Thorn slipped silently into the edge of Tanen Gard, alert and filled with a tingling sense of nervousness. She had not entered this realm since she and Fone Bone had touched the Crown of Horns, which felt like ages ago. She hadn't wanted to go back, the memories being frightening, turning her stomach with unease. But, now, as she approached, that uneasiness grew to an almost palpable panic. She knew better than to enter the actual structure, but she had been granted permission by the Great Red Dragon that, should she ever need him, she could go as far into Tanen Gard as the very entrance. The queen edged forward, eyes wide as a feeling of darkness crowded in on her from all sides.
Tanen Gard was always like that; dark and dirty, filled with the smell of brimstone. It wasn't a pleasant place, which was good, in a way, because it discouraged people from going there. The Council of Dragons liked their privacy and seclusion from the human race, as well as any other race. They were the protectors of the Valley, and for that Thorn was grateful, but she couldn't help wishing that they were a little more visibly active. Sometimes it felt as though they waited until the very last moment to throw in their hand, letting the other inhabitants of the Valley deal with their troubles until they had no choice but to interfere. All except the Great Red Dragon. He seemed to hold a greater understanding and compassion to non-dragons than others of his kind. Even going so far as to go against some of them in an attempt to help, especially during the days past, when the Valley had been under threat of the Lord of the Locust.
Coming to the base of the entrance, Thorn came to a halt, standing as the the slightest sound would send her sprinting. She was a brave girl, and had faced many dangers. But this was something she could only feel. Could only just barely sense. From the folds of her royal attire, she pulled out a small offering of fruit, brought at the suggestion of Gran'ma Ben. She set the pile down by the opened maw of the cave, glancing toward it nervously. She hadn't needed any help from the dragons since the Great Battle, and she felt as though she might be disturbing them. But this was important. That feeling of darkness and evil was becoming stronger. In fact, here in Tanen Gard, it seemed strongest. Thorn bowed slightly, holding two fingers to the bridge of her nose in the typical Veni Yen gesture, trying to both sense the presence of her protector and trying to call him out. But, to her surprise, she didn't sense anything at all. There was no emotion in the world below her. No presence other than darkness. A sort of deathly stillness resided in the dragon lair.
Then something stirred.
But it wasn't a dragon.
Thorn gasped as something seemed to lurch forward at her in her mind. It held no form, nothing she could see. It was simply a shadow, with no structure or substance. It ran at her mind, and she mentally staggered back. It felt as though she were trying to pull herself out of tar. She struggled, sensing the evil almost upon her. With a cry, she managed to jerk her fingers away from her face, stumbling back and nearly falling, her chest heaving from the effort. All that loomed before her was the empty entrance to the cave, and total darkness beyond it. Eyes wide and frightened, Thorn turned and ran for her horse, which she had left on the outskirts of the Gard, leaping up into the saddle without hardly even using the stirrups. She grabbed the reins, sending one, final glance into Tanen Gard with a look of true, unbridled fear. Then, with a jolt, urged her beast to flee back to Atheia.
There would be no help from the dragons in Tanen Gard.
For something else now resided there.
The mind is a fascinating thing, capable of so many functions. It contains our thoughts, hopes, fears, emotions, and, in essence, our very soul. It can make decisions, calculate equations, create symphonies, understand various concepts, and dream of the future in amazing depiction. The mind can do all these things, and yet, no one will quite understand the many twists and turns of how it works. And maybe that's a good thing, for who would want to take all the mystery out of life? Not knowing, and the strive to learn, is part of what adds many of the joys of life. But no one ever said it was always a helpful thing. The mind can also prove very difficult. It is stubborn, prone to getting off track and latching onto whatever subject catches its fancy. And that was something Smiley Bone was finding to be very disconcerting.
Smiley sat, slouched on the sofa, remote in hand, flipping through the various channels with a dulled expression pasted on his face. But that expression was turning into one of hopeless annoyance. The lighting of the room changed colors with each push of the button, the television displaying every show, commercial, and news broadcast Boneville had to offer. Smiley had pulled the blinds down, keeping the living room in darkness. Which was odd. One would have thought, after all that had been happening, he would have wanted what little light of day existed to shine through, but he didn't. The depressive atmosphere matched his depressive mood. There was absolutely nothing on the television that he wished to see. And anything he had wanted to watch had turned out to be too painful to keep watching.
The mind is a fascinating thing, but in this case, Smiley believed he would have been better off without one at all. Every channel; every show, reminded him, in some way, shape, or form, of the Valley. Whether it be something someone said in a cartoon, the way a flower swayed in the breeze, or just the beauty in the scenery of a movie, his mind would keep wandering back to that magical place across the desert. Yes, 'magical' was a good word for it. Nothing like Smiley and his cousins had experienced in the Valley ever happened in Boneville. There were no talking animals and strange, unusual creatures and dragons. There were no princesses, or cow races, or battles. There were no adventures; no treasures. No anything. And Smiley, though he might have been slow to admit it, missed all those things terribly. He missed the friends they had made. He missed the dangers and trials, that had forced his character to grow from a village idiot to a truly developed individual. He was reminded daily of that life, and he often wondered what would have happened to him had he not undergone such a transformation. Now he felt stagnant. Unwanted.
Society certainly didn't want him. Even their enemies didn't think him worthy of their time. Not that the Council was an enemy, necessarily, but they certainly weren't friends. He felt tossed aside; ignored, and, though that might have been a blessing in several ways, it still left him feeling hurt. He wanted to be a part of something, like he had been in the Valley. Sure, he had never played a role in the great span of things as Thorn had, or Gran'ma Ben, or even Lucius, but he had been a part of the outcome. There were things he had done that had mattered. But now...
Smiley let a soft sigh escape him, shifting his gaze to the rat creature at his side. Bartleby was the only one who took any notice of him; or, at least, that's how it felt sometimes. The purple furred animal was by his side constantly, and for that he was grateful. He had always been a bit of a loner, not by choice, but by habit. He had never had any true friends before Bartleby, and that made their friendship very special. Likewise, Bartleby had had no friends before Smiley, and so returned the Bone's friendship strongly. Smiley's mind wandered back to the Valley, a longing to return suddenly developing into an itching need. He couldn't seem to stifle it this time, as it suddenly seemed to consume him.
Bartleby relaxed upon the cushions of the sofa. He was rather large for it, making it bow beneath his weight and size. He would have been more comfortable if he had stretched out more, but that was something he had refrained from doing. He wanted Smiley to be with him on the couch, and the only way there was room for them both was for the rat creature to curl up in as tight a ball as he could manage. He looked more like a great furry lump, rather than anything even closely resembling a living, breathing being. But he was content, if not fully comfortable, and, besides, at the moment, he was far more focused on keeping a watchful eye on Smiley.
The tallest Bone cousin was acting distinctly agitated, and Bartleby found he could sense Smiley's frustration quite strongly. It was almost overpowering the emotions that came off of the three Bones sometimes. Rat creatures, like most animals, had very heightened instincts when it came to reading others feelings. Just like a horse can detect when a person is nervous, or a dog might bark at an unfriendly stranger, Bartleby could feel Smiley's anguished confusion, and hurt. It filled the rat creature with worry and uncertainty. He wanted to help, but knew not how to do so. And so he sat quietly, offering his closest friend the simple comfort of having someone near during troubling times. It was the least he could do. Smiley had saved his life more than once, back when he was nothing but a cub. Now, Bartleby was far larger, and there were few things in the world that he had to fear of harming him. But he had become increasingly aware of just how many dangers were still able to touch his friends, who now were so much smaller than he himself. In Boneville, there might not be evil spirits or hostile hoards of teeth baring creatures, but the persecution of their fellow Bones could be just as harmful. Bartleby had seen the way the media had effected his friends, and it only made him wish harder that there was something he could do.
The sofa cushions shifted suddenly, and Bartleby looked up, his thoughts interrupted. He gazed in curiosity as Smiley rose stiffly to his feet, standing in the middle of the room, absolutely still. He seemed tense. Very tense. Bartleby felt the fur on the back of his neck raise warningly, telling him that something wasn't quite right. He uncurled his long limbs from beneath him, half sitting up in worry. "Smiley? Are you alright?"
The Bone didn't answer at first, remaining perfectly motionless. A conflict seemed to be taking place inside of him, for, after a moment, he took a shaky step forward, and them pulled back, as if quite reluctant. The battle, whatever it might have been, didn't last long. With a sudden jolt, Smiley walked swiftly out of the living room and into the kitchen. Bartleby launched himself from the couch and followed, catching up just as Smiley grabbed the doorknob that would lead him outside of the apartment.
Bartleby didn't like the looks of him. Bones were white as a rule, but they could still visibly pale, which Smiley more than qualified at the moment. His dark eyes, staring straight ahead as though in a trance, stood out in contrast to his pallid skin. His breathing was low, but irregular, as though in discomfort. Bartleby was thoroughly disturbed by this point. Reaching out a clawed paw, the rat creature lay it on the door, preventing Smiley from opening it. "Smiley, where are you going?!" Bartleby's voice was high-pitched in alarm.
Smiley paused, as if fighting a doubt in his own mind that was trying to take hold. But, again, he seemed to lose. "I'm going back to the Valley." His voice was toneless, emotionless; simply a stated fact.
Bartleby blinked his large eyes, a panic welling up within him. "But...Fone Bone will expect us here! If we leave, he won't be able to find us! We told him we would stay!"
Slowly, Smiley shook his head, disagreeing. He lightly forced Bartleby's hand off the frame, giving him access to open the door. Bartleby flitted his gaze between the hall and his friend, hoping that Fone Bone and Phoney would return and stop this...whatever it was. The rat creature knew he had the strength to do so himself; all he'd have to do was grab Smiley and drag him back inside, but he didn't have the heart. Smiley had been so undriven of late, it was almost good to see some sort of determination in his face. Even if that nearly blank expression was hauntingly unsettling. And the fact that Smiley was willing to leave his cousins behind was equally worrisome.
"What about Phoney and Fone Bone?!"
Smiley stepped out into the hall, not even bothering to shut the door as he left. His mind was set feverishly on one, solitary subject. His toneless voice gave Bartleby a confident answer. "They'll follow me." He didn't even blink. He was a soulless being, and yet Bartleby could still see a glimpse of Smiley through it, something about the eyes, the way they shone as they always did. There was simply something suppressing it.
Bartleby tried to weigh his options, knowing that nothing short of holding Smiley back would stop him. He considered running to find the other two cousins, but he had no idea where the Council resided, and the time it would take to find it would prove to be a problem. He didn't want to lose sight of Smiley, afraid of what might happen if he wasn't there to watch him. And so, reluctantly, Bartleby followed his friend closely, and silently. He left the door to the apartment open purposefully, hoping that Fone Bone would be able to figure out that something was wrong and where they had gone. It was a long shot, but he just couldn't see any other way. It wasn't like he could leave a note. Though Smiley was trying his best to teach the rat creature to read and write, the taller Bone was only partially proficient in those skills himself, and so they really hadn't made any progress. That left following as the only choice Bartleby had left open to him. And he took it.
The two left the apartment building, stepping out onto the saturated sidewalk. It was still drizzling, rain coming down in a light, soaking mist. It caught in Bartleby's fur, giving him an almost sugar-coated look. A cold breeze blew down the street, chilly, it being the tail end of summer. It made the rat creature shiver, even with all his protective fur. Smiley, however, seemed utterly unaffected. He turned and headed to the left, walking stiffly and determinedly down the street, Bartleby at his heels.
The town was virtually empty, all those who had needed to leave their homes for work already having done so. For that Bartleby was glad. He knew how much Smiley hated to be stared at, and this ensured that they could traverse Boneville in peace. Then again, it meant that no one would witness their departure. The rat creature was at a loss as to what he should do. The only thing he was certain of was that he needed to stick to Smiley like glue. And so he did.
Boneville was a very modern city, determined to keep up with the technologies of the time. Nestled beside the sea, it held ports and causeways that stretched north, facing the endless waters; a place of trade and commerce. Tall buildings, some made mostly out of glass paneling, often caught the glow of the watery sunsets, casting the light all around the city just before night would fall. Architecture was a huge field, expanded upon every year by the various artists that arose within the city itself. The smell of the sea cleared away most of the smog, though the air was nothing as clear as that which flowed in the Valley. Like a patched quilt, small parks filled with trees and grass dotted the busy landscape; islands of nature in an ocean of cement and Bone-made structures. The network of buildings were tight, the roads narrow and cramped. Bones were not known for their expansion. Ever since Big Johnson Bone had established it, Boneville had grown in a clustered fashion, never going far from its starting point. Travelers were practically nonexistent; Bones preferring to stay put than expand any effort or risk into exploration. Which was another thing that set the Bone Cousins apart. They had traveled, and that was not received well by most.
Stretching to the south, huddled up close to the south end of Boneville, was the desert. It seemed so out of place, so close to the sea, but it was there, a great plain of hot, sandy hills and valleys. It effectively sandwiched Boneville between it and the great expanse of water, isolating it from the rest of the world. It was a place of growth and learning, but only within itself. Which meant that it was suspicious and hesitant of the lands beyond it on all sides. If any other even existed.
Smiley navigated the streets with a determined stride, leaving the sea at his back. Before too long, the Bone and the rat creature found themselves on the very brink of the desert. Again, Smiley paused, seeming to be trying to resist the urge to continue on. But again, the urge proved too strong. With a stumbling lurch, he stepped out into the desert.
And Bartleby, nervous and worried, followed.
Phoney fidgeted uneasily, his stomach turning in the throws of his shattered nerves. He had never felt this way before, not when he stood before the Council. He usually felt angry, or even a bit rebellious, but this was all out terror. He felt unbalanced since the nightmare the night before, and his mind was still turning in circles, afraid of being cornered and suffocated, like in his dream. Pained and hurt. He looked about him, taking in the Great Hall of the Council of Upper Boneville. It was built much like any court, greatly decorated and ornate in its furnishings. Jury-like boxes rose on either side, sandwiching the cold, tiled floor between them, where Fone Bone and Phoney now stood. Before them was a high, dark table, with seven chairs behind it, each one filled with a single, frowning Councilman. But the middle chair, whose back was far taller, and carved with various designs, was occupied by no one else but the Great Chairman himself. He was glaring down at them, as he always did, his eyes resting on them with contempt and anger. It had never bothered Phoney before. But, for some reason, now it did.
To the side, out of the way and at a table all his own, Lathan Bone sat taking notes. He knew he wouldn't be conspicuous, seeing as it was normal to have a reporter at such meetings, but, all the same, he made sure to keep as quiet as possible. No sense calling attention to himself. He watched the two Bone cousins carefully, trying to gauge the depth of his subjects. He took in Fone Bone first, for whom Lathan held a small hint of respect. The fellow was standing there, a look of defiance on his face, ready to defend himself and his cause if need be. His eyes held a look that Lathan was unfamiliar with; a sort of strength and understanding that the reporter couldn't help but think he himself was missing. Fone Bone appeared wise, and somewhat weathered; not physically, but just in the way he stood before them. Like a sailor who has traversed the dangers of the sea until it no longer phased him to be faced with its wrath. Fone Bone was used to this treatment, but it was more than that. It was a strength in character that Lathan hadn't heard about from the media. In fact, Fone Bone wasn't what the media portrayed him as at all.
And then there was Phoncible P. Bone. Lathan had always heard he was gruff, and rude, a bit ill-tempered and a lot of trouble. Going by what the Chairman had said, of the three Bone Cousins, he was the most 'dangerous to society'. But as Lathan watched from his secluded spot, he couldn't help noticing how very unlike that description this Bone before him was. Phoncible looked nervous, afraid even, of what was going on around him. He didn't seem nearly as steady as Fone Bone, but he still stood as firmly as he could, which was slightly commendable. It couldn't be easy to stand before the most powerful Bones in Boneville, especially when there was so much hostility directed at you from them. Lathan jotted down a few notes on each, before turning his attention more to the discussion at hand.
The Chairman was seated stiffly, that odd gleam shining forth more fiercely than ever. He leaned forward slightly, fingers steepled in front of him, eyeing their two visitors sternly. "The Council recognizes Fone and Phoncible Bone. Before we begin, have you anything to say?" His tone showed that his words were based more on formality than his wish to hear anything from the cousins. He would rather have condemned them and locked them up right then and there.
Fone Bone crossed his arms over his chest, a deep frown lowering his brow. "Yes, I think we do. Why have you asked us here again? We went through all of this yesterday, and all of last week! We've told you what we know, now leave us be!"
Lathan winced, sending a glance in the Chairman's direction. No one ever spoke to the Council like that; especially the Chairman. Lathan watched as the gleam intensified, but, somehow, the great leader managed to hold in the fury that was so obviously coursing through him. "We shall not 'leave you be'," he intoned darkly, "until we know that we have obtained the truth." He glared, locking eyes with Fone Bone directly. Fone Bone returned it steadily, his stance and expression unmoved.
"We are telling you the truth!" he cried in frustration. "It's not our fault that you don't believe it!"
The face of the Chairman hardened. He sat back in his seat, making it obvious that he would not be swayed by Fone's words. Fone Bone's defiance was getting under his skin, but he would hide it under his own mask of cold contempt. In his position in the city, he could not risk his true feelings to show. How he hated these pathetic Bone Cousins. They had taken up so much of the Council's time. So much of his time. They had stolen so much attention, diverting the people of Boneville away from the important things that the Council had striven so hard to set in motion. Confused the minds of the young. Put silly notions in their heads about adventures and fantasy lands across the desert. "We cannot accept your answer. You are hiding something from us, and the unknown is dangerous. You are dangerous, and you are betraying your people in that you refuse to explain what really happened."
Fone Bone's eyes widened, hurt registering in them. He was as loyal as any other Bone, and to be accused of anything else was literally painful. It made him feel sick inside; weak in the knees. With a sigh, he looked down at the floor, for perhaps the first time feeling properly chastened. "Chairman, if there was some other answer, I'd give it. But there isn't. We were gone in a Valley, located beyond the desert. We fought in a battle to liberate the Valley from a dark lord, who might have destroyed everything had he not been stopped. Even Boneville would not have escaped his power."
"Oh, so now you try to make yourselves out to be our saviors!" a councilman shouted out, which was greeted with much agreement and soft, angry whispers.
Fone blinked, shaking his head with a hint of desperation. "That's not what I-"
"You and your cousins have always been trouble," the Chairman interrupted, sneering in a manner that made Fone feel very uneasy. "Ever since you were young, pinching pies off of windowsills." The Boneville leader noticed Phoney flinch at those words, almost curling in on himself. "Ah, I see that has struck a nerve. Tell us, Phoncible P. Bone, how do you expect us to believe the words of the most hated individual in Boneville?" He leaned forward expectantly, hateful eyes boring into the smallest cousin.
Phoney startled at being addressed directly. He had lost track of most of the conversation, other than the more recent sentences. He was terribly unfocused still, almost dizzy. He looked up at the Council, glancing about at those who sat on either side of them. He was truly at a loss as to how he should answer. No witty comeback came to mind, his usual jibes lost in a swirl of mounting confusion. He kept having images flash before his mind's eye; images of the Valley. Of a darkness he didn't understand. Finally, in answer, he shrugged weakly. "I don't."
The Chairman's eyes narrowed. "We want to know where you were. What you were doing. Who you were with. If you don't tell us, we shall find out by other means."
Lathan paused in his note-taking, feeling a shiver run up his spine. Had that been a...threat? But the Council didn't have that kind of power. What could they do? Without proof of malice, the Bone Cousins were free to go about as they pleased, no matter what they might be accused of; they were untouchable as of the moment. And, so it would seem, Fone Bone knew that as well. He had squared his shoulders, moving closer to Phoncible, as though to give his smaller cousin strength.
"You don't scare us. There's nothing you can legally do. And we have told you everything we can. If you chose not to accept it as truth, that's your decision, but I will not stand for the threats you give us. We are still citizens of Boneville. We have our rights as individuals. This whole thing has been blown way out of proportion, and I refuse to feed the flames of your persecution any longer." His voice quivered slightly, though not with fear, but with emotion. With a quick, smooth movement, he took hold of Phoney's wrist, and started leading him for the court's large, double doors.
The Chairman and his Councilmen jumped to their feet. The great leader pointed an angry finger at the two departing figures. "I have not given you permission to leave!"
Fone Bone half turned, a look of total defiance shining off of him like the glow of a lamp. He had had all he could take of these Bones, and he knew that the Council could do nothing to stop him. They were bullies. Nothing more. Bullies who, in society, held an immense amount of power, but who held no real status in the law. "I didn't ask for it," he stated firmly, before turning his back with finality. "Come on, Phoney."
The Chairman watched as the two left, waiting until the doors had opened and shut before he turned sharply to Lathan. "Follow them. It is time for you to earn your publicity." His tone was stern and angry, but above else held a certain, underlying blanket of warning. Lathan had better not fail. Suddenly the job didn't seem as ideal as it had before. And now Lathan felt slightly conflicted. These Bones didn't seem nearly as harmful as the Chairman had led him to believe. How much else of what he had been told was untrue? But, then again, he needed this job. He needed to fulfill his dream. What other chance would he ever get? None.
With a nod, Lathan picked up a pen and his notebook, placing his hat upon his head and adjusting his tie, before heading out, already on the trail of his subjects.
Fone Bone was livid. He couldn't believe the nerve of the Council; accusing them mercilessly, without ceasing. He had taken all he could. He felt a twinge of regret for leaving the chamber the way he had, having a feeling that it might come back to bite him later on. But, all in all, he was glad he had walked out. Phoney had clearly been upset, and the Chairman's prying seemed to have been more barbed than before. It hadn't just been a question for the sake of curiosity. It had been a question meant to hurt. He had called Phoney 'the most hated individual in Boneville'. That was low; very low. Though Phoney was not the warm, pleasant sort, he had changed a lot since his days before the Valley. Fone hadn't realized just how changed until they had returned. It was subtle, but in ways that spoke profoundly of his growing selflessness, which had been completely nonexistent before. Fone saw it in the way that Phoney spoke, slightly more aware of how his words effected others. In how he had started to treat others in a different, more concerned way. Oh, he was still the same old Phoney, getting in trouble from time to time with his schemes, always looking for an in, but they were far less dangerous now. And they didn't happen as often. Though Phoney still suffered from his greed, that had diminished too. Not disappeared, but definitely diminished.
With a sigh of frustration, Fone led his cousin out of the meeting house and onto the sidewalk. He could feel that Phoney was shivering, much as he had been the night before, albeit a little less violently. It worried him, and he was disturbed to find that his cousin would not meet his gaze. He let go of Phoney's wrist, walking beside him as they headed back for their apartment. "Don't worry about them, Phoney," he said soothingly, eyes wandering about them at the dark, rainy sky. "They can't keep this up forever. Eventually they'll have to give up...right?" He was greeted by silence, Phoney's eyes still lowered to the sidewalk at their feet. Fone nodded, though at what he had no idea. It just felt like the right thing to do. He could understand his cousin's depression. It had been lapping away his own nerves for quite some time as well. He guessed he was just better at handling it. "What happened in there?" he added, after a pause. He felt he needed to get Phoney talking. It wasn't healthy to hold everything inside all the time, which Phoney had become a pro at doing.
Phoney shrugged, still finding his feet more fascinating than anything else around him. "I...don't know. I just-" Suddenly he froze, eyes widening and shooting up from the sidewalk to stare in the direction they were headed.
Fone Bone actually jumped with the abruptness of the motion. "Now what's wrong?" He was beginning to wonder if life would ever return to normal. But it was becoming more and more obvious that that wasn't about to happen any time soon.
Phoney looked startled, which was soon growing into a state of panic. His chest gave a sharp inhale, one word coming out in a tense hiss. "Smiley..."
Fone Bone's eyes widened. "Smiley? What about Smiley? Hey! Phoney?!" His cousin had suddenly broken into a run, and Fone found he had to work hard to keep up with him. Phoney turned a couple sharp corners, racing along as though death itself were on his heels. He crossed the street, almost getting hit by a passing car. Running in through the doors of their complex, he raced through the lobby, Fone close behind. Not even bothering with the elevator, Phoney flew through the doors leading to the staircase, taking each step two at a time. "Phoney! Wait!" But it was no use, Phoney was either ignoring him, or couldn't hear him. He shot up three flights at top speed, pushing through the door on the third flight landing. Fone Bone, huffing and puffing, stumbled, slowing slightly now that he was certain where Phoney was headed. Their apartment. Smiley was there, he'd make sure Phoney was-
His thoughts froze, as he took in the wide open door before them. The apartment was completely void of life, seeming haunting in its stillness. Fone Bone stepped forward, coming up alongside Phoney, who had come to a halt just outside the open entryway. "H-hey," he began nervously, almost afraid to step in his own home. "T-The door's open...Where's...Where's Smiley?"
Phoney's words, spoken in fear and confusion, filled Fone Bone with dread. "Gone."
Whew. That was a lot to write. Things should start getting pretty interesting now. ;)