The return of Henry could change everything...
It also seems that this is not a purely English matter...
It also seems that this is not a purely English matter...
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Depends on what he decides to do, and if anyone believes him.
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Seriously, she is in a difficult position. Her favorites are no more so she really has no power at all as long as Henry remains ill. While she did not like York et al. before, this really turns her against them forever. There was never any hope for reconciliation, but now that is cemented.
To all - This last scene was the one that I held up on for so long. I had half of it written and just could not figure out how to bring Henry into it like I wanted. Ultimately I am not entirely happy with it, but I needed to move forward and Henry showing some sign of life is really the key thing. Once I got over that hump, the rest of the chapter flowed and is now finished (to be posted in an acceptable time frame.) I've already begun plotting out chapter 9 and hope to begin writing on it soon enough. This weekend is fairly busy but maybe on Sunday.
Thanks as always for reading and giving comment! It keeps me moving forward.
She should be doing that, but that just shows her selfishness. And it is ironic that Maine goes back to Rene. I certainly did not plan that, but it is an interesting twist.
Quite possibly the only time.
Seriously, she is in a difficult position. Her favorites are no more so she really has no power at all as long as Henry remains ill. While she did not like York et al. before, this really turns her against them forever. There was never any hope for reconciliation, but now that is cemented.
Yes and no. While the action takes place in England, the Burgundians (and even French if they could get their act together) are quite interested in how it plays out. They would certainly like to play spoiler if they thought they could get a better deal with whomever comes out on top.
Very true. I can't say more right now, but we'll get there.
To all - This last scene was the one that I held up on for so long. I had half of it written and just could not figure out how to bring Henry into it like I wanted. Ultimately I am not entirely happy with it, but I needed to move forward and Henry showing some sign of life is really the key thing. Once I got over that hump, the rest of the chapter flowed and is now finished (to be posted in an acceptable time frame.) I've already begun plotting out chapter 9 and hope to begin writing on it soon enough. This weekend is fairly busy but maybe on Sunday.
Thanks as always for reading and giving comment! It keeps me moving forward.
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Pontefract Castle, August 1454
It was good to be Henry Holland. Still young and with a beautiful wife holding precious connections. Especially now. He had a golden streak to his hair and considered the same about himself. Blessed by all the right people, God included. Himself the most as he considered it. Everything was going right for him at this stage of life and with the recent goings on to court, even more may pull his way. He was a little surprised when given summons by his father in law Duke Richard, but who was he to say no? The Duke was almost reasonable if harsh at times, and the man always enjoyed seeing his daughter Anne.
In truth, he hoped that it may be to reward. After all, he had supported Richard in his attempt to become protector. So when he and Anne arrived at Pontefract Castle, he beamed with a smile for which he was known. As his horse moved to a slow trot, he showed his famous smile and recognized immediately that Duke Richard did not share it. No matter, surely. Richard was never one to show ebullience.
“My Lord...you are late,” Richard suggested with impatience.
The Duke of Exeter dismounted his courser with alacrity, “Ah, father...always the time keeper.”
Richard ignored him and looked to his daughter, “My precious Anne! You arrive at just the perfect time. I am missing of your mother and you may be a solace. She asks of you and wishes to know all. Come to here and give your father a kiss.”
Anne did so and held in an embrace for a time, “Papa...we are pleased to be here...but we know not why?”
“It will all be made plain soon enough, sweet girl, but let us to the keep,” Richard held her shoulder as he moved to the castle and hollered after, “Holland...see to the baggage!”
The younger Duke did so as he looked after with a slight aside, “I’ll see to your baggage, old man.”
Richard ignored it if he even heard it as he smiled to his daughter, “You shall have fine rooms here. Come and give yourself some rest. It has been some time as you and your man have been together. Why has your mother not seen your issue, my girl?”
“Father...” she demurred, “...I am still quite young. Hardly know my place and role.”
“Nonsense!” he answered to her as they moved into the great hall, “Your mother has never held trouble finding children.”
Anne stopped him and looked to him with a pretty face, “Papa...mama was older then twenty when she had me. She has been blessed...but our life has been disturbed.”
“Indeed, my Lord...” Henry dropped a bag as he too joined them, “...there is much to do and so little chance to do it. Anne and I are quite happy, but we have little time to make babies. Is that not so, my dear?”
She merely dipped a head in agreement as Richard looked to his son in law, “You make too little time of it, sir. Have ideas in other places, I am to understand. My child is a cherub and should be cultivated as such.”
“She is an angel indeed, my Lord,” the Duke of Exeter allowed with a smirk, “Yet I must look after mine own and there is so much to do at the now.”
Richard stood as tall as he might with an irritation, “Just so. Thus my ask.”
“Yet we are pleased to be to here,” Holland suggested with some levity, “For it has been too long since we have spied your face.”
Anne leaned into her father, “That is true, papa. We do both miss you.”
“And I you, dear girl,” Richard said with certainty before looking back to the younger Duke, “Best leave those bags, sir. For we must have some few words.”
Henry Holland allowed a nod as he looked to his wife, “I shall be along presently. After your father has his say. I am certain that it will be illuminating.”
Anne did as requested and Richard took his son in law by the shoulder, “We should talk privately, sir. There is much to be said and I would listen to what you have to speak to me.”
“I’m sure I don’t know,” Holland answered but Richard held closer.
“Yes...” Richard released him and pointed to an anti-chamber off of the hall, “...I think that you do.”
The young Duke looked to him with amusement, “Is this the silly thing with Cromwell?”
The Duke of York grabbed to his collar and pulled him into the anti-chamber, slamming the chamber door behind him with a fierce look, “It is not silly...as you say...and a more poor word I could not find for it! Do you think that because you are now my family that you can do as wished at all times?! There are others that would not think so and you make me look poor in their eyes! I do not hold that luxury and nor should you, sir!”
“Well this is strange,” Holland allowed a smirk as he straightened his tunic, “I was not aware that my actions held anything for you. Never has. You’ve never cared.”
Richard fumed, “I care what you do with my daughter!”
“Very good,” Holland responded with a glint to his eye, “Yet I think it more. You care more for your place, do you not? Hold title as Protector and now you think yourself King?”
“I had hoped for a pleasing visit,” Richard answered him as he moved to calmly sit, “Yet you must persist. That is your trouble. Too young to know better. A rash young man who does not know his place.”
“My place?!” Henry Holland laughed, “I hold as much pedigree as you, sir. Is that not why I found my match? I find retinue from my estates and I would use them. Would you not also?!”
Richard breathed a heavy sigh in answer, “Do you wish to challenge me?”
“Of course not,” Holland replied earnestly, “Yet you do press.”
“Then do not make me do what I wish not to do,” Richard replied.
Holland showed another smirk, “And what could that be?”
“Percy does not like your actions,” Richard answered quickly, “Neither does Salisbury. You act as free agent here to the north and it must not be done. Would you...could you...consider my position?”
The young Duke stood with an affront of his own, “I believe your position to be fine...father...and I do no thing that you would not do yourself. Cromwell holds my lands. Were they yours, you would do all to take them back. That is all I do. Do you not wish your daughter to have all that is owed to her?”
Richard stood with another heavy sigh, “I am trying to keep this kingdom whole, sir. Your actions do not help.”
“Then mayhap speak to your Chancellor and brother...sir,” Holland replied with some anger, “He and Percy will fight it out, I think. Should I not find my spoils?”
“You will find what I give to you!” Richard answered with his own anger, “Our King is beset with troubles and we all should do all that we might to hold his realm as sound. I’ll not answer for Neville or Percy, but I will have you answer to me. I’ve been given this post and if you will not comply for the peace of our kingdom, then I must take action!”
Holland laughed again, “What action is that? Do you hope to play King now? Place me away as you’ve done Somerset? Control all now as you hold that power?”
“Would you wish me to do so?” Richard asked quickly.
The Duke of Exeter laughed again as he looked around the chamber, “It occurs to me...this is a right proper place for it. It is said that Richard II lost his life here. Hot poker they say. Is that what you have planned...sir?”
“You are not a King,” Richard replied with derision.
Henry gave quick nod, “No I am not. Just your son in law.”
“Husband!” Anne moved into the chamber with a smile, “I have us settled. What do you speak on?”
“Your father...” he replied as he kept a steely glare to the Duke of York, “...would have us imprisoned here.”
Anne was unsure but then looked to her father, “Papa?! No! He is honest and true! Serves you well! Why?!”
“You cannot know, daughter,” Richard responded without looking to her as he kept his eyes to the young Duke, “He will learn to serve...and to serve the King.”
Holland offered another smirk, “Which is not you.”
“Papa!” Anne called out again as she moved to embrace Richard with her plea, “You cannot! He is my husband!”
Richard softly moved his eyes to his daughter, “You shall be well, my dearest. Tis a fine castle with plenty of comfort. You will not be without. Yet this one...this one will not give cause to ruin.”
“Father!!” she called to him as he pulled himself from the embrace and moved to leave the chamber, “Father...please don’t!!!”
“I hold no other choice. You will find your good behavior this way and no other,” Richard answered them both as he closed the chamber door behind him. It pained him, but there was no other choice.
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Richard of York to his son-by-law, Do as I say not as I Do for am I not more powerful than the king. Thank You
Well, that was harsh. It's nice to see a bit of Richard's more ruthless side.
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Richard throwing his weight around just as Henry shows signs of stirring, is it? Oh England, impeccable timing as ever…
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Richard, Richard, Dicky Dicky Richard…
Has no one ever told you that you do not jail supporters when they’re not doing what you want? You bribe them! Or kill them! (and make it ambiguous!) Or send them off to somewhere they’re not returning from easily! (He seriously couldn’t find a diplomatic post?!) You don’t have them lingering around as testament to how little you reward loyalty!
Has no one ever told you that you do not jail supporters when they’re not doing what you want? You bribe them! Or kill them! (and make it ambiguous!) Or send them off to somewhere they’re not returning from easily! (He seriously couldn’t find a diplomatic post?!) You don’t have them lingering around as testament to how little you reward loyalty!
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What Exeter needed was a good hard threatening and then a bit of a carrot about possibilities in the future if he shows a bit of patience. The younger Percys are going to do something stupid in the future, so just wait for them to act and then Richard will have freedom to respond and reward people accordingly. Richard's own history is proof that rash action rarely ends well, a lesson Exeter clearly desperately needs to learn.
Instead it was this mess of a response which is almost begging to backfire and drive Exeter away. I've a degree of sympathy because someone as arrogant and delusional as Exeter cannot be easy to deal with, if someone thinks they are especially blessed by God they are not going to take any lesson well, but even so this was little more than a disaster.
Instead it was this mess of a response which is almost begging to backfire and drive Exeter away. I've a degree of sympathy because someone as arrogant and delusional as Exeter cannot be easy to deal with, if someone thinks they are especially blessed by God they are not going to take any lesson well, but even so this was little more than a disaster.
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In my thinking, he's never been particularly fond of Exeter. A marriage made for the pedigree and no thing more. Let's remember that Anne was born in 1439 and she was matched to Exeter in 1447.
To all - Excellent looks at the scene! Obviously this chapter is about how Richard does as Protector. He's throwing his weight around and I had to include this part of it because it's a pretty big deal. Exeter is young but powerful. And when we talk about free agents in the north, he was a major player. Also, we are not quite done with the north. @El Pip was prescient above. The Percies won't stay quiet if they are not made to be. See the next scene...
Seems to be a pattern for our dear Duke of York.
Richard can be a bit of a bugger when he wants to be...which is often.
In my thinking, he's never been particularly fond of Exeter. A marriage made for the pedigree and no thing more. Let's remember that Anne was born in 1439 and she was matched to Exeter in 1447. Indeed. Richard is down right honorable, isn't he?
Yes, that is very much what I was going for. Richard finally showing his worth as ruler...er...protector and then...well hello again, Henry. But wait...
I doubt anyone has ever said anything to Richard that he took to heart outside of Cecily. Even there...the man goes his own way. As for rewarding loyalty...an excellent point. That will play a bit later. Watch for it.
As above, there is a great reason I included this scene in the narrative. It is of a piece. Richard is a good administrator, but not a "people person" so some feathers may be ruffled. Problem is...those are some important feathers. This may come back to haunt him.
To all - Excellent looks at the scene! Obviously this chapter is about how Richard does as Protector. He's throwing his weight around and I had to include this part of it because it's a pretty big deal. Exeter is young but powerful. And when we talk about free agents in the north, he was a major player. Also, we are not quite done with the north. @El Pip was prescient above. The Percies won't stay quiet if they are not made to be. See the next scene...
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Stamford Bridge, October 1454
She was washing her clothes at the river just under the bridge when she heard a great commotion. A calm morning had suddenly turned dark and though the waters remained still, the clamor of noise above her on the stones caused her to pull back and hide in the wide arches. Where was her husband, she worried? And her children? How would she make it back to her house at the edge of the town? Yet she immediately recognized the voice that called out, “There is little call to worry should you bring your elder to me!”
Wanting to find her safety and that of her family, she scuddled to the other side of the arch and tried to climb the embankment but a man stood in her way, “Where do you think you go?”
“My daughter!” she exclaimed with worry.
He merely smiled a toothless grin, “I think she’ll be fine enough, deary.”
“Cotts?!” a voice called out from atop the bridge, “What have you there?”
“A local wench, m’lord,” he answered as he pulled her topside, “Seems she shows some fear.”
She froze when she saw him...tall on his horse and fierce in his face. Shivering, she dropped her washing and knelt quickly, “M’lord Egremont...please?!”
Thomas Percy led his mount a few more paces before throwing his leg over and dropped to the ground with a thud and a smile, “Dear girl...I’m not here to see you. Yet what be your name?”
“Nan, sir...” she answered with a frightened voice, “...and no thing!”
“Well, Nan...” Egremont lowered to his own knee to hold at her face with an evil grin, “...if you be no thing then no thing should happen to you. Have you an idea of where I might find your town elder?”
She shivered, “I...I’m sure I don’t know.”
“Yet I am here!” another voice shouted, “Your continued press to our place is unwanted and unwarranted, my Lord Baron!”
Thomas Percy stood and let the woman be as he faced the man, “You are bold...shall I call you Mayor?”
“You may call me whatever you wish, my Lord,” the man answered with anger, “Yet you hold no sway here!”
“Do I not?” Egremont questioned with humor as he stomped his feet through the mud to greet the town elder, “You believe that you are still under the protection of the Archbishop? Do you not know? Kempe is dead, sir. Has been for some time. I do not think that Christ will protect you now.”
The man stood tall, “The Earl of Salisbury holds the road at the now, my Lord. That is protection enough from the likes of you.”
“Is it?” Thomas Percy waved an arm at his marauding men, “Where be the Earl at the now, I should ask?”
True to his point, every house was being ransacked and put to fire. Other men were leading off livestock and not a few of the women were being carried off as well. The town elder kept his anger and shouted, “You break the King’s peace, my Lord! For that you will be punished!”
“I think not,” Egremont laughed and shifted back to Nan, grabbing her hair in his hands, “Shall I be punished by you...or some other?”
“Aye,” the elder answered strongly, “If need be! You would leave the woman alone!”
Thomas Percy lifted Nan to him and kissed her cheek before looking back to the elder, “You are bold, my man. Impressive. Yet I grow weary at trying to take my piece. These lands are mine and I shall be paid for what is owed.”
“We owe you nothing!!”
“You have no idea,” Egremont answered as he kissed Nan once more and then slapped her to the ground. Turning back to the elder, he grinned, “You will see my men daily, sir. And we shall ride in and harass until you understand. Is this what you wish? This poor girl...do you wish that upon her?”
Before he could answer, the sound of horse was heard and all looked to see another group cross the bridge. Larger in number, they already had sword and ax at the ready and the first few to greet them found a deadly response. Egremont drew his own sword quickly but soon realized that he was outnumbered. Instead, he shifted to a knee and held his sword at Nan’s throat, “You pick a fine time to see me, Neville!”
“You wish to kill her, Percy?” Thomas Neville trotted his mount to tower over him, “Be my guest. Yet to what end?”
Egremont kept his grin, “You do not care either? Then the village is done for, sir.”
“You know that he does,” the other Neville brother followed behind on his own mount, “You will release the woman.”
The Baron shifted his gaze, “Ahh...there you are, young John. Do you wish personal battle?”
The younger Neville held a firm eye, “If needs must, my Lord. Is that what you are hoping?”
“I hope to gain what is my due, sirs!” Egremont finally stood and left the woman alone, “Your father has never stepped foot to this town, in my reckoning, and mine has held offer to them for many a year! You take what is not yours!”
Thomas Neville showed an equal smile as he held out his arm, “Your men there...is that what they do? I count fifty of them, sir. We number two hundred. If it be battle that you desire, then we may accommodate. Yet...is that truly what you wish?”
“My brother Ralph is not far behind!” Egremont assured.
“Good,” John Neville answered to him, “We welcome more even odds. There was another battle here many years ago. Let us see if we may equal it.”
Thomas Percy stepped to them both as Nan scurried away, “You may not lord it over me, sirs! Nor my father! Just because yours is now ascendant does not mean that we hold no power!”
“I see that you hold little at the now...Lord Egremont,” Sir Thomas grinned, “And you may be punished for your crimes this day.”
“I have stood for what is my right!” he answered, “You would do the same!”
John Neville followed his brother, “As we do. On orders of the King, you are to be arrested, my Lord. You may come peacefully...or not.”
“The King?!” Baron Egremont laughed, “How so?!”
Thomas Neville replied with amusement, “By way of the Lord of York, sir. And agreement with your father.”
“He would never!!”
The younger Neville answered, “And yet he has. This lawlessness is to come to an end and we are given charge. I say to you again...you may disagree and so...what shall it be, my Lord?”
Thomas Percy stepped back with his own amusement, “I heard about Exeter. Is that the way of it now? Like Somerset...like them all that go against the great Duke of York?”
“I believe that the Lords are quite safe, sir,” Thomas Neville replied as he lowered from his mount and approached the Baron, “One is to Pontefract and the other to the Tower. You...and your brother when we find him...will be held here to York. For good behavior, of course.”
Baron Egremont knew that he had lost but kept a haughty grin, “I will see you again...Sir Thomas.”
“I dearly hope it so,” Thomas Neville answered just as quickly.
As guards took the Baron into custody, he held a grin, “I shall not be so agreeable at that time.”
“Doubly desired then, my Lord,” the younger Neville brother trotted past him on his horse as he moved to take hold of the village.
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Well that was all looking quite nasty until the Neville's turned up. These younger Percies seem very unpleasant, from a law and order perspective the Kingdom will be a better place with them locked up. Then again the Percy faction will also be stronger with them locked up, anyone stupid enough to burn down a village they think they own is a complete liability you are better off without.
On a related point this has made me realise the bright side of York moving so ineptly against Exeter, it does prove he is being somewhat even handed about trying to bring peace to the North. If he had just sent the Nevilles out to arrest the Percies then it would look like favouritism and just inflame neutral opinion (the Percies and co being inflamed is frankly inevitable at this point). But with his own son in law sent to Pontefract, and this being common knowledge at least among the aristocracy, that charge will not work. I still think York is going about this badly and many of his moves will be counter-productive, but he is at least trying to apply justice evenly. I just don't think that will be enough at this point.
On a related point this has made me realise the bright side of York moving so ineptly against Exeter, it does prove he is being somewhat even handed about trying to bring peace to the North. If he had just sent the Nevilles out to arrest the Percies then it would look like favouritism and just inflame neutral opinion (the Percies and co being inflamed is frankly inevitable at this point). But with his own son in law sent to Pontefract, and this being common knowledge at least among the aristocracy, that charge will not work. I still think York is going about this badly and many of his moves will be counter-productive, but he is at least trying to apply justice evenly. I just don't think that will be enough at this point.
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As the old saying goes, sometimes you need a tyrant to bring order to a disorderly land.
Then again, remember also the old saying, the only way to bring order to a field is to turn it to ash.
Then again, remember the old saying that the most fertile ground is that which has just been uprooted
Then again...
Then again, remember also the old saying, the only way to bring order to a field is to turn it to ash.
Then again, remember the old saying that the most fertile ground is that which has just been uprooted
Then again...
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One sociopath in custody, for now. EU4 depicts France with vassals, the same is equally true of mid 15th century England. The local warlords hold more power than the central government in London especially in Yorkshire. Thank you for the update.
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Say what you will about Henry VII but he was probably the most well rounded monarch the English ever had. Financial wizard, excellent burecrat, determined centralist, excellent fighter and war leader, great at foreign and domestic diplomacy (getting France to pay the bill for the 100 years war and the war of the Roses, and at home forcing everyone to give up private armies and then managing to actually enforce that), conquered Wales, started the process by which Scotland would be absorbed by England, buying the right to conquer Ireland from the pope, and just in general turning England from a pretty good at fighting but otherwise quiet backwater of Chrisrendom into one of the big powers of Europe.
Had his carefully trained first son taken the throne after him...who knows what would have happened?
Had his carefully trained first son taken the throne after him...who knows what would have happened?
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They no doubt will, and someone will find it uncomfortable to get what he hoped for.
Villains approaching almost pantomime nastiness. Waxed moustaches being twirled at ten paces!
A palpable hit, m’lad.
Should get him onto that border wall with Mexico. Or not.
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It is lucky that the Nevilles showed up when they did, else it would have been far worse for the little village.
I think that Richard's plan would have a fair chance of working, at least in the short term. There are still a number of blood feuds, and those may be suppressed for a time but will return to the fore at the first opportunity.
Would have a fair chance, that is, if not for the king's impending recovery.
I think that Richard's plan would have a fair chance of working, at least in the short term. There are still a number of blood feuds, and those may be suppressed for a time but will return to the fore at the first opportunity.
Would have a fair chance, that is, if not for the king's impending recovery.
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To all - Excellent comments and thank you all so very much! Also, many thanks for voting for this work recently in the ACAs. It is much appreciated!
We are nearing the end of the chapter with 3 scenes left to go. The next will follow in a moment. Chapter 9 is fully plotted out, but I've only just started writing on it so it may be a bit before it comes out. I think these less frequent updates are helping the readers so expect me to follow that going forward. And again, thank you all for following and reading!!
Even handed or heavy handed? Richard certainly believes that he is being neutral in his efforts but he's not earning many new allies. I intended each of these scenes within the chapter to show both his probably needed reforms but so too how he goes about it. By now, he has irritated the Percies and Exeter. Who's next?
You could go on all day. In many respects, there is little Richard could truly do without the full trappings of power. There is reason they only named him Lord Protector.
Indeed. And we are really only at the start.
That is true, but even now England is more centralized than France. Think of France as the extreme and England more towards the middle. But no doubt, the powerful Lords make ruling from Westminster quite difficult because England is far away from a truly centralized government.
Much of that is true. As above, it is he that really centralizes things. That said, no one really liked him. Which probably means he did it right.
There was a bit of Snidley Wiplash in the scene. I needed them to be evil. However, don't think the Nevilles were paragons of virtue. As I've mentioned before, the personal feuds and vendettas wrapped rather neatly into the wider conflict making things all the worse. We're starting to see the real breakage.
Even if (when) Henry recovers, things are on a path that will be difficult to change. Not really a spoiler given the AAR title. Consider it a preview.
To all - Excellent comments and thank you all so very much! Also, many thanks for voting for this work recently in the ACAs. It is much appreciated!
We are nearing the end of the chapter with 3 scenes left to go. The next will follow in a moment. Chapter 9 is fully plotted out, but I've only just started writing on it so it may be a bit before it comes out. I think these less frequent updates are helping the readers so expect me to follow that going forward. And again, thank you all for following and reading!!
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