The Theft is Foiled

Fred took a deep breath, and snuck out of his room as quietly as he could. He was thankful that the wood did not squeak, and he arrived rapidly at the door. As he approached, he saw that the door was opening toward the inside of the room. Someone was trying to rush out of the room with the book. Fred crouched down, and extended the palms of his hands just a little bit to brace himself for the shock of the impact. The person ran headlong into him. Fred stumbled back a few steps, and had the breath knocked out of him, but had enough presense of mind to grasp the man. The man started to speak, but Fred could hear no words. Fred fell backwards, and landed on his rear end, but still had a strong grip on the man. Both of the other man's hands were grasping the book, and refused to let go. The bulk of the book froze the man, and Fred managed to turn to his right, and pin the man to the ground. Fred then cried out, "Thief! Thief!" There was a stirring from one of the other rooms. The man who had tried to steal the book then suddenly let go, and said, "Damn the sow that birthed thee!" and tried to kick Fred. The kick was not effective, as the man had little leverage to deliver it.

Suddenly Fred felt a terrible pain in both of his arms, from his shoulder to shoulder. He tightened his grip on the man. Fred wanted to yell, but he could not breathe, nor feel his heart beat. However, the other man yelled loudly as he suffered as Fred tightened his grip still more. The other man said, "Damn it! Damn it! Let go! For your sake too! Let go!" But Fred could not relax his grip. Some force was compelling him to hold on to this man for all he was worth.

Fred now saw the light of a lantern coming toward him. The other man was twisting and trying to release himself from Fred's grasp.

1. The man carrying the lantern set it down, and pulled the thief from Fred's grasp.
2. Astra came out of the room, and told the man that Fred was holding to release the spell on Fred if he wanted to live.
3. There was a sudden brililant light from the lantern. When Fred came to, he was in a cell, in a room flushed with red light.

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