Title: Out of Shadow
Series: Roots of Creation #1
Author: Jason Hamilton
Genre: YA Fantasy
Release Date: July 31, 2018
Magic in the air. Demons on the hunt. To save the kingdom, one girl must uncover her hidden abilities.
In a world bursting with magic, Jak’s ill-chosen powers seem worthless. When she needed them most, her enchantments were nothing compared to the horde of demons that raided her village and murdered her father. Determined to fulfill his dying wish and prove her worth, she sets off on a desperate quest to find her long-lost mother.
Knowing she wouldn’t last a day alone in the dangerous wilds, she joins a roving band of warriors and throws her full weight into training. But after a tragic encounter ties her fate with the mysterious Shadow Fae, she discovers her greatest source of power doesn’t lie in the strength of her sword arm… but in the giving nature of her true magic.
With dark forces gathering, can Jak unlock the secrets of her enchanted destiny to save her mother and the kingdom from the clutches of evil?
Out of Shadow is a captivating YA epic fantasy novel. If you like imaginative realms, magical showdowns, and heartfelt coming-of-age stories, then you’ll love Jason Hamilton’s enchanting tale.
Jak couldn’t move.
Her breathing increased, and she tried to bring her arms to her sides, to push herself out of bed. Her arms stayed where they were.
What was going on? Why couldn’t she move or see anything? Was she dead? She tried to thrash about, to move anything, even a finger, but nothing worked. She could still feel herself in her bed, presumably still in her father’s small hut on the outskirts of Riverbrook. Of course she was, how could she have been moved in the night, that made no sense. Besides, she thought she could still hear the bleating of their sheep outside. She struggled to move once more, with no result.
A low rumble shook the room around her, and she stopped all efforts to move. Someone was there, inside the room. She could feel it. She could sense it.
She tried to speak, to call for her father, for anyone, but she couldn’t. Try as she might, she couldn’t even get her lips to part. She must be dead, that was the only explanation. But no, she was still breathing, but her chest moving up and down was the only movement she felt. Well, that and the beating of her heart, which felt like it was shaking her body by now.
The rumble came again. It shook the bed she slept in and rattled her bones. Was it an earthquake? Surely her father would feel that and come for her. But no, it didn’t feel exactly like an earthquake. She’d felt those before, this close to the mountains. This rumble rose and fell. Wait! Jak’s mind began to catch up with her. Those were words hidden in the low vibrations. Deep and powerful, but there.
“IS IT YOU?” was all she could make out.
“Me, what?” Only after the words came out of her mouth did she realize that she could speak again. She almost laughed out loud with joy. But before she could call for her father, the vice-like darkness pressed into her again.
“YOU ARE A CHILD OF SHADOW. ARE YOU THE ONE?”
“I’m just Jak.” She was suddenly curious, despite the terrifying force that accompanied the voice. “I’m no one.”
The voice growled. Not quite like an animal, but not quite human either. Then with a suddenness that took Jak by surprise, the dark force left her. Her eyes immediately began to make out details in the room, though the light from outside was not strong. Even better, she felt her arms and legs move at her command.
Instantly she was up and out of her bed, sprinting for the door to tell her father…
But what exactly should she tell him? That there was an intruder in the home? And that that intruder had kept her from moving or seeing anything? Even now, thinking about it, and looking around her, it seemed silly. She must have just had a nightmare or something, and mistook it for real life. There was no one here.
She walked to the front door and confirmed the lock was still engaged. She didn’t need to bother her father with this.
The dream had probably come from all the stress she was feeling for the upcoming Branding. Yeah that had to be it. A Gifter was in town to give all eligible young people their brand, the magic power they would carry for the rest of their lives. No Gifter had entered Riverbrook in years, and Jak was finally old enough. She loved brands! She spared a glance for the journal that lay beside her bed. It held everything she had ever learned on all the brands. She knew each line by heart.
Nevertheless, the Branding was not only the most exciting, but simultaneously the most stressful thing to happen to Jak in her life. Just thinking about it made Jak hurry to get her breath of fresh air.
Slipping her boots on, she tiptoed outside. Even at sixteen, her father didn’t approve of her leaving the house before he awoke. He was ridiculously worried about her like that. He didn’t even let her go into town on her own yet. She was old enough, and all of her friends were allowed to go into town. In a small village of less than a hundred people, where everyone knew everyone, what possible danger could she get into? So she did her best not to make any noise. Regardless, she needed some fresh air, and to wash her sweating face.
Light had appeared in the east, though still faint. She grabbed a bucket and used the faint light to guide her to the nearby brook that gave the local township its name, and also provided water for farmers and livestock, including her father’s herd of sheep.
Upon reaching the brook, she bent down to pick up a handful of water, sipped gently, then used the rest to wash her face. The brook was cold to the touch, coming from the snow-covered peaks to the south. It was nearly spring, and the brook was finally starting to fill with water.
Jak pulled up her heavy, dark hair into a bun, careful not to cover the deep red streak that ran from her right temple to the tips of her hair. No one had hair like her and it was at least something that made her a little special in this tiny town. Though it was just about the only thing that made her special. She avoided twisting her finger in the streak, like she was prone to do when she was nervous. Her father said she got it from her mother, though he wouldn’t say more on that subject. Jak had never met her mother. Apparently she had gone off into the mountains shortly after Jak was born and never came back.
She set about dipping her bucket into the brook. The sun was just beginning to light the sky and she could faintly make out her surroundings. But…something was strange. The brook lay in front of her, but beyond it, closer to the mountains, she thought she saw a dark figure stalking the way near the foothills. She squinted, dread filling her stomach once again. Was there someone out there? Had her nightmare been real after all?
What if her experience had been caused by one of those demons she kept hearing about? She had heard that rogue Gifters sometimes created small armies of demons, though she had trouble believing it. Who would intentionally mutate a human like that?
Her father, who had an unusual knowledge of outsider things, always said there was some truth to rumors. So she peered intently at the far-off shape. But she blinked, and it was gone. Hesitant, Jak could feel a chill settling back into her spine. But no, it was probably a trick of the morning light anyway. She still couldn’t see much. Besides, demons would have...eaten her or something, if that had been the problem. She didn’t have a scratch on her, so it couldn’t have been demons. It must have been a nightmare. Best to just get on with her chores. Feeling slightly comforted, but still uneasy, she collected her bucket and turned back to the house.
Returning from the brook, she paused. Something bothered her and she still couldn’t figure out what. Wait a minute, she couldn’t hear the sound of any animals. The sheep were always making some kind of noise, and Grettle, their sheep dog, was usually awake as well. Just now, there was nothing, no evidence of life, not even the morning songbirds.
Curious, she diverted her course to the sheep pen. Perhaps they were all still asleep for some reason. Maybe she had just been too far away to hear anything. As she approached, though, nothing stirred. Upon arriving, she finally saw why. The bucket of water fell to the ground, forgotten as her hands cupped her mouth in shock.
All of the sheep were dead.
Not only were they dead, but they had been slaughtered. Entrails lay all over, and blood coated their fleeces. So much blood! More than a sheep could hold! It mixed with the mud, pooling and dripping down the slight incline towards the gate. Towards her!
A wild beast, no, several wild beasts must have come here in the night. They had left nothing alive.
Breathing hard, she slipped in the mud as she turned to run as fast as she could to the house, the pale of water still lying on the ground.
“Father!” she shouted as she approached the house. “Father, the sheep!”
She raced through the door and already her father was awake and out of his room with a knife in hand. That knife was never too far away from him. He carried it everywhere and always left it on his bed-side table at night. He held it now, unsheathed.
“What is it?” he asked, urgently. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” she panted, having forgotten her nightmare. “It’s the sheep, they’re…” but at that moment, something jumped from her stomach to her throat, and she rushed back outside to vomit. Not much came out, she hadn’t eaten anything yet. But that didn’t stop her from heaving and coughing.
Her father put on his boots in an instant and stepped outside.
“Stay close to me,” he said as she wiped bits of bile from her lips.
“I don’t know if I want to go back there…”
“Stay. Close,” he said again, slowly with emphasis. It was not a suggestion.
Jak said no more. She wanted to protest his overprotective nature. She always wanted to protest that. But perhaps this time he was right. Something was out there, something that had slaughtered all their livestock. The last place she wanted to be was away from her father’s side.
They approached the pen, and Jak heard her father take several deep breaths.
“What was it, wolves?” Jak asked. It was the first explanation that came to her mind. Wolves had never been a huge problem near Riverbrook, but they were known to take a sheep or two, when they could catch one alone. But a slaughter of this magnitude…
“No wolves could do this.” Her father growled. “This was something worse. Did you see anything else?”
Jak shook her head. “Nothing. I went to the brook to collect water and when I got back I…”
“What is it?” her father asked, looking down at her.
“There was something,” she said finally, looking back at the house. “I woke up this morning and couldn’t see or move. I thought it was just a nightmare, but then out towards the mountains, I thought I saw a dark shape. It wasn’t an animal though, it walked on two feet. But I couldn’t see much more than that.”
“This nightmare of yours, did anything speak to you?”
Jak met his eyes, surprised that he had guessed. But then again, he knew a lot more than she. “Yes,” she replied, looking at her feet. “I almost couldn’t make it out, but I think I heard the words ‘is it you?’ from...something. It didn’t talk like a person.”
Rael swore under his breath. “Come!” he said, almost harshly. He never raised his voice at her, even when he was angry. Jak did as commanded, not daring to question him when he was in this kind of mood.
Once they were back in the house, her father told her to get ready to leave. They were going into town. That was fine, they had planned to go there today anyway, for the Branding. Despite everything that had happened in these short morning hours, hopefully they were still going. It was the only day that the Gifter would be here for the next two or three years. She didn’t want to wait any longer.
Thankfully Britta and Sandy, their two horses, were still alive. Whatever had killed the sheep had stayed away from the stables. From the way they stamped their feet and shifted from side to side, Jak could tell that they had been spooked though. They understood that something horrible had just happened.
After calming them down, Jak helped bridle and attach the horses to their wagon. As she brought them around the house, she saw her father carrying several barrels of grain in the air with his brand of Telekinesis. She marveled as she watched his magic at work, the brand on his left hand glowing with the effort. He placed them on the wagon and went back inside to get more, calling on Jak to help as well. Pulling herself out of her thoughts, she did as instructed.
“Are we taking all of the food?” she asked her father. Her mind was starting to race. What did this mean? Were they leaving the house for good?
“I don’t know exactly what we’ll do next,” her father replied. “But we’ll be staying in the town tonight. Perhaps Naman and his wife will let us sleep on their floor.”
Staying? In Riverbrook! She’d love to stay with Namen, even if she had to sleep on the floor. She could stay up all night talking to Marek, Namen’s son. Marek was her best friend in all the world, and had been since they were young. For years they had talked about what brands they were going to get, and now they would finally have some of their own. She wagered they would never stop talking tonight.
She hid her excitement, only nodding her head and continuing to fill the wagon. Once they had loaded most of the grain and dried mutton, some clothes, and a few blankets, they were ready to set off. The only other item Jak made sure to grab was her journal. She took a moment to glance at it while she waited for her father to bring the last of their supplies. It was full of illustrations that Jak had penned herself, pictures of the various brands, with notes scribbled below and around each one. It was an orderly mess, but one that Jak adored. And today would be the day that she would receive her very own. Or at least, she hoped. She wasn’t certain what the Gifter would say when she made her request.
Jak hoisted herself into the driver seat. Her father usually let her drive the horses these days, one of the few liberties he allowed her. Though he still never let her go alone.
Rael’s hands were full as he ducked through the entrance of the house to join Jak in the yard. His bow and quiver were strapped to his back, his arms held a long item wrapped in leather. Jak swallowed. She hadn’t seen the long spear since she’d snuck into his room a few years ago and unwrapped it from its leather cover. It was taller than a man with a sharp stone point lashed to the tip of the wooden shaft, stained old with time and Jak didn’t want to think what else. Jak had asked her Father about it once, but his calm, quiet face had grown stiff, his eyes hard and angry. “It was from another life, Jak. Don’t ask me about it again.”
Jak didn’t dare ask him why he was taking it out now. Perhaps he had some idea of what had attacked the sheep in the first place. Whatever it was, it had him on edge, and that frightened Jak more than the dead sheep.
Her father hoisted the spear into the wagon where it landed on the foodstuffs with a heavy thud. He then hopped on himself, keeping the bow and quiver on his person. He said nothing, but nodded at Jak to begin driving. After a sharp crack of the reigns, they were off.
Neither said much as they approached the village. It was several miles away, following the river. Rael never was one for talking, and Jak was too busy thinking about the morning, but also about the Branding. Despite her father’s obvious bad temper, she eventually had to ask.
“Uh, father.” She swallowed trying to find the right words. “We’re still going to attend the Branding today, right?”
Her father closed his eyes and…was that a smile? “I haven’t forgotten. Yes, of course, we’ll be there. I need to talk to Parrem anyway.”
Parrem, or the “Lord Mayor” as everyone else called him, was the man in charge of Riverbrook. Which mostly meant he sat around all day and occasionally organized and hosted the Branding. He also conducted the village’s religious ceremonies, primarily reading to them from the Annals of Adam on High Morning.
Relief flooded her. At least her father was being reasonable on this matter. Despite everything that had happened, the last thing she wanted to miss was that rare event. She had been too young the last time a Gifter had visited their small town.
She had never told her father which brand she wanted to get, and her father never pushed her for information. Branding was a personal decision, he always said, and it should be made without outside influence like parental or societal expectations. That level of freedom was unusual coming from him. Most would probably assume she’d take the same brand as her father, but he had never made that assumption for her.
Despite her father’s assurances, Jak knew that he secretly wanted her to join him as a Telekenetic. Many children did this, choosing the brand of their parents as a way to make apprenticeship easier. But as exciting as her friends found it to be, Jak never wanted Telekinesis. She knew what she wanted, and she also knew that her father would not like it.
By the time they reached the town of Riverbrook, the sun was already high in the sky. The town was small, or at least that’s what people said. Jak had never seen anything bigger, so she couldn’t really say for herself. But to her, it was the best place in the world. Coming to Riverbrook meant spending time with her friends, gazing at the larger homes, and maybe getting a piece of candy from Marek’s parents at their shop.
Most of the buildings ran along one street, though some of the bigger structures, like the Lord Mayor’s house, sat off on the east side on a small hill overlooking the town.
“Jak, you’re here! Jak!” A voice cried out.
It was Marek, Jak’s best friend. She looked at her father, who nodded, and Jak hopped off the wagon, taking only her journal with her.
“Hey Marek!” Jak called out, “Are you excited?”
“Am I excited?” the boy stared at her, “Of course I am! What are you planning to get?”
“I…I’m still not sure,” she lied.
“What?” another voice called out. This time it was Paul, another of Jak’s friends, who trotted over to meet them. Jak had known the boys since they were small children, but she couldn’t help noticing how square their shoulders were starting to look. “You know brands better than anyone in the village, probably better than anyone from here to Tradehall.”
Jak hid her blush. “I just like learning all I can before making a decision.”
“Well I know exactly what brand I’m getting.”
“Oh yes,” said Marek. “Everyone knows what you’re getting.”
“What? Enhanced strength is obviously the best option. Who doesn’t want to be strong? Maybe I could join the Watchers!”
Jak snickered, trying to picture Paul in a uniform. “They would never let someone like you in.”
“I could do it!” His face scrunched up, indignantly. “Though I suppose Blood-burning would be pretty cool too.”
Marek looked sidelong at Paul, and Jak’s face flushed. “Paul!” she cried, “Don’t even joke about that!”
Blood-burning was a very dangerous type of brand, one that allowed the user to boil the blood inside a person. It was outlawed for most people, but rumors persisted that the queen at Skyecliff had a secret band of Blood-burners as her most deadly assassins.
Jak turned back to Marek, “So what brand do you want?” she asked.
“Telekinesis,” he replied, “I thought maybe your dad could teach me?”
“I’m sure he’d love that.” Jak said. Her excitement rose. She would love that too, though she’d never say as much to Marek. Maybe this meant she would see her friend more often. But just as soon as she thought it, she realized that was impossible, and her spirits slumped. Not with the brand Jak was about to choose.
“Say, why is your wagon so full?” Marek asked Jak. “And why does your father have his bow. Are you guys going somewhere?”
Jak felt her spirits fall even further as she remembered the morning events. “No, I’m afraid we had some trouble this morning.” And she proceeded to tell them everything that had happened, about the sheep, the smell, and the gore, and the creature she thought she saw though she left out the part about her nightmare. She needed to know more before she told anyone else.
Marek and Paul gaped at her with an odd mixture of revulsion and admiration. Boys were so weird.
“You mean, all of them were dead?” asked Paul, disbelief on his face.
“She’s probably lying,” a voice came from behind Jak. She turned and closed her eyes in exasperation. It was Estel, a girl just a year or two older than Jak, and her least favorite person in the world.
“It’s true, Estel.” She spun on the girl, her fists clenched. Estel always seemed to have it in for her. “Why would I make up something like that?”
“How should I know, you’ve always craved attention. Oh!” she placed a wilted hand against her chest in mock distress. “Look at me! I can recite all the brands, my hair is so different, my father never lets me have fun.”
Jak felt her face grow hot. Who did Estel think she was? Well, she would give her a piece of her mind if it—
“Cut it out Estel, she never did anything to you.” Marek glared at the girl, the same disgust on his face that Jak felt.
Marek was the only one who frequently stood up to Estel, and the girl seemed to like that. Even now, Jak could see the hungry look in Estel’s eyes as Marek told her off. Jak’s eyebrows furrowed. If Estel knew what was good for her, she would stay away from Marek. If not, Jak would…well, she wasn’t exactly sure what she would do.
“We’ll see how you feel after the Branding,” Estel hummed at Marek. “I'm going to be a Firedancer. If you’re lucky, maybe I’ll dance for you.”
“Ahem, so…I wonder where the Gifter is,” said Paul, trying to cut the tension.
“He’s with the Lord Mayor,” Marek answered, his eyes still on Estel. “He arrived last night.” Marek’s parents were shop owners, and got to see almost all of the visitors into town.
“We should probably head over there,” Jak said, “All the new blood and trade masters are supposed to meet at the Lord Mayor’s home by midday.” She looked up at the sun. It must be close to midday already.
“Yeah, let’s go!” said Paul, “I gotta see if I can find Vern.”
Naturally. Vern was a trade master for Strength, even though he only received the brand himself a little over five years ago. He also ran the only tavern in town. Assuming that Paul really did receive a Strength brand, Vern would likely be his trade master.
They walked through the village, down main street and up a small side street that led up to the Lord Mayor’s home. The building towered over all the rest. It was the only building within miles to have a third story. What would anyone do with all that space? Though she had to admit, it was still the most exciting building in town.
Catching herself staring, she forced her eyes back down to her level and joined several other boys and girls her age at the door, which hung open to let everyone in. She recognized all of them, though many, like Estel, were a little older than she. Because Jak had only recently turned sixteen, she only barely made the cut.
Naomi, one of Jak’s older friends, waited inside to greet them as they came in. Naomi currently had a job as the mayor’s assistant.
“Come in,” she said. “The Lord Mayor has been expecting you.”
They each shuffled in, admiring the large house from within. There was enough room to fit Jak’s entire wagon and stable in here! Who needed so much space? Jak had never been in the Lord Mayor’s house before. The man himself was portly and, some say, came all the way from Skyecliff. Apparently he had run into some financial trouble there, or at least as much financial trouble as a nobleman could have. He moved to the small town of Riverbrook and soon became its mayor. Most of the villagers didn’t mind this, as long as the old man left them alone, which he did for the most part. His main role was to represent Riverbrook when passing nobles or Gifters arrived.
Naomi led them to a large room in the back of the mayor’s home, where benches stood in neat little rows. Many of the adults were already there, including Rael, Jak’s father. He was standing silently in the corner with his arms crossed, observing the room. He was always like that: watchful, sober, never relaxed. The other adults were all trade masters, specialists in one particular brand or another. They greeted the young hopefuls by bringing their brand hand to their chest, nodding and smiling. Jak eagerly sought out the brand on each hand she saw, running through all the different options in her mind.
A door at the other end of the hall opened, and the Lord Mayor stepped in. He was accompanied by a man who was unmistakably the Gifter. The stranger had on a long coat that hung down to his knees. The coat was dirty and worn, as was the man’s face, hair, and beard. His brown eyes twinkled as he saw Jak and the other young women and men. He ran a hand through his beard, which was starting to gray.
The Lord Mayor spoke first. “My friends! Welcome to this very special occasion. You are here because it’s finally time for you to come of age and join the rest of us in our glorious union as…”
Jak kept her eyes fixed on the Gifter, who was taking a moment to meet the eyes of each young person in attendance while the mayor rattled on and on. When he met Jak’s eyes, she thought she saw something there, a deepness. His eyes lingered on her, perhaps more than the others? Jak swallowed. Did he know anything? Could a Gifter somehow tell what brand a prospect wanted? She glanced at her left hand, imagining the brand there. She was brought out of her thoughts as the mayor abruptly finished his little speech and gestured to the Gifter, turning the time over to him.
“Welcome,” the newcomer said, “My name is Gabriel. As you might have guessed, I am the Gifter.” A few polite chuckles scattered through the room. “I travel a lot these days but my home is in Skyecliff, at the college of Skyecliff specifically where I teach when I’m not abroad.”
Wow, a real teacher from Skyecliff. What it would be like to see a city that big.
“Before we get started, I want to impress upon all of you the importance of today’s event. What you will receive today is sacred. They are not gifts from me; I am merely the intermediary, the middle man. These are gifts from the Holy Relics, passed on from our ancestors long before any of you were born.”
Jak felt excitement course through her. She loved any mention of the Holy Relics, the sources of all magic. Branded artifacts that had first provided templates for the brands. Everything they knew came from one Relic or another, and one day, she hoped to see one with her own eyes.
“Those gathered around you will be your tutors. Depending on what brand you choose, one of them will instruct you in its use. I believe, we have quite a variety for such a small town as this. Even a Telekinetic.” He nodded towards Rael, who returned the nod. “As always, we advise you to choose a brand that will benefit you in your chosen profession. For this reason, many of you will choose the same brand as your parents or another family member. We encourage this, as they will know best how to guide you. But, of course, the choice is yours.”
Jak clutched her journal, and felt her nervousness rise. What if the Gifter said no? What if she couldn’t get the brand that she wanted? What if…? Every possible scenario played out in her mind as the Gifter began to list the approved series of brands. She already knew all of that, and she only partially paid attention. This was obviously a routine that the Gifter had recited many times before, for his voice had grown monotone. So Jak was almost surprised when he turned to the first child on the row in front of him.
“What’s your name, child.”
“Ella,” the girl said timidly.
“Well Ella, do you know which brand you want?”
“Yes,” she said, and offered a pouch full of coin. “Hungerless.”
Of course. Ella was from one of the poorest families in the village. They must have spent years saving coin for the brand, knowing that a brand like Hungerless would save them money in the long run. Many families chose this brand. Ella would still need to eat, but in far-less quantities than before. It was a passive brand, one of the few that didn’t require an apprenticeship.
“Ah, very well. Are you sure? The brand stays with you for life. You will never have another. You can never change it.” Ella hesitated, but nodded. Gabriel accepted the pouch, and placed one hand on Ella’s left wrist. Ella gasped as a sound like burning flesh filled the air. Light shone from the Gifter’s own brand as his magic did its work. When the light subsided, a patchwork of black lines had formed on the back of Ella’s left hand, the traditional location for a brand. She raised her hand to look at it, excitement evident on her face.
“Th..Thank you,” she muttered. The Gifter smiled and moved on to the next in line. He continued this process, asking the young person what brand they wanted, occasionally asking a mentor if they would accept an apprentice, taking the money, then giving the requested brand. He was coming closer and closer. Soon, it would be Jak’s turn. Nervously, she clutched her journal closer to her chest.
Marek was sitting next to Jak and the Gifter approached him first.
“And what is it that you want?” he said.
“Telekinesis,” he said without hesitation, holding his pouch of coin high.
A mutter ran through the room. No one had asked for that brand yet. Rael was the only mentor in the whole town, and he lived far enough away to make regular journeys a staunch commitment.
“Well it’s been awhile since I performed that one.” Gabriel said, in good spirits. “I wonder, does Master Rael agree to take on an apprentice.”
Jak looked over at her father. He still stood in his corner. Would he accept after what had happened this morning? With all the sheep gone, Jak didn’t know how they were going to make a living for the near future. With that uncertainty, could Rael really commit to an apprenticeship? But after a moment’s hesitation, Rael nodded, “I will accept.”
“Very good, well then.” Gabriel offered a hand and took Marek’s outstretched arm. He was visibly shaking with anticipation. His face quickly turned from excitement to pain as the brand settled into him. Soon, however, it was over, and a criss-cross of black lines extended from the back of his hand. It was one of the more complex brands.
Now, it was Jak’s turn. She swallowed. She had imagined this moment for a long time, but now felt like she almost couldn’t work up the courage to ask for the brand she had chosen.
“And what would you like, my dear? Telekinesis like your friend or your father?” Jak blinked. How did he know that she was Rael’s daughter?
“I…um…” she had trouble speaking the words. Gabriel stood patiently. “I…I want to be a Gifter like you.”
Silence filled the room.
Her breathing increased, and she tried to bring her arms to her sides, to push herself out of bed. Her arms stayed where they were.
What was going on? Why couldn’t she move or see anything? Was she dead? She tried to thrash about, to move anything, even a finger, but nothing worked. She could still feel herself in her bed, presumably still in her father’s small hut on the outskirts of Riverbrook. Of course she was, how could she have been moved in the night, that made no sense. Besides, she thought she could still hear the bleating of their sheep outside. She struggled to move once more, with no result.
A low rumble shook the room around her, and she stopped all efforts to move. Someone was there, inside the room. She could feel it. She could sense it.
She tried to speak, to call for her father, for anyone, but she couldn’t. Try as she might, she couldn’t even get her lips to part. She must be dead, that was the only explanation. But no, she was still breathing, but her chest moving up and down was the only movement she felt. Well, that and the beating of her heart, which felt like it was shaking her body by now.
The rumble came again. It shook the bed she slept in and rattled her bones. Was it an earthquake? Surely her father would feel that and come for her. But no, it didn’t feel exactly like an earthquake. She’d felt those before, this close to the mountains. This rumble rose and fell. Wait! Jak’s mind began to catch up with her. Those were words hidden in the low vibrations. Deep and powerful, but there.
“IS IT YOU?” was all she could make out.
“Me, what?” Only after the words came out of her mouth did she realize that she could speak again. She almost laughed out loud with joy. But before she could call for her father, the vice-like darkness pressed into her again.
“YOU ARE A CHILD OF SHADOW. ARE YOU THE ONE?”
“I’m just Jak.” She was suddenly curious, despite the terrifying force that accompanied the voice. “I’m no one.”
The voice growled. Not quite like an animal, but not quite human either. Then with a suddenness that took Jak by surprise, the dark force left her. Her eyes immediately began to make out details in the room, though the light from outside was not strong. Even better, she felt her arms and legs move at her command.
Instantly she was up and out of her bed, sprinting for the door to tell her father…
But what exactly should she tell him? That there was an intruder in the home? And that that intruder had kept her from moving or seeing anything? Even now, thinking about it, and looking around her, it seemed silly. She must have just had a nightmare or something, and mistook it for real life. There was no one here.
She walked to the front door and confirmed the lock was still engaged. She didn’t need to bother her father with this.
The dream had probably come from all the stress she was feeling for the upcoming Branding. Yeah that had to be it. A Gifter was in town to give all eligible young people their brand, the magic power they would carry for the rest of their lives. No Gifter had entered Riverbrook in years, and Jak was finally old enough. She loved brands! She spared a glance for the journal that lay beside her bed. It held everything she had ever learned on all the brands. She knew each line by heart.
Nevertheless, the Branding was not only the most exciting, but simultaneously the most stressful thing to happen to Jak in her life. Just thinking about it made Jak hurry to get her breath of fresh air.
Slipping her boots on, she tiptoed outside. Even at sixteen, her father didn’t approve of her leaving the house before he awoke. He was ridiculously worried about her like that. He didn’t even let her go into town on her own yet. She was old enough, and all of her friends were allowed to go into town. In a small village of less than a hundred people, where everyone knew everyone, what possible danger could she get into? So she did her best not to make any noise. Regardless, she needed some fresh air, and to wash her sweating face.
Light had appeared in the east, though still faint. She grabbed a bucket and used the faint light to guide her to the nearby brook that gave the local township its name, and also provided water for farmers and livestock, including her father’s herd of sheep.
Upon reaching the brook, she bent down to pick up a handful of water, sipped gently, then used the rest to wash her face. The brook was cold to the touch, coming from the snow-covered peaks to the south. It was nearly spring, and the brook was finally starting to fill with water.
Jak pulled up her heavy, dark hair into a bun, careful not to cover the deep red streak that ran from her right temple to the tips of her hair. No one had hair like her and it was at least something that made her a little special in this tiny town. Though it was just about the only thing that made her special. She avoided twisting her finger in the streak, like she was prone to do when she was nervous. Her father said she got it from her mother, though he wouldn’t say more on that subject. Jak had never met her mother. Apparently she had gone off into the mountains shortly after Jak was born and never came back.
She set about dipping her bucket into the brook. The sun was just beginning to light the sky and she could faintly make out her surroundings. But…something was strange. The brook lay in front of her, but beyond it, closer to the mountains, she thought she saw a dark figure stalking the way near the foothills. She squinted, dread filling her stomach once again. Was there someone out there? Had her nightmare been real after all?
What if her experience had been caused by one of those demons she kept hearing about? She had heard that rogue Gifters sometimes created small armies of demons, though she had trouble believing it. Who would intentionally mutate a human like that?
Her father, who had an unusual knowledge of outsider things, always said there was some truth to rumors. So she peered intently at the far-off shape. But she blinked, and it was gone. Hesitant, Jak could feel a chill settling back into her spine. But no, it was probably a trick of the morning light anyway. She still couldn’t see much. Besides, demons would have...eaten her or something, if that had been the problem. She didn’t have a scratch on her, so it couldn’t have been demons. It must have been a nightmare. Best to just get on with her chores. Feeling slightly comforted, but still uneasy, she collected her bucket and turned back to the house.
Returning from the brook, she paused. Something bothered her and she still couldn’t figure out what. Wait a minute, she couldn’t hear the sound of any animals. The sheep were always making some kind of noise, and Grettle, their sheep dog, was usually awake as well. Just now, there was nothing, no evidence of life, not even the morning songbirds.
Curious, she diverted her course to the sheep pen. Perhaps they were all still asleep for some reason. Maybe she had just been too far away to hear anything. As she approached, though, nothing stirred. Upon arriving, she finally saw why. The bucket of water fell to the ground, forgotten as her hands cupped her mouth in shock.
All of the sheep were dead.
Not only were they dead, but they had been slaughtered. Entrails lay all over, and blood coated their fleeces. So much blood! More than a sheep could hold! It mixed with the mud, pooling and dripping down the slight incline towards the gate. Towards her!
A wild beast, no, several wild beasts must have come here in the night. They had left nothing alive.
Breathing hard, she slipped in the mud as she turned to run as fast as she could to the house, the pale of water still lying on the ground.
“Father!” she shouted as she approached the house. “Father, the sheep!”
She raced through the door and already her father was awake and out of his room with a knife in hand. That knife was never too far away from him. He carried it everywhere and always left it on his bed-side table at night. He held it now, unsheathed.
“What is it?” he asked, urgently. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” she panted, having forgotten her nightmare. “It’s the sheep, they’re…” but at that moment, something jumped from her stomach to her throat, and she rushed back outside to vomit. Not much came out, she hadn’t eaten anything yet. But that didn’t stop her from heaving and coughing.
Her father put on his boots in an instant and stepped outside.
“Stay close to me,” he said as she wiped bits of bile from her lips.
“I don’t know if I want to go back there…”
“Stay. Close,” he said again, slowly with emphasis. It was not a suggestion.
Jak said no more. She wanted to protest his overprotective nature. She always wanted to protest that. But perhaps this time he was right. Something was out there, something that had slaughtered all their livestock. The last place she wanted to be was away from her father’s side.
They approached the pen, and Jak heard her father take several deep breaths.
“What was it, wolves?” Jak asked. It was the first explanation that came to her mind. Wolves had never been a huge problem near Riverbrook, but they were known to take a sheep or two, when they could catch one alone. But a slaughter of this magnitude…
“No wolves could do this.” Her father growled. “This was something worse. Did you see anything else?”
Jak shook her head. “Nothing. I went to the brook to collect water and when I got back I…”
“What is it?” her father asked, looking down at her.
“There was something,” she said finally, looking back at the house. “I woke up this morning and couldn’t see or move. I thought it was just a nightmare, but then out towards the mountains, I thought I saw a dark shape. It wasn’t an animal though, it walked on two feet. But I couldn’t see much more than that.”
“This nightmare of yours, did anything speak to you?”
Jak met his eyes, surprised that he had guessed. But then again, he knew a lot more than she. “Yes,” she replied, looking at her feet. “I almost couldn’t make it out, but I think I heard the words ‘is it you?’ from...something. It didn’t talk like a person.”
Rael swore under his breath. “Come!” he said, almost harshly. He never raised his voice at her, even when he was angry. Jak did as commanded, not daring to question him when he was in this kind of mood.
Once they were back in the house, her father told her to get ready to leave. They were going into town. That was fine, they had planned to go there today anyway, for the Branding. Despite everything that had happened in these short morning hours, hopefully they were still going. It was the only day that the Gifter would be here for the next two or three years. She didn’t want to wait any longer.
Thankfully Britta and Sandy, their two horses, were still alive. Whatever had killed the sheep had stayed away from the stables. From the way they stamped their feet and shifted from side to side, Jak could tell that they had been spooked though. They understood that something horrible had just happened.
After calming them down, Jak helped bridle and attach the horses to their wagon. As she brought them around the house, she saw her father carrying several barrels of grain in the air with his brand of Telekinesis. She marveled as she watched his magic at work, the brand on his left hand glowing with the effort. He placed them on the wagon and went back inside to get more, calling on Jak to help as well. Pulling herself out of her thoughts, she did as instructed.
“Are we taking all of the food?” she asked her father. Her mind was starting to race. What did this mean? Were they leaving the house for good?
“I don’t know exactly what we’ll do next,” her father replied. “But we’ll be staying in the town tonight. Perhaps Naman and his wife will let us sleep on their floor.”
Staying? In Riverbrook! She’d love to stay with Namen, even if she had to sleep on the floor. She could stay up all night talking to Marek, Namen’s son. Marek was her best friend in all the world, and had been since they were young. For years they had talked about what brands they were going to get, and now they would finally have some of their own. She wagered they would never stop talking tonight.
She hid her excitement, only nodding her head and continuing to fill the wagon. Once they had loaded most of the grain and dried mutton, some clothes, and a few blankets, they were ready to set off. The only other item Jak made sure to grab was her journal. She took a moment to glance at it while she waited for her father to bring the last of their supplies. It was full of illustrations that Jak had penned herself, pictures of the various brands, with notes scribbled below and around each one. It was an orderly mess, but one that Jak adored. And today would be the day that she would receive her very own. Or at least, she hoped. She wasn’t certain what the Gifter would say when she made her request.
Jak hoisted herself into the driver seat. Her father usually let her drive the horses these days, one of the few liberties he allowed her. Though he still never let her go alone.
Rael’s hands were full as he ducked through the entrance of the house to join Jak in the yard. His bow and quiver were strapped to his back, his arms held a long item wrapped in leather. Jak swallowed. She hadn’t seen the long spear since she’d snuck into his room a few years ago and unwrapped it from its leather cover. It was taller than a man with a sharp stone point lashed to the tip of the wooden shaft, stained old with time and Jak didn’t want to think what else. Jak had asked her Father about it once, but his calm, quiet face had grown stiff, his eyes hard and angry. “It was from another life, Jak. Don’t ask me about it again.”
Jak didn’t dare ask him why he was taking it out now. Perhaps he had some idea of what had attacked the sheep in the first place. Whatever it was, it had him on edge, and that frightened Jak more than the dead sheep.
Her father hoisted the spear into the wagon where it landed on the foodstuffs with a heavy thud. He then hopped on himself, keeping the bow and quiver on his person. He said nothing, but nodded at Jak to begin driving. After a sharp crack of the reigns, they were off.
Neither said much as they approached the village. It was several miles away, following the river. Rael never was one for talking, and Jak was too busy thinking about the morning, but also about the Branding. Despite her father’s obvious bad temper, she eventually had to ask.
“Uh, father.” She swallowed trying to find the right words. “We’re still going to attend the Branding today, right?”
Her father closed his eyes and…was that a smile? “I haven’t forgotten. Yes, of course, we’ll be there. I need to talk to Parrem anyway.”
Parrem, or the “Lord Mayor” as everyone else called him, was the man in charge of Riverbrook. Which mostly meant he sat around all day and occasionally organized and hosted the Branding. He also conducted the village’s religious ceremonies, primarily reading to them from the Annals of Adam on High Morning.
Relief flooded her. At least her father was being reasonable on this matter. Despite everything that had happened, the last thing she wanted to miss was that rare event. She had been too young the last time a Gifter had visited their small town.
She had never told her father which brand she wanted to get, and her father never pushed her for information. Branding was a personal decision, he always said, and it should be made without outside influence like parental or societal expectations. That level of freedom was unusual coming from him. Most would probably assume she’d take the same brand as her father, but he had never made that assumption for her.
Despite her father’s assurances, Jak knew that he secretly wanted her to join him as a Telekenetic. Many children did this, choosing the brand of their parents as a way to make apprenticeship easier. But as exciting as her friends found it to be, Jak never wanted Telekinesis. She knew what she wanted, and she also knew that her father would not like it.
By the time they reached the town of Riverbrook, the sun was already high in the sky. The town was small, or at least that’s what people said. Jak had never seen anything bigger, so she couldn’t really say for herself. But to her, it was the best place in the world. Coming to Riverbrook meant spending time with her friends, gazing at the larger homes, and maybe getting a piece of candy from Marek’s parents at their shop.
Most of the buildings ran along one street, though some of the bigger structures, like the Lord Mayor’s house, sat off on the east side on a small hill overlooking the town.
“Jak, you’re here! Jak!” A voice cried out.
It was Marek, Jak’s best friend. She looked at her father, who nodded, and Jak hopped off the wagon, taking only her journal with her.
“Hey Marek!” Jak called out, “Are you excited?”
“Am I excited?” the boy stared at her, “Of course I am! What are you planning to get?”
“I…I’m still not sure,” she lied.
“What?” another voice called out. This time it was Paul, another of Jak’s friends, who trotted over to meet them. Jak had known the boys since they were small children, but she couldn’t help noticing how square their shoulders were starting to look. “You know brands better than anyone in the village, probably better than anyone from here to Tradehall.”
Jak hid her blush. “I just like learning all I can before making a decision.”
“Well I know exactly what brand I’m getting.”
“Oh yes,” said Marek. “Everyone knows what you’re getting.”
“What? Enhanced strength is obviously the best option. Who doesn’t want to be strong? Maybe I could join the Watchers!”
Jak snickered, trying to picture Paul in a uniform. “They would never let someone like you in.”
“I could do it!” His face scrunched up, indignantly. “Though I suppose Blood-burning would be pretty cool too.”
Marek looked sidelong at Paul, and Jak’s face flushed. “Paul!” she cried, “Don’t even joke about that!”
Blood-burning was a very dangerous type of brand, one that allowed the user to boil the blood inside a person. It was outlawed for most people, but rumors persisted that the queen at Skyecliff had a secret band of Blood-burners as her most deadly assassins.
Jak turned back to Marek, “So what brand do you want?” she asked.
“Telekinesis,” he replied, “I thought maybe your dad could teach me?”
“I’m sure he’d love that.” Jak said. Her excitement rose. She would love that too, though she’d never say as much to Marek. Maybe this meant she would see her friend more often. But just as soon as she thought it, she realized that was impossible, and her spirits slumped. Not with the brand Jak was about to choose.
“Say, why is your wagon so full?” Marek asked Jak. “And why does your father have his bow. Are you guys going somewhere?”
Jak felt her spirits fall even further as she remembered the morning events. “No, I’m afraid we had some trouble this morning.” And she proceeded to tell them everything that had happened, about the sheep, the smell, and the gore, and the creature she thought she saw though she left out the part about her nightmare. She needed to know more before she told anyone else.
Marek and Paul gaped at her with an odd mixture of revulsion and admiration. Boys were so weird.
“You mean, all of them were dead?” asked Paul, disbelief on his face.
“She’s probably lying,” a voice came from behind Jak. She turned and closed her eyes in exasperation. It was Estel, a girl just a year or two older than Jak, and her least favorite person in the world.
“It’s true, Estel.” She spun on the girl, her fists clenched. Estel always seemed to have it in for her. “Why would I make up something like that?”
“How should I know, you’ve always craved attention. Oh!” she placed a wilted hand against her chest in mock distress. “Look at me! I can recite all the brands, my hair is so different, my father never lets me have fun.”
Jak felt her face grow hot. Who did Estel think she was? Well, she would give her a piece of her mind if it—
“Cut it out Estel, she never did anything to you.” Marek glared at the girl, the same disgust on his face that Jak felt.
Marek was the only one who frequently stood up to Estel, and the girl seemed to like that. Even now, Jak could see the hungry look in Estel’s eyes as Marek told her off. Jak’s eyebrows furrowed. If Estel knew what was good for her, she would stay away from Marek. If not, Jak would…well, she wasn’t exactly sure what she would do.
“We’ll see how you feel after the Branding,” Estel hummed at Marek. “I'm going to be a Firedancer. If you’re lucky, maybe I’ll dance for you.”
“Ahem, so…I wonder where the Gifter is,” said Paul, trying to cut the tension.
“He’s with the Lord Mayor,” Marek answered, his eyes still on Estel. “He arrived last night.” Marek’s parents were shop owners, and got to see almost all of the visitors into town.
“We should probably head over there,” Jak said, “All the new blood and trade masters are supposed to meet at the Lord Mayor’s home by midday.” She looked up at the sun. It must be close to midday already.
“Yeah, let’s go!” said Paul, “I gotta see if I can find Vern.”
Naturally. Vern was a trade master for Strength, even though he only received the brand himself a little over five years ago. He also ran the only tavern in town. Assuming that Paul really did receive a Strength brand, Vern would likely be his trade master.
They walked through the village, down main street and up a small side street that led up to the Lord Mayor’s home. The building towered over all the rest. It was the only building within miles to have a third story. What would anyone do with all that space? Though she had to admit, it was still the most exciting building in town.
Catching herself staring, she forced her eyes back down to her level and joined several other boys and girls her age at the door, which hung open to let everyone in. She recognized all of them, though many, like Estel, were a little older than she. Because Jak had only recently turned sixteen, she only barely made the cut.
Naomi, one of Jak’s older friends, waited inside to greet them as they came in. Naomi currently had a job as the mayor’s assistant.
“Come in,” she said. “The Lord Mayor has been expecting you.”
They each shuffled in, admiring the large house from within. There was enough room to fit Jak’s entire wagon and stable in here! Who needed so much space? Jak had never been in the Lord Mayor’s house before. The man himself was portly and, some say, came all the way from Skyecliff. Apparently he had run into some financial trouble there, or at least as much financial trouble as a nobleman could have. He moved to the small town of Riverbrook and soon became its mayor. Most of the villagers didn’t mind this, as long as the old man left them alone, which he did for the most part. His main role was to represent Riverbrook when passing nobles or Gifters arrived.
Naomi led them to a large room in the back of the mayor’s home, where benches stood in neat little rows. Many of the adults were already there, including Rael, Jak’s father. He was standing silently in the corner with his arms crossed, observing the room. He was always like that: watchful, sober, never relaxed. The other adults were all trade masters, specialists in one particular brand or another. They greeted the young hopefuls by bringing their brand hand to their chest, nodding and smiling. Jak eagerly sought out the brand on each hand she saw, running through all the different options in her mind.
A door at the other end of the hall opened, and the Lord Mayor stepped in. He was accompanied by a man who was unmistakably the Gifter. The stranger had on a long coat that hung down to his knees. The coat was dirty and worn, as was the man’s face, hair, and beard. His brown eyes twinkled as he saw Jak and the other young women and men. He ran a hand through his beard, which was starting to gray.
The Lord Mayor spoke first. “My friends! Welcome to this very special occasion. You are here because it’s finally time for you to come of age and join the rest of us in our glorious union as…”
Jak kept her eyes fixed on the Gifter, who was taking a moment to meet the eyes of each young person in attendance while the mayor rattled on and on. When he met Jak’s eyes, she thought she saw something there, a deepness. His eyes lingered on her, perhaps more than the others? Jak swallowed. Did he know anything? Could a Gifter somehow tell what brand a prospect wanted? She glanced at her left hand, imagining the brand there. She was brought out of her thoughts as the mayor abruptly finished his little speech and gestured to the Gifter, turning the time over to him.
“Welcome,” the newcomer said, “My name is Gabriel. As you might have guessed, I am the Gifter.” A few polite chuckles scattered through the room. “I travel a lot these days but my home is in Skyecliff, at the college of Skyecliff specifically where I teach when I’m not abroad.”
Wow, a real teacher from Skyecliff. What it would be like to see a city that big.
“Before we get started, I want to impress upon all of you the importance of today’s event. What you will receive today is sacred. They are not gifts from me; I am merely the intermediary, the middle man. These are gifts from the Holy Relics, passed on from our ancestors long before any of you were born.”
Jak felt excitement course through her. She loved any mention of the Holy Relics, the sources of all magic. Branded artifacts that had first provided templates for the brands. Everything they knew came from one Relic or another, and one day, she hoped to see one with her own eyes.
“Those gathered around you will be your tutors. Depending on what brand you choose, one of them will instruct you in its use. I believe, we have quite a variety for such a small town as this. Even a Telekinetic.” He nodded towards Rael, who returned the nod. “As always, we advise you to choose a brand that will benefit you in your chosen profession. For this reason, many of you will choose the same brand as your parents or another family member. We encourage this, as they will know best how to guide you. But, of course, the choice is yours.”
Jak clutched her journal, and felt her nervousness rise. What if the Gifter said no? What if she couldn’t get the brand that she wanted? What if…? Every possible scenario played out in her mind as the Gifter began to list the approved series of brands. She already knew all of that, and she only partially paid attention. This was obviously a routine that the Gifter had recited many times before, for his voice had grown monotone. So Jak was almost surprised when he turned to the first child on the row in front of him.
“What’s your name, child.”
“Ella,” the girl said timidly.
“Well Ella, do you know which brand you want?”
“Yes,” she said, and offered a pouch full of coin. “Hungerless.”
Of course. Ella was from one of the poorest families in the village. They must have spent years saving coin for the brand, knowing that a brand like Hungerless would save them money in the long run. Many families chose this brand. Ella would still need to eat, but in far-less quantities than before. It was a passive brand, one of the few that didn’t require an apprenticeship.
“Ah, very well. Are you sure? The brand stays with you for life. You will never have another. You can never change it.” Ella hesitated, but nodded. Gabriel accepted the pouch, and placed one hand on Ella’s left wrist. Ella gasped as a sound like burning flesh filled the air. Light shone from the Gifter’s own brand as his magic did its work. When the light subsided, a patchwork of black lines had formed on the back of Ella’s left hand, the traditional location for a brand. She raised her hand to look at it, excitement evident on her face.
“Th..Thank you,” she muttered. The Gifter smiled and moved on to the next in line. He continued this process, asking the young person what brand they wanted, occasionally asking a mentor if they would accept an apprentice, taking the money, then giving the requested brand. He was coming closer and closer. Soon, it would be Jak’s turn. Nervously, she clutched her journal closer to her chest.
Marek was sitting next to Jak and the Gifter approached him first.
“And what is it that you want?” he said.
“Telekinesis,” he said without hesitation, holding his pouch of coin high.
A mutter ran through the room. No one had asked for that brand yet. Rael was the only mentor in the whole town, and he lived far enough away to make regular journeys a staunch commitment.
“Well it’s been awhile since I performed that one.” Gabriel said, in good spirits. “I wonder, does Master Rael agree to take on an apprentice.”
Jak looked over at her father. He still stood in his corner. Would he accept after what had happened this morning? With all the sheep gone, Jak didn’t know how they were going to make a living for the near future. With that uncertainty, could Rael really commit to an apprenticeship? But after a moment’s hesitation, Rael nodded, “I will accept.”
“Very good, well then.” Gabriel offered a hand and took Marek’s outstretched arm. He was visibly shaking with anticipation. His face quickly turned from excitement to pain as the brand settled into him. Soon, however, it was over, and a criss-cross of black lines extended from the back of his hand. It was one of the more complex brands.
Now, it was Jak’s turn. She swallowed. She had imagined this moment for a long time, but now felt like she almost couldn’t work up the courage to ask for the brand she had chosen.
“And what would you like, my dear? Telekinesis like your friend or your father?” Jak blinked. How did he know that she was Rael’s daughter?
“I…um…” she had trouble speaking the words. Gabriel stood patiently. “I…I want to be a Gifter like you.”
Silence filled the room.
Jason is an unapologetic nerd of all things science fiction and fantasy. He's particularly fond of expansive shared universes like Star Wars or superheroes.
Now he writes in his own shared universe called the Argoverse, which includes the Roots of Creation series and the Alice: The Last Founder series. When he's not living in his own head, he's marketing web content, playing piano, cooking, or simply enjoying a good story.
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