• Prologue: The Sorceress of Acer
    Her name was Ancoura. For one hundred years, she reigned over the Forest of Acer. The bitterness and hatred in her heart ran deep.

    She was born on the slopes of Mount Vileinie. At the age of seven, abandoned by her mother to the ravages of winter in the forest, she was found by a band of hunters who delivered her to the palace, where she began to learn the truth of the world. Ancoura was made a servant girl, but even her station could not keep her from befriending Prince Attra.

    The hardship of her early teenaged years was somewhat lessened by her friendship, but grew more arduous as she grew older. She had grown into a beautiful maiden whose beauty was rivaled by none, but her fairness could not capture the heart of the prince she loved.

    When her handsome prince was wed, she fled the palace, cast down in her heart. By the age of seventeen, she had learned the deepest, darkest secrets of Black Magic.

    While a servant, she had often escaped into the forest to visit a witch who lived there. The witch taught her many things that could not be found in the modern world anymore. Before she left the palace, she went back to the witch one last time, to take what was rightfully hers, the knowledge of things that escaped other people in the world.

    In her later years, she went back to the palace and the ruined King and Queen. The Queen fell by Ancoura’s hand. Trickery and Illusion earned her a night with the King. It was the only chance she ever had to show him her love and devotion, for he died soon after the loss of his beloved wife.

    Within a year, a child was born, and now at her death, I, Leif, tell her story.

    My Mother's life lasted uncommonly long due to a spell which I have only recently recovered in her vast archives of collected knowledge. After the death of her love and his queen, my mother's spirit withered in remorse for her actions. Some would argue that this remorse was only for the fear her soul would not reach the afterlife and that she increased her lifespan in order to ensure that she fully rectified her past actions. I cannot credit this legend with knowledge of my mother, nor can I discredit it. I do believe that my mother genuinely desifed to make right her sins, but I do not know whether her purpose was in search for salvation in the afterlife. The few pieces of knowledge I do hold of my mother involve those objects which she created to help rescue the world from former companions who drew on the powers of the earth to control the elements and ultimately the world.

    Not long after Ancoura's objects were established with their powers than her would-be companions discovered their powers stripped from them and the "treachery" committed from within their own society and ranks. When my mother's plot to keep the society from ruling the world was revealed to those magic users, they threatened her immortality that was given to her when she entered the society in her younger years if her creations were not handed over. When the true nature of my mother's creation was revealed, all the members of the society joined their powers against her in an effort that was meant to kill. The spell of True Immortality protected her in the beginning, however, and destroyed those who wove their magics against her. The effects of their efforts to destroy her soon revealed themselves in an illness that would consume her, though. Knowing that her life would not last much longer, my mother created me.

    I know not from whence I came- perhaps it was a spell that is lost in the library that is now under my possession. While most children are born as babies, though, I was born as one who would be around the age of five years in a common life. In the timespan of a year, I grew from five to fifteen years, and in that last year of my mother's life, she taught me all she could about everything she knew. Mainly, my mother taught me the plan to save the world from self-destruction should the objects fall into the wrong hands. To instruct me further than her life would allow, she left a journal that I have only recently discovered and have yet to read. I lived the first eleven months of my life in a routine that included only the development of my own knowledge. Like my body, my mind expanded rapidly, absorbing all pieces of knowledge it encountered. The last month of that first year, my mother retired into her deathbed. As she was able, she taught me more about herself, but sickness would taker over several times in a single day. Sometimes I believe that it would have been better had she been killed when the society joined against her, but then, her plan would not be able to take on the action that is going on in the world at this moment. I have arranged things as far as my mother instructed before telling me to go on with what I believed the best thing to do with the world at my fingertips. As the Sorceress of Acer, I am able to now ensure the world, that it will soon be back to the peace and prosperity it saw before the age of magic and pirates took it over.

    Chapter One
    A rooster crowed, announcing sunrise. A pair of dark green eyes blinked open to see tiny rays of light penetrating the green bed curtains that surrounded them.

    This was the seventh day since Jade's family had disappeared, and today, she had been summoned to the governor's court. She pulled back the curtains and climbed out of bed. Her long, curly auburn hair was tangled from another restless night of sleep. It took her a little while to fully wake, and she stood there and looked out the open window at the sunrise over the treetops. When her mind finally began to fully function, she took steps toward her clothes, which she had laid out the night before.

    Everything had to be perfect. The governor's court was nothing to scoff at, and Jade was on a mission. She had to find out what happened to her family. She would utilize this situation in any way she could. Very few people had ever received a summons from the governor himself, so of course, rumors had been spread.

    Rumors were often spread about Jade. She was an imaginative and eccentric thinker, and her intelligence had earned ridicule. Women were not supposed to think, much less think clearly or rationally. They were meant to go to court, look pretty, manage the household, and bear sons. Jade was not thought well of by society. "Off her rocker," and "loopy" were commonly used to describe her.

    Jade had isolated herself for most of her life. She had no desire to be around people, and because of her desire for solitude, she was also thought to be conceited. In truth, Jade wanted out. She longed for anything other than the life she was set to lead. She often would sneak off to the depths of the forest, and pretend she was somewhere- anywhere- else. She lived inside her mind, because, though she may be physically forced to live in a world where life was dull, boring, and mundane, there was no limit to her imagination.

    So these new rumors were nothing to Jade. An affair with the governor and her bearing his child merely brought laughter from their victim. The absurdity of Jade putting herself in such a position was humorous.

    After she had dressed and had brushed the tangles out of her hair and put it up, she left her room, and went into the kitchen. She lived in quite a small house. Her family was not very well off, though they had not yet been put on the streets. She wore plain, unembellished clothing, and though, she did not resent her poverty. Jade knew there was a reason for her destitution, and therefore accepted the circumstances she faced. She thought better of eating anything. Instead, she drank a small glass of water to settle her rumbling stomach. Lifting her usually downcast face high, she left the safety of her tiny house, out into the harsh, uncivil world of humanity.

    Locking the door behind her, Jade walked quickly toward the road. She was surefooted and quickstepped. Her eyes were on the governor’s mansion, less than a mile away, on the top of a nearby hill. She followed the road, passing joyous smiles and cheerful laughter emanating from people who lived simple, yet deceiving lives. The people of this small city were constantly backstabbing one another, and were cruel, though the cruelty was not the type to be noticed by outsiders. Jade wondered if these people were truly happy, or if these smiles and laughs were only a façade, and they despised this life as much as she. No, she decided; they were happy in this comfortable little cubby hole of theirs in the world. She wanted out, and nothing would keep her here, even the governor’s request to join his court. This is why she had been summoned, and knew it to be true.

    The governor had long been asking her father to hand Jade over to his court. He would ask her now, as her father was now out of the way. In a way, she expected that the governor had ordered the removal of her family. He was not used to being told no, and would do anything to get his way. However, Jade would not allow herself to become the 10th wife of a self-centered, egotistical man, much less the wife of any man. She craved independence, and told herself that she would never marry, and never fall in love. However small and poor it was, she now owned her father’s business. She would use that to assist her in her escape of the court, city, and the life she would be forced to live.

    As she approached the front of the governor’s mansion, she thought of the words she would use to greet him. She had to be respectful and courteous, while remaining distant. Jade knocked at the enormous door, which was quickly opened. She was escorted into a tremendous room, lavishly decorated with great amounts of color. The room was also filled with the colorful dresses of the many women of the governor’s court. She quickly was aware of all eyes on her, in the simple garb of a peasant. She dismissed the thoughts of embarrassment, realizing that her dress set her apart, exactly where she wanted to be. One set of eyes bored into her more than all the rest. They belonged to the only figure in the room wearing black, in a throne-like chair near the windows, which was the only source illuminating the room.

    The black-cloaked figure beckoned to Jade to come closer. She gathered up her courage, and moved forward. A path was made for her as the people of the court stepped aside. As Jade approached the throne, the man stood and grabbed her outstretched hand. He gently brushed his lips against her hand; she curtsied slightly. This was not what she had expected.

    She had always imagined the governor as an old, corrupt, ugly bureaucrat. This man was young and rather dashing. She looked into his eyes, and the depth she saw was indistinct. She could not tell who he was. He could be the shallow, pig-head she had thought all along, or he could be what his figure portrayed him as, a young man, respectful and illustrious.

    Jade quietly spoke, “Greetings, Lord.” She curtsied again, this time, a little deeper than before, bowing her head before him, as well.

    He reached down and lifted her chin. With his other hand, he motioned for her to stand. Her body responded immediately, before her mind could react. She had stood up, her mind unwilling. The room still in silence, the governor took her hand and led Jade through a door she had not noticed. She followed, knowing that it would be better to stay among others while in the presence of this man, but not knowing why she did it, she followed him.

    The doors shut behind them as they walked into a dark room, lit by a few candles. This man belonged in this type of environment. The change of surroundings bewildered her mind. All her sense abandoned her, and she was left helpless. She could do naught but look into his dark eyes.

    “You’re family is being searched for. Have no doubt, I will not have my subjects taken against their will.” a deep voice came from the man. He now turned to face her, “Meanwhile, it is best you not stay in your house, not alone. A room has been prepared for you here. I will send for your things, and you will stay as long as necessary.”

    Jade nodded her head, trying to comprehend her situation. Her thoughts were entranced, and however hard her sense tried to break through, it was pushed away, by some unknown force.

    “As you most likely already know, I would like to have you in the court” he spoke again, “However, I understand that you are not like other women and do not desire it. I beg you to reconsider. A woman such as yourself could be the queen of the social hierarchy, and being the head of the court could give you great power, enough to fulfill all your dreams.”

    Jade remained speechless, while her mind fought for its bearings. There was nothing she could say. She reached out for words, but they did not come.

    She curtsied again, and as words popped in her head, she could do naught but speak before she thought about what she was saying. “Thank you, Lord. Your generosity is greatly appreciated and accepted.”

    He grinned, “Call me Quentin.”

    She bowed her head before him once more, as he clapped his hands loudly. A different door than the one they had entered opened, and a vast amount of light shone in, blinding Jade’s eyes, which had adapted to the darkness. A servant came up to the governor and bowed.

    “He will show you to your room,” the governor spoke to Jade as she arose. “You will find garments in your room. You may wander the mansion and grounds freely, as you wish. Luncheon will be served at noon, and I ask that you dine with me. I will send someone to your room to fetch you at that time. Until then…” he kissed her hand once more, then turned away towards the other door, and entered into a whirlwind of color. She watched after him as he went, and as the door closed, her mind was freed. Sense and thought returned to her and she now grasped her situation. The servant led her out of the dark room, and Jade shuddered as she returned to a world filled with light. Thoughts raced through her mind unsuppressed. She welcomed the thought back into her mind, gladly. Her mind restored itself as she followed the servant up the staircase to her room. He bowed to her as she went into her room. The room was enormous, and greatly decorated. Her eyes grew wide as she took in the sight; she was overwhelmed. Thought pushed through her shock. She would have to grow accustomed to this, if she was going to return to herself. She took a deep breath, adapting once more to her surroundings. Remembering the governor’s words, she went to the armoire and opened it to find many dresses, which, while they fitted her personality somewhat, did not completely match her. She reached into the armoire, and pulled out dark brown cloth, as soft as silk. She pulled the dress out, and held it up to her. A full length mirror was mounted on the wall next to the armoire. She compared the elegant gown to her own, plain, yet neat dress. Sighing and rolling her eyes, she undressed and slipped the gown over her body. The silk-like material was cool and crisp against her skin.

    She looked again at her reflection in the mirror. She was astonished at what she saw. Jade was gone, and here stood a young distinguished woman. There was but one defect in her appearance. Noticing a hairbrush on the bedside table, she let her hair down out of it’s confines and brushed the kinks out of it. The curly auburn hair flowed gently down her shoulders and back. The color complimented perfectly the color of the dress. Satisfied with her appearance, she sat in a large cushioned chair, and lost herself in deep thought, planning her escape from this situation she had let herself be placed in.

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    A knock came at the door, bringing Jade out of her thoughts.

    “Yes?” she answered the door to find the same servant who had shown her to her room.

    “The governor requests your presence at luncheon in the gardens.” the young man bowed to her.

    “Thank you,” she replied, “But please don’t bow to me. There is no need of it.”

    “Yes, Ma’am. I can show you to the gardens if need be.”

    “That would be greatly appreciated.” Jade offered her thanks once more. Closing the door behind her, she followed the servant. She had thought everything out and had everything planned. She would thank the governor for his generosity and hospitality, but she would then explain to him that she had no desire at all to stay in the town and that she planned to sell her father’s small business for however small a profit. She would then sell her home and possessions and move away from everything she had ever known, never to return.

    As she finalized these plans in her head, the servant led her to a secluded area of the gardens surrounded by a ten foot tall hedge and through a narrow opening in the hedge, off the paved pathway. The wall-like hedge completely encompassed a small area, just big enough for two people to dine in comfortable privacy. Rosebushes, like vines, climbed up the hedges and created a shady canopy above. The roses were in full bloom overhead, and their sweet aroma filled the air. This seemed a paradise.

    There was a small table set for two in the middle of the area. The governor was sitting in one of the two well cushioned chairs that accented the table. With a wave of his hand, he dismissed the servant. He rose from his chair to greet Jade. “Sit.” he commanded pleasantly after kissing her hand. “I see you found a garment to your liking. The brown suits you.”

    “Thank you.” she smiled.

    Silence enveloped them for a few minutes. Jade avoided looking into the governor’s eyes during this time. She did not want to be put in the same situation as before.

    “Truth be told,” the governor broke the silence, “I halfway expected you to stay in your old garb. I didn’t think you were so eager to give up your old life.”

    “I am eager to give up my old life,” she began in response, still avoiding his eyes, “but not for a life at court. I thank you for your generosity and hospitality, but I plan on leaving tomorrow morning.”

    He set down the fork with which he was eating and calmly stood from his chair. He walked over and knelt beside her, taking her hand in his. “I don’t suppose I can change your mind?” His voice had suddenly changed; the melodic sound emanating from his lips was deeper, smoother, enchanting, and caused Jade to look into his eyes. He brushed his lips against the back of her hand, making her cheeks turn crimson. “I’ve been robbed, not having the chance to know you. Will you steal from me the only opportunity I am presented?”

    “Lord…” she tried to protest, but no other words came. Try as she might, she could not keep her mind from going blank. She could not look away from his eyes; those dark piercing eyes held her gaze.

    “Don’t leave.” the governor’s voice was entrancing. “You may eventually find that you like it here. Stay.” His words were controlling.

    She could not reply. Some invisible bond trapped her thoughts, and they could not escape. Neither could her eyes break away from their captor. He slowly rose from his position, still holding her dark brown eyes and her hand in his.

    He let go of her hand at last, and left the little area. Her eyes had at last broken free from his, and she looked down at her hands, now folded in her lap. Her mind was still in chaos, and she still could not bring herself to speak.

    Her mind slowly began to recover and she noticed the cup of coffee in front of her. Coffee was a delicacy that, though she was not used to having, she loved tremendously. She reached for the cup and breathed in the delightful fragrance, which seemed uncommonly strong. She poured in some cream to dilute the strength. She took a sip of the drink, and it warmed her inside. She took another drink, and again felt the warmth spread through her body.

    Suddenly, her vision started to blur, and the cup slipped from her hand. A single thought flashed in her mind before all went dark, poison.

    Chapter Two
    For the second time that day, the same pair of dark brown eyes blinked open to see rays of light. These rays were not sunlight, though; they came from a candle sitting beside the bed Jade was lying upon.

    This was not her bed. This wasn’t even the bed in the room at the governor’s mansion. Where am I? She thought.

    Jade sat up in the bed, and looked around, taking in her surroundings. The room was lit by the single candle. It was a small room, very simple and basic. There was one small window, and she could tell that the sun had just set. She was still wearing the dress that had been given to her by the governor.

    She went to the door of the room and attempted to open it. It was locked. She could not get out. She turned away from the door and looked towards the window again; she noticed a pair of pale gray-blue eyes looking in on her. As the eyes met with hers, they widened, then popped out of sight. Jade rushed over to the window to look for the person the eyes belonged to. She saw no one, only the woods.

    She continued to stare out the window, alert for any movement at all. Noticing a slight flicker of motion, her eyes darted to a nearby bush. Panicky anticipation came over her. From the bush, a squirrel darted out and scampered up the nearest tree. Jade’s spirit calmed at the sight of the tiny mammal, and she relaxed slightly.

    Sensing something not right, Jade turned back towards the door and jumped at the presence of a woman there. Jade quickly observed her.

    The woman was of average height and her hair was a pale blonde, which seemed to stand out in the dark room, even more so than the candle light. This woman was also young, slender, and fair skinned. Her presence was very eerie, though Jade could not tell why.

    The woman glared at Jade with envious green eyes. She must not be the one who was at the window, Jade thought, noting the color of the woman’s eyes.

    “Who are you?” Jade voiced aloud.

    “My name is Eleigha.“ The woman said.

    “Where am I and why am I here?” Jade asked her.

    “You are the one Quentin wants to be his next wife, and I cannot let that happen. You see, the governor is in love with me, and I will not allow him to be charmed by some low-born peasant.” the blonde woman said haughtily.

    Jade burst out in laughter. She laughed and laughed, until her gut ached and tears streamed down her face. “You think…You actually think that I would want to marry him?” Jade laughed even more. “I am only seventeen! Why on earth would I want to marry any man, much less one who is pompous, high-born, and doesn’t even know me?”

    “Never the less, I’ll not take a chance on it. So, I have, rather cleverly, devised a way to make you disappear.” Eleigha said proudly. “You’re going to be sold.”

    “Sold?”

    “The pirates’ slave trade is booming. A healthy, young thing such as yourself will fetch a pretty penny. Duncan!” Eleigha shouted.

    A young man with reddish brown hair and a slight goatee walked in the room. Thick rope was slung over his shoulder. Muscles hardened by long years of working on a ship bulged beneath tight clothes that had seen too many years of wear. He carried the pirate’s cutlass blade and pistol tucked into a sash of faded crimson cloth tied around his waist.

    A Pirate! I’m being sold to a bloody pirate! Jade thought. This is not good.

    “Yes, ma’am?” the pirate called Duncan asked. His icy gray-blue eyes moved to Jade and examined her up and down.

    “I want her gone by tonight. It’s better she’s smuggled away in the dark than tomorrow running the risk of having her discovered or escape. Once you’re gone, do whatever you like with her, just make sure she never comes back to Calcap City.” Eleigha smiled sarcastically at Jade then turned and left the dark room after accepting a jingling, leather bag of coins from the pirate.

    Fear crept into Jade as she realized that Duncan was staring at her as if she was some whore for him to prey upon. He slowly took steps toward her, and she started backing away. This is definitely not good! she thought again. She had no way out; there was no way she could get around this muscular man or outrun him even if she could get out the door. Her mind kept searching for some escape as she kept backing away from him.

    Finally, as an idea popped into her head, Jade realized that he had backed her into the corner. He got closer, and Jade put her plan into action and kicked him between the legs, bringing him to his knees. As she tried to run around him, he grabbed her ankle and jerked her down in rage. He pulled her towards him and grabbed her wrists. Wrenching her arms behind her back, he bound her hands together with a piece of rope he had been carrying. She tried to keep fighting him, but pain overflowed in her shoulders and arms.

    The muscular man then caught her kicking legs and bound her ankles together as well. The coarse rope cut into her skin as she kept trying to fight. On impulse, she wanted to scream her lungs out for help, but she knew it would do no good. There was no one to come to her aid. Duncan ripped a strip of dark cloth from the bed sheet and blindfolded her.

    He lifted her up onto the bed causing her to whimper in fear. He laughed, "It's too bad I be havin' to wait 'til we land in Northerburge to have ya. The prospect of claimin’ yer pretty face now is awfully tempting, love."

    Shivers ran through Jade’s body, afraid of what this man was going to do to her. She felt his large hands lift her off of the bed and hoist her over his shoulder. Duncan walked out the door and into the cool night air, carrying Jade off into the forest.

    After a short time walking, Duncan put Jade into a carriage hidden on the side of the road. She heard him give orders to the driver, then climb inside the carriage himself. You have to get out of here! Think! Jade demanded of herself. You can’t just wait and let him decide what to do with you, no matter how scared you are. Braving her fear, she asked him, “Can you please take this blindfold off of me?”

    He laughed, “Sorry, love, we can't have ya knowing how to get back to Calcap, now can we? Miss Eleigha would be most displeased. Aye, displeased indeed... Cap'n”

    “Why would I ever want to come back?” Jade asked in reply, “And do you think that I am so incredibly dim-witted that I couldn’t read a map to come back if I wanted to?”

    He didn’t answer her, but she heard him move to sit next to her. She felt his hand move onto her leg and his hot breath on her neck. He whispered in her ear as he moved his hand up her leg, “The blindfold stays on.” His hand crept up further along her thigh. Fear and disgust swarmed her.

    She tried to conceal her fear and angst, but could not keep her muscles from tensing with anxiety. As his lips touched her neck, Jade’s disgust grew into unbearable impalement. “Please, stop.” The only response she got was his hands moving from her thigh up her body to her breasts. She started to struggle to get away from his touch. “Get off me!”

    He laughed and continued to kiss her neck. He moved his hands again and started taking the dress off of her. Jade continued the struggle with him and managed to push him back off of her a ways. It gave her enough time and room to bring up her legs onto the seat. Though she still couldn’t see, she kicked out with her bound feet in hopes that she would hit him. The kick hit him squarely in the chest and knocked him against the wall of the carriage.

    All grew silent except for the rattle of the carriage, the hooves of the horses, and the howl of a lone wolf deep in the forest. Oh no! Jade thought. Oh no! The fear welled up inside of her. What is he going to do to me? The answer came soon when a fist struck her in the face and knocked her into unconsciousness for the second time that day.

    ******************************************************************************************

    As Jade regained consciousness, visions of a man flashed in her mind. This man was not the pirate Duncan, but he was a pirate, a pirate with dark blue eyes, the color of the sea. He was not like others, though; he was good. Still in a deep slumber, Jade dreamt of this pirate until late the next morning when she awoke to mumbled voices outside the room she was in. Sitting up in the hard, scratchy straw mattress that passed for a bed, she recognized one of the voices as Duncan. The second voice, though, was rougher, deeper, and seemed to have a worse understanding of grammar.

    Jade would have sighed and shook her head at the grammar, for even with her poor education, she could speak properly, but the predicament she was currently in kept her mind in a panic.

    At any minute, these men could barge in on her and do whatever they wanted. She did not have the strength to fight back a second time, much less against foul of the foul-mouthed, ill-mannered brutes.

    Abruptly, the voices stopped, as shouts were heard further away. She could hear cannon fire following the shouts, and the two men rushed into her room and grabbed her. “Come on, dearie,” The rough man said, dragging her out of the bed.

    “No!” she refused. More guns were fired, followed by more screams of terror and confusion.

    Duncan grabbed her up and growled, “Come now, missus! The city’s under attack!”

    Jade leapt up, grabbed a plain milk maid’s gown that laid on the top of a stool next to the bed, and ran after the man with the rough voice. Duncan followed her. This is crazy! she thought, I’m going with two men that would kill me as soon as they could if I deny them. Yes, another thought countered, but they are the only way you’re going to get out of this city alive. She kept running after the somewhat bulky owner of the voice she did not know. It was easy to keep up with him. Duncan followed close behind her. Looking all around him, he suddenly put on a burst of speed and grabbed her arm. He pulled her in line with the other man, and yelled over the noise and confusion.



    “Head for the other side of the city. It doesn’t seem to be under attack!”

    “Leave the wench! There’s no use for her!” The man shouted back.

    “No!” Duncan replied. “She’ll fetch a pretty penny at the slave trade, even if I do take her before I decide to sell her!”

    “That penny will do you no good if she gets us killed in this…” His shout was cut off by the sound of an explosion nearby. All three ducked their heads to avoid the flying debris. Jade tripped over a body lying amidst many others in the street, but Duncan’s strong arm kept her from falling to the ground.

    They continued to run and run, taking turns up and down different streets. After the first five turns and several other explosions, Jade gave up trying to keep hold of her bearings and concentrated on running. She ran out of fear; she ran until she thought her leaden legs could not hold her for a second longer. She ran for her life. Taking another turn around a crumbling building, Jade saw the harbor, crowded with small fishing boats and further out, a huge ship flying the colors of the ___________ pirates. Jade stopped short at the sight of the ship, knowing that there was where these two men were taking her.

    She could not sit and think over the decision she now faced as she would like to. If she went with the pirates, they would keep her until they could make port again to sell her as a slave. Even if she lost her virtue on that ship, she would still be alive. But if she turned back, she could lose her life at any instant. Beside the fact that cannons were tearing bodies limb from limb, countless people had seen her with these pirates, and after the attack was over, they would be quick to blame whoever they could for their demise.

    It’s too late to turn back now, she thought as Duncan grabbed her arm once more and pulled her along the road to the harbor, danger, and an uncertain future.