Everyone froze for several moments.
"What did you say?" Barnabas said slowly.
"A large stash of jewels, in that side room. They glow!" The messenger panted. He was sweating heavily, and looked exhausted. "They were hidden behind a large rock we had to move–"
"Did anyone touch them?" The Count demanded.
"Yes, I brought one out—" The messenger reached into his pocket and pulled out a shining emerald, glowing green, but as sweaty as he was, it slipped through his fingers.
"NO!" Barnabas screamed, flinging himself forward in the most undignified way.
There was a collective gasp as the jewel fell in seemingly slow motion towards the ground. The messenger scrambled after it, but wasn't able to get his hands back on it until a moment too late.
It hit the ground and shattered.
The messenger blinked at the shards under his hand and lifted his palm to peer more closely.
