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Saure returned, sprinting down the meadowy hill to the farm. She balanced the dripping basket of washing precariously on her head with one arm, and clutched the tome tightly to her chest. Nag saw this, instantly fearing the worst. Of all her odd behavior of late, this took the proverbial cake.

She cantered over to her as Saure tossed the basket below the clothesline.

"Hile, there, girl... did ye finish yer washing?" she inquired kindly.
Saure waved an impatient hand, bee-lining for the house.
Nag nodded sadly, and let her go without another word.

Fred rose from the stoop, swishing his tail hopefully, and flicking his long ears forward.
"Those kirnfolken have left this place well enough alone while you were away. I reckon this is good news for you..." he informed. She stepped past him opening the door with haste.
"I could care less for those hypocrites, they claim me crazy one day and valuable asset the next. I've no time to think on that. Come in, I need to speak to you."

Fred was uplifted, but apprehensive of Saure's sudden change in demeanor. He followed her obediently in, and a kirnchild screamed in the road and went wailing to his mother about ghosts and monsters living in the Fira place.

Saure scaled the ladder to her loft with surprising speed. Fred once more leapt up after.
She sat forcefully onto her beaten-up old mattress and opened the priceless parcel in her lap. Fred sniffed at this with fascination. "By me! That's dragonleather!"

"Aye, I guessed as much. See, I don't know if you read at all, but you might be able to read this..."
"Don't make fun... this old cat knows his Great Letters just as

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you..." he stopped, watching the letters transform before his large almond-shaped eyes.

"Upon my word!" he sat, leaning close to the book. "How very strange! Wherever did you find such a thing??"
"'Twas floating down the creek. Now, read this preface..."
"Go on, I prefer it when you read to me." he nudged the book back toward her. She sighed and obliged. Once she had finished this passage, he urged her to continue onto the introduction.

"You must know first that Magic is never evil, nor is it good. Magic is a force, and like its elements, can be used for either. It only depends on the person or beast that wields it. Magic is also always of one or a combination of basic elements. There are not just four, there are indeed twelve. And more are discovered every age or so.
"These elements, as I understand them, are fire, water, air, flora, fauna, stone, earth, ice, metal, lightening, poison, and ether. Everyone is born with one or a combination of these in their very blood and soul. I urge you to first seek out your element(s), gain understanding of your prin, and your spiritual attachment to Avarae. Only then can you use yours and other elements to your benefit."

"I know which elements are yours," Fred spoke up after she read this. "Flora, Fauna, and Fire. Possibly in that order."
"And do you know yours?" she asked him in turn.
"I suppose I once did..." he admitted, "But it has been ages and ages. We'll discover together, I trow. Continue."
She did.

"Fire is often thought to be an evil element, but you know differently now. Many choose to abuse this element, destroying and burning asunder. Fire has many good uses, though, as in warmth and light. It can destroy for the sake of good as well. You must hone your judgment in its use.

"Poison, also, is often very misunderstood. What good can come of certain death, regardless whose it is? Many know not that the element of poison can produce antidote as well.