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Ulralia - The Steppe Bride


Takimaru

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This is a short story I made about the marriage customs of Ulralia, the Golden Steppe of Arkeia in DLaby.

ULRALIA - THE STEPPE BRIDE​

On the Eastern Continent, a place far removed from the forests of Brevnia and the tundra of Grem, lies a vast, sprawling biome--the Golden Steppe, more commonly known as Ulralia by its natives.

There are few trees in the region, which also boasts little in the way of mountains or other outstanding geographical features... at least, in the traditional sense. Here, one might say that the land itself is the greatest feature. An immense expanse of shrubs and grass, it is hospitable to those who know how to live off its flora and how to tame its fauna--and that is exactly what the people of Ulralia do. Sheep and goats are plenty, providing food, milk, hides and the like, while falcons can be trained to assist hunters in catching prey.

But the most important animal of all, as far as the natives of this land are concerned, is the horse. Many scholars say that the first horse was tamed on the steppes of Ulralia. Considered much more than mere food, it is a sacred animal here, vital for transportation and communication. But more notoriously, the horse is also an irreplacable wartime companion. Warfare was revolutionized with this animal alone, and it all started here.

Ulralian legend says that humans and horses were made to work with one another, and the best evidence of such a notion is provided by the people of the steppe themselves. Ulralians were a simple but hardy folk. They were nomadic, living off whichever piece of land they stood upon rather than settling into one place. As such, the greatest of things they could build had to be able to fit onto a horse or two.

However, such a lifestyle should not be mistaken for a lack of richness in the peoples' culture, nor should it imply a shortcoming in the realms of warfare. For the Nine Tribes of the Golden Steppe would turn into a fearsome Horde when finally united, challenging and conquering much of the territories of neighboring Deun, Ayon, and even the great Honrai.

These riders had not Deunic steel, nor Ayonian magic, or Honrainese technology. The Ulralians had three things that would allow them to find great success: strong bows, fast horses, and adaptable tactics. Their Three Noble Skills, an ideal set that consisted of archery, horseback riding, and wrestling, represented these facets of their values perfectly.

These common traditions did not always exist. Before the unification, before the Horde, there was only an assortment of different tribes, each with their own relatively unique customs. And while their so-called differences might not have been large enough to warrant any serious conflict from the viewpoint of someone removed from their situation, tensions still existed. Not necessarily over territory, as was often the case with other peoples. Crises would erupt over hunting spoils, over trading rights, over tribal pride, even over women. Resources, power, identity, status and values... if it wasn't one, it was the other. The denizens of the Golden Steppe were not otherworldly beings with limitless patience, completely detached egos, or free from earthly wants or needs. They were, after all, only human, with their own wants and needs.

However, even the various tribes, one by one, would eventually come to terms by which to coexist. Legend said that the two largest Ulralian tribes, called the Salktai and the Jagun, agreed to resolve their disputes through a wrestling match between their chieftains in order to minimize unnecessary bloodshed. By the end of the bout, the two men carried such newfound respect for each other that previous political tensions dissolved to give way to new alliances. To cement this new pact, the chief of the Salktai gave his daughter to marry the oldest son of the Jagun, and such traditions have been held between tribes of the Golden Steppes ever since. The institution of marriage grew into a political tool and became less of a notion of romance between two willing individuals. But more importantly, it became the glue that would hold the clans together.

Several generations had passed since that fateful day, but while the bodies of the Salktai and the Jagun chiefs were long gone, their legacies lived on through the tradition of arranged inter-clan marriage. It would not remain exclusively between these two tribes, but instead extend out to the others as well. Smaller tensions came and went between some, but they never erupted into all-out war, for each tribe had at least a handful of nobles integrated into their most important families. Thus, waging war against one clan would be like doing so against all of them, in a sense.

Erdene ul Tolui, a daughter of one of the noble families of the Salktai, was just one of many involved in this expansive web of deliberate relationships. A woman of twenty-five years of age, she was considered rather old for a bride. One could credit such late blooming to her father, who initially suffered in the social department, at least when compared to most nobles, but retained his status due to his prowess as a warrior and reputation as an expert tamer of horses. The man was strict, of few words, but he loved his daughter to the point of overprotectiveness. Only when he was approached by a particularly trusted man from another tribe, who he had formed a friendship with during a mutual hunt, would he finally consent to giving her 'away' in marriage. Erdene was then promised to the other noble's son, who she would know as Arigh ul Batun.

But the partnership between Erdene's father and that of her future husband's was a matter all its own; Erdene herself had never met Arigh, nor was she sure that she would even like him. After all, for twenty-five years, she had enjoyed a relatively high degree of freedom for a woman... and now she was to relinquish it so suddenly? The prospect was, understandably, a stressful issue. But, her love for her family outweighed her distaste for the situation, and so she would begrudgingly prepare herself for her first meeting with Arigh. At the very least, she would be able to visit him and his family before the actual ceremony itself.

Taking a deep breath, Erdene viewed herself in the mirror. It was not a particularly large, fancy mirror, like those that Elynsorian nobles had. But many Ulralian nobles such as herself didn't know of such grandiose possessions to begin with. The mirror that she had was not much larger than the head of a horse. Framed in silver with a handle of its own, it was neatly hung from the ceiling of her yurt--a portable home that the nomads of the steppe were known for dwelling in. Even then, the reflective luxury was a prized possession and not something that a poorer Ulralian would possess.

Normally not one to worry about her appearance too much, today she couldn't afford to be so careless. Repeatedly, she scanned her own visage for imperfections in her makeup, also using a dab of powder to conceal any unsightly moles or marks. Her concern was arguably excessive, however; while old by her culture's standards, the woman still retained much of her beauty. With jet-black hair, dark emerald eyes and a delightfully tanned complexion, other cultures might even find her stunning... but to others in the tribe, she was just old. Age, after all, was believed to have a direct relation to fertility, and that was one of the most important qualities a woman of the Ulral could have. It was said that by 30, a woman's capability to bear children would vanish altogether.

And yet, having an infant suckle at her teat as she reclined in some stranger's comfortable yurt was one of the last things she wanted. A skilled horsewoman and archer, Erdene was fit to hunt and ride just as well as many men her age. Her interests had less to do with any lack of physical femininity as they did mere circumstance. After all, every woman her age in the tribe already had husbands and children of their own; as girls, they were allowed to mingle and ride with boys for the most part, but after marriage, they were expected to 'settle down'. Naturally, the favorite conversational topics of such older women often included relationships, children, and housework. Why deliberately plunge herself into a situation that would only breed envy and a feeling of constantly being behind? Such a path was a setup for misery, thought Erdene. Better to indulge herself in what the single folk of her clan did best; hunt, tame horses, gather food, and enjoy the breeze and overall atmosphere of the steppe. The feeling of losing all that frightened her.

But now here she was, preparing herself to fall in line... it was, understandably, a very nerve-wracking notion. At the very least, it wasn't a kidnapping--as some Ulralian men had been known to do in order to acquire brides--but being sent to the home of total strangers, for the most part... it felt similar, if nothing else.

"How do I look?" asked Erdene as her mother entered the house.

She was unbearably nervous. Whenever she glanced down at her hands, she would find them to tremble uncontrollably. Preparing oneself for a dangerous hunt was one thing, but to be exposed to social pressures such as the one she was bound to face in the near future... it was unlike anything she had ever felt before. Even if she wouldn't admit as much to herself, the stakes were high. This was very likely her last chance to move on to a stage of life that just about everyone wanted for her... but she wasn't even sure if she was ready.

Erdene's mother, Yisun, only added to her worries as she responded only by looking her daughter over, then proceeding to adjust and re-adjust small details of her traditional outfit as if there was really anything to fix. Their mother-daughter relationship was an awkward one for the most part, as Yisun was said to have been wed in her teens. Erdene, on the other hand, was now in her mid-20's and far behind the standard set by her mother. She didn't need to hear the disappointment expressed in words to know it was there. But now that she was getting married, the tone had been somewhat different, a bit lighter. It was an odd feeling, to say the least.

"There. Now, you are ready," confirmed the older woman, offering a smile afterwards. "I knew you would find someone sooner or later."

Erdene could only reply with a slightly less sincere grin. Perhaps her father was the one in need of congratulating for such a 'find', she thought to herself. She took a deep breath. This was it; she would finally get to see the face of her betrothed. If nothing else, she still had the ride over to enjoy. After saying her final farewells for the time being to her mother, she would proceed out of the yurt.

Even as she was dressed to impress, she didn't fail to take her trusted bow with her. The recurve bows of the Ulral were another point of pride for their people, as there were few in the world said to have their qualities. Made from bamboo, horn and sinew, they were curved in such a way that stored energy more efficiently. While an excellent hunting tool, it could be just as effective for war--or for protection against kidnappers, in Erdene's case... even if she was a bit old to be taken as a bride.

Stepping outside, she gave a bow of her head to her father, Bolad, who seemed busy skinning the gift sheep that was sent to them as part of the marriage custom. It was but one of many presents. The past several weeks, the family had received a number of packages in succession; cheese, wine, tea leaves, milk liquor, silk, various trinkets, and now an entire sheep. It was said to make up for the loss of the ul Tolui's daughter, as she would soon be come to known as an ul Batun.

But as final as the deal seemed, it wasn't quite so final, as Erdene knew, according to the customs of her region. It was said that if the groom's family did not like the bride during her initial stay, or if she failed to integrate properly, they could send her back with the pact annulled. Of course, she had only ever -heard- of such a thing happening, never having witnessed it herself, but the possibility of such a disgrace lingered in the back of her mind. Would she be suitable enough for him? As high as the temptation to intentionally botch such a trial period might have been, Erdene knew this to be her chance to bring real joy and pride to her beloved father. It saddened her to know that the skills she had acquired were not enough, but seeing him now, happily going about his business... it would be difficult to deny him this much.

"I'm leaving, Father," said the woman, approaching her father. She was missing him already, as she would be within the company of strangers in just a few hours.

After washing his hands in a nearby basin, Bolad would dry them and turn to embrace his daughter, patting her on the shoulder afterwards. "Go, then. I'm proud of you," he assured her. It wasn't a statement he made often, and hearing it made Erdene's heart swell up with pride. Spurred forth by the encouraging words, she returned the gesture before moving to her horse, Arslan.

At least he would be coming with her, if nothing else. A 'takhi', or wild horse, he had been caught and tamed by Erdene herself where many others failed, and as such was a special point of pride for her. But was it something that she could discuss at the dinner table? What WOULD she be able to talk about? The only topics that kept her interest probably weren't suitable for a married woman to be so absorbed in...

Stuffing down the troublesome thoughts for the time being, Erdene set foot in stirrup and hiked herself up onto the saddle, a more natural motion in spite of her somewhat uncomfortable dress. She'd manage it, though. The Batun family had set up camp a few miles from where the Tolui were staying, roughly half an hour's ride away--one she could easily make on her own. But even if it had been much longer, Erdene would be able to do so with relative ease. She might have preferred it that way.

~~~~~​

It was a bit over halfway through her ride, and Erdene found the the experience much less satisfying than she expected. All of the stress and anticipation had dulled a normally enjoyable activity to such a high degree. She couldn't express her true feelings of the situation in front of her parents, and she definitely couldn't do so in front of her future husband's family. The weight of it all had settled into her stomach, making her somewhat nauseous--even if she literally could not remember the last time she felt that way on horseback.

She couldn't take it anymore. She had to let it out somehow. At full gallop, she would yell at the top of her lungs:

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"

Her cry echoed through the steppe. She wasn't sure if anyone heard it, but for that very moment, she didn't particularly care. It was a very simple, primal way of venting, one that wouldn't ruin her makeup with tears of frustration. But it worked, somewhat, as she couldn't help but feel somewhat relieved after all that.

Unfortunately, the screen of distracting thoughts, along with her own method of expressing her distaste for them, kept her from hearing the gallop of another horse--one that was now side by side with her.

An unfamiliar voice could be heard from her left.

"What are you yelling at?"

Startled by the query, Erdene snapped her gaze to the left to see another rider, a youth with messy jet-black hair and a healthy tan typical of many outdoorsmen. On his face was a curious grin.

Erdene's stomach dropped once again from embarrassment as she furrowed her brow.
"N... Nothing!"

"Should I yell with you? Maybe that way you'll feel less strange doing it all by yourself," offered the stranger.

"Maybe you should stop following me," replied Erdene sharply, still reeling from being caught in the moment. She couldn't afford to be bothered any more than she already was.

"I would stop, if I were actually following you," responded the youth, and a look ahead at the group of yurts on the horizon showed Erdene that they were indeed headed towards the same place. Who was this person? A member of the Jagun tribe? Of the Batun family, even?

Either way, the stranger didn't seem intent on introducing himself. Worse, he could not peel his gaze from the bride, and she found such scrutiny to be on the unnerving side, especially when thrown on top of the pile of her current concerns. Clucking with her lips, she urged her mount to pick up the pace. Arslan heeded her call for speed, and brought her forward, leaving the unnamed stranger in the dust. For once, she couldn't help but giggle to herself. Watching others shrink to tiny little specks in the distance on a single glance back was one of her favorite aspects of the race--and winning it, of course.
 
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Takimaru

Takimaru

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Re: Ulralia - The Steppe Bride

Erdene arrived at the Batun encampment only minutes later. It wasn't nearly long enough of a ride, as far as she was concerned... and now here she was, in the one place she was the least comfortable in--the social arena. A man about her father's age, along with a woman she could guess to be his wife, and another their daughter, were outside the group of yurts, going about their chores. Even for Ulralian nobles, life was not without its daily tasks.

Dismounting, the bride straightened her traditional dress and put on her best smile. Again, it was a false one, but she certainly couldn't frown. "Hello," greeted the bride. "I am Erdene ul Tolui," she said aloud, introducing herself with a courteous bow. "Daughter of Bolad. Pleased to make your acquaintance."

The three looked at each other, almost in confusion, before turning back to the newcomer. First to greet her was the apparent man of the house, with a graying beard and a jolly face. He was noticeably shorter than Erdene's father... and even the bride herself. Still, he seemed as friendly as anyone the bride had met--perhaps it was because of his good relations with Bolad.

"Ah, yes, Erdene! We didn't expect you to arrive so soon! I am Ogotai ul Batun," said the man before motioning to the two women who had taken their places next to him. "This is my wife Sarangerel, and my daughter, Odval. Arigh is inside. We do have another, but... he is running a bit late, I suppose. I do apologize."

Sarangerel was even slightly taller than her husband--an unusual sight, to be sure. Odval was as well. Both women smiled and extended their greetings in turn, though it was difficult for Erdene to determine the level of sincerity behind it all. That, or she was simply worrying too much, given their initial looks of surprise. Surely they must have expected someone younger?

"Come, come inside," urged the man. "The food is just about done, so you won't have to wait long, yes? It's about time that you met Arigh, after all."

Led on by the trio, she entered the main yurt to find its interior as finely decorated as her own family's. In the corner was another pile of gifts. And while some might be pleased to have such an array of new possessions granted to them, Erdene saw them as merely another reason to feel indebted, another way of saying that she was locked in. Still, there was no doubt she would be taken care of here, at least financially... but really, that was the least of her concerns.

Nor would she spend much time soaking in the minor details of the environment around her--especially with a figure of much higher interest at the table. There, upon one of the cushions that served as seats, was a youth, perhaps in his late teens, or his early 20's, but definitely Erdene's junior. It was hard to immediately tell how tall he was from the position he was in, but she could guess him to be slightly shorter than her, having taken after his father. He had handsome features, but not in a traditional way, as they were more effeminate than masculine... though one could just as easily attribute as much to his age. His hair was naturally neat, even if it didn't appear that he spent any time on it, and his skin was rather pale, at least for one born of the Ulral.

"Erdene, I would like you to meet Arigh," pronounced Ogotai. "Arigh, this is Erdene!"

Ogotai's introduction confirmed her first guess. This young man would be her husband... the one that she presumably would spend the rest of her life with. It brought the nerves back, but Erdene managed to keep herself from showing too much of it outright, clasping her hands together to prevent them from shaking too visibly. "Good to finally meet you," said Erdene.

"The pleasure is mine," came the short reply from the youth, though his delivery lacked the same spunk that Erdene's carried. He seemed just as uncomfortable as she was, though he was better at expressing as much. Not to be deterred, Erdene feigned a smile and took a seat next to him as the others prepared the food.

However, she wouldn't be able to settle down for too long when a newcomer entered the yurt, bearing a slightly familiar face. It was the young man from earlier.

"Hoh! So I'm a bit late, sorry!" He then turned his gaze towards Erdene. "Oooh, so this beauty is your wife, Arigh?! I knew it! You lucky bastard!"

"Chuluun! Watch your language," snapped Sarangerel, her tone softening as she turned to address their guest in turn. "Erdene, this is... Chuluun. My other son, and Arigh's brother."

"Oh yeah, I saw her earlier," remarked Chuluun. "She was riding and yelling really loudly for some reason."

"Yelling?" asked Odval. Erdene's face turned red, unable to help giving an incredulous look towards the offender.

"Heh heh, yeeeep..." Chuluun started, only to find himself interrupted by his father.

"Food's here! Come now, let's eat!" declared Ogotai.

Erdene heaved a sigh of relief. Saved... for now. Chuluun pointed a smirk in her direction, and she simply responded with a huff and a frown. "Great," she thought to herself. "A nosy brother-in-law who can't keep secrets."

Though the midday meal prepared by Sarangerel and Odval was undoubtedly delicious, the atmosphere still felt a little too awkward for Erdene--especially with Chuluun present. Being around her own family when the topic matter changed to things like marriage was hard enough. Sitting here amongst a new group altogether was well out of her comfort zone.

However, Ogotai was ever eager to break the silence, along with the ice. He took a bite of mutton, pausing to chew and swallow it before speaking. "We are so happy to have a daughter of the Salktai with us now. You know, they say of the men, the Salktai have the best riders, while the Jagun have the best archers."


"And of the women, the Salktai have the best seamstresses, while Jagun mistresses pride themselves on cooking," added Sarangerel.

"I can definitely tell that the latter is true!" said Erdene, mentally congratulating herself for a well-timed response.

"Which of those two do you prefer?" asked Odval. "Or are you better with children, perhaps?"

"Oh, well I, um..." started Erdene, tripping over her words already. If she were to be completely honest, she'd say 'neither'. But that wouldn't be a politically correct response. On the other hand, it wasn't as if she was completely unversed in such arts...

"I have no strong preference one way or the other, really," replied the bride somewhat indifferently, which earned her equally neutral reactions from the other two women. "I-I mean, I can do either, if need be..."

It was but one of the many polite yet somewhat awkward exchanges that would go on during the meal. By the time it was finally done, Erdene found herself spent, drained from it all, even if Chuluun did manage to hold his tongue for the most part. A witness might have said that a exhaustive range of topics were covered, but for the bride, it was just exhausting. Even as lunch came to an end, she would wear her best face for her in-laws.

"Well, that was a nice conversation! I didn't realize Bolad had such a robust daughter! Don't let us talk your ears off, though," said Ogotai. "I'm sure you two are the ones who have much to discuss, so we'll leave you alone for now, hmm?" With that, the head of the household would exit the tent, followed by Odval, Chuluun and Sarangerel.

This left Erdene alone with the reticent Arigh. If nothing else, he seemed to be the type to keep a secret better than his brother... but somehow, despite the fact that the two of them were now alone, the atmosphere hadn't gotten any less awkward.

"I know what you must be thinking," started Erdene. "That I am perhaps a bit old to be a bride..." It was undoubtedly an uncomfortable topic for her, but nonetheless a primary concern of hers that ended up just leaking out. She wasn't even sure why she was admitting as much, putting such a fact out in the open, but there she was. Perhaps his silence made it easier for her to initiate the conversation.

"Not particularly," said Arigh calmly. Erdene found herself somewhat surprised, to have even been graced with a response. A moment of silence passed as she searched for a suitable follow-up. Eventually, she managed one... more or less.

"Well, I know I may not be a typical Ulralian woman by some standards, but if it's tasks you're worried about, I assure you that I am more than capable of handling things around the home," she added.

"It's fine," was all that Arigh said in reply.

Erdene fought the urge to pout at his apparent indifference. Her patience could only last so long. "But to be honest... I might not be the kind of wife you are looking for to begin with. Embroidery bores me, and I'm actually not all that good at cooking," she admitted, partially out of frustration. "All I want to do is to ride, and to hunt--hardly becoming of any lady, isn't it? I just didn't want to embarrass myself in front of your parents. So if you have to send me back, then I'll understand..." Tears welled up in the corners of her eyes. Here she had tried, or she thought she did. It became obvious that this just wasn't going to work...

"............"

"You hunt?" asked Arigh, the hint of genuine interest in his tone for the first time that Erdene could sense. "What kinds of animals?"

Erdene blinked a few times, caught somewhat off-guard by his reaction. "Y... Yes, mainly by bow. Almost anything, really. From small game to goats and birds," she explained tentatively.

"That's... actually... quite remarkable," replied Arigh, showing her a faint smile for once. "Even if my clan is known for excelling at archery, I don't have the gift for it. But really, if you are that good at the bow, I don't see any reason why you wouldn't fit in. Probably moreso than me. You should have disclosed as much to my family."

At this, her expression softened a little. "You don't know whether you have it or not without practicing constantly! Maybe you just need the right instructor? I can teach you," she offered. "I didn't mention this before, but during last year's Naadam games I managed second place in archery, and first in riding!" Finally, an admission she could have pride in.

It was no hollow boast. The Naadam was a festival in which the tribes of a given area would get together and compete in horse racing, archery, and wrestling. The last of the three was reserved exclusively for men, but women could compete in the first two, and Erdene did so often. As she said, she was often a winner, and a regular one at that.

"Oh? I may take you up on such an offer, then. I didn't realize I was so lucky, to be promised to such an accomplished woman," said Arigh rather calmly, his tone of voice implying it to be more an observation than deliberate flattery.

"Y... you don't actually mean that," she replied, hiding the blush that crept upon her face. At her age, she wasn't used to receiving such comments.

"Of course I do. An accomplishment, whether considered feminine or masculine, is still one nonetheless, isn't it? Then what you've done is admirable."

"You're just trying to butter me up," said Erdene, averting her gaze.

"I have no reason to, since you'll be sleeping in my bed anyway," said Arigh matter-of-factly. He had a point. He was her husband-to-be; there was no point in trying to flatter her further.

"Hmpf! So sure of yourself!" was her immediate response. She wasn't sure if it would be more flattering for him to seem more desperate in trying for her affection. But if nothing else, he was honest.

"Say... do you want to go for a ride?" asked the girl. The level of discomfort she felt from before had faded somewhat, into a healthy degree of curiosity. For her, there was no better way to find out about an Ulralian man than to see how he rode a horse.

"I don't mind, no, but is there a particular reason for us doing so?" asked Arigh.

Erdene put forth a more genuine smile, for once. "Does an Ulralian ever need a reason to ride?"

~~~~~

With Arigh in tow, Erdene left the yurt. Unable to mask her excitement, she found herself headed straight for the horses, almost having forgot the relatives standing about outside.

"Headed somewhere?" asked Sarangerel, a brow raised.

"We'll be back soon," was all that Arigh said in reply. His father couldn't help but grin at this.

"Eloping already? On the first day? How brazen!" Chuluun cried out jokingly. He would be a handful to deal with, to be sure.

The two set off on their own horses; Erdene on Arslan, and Arigh on Tegus. Only a few minutes into the ride, the bride would find that her betrothed was a better rider than he looked, and so she picked up the pace as if to challenge him. Interestingly enough, he would keep up... though she wasn't going at full speed just yet.

"You had it easy, what with our fathers arranging all of this," said Erdene. "But if you had simply seen me on the steppe, riding like this, would you chase and kidnap me as your bride?"


"Only if you continue to impress me in such a way," responded Arigh.

Erdene couldn't help but grin. "I'm on to your smooth way of talking," she called out in response, the steady gallop of hooves an ambient noise. Away from the social trappings of the yurt, riding on the open steppe like this with him was... fun, she had to admit. Finally, she would urge Arslan forward to see if Arigh would at least try to catch up to her. Leaving him behind just a safe distance, she glanced back with a grin.

However, Erdene would find that they weren't alone. A group of riders, roughly half a dozen or so, seemed to be trailing them, and closing in relatively quickly...


TO BE CONTINUED
 
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