Finder Cloudburst Chapter 5, Part 1
Seated safe in Wren’s house,
I regaled her with tales
of my adventure
to claim the loot.
Wren said, “In the future,
do not steal from strong foes
or lead them back to
your home village.”
“If you must flee, then go
away from home until
you are safe, and then
you may return.”
“I have read the tablets
brought from the Lich’s tomb.
You have unleashed a
catastrophe.”
“I had never heard of
Typhoon Mistridge, the Lich,
though his crimes were quite
monumental.”
“Now give me the objects
that you claimed in the tomb.
I must have them all
to choose your pay.”
I gave Wren all my loot:
golden jewelry and
a pouch of old coins
and a fine staff.
Considering the gold
items and the old coins,
she paid me so well
that I’m secure.
I have never had so
much money in my life.
I must be smart and
fund adventures.
I confessed my worry
to Wren for the future.
“Should I know magic
for self defense?”
Wren shook her head and laughed,
“If you tried to face the
Lich with simple spells
you would have died.”
“But I suppose Liches
are rare and it would help
to know some basic
drawing magic.”
“I shall think about it.
For now, I will give you
a Keygram to use
in your travels.”
“Read it to grant yourself
some protection from harm.
Say the words aloud.
Save the paper.”
Wren wrote on a paper
several Keys copied
from a book that lived
upon her desk.
She gave me the paper.
I read aloud the Keys.
The spell has been cast!
But I feel nought.
I asked, “Did the spell work?
Has it taken effect?
Am I safer now?”
Wren stood and smirked.
She said, “The spell is cast
when you read the words.
If the words are said,
you can not fail.”
I thanked Wren for the gift.
Keygrams are expensive
items that I could
never afford.