All That Is Buried Is Not Treasure

In which we learn the dangers of finding more than was sought…  Also, of quitting wizard school before being trained very well.

This is my story in response to this week’s Sunday Photo Fiction. Click on the blue frog below to read some of the other writers’ takes on this photo of Roman ruins!

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Daen tossed yet another rusted nail and glared at Ellin. “Can’t you focus it so you only detect gold?

Eyes still closed, Ellin turned away, waving his hand slowly around the old ruins. “Don’t break my concentration. And no, it’s all metals.”

Daen snorted. “Can’t believe Father spent so much and you still can’t tell treasure from trash.”

The youngest brother pouted. He’d never get Guild training now.

Ellin pointed. “There!”

The three lifted the stone slab off the central fire pit, grunting in unison.

Something sparkled under the top layer of dirt. A decorative gold chain, shockingly shiny after being buried this long. Daen pulled. “It’s stuck. Keep digging.”

Oma found the bones first. He leapt backwards.

Daen laughed. “The dead won’t begrudge us a bracelet.” Daen untangled it from the skeletal wrists and stood, appreciating its weight in his hands.

Ellin leaned closer, examining the embedded gems. “This must be worth a fortune.”

Oma frowned. “What do you suppose that strange writing is?”

Behind them, the skeletal hand moved. Flexed. Ah, finally unfettered. The dirt fell from her bones as she stood, the jade amulet clanking against her ribs. The boys froze in fear.

Good. She was hungry.

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Word count: 200