Spirits and Spells Read Free Page B

spells for frost and flight.”
    â€œAll right!”
    â€œCome on, Travis,” said Jenny. “Tell me who I am.”
    Tansy’s smile grew broader. Clearly Jenny was getting into the spirit of the game. That would make the evening go more smoothly.
    â€œYour name is Gwynhafra,” said Travis, “and … what’s the matter?”
    Jenny shook her head. “Nothing. It just spooked me for a second. I mean, my name is Gwynhafra.”
    Travis looked totally mystified.
    â€œJennifer and Gwynhafra are different versions of the same name,” Jenny explained, embarrassed. “That’s all.”
    â€œOh. Well, you have spells for destroying illusions and opening locks.”
    â€œGood. I like those.”
    â€œNow, for the first part of the game, you have to locate the objects of power.”
    Picking up the slender game book, he began to read in low, solemn tones:
    â€œ A sword, a stave, a rod, a ring;
    These emblems of the wizard king
    If found before the morning hour
    Will free you from the house’s power.
    Find them and your freedom cherish.
    Failure means that all shall perish! ”
    Another crack of thunder. Rain began to patter at the windows.
    â€œWhat’s a stave?” asked Jenny.
    â€œA stick,” said Travis. “Think of it as a staff, if you want to.”
    Jenny nodded, satisfied.
    â€œOkay,” said Matt. “How do we find these things?”
    Travis smiled. “That’s what’s going to make this game so interesting. The things are really here.”
    â€œWhat do you mean?” asked Derek.
    â€œYesterday I hid a rod, a ring, a sword, and a stave somewhere in the house. All you have to do is find them.”
    The five players all began talking at the same time. Finally Jenny stood to make herself heard above the chaos. “You have got to be kidding, Travis! I am not going to go wandering around this place looking for some piece of junk.”
    â€œWait a minute. Wait a minute!” yelled Travis. “Jenny, I put you and Derek together when I set this up, because I knew you’d be nervous.”
    â€œI think it’s a fantastic idea,” said Denise as Jenny sat down again. “Come on, you guys. Where’s your sense of adventure? That’s what gaming is all about. This is just one step closer to making it real. Travis went to a lot of trouble. Let’s give it a try.”
    â€œI’m willing,” said Derek.
    â€œSounds good to me,” said Matt.
    â€œTansy?” Travis looked at her anxiously. Tansy knew that if she took Jenny’s side, it would probably end things. She bit her lip. She didn’t really want to go wandering around this old place any more than Jenny did. But if she refused, it would hurt Travis’s feelings. In fact, they would probably have a colossal fight if she let him down now.
    â€œI’m in,” she said, trying to mask her reluctance with a lightness of voice.
    Travis smiled at her, and she was suddenly glad she had gone along with the idea.
    â€œOkay, here’s how it works. I’ll give you guys clues, and you have to figure out where the objects of power are hidden. It’s just like playing on paper, except that you actually go look. If you have questions, you’ll have to come back here to ask me. But I tried to leave some extra clues around to help you out.”
    â€œOh, and one more thing.” Travis gave them a sly grin. “The treasures are guarded.”
    â€œWhat’s that supposed to mean?” asked Matt.
    â€œIt’s just like any game,” said Travis casually. “Treasures are always protected by something or other.”
    â€œTravis, what are you up to?” demanded Derek.
    â€œTrying to set up some fun!” said Travis. His voice sounded hurt. “Do you want to play or not?”
    The players eyed him suspiciously. A sense of uneasiness seemed to fill the room. Jenny reached out to touch