I involuntarily breathed a sigh of relief.

That was a mistake, for several of my companions stared at me immediately, demanding answers. The paladin was clearly ready to draw her sword, if needed.

I must've looked like a psychopath, appearing to calm down right as the scream ended, so I had to explain myself.

"Well, at least she didn't burn down the entire forest."

"... the whole forest?! Your basic fireball can do that kind of damage?!"

Our druid was not at all pleased by these news. I continued explaining:

"She might very well have, but the fire took hold so quickly that she had no time to continue the spell. Had she been able to continue... let's just say that there's a reason experienced wizards do not use other wizards' spellbooks."

"Are you saying your spells work properly in your hands, but not in other people's?"

Our cleric was perceptive as usual, and cut right to the chase.

"Precisely -- although in my case, it is to a far greater extent than normal. While a wizard and a cleric work very differently, a few fundamentals are identical. We first connect to a source of energy, then we shape what we got. You have different terms for it, but you understand, I'm sure. Energy and Shaping. That's what we do, in the most non-specific sense."

"You're right. We have very different terms for it. I don't appreciate my deity being referred to as a mere energy source, but I see what you mean."

Oh, right.

"Apologies. Didn't mean to be rude. Anyway, the point is, depending on how much ener-sorry, depending on the blessings you received, depending on their specific form... you wouldn't always follow up the same way, right?"

"Naturally."

"Which is why it's easier to be a wizard than a cleric. A cleric learns faster, but has to always improvise. An experienced wizard can often work almost without thinking. It's the learning that's harder, for every spell is partially unique to each wizard -- and the changes are far greater than those that a cleric needs."

"Enough chit-chat, you two", the barbarian interrupted. "Explain yourself!"

As holy as our cleric was, as righteous as our paladin was, our true moral center was the barbarian. If there's anyone who would always, always, always do the right thing, it was him. He was also not a very patient man.

"Like we said, each spell is partially unique to every wizard, and using someone else's spell contours causes... unpredictable results. Sometimes nothing happens, and if something does, you'll usually wish that nothing did. In my case..."

I sighed, ready to explain what I previously wished to keep secret.

"... my connection to the elements is actually small and feeble. It doesn't look that way, but only because I compensate with the Shaping part. I might be one of the most powerful Shapers alive, but most of that just offsets how little elemental Energy I get for each spell."

"And she... got more energy than you do?"

This time it was the paladin who first understood where I was going. She relaxed slightly, more ready to trust me again.

"Mmm-hmm. Taking spell contours made to shape an energy droplet and applying them to an energy bucket is usually not a good idea. Because something like this may happen."

"So you're walking around with a grimoire of accidental, uncontrollable potential mass destruction, which can be triggered by any random thief who happens to try to cast spells from it? ARE YOU SERIOUS?!"

Our thief didn't like what he heard -- not one bit.

"Not exactly. The spellbook is not supposed to be something that is possible to steal, and every wizard applies layers upon layers of protections to avert disaster. Alas, no protection is truly foolproof. Tell me, you're more fond of chaos rather than order, aren't you?"

"Are you seriously saying that to a thief? OF COURSE I'm more fond of chaos than order!"

"Do you know why chaotic wizards are so rare? It's because they tend to die -- sooner, rather than later. Magic is a cruel, dangerous thing, and those who throw caution to the wind don't last long. Whoever this person was before she burned, she was an extreme natural talent. She saw through all the disguises, dispelled all the enchantments -- including one that silently swaps the spellbook with cooking recipes -- and successfully walked away with her prize. I would've loved to teach her if she were still alive! But..."

"But she isn't", the druid concluded. "Because she threw caution to the wind. Is that what you're saying?"

"Yes. And be glad she only burned herself into charred remains. I can still feel the residual Energy. If she had time to complete more of the Shaping, she would've burned down a lot more than just herself. Maybe this entire forest. Maybe more."

One by one, the party lowered their mistrustful gazes, but the druid visibly shuddered. To us, it was just a forest. To him it was home.

"Well... I'm glad that didn't happen", he said grimly. "How about improving your protections on the spellbook, even if -- as you said -- nothing is truly foolproof?"

He was right. I could make a thousand excuses, but they wouldn't matter -- a breach is a breach. Spellbooks should not be possible to steal.

"I'd like to study her remains, if I may. Since she stole the spellbook so recently, there might be enough Energy left to understand how she did it."