive on the combat. Deziel watches on with bewildered eyes, he even notices the result of their footing…

Sigrid's ground shakes with each step that she took…

But everywhere Gwendal step, therein lies a crack on the floor… albeit everywhere the Woman manage to hit her weight to his body.

"This is unreal…" Deziel thought, the man and woman of the UNSC is to be expected to be of the unnatural, but no one expects a line of Dayne to be this good in battle. They heard of their prowess, but more often they are assumed to be exaggerated, no man or woman should be this powerful, but the entities fighting in front of him breaks every paradigm that he knows… he expected them good, but not this inhumanly…

He looks around to everyone that are observing, most men and woman that are watching are in awe with the fight but more so to the one they call Sigrid… almost none of them are shocked with Gwendal's prowess, and those that are, are folks that are new to Starfall "Are they hiding this!?..." Deziel thought "it seems both UNSC and Dayne's need to be questioned"

None, and he means none of anyone outside of Starfall and Hermitage talks regarding the Dayne's level of swordsmanship and fighting capability as much as what is shown in front of him right now… as of what he observed, Gwendal is just as unearthly as the other parties. Yet another thought went into the lemonwoods head.

"But… He is not the Sword of the Morning…" Dalt looks towards the Palestone sword, where a silhouette looks down behind the shadows of dusk "I wonder…" Dalt asked inward. A pale glow of milk snip within a blink on the tower's window.

Sergeant major Ronald looked on as his body freeze, enthralled by what he is seeing "His keeping up…" He thought "The fucking kid is actually keeping up with a SPARTAN-IV…". Though Sigrid is in all intents and purposes greatly holding back and without her Mjolnir, there is nary a sweat or a sign of any fatigue from the Spartan, in fact she looks quite content with her opponent, like finding her own toy she could actually play with.

But the level of strength she uses right now… the intensity of her movement, though far from her true effectiveness is not how much he expects for her to use against an un-augmented human being, especially ones they found on an essentially primitive tier civilization. His eyes fall towards the hermitage Heir, wondering and analyzing his figure. "Something is different… his not fully… normal" He thought.

He recalled the fact that another Spartan fought against another Dayne before, Erick Dayne, the official lord of this land. There is a footage of the fight but he did not bother watching in consideration of the time, now in hindsight however. "I need to find Fred…" he walks away, vision still lingering in and out of the bout.

The fight goes on for Gwendal and Sigrid… Until on one move, Sigrid actually makes a large opening. "This is a trap…" Gwendal thought "It is too good to be true… but…" He saw it, the small glance the blonde dame made in her strikes shows that every move he made, she will always see and read, then what makes this one so different…

Gwendal moves in to strike…

He is suffocating, Gwendal feels his rib aching from the strike he taken "You could've gotten me…" Erick said, standing upright to his full height "you could have hurt me if you just… force your way in…" Erick knelt beside Gwendal's faltering form, sighing as both man and an eight-year-old boy look on to the mountains "it is terrifying, isn't it? making choices when the pain is inevitable… I understand, I sometime recoil if I thought there will be punishment on my action as well" Erick pats his cousin on the back…

"I hope in the future there will be no incident that led to you forcing yourself to a happening beyond what you can take… but man with power such as us are rarely far from such proceedings… when it came, sometimes the only thing you can do is force your way through…" He stands again with a sword in hand "Which is why you are here… stand…

FIGHT

Sigrid read him well and sigh on his actions, thinking he made the wrong move. She swung her sword to his chest, the thump is loud, like a ring of bells. But Gwendal push on through, a drool escapes his lips from the hit, it was the greatest impact that Gwendal ever felt.

He swings the sword, both hands as the wind was also cut through the blunted steel…

And the clash of steel to flesh is heard…

And Everyone froze…

Sigrid's body did not move from where she stood, but her face did…

And she spat the blood inside her mouth to the floor…

"FIRST BLOOD!" Someone shouted, but other than that nobody moved a muscle and voicing themselves. UNSC and Westerosi alike frozen in the perplexing of the event. They all locked to both fighters, star-stricken and bright.

Sigrid looks back to her opponent, her face clean and clear as if no one has ever hit her sweet and defined face, but some of the stain of blood is there, clear for all to notice if they look closely. "Nice work" She whispered, and she move to hit once more…

"By all the old gods and the new…" Gwendal thought "I fucking tried damnit!" whatever bearings he has, he took what he can get and rise up to meet her once more. Her figure however is unscathed and without sweat and fatigue. No sign of weariness or haggard on her breath, Gwendal questioned what kind of training she had that beckoned so much power…

The blade met…

The grounds shake…

And Gwendal's knees shaken to the core…

And everyone felt it…

Sigrid stare at him, both eyes met each other with gaze of fascination. Gwendal could've sworn that her eyes actually shine like a star, or perhaps the fatigue is coming onto him to hard. Their sword not even connected anymore and they just stand there looking to each other. The sweat underneath is starting to irritate him, and the minute the fight stops, he is sure he will fall and faint.

Until someone yelled…

"THE SPAR IS OVER!" Orlo shouted from the sideline "HAIL! LADY SIGRID AND LORD GWENDAL!"

For a couple of seconds, there was only silent. And then all men and women of all bearing looked to each other in amazement and promptly cheered with spirit that crowns through like a comet that sliced the night sky. The dusk gave orange warm to the castle and its surrounding, making way for cheerful and soothing air.

"Best Fight I ever saw!"

"I have goosebumps for fucks sake!"

"The Seat of Hermitage is true!"

"He deserved Valyrian Steel!"

"WOOOOO!"

"Worthy of Legends!"

Cavalcades of voices from all party's cheer on, Gwendal forgot his pain for such moments and smiled for the event. Every clap and praise he took with delight, this will do good for his repute, ever closer to knighthood as this deed and prowess can take him. All the dismay from the bout of the ODST is gone, replaced by the merry worth of the fight between the unnatural.

Even the settlements and villages outside of Starfall heard the booming cheer like a wave of delighted warfare has graces the skies. The morale of the people has never been so high.

Though the flocks of both the Westerosi and of the UNSC are as spirited they are in their hearts as much as they do on their groin, to find the blonde warrior woman as voluptuous as she is powerful makes for a joyous occasion and view that dispersed the unwanted hostile air of yore.

"Come My lord" Orlo said, grabbing the Hermitage Heir by the shoulder as he led him on further to Castle ground "We need to take a look at you, make sure nothing is of the urgent kind…" but before they can walk on, the blonde dame decides to call him out on his way…

"Hey!" She shouted lightly; they stare awkwardly until she voices her thoughts "That was amazing… you're pretty good"

She walks away with confounding mannerism, her upper body statured with a momentous of command and battle whilst her hips sway that invites romantic pursuit at its peak.

Gwendal chuckled and shakes his head "You too…" Orlo did not give them a chance for further interaction as he practically force him to keep pace "Calm yourself Ser, I am well…"

"Are you now?"

"I like to believe so…" Gwendal said, as they arrive on the Garden near the Maester's office, a place where only the household can follow. The place is comfortable and without noise except for the gawks of seagulls and chirping of birds.

"Wait here young lord… I'll go get the Maester, we have much to speak about" Orlo informed him, walking away with urgent stride. As he is gone Gwendal thought of the fight that just occurred, it was the hardest bout he has ever partaken, the last he reached this level of exhaustion was when he fought Erick three years ago, and he was twelve years of age then. Everything that happens after there were multitudes of struggle, but nothing that would beg him for rest such as this one…

Each one of those times, Gwendal can always adapt… but this…

She thought back to the one they call Sigrid, her moves as without fault and controlled as a congregate of masters combined into one, this is without mentioning her speed and strength that rivaled legends of yore, Gwendal believed no human other than Erick and his old father can move inhumanly like that and unbeknownst to him, many men thought Gwendal is rivaling his father already.

But what Sigrid can do, it was outrageous… and Gwendal can't help but be curious on what she her full ability is, considering she held back, that much is clear.

Suddenly his thought fell to the way Sigrid sway her hips as she walks away…

"I just need some rest…" Gwendal whispered as he flees from the premise, completely disregarding Orlo's instruction. "Getting some sleep and bathe would swat away my dishonorable thoughts…"

Meanwhile, Sigrid is walking back to familiar territory. Passing multitudes of individuals who are still cheering her on and praising her, the noises are annoying but to do anything to disrupt a very good symbiotic mutualism at a time like this is bad for the public, especially considering the ODSTs action not long ago.

Her arrival to where her Mjolnir is surrounded by nonchalant parties though, sergeant major Roland and Spartan Dinh looked on with the former hands on his back and the latter lazily and redundantly cleaning his unused combat knife, she can imagine the berating she'll get for disobeying direct order from a superior.

"Had fun? Spartan Eklund?" Sergeant Roland asked rhetorically, eyes as impassive as ever, no emotion gave away.

"Sorry sir… things are going hot before I came in, thought I maintain our image and do a PR stunt" She answered sheepishly. "Couldn't hurt using some discretion, yeah?"

The sergeant sigh and relented most of his criticization, considering the parades of snapping social threads between the UNSC and natives are at play moments ago does not bode well for their relations, further Discipline of the ODSTs are necessary now. Incidents like this can't be shelfed bearing in mind present conditions.

He looks back towards the Spartan "Next time you want to go out on the chain line like that, Eklund… try to STAY in your armor. We don't need to see your sports bra!" He huffed "Now come on, there are new assignments for you, we're briefing on our way in"

She scratches her scalp all awkward like and end it with a shrug to his fellow spartan, Dinh merely shakes his head and state "Just go back to your armor, for heaven's sake…"

She chuckled before putting on her exo suit and entered her Mjolnir once again, much to the dismay of the small folks around. Yet the day is saved for all people from all bearings, for the time being… rotten threads have been cast away.

"Still… very nice work Spartan" the Sergeant said "The Captain and the Local Lord was also watching back there, in case you didn't know… what the ODST did is disgraceful, I'm sure his group felt the same way about him as well… I'm sure the captain may have some words with you after all this"

Then Sigrid Cringed, whatever he meant it would probably end with more assignments for her. Usually, Personnel that have contacted more with the locals is given more mission than the other ones in Alexandria. She can only hope its not paperwork or some menial tasks below her paygrade…

"Of course, sir…"

---

Starfall Palestone Tower – an hour before Gwendal's fight

Together they sat on the two seats that is shadowed by the ray of dusks from the window. Gedric and his father did not disturb the silence in any kind, looking on to his elders exhausted look, the young heir of Starfall did not want to impede his brief respite regardless of his impatience.

Courtesy of the Redwynes, Erick opened a bottle and pour the illustrious wine onto his glass cup. He relished on the way it shines on the light, the way it gave of a set of tentacled set of radiance is no less mesmeric, it would taste ever sweeter when it touches his buds. And with a sip his body soothed and calmed from the sweetness, wrapping his body with an embrace that reminds him of his wife.

"One day when you're older, I'll let you have a taste" he said to his son, smiling like everything is well in life, Erick leans back to his seat as he let the drink work its way to calm his nerves. The conversation he is supposed to make with Gedric is supposed to be done in his son's room, where both him and his wife can tutor him on what has befallen unto the family, on the insinuation on what he can do.

Unfortunately, as he arrived onto his previous destination, he found his wife sleeping peacefully as her body sprawled on his son's bed like a garden of stars as the shadows complimented her figure, Gedric however is found on the other side of the room. Curious with his brother as they playfully examine each other with fascination, the giggle of his newborn and the smile of his first makes the whole day wholesome for all the complication it has.

Still… it was a worrying thought for a second before, to see Gedric interacting directly with his brother knowing the incidents that have occurred on his firstborn newfound strength. It was a terror unfounded, as he saw no scar or any kind of sign of incidental injuries, it seems perhaps his wife is right, the body knows what the heart wants in the time most sincere.

"How Drool…" he thought with a chuckle, for all her wisdoms in intrigue, in time she finds her naivety as surprising as it is adorably tacky. Still, he left his wife to her slumber and he gave Gawain to the nurse maids, fortunately the young babe is already elated and exhausted from his interaction with his family and finds respite with his new company.

Thus, both father and firstborn find their way to his office at the Palestone sword where they could talk unbothered to others and otherwise. The Seven knows his wife needs all the rest she can get, and Gedric enthusiastically agreed.

"It was unfair what has happened to you…" Erick started speaking, his words are soft like a loud whisper, the wine has done its job well "I remember when I was your age, I did nothing but a bane to your grandfathers and mothers… I jumped from rooftops to rooftops beneath the settlement of Starfall, much to my mother's dismay…"

Gedric heed on and listen as his legs sway beneath the large chair, a while ago his small stature would be succumbed to the chairs softness but his growth these last few months has mitigated it a small bit. "I could imagine the restlessness you have, coup in that room after so long, regardless of its width and length… your mother and passing servants have told me there has been disorderly noises within it these last few weeks…"

"Fathe-"

"Not yet, Gedric"

An order that came with an unargumentative tone, Gedric look down in childish shame as his father perceive his small figure with lazy but frustrated eyes "I can understand the confinement will do you no good, especially for your growth. That is why I will allow you to leave your room" though their eyes do not meet, the widened beam of the firstborn eyes is visible from the eye lash that Erick observed "But you will be accompanied by guardians to watch over you, in case there are… incidents of the unusual kind"

Gedric exhaled a tired breath that are tight in his throat. He looks to his father with twitching lips, the words on the edge of seeping from his tongue. "Go on, I'll allow it" Erick stated, eyes half-closed as his hands entwined between each other's fingers.

"Can I go outside of Starfall?" Gedric enquired, his cheeks puffed red expecting an unsatisfactory answer.

"You want to go outside of Starfall…" Erick repeated the notion, with bewildered expression "You have no wish before to escape this castle unless you want to go to the courtyard to train… what interest you have now with the outside?"

Gedric inhaled any breath he can take before speaking with an almost unnoticeable quivering voice "So I can learn what my subjects is like… so I can know my people and how they work on my lands, so I can be a good lord!" He answered, visibly wincing to his own statements.

Erick listened with a humorous smile on his face and without a second to waste he smothered his inevitable laughter to a short chuckle that almost to be mistaken for a snort "And perhaps you wish to give to the poor and sing a harp to the people as well…" He continues to say, with every word his tone jumbled with escaping gasp of laughter

"What…" Gedric comprehending that his elder is not taking him seriously seethe red with fury and embarrassment "I- I DO CARE FOR MY PEOPLE!" he spoke with sterner voice that has been betrayed by his high squeal adolescent tone.

"Peace boy, calm yourself…" Erick said with a smile "I Don't doubt its sincerity, it is the words you use…" He only gave a grin this time, as he sips another taste of his wine "What else did your mother told you to say?"

"Mother did not-"

"Don't lie"

Gedric sigh, his delivery is wanting and terribly humiliating in hindsight. He never had chance to develop his words well from his mother's suggestion, his calling lies elsewhere. "That I need to live like a child… that it is of the importance that I learn all lordly duties outside of Starfall, for the future of our house…" He said "But I'm not a child! I'm big enough to fight the older squires now!"

"We'll get to that regard later…" Erick said, he closes his eyes as he speaks, the relaxation though does not dissipate the discipline "You need to learn to control yourself first. Thus, you will have your sword, BUT there will be no spar…"

"Urghh…"

"Unless you want to sta-"

"No! I agree with it, father I…" The boy looks down dejected "I'll follow your commands…"

Erick rubs his son's hair, eyes still closed. The firstborn accepted the gesture delightfully, acquiring comfort from his father wherever they lie. Erick still feels surreal as ever as he watches his son grow these last few months from his thigh height to his waist, so easily now he can reach his hair.

"Wait!" Gedric said "Mother told me to tell you something…"

"And?"

"She said I need to visit the Gods wood on the west of Starfall!"

And with the spoken word, Erick eyes jolted wide. Gedric lean back in surprise from his father's sudden movements, the artificial light given by the UNSC that lay on his desk that tempered warmly on orange hue, hides the other half of Erick's Facial features on where he sits, the enigma in which becomes him as the atmosphere manage to return him to his standard cool.

"Ah… the Godswood" Erick whispered, a smile crept on his face, with Gedric awfully worried on the implication of this development "Your mother is a very smart woman, do you know that?" He says, a fire that coiled in his eyes summoned as he lay down his wine, the second he finds his spirit on recalled memory.

"I found myself paltry against her intrigue, do realize that some of our riches on this forsaken land have been procured by not only yours truly but your mother's silver tongue…" He shakes his head with subtle approval "the marshes that lies between the Red Mountain gave little means to life and to live, though it is blessed compared to the deadly dune of the east… though our house is far from insolvency, what she gave has raised us enough for the HighTower's to approve"

He chuckled lightly as he leans back with both hands on his chest, forgetting himself on the moment of discipline "You would do well to learn from your mother as well, Gedric… her principles in life would come greatly on the ways of the warrior we both truly seek. In time, she and I will teach you the same as well, as she did me…"

Gedric however stuck paralyzed on his figure as he observes the demeanor of his elder, greatly changed from the typical in which he carried, surreal as a moon be cleaved. Bewilderment came as well, as his father speaks in manners befitting a romantic that only serve to beckons his son's curiosity as equal to his confusion.

"Father?" Gedric called out "Are you well?"

"More than well…" he says "When the time comes you leave for Godswood, I shall be there as well…" He spoke, A gleam appeared on his armor as the ray of the setting sun clashed with the hue of the UNSC given light.

"We Will!?" Gedric leaned forward from his sit, barely containing his energy.

"You will be guarded by two" Erick said "Your cousin Gwendal…"

Gedric eyes lit up with the name

"And the one they call Frederick…"

"Huh?" the latter only invites stupefaction before Gedric, as he still himself to urge recollection with his eyes tightening to aid his mental process.

"You do not know him Gedric…" The Father says "But he is of the same circumstances as you… he is a Spartan as well, of a different sort…"

Gedric expression came shaken with the word that spew from his senior's tongue…

"Speaking of which…" Erick took a sip once more from the wine, though the spirit still lingers on his frame "Let us speak of that matter… tell me what you know of being a Spartan is?"

---

The Hangar withing The Ship 'Light of Alexandria'

Julian awaits on the side of the hangar, near the blue gate that guards the entrance from unwanted visitors, watching over the engineers working and recovering any piece and equipment that goes awry on the dark days of landing.

From where he is stationed as of now there are only less than a dozen aircrafts of various calling, Pelican, Heron all the way to the Condor and numerous 'Sword' designated flying machines. He found relative safety in conscious on their existence before him, knowing that they have the necessary firepower needed if matters happen to downpour onto resentment against the Locals.

His stupor and outpost however have dispersed due to the sounds of heavy footsteps that are sounding louder for every second of his perception, Julian looks behind from he stands to find two Super soldiers gracing his view with their unnaturally gigantic metaphoric presence.

"Spartan Eklund sir, ready for duty"

"Spartan Dinh sir, ready for action"

The lieutenant smiled on their unconcerned tone of status report, finding the unwinding atmosphere of how the two Spartan carried themselves to be very much gladdening. "I've heard you've been making a name for yourself outside on Starfall Eklund" Julian smirked "Heard you gave the locals quite a show"

Sigrid chuckled on the notion "pass events have made antagonistic air for the relations between party's sir… thought I do a PR move, the spartan way" she answered, the visor on her face hides her smug expression. Spartan Dinh however moves no less than necessary, seemingly without care for the present company and exchange.

"Walk with me…" Julian said "We'll walk to the briefing area…"

They proceed to do so, though conversation is inevitable in the making "So level with me Eklund, heard some pretty wild claims from present company here… they said you fight against the local lord's cousin on the courtyard, is that correct"

"That's right sir… though I and others would preferably call it a spar"

"I can understand that" Julian nods "You go easy on the guy I assume, don't want to find myself on the other side of the Sword again when we step foot out of the ship"

"I uhh… more or less gone easy on the man" Sigrid answered

Julian glance on the Spartan for a moment, uneasiness scratch on his features "I know the kid you know; I spend most of my time on that castle with him… a nice kind if not a tad bit big-headed, but I guess that is what should be expected from a noble"

"I'd know it sir, as far as I know he have the skills to back it up" Sigrid answered "He took on three ODSTs no sweat"

"Yeah… I heard what the ODSTs did on their station" Julian shakes his head in disapproval of what he recall "Sometimes I saw some of them spar with the natives… they took it overboard most of the time, they beat their opponents senseless, None of the Starfall household got the win…"

He turns his back to push a button on the elevator just angled right for Sigrid to catch his smile "What Gwendal did to them Is a long time coming, sergeant will sometimes mean well, but he needs to realize we are here for the sake of humanity, not who has the bigger stick…"

"Yeah…" Sigrid whispered; uncertainty marred on her features "Still… if I may ask did you see the fight?"

"No? no I didn't I was on the ship on recollection for our mission…" Julian raised a brow "Why? Did something happen?"

"I saw the other fight with the local's sir… before the kid came, the native soldiers are good with a sword but they are nothing impressive… I fault that it is because their training is not as sophisticated as us…"

"And diet and environment of course" Julian interjected "got a medical scan a month ago on the local's status before we gone outside on a mass, gotta make sure we didn't bring harmful bacteria to them and vice versa… in the analysis we found that most of the people here are under developed on health too, got a lot of stunted growth and all in median… not a lot of them reach full growth the moment the growth spurt ended, I found that very disheartening"

"The ODST doesn't need to be put in check sir, just some of them" Dinh said, knife still linger on his fingers "Only Sergeant Will has been found having Vendetta on the Locals, his other pals tried to keep him in check for all their faults…"

"I didn't see much on that" Julian said "What do you think?"

"He goes relatively to the wall, he kept taking the spar against the local to seriously… Public Relations is not my forte sir, but its easy to see when his gone to far…"

"I'll make sure Ronald got the sitrep on that…" Julian relayed "Anyways, what were you saying Eklund…"

"It's the Gwendal character sir…" Sigrid exhaled "His showing combat effectiveness way above his other peers in this planet…"

"That is to be expected… it stands to reason the Higher nobles in this world gets most of the privilege in all aspects of life, the very fact that he is a league higher than the rest of the hierarchy is reasonable to assume so, especially when you compare them to simple local fighters here"

"Yes, sir I understand that… but" Sigrid tilts her head, visor shining with a golden hue "He shown combat effectiveness that I would say unnatural…"

"What do you mean?" Julian enquired, the elevator stopped and they walk with the pace slowed to keep their converse going.

"Sir… I fought group of ODSTs without Mjolnir with effort lower than I used against the kid…:" Sigrid stated with a whisper "The gap is huge sir… I did not see anyone else that moves like him from my observation these last few months, and I have been watching the other locals train these whole time"

"Sigrid's right sir…" Dinh interjected, attention kept in interest of the topic "with direct analysist from me, I say the kid is practically Elite Spartan 1.1 level or Elite Orion level if you want to be technical about it"

"Beyond superior Olympic sir…" Sigrid continued on "The very fact that he manages to get that strong without any augmentation bears further investigation…"

"Hmm…" The lieutenant walks on with pace quickening than moments before, face impassive from the declaration on present company "I note that well Eklund, I'll make sure the captain and the Science department recognize that on the occasion…"

Dinh and Eklund glanced on each other with pupils' unseen, body language recognized from decades of soldier partnership. What do they tell is comprehended by them both, Julian did not sound as surprised as they expect him to be, perhaps warfare capabilities of a primitive civilization do not bear mentioning, but the reaction from the superior officer beckons familiar notion.

"I hope he didn't make you sweat Eklund" Julian breaks the awkward atmosphere

"Course not sir, just taken aback with what the kid is capable of… really caught me of guard"

"Yeah, me too… still got the days ahead of him, I'm sure the kid got more left in him given time" Julian relayed, smile crept within the lips "Considering the fact that Gwendal is fifteen years old…"

"Fifteen…" Sigrid whispered thoughtfully, she considered him young but not so youthful "that young… I didn't…"

Dinh did not move his head, but the fact he is still as a statue looking forward like a disciplined cadet shows more of even his surprise on the revelation "Imagine…" Dinh spoke, but… "Know what… Never mind" he said, disregarding himself.

"As I said…" Julian reiterated "different positions, different expectations…"

They arrived on one of the briefing rooms, filled with ODST and marines of the same tasks, ready to take action "Now…" Julian exclaimed, commanding as his uniform "Let's start"

Starfall's inner wall – Sometime after the fight

He wonders on the hall that decorated itself with white pillars of grandeur that are well taken care of, no signs of deprecation or rust can be seen and felt if passing souls would dare to lay their hands on the milky splendor of the inner walls and foundations.

Deziel however makes due with only looking on with a stone face, the majesty of his current surroundings is of the usual kind considering his long term stay on it. In the edge of his eyes, he found the man he is looking for, bearded and stocky as always, Ser Orlo fidgetily searches from space to space for a certain someone.

"Ah! Sir Dalt!" Orlo speaks "Well on your way to your chambers, yes? Forgive my prancing around, I seem to lost a wounded stubborn lordling on my visit to the Maester…" Still on his words, he checks from crevice to openings for any detail of what he could find.

"Worry not on young Gwendal ser… he is well on his noble chambers, so I've heard from the servants, he is taking a well-earned bathe from the titanic clash" Sir Dalt relayed, dusk has settled and the blue moon gave a calming bright.

"Darn that boy… stood in harm's way yet avoids needed council, one of these days he'll find himself on smothering instances and there be a nary we can do…" Orlo complaint, hands on hips with the days exhaustion barely escaping his lips.

"Yes…" Dalt Speaks "it is truly a confounding day is it not… by the second I found my world to be unrecognizable as my eyes betray my thought in every moment of my stay here…"

"Truly?" Orlo queried "Gone are the olden days of what is true ser, the very notion that a kingdom fell from the stars are ridiculous enough, now they bring with them capabilities beyond what is known to us. I consider us fortunate for their peaceful approach with all things considered, with the fact that they can clobber us with hell fires from those 'guns' of theirs"

"Of course…" Dalt interjected "Yet color me shocked, from the demonstration the fight has shown me between our otherworldly friends and the Blood of Dayne, never in my decades alive have I seen such prowess"

"Yes… the woman is as ferocious as she is beautiful is she not? Most man have loudly proclaimed to wish to conquer her on their beds…" Orlo stated with a grunt "I would like see them try, only to see what manners of bruises and injuries they would have from thinking the matter itself, let alone stating it to her entirely… she is otherworldly, a hundred man together I believe cannot conquer her in battle from what I saw"

"Ahh… but again" Dalt spoken once again "The one they call Sigrid is not the true bafflement in which I questioned sir… it is of the other flock"

"Pardon me sir?"

"Since when Gwendal can fight like that…" Dalt final reach his true inquiry

Orlo's expression however, replied only confusion on the words the other man brings "I bid you elaborate further ser… I know not what you seek?"

"I've had my tours on the seven kingdoms, Master-at-Arms" Dalt declared "I have heard all the boast all houses bring on their lord and lordling all the way to their knights. The Baratheon's spoke of their mighty swing of swords and hammer, the lord commander of the Kingsguard is sturdy as much as his honor as the king has decreed and the Crakehalls spoke of boarish strength. I've seen them fight, I've seen them joust and most bade their boasts well…"

Then Deziel raised his head beside the shadows of a white pillars that shadowed his focused features "But none, none of them have gone beyond what is spoken of others. I have gone to all tourneys as I observe every man fight and they all shown remarkable skills of many flocks… from Highgarden, Hightower, King's landing all the way to the north"

He points towards Orlo with enthusiasm befitting a revelated oracle "Yet, no man I saw… nor heard… have move with strength and ferocity shown by Gwendal here, on this day of dusk where every man of Starfall praised as his sword becomes him… I have never even heard other houses spoke of the Dayne's fitting to what I have saw"

"Do tell what is the point of this ser… truly" Orlo asked, his eyes darkened beneath the moonlight, the rest of his face hidden from the lemonwood

"How did he get so strong?" Dalt asked "It could not be the work of well-practice, what I have seen is beyond that and beyond what has been spoken and rumored by the seven kingdoms to this house"

"You speak of this as we see the UNSC woman carried herself with monstrous strength that made all of us paltry?" Orlo questioned flabbergasted "I found your questioning confounding bearing in mind current concern we had, yet you questioned this house capabilities… your fellow man"

"Do not mistake ser, I have nothing but respect for the Dayne hold" Dalt retorted, face contorted with dangerously glinting eyes "But I expect nothing less from our heaven's fall friends, they bring godly powers and miracles, in that it is reasonable to consider they are in league with the divines… it is the very notion that I found that mine own fellow man to be as unearthly with the rest of it flocks that I found to be curious…"

"I cannot tell you more than what you already saw…" Orlo stated, intending to walk away before an escalation "I will take my leave, do be-"

"I wish to know… ser" Dalt speaks, inching close to the Master-at-Arms form. His body sterned and tightened as if he is ready to lunge.

"Careful ser, Careful" Orlo responded, air becoming conflicting by the second "Know where you are…"

Dalt sighed on the happenstance, recollecting his bearings as he realizes his aggressive demeanor "Pardon sir… we are of warrior-folks here" He said, eyes still spewing ferocious intent, gone is his honor in passing conduct "should we not share in friendship?"

"What you ask of me is not within my power to behold to you…" Orlo said, his figure alert on whatever that is to come next "Ask the lord of this house at your peril if you may… but I am warning you, steep too deep on this family's secret would be disastrous on your being…"

"Is he…" The words almost choked on Dalt's throat "Is Erick… like Gwendal"

"He is the Sword of the Morning…" The master-at-arms spoken, a statement with implications comprehended by the Lemonwood. Orlo escaped the conversation with a stride as quick as the time of warfare, within three seconds the Master-at-Arms frame is gone to the darkness of inner castle.

"The very fact you notion it as a secret is revelation enough for me…" Dalt thought "I will sooner find the truth in all of this".

In the moment, he recalled the time of his stay here, even from the fell of the ship. Gedric has shown remarkable progress on his training, yet what he practiced has been nothing more than usual squirely standard, by all logic he should not progress as quickly to defeat with ease a squire two years his elder. "But he did…" Dalt thought

Yet after his collection from the abduction, Gedric has been of the strange kind. Everyone within knows of his state of abnormal strength, once Dalt saw the boy threw a thick table the size of two men accidentally towards a servant recently. The boy is talented before that, but something has awakened within him after his return to Starfall.

Now Gwendal has shown the same inhuman skills as well…

"Dorne has gone mad…" Dalt thought "and I am at its precipice…"

Dalt walks towards his chambers with a heart beating like a man in battle…

He would not sleep well this day

---

King Aegon the fifth letter, arrived at Starfall three days before Gwendal's fight

To the honorable Lord Dayne of Starfall.

This message has been sent for the purpose of knowing the state of your house during these times, Lord Dayne. I have been conveyed by knowledge and council of House Blackmont and Caron regarding your infrequent behavior from these last few months. From the news I have acquired, it is stated that the needed trade and exchange of livelihoods between the aforementioned houses have been found to be lacking in consideration to the previous exchange that has occurred as comparison.

As King of all the seven kingdoms, I wish for you to let it be known to the royal fold regarding the difficulties of your house. Bear in mind that these words are of no purpose of insult to your illustrious house, it is well known that yours are noble as it is powerful. Yet it is the duty of a King to ensure the well-being of its subject and its issue well avoided and resolved. I expect a reply in due certainty on the coming days, lest I sent an envoy to make sure there are none troubles to be had on you or your people. The lives of all small folks in Westeros are of my responsibility as well is yours. As it is within my knowledge that the trade in between the red mountains is vital for the means of support of the people surrounding it. lest you beckoned death or torment to them.

That is all the claim I wish to learn…

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How are you Erick, it has been so long since I've seen your writing, I hope everything is well on your end, barring the news I have made of course. I have heard you have another child on your arms now, I suppose you are happy on that blessing, yes? I do pray and wish you the best for the child, but I know it is unnecessary knowing that you are the father, he will grow well as so Gedric.

How is he? your first born? Last, I have heard, he is just as ravenous and passionate as you are when you are twice his age, If it is true I am glad to hear it, I am sure he will grow just as knightly as you are perhaps even more.

If you have troubles, you would speak it to me, yes? You are family after all and I hoped to see you safe. I have held ceremonies and tourneys these last few years, yet you remain to be seen. I even saw the frey's attended numerous times as I invited them, everyone came, but I did not see you joined. Even at the birth of my grandson and the festivities that follows, you are absent.

You can tell me anything, you know that do you, have I offended you still… do you and your uncle still held the same grudge of the last Blackfyre rebellion? Do you wish to see me apologize once more, Erick? For you to realize I am truly sorry, that I have made mistake as both king and cousin. I am still human regardless if I am of the Dragon.

Would it be better if I be the one to visit you instead? To make myself the envoy to these troubles you have with Blackmont and Caron? The council of King's landing has been nothing but cutthroat tongues and intrigues, your presence is always a warm knightly welcome in comparison to these nobles, only Duncan have the same air as you are, but I would be welcomed if I see myself joined with you again.

I speak now as your distant brother to ask you to respond, it has been so long since your resignation from the small council, to heed your advice would be a welcome addition once more. Please come as family in my stead, I found myself surrounded by unwanted presence to be stale air

I spoke truly when I said I would visit you… especially if you not reply to me as you had these years.

From your cousin and king

Aegon the fifth of House Targaryen

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SECTOR THREE OF THE OFFICE OF NAVAL INTELLIGENCE

OFFICIAL SUMMARY OF THE RECENT BREAKTHROUGH OF THE SPARTAN AUGMENTATION PROGRAM.

SENT TO ALL HIGH OFFICE OF NAVAL INTELLIGENCE AND HIGH RANKING OFFICERS OF THE UNSC

By DR. ********

YEARS BEFORE THE FALL OF 'LIGHT OF ALEXANDRIA'

By the recent decade, advancements on the biological anatomy of the human body have been accelerated due to the procurement of intel and data from various installation and locations. With multitudes of project that are at work that uses diverse methods of medical process in order to augment the human body to what considered to be 'superhuman' capabilities in order to adhere to necessary quota for humanities survival, in which has been found to be exceptional in result that conclude such process to be critical in the warfare against the covenant. Which is to be said, the spartan projects.

Even before the acquired knowledge that has not been explicitly mentioned, the scientific department of the office of naval intelligence has manage to work its way through a process of empowerment of a military force that would be known as the SPARTAN-II, with surgical methods to improve upon the anatomy of children for warfare purposes.

Now with the information gathered from forerunner history and database on the Planet Requiem before it's destruction, we have managed to collect and translate knowledge that would further the innovation of the biological ceiling of existing augmentation project. To Surmise, the gathered intel that are decoded bears not only knowledge of machineries and contraption dedicated for genetical mutation and manipulation, this includes gene therapy, biochemical engineering and the such, but also information regarding deep genetical blueprint of humanity.

With these data provided combined, our top R&D department have achieved to further not only future Spartan candidates but also existing ones as well, which are mostly genetical enhancements.

With some Spartan-IIs and IIIs having the most of the greater results on the update, with John-117, Fred-104, Naomi-010, Adriana-111, Michael-120, Leon-011 and Kelly-087 being the first candidate to be successfully Re-augmented.

Kelly-087 however is the only Spartan-II we manage to test after the augmentation, as the other aforementioned Spartan-IIs have been recalled immediately after theirs, due to urgent obligations outside of testing.

The resulting improvement has been staggering to say the least, with Kelly considered to be the fastest Spartan, going from the last recorded top speed of 52 miles per hour with Mjolnir to 128 miles per hour without Mjolnir, 3 days after re-augmentation.

Other physical aspects have been significantly improved as well, to say the least. With all recorded testing surmising that in overall the Spartan capabilities, Both IIs and IIIs have improved by the percentage of 250 to 600 percent in various aspects.

Spartan IVs have been re-augmented as well, which to be mentioned are Hieu Dinh, Sigrid Eklund, Jared Miller, Elias Holt, Jameson Locke, Nina Kovan and Edward Buck, etc., have significant results.

With Sigrid Eklund tested 5 days after re-augmentation, lifting 2.2 tons of weight without Mjolnir as oppose to previous testing before the process being 800 Kilograms and having the reaction time of 22 milliseconds from the previous 50 milliseconds. Although not extensive in comparison to previous designated version of Spartans, these results have been found to be a Miracle breakthrough by all things considered, with Spartan IVs having 180 to 320 percent of improvement in all practical aspects.

For all intents and purposes, the project has just had a quantum leap update

All records of testing will be provided in a separate document

As the current head of the scientific and R&D department I implore to all effective officers, to RECALL all existing Spartan's to ********* in order to apply Re-augmentation for long-term effectiveness. I speak as urgent as possible that the effectiveness of Spartan Personnel will be vital, in the current altercation against our NEW ENEMY.

3̵͚͈̬̖̣̟̪̮̮͐͆͌̔͋̽̔̋͠r̸̢̠̗̗͉̰̠̳͙͐̓̆̆̈̈́̉̕͝0̷̯̲̲̲̝͉͈͚̮̓͛͌̈́̇͗̔̚͠9̵̛̱͓͖̱͈͖̤̼̫̀̾͊̀́̑̍͝2̸̛͎̟̘̲̦̥̙̟̲̿͛͑̇͌̐͆̽3̴̖̩̤̰̼̠͓͚̈́̀̈́́̇̾̈́͝͝ͅ¢̵̧̝͍͖͈̯͚̬͚̀̀̇̌̽̃͋̈́̚ṟ̷̼͎͕̯̳̣͈̞̈́̋̈͐̐͆̍̄͝r̸̯̙̣̠̮̗̙̦̃͊͑́́͆̈́̕̚͜3̸̢̧̡͙̠̼̯̼̝͂̔͊̎̐̐̊̽͝¢̵̘̼̦͍̤̖͚͔̩́̏́̈́̐̅̅̽̊ï̴̭̺͙̟̥̤̲̩̄̏̍̀̍͑̉͒̚ͅh̵̢̧̧̠͉̞̻̙̭̉̆͒̊̎̓̅̂̃ ̶̞͙͖̘̳͎͆̄̌̆͆͐̒͌͘͜ͅͅr̷̡̗͕̬͚͔͙̲̩̾͌͛͋̇͛͂̓͛r̵̛͉̠̖̼̠͔̮͎͆̌̏͐̂̀̎͝ͅh̸̤̥̦̰̫̝̬̙͈̐̀͆̊̿̅̚͘͝9̵̢̦̖̼̦̭̳̳͖͛̇̽̈́̑͛͂̇͠2̷̧̛͕̜̳͎̯̪̬̰́͂́̋̈́̍͝͝ẖ̵̡͉͓͉̬̮̮̖̈́͋͑̈́̍̎̌́͂ḣ̸̢̟̤̜̹̞̟̫̞̏̇̅̈̌̓͂͝ ̸̢̢͍͚͓̝̟̠̭̇͒͌̈́̊̔́̚͘r̴̛̖̪̗̟̝̹͖̻̓̉̾͌̀̿̀͜͝¢̴̗̝͕̖̯̣̙̠͔̀̂̉̿̀̽̀̚͘9̵̨̘̻̰̱̣̜̲̞̽̄̅͛̄̓̀̍͝8̴̠̲̤͈̦̬̭̩́̾̂̈́̓̽̿̎̉͜2̶̧̟͓̯̮͍̖̬̰̊́̈́̋̀̊̔̊͝h̷̨̨̬̼̺̹̲̫̱͋̀́́̃̆́̅͝ṛ̷̞͇̘̞͎͓̪̼͐͂̐̎̎̅̾̕͘9̵̨̢̙͉͖̹̟̯̹̒̑̏͆̎̓͗̔̕8̵̡̧̲͈͚̜͈̰̏̑̀̂́͂̋̈͝ͅh̸̛̟̗͕̠̯̲̱̼̖̄͑͆̈́̿̈́͠͠9̸̢̧͍̤̬̲̪̣͓̉̎̈́́̉̀͗̚͠3̶̛̺͕̺̳͎͎̖͚͈͛̎̐̓̐͗̚͝2̵̗̬͓͈̦̮̳̽̅̀̍̎̊͛͜͠͠ͅ8̸̢̧̩̤̤̹͓͚̜͑͌͐͌̽̀̿́̕ḧ̵̟̜̟̤̥̩́̊̇̀͑̚̚͘͜͜͝ͅ ̵̣͚̯̗͔̙̦̳͋̈́̿̿̽̀̂̐̚͜¢̶͚̼̣̭̭̠̫͖̽͛̅̐̽͒͐̚͜͝ḧ̴̛̥͓̝͇͍͈̺͈͔́̾͑͋͂̑̆͝ŗ̶̜͇̹͇̮̲͙͎̾̀̏̇̎̍̕̚͠q̸̬̘͇̯̻̻̞͙͇̈́͐̂̐̇̃̑̅̾9̵͉̗̪̻͈͎̻̦͓̋̓͐̉͑͑̀̃͝ḩ̷̖͕͚͔̜̯͓͎͂̈́͒͒̂̓̐̋̀9̶̢̞̖̝̣̰̫̤͉̓̈́̍̃̈̐̒͘͝q̵̪̲̼̱̟̘̩͓̠̀̔̈́͐̐͛͝͝͠8̴̡̧͔̞̬̣̙̱̩͌̂̿̓̈̓̕̕͝-̷̨͙̪͈̭̱͉͎̬̇̌̔̍̿̂̒̌͝¢̸̬̭͔̬̦̫̦̥͛̓̈́͛͒͑̕͜͠͝4̶̡̧̪͖̯̟̯̱̬̊̑̓̇͊̌̀́͝h̸̡̹̪̼͓̳̮̱͎͋̐̄̌̐̇͛̕͘ ̶̡͓̬͚̦̣͈̮̗͊͂̎͌͋́̀̑͝9̸̛̦͈̝̫͉̲͙͚̈̑̀͗͆͛̿̈͜4̵̧̲͓͈̯͇̟̹̱̆͊̐̔̄͋̈́̕͠ ̶͕͔̩͉̳̲͓̯̌̉̏́͐̚͘͝͠ͅh̵̢͉̜̫͈͎̺̟͑̀̒͂̓͐͌͛̚ͅ†̴̢͓̯̞͍̥̤̭̘̔̑̑̑̄̒̋̈́͐q̸̛̘̯̬͈̥̠̹̻̤̐̒͛͆́̓͗̕3̴̩̗̜̥̬̤͈̻͍̉̒̆̔̋̽̃̋̈́9̸͖̺͓̣̗̩͔̫͙͊͂͑̐̄̆̎͂͠-̵̨̧̥͍̟͕͎͚̞̄́͒̈́͋͂̈̚͘ ̸͇͇̖̼͈̙̰͈̱̈́̍̈́́͐̏͋̋͝4̸̬̜͎͈̬̘̯̹̆͆̑́̌͒͘͘͜͝h̵͎̲̞̭̤̼͈͇̬̓̔̈̀͐͋̈̂͘†̷̛͕͎͎͉̰̰̥̰̦͛͐̃̇͆̈̎̚¢̴̨̨͔̼̬̖͎̟̞͐̉͊̔͆͆͊̇̕ģ̴̞̻̱̥̰͍̯̃̈́̏͊̋͋͒͐̕ͅ9̴̻͓̰̹̹͎̩͍̗̈̋̃̋͑͌̏̈͘q̴̢̢͖̼̙͓̙͍̯́̋́͛̒̀͐̎̏8̶̡̢̰͉͙̫͖̈̓̀͆̅̉̾͘̕͜ͅ†̵̻̞̹̗͚̫̞̮̜͗̀͆̆̓̀͆̏̊h̶̝̳̦͚̠̟̝̗̙̀̐̒̎͂̎̑͘͠q̵̼̪͖͚͎̫̣̰͈̂̑͐͑͊̎͐̂͝-̴͚͈̞͍̘̮̪̬̝͑́̆́̈͌̽̿͝9̵̡͚͕̬͕͚̪͎̻̄̓͐͆̑̃́̽͝8̶̨̻͖̻͕̝̥̹̱͑̒̿͛̆̍̊̾͛ḧ̶͎̩̲͙̫̯͔̜́̏̀͗̎͌̌̑͝ͅ¢̵̡̧̧̳̝̞̦͙̈́̆͐͑̌͊̌̿͝ͅ ̷̢͓̯̯͈̹̙̝͒̈́̓̈́̅̄͂͗̕ͅ8̶̻̯͙̘̻͍̝̝̫̂̏̏̉̀̀̀̈͒h̸̨͉̩̘̞͔͓̪̺͂͐̆̂̅̀̌͝͝†̸̹̱͕̭̟͖͔͋̎͌̓̀̈̓̅̒͜ͅ¢̶̨̱̠͍͔̗̺̩̟͗͛͋͆̎̐̈̚͠†̶̨̧͓̰̟̹̪̫͈́̄̀̈͂̉̕͘͝8̴̨̡̢̛͈̜̹̟̫̫̃̓̍̔̏̚̚͠4̷̜̟̪̲̼̯̹͔̜̿̍́͗̓̆̀͋̎m̸̨̢̙̳̱͕͍̞̅̈͆̂̇͐̐̚̚͜9̵̧͍̮͚͙̟͓̹̬̓̈́̎͗̇̎̏̚͝ẖ̷̢͎̱̜͙̫̬͈̐̌̃̍͒̑̾̓͝¢̴̢̛͈͈̥̩͉̮̜͔̏̃̅̓̾̈́̕͘†̶̨̬̝̮̬͎̻̣͎̈́̂͊͛̋͌̀̀͘9̸̨͎̞̘̲̩͕̀́́̿̉̂͒̅̚͜͜0̸̞̳̥̬͉̯̝̥̘̋̓̌́̆̽͘̚͝m̶͖̜̦̪̣̣̜̖̲̎̓̍̈́̍̊̀̐̕8̵̟͓̞͎̖͇̼̮̂̏̓̎̈́͗̈͐͝ͅh̸̢͕̦͎̥͍͓̺͙̍̽̑͊̐̎̍͆͌q̶̰͈̞͇̙͈̦̮̫̆̃̊́͐͊͊͌̕8̷̡͕̺͕̲̞̖͓̖͗͗̐͂͌̈̇͆͘0̷̧̨̼̝̫͍̺̞͙̀́͑̌̓́͗̊̕9̵̛̥̻̝̲͖͔̩͕̰̑̐͐̅͒̽́́m̴̫͎̯͖͎̪͖͓̻͂͗̿̑̐̽̎̌̒†̴̨̭̳͎͎̳̮̲͇͛̈́̈́̅̀͛̉̈́͝h̷̨̨͇͎͙̼̼͍͗̓͆̀̀͋̚̚͝ͅ0̵̫̺͉̪̙̗͎̠̭̾̓͑͌͌̓̃͊͘q̵̡̩͚̬̼̭̞͇̤̿̀́̄̓̂͐̚͠8̴̨̻̟̙̖̬̥͓̠̋̏̈̍̇̓͘̕͝†̶̢̩̙̮͕̗̯͙̈́̓̋̓̐͂͆͗̐͜m̵̮̘͕̪̤͓̫̜̓̄̎̈̒̽̎̔̾͜h̶̨̤̲͈͇̲̭̗̜̑̋͌̀͑̈́̾̚̕¢̵̨̼̮̳͎̰̩̳͉̉̈́̀͐̽̄͠͠͠8̵̮͎̝̯̺̟̖̤̅͊̔̉̇̈̒͋͂͜q̴̢̩̗͉̥̟̝͉̆͒͋̈̾̑͐͘͘ͅ0̴̨̡͈͎̠̩̝̣̻͋̂̿́͂̅̆̎͘7̸̢̠̰͔̺̦̘̝̺͑̓͐̓̏̒͐͆͠3̷̢̡̢͔̟͇̼̤͓̿͋͛̑̀͂̂̔̈́g̶̯̖͈̲̙͕̩͍͈͋͒̋̄̒͌͒̚͠†̶̡̧̮̙̦̺̺̫͆̎́̍̓̑́̚͜͝4̸̛̹̦̹̭̘͍̬̺͍͒̆̀͆͗͂̀̈́0̸̨͇̮̖̘̙̻̟̞̋͂̑̋̊͗̈́̈́̚8̶̛̻̟̦̰̠̪̮̩͖̂͛̈͂͗̀̀̋7̴̞̹͓͚͎̗͙̞̽̔̿̔̓̒̍̅͜͠q̷̢̛͙͓̬͔͖̜̞̦̐͊̈̽̿͗̃͝g̵̗̺̺͙̺̙̪̪̅̐̊̓̌̒̀̀̇͜¢̸̛̦͎̭͖͔̞̠̰̥̍̈́̇̐̊͆͌́†̵̨̧̩̠̺̹̺̯͎͗̐̉̾̎̉̂́͝m̵̟̥̠̜̼̳̫̣̝̒̎͒͑̋̈́̈́͒͠8̷̢̨̨͔̺̜̮͉̮̋̿̋̈͂̏͋̏͠0̴̡͔͔̼͎̮̺̮̫̋̃̐̋͒́̚͝͝q̶̧̢͎̣̬̯̼̬̑̌̈̐̃̊̌̆̎͜h̶͕̼̮̭̗͍͙̼̘̀̆̏͂̊̽̈́͠͝†̶̨̨̯̞̥̖͉̭̥̈́̈́͑͐̍͊́̚͘8̶̟̤̺̩̞̰̖̈́̉́̌̓̂̊̽́ͅͅ0̶̻̗̫̯̺̰̖̮̑̍̀͂̓͊̍͘͘ͅ†̸̹̪͔̠̭̘̦͓͓̈́̐́͋̏̄̈͠͠m̷̛̤̼͙̭̫̲͖̻͚̊̈͊̽͒̾͛̂h̵̨̟͇̖̣̙͚͚͕̑̀̓̽̓̌͝͝͝q̸̢͕̩͎̰̗̝̣͌́̃̌̃̅̓̋̔͜3̷̨̛͎̫̹̗͈͚̗̹̔̄̾͂̏̆̽͠8̴̨̟͕̯̹̪̖̘̙̓́̊̾̽̃̓̏̂0̶̧̲̳̭͖̘̗̳̜̈́̈̔̃̔̀̌̅̑†̷̟̜̩̱̯͖͇͔̦̓̀̔̇̒͊̾̀͝m̶̮̙̖̗̩̜̺̟̯̈͋̌̂̀̾̕͠͝8̴̢̳̞̯̲̦̟̞̫́́̌̐̋͐͒̕͝q̵̡̛̫̝̙̬̗̻̗͍̉̍͆͌̌̄͘͝3̸̢̛̬̖̳͓̣̭̫̠̓͒͑̽̏́́͝0̷̨̩̼̜͚̲͈͇͛͂̃͛̾̇̃̾́ͅ†̶̡̡̢̡̦͈̠̼̹́́̿̾͗̔̚̕͝h̴̟̤̼͙̘̬̗̬̿̋̈́̀̎̀͊͜͝͝8̸̡̼̪̜̥̜̯̥̣̏̔̄͐̉͑͑̍͠4̸̢̛͖͇̭̮̱͔͓̗̇͗̆̐̑̊̌̚0̴̡̰͈̖̱̺̼̝̼̀͐̎̀̓̈́̂́͝3̵̠̺͓͙̩̜̹͈̘͊͌͌̽͒̊̊̾̕q̸̳͈̻͍̯̘̯͓̾̐̅͒͂̒̉̽̚͜m̸̨̨̟͚͓̠͖̜̄̓̌̌͋̑̓̚͜͠†̵̢̤̮̭̙̤̬̻̀̀͑̋̏̽̈́̎͒͜8̸̛͖̟̟͈̙̟͔̲̳̈̉̈́̋̇͋̚͝0̸̧̛̟̩͎͍̪̟͖̈́̏͆̎̒̆̋̏ͅ3̷̛̱̭̟̰͎̟̻̳̈́͒̀̅̍̅͛̄ͅḩ̷̟̣̲̗̼̲̻̂̍̀͐͌͑́͒͘ͅ†̷̧̤͎̬͚͓̤̮͍̂͑͐̏̏͑͋̉̚8̴̧̛̻͉͔̭̬͇̥͖͂̉́͛̔̐͑̚0̵͎͈̯̤̝̩̼̩̬̈́̄́͋̐̀̐̋͂4̸̧̣̩͕̞̪̪̯̺̋̅͋̂̃͗̈́̕͝3̵͈͖̟̜̤͚͕̲̆̄͌̅̏̾̈̍̂͜m̵̲̠̱̝͚͉͓̘͌͐̀͌̿̋̊̒͜͝h̵͓̞̯͖͇͍̠͙̠̀̄́̒̉̀͛͘͠†̷̢̨̱̦̪͙̝͍͌̎̑̑́̎̀̒͜͝8̴̧̲͉͇͕̱̟̻̄̇̾́̄͒̉͘͝ͅ0̷̡̛̛͈̥͓̻̙͇̬͉̀̒̽͛̀͋͝3̴̨̩̠̫̤̝͇͚̔̃̔̈́̍̄͋́͘͜4̸̬͕͔͇̺̩̻̓̓̈́̋͌̑̃͘͝ͅͅg̴̟̤̬̯̤̠̝̺̈͂̄̓͑̊̀̇͜͝†̵̡̢̖̜͙̫͙͇̗̅̒͊̈́̌́̄͝͠¢̵̧͇̤̮̹͕̙͔̄̔͛̔͆̅̇̏͘͜m̷̢̗̜̼̤̤͔͚̻͑̑̆̂̀̀̓̐͝8̵̢̱̤͓͈͔̮̥̋͐͗̌̂͆̄̈͝ͅ0̸̨͓̤̥̼̳͔͕̰̋̈́͑͊͒̄̕͠͝q̸̩̠͖͉̙̫͖̩̯̈́̀͋́̎̑́̐͝3̶̜͍͍͎͕̭̻̫̽̔̈́̌͋͒͗͌͂͜4̷̡͓̠̳͍͓̲̩̈́̂͂̔̉͐̂͛̑͜m̴̧̲̪̮̞̦̜͖̼̐̀̒̏͐̅̀̈́͝¢̷̛͍̰͍̤̼̲̙͇͛̀̊̈̂̊̏͜͠†̴̛͓̩̱̖̱̰̭̖̎͂́̊̿̑͐͝ͅ4̸̡̧̟͓̥̣̱͙̝̔́̈͛͂͒̕͠͝3̷̧̠̰̖͓͕͚̤̝͗̈̐̈́̊̈́̈́̈́8̸̣̻̞͙̰̦̯̱͛̾̎̏̑̈̎͘̕͜0̴͉̬̝͍̰̻̪̗̯̂̀̀̀̈́͗͊͛̚†̵̧͔̰͚̟͎̹̯̭́́͐̽́̍̐͘͠m̸̡͔̞͚͓͙̳̉̔͆̈̃̀͛͒͠ͅͅ8̷̨̨̘̻̳̙̦̊̋̊̎̈́̽͆̑̋͜ͅ3̵̱̗̻͚̗͎̃̀̀̾͂͊̾̆͝ͅͅͅ4̷̡̡̢̞̪̞̯͈͑͋́͑͗͛̅͜͝͠0̸̡̢̡̬͎̤̗͚͒̇́͊̐͌̈̎̕ͅm̶̠̲̝̼̻̺͉̣̊̏͆́͑̽̋̿̀ͅh̴̭̰̞̪͔̫̺̥̙̆͑̽͑̒̿̌͑͑†̸̢̦̱̼̫̙̥̯̠̿̓̂̄́͗̌̈́́8̵̧̡̣̰̯̞̟̝͓͛̄̇̌̂͆͐͑̅4̸̢̨͔̜͎͉͙̳̿̔̀͊̾̌̆͠͠ͅq̷̢̯͉̦̲̲̲͍͋̾̍͂̋̇̀̎͜͠3̸͙͈̪͚̞̺̱͔͇̈̿͂̇͋͒̊̆̈́¢̵̡̡̡̢̙̦̳͉̮͑́̇̑̐̕͘̕͘†̶̧̨̝̺̥̙̳͕͋̋̀̿̃̀̕͘͠ͅm̴̢̛̺͈͔̭̗̮̱̬̍̀̉͊̾͛͌̍g̴͍̮̤̲̤̗̤̰̯̉͗̏͑͗̏̒͆̒q̸̨̨͕̙̮̖̤̺͛̒̒͋́̌̈̋̍͜3̸͉̳̟͖̖̝̝̜͕͋̈́͌͋̓̈́̌̓͝4̵̨̛̗͕̙͎̙̥͖̟̂͐̿̈́͊̆͗̓8̸̬̞̖̼̝̯͇̈́̑̊͂̈́̽͑̏̋͜ͅ0̵̡̡̲̗̣̻̻̣̰͛̽̿͌̓̐͘͝͝m̵̨͎͓̬̖͕̤͎̙͋͒́́̽̉̃̈̈́¢̵̢͖̥̝̩̣̗̗́̃͐̍́̍͂̚̕͜†̶̨̖͎̫̼̻̪̩̼͐̾͗͌̎̾̓͗̚8̴̨̛͚͈̫̙̲̯̩̏̈͊̆͛́͘̕͜0̴̣̝̬̙͖͎̖̗̮̀̒́͊́̌́͌̚q̸̛̟̥̭̮͎͈͍͈̺̄̌̇̑͒̈́͛͝3̶̠̻̞͖̤̹̱̱̬͗̂͗͊͛̌̏͘͝4̸̛̗̱͓̣̰̰̤̙̬́̈́͑͋̏̅̕͝m̶̢͉̻̬͙̜̮̗̑̐́̍̉̆͗̇̒ͅ¢̴̢͉͈͓̝̻̳̳̦́͛͑͌́̏̈̽̇†̴̫͓͓̥̠̋̿̐͂̅̿̂̿͜͜͠ͅͅ8̵͔͙̣̫̪͈̤̳͗̌͛̌͌̾̑͜͠͠q̶͇̦̫̫͙̭͓̺́̑͂͌̈́͑͒́͘͜3̴͙̰̜̳͎͖̠̱͕̑̑͐͛̋̈́̿̔̒4̶̡̡̧̝̰͔͕̞̎͛͊̍̎͌̈́́̀ͅ0̸̡̹̮̲̱̗̙͂́̂̔̊̎̍͜͜͝͝¢̸̙̗̬͔̮̩͚̖̮̉͑̍̿̐͗̿̈́̚†̶̢̡̟̪̲͕͚̭͇̈̀̿̾̄̿̽̏͝8̵̱̘̳͖̠͙̱̱̈͆̍̀̏͐͆̊͜͝4̷̨̺̦͓͔͎͇̯͙̐͊̔̄̉̊̀̎̽ĝ̷͎̹̦͖͖̭͇̺̠̔͑̽̽͆̋͋̕¢̸̡̟̥̰̜͈͎̾̓̑͗̋̅̈́̌͜͠ͅ†̷̛͚̜̱̻̱͖̳̓̋̊̔͌̕͘͘͜ͅm̸̢̛͉̰̹͖̣̦̱͉̀̾͂̔̑̌̈̀8̵̛̘̪̲̜͇̦̳̥͔̀͛̓̽̐̚̕͘

ï̷͎͗†̷̫͛ï§̷͈̈́q̵̭̀µï̷̞̾†̷̖̐ế̵͍͖́µ̷̨̿ñ̷̶͙̞̔̏ð̵̭͝r̴͖̅†µ̶̖̈ñ̴̥̔å̴̢̆†ề̷̶̠̰̚å̶̻̎ñ̷̮͆Ð̴͕̂†̵͔͂r̷̖͊å̵̜̊g̶̋͜ï̴̶̴̷̹̼͚̦̾̓̒͘ð̷̱̅r̶̷̗̞̒̌å̴̻̀l̷͇͗l̴̻̈́†h̴̖͗ê̵̱͝ï̵͍̈́r̶̴͖̹̒̓å̴̭̌Ðv̴̋ͅå̴͓̈ñ̵̷͙̟͋̐ê̷̖̂m̴̖̔ê̷̢̂ñ̷̹̀†̶̢̑§̴̴̨̠͊̀å̷̧̃ñÐ̴̶͚͔̆̋†ê̷̳͠h̵͈̉ñ̷̼̐ð̴̪̔l̷̕ͅð̵͔̅ğ̵̴̞͙̕.̷͎̑.̴̠͂.̷͇̓†̵̫̕h̴̬͑ê̷̴̶̢̺̘̄̈́͘§†̷͚͝ï̶̡̃l̴̦̎l̶̵͓͛̀ͅå̵̠̔ï̴̲͆l̶̢͝†̵̹́ð̷̪̚qµê̶̢̇l̴̠̋l̵̷͎̪̀̀å̴͙̿g̴͔̐å̶͍̉ï̵͕͌§̴̬͝ṋ̴̃̿†̶̷̗̠̐̌†̷͖̽h̴͉͐ȩ̴̶͎̂̔͑ð̴̫̊m̷̢̈ï̷͓̚ñg̵̴̹̝̓̀Ð̵͕́ï̷̤̇§̵͔͗å̵͈̆§̵̦͑†̴̬̄êr̶̥̒.͎̀.̷̤̋.̴̙̓þ̴̗͊ï̴̠̊†̷̮̚ï̵̻͛µl̶̴̪͎͊́åñ̷̮͊Ð̵̶͕̹̌͝w̷͈͆ê̴̖͆å̴̜̄ḵ̃h̵͍̑µm̴̖̓ạ̷̊͂ñ̷̻̈́å̶̝̿ñ̶̨̀Ð̷̵̡̳̏́l̴̫͆å̷͇̐ẇ̶̡ę̶̂̾Ð̵̯͊.̴͉̌.̵̙̌.̴͇͝

3̵͚͈̬̖̣̟̪̮̮͐͆͌̔͋̽̔̋͠r̸̢̠̗̗͉̰̠̳͙͐̓̆̆̈̈́̉̕͝0̷̯̲̲̲̝͉͈͚̮̓͛͌̈́̇͗̔̚͠9̵̛̱͓͖̱͈͖̤̼̫̀̾͊̀́̑̍͝2̸̛͎̟̘̲̦̥̙̟̲̿͛͑̇͌̐͆̽3̴̖̩̤̰̼̠͓͚̈́̀̈́́̇̾̈́͝͝ͅ¢̵̧̝͍͖͈̯͚̬͚̀̀̇̌̽̃͋̈́̚ṟ̷̼͎͕̯̳̣͈̞̈́̋̈͐̐͆̍̄͝r̸̯̙̣̠̮̗̙̦̃͊͑́́͆̈́̕̚͜3̸̢̧̡͙̠̼̯̼̝͂̔͊̎̐̐̊̽͝¢̵̘̼̦͍̤̖͚͔̩́̏́̈́̐̅̅̽̊ï̴̭̺͙̟̥̤̲̩̄̏̍̀̍͑̉͒̚ͅh̵̢̧̧̠͉̞̻̙̭̉̆͒̊̎̓̅̂̃ ̶̞͙͖̘̳͎͆̄̌̆͆͐̒͌͘͜ͅͅr̷̡̗͕̬͚͔͙̲̩̾͌͛͋̇͛͂̓͛r̵̛͉̠̖̼̠͔̮͎͆̌̏͐̂̀̎͝ͅh̸̤̥̦̰̫̝̬̙͈̐̀͆̊̿̅̚͘͝9̵̢̦̖̼̦̭̳̳͖͛̇̽̈́̑͛͂̇͠2̷̧̛͕̜̳͎̯̪̬̰́͂́̋̈́̍͝͝ẖ̵̡͉͓͉̬̮̮̖̈́͋͑̈́̍̎̌́͂ḣ̸̢̟̤̜̹̞̟̫̞̏̇̅̈̌̓͂͝ ̸̢̢͍͚͓̝̟̠̭̇͒͌̈́̊̔́̚͘r̴̛̖̪̗̟̝̹͖̻̓̉̾͌̀̿̀͜͝¢̴̗̝͕̖̯̣̙̠͔̀̂̉̿̀̽̀̚͘9̵̨̘̻̰̱̣̜̲̞̽̄̅͛̄̓̀̍͝8̴̠̲̤͈̦̬̭̩́̾̂̈́̓̽̿̎̉͜2̶̧̟͓̯̮͍̖̬̰̊́̈́̋̀̊̔̊͝h̷̨̨̬̼̺̹̲̫̱͋̀́́̃̆́̅͝ṛ̷̞͇̘̞͎͓̪̼͐͂̐̎̎̅̾̕͘9̵̨̢̙͉͖̹̟̯̹̒̑̏͆̎̓͗̔̕8̵̡̧̲͈͚̜͈̰̏̑̀̂́͂̋̈͝ͅh̸̛̟̗͕̠̯̲̱̼̖̄͑͆̈́̿̈́͠͠9̸̢̧͍̤̬̲̪̣͓̉̎̈́́̉̀͗̚͠3̶̛̺͕̺̳͎͎̖͚͈͛̎̐̓̐͗̚͝2̵̗̬͓͈̦̮̳̽̅̀̍̎̊͛͜͠͠ͅ8̸̢̧̩̤̤̹͓͚̜͑͌͐͌̽̀̿́̕ḧ̵̟̜̟̤̥̩́̊̇̀͑̚̚͘͜͜͝ͅ ̵̣͚̯̗͔̙̦̳͋̈́̿̿̽̀̂̐̚͜¢̶͚̼̣̭̭̠̫͖̽͛̅̐̽͒͐̚͜͝ḧ̴̛̥͓̝͇͍͈̺͈͔́̾͑͋͂̑̆͝ŗ̶̜͇̹͇̮̲͙͎̾̀̏̇̎̍̕̚͠q̸̬̘͇̯̻̻̞͙͇̈́͐̂̐̇̃̑̅̾9̵͉̗̪̻͈͎̻̦͓̋̓͐̉͑͑̀̃͝ḩ̷̖͕͚͔̜̯͓͎͂̈́͒͒̂̓̐̋̀9̶̢̞̖̝̣̰̫̤͉̓̈́̍̃̈̐̒͘͝q̵̪̲̼̱̟̘̩͓̠̀̔̈́͐̐͛͝͝͠8̴̡̧͔̞̬̣̙̱̩͌̂̿̓̈̓̕̕͝-̷̨͙̪͈̭̱͉͎̬̇̌̔̍̿̂̒̌͝¢̸̬̭͔̬̦̫̦̥͛̓̈́͛͒͑̕͜͠͝4̶̡̧̪͖̯̟̯̱̬̊̑̓̇͊̌̀́͝h̸̡̹̪̼͓̳̮̱͎͋̐̄̌̐̇͛̕͘ ̶̡͓̬͚̦̣͈̮̗͊͂̎͌͋́̀̑͝9̸̛̦͈̝̫͉̲͙͚̈̑̀͗͆͛̿̈͜4̵̧̲͓͈̯͇̟̹̱̆͊̐̔̄͋̈́̕͠ ̶͕͔̩͉̳̲͓̯̌̉̏́͐̚͘͝͠ͅh̵̢͉̜̫͈͎̺̟͑̀̒͂̓͐͌͛̚ͅ†̴̢͓̯̞͍̥̤̭̘̔̑̑̑̄̒̋̈́͐q̸̛̘̯̬͈̥̠̹̻̤̐̒͛͆́̓͗̕3̴̩̗̜̥̬̤͈̻͍̉̒̆̔̋̽̃̋̈́9̸͖̺͓̣̗̩͔̫͙͊͂͑̐̄̆̎͂͠-̵̨̧̥͍̟͕͎͚̞̄́͒̈́͋͂̈̚͘ ̸͇͇̖̼͈̙̰͈̱̈́̍̈́́͐̏͋̋͝4̸̬̜͎͈̬̘̯̹̆͆̑́̌͒͘͘͜͝h̵͎̲̞̭̤̼͈͇̬̓̔̈̀͐͋̈̂͘†̷̛͕͎͎͉̰̰̥̰̦͛͐̃̇͆̈̎̚¢̴̨̨͔̼̬̖͎̟̞͐̉͊̔͆͆͊̇̕ģ̴̞̻̱̥̰͍̯̃̈́̏͊̋͋͒͐̕ͅ9̴̻͓̰̹̹͎̩͍̗̈̋̃̋͑͌̏̈͘q̴̢̢͖̼̙͓̙͍̯́̋́͛̒̀͐̎̏8̶̡̢̰͉͙̫͖̈̓̀͆̅̉̾͘̕͜ͅ†̵̻̞̹̗͚̫̞̮̜͗̀͆̆̓̀͆̏̊h̶̝̳̦͚̠̟̝̗̙̀̐̒̎͂̎̑͘͠q̵̼̪͖͚͎̫̣̰͈̂̑͐͑͊̎͐̂͝-̴͚͈̞͍̘̮̪̬̝͑́̆́̈͌̽̿͝9̵̡͚͕̬͕͚̪͎̻̄̓͐͆̑̃́̽͝8̶̨̻͖̻͕̝̥̹̱͑̒̿͛̆̍̊̾͛ḧ̶͎̩̲͙̫̯͔̜́̏̀͗̎͌̌̑͝ͅ¢̵̡̧̧̳̝̞̦͙̈́̆͐͑̌͊̌̿͝ͅ ̷̢͓̯̯͈̹̙̝͒̈́̓̈́̅̄͂͗̕ͅ8̶̻̯͙̘̻͍̝̝̫̂̏̏̉̀̀̀̈͒h̸̨͉̩̘̞͔͓̪̺͂͐̆̂̅̀̌͝͝†̸̹̱͕̭̟͖͔͋̎͌̓̀̈̓̅̒͜ͅ¢̶̨̱̠͍͔̗̺̩̟͗͛͋͆̎̐̈̚͠†̶̨̧͓̰̟̹̪̫͈́̄̀̈͂̉̕͘͝8̴̨̡̢̛͈̜̹̟̫̫̃̓̍̔̏̚̚͠4̷̜̟̪̲̼̯̹͔̜̿̍́͗̓̆̀͋̎m̸̨̢̙̳̱͕͍̞̅̈͆̂̇͐̐̚̚͜9̵̧͍̮͚͙̟͓̹̬̓̈́̎͗̇̎̏̚͝ẖ̷̢͎̱̜͙̫̬͈̐̌̃̍͒̑̾̓͝¢̴̢̛͈͈̥̩͉̮̜͔̏̃̅̓̾̈́̕͘†̶̨̬̝̮̬͎̻̣͎̈́̂͊͛̋͌̀̀͘9̸̨͎̞̘̲̩͕̀́́̿̉̂͒̅̚͜͜0̸̞̳̥̬͉̯̝̥̘̋̓̌́̆̽͘̚͝m̶͖̜̦̪̣̣̜̖̲̎̓̍̈́̍̊̀̐̕8̵̟͓̞͎̖͇̼̮̂̏̓̎̈́͗̈͐͝ͅh̸̢͕̦͎̥͍͓̺͙̍̽̑͊̐̎̍͆͌q̶̰͈̞͇̙͈̦̮̫̆̃̊́͐͊͊͌̕8̷̡͕̺͕̲̞̖͓̖͗͗̐͂͌̈̇͆͘0̷̧̨̼̝̫͍̺̞͙̀́͑̌̓́͗̊̕9̵̛̥̻̝̲͖͔̩͕̰̑̐͐̅͒̽́́m̴̫͎̯͖͎̪͖͓̻͂͗̿̑̐̽̎̌̒†̴̨̭̳͎͎̳̮̲͇͛̈́̈́̅̀͛̉̈́͝h̷̨̨͇͎͙̼̼͍͗̓͆̀̀͋̚̚͝ͅ0̵̫̺͉̪̙̗͎̠̭̾̓͑͌͌̓̃͊͘q̵̡̩͚̬̼̭̞͇̤̿̀́̄̓̂͐̚͠8̴̨̻̟̙̖̬̥͓̠̋̏̈̍̇̓͘̕͝†̶̢̩̙̮͕̗̯͙̈́̓̋̓̐͂͆͗̐͜m̵̮̘͕̪̤͓̫̜̓̄̎̈̒̽̎̔̾͜h̶̨̤̲͈͇̲̭̗̜̑̋͌̀͑̈́̾̚̕¢̵̨̼̮̳͎̰̩̳͉̉̈́̀͐̽̄͠͠͠8̵̮͎̝̯̺̟̖̤̅͊̔̉̇̈̒͋͂͜q̴̢̩̗͉̥̟̝͉̆͒͋̈̾̑͐͘͘ͅ0̴̨̡͈͎̠̩̝̣̻͋̂̿́͂̅̆̎͘7̸̢̠̰͔̺̦̘̝̺͑̓͐̓̏̒͐͆͠3̷̢̡̢͔̟͇̼̤͓̿͋͛̑̀͂̂̔̈́g̶̯̖͈̲̙͕̩͍͈͋͒̋̄̒͌͒̚͠†̶̡̧̮̙̦̺̺̫͆̎́̍̓̑́̚͜͝4̸̛̹̦̹̭̘͍̬̺͍͒̆̀͆͗͂̀̈́0̸̨͇̮̖̘̙̻̟̞̋͂̑̋̊͗̈́̈́̚8̶̛̻̟̦̰̠̪̮̩͖̂͛̈͂͗̀̀̋7̴̞̹͓͚͎̗͙̞̽̔̿̔̓̒̍̅͜͠q̷̢̛͙͓̬͔͖̜̞̦̐͊̈̽̿͗̃͝g̵̗̺̺͙̺̙̪̪̅̐̊̓̌̒̀̀̇͜¢̸̛̦͎̭͖͔̞̠̰̥̍̈́̇̐̊͆͌́†̵̨̧̩̠̺̹̺̯͎͗̐̉̾̎̉̂́͝m̵̟̥̠̜̼̳̫̣̝̒̎͒͑̋̈́̈́͒͠8̷̢̨̨͔̺̜̮͉̮̋̿̋̈͂̏͋̏͠0̴̡͔͔̼͎̮̺̮̫̋̃̐̋͒́̚͝͝q̶̧̢͎̣̬̯̼̬̑̌̈̐̃̊̌̆̎͜h̶͕̼̮̭̗͍͙̼̘̀̆̏͂̊̽̈́͠͝†̶̨̨̯̞̥̖͉̭̥̈́̈́͑͐̍͊́̚͘8̶̟̤̺̩̞̰̖̈́̉́̌̓̂̊̽́ͅͅ0̶̻̗̫̯̺̰̖̮̑̍̀͂̓͊̍͘͘ͅ†̸̹̪͔̠̭̘̦͓͓̈́̐́͋̏̄̈͠͠m̷̛̤̼͙̭̫̲͖̻͚̊̈͊̽͒̾͛̂h̵̨̟͇̖̣̙͚͚͕̑̀̓̽̓̌͝͝͝q̸̢͕̩͎̰̗̝̣͌́̃̌̃̅̓̋̔͜3̷̨̛͎̫̹̗͈͚̗̹̔̄̾͂̏̆̽͠8̴̨̟͕̯̹̪̖̘̙̓́̊̾̽̃̓̏̂0̶̧̲̳̭͖̘̗̳̜̈́̈̔̃̔̀̌̅̑†̷̟̜̩̱̯͖͇͔̦̓̀̔̇̒͊̾̀͝m̶̮̙̖̗̩̜̺̟̯̈͋̌̂̀̾̕͠͝8̴̢̳̞̯̲̦̟̞̫́́̌̐̋͐͒̕͝q̵̡̛̫̝̙̬̗̻̗͍̉̍͆͌̌̄͘͝3̸̢̛̬̖̳͓̣̭̫̠̓͒͑̽̏́́͝0̷̨̩̼̜͚̲͈͇͛͂̃͛̾̇̃̾́ͅ†̶̡̡̢̡̦͈̠̼̹́́̿̾͗̔̚̕͝h̴̟̤̼͙̘̬̗̬̿̋̈́̀̎̀͊͜͝͝8̸̡̼̪̜̥̜̯̥̣̏̔̄͐̉͑͑̍͠4̸̢̛͖͇̭̮̱͔͓̗̇͗̆̐̑̊̌̚0̴̡̰͈̖̱̺̼̝̼̀͐̎̀̓̈́̂́͝3̵̠̺͓͙̩̜̹͈̘͊͌͌̽͒̊̊̾̕q̸̳͈̻͍̯̘̯͓̾̐̅͒͂̒̉̽̚͜m̸̨̨̟͚͓̠͖̜̄̓̌̌͋̑̓̚͜͠†̵̢̤̮̭̙̤̬̻̀̀͑̋̏̽̈́̎͒͜8̸̛͖̟̟͈̙̟͔̲̳̈̉̈́̋̇͋̚͝0̸̧̛̟̩͎͍̪̟͖̈́̏͆̎̒̆̋̏ͅ3̷̛̱̭̟̰͎̟̻̳̈́͒̀̅̍̅͛̄ͅḩ̷̟̣̲̗̼̲̻̂̍̀͐͌͑́͒͘ͅ†̷̧̤͎̬͚͓̤̮͍̂͑͐̏̏͑͋̉̚8̴̧̛̻͉͔̭̬͇̥͖͂̉́͛̔̐͑̚0̵͎͈̯̤̝̩̼̩̬̈́̄́͋̐̀̐̋͂4̸̧̣̩͕̞̪̪̯̺̋̅͋̂̃͗̈́̕͝3̵͈͖̟̜̤͚͕̲̆̄͌̅̏̾̈̍̂͜m̵̲̠̱̝͚͉͓̘͌͐̀͌̿̋̊̒͜͝h̵͓̞̯͖͇͍̠͙̠̀̄́̒̉̀͛͘͠†̷̢̨̱̦̪͙̝͍͌̎̑̑́̎̀̒͜͝8̴̧̲͉͇͕̱̟̻̄̇̾́̄͒̉͘͝ͅ0̷̡̛̛͈̥͓̻̙͇̬͉̀̒̽͛̀͋͝3̴̨̩̠̫̤̝͇͚̔̃̔̈́̍̄͋́͘͜4̸̬͕͔͇̺̩̻̓̓̈́̋͌̑̃͘͝ͅͅg̴̟̤̬̯̤̠̝̺̈͂̄̓͑̊̀̇͜͝†̵̡̢̖̜͙̫͙͇̗̅̒͊̈́̌́̄͝͠¢̵̧͇̤̮̹͕̙͔̄̔͛̔͆̅̇̏͘͜m̷̢̗̜̼̤̤͔͚̻͑̑̆̂̀̀̓̐͝8̵̢̱̤͓͈͔̮̥̋͐͗̌̂͆̄̈͝ͅ0̸̨͓̤̥̼̳͔͕̰̋̈́͑͊͒̄̕͠͝q̸̩̠͖͉̙̫͖̩̯̈́̀͋́̎̑́̐͝3̶̜͍͍͎͕̭̻̫̽̔̈́̌͋͒͗͌͂͜4̷̡͓̠̳͍͓̲̩̈́̂͂̔̉͐̂͛̑͜m̴̧̲̪̮̞̦̜͖̼̐̀̒̏͐̅̀̈́͝¢̷̛͍̰͍̤̼̲̙͇͛̀̊̈̂̊̏͜͠†̴̛͓̩̱̖̱̰̭̖̎͂́̊̿̑͐͝ͅ4̸̡̧̟͓̥̣̱͙̝̔́̈͛͂͒̕͠͝3̷̧̠̰̖͓͕͚̤̝͗̈̐̈́̊̈́̈́̈́8̸̣̻̞͙̰̦̯̱͛̾̎̏̑̈̎͘̕͜0̴͉̬̝͍̰̻̪̗̯̂̀̀̀̈́͗͊͛̚†̵̧͔̰͚̟͎̹̯̭́́͐̽́̍̐͘͠m̸̡͔̞͚͓͙̳̉̔͆̈̃̀͛͒͠ͅͅ8̷̨̨̘̻̳̙̦̊̋̊̎̈́̽͆̑̋͜ͅ3̵̱̗̻͚̗͎̃̀̀̾͂͊̾̆͝ͅͅͅ4̷̡̡̢̞̪̞̯͈͑͋́͑͗͛̅͜͝͠0̸̡̢̡̬͎̤̗͚͒̇́͊̐͌̈̎̕ͅm̶̠̲̝̼̻̺͉̣̊̏͆́͑̽̋̿̀ͅh̴̭̰̞̪͔̫̺̥̙̆͑̽͑̒̿̌͑͑†̸̢̦̱̼̫̙̥̯̠̿̓̂̄́͗̌̈́́8̵̧̡̣̰̯̞̟̝͓͛̄̇̌̂͆͐͑̅4̸̢̨͔̜͎͉͙̳̿̔̀͊̾̌̆͠͠ͅq̷̢̯͉̦̲̲̲͍͋̾̍͂̋̇̀̎͜͠3̸͙͈̪͚̞̺̱͔͇̈̿͂̇͋͒̊̆̈́¢̵̡̡̡̢̙̦̳͉̮͑́̇̑̐̕͘̕͘†̶̧̨̝̺̥̙̳͕͋̋̀̿̃̀̕͘͠ͅm̴̢̛̺͈͔̭̗̮̱̬̍̀̉͊̾͛͌̍g̴͍̮̤̲̤̗̤̰̯̉͗̏͑͗̏̒͆̒q̸̨̨͕̙̮̖̤̺͛̒̒͋́̌̈̋̍͜3̸͉̳̟͖̖̝̝̜͕͋̈́͌͋̓̈́̌̓͝4̵̨̛̗͕̙͎̙̥͖̟̂͐̿̈́͊̆͗̓8̸̬̞̖̼̝̯͇̈́̑̊͂̈́̽͑̏̋͜ͅ0̵̡̡̲̗̣̻̻̣̰͛̽̿͌̓̐͘͝͝m̵̨͎͓̬̖͕̤͎̙͋͒́́̽̉̃̈̈́¢̵̢͖̥̝̩̣̗̗́̃͐̍́̍͂̚̕͜†̶̨̖͎̫̼̻̪̩̼͐̾͗͌̎̾̓͗̚8̴̨̛͚͈̫̙̲̯̩̏̈͊̆͛́͘̕͜0̴̣̝̬̙͖͎̖̗̮̀̒́͊́̌́͌̚q̸̛̟̥̭̮͎͈͍͈̺̄̌̇̑͒̈́͛͝3̶̠̻̞͖̤̹̱̱̬͗̂͗͊͛̌̏͘͝4̸̛̗̱͓̣̰̰̤̙̬́̈́͑͋̏̅̕͝m̶̢͉̻̬͙̜̮̗̑̐́̍̉̆͗̇̒ͅ¢̴̢͉͈͓̝̻̳̳̦́͛͑͌́̏̈̽̇†̴̫͓͓̥̠̋̿̐͂̅̿̂̿͜͜͠ͅͅ8̵͔͙̣̫̪͈̤̳͗̌͛̌͌̾̑͜͠͠q̶͇̦̫̫͙̭͓̺́̑͂͌̈́͑͒́͘͜3̴͙̰̜̳͎͖̠̱͕̑̑͐͛̋̈́̿̔̒4̶̡̡̧̝̰͔͕̞̎͛͊̍̎͌̈́́̀ͅ0̸̡̹̮̲̱̗̙͂́̂̔̊̎̍͜͜͝͝¢̸̙̗̬͔̮̩͚̖̮̉͑̍̿̐͗̿̈́̚†̶̢̡̟̪̲͕͚̭͇̈̀̿̾̄̿̽̏͝8̵̱̘̳͖̠͙̱̱̈͆̍̀̏͐͆̊͜͝4̷̨̺̦͓͔͎͇̯͙̐͊̔̄̉̊̀̎̽ĝ̷͎̹̦͖͖̭͇̺̠̔͑̽̽͆̋͋̕¢̸̡̟̥̰̜͈͎̾̓̑͗̋̅̈́̌͜͠ͅ†̷̛͚̜̱̻̱͖̳̓̋̊̔͌̕͘͘͜ͅm̸̢̛͉̰̹͖̣̦̱͉̀̾͂̔̑̌̈̀8̵̛̘̪̲̜͇̦̳̥͔̀͛̓̽̐̚̕͘