[Jessari]

Ruach listened with rapt attention as Teddy continued.

"He wanted to pick it up, but Kaleb got there first. The humming changed in tone as Kaleb put his hands on it, almost as it were an instrument."



Teddy: 111/145
Ruach: 142/195

[Jessari]

"While he fiddled with the sphere, Brevia continued looking around. She found a bundle of brightly-colored yarn that felt warm to the touch. She broke it into several long strands and began to braid it into a friendship bracelet."

Motioning for him to pause in his walking, Ruach found a comfortable spot to sit among a large tree's roots.



Teddy: 112/145
Ruach: 143/195

[Jessari]

Ruach pulled out a bottle of water, and offered Theo a sip. He took a long drink, then continued his story.

"Well, while Brevia played with her yarn and Kale fiddled with his sphere, Cassidy looked around for something that would interest him."



Teddy: 113/145
Ruach: 144/195

[Jessari]

Ruach began rummaging around in the depths of her backpack.

"He'd always been the type to enjoy pretending he was a pirate or a ninja or such, so when he ran across a map all rolled up and tucked in a corner, he was ecstatic. He was still studying it when the worst happened.



Teddy: 114/145
Ruach: 145/195

[Jessari]

Ruach paused, her eyes wide as she waited for whatever terrible news Teddy was about to deliver.

"Kaleb dropped the sphere. When it hit the floor, it exploded with a shriek. Shards flew everywhere, several of them embedding themselves in Kaleb's skin."



Teddy: 115/145
Ruach: 146/195

[Jessari]

Ruach withdrew her hand from the backpack, her fingers idly fiddling with the candy bar she'd grabbed.

"Out of nowhere, a beautiful woman appeared before them. She was in a rage."


Teddy: 116/145
Ruach: 147/195

[Jessari]

"She pretty much chewed them out, spouting some fairy mumbo-jumbo. They were too young at the time to really understand what her words meant."

Ruach winced as the candy wrapper crinkled a little too loudly as she opened it.


Teddy: 117/145
Ruach: 148/195

[Jessari]

"They didn't find out what she'd done to them until later, after they'd fled from the cave."

"What happened?" Ruach asked. She knew whatever was coming wouldn't be good.


Teddy: 118/145
Ruach: 149/195

[Jessari]

"She'd cursed them."

Ruach gasped, shocked. What kind of person (or fairy, for that matter) would curse a bunch of kids?


Teddy: 119/145
Ruach: 150/195