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The ring's options for causing mischief to Astra were limited by her
unusual situation. She had no goods to lose, nor a position in society
that could be put at risk. Nor could the ring call up any people or wild
creatures to menace her, since the land was deserted.
One possibility would be to cause Fred and Astra to fall out, so that
they would each go their separate ways or even come to blows. Another
would be to induce Astra to fall in love with Fred. Love usually meant
trouble, especially if it was not returned.
Or Astra could fall prey to some disease, or even to some
transformation induced by the ring's magic.
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Astra didn't know why, but as they continued walking Fred seemed to become increasingly annoying.
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Astra had long viewed Fred as a valiant companion and a dear friend, but now she realised that she was falling in love with him.
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It was easy enough to make Astra allergic to silver. First her finger, then her hand, and eventually the whole of her right arm, began to swell and redden.
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Astra's long red hair began to fall out in great clumps.
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As they walked, Astra noticed something strange. She and Fred had always been almost exactly the same height, but now he seemed two or three inches taller than she was. Before long she realised that she was gradually shrinking!
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