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CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

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Siophra had felt Tundor’s joy and excitement when Candasar had dropped from the sky to land in the dairy pasture. The beautiful elf immediately realized that Tundor would have some explaining to do. Both about his incredible growth, and the fate of the golden egg. Since she had been Zinariya’s first host, her personal assurances about the process would no doubt ease the blue dragon’s maternally motivated concerns. She suddenly stopped milking the cow and stood. Handing the partially filled bucket of warm milk to one of Ronnie’s newer employees she offered a quick explanation.

”Tell Ronni that something suddenly came up. I’ve got a bit of a situation to take care of.”

The young girl nodded, but her puzzled look said that she clearly didn’t understand what could be more important than milking. Nonetheless she placed the bucket back under the cow and straddled the milking stool. Siophra could already hear the squishy sound of milk spraying into the pail as she ran from the milking shed.

Tundor was outside near the cattle pens obviously trying to select a delicious cow for Candasar to eat from those recently milked. Nobody was wasting milk these days. She gave him a smile as she hurried past.

"She's home!" he beamed.

"So I see. I'm so happy for you Tundor! I'm here to help you answer her questions."

His face scrunched up with obvious concern.

"Oh yeah, That would be very helpful. Thanks."

Candasar and her children had already entered the main barn. Siophra could tell that the mother dragon was close to exhaustion, yet she was enduring a seemingly endless stream of questions from her excited children. She was being surprisingly patient as they were hopping about in obvious jubilation.

"Did you save your elf bond Lothinar like you saved Daddy? Was someone trying to drown him too?"

"It wasn't the same at all, but yes, I did save him." she said.

"What was Silvantra like mama?"

"The humans there were nice. It's quite far away and they have a lot of goats. It's a little warm."

"Did you do anything fun?"

"I got in a fight with some huge birds called rocs. That wasn't fun, but it was interesting. Terrifying actually. We were over the deep ocean. That time I actually did save Lothinar from drowning."

That bit of information got Siophra's attention. They had fought with rocs? That was going to be a fascinating story.

Candasar met her eyes as the beautiful blonde elf quickly walked over and joined them. Vigilant and Constance’s excited babbling suddenly stopped.

"Hello Siophra."

"Welcome back, Candasar. I'm glad you made it home safely!"

“Tundor just told me the beginnings of an unbelievable story. I’m sure he must have gotten some of the details wrong. It was about my third egg.” Said Candasar, seeming to size her up. "Did my daughter actually inhabit you?"

“Yes, she did, as hard as that may be to believe. Your daughter's chosen name is Zinariya. If Tundor hasn't quite gotten to that part yet.” said the elf.

"How did this come about?"

"We were attacked! Your amazing daughter saved both of our lives!”

"The egg was severely damaged? Its magical barrier was breached?”

"Yes, and I was struck by a lightning bolt. It went directly through my brain. Zinariya and I needed each other to stay alive. We formed a symbiotic relationship."

"I understand. I think I've seen something like that before."

"What? You have?"

"Yes, I have, but let's come back to that." said Candasar.

The blue dragon drew close and nuzzled the elf.

"Thank you Siophra. You saved my daughter's life."

"And she saved mine."

Candasar got a thoughtful look.

"What happened to the golden eggshell?"

“Daddy ate the eggshell.” Said Vigilant. "He burped golden dust and then fell asleep."

”Ah. That explains his size.” Said Candasar. “I rather wish that he hadn’t done that, for several reasons actually.”

”Zinariya and I were not there at the time. She actually told him to destroy it. She didn’t want any of Argents family to gain the magic from it.”

”Considering the immediate circumstances, I understand her saying that. Destroying it however, would have been quite wasteful.” Said Candasar. “A great quantity of magic went into that egg.” She looked at her other two children and smiled warmly. ‘All of your eggs, actually.”

”Don’t worry. We feel special too Momma.” Said Constance.

“And you certainly are.” Affirmed Candasar. “I enhanced all of you through my magic, but the golden egg's magic was also partially of Lothinar’s contribution.”

Siophra must have looked confused because Candasar wearily began to explain.

”When I first met Lothinar, I accidentally almost killed him. We weren’t bonded yet. I had been in a fight on the lake and he was attempting to heal my wounds. His healing felt so amazing that I grabbed onto his magical energy flow and pulled. It emptied him."

“Emptied him? Lothinar has a lot of magic.” Said Siophra.

“Yes he does, but I had no basis for comparison at the time. I took almost all of it.”

”That could have killed him!” Said Siophra incredulously. “Oh, that’s right. You did say that.”

”I put just enough magic back to save his life. I had no idea what I was actually doing at the time. I had just barely learned the heal spell. For most of my life I had been channeling all my magic into my unfertilized eggs. The magical pathways there were very well established. All of Lothinar’s life force went directly into Zinariya’s egg, but when I tried to put some of it back, the egg resisted me. I had to get magic from somewhere else. There was a fourth egg. It didn’t resist. It surrendered its magic. It died."

A huge tear rolled down Candasar’s cheek.

“I’ve sometimes wondered why you and Lothinar ended up bonding instead of Tundor" said Ronniflass walking into the barn. Cinnabar, Cenderick and Pepper were right behind her. The barn was suddenly getting quite crowded. "Tundor told me that he actually met Lothinar first.”

"That is true." said Candasar.

Soiphra shot Ronni a questioning look as if to ask. "What are you all doing here?"

"What? The milkmaid said something was up. We all want to hear what Candasar is going to say!" said Ronni. "I know Candasar too! This sounds like quite a story."

Candasar acknowledged Ronni. "This kids, is the person that saved Lothinar from drowning, the first time."

Ronni blushed, then she looked at the blue dragon with embarrassment.

"I actually need to talk to Lothinar about something." she said. "I've decided to set Lothinar free and take up with Cenderick here."

She gestured to the handsome male elf. "We are genuinely in love."

Candasar smiled. "I'll tell him... " A second or two passed. "OK, he knows….it’s the bond."

"Of course" said Ronni. "He has no hard feelings?"

Cenderick looked briefly nervous.

"No." said Candasar. "He says he's very happy for the both of you. He has a lot of complications in his life and he hasn't been very fair to you. Especially having to leave like he did."

"Of course he said something noble like that." said Ronniflass.

"He's not just saying that." said Candasar. "His truly cares about you, but his life is actually incredibly complex right now. A young woman from Silvantra got infected with his pheromones. It's really a mess. It's actually a lot more challenging than your situation ever was."

"That's actually kind of hard to believe." said Ronni. "Well, I hope it all works out."

“Soooo..." Said Siophra, somewhat frustrated by the interruption. "Zinariya has a lot of elven magic inside her. That actually explains a lot.”

”if she had actually been allowed to hatch in the proper time, by absorbing her eggshell, it would have turned out normally.” Said Candasar.

”There is nothing even remotely normal about a gold dragon.” Said Ronniflass. “We all should have expected that something like this involved Lothinar.”

”She is entirely Tundor’s child.” Protested Candasar. “I don’t like what you are implying!”

”Tundor may have fertilized that egg,” said Siophra, but Lothinar’s magical influence has a great deal to do with who she might eventually become. I felt something I didn’t understand when I hosted her. We need to somehow get a message to my sister Ardwella about this. Zinariya is extremely powerful and her actions might be hard to predict.”

”You’re thinking that Zinariya might not want to give Ardwella’s body back? That she might want to remain as an elf?” Asked Ronni. “Because I suspected that when she almost immediately left Platinum’s body behind to become an elf again. "

”Who is Platinum?” Candasar asked.

”She’s a dragon that died.” Said Siophra. “Zinariya briefly occupied her between the time she left me, and before she jumped into Ardwella. After Zinariya left her, Vanador actually managed to preserve her dragon body. It’s now serving as a statue in the dragon temple.”

”This body is viable?” Candasar asked. “You mean a disembodied dragon could just move in?”

”I suppose so.” Said Siophra. Then she raised an elegant eyebrow. “Did you actually have someone in mind?”

”Save that cow! I’ll be right back!” Yelled Candasar. Tundor was standing in the barn doorway with a struggling cow in his jaws. It was banefully mooing.

”Not that one” shrieked Ronni. “That’s Bessie! She’s one of my best breeders!”

Tundor delicately set the cow down. It staggered off, obviously quite offended but seemingly no worse off for the experience. Ronni quickly ran to it and began looking her over.

”Not even a tooth mark. I’m impressed Tundor.” She exclaimed. She led the shaky cow away. Cenderick and the dragons followed her.

“I may be large, but I can be quite gentle.” Tundor said, poignantly looking at Candasar, who rolled her eyes.

The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

“We can discuss the changes in our physical relationship later Tundor. Right now I need to tell Vanquish about Platinum.”

”What’s going on Candasar?” asked Siophra.

"I need to get back up to Ronni's house. Someone might be about to make a huge mistake!"

Tundor looked at Siophra. She nodded.

"We want to come too." said Tundor.

Candasar looked at him. "I need to tell you something Tundor. Ardwynn is there."

"Is she still under Lothinar's control? She was the reason you had to go back to Silvantra isn't it?"

"It’s really really complicated my mate. You are going to need to trust me. She's not under Lothinar's control. But she did spend some time under Vanquish's control. She’s not the same elf that she was before. You aren't going to believe what happened."

"You can't tell me?”

"I think it would be better if I just showed you."

"Are we bringing the kids?"

"Of course! I'm not letting them out of my sight!" said Candasar. "For a very long time."

Back out in the yard, Siophra swiftly climbed aboard Tundor.

"Ready Tundor!" she yelled excitedly. The little dragons giggled.

"I think I want a bond." said Vigilant.

"Your too young for a bond!" snapped Candasar.

"There is nobody like Siophra." said Constance. "Others elves can't help but suffer in comparison."

The beautiful elf blushed and then smiled in the afternoon sunlight. She seemed to recapture, at least for a moment, the amazing beauty that had been gifted her when bonded with Zinariya.

"What are we waiting for?" she asked.

The cows in the yard seemed to breathe a huge sigh of relief as two large dragons and two little dragons jumped into the air.

Things were suddenly very quiet in the dairy yard.

A large red shaped moved into sight. Mo-Rung had been standing just outside the barn and behind the wall. He had heard the whole thing. He began making his plans for revenge. Ardwynn must die!

"You should really give Lothinar a chance to explain." said Mavis.

"The time for explaining is long past." said the red dragon. "Besides, what are you going to do about it? You are hundreds of miles away."

Mo-Rung closed the connection.

-----------------------------------------------

"Damn!" said Mavis. "Lothinar's back and he brought Ardwynn with him. Mo-Rung has decided to go after her. He wants revenge."

"That's going to be problematic." said Mandel. They were still in his office. Mavis had still been trying to convince her brother to take Cantrell off assassin duty. Especially with Ardwella leading him around.

"Well, then again, maybe not." he said sheepishly. "I've actually been trying to decide if she is one of Argent's relatives on the must kill list or not. Perhaps we should do nothing and just let him. It would make our lives a lot easier."

Mavis grimaced at him.

”That’s obviously not what Lothinar wants.”

”She may eventually pose a danger to my rein. And to peace.” He quickly added.

"Lothinar is your brother too!" she said angrily.

"Frankly, I'm surprised this is even a conversation." said Mandel. "You were the one she tried to kill. Very successfully, I might add. If not for Vanador and Esmarilla...."

"And Aleena." Mavis said with a wistful tone.

Mandel sighed.

"So what do you want me to do about it? It's not like we can actually warn him."

"But we can!" said Mavis. "We can send Ardwella! Zinariya teleportation can get her there very quickly! She can warn him. I wonder where Ardwella is right now?"

"They have been running ahead of schedule." said Mandel, looking at the clock on the wall. "Perhaps we can catch them in the cafeteria. Maybe we can catch a bite ourselves."

"I'm too nervous to eat." said Mavis.

Mandel looked at her.

"Are you afraid that you might be getting fat? You can't be serious. You look great!"

"With that shameless hussy around, I'm not taking any chances!" said Mavis. "Lets go see if we can find my husband and the witch!"

The cafeteria was quite full but looking around Mavis spotted Cantrell and Ardwella sitting at one of the tables. She thought her beautiful aunt was sitting far too close to Cantrell. Walking up with Mandel in tow she cleared her throat.

Cantrell smiled broadly when he saw her. He quickly rose to his feet and moved to stand by her side. She noticed that he had a little blood splatter on his pants leg and shoes. How could he not notice that?

Ardwella looked slightly dissapointed. She sighed.

"Cross Laney, Harlene and Alphy off your list." said Ardwella. "Cantrell almost got himself killed trying to talk Delilah into giving up, but I got her too."

Cantrell winced.

"It seemed worth a try."

"You are still too soft." said Ardwella. "Argent's daughters are incorrigible."

They were definitely more ready this time." admitted Cantrell.

Mavis swallowed her anger.

"Thank you for keeping him safe Ardwella." she said sincerely.

Mandel pulled out a pad. He crossed out the four names.

"So, still no sign of them giving up?"

"Not so far. Do you think that's likely?" asked Ardwella. "You probably know them better than I do."

"Sahar might." he said. "She was Myron's sister. He was the reasonable one."

"We probably should wait and kill her last then." said Cantrell. "Perhaps with the conspicuous absence of co-conspirators.... "

"You would probably have to offer them something." said Mavis. "Some sort of position in the government."

"I don't think that's wise." said Ardwella. "Letting them live is risky enough. This problem will just keep resurfacing... "

Mandel interrupted. "I have another favor to ask." he said.

"A favor to ask or an order to issue?" asked Cantrell raising an eyebrow.

"A favor, but it's one you might care a great deal about. It's actually Ardwella and Zinariya that I'm asking." said Mandel.

Mavis had been watching for it. There! A flash of gold briefly appeared in Ardwella's eyes. Immediately they returned to blue. Ardwella turned her beautiful gaze upon Mandel.

"Speak, your servant listens" she said with little hidden sarcasm.

"Lothinar's back! He has Ardwynn with him!" Mavis rushed out. "Mo-Rung found out and is probably headed there right now, to kill her. I couldn't talk him out of it. You are our only hope to stop him."

"You want me to try and stop your dragon from killing someone vile and evil. It seems to me you should be thanking him for his service!" said Ardwella. "Just what do you think Cantrell and I have been doing all week?"

"Killing Argent's closest kin." responded Mavis. "And Ardwynn is one of them. I understand that. But I'm worried Lothinar might get hurt trying to stop him!"

That seemed to get Ardwella's attention.

"Where are they? Where is Lothinar now?" asked Ardwella.

"Ronni's farmhouse." said Mavis.

There was a pop. Ardwella disappeared. Cantrell looked at his wife.

"Well, I guess I have the afternoon off." said Cantrell. "How about I get a shower and spend some time with my beautiful wife." he said.

"I thought you'd never ask." said Mavis.

"Well, I've been kind of busy." said Cantrell, taking her hand.

"Too busy for me?"

"You know that you are always on my mind." he said.

She gave him a skeptical look.

"Even with someone as beautiful as Ardwella to look at?"

"Especially, with someone like Ardwella to look at." said Cantrell. "I need to keep thinking about you constantly. It is my only real defense."

She sighed and leaned into him.

"I don't know how you do it?" she said.

"What? Kill people?"

She peered deep into his eyes, she was obviously looking for some sort of reassurance.

"Yes, that of course, but I'm talking about how you resist her obvious advances."

He laughed. Then he suddenly grew quite serious.

"What kind of husband do you think I am? I made a commitment. I made it to you!"

"Yes, but..."

"Look Mavis, I don't know what kind of men you have known before and I really don't need to, but I belong to you. Ardwella turns heads yes, but she has never turned my heart. That decision is made!"

"Really?" she said. Her eyes were brimming with tears.

"Yes, Really. And, believe it or not, I think Ardwella is finally beginning to understand that too."

"You weren't tempted?" she asked breathlessly.

Mandel’s laughter interrupted his answer.

"Hell, every male in this place is tempted." Said Mandel. Then he wisely shut up.

Cantrell turned back to his wife.

"Didn't you give up your dreams of Lothinar for me? He is extremely handsome, or so I'm told."

She laughed.

"Then I found out he was my half brother!"

"You didn't know that at the time. You made a choice. Giving him up for me still counts."

"I guess. But being infatuated with Lothinar and actually getting him reciprocally interested were two very different things. You clearly saw Ardwynn struggling with that.”

Cantrell nodded. “I think that his disinterest is a partial coping mechanism of his own pheromones. We can all be grateful that he doesn’t just go around leaving crying women by the wayside.

”It’s probably still going to happen anyway” she said.

”And that’s going to be Lothinar’s problem.” Said Cantrell. “We all have temptations, Mavis. The point that I’m trying to make is that I’m fully committed to a future with you.”

Mavis heard a couple of sighs from nearby tables.

She looked around and suddenly noticed that the cafeteria was quite full. It was the lunch hour after all. Nobody was, however, actually eating. Everyone seemed to be watching their conversation with great interest. There were many female elves scattered about at various tables.

Mavis awkwardly cleared her throat.

Speaking of Lothinar. Do you think he's going to be alright?" Asked Mavis.

"Yep."

“You're not worried about him at all, are you?” she asked.

”Not really, no. Sorry, but Mo-Rung is no match for him. I watched Mo-Rung kill the three elves that were trying to steal Zinariya’s egg, but Lothinar is on a whole other level. He's absolutely filled to the brim with powerful magic. You would never know. He doesn't brag about it.

”Do you think he might hurt Mo-Rung?” she suddenly asked with concern.

”Lothinar will definitely defend himself, but your dragon is probably safe.”

Suddenly she whirled to face him. She stood on tiptoes and kissed him. Quite passionately.

They began to walk out of the cafeteria.

"I see where this is going." said Mandel

"You have no idea." said Cantrell.

Mavis blushed.

They left the emperor standing there.

The cafeteria erupted in applause. Catcalls ensued. A few moments later quiet conversations resumed. Once again people resumed eating their lunches.

"I really need to find a girlfriend!" Mandel said to himself. "I wonder who it was that Ardwella was talking about?"

It was just about then that Mandel got slightly jealous. They were cheering for his sister and Cantrell, not him. They never cheered for him.

He needed to step up his game. He decided to go and visit Vanador.

Perhaps it was time to start fighting his own battles.

------------------------------------------------

Lothinar head a commotion in the yard. It was the sound of dragons landing. He knew that at least one of them was Candasar. She had found most of her family and brought them back here.

Ardwynn was sleeping on the bed with the baby cradled under her arm. She had a peaceful smile on her face. Even though the labor and delivery of his son had been greatly assisted by Vanquish’s blue dragon magic, she was still obviously exhausted. Lothinar decided to let her sleep.

He walked out the front door and looked down from the porch. There were four dragons in the yard. One of them was a very big one. It was Tundor! He quickly spotted his aunt Siophra astride him. A few seconds later he heard the screen door close again behind him. Michelle stood next to him. She took his hand and gripped it fiercely. He glanced over at her. She had tears running down her cheeks. Suddenly she released his hand and ran off the porch. She stared up at the huge white dragon.

"You're not Vanador!" she exclaimed.

Tundor Chuckled. "No, I'm afraid I'm not. He's at the capital. I don't think we have met. My name is Tundor." he said.

"My Mate." said Candasar.

"I know who he is." hissed Michelle. "How did he get so big? So fast?"

Suddenly Tundor scowled.

"You know me?"

"We've met." said Michelle.

"Did anyone ever tell you that you look a bit like Ardwynn?" the white dragon asked, looking at her intently. "I heard that she was around here."

"I've been told that before" said Michelle. She had an amused look on her face. "I've even thought so myself."

"Vanador once carried her off thinking she was Ardwynn." said Candasar. She began laughing. Lothinar joined in. Somehow the both of them seemed to think that this was somehow funny.

"Listen Vanquish!," said Candasar. "I've just been made aware of something. It's an unbelievable chance for you."

Siophra had been sitting there on Tundor's back. She had been taking it in. Suddenly she jumped down and approached Michelle. She got very close. She put her hands on either side of her head and peered at her.

"You're a dragon!" she suddenly said. "I know you! You are Vanquish!"

Tundor gaped.

"Part of her at least.” said Candasar. "Now you know why I was interested in that unoccupied platinum dragon!"

"Explain!” Demanded the petite human body housing the blue dragon Vanquish.

Siophra complied. She did her best to tell the story of what had happened. A brief how and why about the Platinum dragon’s demise.

when Siophra finally finished, Lothinar spoke up.

“It does seem to be a good opportunity for you” he said.

"This platinum dragon body is merely a juvenile." protested Michelle. "It will hardly do!"

"If you want to stay a human, just admit it and stay that way" said Candasar. "But now at least you have a choice."

Michelle was obviously conflicted. She looked longingly at Lothinar.

"A choice we do not have to force on her tonight!" said Lothinar. "It doesn't sound like the platinum dragon’s body is going anywhere."

A very loud popping sound occurred and a familiar raven haired elf appeared on the porch next to Lothinar. Her knees buckled and she swayed a bit but Lothinar instinctively reached out to stabilize her.

“Mother?” He gaped as the beautiful female elf clung to him.

”That’s not just your mother.” Said Siophra with a strange grin. “That’s Candasar and Tundor’s daughter. The one that was formed with a great deal of magical help from you, Lothinar. She’s the Golden Dragon, Zinariya.”

The wobbly body of Ardwella finally opened her eyes. The were glowing with golden power.

“Hello everyone. Sorry to just drop in like this but Mo-Rung is coming, if he isn’t already here. He intends to kill Ardwynn. Can anyone give me a reason not to let him?”

The sound of splintering wood erupted from somewhere behind them in the house. Lothinar heard Ardwynn scream. A baby began to cry.

Lothinar’s vision went white.

Up on the porch a miniature sun was born. Candasar’s brief thought as she felt her consciousness depart was that she had never before felt Lothinar get this angry.

———————————

Heirwynn was a little bored. Baby's were cute, but there had to be more to life at her age than helping watch someone else's child. She had already played big sister for a couple of weeks. Muina had finally suggested that she and the dragons take a walk over to Delora Natine. She did have a few more things to collect from the small apartment that she had shared with Harvey before he was killed. She had already told the landlord her intentions to finally move out for good.

She did attract quite a lot of attention when she entered the city gate with Snow and Night following after her. Everyone seemed to know her story. Stopping by the dragon temple she could not help but observe the statuesque form of Platinum. She had been posed in a very lifelike position. Having seen the dragon alive, it chilled her to see her that way. Heirwynn had never liked the Platinum dragons machinations. Night-Sky and Snow were uncharacteristically silent. Eventually the trio made her way to her apartment.

Arriving there she immediately noticed the door ajar. That was strange. She was sure that she had closed and locked it. Slowly pushing it open, she heard voices. They sounded like they were in the upstairs loft. They sounded elvish. Heirwynn had been listening to Albarad and Muina for weeks. She had picked up quite a bit.

"The *#*%#%* is finally mounted up on the roof. The next time the dragon flys over, we can bring him down!"

Heirwynn didn't know what that second word was, but it couldn't be good. She quickly started to back out of the room and tumbled over Snow who had come in behind her.

"What was that?" came the voice from upstairs. Heirwynn struggled to her feet. Behind her she heard the front door close with a click.

"Katrina! Blythe! Come down here. It looks like the young lady who lives here has finally returned." said a voice. It was dripping with malice.

Heirwynn whirled around. A female elf with a crossbow stood between her and the door. The crossbow was pointed directly at her. She heard boots on the stairs.

"What do we have here Sahar?" came another elven voice.

Heirwynn was looking at two more elves. Both of them were female. Both of them had knives out.

Night-Sky was nowhere to be seen. Heirwynn could only hope that he was going for help.

Snow growled. The sound was surprisingly low and menacing.

"Oh no, none of that!" exclaimed the elf the others had called Sahar. "Or I'll shoot your precious bond right in the eye!"

Just then, from behind the elves on the stairs, a black shadow blurred into motion. Night must have somehow taken to the air and flown onto the roof. He must have entered from there and come down behind them.

"Look out!" yelled the elf with the crossbow, pulling her aim off Heirwynn and pointing toward the descending Night.

Snow leaped. She caught the elf's head in her jaws and twisted. The crossbow twanged and the bolt buried itself in the ceiling. Night continued his thunderous decent. He bowled over the two on the stairs. They ended up at the bottom in a pile. The black dragon stood over them, snarling. They dropped their knives.

"We ask for mercy!" one of them cried.

"I'll give you the mercy you planned for Tundor!" Night shrieked. He began to tear them both open with his claws. There was a lot of screaming. One of them almost got away. After all, he was only a small dragon.

Heirwynn was pretty sure that she wasn't going to get Harvey's cleaning deposit back by the time he was finished.

-----------------------------