Finally, I got this chapter up. Sorry it took so long, I've been busy with school and stuff. Anyways, here we go...

-O- The kingdom of Altea

Heavy raindrops fell from the black sky and pelted the outside of the stained-glass windows of the castle, and the wind howled outside in the darkness. The shape of one of the windows upstairs was illuminated and flickering by the light of a single lantern inside, and the orange glow seemed to be the only thing visible in the night storm.

Behind the window on the inside of the sturdy structure was a large dwelling, with a very thin carpeting of the royal colors of red and maroon over the smooth floor. To the left side of the closed double-doors of the room was a wide, four-poster bed with only the most finest fabrics of pillows and blankets, and the top, solid colored quilt elegantly swept down to the floor on either side. The room had only a few pieces of furniture and was very spacious, and at the large window that was in the far wall from the doors stood a lone young man surveying the darkness.

He wore a navy blue cloak of royalty that fastened with a jeweled pin at the neck and cascaded straightly down his back until it came within a whisper of the floor. There was gold and sapphire armor over his shoulders and chest, which was for the most part covered by the folds of the cloak but still visible. Under these he wore a short-sleeved, light blue tunic that was belted tightly at the waist and then fell loosely to the tops of his thighs, and then split upwards in the middle for a few inches in the shape of an upside-down V, and then there was the stitchings of embroidery along the bottom. Under that he wore black pants which disappeared at the knee, for his boots were knee-high with a thick white band at the top, then were a dark blue, loose-fitting material that went down over the shins and stopped at the bottom of the ankle at the wide metal buckle that clasped over the top of the shoes, which were still blue but a shade or two lighter, and the thin sole was an ebony black. His hands and forearms were clad in the dark blue of fingerless gloves that extended up to the crook of the arm. And from the leather belt around his waist hung the fancy sheath of a thin sword at his left side.

He was known as nothing but Prince Marth, heir to the Altean throne. His father the king was a lonely man who no longer had a wife and no one but his son. He had married again after the death of the queen, to a woman who already had a daughter, but then the second wife died after coming down with a terrible fever, and left the Altean throne queenless, but had left behind her blind daughter Anya. There had been debate in the castle for weeks as to whether or not the girl was to be considered a princess, but the king's advisors had opposed the idea since Anya had no blood relation to the royal throne, so now she was just someone else living in the castle.

But she was as close as a sister to Marth. She had always supported him in every decision he made, and she was the only person that he would take the time out to care for. She had been blind ever since early childhood, but now Marth was her eyes as much as he could be, though it was difficult when he had a kingdom to assist in running.

Now he continued to stare out into the blackness and ran his fingers through his bangs. His hair was a color somewhere between black and dark blue, and framed his face on both sides. His thick bangs reached down to his eyebrows, and then behind his bangs was a thin golden crown, which took the shape more of a tiara one would see on a princess, but either way it was Marth's blatant mark of royalty.

He had turned eighteen this year, and at a little over six feet tall he was physically and mentally ready to take over the throne, but that would not happen until either he was crowned king or his father passed away. Marth had no want for the latter to happen, and he was not in too much of a hurry to rule Altea by himself, so as of now he was content in waiting.

Lately the king seemed to have picked up a dreadful cough, but he was just as intent as ever on finding his son a wife. Pretty girls and women from all over the kingdom would consider themselves worthy, but Marth would express no interest and send them all away baffled. It was the same with the concubines. Marth's personal advisor, Gathan, had come upon the idea one day to bring in two lovely girls with thick facepaint for the prince, but Marth had refused to open his chamber doors and then ordered the girls away. The two of them had left confused and offended, and Gathan had been as well.

Back at the present, Marth was still standing in front of one of the windows, which all of them reached from the floor and then all the way up to the ceiling, forming a point at the top, and he tensed at the faint sound of footsteps on the marble floor of the halls outside his door. He was not in the mood to be annoyed tonight, or even messed with at all, for that matter. He was known for having a terrible temper if he let it get the best of him, and so when the prince was in this kind of mood, everyone knew to walk softly in his presence.

The heavy double-doors swung open quietly, and the light from the torch-lit halls flooded into the room briefly before the doors were closed agian. Marth could tell someone had entered before he heard the footsteps, and then he heard the familiar shuffle of a respectul bow, and turned to see Gathan in the middle of the room.

"Prince Marth," he said, bent over at the waist and holding a papyrus scroll in his hands. The man was in his mid-thirties and had thin, chestnut-colored hair and a dark moustache. Marth had formed something to entertain himself one day out of boredom, and that was to watch how close to the floor a subject would go with a bow. And he had discovered that Gathan always went unusually low.

"Don't you have other things to do than to bother me tonight?" Marth snapped.

"Forgive me, highness," Gathan replied humbly, and only now rose to a stand. He had been able to tell that the prince was in a bad mood just by the other's body language, and he knew that he had better choose his words carefully. He rolled out the scroll onto a small table by the window and ran his hands across the surface to smooth it out. "I found it to be important that you observe what I have here." The scroll turned out to be a map of Altea and the countries and kingdoms around it, and Marth absentmindedly stepped over to look. "We are surrounded by enemies on nearly every side. Doluna to the east and Hyrule to the west. The mighty ocean to the north, which is considered an enemy in battle, seeing that it blocks off escape if one is needed."

Marth loosely clasped his hands behind his back, concealed under his royal cloak, and said flatly, "I know what surrounds us, Gathan, and I'm aware of what's happening on every side. My country has had battles with them before in the past, so what is it any different now?"

"Your soldiers are very mighty in strength and number," Gathan said. "But, highness, suppose these two countries flanking Altea form an alliance? The attack on us could be devestating, even if we were prepared."

Marth strolled away from the table and went back to staring out in the dark rain. "I've considered that before. What do you suggest?"

Gathan thought on this for a moment, and his pause was so long that Marth turned to look at him questioningly until the former said slowly, "Well, sir, there are only a few choices of things we can do. The first is waiting until we are attacked and hoping that our return fight wins us victory. The second is somehow forming a peace agreement with our enemies, which I do not see lasting for a long while. And the third would be forming an alliance ourselves with the one of them and destroying the other that is left."

Marth scoffed and shot a glare in Gathan's direction. "Why is there need for an alliance at all? You already said yourself that the king's armies are powerful in strength and number."

"It was the words of truth, highness, but it would not be wise to try to take on both kingdoms single-handedly."

"You have it set in your mind that Hyrule and Doluna have or will form an alliance, but suppose you're wrong?"

"We must think with strategy, sir. Suppose I am right."

Prince Marth turned back to the window.

-O-

"I'm sorry, Link, but I have to go, for your safety and mine." Princess Zelda hugged Link around the neck tightly, and he knew she spoke with honesty, but he was confused.

"Zelda, let me go with you," he whispered, taking her by the waist and pulling her closer.

"It's far too dangerous," she replied with sorrow in her voice. "I want nothing less than to leave you, but I would die if something happened to you."

"But wasn't I destined to protect you, and Hyrule? I want to come with you."

Zelda pulled back to look into Link's eyes, but kept her hands on the back of his neck. "Altea is pressing down hard on Hyrule, and the wars must come to an end somewhere. I thought it was all going to be peaceful again when you defeated Ganon, but our enemies picked that time to cause us trouble. If it is not Altea it is Doluna, and my father says he and I must go into hiding until things calm down."

"I know. I'll go with you if you'll just let me."

Zelda's fingers tightened, and she closed her eyes and tilted her head down, her face now very close to Link's chest. "I want you to come with me. My father even agreed on it, but when I started thinking of the danger it could put you in..."

"Zelda! I've faced danger most of my life. Tell me why this is any different."

The princess was silent for a few seconds, then said quietly, "I would be responsible. Link, if something happened to you..."

"Don't worry about me. I'm in danger here too." Link indicated the land of Hyrule out the castle window with a small sweep of his arm. "You could be gone for awhile, and we'd be apart that whole time. Zelda, I love you, and I can't stay here."

Zelda let out a nearly inaudible sob. "I love you, and that's why I can't let you come. I'm sorry."

Link was running out of an arguement, for he did not know what else he could say to persuade her. He gripped her arms with his hands and made her look at him. "I would die for you. You know that. And what would kill me faster would be the heartache of being away from you."

Zelda sobbed again, and one of the king's soldiers appeared in the doorway briefly. "Princess, I'm afraid it's time to leave." He was gone in an instant, and Zelda and Link were once again left alone.

Link looked at her pleadingly, and stroked a tear from her face with his fingers. She placed her hands on his shoulders and sighed. "Maybe I won't be gone for long." She sniffed. "Don't think this is our lst good-bye, Link. We will see each other again." They shared a long kiss, and then he followed her down the twisting stairs of the castle and out into the sunshine to the king's awaiting caravan of horses that would accompany them on the trip. Where they were going, Link did not know, and Zelda herself did not even know so she could tell him.

The king nodded to Link and mounted his horse, and he and the others waited as Link and Zelda stood at a distance and clasped each others hands.

"I'll miss you while I'm gone," she said.

Link said hopefully, "Are you sure you won't let me come?"

Zelda looked down. "I'm sure, but not quite sure if it's the right decision. Forgive me if it turns out that it wasn't, later in time."

"Zelda..." Link was once again at a loss for words, but then the princess hugged him tightly and turned to go join her father. Link's hand traveled from her shoulder down to her hand and held her there for a moment, each of them at arm's length, and then she broke the grasp and mounted her own horse. Link watched with the urge to follow, but was frozen motionless, and the princess soon disappeared over the far hill.

He lived in a daze the rest of that day, and after walking home to Tarou Village, spent most of his time in the stable with only chickens as company. His sister and grandmother had tried everything to make him better, but he had brushed them off and joined the animals, which did not prod about his problems. Princess Zelda alwasy kept her word, but that did not mean she would come back. Anything could happen to make it where she could not, and Link was nearly sick with worry and dread. And as a few days went on, he only felt worse, and sometime in the afternoon of a lovely sunny day, he walked out by himself to the ocean and stood at the water's edge to breathe in the salty air. He was unhumanly depressed at Zelda's departure, and he suddenly eyed the crystal blue water with a new thought in mind. He had not been thinking much for the past few days, and this seemed to be the first thing that had entered his head since. It was not a logical thought, but rather an idea that he suddenly found himself acting on semiconsciously.

He took a step into the water, and slowly continued on until it was up to his chest. He paused for a split second, then took the last two steps that submerged him completely in the beautiful yet deadly water. He relaxed and let himself go, prepared for anything that could happen, save for what really did. A hand grabbed the back of his tunic at the neck and yanked him to surface. Link coughed and spit with surprise, and felt himself being pulled back to more shallow water by a man from the village.

"I saw you go out!" the man exclaimed. "What is it in your mind, to be dead when she comes back?" He knew the reason for Link actions. "Do you want to be dead when she comes? Well, is that what you want?"

And it was that moment, after a close brush with a foolish death, that Link decided he would find Zelda no matter how long it took.

Link awoke with a frustrated moan and shot up into a sitting position. He panted, feeling half drowned, and then discovered that he was in the dry loft of the stable on Dorobis' plantation, and not drowning. He calmed himself down and massaged his forehead with both palms. He had dreamed about Zelda many times before, but never like this. The dream he had just had was more of a flashback, for it was exactly the way it had happened in real life, two years ago. It shamed him to think of the foolishness he had almost given in to, and was thankful for the man who had pulled him from the water. He couldn't believe that he had acted so crazy.

Now he got dressed and slowly made his way down the ladder from the loft. He was unusually tired this morning, for it had taken him what seemed like forever to get to sleep the night before. Most of the time he just knocked out at night from the fatigue of the day's hard work, but it had not been that easy last night.

He took a heavy step onto the dusty floor of the stable and heard a whuffle from Epona. He looked up and greeted her in Hylian, "Miare fala mazen, Epona" and she thrust her head over the stall door in an effort to somehow reach him. He went to her and took her ears in his hands, giving them a vigorous but gentle shake. He had done this ever since she was a foal, and it her was favorite form of affection from him.

Something nailed to the wall on the left suddenly caught Link's eye. He took a good look and discovered a very polished, wooden bow with a quiver full of arrows hanging on a nail underneath. He left his horse and walked over to the wall, his attention now captured, and ran his fingers along the strong body of the bow. He had always been an ace at archery, as well with the boomerang, but the bow and arrows were what was in front of him, and he suddenly had the urge to test out his shooting prowess. He carefully took the bow and then the quiver from the nails they were hanging on and loaded an arrow onto the thick string of the bow. His left hand gripped the handle of the bow and his right pulled back the string as far as he could get it to go; just to merely see how it handled. He loved the feel of it and was sudden flooded with flash-backs of teaching his younger sister how to shoot an arrow, and he was oblivious to his surroundings when he heard a sudden thud in the doorway.

He was startled and jumped slightly, but that was all it took for him to lose the grip with his right hand, and the arrow snapped off of the string and whizzed through the air. He had somehow known the arrow was going to fly in the split second that he had had to think, and had luckily took his aim to the far wall on the right just in time. The arrow landed hard and embedded into the thick log wall so far that nearly only the feathered tip could be seen. LInk had pulled back the string as far was physically possible for the bow, and he had always been a powerful shot; fortuantely he had aimed fast enough and avoided hitting a horse.

All of that happened in the blink of an eye, and then he turned quickly to face the doorway, expecting to see someone who would try to punish him for messing around with the weapons, like Henry or Dorobis, but it was only Artos.

"I'm thankful I was standing out of range," he said, with a thin humor in his voice. "Suppose you had shot me? I would have been stuck to the barn wall."

Link did not know whether to laugh or not. "Eimiki, I didn't know you were there."

"So I understand." Artos had been holding a saddle and bridle, and he came inside and dropped them in a corner. "Just out of curiosity... did Dorobis give you permission to handle his weapons?"

"Na, of course not."

"Don't worry, I'm not making trouble with you," Artos said quickly. He still had not seemed to have gotten over his slight fear of Link. "I just wanted to know, because I thought it would be too unusual."

Link walked over to the arrow and attempted to pull it from the wall, but it was embedded too deep. "What's Dorobis going to say when he sees this?"

Artos tapped his chin. "I will tell him that it was me who was fiddling around with the weapons."

Link paused and then said quietly, "You shouldn't do that for me."

"Well, I feel that you've suffered enough at the hand of Master Dorobis. He won't hurt me for it, but I cannot say the same for you. So you have no idea what happened here, all right?" Artos grinned broadly.

"All right." Link sounded serious, but then a small smile broke out and he handed the bow to Artos. "Well, if you did it, you had better take this."

Artos practically guffawed and hung the bow and quiver back on the wall. "You had better get back to breaking Night Rider. And by the way, you're doing a wonderful job."

"Gensae... thank you."

"Yes, Jennan has told me a little about you. But only a little." Artos held his thumb and forefinger about an inch apart to show what he meant. "She seems to be very happy when she comes back from talking with you."

Ah, Jennan. It had been a week since they had shared a kiss, and Link thought that those few seconds had been a piece of heaven. It was like he had thought when he first laid eyes on her; she was like an angel. Or at least to him, anyway. He and Jennan had been making it a point to have one of their talks at least once a night, but it had been made difficult when Dorobis had returned from his trading journey. "I like Jennan," Link said, and then quickly regretted saying it. It could be a serious mistake to say so out loud; Jenna already knew he liked her, but what business was that of everyone else's?

"I know. And, unfortunately, everyone in the house knows that she likes you. We can thank Miss Beth for that, I suppose. Those two have hated one another for as long as I can remember."

Link was unsure at what to think about Beth's showing interest in him. He figured that she had done it just to get at Jennan, but he could not be sure. He had no interest in Beth- she was far too dramatic and annoying. And then he discovered that it was slight fun to have girls rival over him, but he had no intention of wanting to see it go any farther than it had. Jennan had already thrown Beth in the creek over the matter, and there was no telling what might come next. He found himself feeling shy and confused over the whole thing, but said to Artos, "I should get to work."

"That's the truth." Artos paused, then said, "Oh, and by the way, if you see Master Dorobis, it would be wise to steer clear of him. He seems to be in a terrible mood today."

Link nodded once. He made it a point to always stay away from Dorobis, but he appreciated Artos' warning. Then the two of them parted their seperate ways, and Link headed out to the pasture to continue with his breaking of Night Rider. The huge horse stayed out in the enclosed field because no one had been brave enough to try to lead him to the stables, or get him around the other horses. Link planned on attempting this soon, but knew that today was not the day. He was just at the point where the horse would allow itself to be touched and handled lightly, and accepted the bridle and bit, and Link was set on trying the saddle now. He had taken it from the stable, and when he got down to the pasture, laid it over the wooden fence.

Night Rider spotted him from the middle of the pasture and came walking over slowly. Link knew the way to gain a horse's trust. He blieved the most important was being slow of movement, calm, and sure of himself, to gently let the horse know who was in charge. The second was an old trick of taking a sugar cube or something of the sort and feeding the horse with every visit, which Link had done from the start, and all of this seemed to be working. He also had an unusual way with horses, and something like this could not be taught to anyone else; it was a gift for the person who possesed it, and Link intended to use it wisely.

The black horse stopped within a yard or so from Link and pricked up his ears. Link talked softly and beckoned the horse to come closer. He had the urge speak in Hylian, but knew that he was breaking the horse for someone else and thus had to use English. He had used both languages when working with Epona as a foal, and it had seemed to pay off in the end.

"Kinash, Night Rider," he said. "Miana, pennu."

Night Rider took another step, but then refused to come any closer, so Link went to him and ran a hand into the dark mane. The horse looked expectant, and Link took out a sugar cube from his pocket and turned his hand palm-up. Night Rider lipped Link's hand until he picked up the cube and sucked it away. He had come to expect this every day, and Link was beginning to think lightheardedly that he was spoiling the horse.

"You're going to be as gentle as Epona when I'm done with you," Link said on a light note. "I guess if Dorobis is going to try to force me to work for him, at least he picked the right job for me. Isn't that right?" He picked up the bridle from the ground beside the fence and slipped it over Night Rider's head while talking softly. They had done this the same way every day, and the horse had gotten use to it to where he did not even fight the bit anymore. The other people on the plantation were amazed at how fast the progress was going, but Link did not hold any pride within himself.

He gently pushed the bit in and then pulled his fingers back as Night Rider bit down. Link continued on with the usual routine, which consisted of taking the reins and leading the horse around the pasture a few times, and this happened without incident now. Most horses seemed to have a strange will to follow Link to the ends of the earth if a situation called for it, and Night Rider was turning out to be no exception.

The two of them came to a halt at the fence post where they had started, and Link let the reins fall and picked up the heavy saddle. He did not want to tie the horse to the fence while saddling him, for he felt that this would give it a sense of being forced against its will, and he did not want the horse to obey merely because it had not choice, but also because it wanted to of its own free will. This tactic of trust had worked with Epona and all the other horses Link had ever broken, and he saw no reason why it should fail now.

It did not seem to be failing. Night Rider stood still as Link hoisted the blanket and saddle onto the ebony, sleek back, but kept his eyes on the young man with only a slight air of wariness. Link kept his guard up for a sudden oncoming kick or bite, but was not afraid and certainly did not show any fear in the slightest. Link tightened the cinch slowly, and once everything was in place, stepped back to give the horse room to go if he wished. But he did not move. He just continued to stare at Link, as if asking direction for what to do next.

After a few moments of this, Link decided that it might be time for the next step. Mounting would be a dangerous move, but he had to try. What good was a horse that no one could ride? He stood at the left side of Night Rider and took a deep breath. Well, no use wasting time. He knew he would have to do this quickly, but not with so much haste as to spook the horse. He reached up and grabbed the mane and saddle with his left hand, jabbed his left foot in the stirrup, and swung his right leg over. He settled warily into the saddle, and Night Rider made a quick move as if he was going to bolt, and Link prepared himself to hang on tightly, but the horse changed its mind and surprisingly stood still. Link started talking softly again, and was still in amazement at what he was beginning to accomplish. He could not wait to tell Jennan.

-O-

Jennan had gotten word from Artos about an arrow embedded into the stable wall, and when he asked Matayo to help him come pull it out, Jennan quickly volunteered. It was Matayo's day for studies, and she was glad to be free and wanted to go outside. The blazing weather was finally starting to cool off, and she was just down-right happy. She had been this way for a week now.

"What happened?" she asked cheerily once they reached the stables.

"Oh, I was just messing around with the bow and arrow and made a mistake," Artos replied. As Jennan bent down and tried to pull the arrow from the wall, in vain, he suddenly changed his mind about what he wanted to tell her. He knew the secret would be safe with her. "Actually, Miss Jennan, forgive me for not saying the truth. Link shot that arrow."

Jennan, from her spot on the floor, turned and looked at him. "Link?" Artos nodded, and she ceased trying to dislodge the arrow. "Oh. He must have a powerful shot."

"He does. I saw him do it."

Jennan stood up. "But why?"

Artos laughed and told her the story, and when he was finished she was laughing as well. "Link is quite interesting, isn't he?" Artos said.

"Yes," Jennan breathed.

Artos grinned. "Well, if you want to try to get that out of the wall, go ahead... but as far as your father knows, I did that."

"I understand."

"I'll be right back." Artos left the stable, and Jennan was alone. She bent down again and tried to work the arrow from the wall, but it was lodged extremely deep. She swooned at the thought of Link's strength to be able to shoot an arrow that hard, and found herself distracted when she heard a noise in the doorway.

"Artos-" she said, and turned, but saw Henry. "Oh." She stood up and held onto her skirts loosely.

"Hello, Jennan," Henry said, but got no reply. Jennan found herself not liking the look in Henry's eyes, and she just blinked slowly. She was prepared to explain the arrow in the wall and say that Artos had done it, for she knew no one would be angry at him, but Henry did not even seem to see it. He walked over to her and stood awfully close, and she wanted to walk away, but there was a wall behind her.

"Excuse me, Henry," she said impatiently, and made an attempt to get by, but he did not budge. She glared up at him and changed her tone to "Move."

"Oh, Jennan, you don't have to be so bitter." His hand was suddenly on her shoulder, and she shrugged. When it did not move, she reached up and pushed it away.

"Henry, I have things to do. I would appreciate it if you would get out of my way."

Henry smiled. "I have things to do as well."

"Then mind your business and do them."

There was silence for a moment, which was broken by the whuffle of a horse. Henry was not ugly in the least; in fact, he was easy on the eyes, but there were so many other things about him that Jennan did not like. She now found herself getting angry and planned her next move when he spoke again, on a careless note, "You do know I saw you kiss that Hylian boy."

Jennan tried to keep her expression the same as before but found it hard. "What?"

"Don't try to act like you do not know what I'm talking about. I saw the two of you kissing by the creek sometime last week."

Jennan saw no way to deny it. If he seen it, he seen it. "And what business is that of yours?"

Now his hands were on both her shoulders. "Do you know that I could easily tell Dorobis, and what would happen to you? Or the punishment that would fall on Link... yes, it would be very easy."

She knew that nothing too bad would happen to her, but there was no telling what Dorobis might do to Link. She did not want to imagine, and continued to glare at Henry. "Why would you do that? You're dreadfully evil."

Henry laughed softly. "I won't tell if you kiss me."

Jennan suddenly wanted to throw up. She threw his hands off of her shoulders and stamped her foot in the dust. "No! Now get out of my way." She tried to pass again, but he seized her arm.

"Suit yourself then. Just don't expect to ever be kissing Link again. He probably won't live past tonight, anyhow..."

Jennan growled silently within herself. She had thought she hated Henry before, but this was too much. You tell Father and I'll... I'll..."

"Yes, what will you do, Jennan? Oh yes, nothing, for there is not a thing you can do against me. Now, it's a very simple trade."

"Henry..."

"Your part of the bargain won't hurt you. But if you don't, it certainly will hurt Link, now won't it?"

Jennan could not believe that she was considering it, but she felt she had no choice for Link's sake. "Suppose you tell my father anyway?"

"I give you my word that I will not."

Jennan had never really known Henry to break his word, but then again she had not really paid that much mind. "You're evil, Henry..."

"It's up to you."

She sighed heavily, then reached up with her hands on the back of his head and kissed him hard. The couple of seconds that it lasted was enough to make her gag, and then she pulled back quickly and let him go. "There's your kiss." Then she brought back her hand and slapped his face with all her strength. "And I hate you." He stood with a hand to his cheek as she stormed out of the stable.

-O-

Prince Marth had been lying on his oversized bed and near sleep when the echo of rushing footsteps sounded in the hall. He woke up quickly and leaned up on his hands as the huge doors of his dwelling swung open quickly and Gathan rushed inside.

"Your highness," he panted, and bowed hastily. He could not catch his breath, and Marth slid off the bed and came over to him.

"Say it, Gathan. What is it?"

"Sir," the other managed to say between gasps. "You... you must get the soldiers together."

Marth's right hand flashed to the handle of his sword that hung at his side. "The soldiers? Why?"

Gathan sucked in another breath. "Altea... Altea is under attack."