Chapter 5: Song of Heroes (Part 2 of 2) Transcript
OPENING
[Music: "Main Title" (triumphant orchestral music) starts.]
NARRATOR The Call of the Flame: An Audio Play. Chapter Five: Song of Heroes. Part Two of Two.
[Music: "Main Title" ends.]
SCENE ONE: THE KNIGHTS
[SFX: Crickets chirping, bowstring tightening.]
[SFX: Armoured footsteps on dirt.]
TARÚK Come forward. Keep your hands away from your hilts, and I will keep my bow untensed.
IRIKLAS Oh, they're definitely knights.
BRI What makes you so sure?
IRIKLAS They're too clean and shiny to be mercenaries.
GODWIN Well met, friends, we heard cries and came about—oh, holy SHIT! Is that a giant!? (Laughing)
HEINRICH Praise Rhuadu you're all right.
BRI Well, feel free to jump in next time, then I wouldn't have had to burn my friend's wound!
ADWARD Pardon me, but with what did you seal his wounds? I don't see any ashes nor remnants of a fire.
BRI With, um…
TARÚK Well, as you can see, we have it handled, now be on your way—
CALAN I'm Calan. My father was Sir Ardghal the Silver Knight.
ADWARD Sir Ardghal? One of the original Knights of the Burning Sword?
HEINRICH By the flame, look at his golden hair, I can see it. It is fate we came upon this dreadful place!
ADWARD Now, you'll have to pardon the old knight. He is nostalgic and loathes the notion of coincidence.
GODWIN A bird could shit on his helm and he'll say Rhuadu is mad with him—
ADWARD Leave the dead creature be, Godwin. You'll ruin your sword trying to behead it!
[SFX: Flesh rending, metal armor jangling.]
HEINRICH If you truly carry Ardghal's blood, then we need to put a sword in your hand at once.
IRIKLAS Oh, he's had a sword in his hand…get it? Because he sacrificed part of his hand pulling the sword about the Giant's throat.
HEINRICH That is no small feat. Ah, how I miss being a young lad. Sacrificing myself piece by piece, taking on foes twice my size. Trolls, Orcs, Gathish barbarians—
GODWIN Let him finish.
[SFX: Gravel rustling, footsteps on dirt.]
JENQUO OW! Ow!
MYRTLE Be still!
ADWARD Is that a child and a…very dark little man?
MYRTLE Stop moving!
JENQUO I am fine, girl. I would like to talk to the shiny men, too—AAH! That's my arm!
MYRTLE Ooh, your arm is badly damaged, Dwarf.
JENQUO Ha! Nonsense—AH! We Dwarves are mightier.
[SFX: More footsteps.]
JENQUO We are all the strength of you bigger folk, but in smaller form.
BRI Aye, and that blow that Giant dealt you would have killed any one of us. Instead, it nearly ripped your bloody arm off.
JENQUO Well, pop my arm back into its socket. I am ready.
MYRTLE Um…well, I think it will take more than that.
JENQUO Why? How bad is—AAAAGH!
[SFX: Bones cracking, everyone screaming.]
BRI OOOH! Bloody hells!
IRIKLAS (Gagging) Oh! Oh, darasanse navaa, it's backwards!
JENQUO It's…it's not broken forever, is it?
TARÚK Yes. Unfortunate.
JENQUO What!?
MYRTLE NO! Not yet. I know an incantation that can help! I need tears of the ilima root, and milk. Black Safflower tea for the pain, and he can't be allowed to move until I'm finished.
TARÚK And if not?
MYRTLE If not, his arm will never heal.
JENQUO You underestimate me, girl. I need none of it. I can carry on without help. Please, I can—AAAGH!
ADWARD We will supply you with the herbs you need and more.
GODWIN We were on our way west to Pepin. Its apothecary is well known for its stock.
HEINRICH Come, join us. The Dwarf can ride my horse. And perhaps a bed to lay on as he recovers? And a fine dinner for the rest of you strange warriors.
BRI I don't know about this, perhaps the inn might be better—
IRIKLAS I didn't see any herbs there.
JENQUO Now girl, you should never be so skeptical when offered things for free.
[Music: "The Knights" (tense, then triumphant music) starts.]
CALAN We'll come with you.
ADWARD Let's get the little fellow on his feet. Come now.
[SFX: Gravel rustling.]
JENQUO (Groaning)
HEINRICH Praise the Chieftan.
SCENE TWO: SIR BRAND
[SFX: Distant birdsong, horses nickering, water sloshing and spilling, footsteps on packed dirt, ducks quacking, cow mooing, townsfolk chatter, cowbell.]
NARRATOR (Voiceover) After many hours on horseback, the Voyagers are led by the Wynish Knights to Bellish village of Pepin. A lively community, less lively as of late, the citizens try their hardest to go about their daily routine, waiting for their country's conflicts to end, and for the band of Knights to depart.
[Music: "The Knights" ends.]
JENQUO (Groans)
TARÚK Bandits and thieves in these woods, you say?
ADWARD Yes, they have plagued the borders of Bellar for months. The local Wardens wrote King Masun, our King, seeking aid, and he dispatched us Knights to see his justice done.
TARÚK Or he got tired of watching you joust.
CALAN Tarúk.
TARÚK (Laughs)
ADWARD We've managed to extinguish a good deal of those churlish pests near this village, but there are more. And we will find them.
BRI I thought Knights fought in wars or something.
ADWARD We maintain the peace, and defend the innocent, so you don't have to defend yourself, my lady.
IRIKLAS Nice village.
[SFX: Dog growling, then barking.]
IRIKLAS Be careful, Halfin, that is a big dog!
MYRTLE Hey! Hey easy! Um (Clears throat) Ifaer! Ifaer sananel…endara damavan. Navna nur navaa nashevaren. Bar-nanuvran navnanavaa sana! [Calm! Be calm…no worries. I will not attack you. We are friends!]
[SFX: Dog pants, then licks.]
MYRTLE Oh! Oh, there's no need for that! (Giggles) I told it we are friends.
IRIKLAS Oh…huh. Good trick.
[SFX: Wooden doors creaking open and closed, footsteps on wood.]
GODWIN Sir Heinrich, help the Dwarf boy and girl to a room.
MYRTLE I'm not a Dwarf, I'm a Halfin!
BRAND Sir Adward! I see you've brought company.
ADWARD Oh, these are travellers I encountered on the way. This young lad is Calan. He claims to be the son of Ardghal. He slew a Giant.
BRAND Not bad. And who is this lovely young woman?
BRI Bri, and you are?
BRAND Sir Brand the Smith.
[SFX: Metal armor clinking, clothing rustling, lips on skin.]
BRI Oh, that's my hand.
ADWARD Most ladies would take a kiss on the hand as a great compliment from a knight.
BRI I guess I prefer ‘hello,’ maybe a wave, a free drink if you're feeling bold.
BRAND Oh, it's all right. The people of this village have granted us use of their homes and resources during our time here.
HEINRICH In tribute for fighting the good fight. As has been tradition for many years. War is chaos. When nations are colliding, fire everywhere, food and water are hoarded, women and children and elderly are defenseless, when soldiers on the losing side run.
BRAND We the Knights took a vow not to run, but to stand our ground and be their shield. And long after the wars have ended, we take the very same vows, uphold the teachings of Rhuadu, and defend the weak. Like your father did, Calan.
[SFX: Gulping ale, tankard clinking on table.]
TARÚK Have you had any luck finding these bandits?
BRAND A few, yes. We questioned them, and the ones that refused to speak, we hung by the neck on that tree outside.
[SFX: Footsteps on wood.]
HEINRICH Every time we're close, they move camp. Crafty kind, they never change.
TARÚK Interesting.
IRIKLAS Yes, it is.
BRAND What, honour among thieves?
ADWARD Well, these are no ordinary thieves, you see. They have pretentions of nobility. Their leader is a prime example of Bellish charisma.
BRAND On that topic, we have a plan now to catch him and his men.
HEINRICH You've all had a long road. Please, sit. Dine with us.
[SFX: Armoured footsteps on wood.]
BRAND I will be back to join you.
[SFX: Wooden chair scraping out.]
HEINRICH My lady.
BRI …Okay then?
[SFX: Ale pouring.]
SCENE THREE: HEALING THE DWARF
[SFX: Liquid sloshing, wet cloth slapping, cloth rustling.]
MYRTLE Oh, hold still you—big—baby! I don't have a lot of this ointment, I can't waste—
JENQUO AAAGH!
[SFX: Body crashing down on wooden floor, more slapping and rustling.]
JENQUO Achi-wo! It still hurts. I need more rum to endure the pain, Miss Halfin lady.
MYRTLE But you drank it all!
JENQUO Aye, it is good medicine.
MYRTLE You can endure it, not with rum, but with happy thoughts. Yes, I think about the fireplace in winter, the snowflakes rising outside, all of the family coming to our little hole to tell stories and have a merry time. Yes, think about yours where you're from—
[SFX: More cloth rustling.]
JENQUO I don't have one. Never knew my family, or my homeland.
MYRTLE Oh. I'm so sorry—
JENQUO It's okay, it's okay girl. Just focus on your magic ointment thing.
[SFX: More wet rag wringing out.]
JENQUO I'm going to need my arm for the journey, it is truth.
SCENE FOUR: NO LADY
[SFX: Tankards clinking, slurping, ale pouring, cutlery clanking, food chewing.]
HEINRICH So this quest of yours?
CALAN Oh yes, it’s to the Temple—
BRI —Deliver a message! To deliver a message.
HEINRICH A message, you say? Shouldn't one or two of you suffice for the task? The road is dangerous, full of vagrants, no place for a fair maiden.
BRI Oh, I wouldn't call myself that.
HEINRICH A fair maiden? Oh, so you are already wed, your virtue spent on your husband—
BRI I'm not married. I'm a barmaid. And my virtue is none of your concern.
[SFX: Awkward beat.]
IRIKLAS (Gulping) Good ale…nice silverware.
CALAN You'll have to forgive my friend, Sir Hein. She's Gathish. You know how those girls are—
BRI Calan!
HEINRICH Ah, that explains it then.
BRI But so are you, Calan. You were raised in Gathland. Your mother was Gathish. Your home is in your blood—!
CALAN Am I? My father was a Wynish Knight. That's all that matters, Bri! They are my true heritage. And I…I wish to join them.
HEINRICH Ever since I could hold a broom, I pretended it was a sword. All boys want to become knights. All think they have what it takes.
CALAN (Sighs)
HEINRICH But you're one of the few I think could do it.
CALAN (Spluttering) Really?
HEINRICH By the Flames, yes. I saw it in you the moment you galivanted in with your hand battle scarred. You have the spirit of a true knight, boy. You should tell Sir Brand, he will take you on as a squire.
CALAN Tarúk?
TARÚK Don't look at me, boy. This is your choice.
CALAN Can I…take some time to think?
HEINRICH Well, you have until we have carried out our task here.
[SFX: Wooden door creaking open, armoured footsteps on wood.]
BRAND My friends, we are one step closer to the enemy. We shall assemble and find them come morning—
TARÚK I would advise against that.
BRAND Friend?
TARÚK I would wager they move in the dead of night. You should assemble immediately and send scouts to seek them. No torches.
CALAN He's a ranger, he knows. He found the giant for us.
ADWARD What would a ranger know of—
BRAND Adward, no. No, he's right. This gives me a fine idea. Why don't you come with Sir Adward and Sir Godwin so that we may track these criminals once and for all? After which, we will escort you the rest of the way on your mission ourselves.
CALAN That's grand.
TARÚK No. We will be on our way when our friend is healed.
BRAND Healed in the room which we provided you, with the herbs we supplied to your little woman.
IRIKLAS Oh, how silly of me. (Clears throat) Thanks.
TARÚK No. That's not enough, Elvan.
[SFX: Wooden chair scraping out, footsteps on wood.]
TARÚK I will only set you on their path. I will not aid you in combat as I have no stake in this.
[SFX: More chairs scraping and footsteps.]
IRIKLAS I'll go with.
CALAN And me.
BRAND The search party is too great, boy. You shall remain with the fighters and I.
CALAN Oh…huh.
[SFX: One last chair scraping and set of footsteps.]
BRI And I still seek a drink.
CALAN Bri—
BRI Not now.
[SFX: Crickets chirping, footsteps on grass.]
BRAND Where are you going, boy?
CALAN A lady shouldn't have to walk alone at night.
BRAND Aye, but that's no lady.
CALAN That's—
BRAND I know little of her quest, boy, her mission. But I know yours, I've seen it many times, and it is in peril.
[SFX: Running footsteps on packed dirt.]
SCENE FIVE: OH, HELLS NO
[SFX: Running footsteps on packed dirt, crickets chirping.]
CALAN Bri, we need to talk.
BRI About what, Calan?
CALAN I want to go with them. I do.
BRI Good.
CALAN Good?
BRI It's what you've always wanted, isn't it?
CALAN No. No, it's not. This isn't about what I said at dinner, is it?
BRI Do you think it is?
CALAN These knights recognize me for my worth. Why can't you?
BRI What?
CALAN I said all those things before because I'm not certain what to do with m'self anymore. Because before, the only thing that I wanted was—
BRI Calan, you can—
CALAN I wanted you.
BRI (Frustrated noise) Oh, hells, no. No. Calan, tell me you didn't lose half a hand to impress me!
CALAN I-I was always in love with you, Bri—
BRI You did. You bloody did it to—oh hells, I can't BELIEVE you!
CALAN You can't believe there's nothing I wouldn't do for you? Why is it so hard for you to see how important you are to me? It's why I came! To protect you!
BRI Stop it.
CALAN And after that kiss, I thought you had seen me differently—
BRI Stop.
CALAN —But it wasn't enough, I needed you to see me for what I could become.
BRI Calan, stop. I said STOP!
CALAN I could be your knight!
BRI I said NO! I'm not your maiden to be won! I have only ever seen you as a friend, and if you didn't then, you've been lying to me and yourself! Go on! Join these bloody Knights and leave me be!
[SFX: Running footsteps on dirt.]
CALAN BRI!
BRI NO! I won't have it! Leave me alone!
[SFX: More footsteps.]
SCENE SIX: YOU KNOW NOTHING
[SFX: Footsteps on wood, crickets grow distant, fireplace crackling.]
BRI Bloody hells.
INNKEEPER What troubles you, girl?
BRI Oh, depends. Would you like me to go back a day, or the past sodding month? I could go back even further, before I was born, when my damnable father put his spear through a fiery beast.
INNKEEPER The Gods do not like it when we speak ill of our mothers.
BRI What? Oh, never mind. How much ale can a copper buy?
INNKEEPER Mmm, mais oui. None, I'm afraid, girl.
BRI Okay then, two coppers.
INNKEEPER Our supply of ale is out, my dear.
BRI You're not stocked?
INNKEEPER We were. Have you not taken a look around, my girl? When the people are nervous, when they weep, they drink here.
[SFX: Empty tankards clanking, distant chairs scraping, quiet coughing.]
INNKEEPER But our visitors drink also, and they do not pay.
BRI What do you mean? Have you been raided by the bandits?
ELDER Oh, mon infant.
[Music: "You Know Nothing, Do You" (slightly tense, tragic music) starts.]
ELDER You know nothing, do you? In war time, they were a shield between a mother and her infant child, when all other men ran. We gave them warm meals, beds, bought them wine. We could never repay them, in those days.
BRI But, they're shielding you now, from the bandits, right?
INNKEEPER Bah! The bandits only trifle with rich pigs with carriages full of gold. They say the leader of the bandits, Robert, pays well for his lodgings.
ELDER Oui, he did. When he came upon my son's farm seeking to sleep in his stable, paid him a silver. He never got to spend that silver, though. I'm sure the Knights will back in their hometown, after they take him to the jails for sheltering enemies of the state, and seized his home.
BRI You can't be serious.
ELDER They have been here for five months. God bless the protectors of our little chicken coop. You can trust them with your eggs, my fille.
BRI I have to go.
[SFX: Footsteps on wood, wooden door opening and shutting, crickets chirping, running footsteps on packed dirt.]
[Music: "You Know Nothing, Do You" ends.]
SCENE SEVEN: IT ISN’T SAFE
[SFX: Bandage cinching.]
JENQUO It's too tight, girl!
[SFX: Wooden door creaking open.]
MYRTLE That's the point! There!
[SFX: Footsteps on wood.]
MYRTLE You can get up and use the privy, but I don't recommend more than—
BRI Stop everything. We have to leave!
MYRTLE Bri—?
BRI Now! Get your things, we have to get out of this place.
[SFX: More footsteps.]
BRAND Where are you going, girl?
BRI Oh, just getting some air, excuse me—
[SFX: Metal armor jangles.]
BRAND It isn't safe.
BRI I can take care of m'self—
[Music: "It Isn’t Safe" (slow, menacing music) starts.]
[SFX: Footsteps on wood, cloth rustling, thud against wall.]
BRI (Grunts)
BRAND I SAID—it isn't—safe.
BRI Let go of me.
[Music: "It Isn’t Safe" ends.]
[SFX: Armored footsteps, wooden chair scrapes out.]
BRAND Why don't you have a seat over at the table?
BRI (Grunts)
BRAND I insist. Want some ale?
[SFX: Ale pours.]
BRI Why are you doing this?
[Music: "It Isn’t Safe" starts.]
[SFX: More footsteps, tankard clanking on table, another wooden chair scraping in and out.]
BRAND You underestimate the level of danger you are in, girl. You must take special care if you truly possess Rhuadu's flame.
BRI …I don't know what you're talking about.
BRAND Oh, then perhaps Sirs Heinrich and Adward were imagining things. In that ravine with no traces of a fire or torch where you sealed the boy's wound.
BRI They were mistaken.
BRAND There's no need to hide it, girl. Magnir flame is a terrific thing. It doesn't suit you, woman, but if we use you properly, we can put your gift to good use for our cause.
BRI No.
BRAND Yes, you will. You can heal our wounded, send our messages through the spiritual plane, the secret to forging Magnir steel—
[SFX: Wooden chair scraping.]
BRI Stay back.
[SFX: Armored footsteps on wood.]
BRAND You are a gift, girl, a gift from the Chieftan of Gods. You will be safe with us. Certainly more than you're safe with those foreigners, and I can spot an Orc no matter how deep he hides in his hood. And that plump little Halfin belongs on a wooden stake for her witchcraft.
BRI Stay back.
[SFX: Hands slamming on table, tankard clinking.]
BRAND Have you not heard a word I've said? You never have to fend for yourself again. All you have to give me is your fire.
[SFX: More footsteps.]
BRI You want Magnir fire?
[SFX: Fire ignites.]
BRI AAGH!
[SFX: Table clattering, tankard clinking.]
BRI Let me GO!
BRAND Weak! You can't even get it to get any lower than your palm!
BRI (Struggling)
BRAND And for what purpose? My Knights will soon make short work of your two friends. You'll have nowhere to go!
BRI What!?
BRAND Oh yes, we've planned this, ever since we knew the truth. Now, you're staying—
[SFX: Wooden door creaking open, crickets chirping.]
MYRTLE NASHEVARUUN! [ATTACK!]
[SFX: Dog barking.]
BRAND WHAT!?
[SFX: Paws on wood, snarling, armor clanking as body falls to floor.]
BRAND AAAGH!
[SFX: Cloth tearing.]
MYRTLE Um, falafilin! [Run!]
[SFX: Dog pants.]
BRI Thank you, Myrtle.
JENQUO Well done, Myrtle!
MYRTLE Thank you.
BRI You'll have to hold on to Jenquo on the horse. It's time to go.
MYRTLE I agree.
BRAND (Grunts)
MYRTLE Sorry…
BRI I’m not!
[SFX: Fire sizzles.]
BRAND (Screams)
MYRTLE Wait!
BRAND AAAAGH! My face!
JENQUO Oh, you deserved that, man!
BRAND Curse you! You—you tavern wench!
[SFX: Footsteps on wood, wooden door creaking open and shut.]
SCENE SEVEN: VALIANT
[SFX: Crickets chirping, birdsong, horse galloping on dirt.]
NARRATOR (Voiceover) On a single horse, Bri, Myrtle, and Jenquo ride west toward the river—
BRI Hyah!
MYRTLE (Squeaking)
NARRATOR (Voiceover) —Where Tarúk and Iriklas track the bandits, far from Bri and her revelation, unaware of the true enemy.
[SFX: More crickets, footsteps on dirt, underbrush crackling.]
TARÚK These tracks were made weeks ago. It would seem your trail is cold.
HEINRICH Aye, shame we took you this far out.
ADWARD Indeed.
GODWIN Well then, it seems we should get this over w—
IRIKLAS Have you gentlemen noticed this carving on the tree here?
ADWARD No? What of it?
IRIKLAS Looks like a rune. A letter R and a letter C.
HEINRICH The initials of the bandit's leader.
TARÚK Well, don't let it be said we did nothing for you. Now you no longer need us.
GODWIN You're right. We don't.
[SFX: Sword drawn.]
[Music: "Voyagers and Knights" (percussive and choral battle music) starts.]
TARÚK Elvan, BEHIND YOU!
[SFX: Blades parry.]
GODWIN (Grunts)
IRIKLAS Why!?
[SFX: More blades drawn.]
TARÚK Old tracks, a river, far from the village. Is it not obvious, Elvan? (Grunts)
[SFX: Battles cries, sword clashing, daggers whooshing, cloth tearing, flesh rending.]
TARÚK AAAGH!
IRIKLAS In the leg!? Cheap move!
ADWARD (Grunting, heavy breathing)
[SFX: Horse gallop in the distance.]
GODWIN I thought an Orc would be a great challenge!
TARÚK And I thought you knights had a code!
[SFX: Gallop grows louder.]
ADWARD Oh, I fought you valiantly—
GODWIN Adward!
ADWARD The song writers will tell you—
BRI HA!
[SFX: Horse whinnying, hooves kick, body thuds to ground.]
ADWARD AAAAGH!
IRIKLAS (Grunts)
[SFX: Punching impact, sword clatters to the ground.]
GODWIN (Grunts, pants)
[Music: "Voyagers and Knights" ends.]
TARÚK (Grunts with effort)
[SFX: Cloth rustling, footsteps on dirt, armor clanking.]
GODWIN WAIT! WAIT, WAIT DON'T KILL ME!
TARÚK I hope you are greater at swimming than you are begging.
GODWIN (Screams)
[SFX: Heavy splash.]
BRI His armor will weigh him down.
TARÚK Good. Are you okay, girl?
BRI No. I learned about their plan and came quickly.
[SFX: Distant galloping.]
TARÚK Elvan, their horse.
IRIKLAS I'm on it!
JENQUO My friends! Someone approaches on horseback!
[SFX: Horse nickering, hooves kicking dirt.]
CALAN What—what have you done?
BRI Calan, listen to me—
CALAN It was you! You attacked Sir Brand!
JENQUO Boy, there's a lot that you don't understand!
BRI He attacked ME!
[Music: "The Knights" starts.]
CALAN He was only trying to protect you!
BRI No, no, he wasn't! These men aren't what you think they are. They aren't like you! Come with us. They can't give you what you want.
CALAN …Neither can you.
[SFX: Footsteps on dirt.]
BRI All those years, we've been friends. Since my father died, since I met you, none of that matters to you?
TARÚK Girl…he is not coming with us.
CALAN HYAH!
[SFX: Horse whinnies and gallops off.]
BRI Calan, NO!
[SFX: Hooves grow distant.]
BRI No…
[Music: "The Knights" ends.]
[SFX: Horse nickers.]
IRIKLAS I have their horse! With me, Orc!
[SFX: Sword sheathes.]
TARÚK Come!
[SFX: Sword sheathes.]
TARÚK Girl, we have to go. Get on your horse.
BRI Yes…come on. Let's get the hell away from this place.
CLOSING CREDITS
[Music: "Main Title" starts.]
[Music: "Main Title" ends.]
[Music: "End Credits" (rustic percussive music) starts.]
NARRATOR The Call of the Flame: An Audio Play. Starring Bonnie Bogovich, Stephen Cumberworth, Jacob Williamson, Corey Borchers, Hayden Ashley, Abigail Turner, Xathian, and Gary Gibbs the Second. For the full cast list, please visit thecalloftheflame.com. This podcast was written and produced by Kurt Cañez. With music by Adam Halpin, with additional tracks by Stephen Cumberworth. Both can be found on Bandcamp. Additional audio editing by Sasha Blore. Read the podcast description and follow us on our pages of media. Send a bird bearing the hashtag COTF Podcast. Leave us a review on iTunes. Although the greatest way to support the show is to become a patron of ours on our Patreon page so that we may maintain our production. Five dollar and above listeners get exclusive content such as music tracks by Adam Halpin and extended episodes. Gather around in two weeks for the next instalment of our play. To ask us about sponsorship, send us an electronic letter to thecalloftheflamepodcast@gmail.com. This has been a Magnir Production. I am your narrator, George Hoctor. We thank you all for listening.
[Music: "End Credits" ends.]