Thank you for joining us on this adventure. Here is the final chapter!
~ Final Chapter ~
Opening the chest without her permission would be the height of rudeness, and you always strive to stay honorable. Not to mention that in stories, people who do things like that always end up dead, or transformed into demon pigeons.
Through the city gates you walk, with your party of adventurers. After some asking around, you find the biggest inn in the city, where Arya is staying. This particular city has a reputation for attracting rich merchants, which means it also has a reputation for attracting thieves. You’re glad to be in a heavily armed group, otherwise you’d have to watch your back every step of the way.
You find Arya already outside the inn, The Crow’s Nest, making ready to sell her wares in the marketplace. She is overjoyed to see you, and even happier to see the return of her chest. You present it to her with a little bow, placing it on the little table she is sitting at. The rest of your band, minus the gremlins, stand behind you, waiting expectantly.
At last, the thief says clears her throat and says, “The reward?”
Arya smiles sheepishly. “I had forgotten,” she says, and goes to unlock the chest. She pauses. “The lock is broken.”
You shrug. “It broke during the fight with the goblins,” you explain. “It wasn’t any of us, I promise.”
She shakes her head. “Do not worry. I would easily be able to tell if you had. There is a curse on this chest that turns anyone who opens it without my permission into a winged sea-slug.”
You gulp, remembering how strong the temptation had been to open it.
“I did not bother telling you, seeing as it was locked,” she continued, “and I assumed you wouldn’t be able to get in. The lock is broken, but you did not look, so no harm done.” She pops the lid open, the hinges squeaking slightly. You all lean in to take a look, and gasp.
Nestled in a bed of gold, silver, and smooth round pearls, is an ornate amulet. It’s shaped like a locket, but bigger, and has a pattern of twisting silver vines and leaves around the edge. In the center, instead of a picture or item, is a well of swirling blue magic. It sparks and crackles, like a miniature lightning storm.
“This,” Arya says, looking over her shoulder to check no one is watching, “is the key to my success. Many years ago, I used to be a magician’s apprentice, but left to carry on the family business. As a parting gift, the magician gave me this magic item he discovered on an adventure long ago: an Amulet of Prosperity. As long as this is in my possession, anything I choose to do will be fruitful and prosperous. That’s why it was essential I got this back—otherwise, my business might have been ruined! The curse on the box is to make sure that no one can ever take this from me: it can only ever be given. As to the rest of this,” she says, waving at the treasure the amulet is lying in, “this is my fortune. Here, have some of it. I’m fairly certain this treasure has absorbed some luck from the amulet, but I’m not sure.” She scoops out and passes around handfuls of it to each person in your party, giving the largest portion to you.
“And now,” she says, “your task is finished. Farewell, adventurers, and good fortune!”
THE END