On The Run

Chapter 7: Puffball Tea

Athin, just barely visible thread of orange light zips toward the uglybubble from the tip of Twinkaleni's finger. A loud pop accompaniedby a whoosh of flame has everyone shouting out in surprise, duckingwith eyes wide in search of danger.

Seeingno threat, Lyca demands, "What the tick was that?!" as she kneelsto comfort a now crying Nesu.

Danahliacalls, "Twinkie?"

Surprisedherself by the blast, Twinkaleni rolls from her bottom back to herfeet, "My apologies everyone, but I believe it worked."

"Whatworked? What happened?" asks Alice, scanning the forest.

Philippoints to the shaken berry bush, "The bubble, it's gone... andthere's no powder."

"Indeed.As I suspected, the sporangium was filled with some kind of gas,which is how they are able to float. As it turns out, the gas ishighly combustible. Upon contact with sufficient heat, the gasignited, destroying the puffball and most, if not all, of the sporesit contained."

Philipmoves in to get a closer look at where the puffball was, "Does thatmean it's safe?"

"I,I believe so, or at least, safer."

Philiptouches some of the leaves, blackened by the blast.

"Anypowder?" asks Lyca, taking a few steps closer, Nesu sniffling ather leg.

"Nope,none," the Echanian replies, "Looks like it's all gone," hethen turns to Twinkaleni, "How'd you do that? You didn't have anyfire."

"Oh,uh well, um..." Twinkaleni stammers.

"Shecan use magic," Danahlia announces proudly, giving the mouse mage arough rub on the head as she passes to crouch by the berry bush.

Theforest dwellers murmur among themselves, looking at the Murin magecuriously as Lyca laughs, "Magic? No way. Seriously, how'd you dothat?"

"Shecan use magic," assures Alice, "I've seen her do itdozens o' times."

"Mmm,these are good," exclaims Danahlia, popping another berry into hermouth.

Theothers swiftly gather around, eager to get a share. As they pick andpluck the bush bare, Twinkaleni is bombarded with questions about hertalent. None of the others had ever encountered anyone with suchabilities before, the touch of magic being exceedingly rare in theworld. Though she tries, the Murin mage's attempt to answer any onequestion is often interrupted by several more.

Thebush isn't large but the group does get a few handfuls of berriesbefore moving on. Eventually, Twinkaleni is tasked with feeling foreach of the group's magical potential but has to inform them allthat they had none. Disappointed but no less inquisitive, the groupcontinues asking questions about magic, Alice and Danahlia pitchingin answers where they can.