Arguments Before The Storm
I apologize in advance, for an upcoming scene involving a child.
We ate breakfast mostly in silence. We just focused on our food, while sometimes exchanging small glances at each other. I did not really know what to say, after what happened yesterday. After my parents comforted me, I stayed at home for the rest of what was left of the day, until it was time for me to go to bed. While I could tell, that my parents were mad at me, they had decided to give me some time to recover, before lecturing me. So here I now sat, in awkward silence until the moment came.
After I had finished my breakfast, I turned to my parents and after not saying anything for a while, I finally awkwardly asked them: "So…I was wondering, could I possibly go play with my fri-"
"No," Father answered sternly, as he turned from his food and looked at me. "We have to talk." I gulped nervously, and patiently waited for my parents to finish their breakfast. When they were done, they rose from their seat. "Follow us."
It would seem the moment had come. I nodded quietly, got up and followed them. We all walked slowly towards our living room and sat down (My parents on one large settle, me in a small wooden chair). Once we had made ourselves comfortable, my father cleared his throat and began: "Aisling, what you did yesterday was both incredibly stupid and even more dangerous. You could have gotten yourself killed. We have told you countless time, that you should never venture into the Dark One's cave."
"It was an accident! I never meant to go there. I was about to go home and tell you something, and I did not pay attention to where I was going, and-"
"We know you did not mean to go there, but you need to make sure you know, where you are going, otherwise you will put yourself in danger," Eriu calmly stated.
"Which is why your mother and I, have come to an agreement." Father continued "From now on, and until we know you can handle yourself, you are no longer permitted to go in the forest on your own…"
"What!"
"…And can only go there, if you have your friends with you or if are training with your mother or me." I could not believe what he was saying! I know he was overprotective, but this was going MUCH to far. Never being allowed to go, into the forest on my own? Does he think I am a defenseless, little child?
My hands tighten into a fist, as I narrow my eyes in anger and say: "Father, I refuse to do this."
"I told you, she would not like the idea," Mother quietly whisper to my father.
My father ignored her, and while clearly trying to keep calm, sternly replied: "Aisling, this is for your safety."
"So you think, I cannot take care of myself? Father, I am faster than all of my friends and I have mastered nearly all of my lessons from mother," I injected, both annoyed and frustrated.
"And yet, whenever you go on your own these days, you almost get yourself killed," my father pointed out, this time a bit more angry than he was, a moment ago.
"I told you, that was an accident! I did no mean to enter his cave-"
"And what about that time, you almost hurt yourself the time you went playing with that wolf pup?"
"HE WAS GOING TO DIE! I could not just stand by and do nothing! And besides, we both now the fall would not have hurt me at all!" I shouted, my anger reaching the boiling point, as I stood up from my chair.
"But it would have hurt the pup! And that does not excuse your reckless behavior!" my father shouted back, not bothering to hide his anger, as he too stood up from his chair.
"There was nothing reckless, about what I did!" I exclaimed still as angry.
"Aisling, please calm down. Your father and I, just want to make sure your safe," I mother assured me, taking my father's side.
"Mother have you seen me, during our training section? I am clearly skilled enough, to take care of myself," I reminded her annoyingly.
Mother frowned a bit, but still calmly pointed out: "That might be the case, but apparently you are not careful nor cautions enough."
"Come on! Those two times, were completely circumstantial! I handle myself just fine!"
"Well it certainly does not, look like it. You keep putting yourself in danger, without any regards for yourself. And until I know that I can let you go into the forest alone, you are now only permitted to go with another person with you." My father ordered sternly.
"But that is not fair! You cannot simply lock me up and take away a good part of my freedom, due to a few accidents," I exclaimed.
"You mean a few accidents, that were both dangerous and reckless?" Father mock asked, in the same stern tune.
"All right, I will admit I am not always very careful, but does not mean I do not care if I will die or not! And it certainly does not mean, that I should be locked up here!" I spat out at my father, almost growling at him.
"Aisling, I told this is for your own safety!" father growled back.
"Both of you please calm down!" My mother ordered, extremely annoyed by our argument. But my father and I were too mad at each other, to notice.
"You always treat me, like I am helpless! Lecturing me, ordering me, scolding me, acting like I cannot take care of myself! In case you have not noticed, I am not a child anymore!" I yelled.
"Well you are certainly acting, like one right now! And I do that in order to keep you safe and to prepare you, for when you will one day inherit the throne!" Father snarled at me.
"So I am simply your replacement, for when you cannot lead anymore? Just something that should be kept locked away, until it is time for my coronation?" I snarled back, my words dripping with a mix of anger and hurt.
This caused both of my parents, to gasp out of shock. Immediately afterwards, my mother quickly answered my question, in a loving yet offended tone: "Of course not Aisling! How could you even think that? You mean more to us, than you could possibly imagine. We just want to make sure, that you are safe."
After that, my father then continued after her, much more calm than earlier: "Which is why we are doing this. We do not want you, to harmed or killed. We love you, and simply want what is best for our child."
"And so you lock me in my own home and only letting me go out when it suits you, thus cutting me off from a large sense of fun and freedom?" I growled quietly and annoyingly. I was having just about enough of all of this, and just wanted it to end.
Father sighed quietly in minor frustration, before calmly answering: "Sweet thing, we are sorry if it comes off as if are being harsh, but it is for the best. You mean so much to us child, and we-"
"STOP TREATING ME LIKE A CHILD!" I shouted at them, having had more than enough of this ridicules conversation. I did not bother, letting them saying anything else as I stormed out of living room, annoyed, frustrated and above all else anger. I ignored the cries of my parents, as I ran into my room, slamming the door as I entered. Once inside my room, I sighed quietly beginning to regret my actions. I quickly walked over to my bed, placed my tiara on my nightstand and quietly lay down.
As I lay there alone and undisturbed, I decided to try and calm down. I tried to simply forget about my argument, but it would only take a few moments before I would start to remember it again. Finally I had had enough, and simply just spent the next few minutes, thinking back to what we had talked about. As I did, I was wondering if I was truly right to lash out like I did.
After all, while my parents plan were going to far, they only wanted for me to be as safe as possible. And while I could understand why, I still could not help but be mad at them, for their decision. Especially father. I have had just about enough, of all the lecturing, strictness and ordering. Almost every time, I did something he would lecture me, even if it were about the smallest things you could imagine, like how to wipe your mouth. And now he wants to lock me, in my own home? That was too far.
Although, I had to give him some credit. He was kind enough to let me leave, as long as I was with my friends. And once again, I do know he does really love me and cannot stand the thought of losing me. And no matter how often he would lecture me, he was still very kind and sensitive when he needed to be. He might be stubborn, but he is not impossible to reason with. It just toke a long while most of the time, but when you had he see what you were saying and consider it. Maybe I was a bit harsh on them.
My thoughts were interrupted, by a knock on my door. "Come in," I called out to the knocker. The door opened and my father stepped inside. Upon seeing him, I was about to get annoyed and tell him to get out, but I decided against it and instead thought that I should apologize to him, for sounding rude to him earlier. "Look father, I know that you are most likely going to lecture me, about how I acted earlier today or something of the sorts. But before you do, I just wanted to say-"
"Aisling, before you finish I need you to be truthful. Does my lecturing and protectiveness, really bother so much?" He interrupted in a caring manner.
I considered lying to him, but decided against and quietly answered: "Well…yes actually. I mean, I understand why you act like this, but it is just that-" I did not get to finish, as I was awkwardly interrupted by my father hugging me. After doing so, for a few seconds I decided to break the silence, with and awkward: "Okay, I was not expecting that."
My father chuckled softy, as he let go and sat down next to me. "Aisling, I am sorry for bothering you so. I know I have come off, as very too serious and uncaring, but I am only doing what is best for you."
"I know. Mother and you keep telling me that. I know it is the truth and your intensions are good, but that does not mean you should always be so forceful about it," I sighed, in a bit of an annoyed tone.
"Well I just want you to know, that if I have ever come of as far too forceful, I apologize. But I simply wanted what is best for you, both as the princess and my daughter," My father apologized, with both kindness and sincerest in his voice.
"I forgive you father," I said, a lot happier now, since he apologized in person. I felt it was only right, to return the favor. "And father, I would like to apologize, for starting that argument earlier, and if I might have said something mean to you."
"Apology accepted," Father smiled, as he gently patted my shoulder.
I smiled back, happy that we could forgive each other. After that, I decided to try my luck: "So father, now that we have forgiven each other…can I go into the forest alone again?"
"No," Father answered sternly. I was just about to complain, when he softened and continued: "But, I have realized my original plan was far too forceful. So Instead, whenever you do not have your friends or mother, I will have on of my guards watch over you. And do not worry; I will make sure he will give you enough space and freedom that you need,"
"I can live that. Thank you," I shrugged peacefully. My father nodded, rose up and was about to leave the room, when I remembered about the humans last night. "Father, wait," I called out, which caused him to stop in his pace and turn to me, as I continued: "Yesterday, while I was in the forest I decided to go and check on the humans. While I was there, I saw Garret, talking to another human. Apparently while many of the humans are doing well enough, some of the them were not satisfied, with what we gave them." Fathers' eyes widen a bit, as I continued: "Yes, I was getting worried as well. But that might not be, the worst of it. Father…one of them knew our secret. He knew that we are Tuatha Dé Dannan."
I could tell from the look of my fathers' face and his lack of movement, that this was making him quite nervous and fearful. After a while of simply standing there, he let out a disappointed sigh, and softly said: "This is quite bad news. If more humans start believing in him, it might not take long before they might try and start an attack, which could lead to war. I do not want to think, how the council and many of the Tuatha Dé Dannan will react to this."
"What are you going to tell them?" I asked him, a bit concerned about what might happen, if they ever found out about this.
"For now, nothing. It would most likely most be better, if they do not know about this for now. When the time comes, I will tell them," Father answered, as he started walking back to the door.
Before he left, I decided to ask him again, "Hey father, would it be alright it I went playing with my friends?"
I could hear my father chuckle lightly, as he turned to me on a slightly better mood. "Very well you have my permissions," he told me happily, before opening the door and walking out the room. Before closing the door, he turned to me once more and continued: "And Aisling, thank you for telling me this. Remember to be careful out there."
"I will father," I told him happily, before jumping off the bed and leaving my room. I was soon out of my home and went to find my friends.
After looking around for a little while, I eventually found them outside of Nuala's home. I ran over to them, and when I was close enough I happily called out: "Hi everyone! Did you miss me?"
They all turned to me, and gave me welcoming smiles. "There you are Aisling. We were wondering, if you were going to show up," Nuala greeted a bit mockingly, as she waited for me to catch up with them.
I laughed mockingly, as I reached them. I was happy at first, but then I noticed that Oisin and Ronan were giving me weird glances. "What?" I asked them, confused about why they were looking at me like that.
"Oh…it is nothing Aisling. It is just…well, we are not use to seeing you without your tiara," Ronan answered softly.
That confused me at first, until I actually check if I was wearing it. And sure enough, I was not wearing my tiara. "Oh, I must have left it back in my room."
"Do you want to go back and get it? We will all wait for you, if you want to," Oisin assured me.
"Nah, I think I will survive one day without it," I replied, in a bit of a careless tone.
"Oh, okay then. So what should we do today?" he then asked.
"Well we could always go, and find something to do in the forest," I suggested excitingly.
"Must we always, go to the forest to play?" Nuala asked deadpanned.
We chuckled lightly, as I just answered: "Oh come on Nuala, you know you love as much us."
"I suppose you are right," Nuala shrugged, before she followed us into the forest. The next few hours were largely spent, like any other normal day. We raced, we swam and we played. We had so very much fun, that we did not really pay much attention to the time. However after our fourth race, I could see that sun was starting to set. I sat down on the ground, as I quietly watched the sky turn a beautiful dark orange and the sun slowly but surely going down.
"It's beautiful, is it not?" Ronan whispered, as he and Oisin sat next to me, while Nuala just stood behind us.
"Yeah, it is," I whispered back, while enjoy every moment of the beautiful scenery. "Oh and, Nuala sorry if we-"
"It is fine," Nuala interrupted, as she just stood by her current position.
I nodded quietly, as I started getting back on my feet. "Well, as beautiful as the scenery is, we such probably start going home before our parents get worried."
"You are probably right. Let us go," Ronan sighed disappointingly, as he too rose up from his spot along with Oisin. The walk towards our town was mostly quiet, with no one really saying anything. However after walking for a few minutes, Oisin suddenly called out: "Hey, look over there to the left," and pointed towards the mentioned direction.
We turned to where he was pointing at, and saw (Well me, Ronan and Oisin saw) a small group of humans, walking towards through the woods. They were not close enough for us, to see what any of them looked like but we could see, that some of them hand torches in their hands. "What is it?" Nuala asked, curious to know what was going on.
"It is a group of humans. They look like they are going on a walk," I whispered to her, as we kept watching them.
"Where do you think, they are going?" Ronan whispered, slightly nervous about this. To be honest I was wondering the same thing. Where they here, to cut down some of the trees outside of the part of land we gave them? That could be it. After all, the human called Julian, did speak a lot about wanting more land. I gulped in fear, that might be the case and what would happen if the rest of the Tuatha Dé Dannan found out.
"Come on, let us find out," Oisin suggested quietly, before careful sneaking closer.
"Oisin what are you doing? Let us just forget about this, and go home," Ronan exclaimed, as quietly as possible.
"Ronan, we have to find out what they are doing, and see if we can stop them. Otherwise, it might be bad for all of us. And besides, it is not that late anyway," Oisin responded confidently and worryingly, before continuing to sneak towards them. As I watched him getting closer to the humans, I was wondering about what I should do. Should I just stand by and go home, try to stop them from following the humans or just follow them. If I went back home on my own, their parents would no doubt be incredibly worried about them, and mother and father would lecture me about leaving them behind and possibly not let me go outside, for a VERY long time. If I tried to stop them, things would most likely be safer for the four of us but then we would not know if the humans were doing something bad or something that would greatly upset my people. If I followed my friends, I would be going against my parents' wishes but I would at least find out about what the humans were doing, and I could tell it to my parents if necessary. I decided with the third option. I let out a sigh of regret and reluctantly followed him along with my friends.
As we kept following them, we did our best to make sure we were not seen. We would hide behind bushes, tress and a few rocks. I also decided to take the time, to get a better look at all of the humans. I could see several brown skinned and white skinned ones, with different colored hair, eyes and robes. There were many adult women and men, a few old people and even some children. And in front of the group was non other, than Julian holding a torch above his head illuminating the way. Now I was sure that something bad might happen. However despite that, I saw that all of the humans were only caring torches. None of them had any axes or the sorts, so they could not have come here for our trees. I still followed them though, after I heard Julian's' talk with Garret yesterday; I could only imagine what he might have planned.
As we followed the humans deeper and deeper into the forest, I cold feel the air grow colder and colder. My friends and I shivered as the cold touched our skin, but only shrugged it off as the cold night air. However as we went kept on, we noticed that the air was a lot colder than any normal autumn night.
And then, I saw it. Not far from the distance, I recognized a very familiar sight. Several sharp pillars, two giant horrified looking statues and a large triangular cave. The blood of Ronan, Oisin and I froze, as we looked upon the sight. No one dared speak a word, until Nuala quietly whispered: "Why did we stop moving? Have the humans spotted us? What is going on?"
"Nuala, we have to leave immediately," I cried back, trying to be as quiet as possible.
"But, what about the-"
"There is no time to explain! We have to leave now!" I quietly exclaimed in seriousness, as I grabbed her by the robe and began run as far away as possible, Oisin and Ronan following me. However just before we could get very far, we heard his haunting voice whispering to us:
"Leaving so soon children? Are you not curious to know, what is going to happen next?" As we shivered at Crom's haunting voice, the air started getting colder, the wind started blowing faster and the crows & ravens laughed at us with their caws.
"Leave us be Dark One! We are not afraid of you!" I exclaimed as we kept running. But just then the wind started blowing faster than we had ever experienced and it blew us back to former positions, only a few feet away from the humans.
As we got back onto our feet, Crom Cruach's dark laughter echoed around us, before he quietly whispered: "Come now little children, there is no reason to be shy. Stay a while longer. Something large is about to happen, and I do not want you to miss it."
"Aisling…I do not feel so well," Ronan moaned, as he struggled getting up. Already I could feel, Crom's darkness affecting us as some of my energy started being drained. As Oisin, Nuala and I rose to our feet we went over to Ronan, to help him rise.
Just as we reached him, we could hear the humans talking. "Julian, are you sure this is the right place?" A male voice asked, very skeptical in his tone.
"Yes, my brother. This is where I saw the spirit and the Tuatha Dé Dannan. I would recognize it anywhere," Julian answered stubbornly, as he turned to the source. Many of the humans started mumbling at what he said, before Julian stepped forward towards the cave, and loudly announced: "Spirit? Are you there? We mean you no harm, and wish only to speak with you. We merely seek your help in our most depurate hour. Give us a sign of your presence!"
At first there was no answer, but then the wind started blowing like a miniature tempest, it turned ice cold and a choir of raven & crow cawing echoed. We watched as the humans started getting very cold and afraid, even Julian looked like he had seconds thoughts, when the dark laughter returned and his voice greeted the poor old man: "Welcome Julian. I am the spirit that you and your followers seek. I am the one that has hid here, since the dawn of light. I am the darkness that so many have come to fear. I…am the Dark One. But you may call me…Crom Cruach."
Many frightened murmurs and whispered came from the humans' mouth, as they looked at each other not knowing what to do or say. I was hoping that they might see sense, and stop this foolish mission of theirs. However many of those hopes were shattered, as I watched Julian drop his torch and sink to his knees and hands, bowing down to the Dark One. "Please oh great Dark One. Please help us. My people struggle to survive in these bitter conditions. The Tuatha Dé Dannan abandoned us, and gave us only a small speck of dirt for our homes. I tried to speak sense into that fool Garret, but he refuses to listen and simply lets us root into nothing. We beg of you oh great Crom Cruach, give us land we deserve."
Our hearts began to sink deeper and deeper, as we watched human after human joining Julian. We were first horrified at the sight, but my horror quickly turned to anger as I clenched my hand into a fist. Those ungrateful, greedy, stupid little fools. Did they even pay attention to the land we gave them? We gave them more than enough land and supplies to survive from years, and this is how they thank us? By betraying our trust and turning to Crom Cruach simply because they were not satisfied, rather than trying to find us and just ask for more land? I would have jumped out and scold those ungrateful fools because of their stupidity, but I had had enough of all of this and simply turned to my friends. "Come on, we are leaving," I ordered seriously. They all nodded, did their best to rise to their feet,
We were about to leave, when Crom's voice came back: "Do not worry Julian. I have heard all of your pleas and seen all of your struggles. The Norsemen, your lost friends and family, the pain you have all endured. I know of how Garret exiled you, after trying to lead an attack on the Tuatha Dé Dannan, and I know of what you wish and how much you want it. The same goes for your followers. I shall gladly grant your much-longed desire…" At the mention of this, the humans started smiling and even a few of them started cheering. But before they could thank him, Crom continued: "…but, there is always a price. And only by paying it, will I grant you your desires."
"No price is too great, Crom Cruach!" Julian cried in both excitement and avarice, which only made my anger grow larger.
"Very well," Crom Cruach said. A few seconds later, he named his price: "My price…is one of your children."
At the mention of this, everyone's blood froze to ice in horror. Not just my friends and me, but many of the humans too. Many of them, were shouting in protest and the children started crying and hiding behind their parents in fear. It did not take long, before one of them yelled out: "You cannot do that, to our children."
"Oh, I apologize humans. But I only wanted you to prove, that you truly wanted your land enough. Unfortunately it would appear that is not the case. And so I shall not give you something, you clearly do not truly wish for. Farewell humans." Crom calmly said, as his voice faded away, the air started getting a bit warmer, the wind stopped blowing and the chawing died out.
I knew he was lying to them, but unfortunately the humans toke his bait as Julian cried out in fear: "NO! Do not leave us! We will do it."
"Julian, have you gone mad?" A woman exclaimed in horror and anger.
"Do you not understand? If we do not do this, we will forever more be doomed, to spend the reminder of our days in exile. We will starve, freeze and be eaten to death! But if we give him one of out children, we will live the life we so richly deserve. It is best to give one life, in order to insure the safety of many!" He exclaimed in determination and seriousness. And in horror and sadness we watched, as many of the humans began shouting out the agreements, and the crying of children grew louder.
"Very good, then let it be done," Crom spoke, as the air got cold again, the wind blew faster and a few crows & ravens flew around in the air and chawed. "Then let if be done. Sacrifice to me, your youngest daughter and I shall give you what you desire."
"No! Please, do not do this! Mamma, do not let them take me away from you! I do not want to be sacrificed! Please!" A young terrified voice, cried out amongst the crowd. We looked and saw a young 150-year-old girl (150 is 3 years for a Tuatha Dé Dannan), crying out in sadness and fear as she hid behind her mother for protection.
"Bring her to me! We must give her, to Crom Cruach!" Julian exclaimed as he began advancing towards her, along with several others. That was far too much for me, I was not having anymore of this cruelty. They would not hurt a child! I would not allow it! I jumped from my hiding place, and began running as fast as I could (Which was not very fast, considering how Crom's lair was affecting me), ignoring the pleas of my friends, as several adult toke the poor crying girl, away from her mother.
Just as the adult were about, to give the girl over to Julian I mustered up all the energy in me, and leapt in front of them. "PUT HER DOWN RIGHT NOW!"
My sudden appearance caused the adults to drop the child in shock, as they stared at me in surprised. I grabbed the child midair, and started growling defensively at them, which caused many of them to back away from me. Many of the humans in the crowd started gasping and whispered disapprovingly at my sudden arrive. But I played no attention to them, as I gently placed the girl down and kindly whispered to her: "Listen very closely now. You have to get as far away, as you-"
But I never got to finish, because just them the wind turned into a raging storm, that violently blew some of the humans off their feet, and the child and me tumbling towards the cave opening. As we were blown towards the cave, I could hear my friends screaming my name, and running towards me. Crom Cruach was clearly about to let go of his sacrifice. The girl screamed, as she tumbled closer and closer to the opening. However in the nick of time, I gripped onto a nearby pillar with my left hand and used my right grab ahold onto the girl's hand. "What ever you do, do not let go! Just hang on as long as you can! Everything will be alright!" I shouted at her, trying my best to sound reassuring.
The young girl nodded quietly, as she gripped my hand tightly, tears falling from my eyes. That was when I saw Crom Cruach's shadows slither out of the cave, and come towards us. As my eyes widen with fear, I tried to get back onto my feet and run away with the girl, but the winds were to strong that they would not let me. All I could do was stare hopelessly, as the shadows gripped the girl by her feet, causing her to scream out in pain and fear, and began pulling her into the cave. The merciless wind and the strong shadows were too much, as the girls' grip started getting weaker and weaker until her hand was pulled out of my grip. However in a last hitch effort, she grabbed onto my ropes and tried climbing up. But then more shadows started gripping her body, and she was pulled right out off my robe, her strong grip ripping a good chunk of it in the process. "NOOOO!" I cried out in despair, as I Crom claim her. The last thing I of her, was her screaming in horror and sadness as she was pulled deeper and deeper into Crom Cruach's cave, still hold some of my robe, until she disappeared from my sight and her screams faded into nothingness.
The winds died out, and I feel into the ground. I tried standing up, but I only got to my knees. I was too weak to rise any more. And it was not just because of Crom's influence, but because of the absolute hopelessness and despair I felt. I had failed. I tried to save her, but I failed. A child has been killed, all because of my failure. No matter how hard I tried, there was nothing I could do to save her. Letting the guilt and pain consume me, I ignored the cheering humans and my friends calling out to me. I buried my hand into my eyes and cried in despair.
It did not last for long though, as the earth shook violently knocking everyone, human and Tuatha Dé Dannan alike, onto the ground. The air grew a little colder, as the wind began blowing; the birds began cawing and the sound of shattering earth echoed throughout the lair.
And then, laughter. His dark, cruel laughter echoed through our minds, as both my friends and I and all of the humans, stood still in fear. The dark laughter continued for a few seconds, before Crom Cruach finally spoke: "You foolish, greedy, cowardly mortals. You have not the faintest inkling of what you have unleashed! Still I must thank you. Thank you believing my lies like an obedient pup obeys his master. Thank you for your worship and pleas to me. Thank you for giving me the sacrifice I needed, to finally escape my accursed prison!"
And then, from inside the cave a glowing eye shinned through the cave. "Thank you…for freeing me."
So there you have, the new chapter everyone. I hope you all enjoyed it. I'm sorry if Aisling came off as a bit whinny in this one. I also that know many of you, might not be too keen on the whole child sacrificing, and I'm deeply sorry if it disgusted or offended you. Also you might have noticed that I don't use abbreviations like can't, won't and it's. Well that because I did not want the dialogue, to be too modern and I don't think they had those back then. I would also like to that my consultant JCMorrigan, for helping me with any problems or issues, I might have with the story.