The radiating heat from the mid sunny day beat down on Kira’s group. Circumstances led them in the direction of a kingdom, which was previously located on a map Kira chanced upon seeing during her stay in the forgotten town of Ilnor. Light began to seep through as the forest shade lessened over nearly two weeks of traveling limited only to small creature encounters. The creatures were easily handled with between the three most active of the group, Tessa, Marc, and Sedric. Experience and a chance to easily practice their skills was granted. Some might even consider it one sided slaughtering and that large monsters may actually have been welcomed to appear if only to serve as distractions in place of the disappearance of Sylvia and Kai.
"Kira are you sure this is the right way?" Marc asked as if being the only able to gather enough courage to do so.
“Yes, I’m sure of it. It shouldn't be much farther now, hopefully we can reach the town before dinner time.” Kira looked up at Marc towering over her and who was currently lost in thought.
“Hey!” Tessa nudged Marc from behind passing by him.
“Want to make a guess at what Kai is doing back in real life?”
Without giving much of a pause for Marc to consider a reply, Tessa engaged into a deadly mental attack. “Around this time Kai should have rounded up all the pizza bread from all the surrounding stores and is lying in wait until your return. Just to obtain his payback. It might of been his plan from the start!”
"Kai loves virtual reality. To give this dream up for some petty revenge. No way.” Marc snapped.
“That’s quite the faith you have in Kai, then why is your hand clasping tighter at the thought?” Tessa pointed at the staff crunching within his grasp.
The crackling noise of the staff shattering from the tense grip grabbed everyone's attention.
“Hey what’s wrong?” Sedric questioned out of concern.
“Oh uh.., I was just wondering what Kai and Sylvia might be up to back home.” Releasing his grip on the staff. Marc wandered over to a cliff in the direction they were heading.
“Like I said before, they are without a doubt spending the $40,000 that has already been deposited into their bank account. According to my estimations we should already be in the kingdom. Civilization of some sort shouldn’t be much further.
Marc stumbled a bit after the mention of spending money and approached closer to the cliff which provided an excellent survey of ahead.
After the speech given by Kira, Tessa joined up with Marc.
“Helena seems to still be sad over losing Sylvia, she must of been a very good friend for her to still be worrying this long.” Tessa nearing the cliff alongside Marc, momentarily paused to view the scenery then shouted out in joy.
“Everyone, I can see a city!”
“That’s great, our rations weren’t going to last much longer.” Sedric responded to Tessa.
"Wait, do you guys see that? That carriage is under attack!" Marc loudly alerted everybody.
"Don't rush up ahead." Helena advised, however the only remaining on the cliff were Kira and Tessa.
The scenery of the cliff showed a large carriage driven by several horses on the side of a dirt back trail that forked into a much larger main road. A surprise bandit attack was occurring approximately 200 yards away. They were tying up people as Marc in the front followed by Sedric and Relanis passed the halfway mark closing in swiftly.
“We need to help them!” Tessa stated.
“Yes, but be sure to keep an eye out. There could be others hidden around the area.” Kira replied as they headed in the same direction not to far behind the others.
Marc ran at full speed rushing through the dense forest. As he caught sight of the large carriage he noticed several people running in his direction and took the time to place his backpack on the ground. A figure hidden in an elegant blue cloak that ended mid-waist equipped with a dagger grabbed his full attention. The distressed person ran from the pursuers and lost balance from a tree branch that caught onto the hood of the cloak. The hood dropped back along with a delicate light-blonde haired elf who was brought to her knees from the swift tug on the hood. The pointy ears, immaculate face, green eyes, and hair down to her waist would make most men fall for her, however Marc’s only thought was how Kai would kill to see a beautiful elf only available in fantasy. Both parties abruptly stopped with the distance between one another roughly five meters at most. In a matter of seconds Sedric caught up to his side and also set aside his backpack, whereas Relanis lagged behind only to arrive at a puzzling situation.
“Watch out, my lady!” The elf’s personal bodyguard with a longsword drawn shouted. “I’ll take care of these bandits, flee while you can!”
“No, we’re not bandits. We are here to help.” Marc held the staff out to his side in a neutral stance.
The guard was about to lower his weapon until he heard approaching bandits from behind him, but kept his eyes on Marc and Sedric also wielding a staff. The princess quickly stood up and stayed her ground instead of fleeing with dagger in hand.
“Get down!” Marc lunged forward with his leading foot and launched his staff, straight like a spear towards the bodyguard. The staff wobbled from the sheer velocity of the throw.
Buzzing a few inches by the bodyguard the staff firmly hit the unsuspecting bandit directly in the chest behind him. The bandit wore a type of rough hide as body protection, preventing severe damage. Due to the force of impact the staff cleanly brushed him off his feet and back first into the rough forest terrain. The second bandit stood in a daze from seeing his fellow bandit fly by him, whereas Marc would never waste a perfect opportunity to strike.
The moment Marc threw his staff he charged at full speed running past the semi-crouched bodyguard with his sword held diagonally to protect his head.
The second bandit looked up only to frantically attempt to draw his sword. To slow on the draw Marc overwhelmingly football tackled the bandit crashing him into disarray and unable to wield his sword. Forcefully flattened onto the ground the bandit without a pause of pain gave an elbow blow aimed down on Marc’s head. Expecting to take the blow, Marc fully braced himself for impact but automatically remembered his counter defense skill. This skill allows for a guaranteed counter after being hit. The elbow blow itself was hardly felt due to his high physical damage resistance and defense stat. At the same time a near automatic left hook was brought down on the bandit’s face followed by a sequential palm strike. Marc activated his other skill called devastating blow with the strike positioned to hit dead center of the bandit’s face.
Accompanied by a shriek of pain and a broken nose, Marc almost instantaneously disabled both of the pursuers.
The first bandit regained his composure and tried to strike at Marc off to his side. Drawing his sword the bandit swung horizontally but missed when Marc quickly rolled away to dodge the attack. Marc picked up the sword off the bandit laying on the ground and drew it as he got into a battle stance. Marc focused all his strength into a single swing waiting for the moment the bandit struck.
*CLANG*
The bandit’s longsword found itself embedded into a tree near him. The first move from the bandit was an attempt to recover his sword. Marc allowed the bandit to do so, however Sedric had other plans. A sudden noise of a high pitched whistle was heard, followed by a terrified yell.
“AAAAHHHHH!”
The bandit screamed in agony as the wooden dagger from Sedric’s backpack found its way into his forearm. In an attempt to immediately run away after hearing the retreat whistle, the bandit’s sudden movement caused the dagger to plunge deep into the arm with excruciating pain. Sedric’s endeavor to slightly graze the man failed.
“What, why are you running! Come back here!” Marc shouted at the fleeing bandits’ back.
“Yeah, come back here! Cowards!…” Relanis panted.
Looking back and forth during the fight the personal bodyguard thought these two people were completely crazy. On the other hand, the elf princess stood in a trance over Marc’s bravery and brute strength.
“My lady, it is still not safe here, we must go.”
Urging the princess to take his hand to continue their escape the bodyguard noticed the princess’s gaze focused directly on Marc.
“Princess Vera!”
“Yes?... Maybe these strangers can help, since they already protected us. I think we can trust them.” Vera sought the help of the new strangers.
Marc, Sedric, and Relanis gathered closer to the elf princess to understand the situation better. Princess Vera explained that over a dozen bandits attacked their carriage, and her men were critically injured if not killed. The situation grew unsettling for the bodyguard as he noticed everyone staring at the princess weirdly; however, his importance for her safety halted any questions regarding who or where these strangers came from.
“There were more than twenty; we need to get you to safety, my lady.”
“We will continue to help you. There is no need to worry anymore.” Marc started moving to exit the forest from where the bandits came from after reassuring the princess.
Leaving behind their backpacks in a pile Marc held on to the sword he pilfered from earlier. Relanis tried to retrieve the sword stuck in the tree only to have Sedric come along and hand him the sword off the first bandit who fell unconscious from the impact of the spear throw. As if knowing ahead of time he would go for the sword in the tree Relanis shrugged with a thanks and accepted the sword. Sedric in one sleek motion struck the palm on the handle with his and grabbed hold of the sword pulling it out with ease.
“How’d you do that!” Relanis gawked at this performance act.
“It’s a simple trick really, all you need to do is push it in further to pull it out..” Sedric casually replied.
“My Lady we cannot trust these strangers.”
“They saved us. The least we can do is allow them the benefit of the doubt, Krel. Please treat them kindly." Vera's sight remained focused on Marc.
“As you wish, my Lady.” Krel followed besides princess Vera sneering at Marc with newfound displeasure.
Off to the right of the forest exit sat guards and other hostages tied up with rope equaling up to nine people. There were several casualties lying around dead from the bandit attack. Arrows scattered among the area and any lucky enough not to get hit ended up with stab wounds. But no bandit was in sight.
“Seems like you scared them off. Strange that they would retreat so easily?” Sedric said.
“This is horrible, I can’t believe it, this looks so realistic.” Marc averted his eye catching the sight of Relanis at the back beginning to vomit.
“Let’s not let the girls see this. I’ll try to go and intercept them before they arrive here, you’ve got it from here right?” Sedric received a confirmation head nod from Marc then headed back in the direction of Kira, Tessa, and Helena.
Princess Vera ran out from behind Marc to the tied up people. She used the dagger from her waist and cut the ropes freeing the guards and some hostages. Her bodyguard Krel assisted in the matter by doing the same and freeing the rest.
“Ambassador Von are you unharmed?” Vera extended a hand to an overweight male human helping him up.
“Yes, I am safe thankfully. However I’m just glad your highness is alive.”
“Why yes, these gentlemen came to my rescue and subdued the bandits that chased us. They are quite strong especially the big one.”
“Who are they, do you know?” Ambassador Von questioned.
“This is not the time nor place to start a discussion. Princess Vera has accepted their help and that is all we need to know for now. We must gather the dead onto the spare horses and head to the city immediately in case the bandits attack once again.” Krel declared.
“We will use the carriage for the dead, the rest will use the remaining horses or walk.” Vera objected and deemed it morally correct to give more respect to the dead.
“My Lady that is not safe for your well being, more so if the bandits are lurking about.” Krel strongly opposed the thought.
“He’s right. It’s best to be inside the carriage to avoid any possible future attacks from arrows.” Marc stated while moving on his own to carry the dead onto the horses.
“I’ll agree because you say so.” Vera instantly replied.
“Hey, this guy is still alive!” Marc shouted.
Laying face forward with two arrows stuck in his back was a member of the guard grasping on to the last moments of his life.
“Marc?” Tessa’s voice was heard exiting the forest with an unconscious bandit in tow, along with Kira and Helena right behind dragging the other bandit left behind.
“On alert guards!” Krel voiced his concern for the princess’s safety, meanwhile Vera called back the order with the pretense of Marc knowing them and acknowledged them as companions.
“Tessa come quick this guy is dying. You said you were able to heal, is it possible to save him?” On the verge of death Tessa held back any questions and started using her healing skill [Focus Heal].
Marc remained quiet as the usage of the healing spell seemed to take a large amount of concentration, until Tessa came to a pause.
“We need to remove the arrows, it’s preventing my healing skill from working properly. Take them out, Marc.” Tessa urgently said.
The arrows were swiftly pulled out and the healing process began once again. Slowly restoring the inside and closing up the wounds the spell came to an end.
“His breathing is back to normal now. Oh, wow it worked!” Tessa responded unsure from the start on the off chance that the healing spell may not have worked properly on a critically injured person.
“Sir Marc, Your companion is a healer?!” Princess Vera was astonished and shocked along with every other bystander to the scene.
“Uh, yes she is, why do you ask?” Marc replied.
The princess walked next to Tessa. “May I ask where your priesthood lies?”
“I’m not sure what you mean, but I’m not Catholic if that’s what you’re asking.”
The strange response caused her to think rapidly as she looked around counting Marc’s group.
“I’ve never seen a healer escorted with less than two dozen people, so I assume you’re not in a priesthood either.” Vera explained.
“She doesn’t need an escort with us, but why does that matter?” Marc questioned.
Vera motioned Marc to come closer as she whispered to both of them.
“It’s best you not show anyone your healing powers. All healers are controlled by the priesthood and are given a mark at birth on their back. Royal families or the king have no hold on them. They are an entirely separate power within the national structure. The reason why they have so much power is due to the rarity of healers and so they receive special privileges. Healers are protected at all times, but the priesthood dictates every step of their life until their healing powers are gone.
“Wait so we could just fake the lost of her healing and they would leave us alone?” Marc asked.
“The only healers I know that lost their powers died of old age or prematurely. Healing magic can not be masked.” Vera answered.
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
“So you’re telling me I’m a slave to the priesthood or allow people to die?” Tessa looked at the resting guard.
“I can’t decide for you, but there are advantages with the priesthood. All living, traveling, and bonus compensation for healing services. Most healers are wealthy even though a large percentage goes back to the priesthood.”
“I wonder what they are talking about. That’s so weird half these guards are elves.” Helena said next to Kira after turning over the unconscious captive to the guards.
“I’m not quite sure but, it might be best to tell them about the person you spotted on the way here.” Kira walked towards Marc together with Helena.
“Hey, sorry for not being introduced but, Helena spotted one of the attackers on our way here. He’s the one that blew the whistle.” Kira interrupted.
“Oh, by the way, we picked up your bags so you don’t have to worry about them.” Kira told Marc as he looked at her item box on the side of her belt.
“Thanks. Oh, sorry these are my friends Kira and Helena and you already met Tessa.” Marc replied as everyone greeted each other.
“What did you sense when you spotted him?” Marc turned to Helena.
“Not much but I’m feeling a lot of different things from everyone here except from Princess Vera and that overweight guy over there. And the other elves are pretty hard to read.”
“Well I don’t care about if anyone is afraid or confused, but I want to know if this was an inside job.”
“This isn’t your favorite crime show, the one thing you watch besides sports.” Tessa retorted as they noticed Sedric quickly approaching.
“Hey, is there any way I can get a horse from you to scout out further and is there anyone who knows how to ride one?” Sedric asked as Tessa started moving away to a horse.
Helena sensed Sedric’s unusual suspicion, but kept quiet.
“I know how. Let’s go!” Tessa smiled grabbing the reins.
Tessa galloped away with Sedric hugging her from behind without waiting for a response from Princess Vera.
“Normally Krel’s horse doesn’t let anyone ride him, but I guess he doesn’t mind. Vera looks perplexed at the strangers while Krel is shouting in the background.
“How did they take Altair and where are they going?” Krel demanded while running after them.
“They went to scout out further ahead. Isn’t it time we continued to the city?” Vera replied.
“Yes, my lady.” Krel stopped in his tracks with frustration and intrigued by Altair’s acceptance of the strangers.
The Princess and Marc’s group entered the carriage and resumed their travels. Sedric and Tessa circled around.
“What are we looking for? We’ve been riding around without stopping.”
“Something’s not right with that bandit attack. I scouted the area and found little to no tracks required to take on the Princess’s entourage. Either there were only five bandits and the rest were ninjas or someone doesn’t know how to count.”
“How is that possible with so many guards protecting the princess?”
“Stop here.” Sedric commanded as they came upon a turned up patch of land in the middle of shrubs.
Tessa halted the war horse on a dime. Sedric jumped off and searched the dirt and debris on all fours. “Are you pretending to be one with nature?” Tessa laughed.
“Nature has nothing to do with this.” Sedric lifted up small remains of broken nuts.
Tessa eyed the fragments of nuts from the top of the horse. “Squirrels?”
Sedric lifted up a small burlap sack with his other hand. “Squirrels don’t carry these, and the partial footprints near the bushes tell me there were about four people waiting here for a few hours.
“How do you have these tracking skills, but don’t know how to ride a horse?”
“Kira had me do a lot of different activities while I was a kid, but horseback riding wasn’t one of them.” Sedric replied as he got back on the horse.
“So what do we tell the others?”
“We wait until we’re able to talk alone with our group and decide what to do next.” Sedric replied as they headed back to the moving carriage.
The carriage moved smoothly along the main road as Ambassador Von looked outside the shuttered window. The elven guards rode or walked majestically like the attack never happened. Their stature was much taller than the average human with a slim build. The silver lightweight chainmail covered most of their bodies slightly tarnished by uncleaned dry blood. A simple silver helmet protecting the head and partial back of the neck but exposing the ears and face. Suited with longswords hemmed on their side but better quality than the human guards. The human guards wore simple leather jerkins shaded dark brown with engravings of the city’s insignia.
The six horse carriage was elegant with unique cedar wood designs and light metal plating protected the occupants. The elven royal crest signified the lineage on both her father and mother’s side. The two compartments inside comfortably seated six people in the first compartment and three up front designated for the maid’s. Relanis walked alongside with the elven guards not wanting to be crammed inside the carriage with everyone else.
“What land does your group come from, Sir Marc? Krel asked while the Princess sat between him and the Ambassador. Opposite of the three Marc, Kira, and Helena sat facing them.
“We’re all from a very far away land called New Baltimore.” Marc casually replied.
Marc’s answer caught Ambassador Von’s attention. “You say that you are from far away, but how have you been traveling without any means of transportation.”
“We traveled by boat, horse, and mainly by foot.” Marc said as Kira chimed in. “We lost our equipment and horses weeks ago.”
Ambassador Von looked at Helena with piercing blue eyes. “You seem to be distraught by what your friend has just said.” Helena’s sadness turned into temporary confusion and dizziness as she turned her downward gaze up towards the Ambassador.
“We lost two of our closest friends as well.” Kira answered while Helena continued scrutinizing Ambassador Von.
“I’m sorry to hear that…” Vera consoled.
“We didn’t expect it to be so soon, but it couldn’t be helped.” Marc said.
“We were heading to the city for food and shelter when we caught sight of your situation. Fortunately we were able to help and hopefully the city will provide everything we need.” Kira stated.
“Blackten City is full of commerce, traders and travelers. From observing your fighting skills I thought your group was traveling there to participate in the King’s tournament.” Vera paused seeing Marc’s interest.
“What’s this tournament for?”
“The winner of the tournament becomes king of the city, which has been without a king for eight months hence the reason for being named the King’s Tournament.” Krel sarcastically smiled.
“Since the Princess is already royal are you trying to become king?” Marc hoped.
“No, I’m just here to judge and Krel’s my personal bodyguard so he can not participate because it would be a conflict of interest.” Vera replied.
“We don’t have much, is there a place you would recommend to stay at?” Kira asked.
“Ambassador Von would know best, however don’t worry about it because I insist you be my guests during my time there. Everyone except Helena were surprised.
“That’s very gracious. We will be glad to be in your care.” Kira accepted for the group.
The conversation shifted to talk about Princess Vera’s homeland and elven culture. Helena searched the Ambassador’s emotions the entire time causing him to feel awkward and stare outside. Helena couldn’t sense any emotions with her power, however his body language said otherwise. Von seemed to be on his guard when she made eye contact and eventually relaxed.
A guard outside the carriage galloped by to announce they were approaching the gate. Relanis’ feet slightly hurt walking the five miles to the outer city gates. The grand length and height of the walls were stunning. He had visited the Great Wall of China as a teenager, but this wall was alive, not a tourist site of old ruins.
The elven guard walking next to Relanis noticed his bewildered eyes and dropped mouth. “I take it you never seen a city near the Void?”
“What? You mean there are a lot of cities like this?”
“Of course, there are maybe a hundred cities bordering the Void. Without these specially built walls, everyone in the city would be helpless against monsters that find their way across the Void.”
“What is this Void you’re talking about?” Relanis looked up at the guard’s face.
“It is a magical rift that separates this land and the land beyond. No one really knows what is in the Void, except that very powerful magical creatures exist there.”
Relanis looked at the wall and metal gates better, now that they were within rock throwing distance. The twenty foot tall gates opened with twenty, foot soldiers and five horsemen exiting the city. Two dozen figures along the top of the wall appeared with bows. His excitement changed to horror as the human guards’ morphed into hyena hide werewolves.
“What the hell!” Relanis turned to his elven companion.
“What is it?” The guard asked.
Relanis’s eyes widen with shock as the guard’s words were growls, and the once elven guard was now a silverback werewolf. Relanis jumped back, drawing his sword and swinging it menacingly.
The werewolf roared back but stood fast, not wanting to taste Relanis’s blade.
Relanis turned towards the carriage where screams confirmed the gruesome fate. Helena’s corpse bashed through the carriage door, along with a werewolf mutilating her to shreds. Two other wolves jumped into the action while Marc’s head rolled out of the carriage.
His heart jumped several beats as he saw seven wolves in and around the carriage focus on him.
A black werewolf charged him from his left with his back towards the gate. Instinctively, Relanis activated [Force Expel]. The black werewolf defied the laws of motion as his body hit an invisible energy field getting repulsed backwards ten meters. The beast twirled head over heel several times before landing and sliding on all fours. It’s claws dug deep into the ground as it snarled at the ready. The beast’s fur spiked out and razor sharp fangs dripped blood. It prepared for another charge, but this time more cautious.
Relanis ran towards the gate away from the seven werewolves only to realize he was encircled by an entire pack. As they drew closer, he activated his skill out of fear, focusing on all directions. Everything within twenty meters of Relanis was abrasively pushed away. The front two horses pulling the carriage were thrown against the center rail and four horses in the back; tipping over the carriage onto it’s side. The werewolves that took the most damage were the ones on horseback, as they laid on the ground motionless.
Relanis looked up along the top of the city wall as howling and drawn bows shot forth. The volley of arrows streaked through the air but hit a pocket of resistance. The arrows stood as if they entered a time freeze zone, coming to a complete halt a few feet above his head.
One werewolf stepped forward with a sword drawn. It glowed bright red as an energy bolt shot out at Relanis. The bolt hit the force field with relentless fury, reducing the strength dramatically as the field gave way and dispersed. The reactive explosion caused everyone in front of Relanis to be pushed back several feet, with Relanis falling to the ground unconscious.
Sedric ran to Relanis’s side with arrows piled on the ground by his head. “Stop! Don’t shoot!” His bloody palms extended out towards the Captain of the Guard.
Tessa stood next to Altair near the location where Sedric had slid, off the road; in disbelief to the battle.
“Wait! He’s with us, and I’m sure this was all a misunderstanding!” Marc ran up to the two men with Krel right behind him.
The Captain stared at Marc and Krel, then at Sedric’s knee and hand wounds. “My guards and I were attacked, as so were you. There is no misunderstanding. Arrest that man!”
“Sir Relanis is under my protection and we will find out why he attacked everyone.” Princess Vera walked up from behind Sedric, while Krel pulled him to the side.
“I apologize for the situation, but you do not have authority over the welfare of my guards or this city. We will take him into custody and investigate this matter further. As it stands he will be put on trial for attempted murder of the King’s guards and yourself.”
“We were never in danger, and your attacks were meant to kill.” Marc rudely interrupted.
“I will forgive your servant’s insolence only once. This matter is settled, unless your entire entourage wants to see the inside of our dungeon.” The Captain stared at Vera as he made the statement.
Krel placed his hand on the hilt of his sword, but backed off as Vera slightly turned her head towards him. “These men are not my servants. They are of royal bloodline and are here to enter the King’s Tournament. Should you wish to arrest them, it will delay the tournament. If that is what you wish?”
“The King’s Tournament will not be delayed. But should a law be broken by any of you, I will be more than happy to accommodate you.” The Captain raised his hand, motioning the guards to retrieve only Relanis.
Krel’s teeth clenched as he turned towards Marc. “The Captain should be lashed for speaking like that towards my Lady. He thinks he is going to win, but I swear that I will do everything in my power to help you beat him.”
“And I thought you didn’t like me?” Marc whispered.
“I dislike him more.” Krel said with mutual interest.
Marc and Vera walked back to the group. “Thank you for not speaking out.” Vera whispered to the Ambassador.
“Your secret is safe with me Princess.” Von walked away into the city.
“Will Relanis be okay?” Helena asked Vera.
“He will be safe as long as they believe he is of royal bloodline. I’m sorry for drafting your group into the King’s Tournament, but that is the only way I saw to free him.”
“What do you mean, how is that going to free Relanis?” Kira notioned.
“The winner of the tournament will be able to pardon him.” Vera stated.
"What happened with him, why did he go crazy?" Kira asked.
"He had issues, but not like this. I've never seen him act like that before." Sedric remarked.
"All I felt was desperation and fear. As if he was scared for his life." Helena added.
"Let's not discuss these matters here." Krel pointed out to all the surrounding soldiers and prying ears. Understanding the situation the rest of the group held on to further questioning.
The Captain ordered his men to help stand the carriage and escorted the Princess’s entourage through the city gates. Staring from within an arrow slit of the city wall stood a cloaked shadowy figure watching as they slowly made their way inside.
Author's Note: Hi everyone, hope you like the story so far. I would love any kind of feedback relating to the story or even mistakes found. This is the last chapter I've written up to so the updates will not be as instant as the others. I have started writing again after a break so there is a high probability of consistent updates. Thanks for reading so far.