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The old man’s precious gear rolled away, disappearing into a hole in the wall.
That was deemed his entry fee, and so he was forced to take part in the mysterious event staged by a rat magician…
“I knew you would return. Now, let us open the box at once.”
The rat raised both hands over a small box and, with exaggerated solemnity, chanted the password the old man had spoken. Instantly, the lid sprang up as if pushed by a spring, leaving a narrow gap between it and the sides.
With a flourish befitting a magician, he drew out the moment before opening the lid fully. Inside lay a single small white feather. The moment the old man saw it, his chest tightened sharply.
“How strange. I could have sworn I left the Key of Fortune in here.”
His affected voice rang theatrically across the stage.
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