Jake stood gazing at the ship burial mound whilst reflecting on what his next move should be. At the edge of perception, he sensed rather than saw the crimson glow coming from the middle finger of his right hand. The onyx of the Snape ring was gleaming, notably where the figure of Bonus Eventus was incised. But as Jake raised the jewel level with his eye, he cried out in horror. The god image was far from benign, glaring at him malevolently with an almost tangible evil: this was the portrayal of Bonus Malus. He dropped his hand to his side and again, sensed, rather than perceived, the energy waves undulating towards the tumulus containing the ship.
There was nothing he could do to stop the influence of the ring and as he stared helplessly, a ghastly form rose out of the earthen barrow. It
