Heather the Necromancer

Book 4: Chapter 25: Dangers in the dark

Heather put on a strong face as they marched into the north. She spoke with the others and hid her concerns, trying to keep the mood light. Inside she was rethinking everything that had happened. From the dreams to the events that led to the confusion of Hathlisora, there was too much to consider. Now the ring and the vision it granted weighed on her mind. Despite that, she was looking forward to the cave and the potential for adventure.

I am surprised Moon never came back to this town, Eribold said as they crested a hill and looked down on the ruins.

We reset her, Frank said. She lost control of the town and would have to start over anyway.

Heather wondered why Moon hadnt started a new town someplace else. Maybe she had, but then why was she in that city setting people to watch for her? She supposed Moon could have a town someplace else and just happened to be in the city at the time, but what were the odds?

Well, there it is, Margus said as he pointed with his ax to a hillside.

Through the brush, it was easy to see the dark opening that was undeniably a cave. Heather didn't recall seeing it before, but then it was dark the last time she was here. They approached the edge of the ruined town, alert for danger. Many of the buildings stood as empty shells, windows nothing more than holes in cracked walls. Roofs were sagged and full of holes, acting as homes for birds and wild animals.

Moon's grand building was a burned-out ruin of blackened timbers and soot-covered stone. Heather felt bad now that she looked at it. Somehow erasing Moon's achievements felt wrong, even though she actively erased the accomplishments of others. She let out a resigned sigh, knowing it was the only way to ensure Moon reset. She put the thought out of her mind as they headed into the hills, approaching the cave and its mysteries.

I wonder if this cave connects to those tunnels, Quinny said.

The ones under the town, Frank remembered. There was a path we didnt follow.

I wonder why she had the tunnels in the first place, Margus asked. She wasn't using them for anything but a few prison cells. She could have done that in town.

She kept me in town, Heather reminded as they approached the tunnel.

She needed you nearby so she could manipulate you, Frank suggested.

Heather shrugged; maybe that was the reason, maybe not. It didn't matter now anyway. The cave loomed ahead with a ceiling twice as high as she was tall and wide enough for five of them to walk side by side. She noted Breanne went for her bow instead of her spectral form, unwilling to reveal her nature to Margus and Eribold. Frank led the way with Legeis and Margus to either side. Heather followed with the others as they wandered into the darkness in search of adventure.

It's man-made, Margus said as Legeis turned on a bright light that illuminated the tunnel for twenty paces.

How can you be sure? Heather asked.

Margus laughed and ran his hand along the wall, pointing out the pick marks. He took a slight lead, using his dwarven senses to try and spot anything unusual about the stonework.

The tunnel went on, twisting slowly to the left as they walked for what seemed like ten minutes. If not for the echoing clank of Legeis's armor, the cave would be deathly quiet. Slowly but surely, they started to hear another sound, and as they pressed on, it became clear it was falling water.

No sign of any animal, Frank said as he looked around the tunnel.

Could this be a mine? Legeis asked.

Could be, Margus replied. But I havent seen any carts to move material out. Surely there would be a wheelbarrow or a bucket at least.

Maybe they left it deeper in, Heather suggested.

Maybe, but I cant imagine why, Margus replied.

The tunnel widened and turned into a split with a path going slightly right and another left. They struggled to listen and agreed the water sound was coming from the left, so they went that way.

The floor of this cave is perfectly level, Frank said. Even I cant tunnel this precisely.

Probably made by a race or class with a mining skill, Margus replied as they headed around a bend. He suddenly stopped throwing his arms wide. Hold up! he shouted, his voice echoing down the tunnel.

Heather watched as he crept forward and leaned over a pile of small stones. He rubbed his chin for a moment, then carefully reached out with his ax and toppled the pile. Darts fired from carefully hidden holes filling the air around the pile of stones with small barbs. Margus danced back, holding his ax high as the clatter of small projectiles ceased.

If theres a trap, something must live here, Legeis said.

Why dont we see any tracks? Frank asked.

They could be using another entrance, Margus replied as he crept ahead and tested the rock pile again before carefully cutting a thin wire. He stepped past and motioned the others to follow as the room grew even wider. Here the walls were damp and made of stone that looked as if it melted and flowed. The floor had some loose rubble along the walls, but Margus assured them it looked natural. Near the back, the room ended in a ledge with a gentle ramp down on the right. It wound its way to a floor some twenty meters below to a chamber room with a pool of water on one side. Water flowed from above in a constant stream, falling into the pool below. Margus led the way around one side taking them slowly down the ramp to the floor below.

What is that? Eribold asked as they neared the cave floor.

Something floating in the water, Margus replied and carefully approached.

Heather and the others followed behind to discover three small creatures with leaves for hair and dark wooden skin. They were thin as could be and about a hand taller than Margus. Two lay on the shore, while one floated dead in the water, rolling with the splashing waves.

What are those? Heather asked as she looked closer.

They are called Thislings, Breanne said. Nature spirits often found in enchanted groves or deep woods.

What are they doing here? Eribold asked as he pushed a body with a foot.

I have no idea, Breanne replied and looked about the cave. Something might have killed them and dragged them in.

Whatever it was, it cant be too far away, Frank said. Those bodies would have despawned if they were old.

There's a tunnel where the water runs off, Legeis said and pointed down a wide passage with a somewhat low ceiling. The water ran in a meandering stream down the passage and into the darkness beyond.

I cant believe I crawl through caves looking for monsters, Heather sighed as she shouldered her scythe. Lets find out what killed them.

They headed down the passage and rapidly found tracks in the stony mud beside the streams of water.

Its a boot print, Frank said.

Aye, but it's a big one, Margus pointed out. Something with a little muscle to it.

There are smaller tracks as well, Breanne noted as she carefully stepped over the muddy spots.

Could it be players? Heather asked.

We wont know until we find them, Frank replied and moved on.

The passage twisted and turned, coming to a few small waterfalls with carefully constructed ramps cut on one side. It only added to the proof that something lived and lurked in the darkness deep below the earth. The tunnel ended in a large waterfall that tumbled to a massive cave below. The ramp down took many twists and turns before finally reaching the bottom. From their vantage point above, they could clearly see the light below, a small campfire beside an animal skin hut.

I dont see anybody there, Frank said as he studied the camp.

I dont see anything with my goggles, Legeis added. But they might be inside the tent.

That tent is too small for the being that made that boot print, Margus whispered. Keep your eyes sharp. There is more here than we are seeing. He led the way down the ramp, searching for more traps until they reached the bottom.

Heather was nervous as they drew closer to the strange tent. From here, she could smell the wood burning as the fire popped and snapped. There was a log set beside the fire, well worn on top from hours of sitting. There was a metal cauldron large enough to climb inside beside the tent and a pile of firewood just beyond. The tension grew as they approached the last dozen paces to the tent, and still, nothing stirred.

Margus's cry of look out made her jump as whistling sounds filled the air.

Arrows! he shouted and held up his shield as they flew in. Heather responded by crossing her arms and calling up her barrier of plants. Quinny used it to hide as well, but Frank shrugged off a hit like it was an annoyance.

There are a dozen humanoids hidden in the rocks across the room, he said as he stood on this toes to squint. They kinda look like goblins.

Those arent goblins, Legeis replied as he began to stomp forward. Those are ratmen.

Breanne returned fire from the safety of a rock as Frank, Legeis, and Margus advanced. The small agile shapes darted along a ledge and behind rocks, drawing them in with a hail of arrows.

Maybe I should have brought some of my skeletons, Heather said as she let her protective shield drop.

Nah, I can always summon some zombies if we need them, Quinny replied as she drew her sword.

Heather was just about to agree when a form stepped out of the tent. It was slightly taller than she and hunched over, wearing a sickly yellow drape. Two bright yellow eyes glared out at her as the strange being stepped before the campfire with a cackle.

Intruders come to be supper, it said in the voice of an old hag. Brutus, come and tenderize the meat!

Is that a woman? Heather gasped.

It's some kind of hag, Breanne replied. Careful, they are all proficient witches.

Heather was about nod in reply when a shadow emerged from a tunnel across the cave. It stood half again as tall as she did and was more than three times as wide. It resembled a man with muscled limbs and powerful hands. Its face was flat, with a broad jaw set with tusk-like fangs pointing up. The look gave it a cruel expression as if it was anxious to inflict pain. In clutched a sort of hammer, made of metal with a handle, it held in both hands. As heavy as the weapon looked, the beast swung it about as if it was a stick.

Ogre! Breanne cried and let loose an arrow. Frank, we are in trouble!

The beast roared and charged in as the hag began to cackle and twist her hands. Heather was knocked to the ground by Quinny as a red beam of light burned through the air. The flash left spots in her eyes, but the shock was over. She stood up and raised her scythe as she locked eyes on the horrid woman with gray wrinkled skin and an elongated nose.

Put your zombies on the ogre to slow it, Heather ordered as she set her feet. I am going to cut that hag in half. She dashed in, using her skills to close the gap quickly as her scythe swung wide. The hag laughed and collapsed into a cloud of mist that the scythe passed through. Before Heather could turn, her leg was slashed by the woman's cruel nails, causing her to stumble. She veered about and went to swing, but the woman grabbed hold of the shaft, yanking Heather back.

Let go, you ugly witch! Heather roared.

Ahh, a fine morsel, the hag cooed. Your flesh will be tender after you boiled a bit.

Heather could see the woman's crooked yellow teeth now and smell her breath. On instinct, she doused the hag in perfume, causing her to let go of the shaft in a fit of coughing.

Foul-smelling girl! the hag bellowed as it waved its hands to clear the air.

Oh please, at least I bathe, Heather replied and cut out, forcing the woman back. She caught sight of the ogre colliding with a group of zombies. It hit one so hard the zombie lifted off the ground and flew to the side like a rag doll. It stopped to fight the others even as another arrow joined the four already sticking out of its armor. Quinny boldly ran in to join her minions, the sword leading the way, but the hag forced Heather to look away.

Wicked little girl. Keep you in the cage; I will. Fatten you up to make a pie. She raised her arms and let out a series of words, causing a cloud of bats to circle her form and then fly for Heather. She quickly found herself slashing wildly about as bats circled and took little bites out of her every chance they could get. Feast on her, my little pets, she cackled.

Heather grew frustrated at the swarm and decided to lash back, dropping a grave blight directly on the hag. She shrieked and ran from the cloud, hurling curses and promises of slow death. Heather, on the other hand, ran to the cloud, casting her undead form as she did. The bats pursued into the toxic mists and rapidly began to drop to the ground. Heather sighed, thankful for the reprieve, but the moment was short-lived. She turned to face the hag in time to take five glowing darts directly to the chest and stomach. It felt like somebody repeatedly punched her and fell to one knee as she growled in anger.

Oh, is the pretty getting tired? the hag laughed just before a hand made of mist punched her square in the face.

Are you alright? Eribold called from just outside the cloud. He danced in the air with a thin silver wand producing a hail of misty fists to pummel the hag.

I'm fine, Heather coughed before putting a heal on. She stood tall and gripped the scythe with both hands as the hag cast a spell at Eribold. He saw the danger and suddenly flashed with light, and then there were four of him, each moving independently. The hags spell produced another red beam causing one of the Eribolds to fade away as the others laughed at her.

Illusions is it? the hag cackled and raised an arm to cast. She hissed in anger when Heathers rotting bolt hit her side, disrupting the spell. Foul little girl! Make you eat rats until your good and fat. Only then will I make a stew out of you!

Heather rushed in, her scythe leading the way, as the hag turned to face her. There was a cackling laugh as the hag turned back into mist and rapidly seeped away. She reformed twenty paces away with another laugh and held up a hand as it glowed with a green light.

Come to my aid! the hag screamed as the ground before her started to glow as well.

The ground before her began to move, mounding out like it did when Quinny summoned zombies. A grey taloned hand ruptured out of the mass, followed by two yellow eyes on a dome-shaped head.

Umm, Frank, Legeis? Heather called a creature that resembled a giant gray frog stood on two legs before her. It had long arms that ended in webbed hands with long hooked talons. Its gaping mouth was full of jagged teeth as it bellowed loudly and leaped into the air, diving at Heather as she shrieked. Frank tackled it mid-flight, bringing the monster down in a flailing of claws. Legeis stormed past him as Quinny stood against the ogre with only two zombies left. He intercepted a sweep of the hammer producing an echoing ring before landing a massive punch.

Help Margus! Frank yelled as he and the frog monster began to wrestle. You're better suited to hoards.

What about the hag? Heather cried.

I will deal with the hag, Breanne said as she dismissed the bow.

Elf! the hag hissed. Foul tasting and chewy.

You will find my flesh far easier to chew, Breanne replied as the color drained from her skin. She floated into the air as her eyes burned with a red light, becoming the banshee. The hag cackled and drew a knife with a twisting blade.

Come, I have no fear of ghosts, the woman urged as Breanne flew at her with hands reaching to twist the vile thing's neck.

Come on, three Eribolds said as they ran past Heather. Margus is alone against all those beasts.

Heather nodded and followed him to see Margus chopping a rat creature in half as a half dozen danced about him with short little swords or spears. There were easily two dozen more hiding in the rocks and shooting crude bows whenever there was a clear shot.

Heather knew exactly how to even this fight and filled the back of the cave with grave blight, gassing the little beasts out of their rocky fortifications. They hissed and shrieked as they abandoned the rocks to face a pack of black wolves summoned by Eribold.

Illusions, he said as the dogs scattered the nearest beasts. But their bite can cause them to faint in panic.

Heather smirked a began used her grasping hands to root a pack of them in place before gassing them again. She used her scythe to cut a few brave ones down and her rotting bolts to hit distant stragglers. Eribold began to hurl orbs of purple glass that exploded with colors when they hit, blasting the little monsters and throwing them back. As the bodies piled up, she got close enough to Margus to put a heal on him and stand at his back.

Terrible creatures, these are, Margus growled. Bites hurt more than those swords.

We have trouble behind us, Heather shouted as she cut another creature down. That hag is an excellent spell caster, and she has an ogre and frog monster fighting for her.

I wish you had brought your skeletons with, Margus said. It's the numbers of these things that's doing all the harm.

Heather went to agree when she tripped on a dead body. She looked down and then realized there were easily two dozen of them dead already. There were skeletons all along the walls of animals and other things these beasts killed and ate.

Oh, I should have thought of this sooner, she said and planted her scythe. Rise and serve!

Red lights began to glow in the lifeless sockets of the dead all around. Skeletal forms moved along the wall as dozens of beasts answered their master's call.

Kill these pests! she shouted, and suddenly it was a chaotic fray of zombie and living ratmen along with a dozen or more animal skeletons from wolves to deer. Heather went to gloat when an arrow struck her leg and caused her to stumble, anger burning in her eyes. She returned fire with a hail of rotting bolts, practically melting the poor ratman who tried to flee.

Eribold was at her side with his hands wide, creating a bubble of protection that deflected arrows.

Are you alright? he asked as he sheltered her.

Im fine, Heather growled as she gripped the arrow and yanked. It came free with a pulse of blood that was quickly ended with a heal. My undead will clean this rabble up.

Its doing wonders, Eribold agreed as he looked about.

Is the lass ok? Margus asked as he ducked into the bubble.

Its just an arrow, Heather replied as she stood. You had worse injuries when I healed you.

Aye, but I am a fighting type like Frank. I am built to take abuse. You caster types are all firepower and no armor.

Point taken, Heather said and quickly called up her natures armor. There, that problem is solved.

Light armor at best, Margus said. But some armor is better than none. Come on, let your undead mop up the stragglers; we need to help the others. That frog thing is tossing frank around like a toy.

Heather whirled about to see Margus was right. The frog was even taller than Frank, and it was able to lift him with one arm and throw him. Frank would roll back to his feet and race back in leaping into the beast with a terrible frenzy. Beyond him, Legeis was taking a battering from the ogre, that huge hammer putting dents in the suit's armor. Quinny was at his side, cutting at the beasts legs, but it wore thick plates of armor of its own. Breanne was chasing after the hag, who kept turning into a mist to avoid her grasp. Heather gasped as the hag burst out of the mist and slashed, her knife cutting Breanne even in her ghost form.

Take the ogre down first, Heather said.

But what about the frog? Eribold asked in alarm.

I need the ogre, Heather insisted and ran to aid Legeis and Quinny. She used dash to cross the room and took the beast by surprise with a slash across its back. Purple orbs splashed into its side, and Margus arrived to fight beside Quinny, chopping at the thick plated legs.

I really need to get to a workshop so I can arm this thing, Legeis gripped as he punched the ogre and turned its head.

Im sorry, I should have taken you back right away, Heather replied as the ogre swept its hammer wide, forcing them all to scatter.

Gonna take me hours to pound these dents out, Legeis complained as he threw another punch.

Heather and the others spread out around it, forcing it to defend from every direction. The ogre decided to focus on the softer targets going after Eribold, who once again became four separate copies of himself. The beast went mad with rage and began trying to stomp them all out as Heather saw an opening. She ran up a ledge and jumped off her scythe cutting down and burying the blade in the beasts back. It howled and lurched forward, leaning over far enough for Quinny to strike at its throat. A quick slash brought it to hands and knees where Margus and Legeis pounced. In seconds the ogre fell to the ground, gurgling in its death throws.

You should take that hammer, Margus said and pointed to it. You're big enough to use it.

Legeis knelt and pulled the hammer from the Ogre's dead hands and hefted it up.

Good now, let's go deal with the frog, Quinny said as she joined Heather's side.

I have a better idea, Heather remarked and leaned over the dead ogre. She chanted a spell, raising it as a temporary zombie of great strength. It came to its feet and turned lifeless eyes on Heather as she pointed to where Frank was still fighting.

Kill that frog, she commanded, sending the beast into the fray.

Your powers are scary, all four of he Eribolds said in unison.

Margus and I should help Frank, Legeis said. You three should help Breanne.

Heather nodded and turned just as Breanne let loose with a wail that was matched by the hags wild cackle. The beastly woman fired another red beam that seared through Breanne's spectral form, causing her to cry out.

Eribold struck first, hurling a hail of glowing darts that made the hag spit insults and curses. Heather used the opportunity to rush to Breanne, who was floundering nearby.

You look awful, Heather said as she began to cast mend the dead. Touching Breanne was like touching a cold mist, but the spell took, and Breanne began to look better moment by moment.

That hag is very powerful, Breanne hissed. She is near immune to my wails.

The boys are preoccupied with their new friend, Heather said.

She won't let them touch her anyway, Breanne countered. She can turn into mist in a split second and reform even faster. She has this whole cave to move around in, and none of us fast enough to keep up.

The whole cave? Heather said as she began to look around. Maybe I can fix that.

Breanne looked at her with a blank stare. How?

Help Eribold and Quinny. I need a little time.

Breanne nodded and rushed off as the hag promised to make Quinny a servant after eating Eribold. Heather turned to look around the cave and took a deep breath. She closed her eyes and replied to the tiny voice squeaking in her head.

I don't know how much power I have left, Heather said to Webster. But, I have to try. She threw out her hands and began to chant, working at a spell of growth. Green plants began to grow out of the stony soil around her, spreading outward as the chant went on. There was a crash from the side that could only be Legeis being knocked over. She ignored the noise and focused on the spell as she changed her focus. Large leaves began to bloom around pods, and a moment later, vines covered in thorns grew and began to curl and twist. Heather felt a strain as she pulled on the last of her power, filling the perimeter of the cave with combative plants.

Let's see her dart around now, Heather panted as she leaned on her scythe. She smiled as the vines began to whip at the hag and hurl spines as she screeched and roared. She turned into fog, reforming by the wall only to immediately be attacked by vines. She turned to fog again, moving to the other side of the room where thorn whips filled the air with spines.

A daughter of nature, the hag hissed as she turned her gaze on Heather. She turned into a cloud that raced right for her. In a panic, Heather called on a spell filling the air with pollen as the hag reformed. The woman flailed around blindly, and Heather realized she couldn't see. She cut the hag with a quick slash, landing the first real strike that splattered black blood on the floor. The vile thing summoned another cloud of bats that didn't seem to mind the pollen, bitting and cutting at Heather as she dropped a grave blight at her feet. As the bats began to die off, the hag hissed and wailed, burning in the blight as it groped blindly.

Eat your fingers first! the hag hissed. Then, your toes!

Eat this, Heather replied and cut her again, causing the hag to stumble forward.

Heather, we cant see to help you! Breanne shouted from outside the cloud.

Heather hoped that wouldn't matter as she stalked around the hag. The pollen didn't hamper her vision one bit, but the hag was blind, turning her head this way and that as she continued to cackle. Heather saw the black blood dripping from the two gashes in that warty sickly green skin.

Come out, my pretty one, the woman cackled as Heather held her breath, fearful she would hear it. Come and stay for dinner.

Heather stood motionless as the hag passed by, causing her skin to prickle with goosebumps. As soon as the hag's back was turned, Heather struck, the scythe making a shrill sound as it cut through the air. The hags knife came up, and the two weapons met in a loud clang.

To slow! the hag hissed and lashed out with her other arm. Heather fell into her skills, putting the points spent on fighting with the scythe to use. She began to cut and twirl the weapon, dancing in a hail of slices. The hag slashed wildly with the knife, but the pollen cloud prevented her from gaining an advantage. Heather landed another quick slash causing the hag to become a cloud and rush out of the pollen. She reformed just outside and was instantly attacked by plants again. She took the smoke form and tried to run around the room looking for a safe place to reform but finding opposition on every side.

Heather watched the hag try to stay out of the cloud in the center but nowhere was safe. She slashed at Quinny but was immediately attacked by Eribold and Breanne. She turned back into mist and darted into the cloud of pollen where Heather was waiting. This time Heather had a grave blight waiting, and the hag wailed when she arrived.

Foul beast, she cried. Blending the dead with life.

Heather replied with her scythe rushing in and burying the blade into the womans side. She cried in rage and grabbed the shaft of the scythe holding it in placed as Heather uselessly tugged.

Carve you with this blade. Chop you up to make a soup.

Heather smiled and let go, giving the blade over. She stepped back as the hag cackled and taunted her.

I have your nasty weapon now.

You're going to need it, Heather replied as she stepped out of the cloud to be greeted by dozens of undead minions. She ordered them into the cloud and turned away as they swarmed over the hag. The woman flailed wildly as undead ratmen, and skeleton animals pursued her at every turn. She used her mist form to flee yet again but was quickly pummeled by hostile plants. She screeched one last time before Quinny put her sword through the woman's back, toppling her over. The body rapidly turned into black tar, boiling away in a cloud of thick smoke and a distant cackling laugh. Nearby, the frog beast, now heavily wounded, froze and was surrounded by a pillar of flames before vanishing.

What happened? Legeis asked.

It was a summoned monster, Breanne said with a deep breath. As soon as the hag died, the magic that held it here faded.

Frank limped to a rock and sat down, holding his side where he was badly gashed. Heather ran to him and quickly went into heals as she felt horrible that he had to battle that thing alone for so long.

Im sorry! she cried as his wounds began to knit.

You did great, he wheezed. You took out the threats one by one while we kept them busy.

Aye, you did great lass. You really are a powerful one, Margus added as he leaned on his ax.

She is frighteningly powerful, Eribold commented and then looked sideways at Breanne. And she has equally powerful allies.

Breanne stood tall, not bothering to give up her spectral form now that they knew. You are not bothered by what I am?

Why would we be? Eribold said with a smile. We have friends who are undead.

And a necromancer, Margus added.

Breanne let out a deep sigh. Did I make a mistake by not telling him?

Yes, Heather said between heals. You should have apologized and told him you were wrong.

Told who? Margus asked.

Heather rolled her eyes and helped Frank stand. Nobody, is anybody else injured?

Nothing that won't heal in an hour, Quinny replied.

Heather nodded and snapped a finger allowing her pollen cloud to fade away. She looked around the room; thankful nothing else was waiting to pounce.

Well, I leveled again, Quinny said.

I leveled as well, Eribold added.

Aye, so did I. That hag was worth a ton, Margus joined in.

Heather was just about to complain when a noise made her jump.

[DING! Level gained]

I hate that noise! she groaned.

It doesn't' say what level you are anymore? Quinny asked.

I was trying to stop the sound, so I turned off an option that said verbose, Heather replied. Apparently, that doesn't stop the ding.

I can help you look for the ding later, Frank said. We should search the cave. That hag might have had something valuable.

They all agreed and began to hunt around the cave. They found some misc gear that belonged to an adventurer. They also found some leather pouches full of things like dead frogs and snails. Just as her frustration was getting the better of her, Margus cried out and called everyone over. He dug as a loose pile of stones under a ledge as Heather arrived.

What did you find? she asked.

This, he replied as she began to pull on something. A moment later, something wooden appeared, and Frank helped him drag out a chest nearly as large as Margus himself. Legeis climbed out of his armor to use a little metal tool on the lock, and a moment later, it clicked and opened.

With a gaze of pure wonder, Heather looked into the chest and triumphantly cried, Finally!