10. Hungry?

The wizard shook his head. “Fämäli. You say it like ‘fah-MALL-ee’, but I guess it sounds like family when you have a southern lisp like yours.”

CHOICES is the first book in the Chronicles of a Hero fantasy series. This is the story of Wendell P. Dipmier, who I’ve been writing about since 1990. I hope you’ll join me on this new adventure….as I tell the honest, complete story of this amazing 17 year old, exclusively on Life of Fiction.

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CHAPTER 10

Better out than in.

I carefully folded the yuck into the pillowcase and looked for a place to…deposit the mess. Hot goo into an empty dresser drawer. Yum. 

“Okay,” I breathed out, wiping the specks of goo from my face with a sleeve. “I’m alone, and I can’t trust anyone.” My reflection stared back through the mirror, fingers gripping the edges of the dresser. “…and I’m going to remain vulnerable and needy as long as I’m ignorant.” I nodded agreement. “Which means question asking is your new priority, Wendell.”

The unexpected sound of a toilet flushing in the next room jolted me from my personal pep talk. There was a ‘flap’, ‘flap’, ‘flap’ sound from behind the wall…and then silence. When I heard a deep burp at the other side of the door, I pounced to fling it open.

“AHH!” I gasped.

“AHH!” Dax yelped, stumbling away from the door. He scowled. “What the crap is wrong with you, kid? Always screamin’ and jumpin’ in people’s faces! Can’t you open a door like a normal person?”

“S-sorry,” I said.

Dax was dripping wet, in a towel that could have wrapped around his entire body…twice…all bunched at his waist. “Shower’s free,” he added, clearly annoyed. Leaning in, he sniffed loudly and wrinkled his nose. “Trust me, you need it.” Pointedly stuffing a cigar into his mouth, he waddling away, dragging the towel down the long hall and out of view. 

I shook my head.

Getting to know that little monster was going to be a challenge. There had to be more to Dax than what I was seeing. I’d noticed moments when situations stuck him deeper than his scowl. There had to be a story behind that attitude, and I wanted to hear it. Still, I didn’t understand why the High Council had to make him my guardian? Something all too familiar, however, overcame my concerns and line of thought. I sniffed the air.

Mmmmmmmm…

A mouth-watering aroma of fried bacon filled the hallway, making my stomach grumble. 

Food!

My stomach gave a roar loud enough to wake the dead. I was SO hungry! It was all the invitation I needed to quietly follow my nose to the carpeted stairs.

I had to admit that it was comforting to see this house, or wherever I was, looked ‘normal’. Yeah, I know that’s a relative term, but there were no stone or torches around. Even the stairs looked like any other modern house I’d find back on Earth. It was an open gallery, plastered with pictures. Dozens of wood and metal frames displaying cute snapshots of people and events. There was one in particular, wrapped in what looked to be an odd, handmade wood frame…by someone with minor talent, that caught my eye. The rough-cut wood cradled a picture of Chuck, holding an ugly baby with sickly green patches of skin and enormous pointy ears. The child tugged on the wizard’s long, grey beard with both hands, and both were smiling. Well, Chuck seemed to be in a moderate amount of pain, but he still looked happy.

I couldn’t help but smile.

My eyes rolled from one photo to the next as I descended the stairs. Most of them were of Chuck and someone else, but he was always in the picture. It was easy to recognize him because he sported that robe and pointy hat. Always a shade of grey, and of course you couldn’t mistake that crazy long beard and genuine smile.

So many people.

Hundreds of smiling faces beamed back at him.

Among the pictures, I found the High Elder, his son, Shea…and even Dax in multiple settings. That’s when the weird photos started.

There were pictures of dragons and great serpents wrapped around the wizard’s neck and body, and great cats so big, they looked more like horses than felines. I leaned in closer to study a picture of Chuck standing next to a giant so big, the wizard only reached the ankle bone. He held a handmade sign with an arrow pointing upward.

Bob.

As I continued down the stairs, I found pictures of Chuck in formal dress, smiling while accepting awards. There was a cluster of  photos of him standing on a field of battle in a pose of glory — his sandaled foot on a vallen’s chest. Another displayed nearly a dozen other wizards, all with their pointy hats and robes in various colors, sitting around a table, laughing, enjoying drinks.

When the staircase finally ended, opening up into the living room…I skidded to a halt. 

“No way,” I stammered out loud. 

Mounted on the center wall was a theater system, complete with the largest flat screen television I had ever seen. It had to be over 100 inches wide. They mounted speakers on either side of the screen and in each corner of the room. Right below the TV were multiple video game systems, controllers hanging on hooks, and a library of games to go with it. 

I gasped at the setup and then laughed to himself. 

The pictures said Chuck. The games, though? My guess was Dax.

“Oh, yeah. Uh-HUH!” came a voice from behind me.

On the opposite wall of the TV, there was a rather large archway leading into a beautiful kitchen.

Chuck was busy cooking. A tiny cord hung from each ear. “Yeah, baby…let’s DO this!” he sang aloud to himself, adding a nod and rhythmic shake of his hips. The abnormally long beard and mustache had been stuffed into the pocket of a blue denim apron. Wielding a spatula in each hand, Chuck flipped pancakes into a deep pan resting beside him and tossed hash browns about with the other.

What shocked me was how surprisingly spry the old guy was. To whatever beat he was listening to, knees jumped  high and hips rotated, and I had to bite my lip not to laugh. My stomach growled fiercely, but I didn’t want to be rude and interrupt the wizards…moment.

At least not until I got a better look around.

The letter created an itch in the back of my mind — one I decided not to ignore. It had only been days since I’d arrived. I didn’t know these people. That mattered, regardless of how nice they seemed.

Ugh, ‘nice’.

Hated that word. Contrary to popular belief, I’d never been nice a day of my life. ‘Kind’ was another matter. My life’s focus revolved around a drive to being kind. To do what was right for others, because I wanted to do good, regardless of how others felt.

That meant being cautious. I had no idea what Delnar, the Council, Dax, or even Chuck had in mind. What their focus was. 

Unnoticed, I turned my attention back to the living room to inspect. It was so hard for me to accept that this was all real. Yes, I could see it, but I’d ‘seen’ thing over the past couple days that defied my version of what ‘reality’ was.

Everything here reminded me of home. The carpet, the games, a TV, even the style of furniture…especially the grand piano in the bay window. It was all stuff I saw on a typical day on Earth. It was also different from how the High Elder lived. Nothing like that Bedur-place we’d had the Council meeting in. 

Which reminded me, it was probably wise to memorize some of those council names before I looked like a fool. I made a mental note to ask Chuck about the Iskari High Council and how it functioned.

I stopped at the coffee table to pick at some of the neatly arranged magazines across its surface.

Wizard’s Day?

Monster Mystery Mayhem?

Better Shacks and Gardens?

Gnome Geographic?

“These people are nuts,” Doubt whispered. “You’ve checked into the looney farm.”

Oh, come on. They seem harmless enough.

Fruit gardens, fire breathing creatures and models in static poses smiled from the glistening covers. 

None of this was what I had expected.

“I thought there’d be cauldrons or vials of who-knows-what dead things lying around. Maybe stacks of ancient books and cobweb filled corners…not a flat screen TV with surround sound, indoor plumbing and…and…” Doubt panicked.

Stay calm, I told myself.

But I paused with that thought.

Not everything looked so 21st Century Earth.

A great stone fireplace carved a timeless niche in this modern room.

“Well, what do we have here?” I whispered.

The artful masonry reached out to mold itself around the base of a bark-less tree on either side. The bends and folds created such detail, I couldn’t tell which was here first, the trees…or the house. The trunks rose through the foundation, and I knelt down to examine the tiles. I couldn’t find a seam along the ridge of the wood. It looked as if the trees had grown in place, reaching up through the floor, wrapping around the fireplace, and then piercing through the ceiling. In between the two posts, there was a robust wooden mantle supported by the trees. Smaller branches reaching out, weaving their seemingly fragile limbs along the subtle curves and grooves of the mantle, giving the impression of embracing rather than supporting it.

Blinking, I lifted my hand to the thin shadows in its twisted fibers.

Hiding on the surface of the wood were smiling faces and dancing figures of tiny creatures.

I know this will sound crazy, but they looked familiar to me. Something I’d read in children’s books. Fairies and sprites. Each figure was present, frolicking within the forest. I couldn’t find a single mark of a knife. My fingers caressed the plant, traced the bends and folds of the limbs and leaves, but there was nothing. These figures appeared in the natural growth of the plant. 

The scene whispered to me of a merry time long past, but not forgotten.

Then I noticed it.

Sitting alone on the mantel was a small family portrait.

The size alone explained why I’d nearly missed it, but the color of the delicate frame helped it blend into its surroundings.

Unlike the mantle and elaborate decorations surrounding the picture, its frame was simple. Clean, smooth, with straight lines. No clutter or distractions to take away from the smiling faces it held. I stepped closer and had to squint to make out the details, recognizing the man as a much younger Chuck.

There was no crazy beard or mustache to divert your attention from the penetrating gaze and an expression of complete and total joy. He wrapped his arms protectively around a beautiful woman.

Elegant in posture and expression, something about her was warm and inviting. Her long hair, woven with pearls, rested peacefully across a bare shoulder. Enchanted with an infant in her arms, she radiated the glow of an adoring mother. The baby was smiling, tiny hands gripping its mother’s fingers.

The couple looked as if their greatest dreams had come true.

Love. Family. Happiness.

I smiled.

It was a very personal photo.

I swallowed and glanced away. 

The picture made me think about my own parents. The times we had before the accident. Before mom died. 

It felt like that was a lifetime ago.

I slogged my way around the room so I could run my fingers over the piano. It had been a long time since I’d last played. The memories threatened to overwhelm me after my mother passed away. But there was a time when I expressed myself best at the piano.

Glancing at the kitchen door, I could still hear Chuck humming to himself.

Maybe?

The piano was a beautiful glossy black, polished so fine I could see my reflection in its luster. Quietly, I lifted the lid and let my hand rest on the cool, bumpy surface. The lid prop was up, though there wasn’t any music. 

Pulling out the bench, I sat down.

Mom loved music and dad couldn’t sing, so he’d spent twenty years loving to play for her. When I’d asked dad to teach me how to play, at first it was to spend time with dad…and then to comfort him when mom was gone.

It was a bittersweet talent.

When I looked up from the keys, Kyliene’s gaze startled me. On the wall next to the piano was a silver-framed picture of Chuck, of course, with Moira, Caleb, and Kyliene. Obviously taken a couple years ago, the photo still showed her smiling eyes and dimples.

THA-THUMP-Thump

There she was, staring at me with that perfect smile, captured and framed in glass.

I leaned over and caressed the frame with my finger. “I’m sorry,” was all I knew what to say.

Taking a deep breath, I looked down at the piano, my fingers softly stroking the ivory keys. Then, finding their place, I slowly pressed a sad chord. For a moment, I sat motionless, expecting the sadness to dissipate with the fading echo.

It didn’t.

And I have to admit, I was glad.

At that moment, I didn’t know what else to do but play.

At first, it was frustrating. My fingers felt fat and awkward, foreign to this instrument as they moved up the keyboard. But then, gently, her melody filled my mind, swelling in my chest, and the music coursed through me.

A pressure in my heart grew, and I closed my eyes, filling the room with a richness and bittersweet joy. I followed the melody, overflowing with my heart and frustration. Letting the tender music swell inside me, it poured out my fingers, until with one last reprise and an evocative minor chord, it stopped short.

Sighing, I rested my hands on my lap while staring down at the piano.

Kyliene was gone.

I was done.

“That was beautiful, son,” said Chuck, startling me. The wizard stood over me, wiping his hands on a small towel. He gave me a kind smile, like a grandfather might give. “It may seem impossible, but there’s going to come a day when the pain will make sense. Hungry?”

I nodded.

“Then come on, my boy. Breakfast’s waiting!”

“It’s afternoon,” I smirked.

“Bah—any time is the right time for breakfast,” chimed the wizard. He squinted at me. “You’re not one of those irritating…put-my-life-in-a-neat-tidy-little-box-so-I-can-look-normal-to-everyone-else types, are you?” He paused, poking me in the shoulder with a boney finger. “Cause you won’t find any of that ‘normal’ stuff around here, I can tell you that!”

It was the oddest thing, being around the old man. Everything about him fueled confidence and comfort in me. I wasn’t sure whether to laugh or retreat — he looked so serious — so I figured go with the flow. “No, no,” I said, raising my hands in surrender. “Breakfast is my favorite meal!”

Chuck’s face exploded into a grin. “Smart boy. Let’s eat!” 

Dax was already sitting at the table. Dax already sat at the table, with his plate piled high with pancakes, bacon, sausage, hash browns, cheese, and honey. I couldn’t help sighing in relief. “It’s comforting to see you eating normal…people's food. Instead of people…” 

“What?” Dax said, syrup drooling from his mouth, down his chin and onto his plate.

“You know…people?” I said. “Like me? When you grabbed me from Earth? I thought you were going to eat me?”

A sausage link fell from Dax’s mouth. “EWW!” he grunted, pancake and egg bits popping out. “Are you serious? What kinda freak ARE you, ‘cause that’s just…sick!” Looking to Chuck in confusion, the wizard shrugged back.

“Never mind,” I grumbled, and sat down. I was so hungry at that point, I just hurt. With such a selection of goodies, it was easy to let my hunger take over. Before anyone could blink, I filled my plate with pancakes, three different sausages, blueberry muffins, ham, hash browns, sourdough toast, and eggs...which I had fixed just about any way you could imagine. 

“Hope this is ok,” chimed the wizard. “I had no idea what you liked, but you were asleep…so I just made whatever we had.”

“We need to find more strays if we’re gonna eat this good,” grunted Dax, shoving another pancake into his maw. “You’re giving Jeb a run for his money.”

“That’s rude,” Chuck snapped. “Jeb is devoted to his work here, Monkey, and you should be mindful of that!” Taking a big bite of sausage, the wizard chewed as his head swayed from side to side in enjoyment. “It is good though, isn’t it?”

Dax chuckled.

“Who’s Jeb?” I asked. “Oh, and thank you very much. The food is wonderful.” A few bites in, my stomach was content enough that I could think of something other than food. 

“Jeb is staff,” Dax mumbled, sausage and egg bits flying across the table. He shoved another mouthful of food in his face and waved the fork about. “Fämäli.”

Frowning, I looked at Chuck. “Jeb is family?”

The wizard shook his head. “Fämäli. You say it like ‘fah-MALL-ee’, but I guess it sounds like family when you have a southern lisp like yours.”

“I don’ have a lis—”

“Jeb’s the steward of this estate. We call it the cottage, but you’re the new owner, so you can call it whatever you want, I’m guessing. Jeb comes with the real estate.”

I choked. “He’s…a slave?”

Both Chuck and Dax dropped their silverware onto the table.

“You take that back,” growled Dax. “Jeb’s hired help, sucker, and the best damn…”

“Language,” Chuck hissed.

“…darn steward alive!” Dax finished. Then, looking up, he shouted, “He’s just a stupid kid, Jeb. He didn’t mean nuthin!” His gaze fell upon me. “If my boxers come back scratchy, or a single cup of coco shows up without marshmallow in ‘em, it’s your fault.”

I froze, fork in mid-transit to my face. Wasn’t sure what I was expecting or even looking for, but nothing happened. Executing my bite, I chewed for a moment. “Something odd happened in my room,” I said.

“TMI,” Dax grunted. “You’re a teenager. We don’t want to know.”

“I turned from an empty dresser,” I sneered, “and when I turned back, there was a wooden box on it.” Both of them ignored the comment. “There was a note, and it was signed ‘SJ’.”

“Steward Jeb,” they replied in stereo.

“Is that the same Jeb that…”

They both nodded, not looking up.

“Right,” I said. Then, looking around the room, though I’m not sure what I expected to see, I cleared my throat. Keeping my tone soft and deliberate. “Jeb, if you can hear me, I am truly sorry for what I said. This is all so new to me, and the last thing I want is to offend those around me. Please forgive me.” I waited a moment, then added. “I’m hoping you will help instruct me in the proper conduct of a lord of this manor.”

Nothing happened.

Dax snorted.

Chuck smirked and gave me a near imperceptible wink.

“Thank you, Mr. Wendell, sir.”

Now you’d think, with all the torches flaring to life, and whatever Delnar would shout out loud, that I would be at least a bit acclimatized to being spooked. Uhhh, no. Not when a two-foot-nothing midget  in a tuxedo just…appeared at my side.

The glass of milk I was lifting to my lips flew up and over my head…as I fell from my chair. My back hit the ground, knocking the wind from me. The glass and the milk…stayed,…as in frozen, in the air, above my head. Rolling to my side, I looked to the neatly dressed gentleman, who couldn’t have been over thirty inches tall.

“My apologies for startling you, sir,” he said. There was a slight upturn on one side of his snow-white handlebar mustache, his crystal blue eye studying me through tiny silver-rim spectacles. “Are you alright?”

I nodded. “Jeb?” I asked.

He nodded back. Without warning, the glass fell towards me. I threw my arm up to protect my head, but the glass never made contact. Instead, it swerved to the side, landed softly on the kitchen table, followed by the cold milk, filling itself to the rim of the glass.

Getting to my feet, I dusted the egg and toast fragments from my tunic. “Thank you, Jeb. That,” pointing to the milk glass, “would have been a disaster had it hit the floor.”

“If you say so, sir,” Jeb replied. “Do you require anything further, sir?”

Neither Chuck nor Dax was paying any attention to the interaction. Neither had reacted to the milk in the air, either. 

“Uh, no. Thank you, Jeb. I’m good.”

Jeb gave a brief bow. “Then I shall leave you to your haphazardly made meal.” As he turned, a small piece of bacon slid from the plate, across the table, and into Jeb’s hand. Before I could blink, the meat was gone. In passing, Jeb gave Chuck an elbow nudge. “Well done, indeed, sir. Delicious.”

Then he was gone.

I’d say disappeared or vanished, but that implies some sort of motion in my mind. That’s not what Jeb did. He simply ceased to be here, with us. When I looked at Chuck and Dax, eyes were down, mouths full…like nothing ever happened.

So that’s how it was going to be, eh? Fine. I had questions. Lots of them. I wasn’t sure of where to begin, but looking from Chuck to Dax, I loaded my fork instead. I’d just wait for an opportunity to open up later.

“Did you read the letter?” Chuck asked politely.

*cough*…orrr now.

Chewing my food slowly, I shook my head sheepishly. It was important to keep up appearances for everyone. They gave the gem to the wrong guy, sure, but they didn’t know that. Telling them would cause even more problems. “I…,” started to say, but stopped. Here’s the thing: I didn’t feel comfortable putting all my cards on the table. Not just yet. Yes, I liked the wizard, but I still don’t know him. Certainly not well enough to gauge how much to reveal. Less would be more.

I swallowed loudly.

“No,” I lied. “I…didn’t have the nerve.” Averting my eyes, I grabbed the jam to put on my toast. “I’m still having a struggle to believe I was born here. That I’ve been on another planet all this time…so it felt…weird,” which wasn’t a total lie. “It felt like invading someone else’s privacy.” 

One of Chuck’s bushy white eyebrows popped up. He watched me for a time, silently, while sipping his coffee. “Alright,” he said, pointing his long, bony finger. “Just know that letter could contain valuable information.” He paused again, eyes narrowing, until I finally looked up and smiled at him awkwardly. “Set it aside for the day, if you must — but make sure you read it before we meet with the Council again.” 

It wasn’t a suggestion.

“Yes, sir,” I replied, but I wasn’t so sure. I made a mental note to avoid the topic for as long as possible. There was more than one reason to be cautious. The meeting with the High Council had ended with quite an explosion…all revolving around Chuck. Though it was apparent that he was well respected, people had serious reservations about him. From the way the council came unglued, I’d say they even had concerns. The question was…why?

I watched Chuck help himself to a waffle. Stabbing the breadish confection, he deposited it onto an empty plate. When he grabbed the saucer of syrup, he looked at his waffle and hesitated. Both brows sank deeply. He rotated the waffle on the plate with a single finger. First clockwise, then counterclockwise. When that didn’t seem to satisfy him, Chuck flipped the waffled over, then smiled, nodding as if it all made perfect sense.

Should I be worried? There was something about this man that put me at ease. Considering my situation, that was a big deal. Delnar and everyone else, including Mr. Messenger Boy here, had lied to me, abused me, or ignored me up to this point. With all the events since my arrival, putting me at ease was a wonderful thing.

As much as I hated to admit it, school was now in session. The more information I had, the better off I’d be. No better time to chat and ask those questions than around the breakfast table, right?

“So, are we in…” I let the question trail off as I took another bite, waiting for either of them to fill in the blank. Both Chuck and Dax paused, looking up at me,…but they said nothing. I didn’t want to admit that I’d slept most of this off and remembered little. Waving my hands around, I gestured to the surrounding house.

They both looked at me blankly.

“The…estate?” I asked politely.

Dax snorted.

“This place?” the wizard hesitated, wobbling his head back and forth, considering, “We just call it the cottage, son. I’m what you’d call the estate manager. Only holding onto the keys until you got here, really.” He looked at Dax, who only shrugged. “Yes. That’s sounds about right.”

“And this cottage is in…?” Again I waited for them to fill in the part I didn’t know.

Chuck leaned in, seeming curious about what I was going to say next.

“Where are we?” I finally sighed. “We’re not on Earth, obviously.”

“Obviously,” grunted Dax. He stared at me as he shoveled a huge, greasy, oozing sausage into his mouth, whole.

“Someone got up on the wrong side of the bed this morn…afternoon,” I frowned.“Well, where then? Your decorators sure aren’t Iskari,” I said defensively.

“Tsk. Tsk. Tsk,” Chuck clicked his tongue disapprovingly. “That’s small minded thinking! We’re going to have to do something about that.”

“What?” I said.

Chuck grinned widely. “Life’s too big, with no end of people, son. Unlimited planets with unlimited life forms. Don’t you know there’s no such thing as an original idea?” He winked at me. “Did you actually think that the only people with a knowledge or development of electronics, indoor plumbing, and reality TV shows packed with insecure, cosmetically altered, and emotionally challenged millennials  was Earth?”

“Well, I…”

“People throughout the galaxy have discovered the pleasures of skiing, the polka, and taking disturbing wardrobe pictures on their smartphones while at the local Walmart.”

I choked on my coffee. “Walmart?”

Chuck waved a hand wildly. “You think family mega corporations are a new thing? Wake up, son. Besides…I know a few gnomes who make those Waltons look like noobs.”

“I know some gnomes, myself,” I said. “My grandma puts them in her flower gardens.”

Dax chose that moment to grace me with a ‘that was pathetic’ stare.

What? I thought it was funny.

Chuck tied a napkin around his neck and beard and pulled a large plate of waffles under his nose. “We currently have this estate parked in the central forest of Erimūri.”

“Wait,” I said, “we’re in a forest?” I hadn’t remembered seeing a forest when I looked over the valley yesterday. I’d seen a beautiful, large city and, of course, the orchards beyond that. Then again, when I’d left the meeting last night, it had been late…and dark. The ride here was foggy at best. I could see enormous trees through the kitchen window. 

“Isn’t Erimūri the name of the entire community of this place? Of Sanctuary? It means…” I recalled the conversation with Moira, “…flower, right? No,” I corrected myself, “it means Desert Flower.”

“Well done!” Chuck banged on the table with a fist. “You’re catching on.”

At least someone appreciated my efforts.

Dax swallowed two eggs and burped loudly.

“Soooo, what’s the plan now?” I asked, trying to ignore Dax. The Council had talked about the next course of action last night, but I’d missed so much. They mentioned names I didn’t understand, and they had a great deal of conversation that didn’t include me. But I hadn’t missed it all. “We’re waiting for that elder to rest a bit, before Dax takes some of the Council to…some other Prime Gate.”

“In Tämä-Un,” growled Dax, bits of meat and melted fat still dripping from his chin. He snarled at me and went back to gorging himself.

“Yeah,” I said, “I’ll try to remember that.” The jabs were wearing on me. Sarcasm I got, but this attitude, especially coming from my kidnapper who started this mess, was too much. Turning in my chair, I glare at Dax. “I am new here, you know.” 

Dax shoved potatoes and half a pancake into his mouth. “Whatever,” he spat, pieces bouncing across the table.

Chuck cringed, flicking a bacon bit back at Dax with precision. The piece bounced off the Evolu’s cheek. “Don’t be disgusting.”

“How long do you think that will that take?” I asked, still glaring at Dax. “Before the trip to this Tämä-Un place, I mean.”

The wizard sighed. “That’s difficult to tell.”

“Why’s that?” I asked.

He shrugged. “The council prefers to analyze various points of view before engaging in certain tasks. They’ll want to see what Elder Tiell saw before they risk traveling to the planet below. The best way to avoid interpretation is to see something for yourself. They’ll draw the images from his mind for all to see. It’s a strenuous incantation — so Tiell’s going to need his strength. That takes good old-fashioned rest.”

That meant I had time. I had no idea how much time I had, but I wanted to make sure I didn’t waste a minute. “Ok, so…is there something I can do until then?”

“Ya mean, besides readin’ that letter from the last hero to the…new one?” Dax interjected snidely.

Chuck shot him a disapproving glance.

I frowned. “Besides that.”

“The High Council won’t wait too long, son. Vallen wandering around in Humär is no small matter.” Chuck chewed another bite of food, shaking a finger in my direction. “Under King Robert’s rule, the kingdom of Andilain has always been peaceful. Though ‘walled in’ might be more accurate.” His finger slowed as his eyebrows raised, a thought overtaking him. With a sudden slap on the table, he burst out, grinning widely. 

“Field trip!”

“What?!” Dax exclaimed.

Chuck looked me up and down and frowned. “Well, you look terrible.”

Dax stifled a laugh.

“What I meant, was would you like some new clothes?”

“If…that wouldn’t be too much trouble?” I admitted, a bit embarrassed. I tugged at my  tunic. “This doesn’t really, well,…uh, it’s not what…I mean, I’m grateful and all for having something to wear, but…”

“What’r ya up to, ol’ man?” Dax cut in. Clearly suspicious, he glared at the wizard.

Chuck tapped his spoon on the table. “I’m thinking the Black Market might be a good first trip out for the three of us.”

“Absolutely not!” Dax snapped. His thick, black eyebrows collided together and rolled forward on his wide forehead, looking like an angry thunder cloud. “No field trips! He’s got a lot a learnin’ ta do before he exposes himself AND the gem. People, cultures, history. He might be from here, but he doesn’t underSTAND here, Chuck. The Council told ya to teach him, not expose him! Just put that thought right outta yer head.”

Chuck looked completely undaunted by Dax’s reaction. “Bahhh. It’s the perfect place for a lesson or two and to get some schooling in. Plus, we have plenty of time.”

“Yeah, see, I just graduated high school…,” I cut in. “I’d like to avoid more ‘school’ if you don’t mind.” Neither of them were paying any attention. 

It was a stare-down.

“No!” Dax snapped again. His chair rocked back and forth from waving his hands in protest. “It’s too dangerous!”

“Well,…as his teacher, I say there’s no better place to give the boy a crash course in cultures or people.”

“It’s too dangerous, I tell ya!” Dax bellowed. “And I may not be his teacher, but I am his guardian. If I fail, ya got no kid ta teach!”

“That’s right…papa Dax,” Chuck taunted.

“Don’t call me that,” growled Dax

“Oh, I think it’s cute.”

“IT AIN’T CUTE!”

“Um, guys?” I squeaked.

“Going to the market is no more dangerous than any other visit. He’ll be fine. We’ll all be fine.” Chuck looked at me and shrugged. “I’m pretty sure we’ll be fine.”

Pretty sure? Now we’re at pretty sure?

Dax jumped up in his chair, which didn’t actually help his height much, and slammed his massive knuckles on the table. Everything rumbled. “Look, ol’ man, I may not like being stuck baby sittin’ this kid…but I’ll be damned if I’m gonna throw caution down the crapper! You wanna waltz him and that rock into a den o’ beasts? Yer a FOOL!”

“What’s too dangerous?” I asked even louder. “What kind of beasts??”

“What about Thule?” Dax growled through clenched teeth. “You know he’s looking, right?”

“HELLLO!!” I  bellowed. “You DO know I’m right here? I can hear you!”

Of all the things that irrupted me in life, I hated being ignored. There’s something about not being seen, specifically when what’s happening directly affects you, that makes my blood boil. Not any more. I’m the hero now. Not really, but I’m going to be, and that means I have to learn assertiveness. I have to speak up and be counted.

“That’s right,” Doubt chuckled.

*sigh*

Both of them looked at me and smiled.

Just a bit…too…big.

“Who’s this Thule?” I asked.

Dax stubbornly turned his head away.

I focused my attention on the wizard. “Well?”

Chuck hesitated, strumming his fingers on the table as an uncomfortable silence crept in. It lasted so long; I thought that the conversation was over. When Chuck finally spoke, he spoke with a guarded voice. “The Black Market — which is what we’ve been talking about here — is a hidden community. It’s in,…” he scratched his cheek, “…actually, people don’t know where it is.”

“On Earth, it’s more of a concept than an actual place,” I said. “Sooo, what makes it so dangerous? And if you don’t know where it is, how do you get there? And what are they selling? And who’s Thule? Why does that sound like something I really should know about?”

“So many questions!” Chuck snapped. Before continuing, he looked to Dax. “Just mind your own business and it’ll be plenty safe. We know a lot of good gypsies who live there.”

“HAH!” Dax scoffed.

This was all confusing, and it triggered my self-preservation mechanisms. The scary green elf, that was supposed to protect me, was saying not to go. The funny, old, carefree wizard, which my gut wanted to believe, was practically begging to go. That didn’t seem right, no matter how I looked at it. Shouldn’t I be worried if the tough guy was hesitating? There was only one thing I knew for sure; I would not let someone take me anywhere, or give me anything, without all the facts first.

“And……?” I prodded Chuck to go on.

“And what?”

I sat forward and placed both palms on the table. “Tell me exactly what makes this Black Market so dangerous. Specifically dangerous to me.”

Dax dropped his utensils on the table, leaned back in his chair, and folded his arms. “Yeah, old man…do tell.”

Chuck looked between us and swallowed hard. “One aspect unique to the Black Market is that all races are welcome to trade, barter, and sell IF they will keep the Law.” He observed me as he added, “So you might see a few lesssavorycreatureswanderingabout.”

It took a moment for that point to sink in.

Having a place hidden from society would allow quite a few exchanges to be made. If every race could take part in such exchanges, who knows what personalities it would attract? Resources owned by one race would be desired by another. Allow anyone to show up, under a specific set of guidelines, or laws, you could…

That’s when it clicked.

“Woah, woah — are you telling me that those, those, things, like the one that killed Kyliene — are allowed into this market?”

Chuck revealed a perfect set of white teeth. “MayyYYYBE?”

Dax snarled.

“There’s…almost no need to worry, son,” Chuck said placatingly, then shifted his attention to Dax. “He’ll be fine, as long as we monitor him. Juice?”

“No need to worry?” I squeaked. “They let killers wander free in this…this…Black Market…and nobody cares?”

“Well, of course they care. Don’t be daft. It’s just not what you think,” the wizard argued. “You didn’t actually MEET a vallen. That abomination was a demonic spirit possessing a dead body OF a vallen. TOTALLY different. It’s almost completely unlikely to meet a possessed creature while we’re there. So I’d call that safe’. At least moderately safe…ish. Right?” He gave a single nod. “Right.”

Reaching into one of his sleeves, Chuck fiddled for a moment, then pulled out a small silver chain. It had a circular golden disc attached to the end. He slid it across the table to me. 

“What’s this?” I asked.

“That is a port key. So long as you have one, you can get in and out of the Market.”

I picked it up. It had a rough diameter similar to a silver dollar, although both sides were curved. It looked worn and well-used, with scratches and small dents on its surface. Inscribed on its tarnished surface was a circle encompassing twelve stars and two smaller spheres. Each of the stars connected to the smallest circle by thin lines. There were strange markings around the rim of the disc. Unlike the rest of the disc, the markings sparkled, as if freshly etched into the metal.

“I don’t see how that’s supposed to make me feel better?” I said.

Chuck rolled his eyes. “The point, son, is that the port keys possessed by the dark races are far and few in between. Few know about the Market…and even fewer have the means to get there. They don’t give these out like candy. Most times, the keys are inherited. Some are sold, exchanged, and occasionally, they get…lost.” He hesitated before muttering the last word.

I frowned. “Lost?”

Dax grinned psychotically at me, then drew his thumb across his own throat. He added the sound effect, “Kkkkkk!”

The wizard threw his napkin at him. “It means there are dark races roaming the market, yes, but few. The Gypsies have strict security. So any evil you’re likely to find is of the greedy kind, which plagues every community…not the overly violent kind.”

Overly violent? There’s an acceptable level for violence now? It worried me that ‘evil’ was quickly becoming a common theme. It disturbed me even more that Chuck, Dax, and even the Iskari High Council seemed to avoid that subject with me in particular. Scared or not, I had to know everything about everyone if I was going to succeed.

“Who or what is Thule?” I asked. “And don’t tell me it’s nothing.”

Dax choked on his coffee, spurting it over his plate.

“Ahh,” Chuck breathed. His jovial expression fled. “That’s another matter altogether.”

“Tell me,” I insisted. “I want to know.” 

The wizard stared back for a long moment, maybe to give me an opportunity to change my mind. That would not happen. I held his gaze until Chuck nodded and pushed his plate back from the edge of the table.“As you wish.”

“Chuck,” Dax said.

The wizard shook his head.

With a flick of Chuck’s hand, the coffee pot rose from the percolator on the far counter. It floated across the kitchen and smoothly filled his mug with the hot liquid. The wizard waved it away, and it returned to its original location. His eyes remained on the mug in his hand during the entire process. Leaning forward on his elbows, he wrapped his hands around the hot mug.

Until now, his face had looked old to me, but in that kind, grandfatherly sort of way. Now I watched as a worn expression fell across his countenance. It seemed to age the wizard a hundred years right before my eyes.

“Thule is the literal spawn of darkness, lusting after carnage and revenge.” Chuck spoke in a low, calm tone, picking his words with thoughtful deliberation. “Few have had the misfortune of meeting him and live to tell of the experience. We know him, and judge him, by the mischief and bloodshed that bear his mark.”

“Have you ever met him?” I asked. 

The question must have shocked the wizard, because he flinched.

“I’ve met many people I wish I hadn’t,” he said soberly, staring into his mug. “The vallen tells a story of ‘The Cunning One’ whose blood lust began with hunting his own siblings. His father was not a loyal man, nor was he accountable for his infidelity. What his father had was power. Incredible, insatiable power, with this male offspring desired to inherit. However, in Thule’s demented pursuit of singular endowment, he was not wholly successful. He bathed the ground with the blood of all his siblings, but one. One beyond his reach. Nevertheless, he earned his father’s favor and inherited a portion of that power.”

It was something I might have read in a fantasy novel, but it still made me shiver. I couldn’t imagine…

Chuck looked up from his coffee. “We’ve learned to be mindful of his movements. Some believe that Thule handled the genocide of the Nocturi. His flag was discovered, embedded in the altar of their most holy temple……along with the bodies of thousands. Men, women,” his hands trembled as he took in a shuddering breath, “.…children.”

“That was nearly 200 years ago,” Dax added, his own voice laden with sorrow. “Thule’s more methodical, more organized and more dangerous than ever.”

“200 years?” I choked. “You mean he’s…,” but I held up a hand. “Never mind. Don’t answer that.” Timelines are different here. You’re trying to save a world, Wendell. Of course, you’ll have to deal with enemies engaged in genocide. It’s not like we didn’t have brutal histories on Earth. I waited until the wizard stopped shaking before asking my next question. As I opened my mouth, my stomach slowly clenching tight. “Is Thule the Dark Lord Delnar told me about? I think he called him…Mahan?”

“No,” he said. “He’s Mahan’s son.”

I coughed, choking on a mouthful of pancake. “The Lord of Darkness is Mahan…and he has a son? There are two bad guys? A father and son team?!?” Where’s a pillow case when you need it? “This is sounding more impossible the further down the rabbit hole we go…”

Chuck cocked his head to the side. “Rabbit hole?”

“Never mind,” I said. “Not important.”

“The answer to your question, Wendell, is yes…AND no. Mahan, who is called the Lord of Darkness, has faced banishment to Unrest. It was, at one time, a fertile valley, beautiful and lush. Among those hills, one of the greatest armies of this world received training to fight the approaching darkness. Now it is Mahan’s prison.”

“This is the important history lesson, kid,” said Dax. “Mahan’s been bound. Imprisoned for over six hundred years by the use of three powerful, magical seals. One for his tongue, one for his body, and one to bind him to Unrest.”

“Seals? What’s a seal?” I played stupid, though I was quickly feeling lost. “Because you guys seem pretty scared about an enemy that’s bound, or chained up, or whatever he is. How can Mahan be doing terrible things here if he really is bound? I mean, what’s the big deal if he’s not around? What would happen, say...if someone broke or destroyed the seals?”

“You ask too many questions without waiting for answers,” rebuked the wizard, irritated.

“He has a mutt,” snarled Dax. He sat frozen in his chair, one hand on the table, scratching the surface with his discolored nails. His bloodshot eyes locked on the wizard. “That’s why everyone’s afraid. Mahan has an animal to do his bidding.”

“He who?” I asked, confused. “Who are we talking about now?” 

“Thule was too reckless to be an apprentice.” Chuck looked away, absorbed in his thoughts. Almost to himself, he whispered, “It should have been impossible.”

“But it ain’t,” Dax argued. “What he’s doing is uncharacteristic of a vallen. The bastard found a way ta communicate with his master and you know it, old man. He’s a mägo.”

Chuck absentmindedly fidgeted with the mug, making a hollow tapping noise on the table. “Yes, well,” his voice faded. “Unless…”

“Unless what?” I said. Honestly, I felt kind of bad for asking. It was obvious Chuck didn’t enjoy talking about this, but Dax kept prompting something that sounded important.

Finally, the wizard nodded, still to himself. “Thule’s power has to have come from somewhere. A master and a disciple.” He snapped his fingers, a distant look in his eyes. “Some believe that the murder of the Nocturi revealed one of the seals, and that it was discovered and destroyed.”

My stomach lurched. If that was true, that a seal had been found and destroyed, I was already down by one. Putting my hands on the table, I focused on my breathing to remain calm. Keep relaxed, Wendell. Show nothing. This wasn’t good, and I felt completely lost in what to do, but I had the letter.

“You have a letter,” Doubt whispered. “A letter telling you that to prevent war, you have to make sure those seals are protected.” 

Oh boy. This isn’t good.

“Of course this isn’t good,” said Doubt, “You’re LISTENING TO A LETTER, MORON! *snort*”

“That would explain Thule’s…” Chuck looked at Dax nervously. “He’s trying to free his master.”

“THANK you for finally coming to your senses, old man,” grumbled Dax.

The words of the letter flashed through my mind repeatedly. Our enemy will eventually escape from the prison we are preparing, unless the seals are maintained. Protect them at all costs.

“Which is why the Black Market is a terrible idea,” said Dax firmly. “We’re so lucky that that…..abomination last night didn’t get a chance to nark on the screamin’ pinky here!” He pointed a big fat finger at me. “Look at ‘em, Chuck. He’s defenseless…and he’s carryin’ the Ithari. Do ya really wanna take her to the Black Market? To expose her?”

My hand went to my chest at the mention of the gem. My finger picked at the edge of the gem. The seam where she had wedged herself into my chest cavity. “It should be ok,” I said. “Ithari can heal me if I get hurt, right?”

“Oh, that almost sounded…moderately confident,” Doubt mocked. “Not bad.”

Shut up.

Dax looked at me smugly. “She can heal ya, sure. Not resurrect ya.” 

Okaaay…hadn’t thought of that one. It’s not that I was oblivious to the fact I could, and most likely would, get hurt during all this Hero business. But talking about me being dead, as if, in this endeavor, it was likely to happen? Yeah, that gave me second thoughts.

Almost.

Okay, I’m in danger. We all knew that, especially when the whole adventure starts with some possessed monster wanting to hurt me. The creature…that vallen,…didn’t attack me. It attacked and killed…my friend. It wanted me to leave, not destroy me.

Does that mean it can’t destroy me? Was it afraid, maybe? This brought up another consideration. I couldn’t just sit around here hiding, could I? Secret or not, how dangerous could a market really be? The market in Sanctuary was friendly. How different would a secret market actually be, anyway? I tried to imagine a bunch of violent grocers and fish-mongers, plotting jewelers, and psychotic bakers.

I snorted.

“This isn’t funny, young man,” Chuck shrugged. “Dax is right. You’re not indestructible, not even close. We don’t want Thule to know you exist…” he paused, looking directly at me and our gaze met. “Seriously…at all…ever…which is unlikely, but it means we should be extra careful.”

“Exactly!” Dax sighed in relief. “So the Black Market is completely out of the question.” 

“Don’t be silly, there’s ZERO chance we’ll find Thule in the Market,” Chuck dismissed. “The Gypsies wouldn’t let him in. We’re going.”

“Don’t I get to vote?” I asked.

“No,” Chuck said.

“Don’t be stupid, kid,” Dax said forcefully. “You don’t know enough about what you’re facing to have a valid opinion.”

“Ok. I get it,” I said, deflated. “I’m the new guy who knows nothing. But….” I emphasized, “it is my life. I have a say, AND a veto in that.” It felt good to grin defiantly at both of them. “I say we go. The sooner I learn this stuff, the better.” 

The wizard folded his arms and leaned back in his chair. A wide grin crawled across his face. “Ohhhh, I like him.’

“Fine. I’m out-voted,” Dax snapped, pointing his finger at Chuck. “Then ya better teach him somethin’ to hide that rock. You’re just beggin’ fer trouble if ya don’t!”

Grateful to be moving on, I perked up, “As in teaching me…magic? Or are we just talking about a thicker shirt?”

“Hmmm,” Chuck pondered. “That’s a wise idea, monkey.” 

Scooting his chair closer to mine, the wizard tapped the gem through my tunic. “Dax is right, son. Ithari needs to be kept safe, just like you. Now that’s your responsibility. No matter what else happens from this point forward, your responsibility is to her. Not me, not Dax, not the Iskari High Council or even this world. Her. If we lose her, we lose everything, which means if we lose you, we lose everything.”

Staring back wide eyed, I gulped.

Chuck placed a hand on my shoulder and stared me dead in the eyes. “The moment Thule, or anyone else who works for him, learns you have that gem, they’ll be looking for ways to carve it from your chest.”

I gulped again, louder.

“Exactly,” Dax agreed.

Reaching across the table, Chuck snatched a clean spoon and set it in the center of his open palm. “Now watch carefully, Wendell.” With a single touch of his finger, he whispered, “Silmä inakmään.”

Small holes appeared along the length of the metal, as if the air were taking miniature bites out of the utensil. The holes grew. In a matter of moments, the spoon vanished.

“It’s gone!” I gasped, looking closer at where the spoon had been.

“Well,” smirked Chuck, “not really. The spoon is still in my hand.” With one swift motion, he twirled his fingers and made a sharp motion at my head. I felt the solid impact of a spoon hitting my forehead.

“Ow.”

The sensation and lack of visual was just…odd. I reached over and poked Chuck’s palm, instantly feeling the cool metal under my index finger. “That is so freaky,” I grinned widely. “I can feel it! Very cool, Chuck.”

The wizard’s smile widened. “Now it’s your turn. Silmä inakmään.” He nodded to me. “Try it.”

Clearing my throat, I eagerly snatched my unused spoon from the table. I stared at the utensil intensely in my hand and breathed, “Sylll-muh ee-NAWK-maaan!”

Nothing happened.

…so I wiggled my fingers at it.

Chuck shook his head. “Not quite, son. Words have intent. Magic words use that intent. Controlled emotions form the strongest magic. I think our biggest problem here is your relationship to the spoon.”

“I don’t have a relationship with the spoon,” I said.

“Exactly. So let’s try something else. Let’s try it on the gem. It may sound strange, but you must accept and even welcome your union with Ithari. You are her host, yes, but you need to think of this more than a marriage. She is your partner, your companion. Trust me, when I say she loves you. Right here, Right now. More than you can comprehend. She has, of her own free will and choice, bound herself to you.”

I shifted in my chair, “I, uhh..”

“Now act as her protector, Wendell. Love her. Treasure her. Desire for her safety. Be aware that if she gets discovered, those who find her will kidnap her, abuse her, torture her, and force her to do their bidding. Don’t allow them that chance.” He gripped my forearm tightly until I stopped fidgeting. “Once you have that desire in you — that desire to protect her, to become her champion — speak the words. Silmä inakmään. It’s NOK, as in knocking on a door. You’re drawing the emphasis out too long. Try again, but this time, focus on your emotions as you touch the gem.”

But what I felt was embarrassing.

Tha-THUMP-Thump.

It would be different if this was about a person. I could visualize this better if it were about a person.

Tha-THUMP-Thump.

The look…on Kyliene’s face. That moment when the vallen had her by the throat flashed through my mind.

I flinched.

Tha-THUMP-Thump.

No one had saved her. 

Tha-THUMP-Thump.

If I had only known…something. Just enough to make a difference, Kyliene could have been here. With her Nana. With her brother Caleb. With her friends and the community, that loves her.

With me.

Tha-THUMP-Thump.

Tha-THUMP-Thump.

The vallen wanted me removed. The threat of the gem gone, so it could…what? Do harm to others? To girls like Kyliene?

Tha-THUMP-Thump.

Tha-THUMP-Thump.

Ithari is the key. 

You’re good heart is the key, Wendell.

That familiar warmth washed over me…and my body trembled.

More than anything at that moment, I wanted to be more.

To be enough to make sure that never happened again. Not while I was present. Not while I had a breath left in me.

I could see her, then. Reaching out to me in desperation. In hope. Tears streaming down Kyliene’s cheeks. Tears mingling with black blood. 

Never…again.

Tha-THUMP-Thump.

Tha-THUMP-Thump.

Say it.

I can’t.

Speak the truth.

But it wasn’t the truth. I had expected to have a knack for this. For magic…because of the gem. Ithari did, after all, chose the nerd on purpose, right? I was disappointed because I realized I would have to work hard at this. I’d have to make some effort and sacrifice to make this work. That’s how everything else in his life worked.

Tha-THUMP-Thump.

Tha-THUMP-Thump.

Say it.

I…

Speak the truth. Please.

Closing my eyes, I let my fingertips rest softly against the hard surface of the gem.

I will guard you.

Yes.

I will protect you.

Yes.

I will trust you.

Clearing my throat, I imagined people laughing at Ithari…pointing and mocking. People trying to get their hands on her, clawing at my skin. Forces seen and unseen trying to steal her for their own selfish reasons. And a tinge of anger welled up inside me. Out of all those from this world, Ithari had chosen me…Wendell Percy Dipmier…to be a hero.

Yet all I could feel were Dax’s judging eyes boring a hole through the back of my head. 

“I can’t do this with him watching me,” I whispered, keeping my eyes clenched tight.

“Who? Dax?” Chuck whispered back.

“Who? Me?” Dax grumbled. “Fine. I’m outta here. We’re leaving for the Market in an hour.” Making more noise than I would have thought possible, Dax pushed his chair away from the table, jumped down, and stormed out of the kitchen.

Tha-THUMP-Thump.

Tha-THUMP-Thump.

Taking a deep breath, I waited for that calm moment to come back. That realization that I would do everything in my power to protect Ithari.

Seconds became minutes.

Minutes stretched into an eternity.

“Sylll-mon in-OAK-maan,” I finally snapped, impatient. I opened my eyes and looked down at my chest.

Chuck wrinkled his nose, then grinned. “You keep practicing,” he said cheerfully and patted me on the shoulder. Not sure what happen before the monkey left the room, but I could feel a shift.

“You could?” I asked.

Chuck beamed. “Son, when you’ve been doing this as long as I have, it’s almost impossible not to feel the shifts.” He wagged an index finger at me, his grin still wide. “There was a moment when this entire room was thrumming with power.”

That made me smile. “You could feel the Ithari?”

He laughed. “No, boy,…that power was coming from you. You made a commitment of some sort and that opened a door you’ll never want to shut.”

“What?” I gawked. “But I was…”

Chuck waved me off. “Don’t overthink it. No one gets it the first time, my boy. When you do the spell correctly, you’ll feel a slight tingle where she’s embedded herself.” He rapped his knuckles on the table. “You practice your pronunciation and you’ll have that spell down in no time.”

I sighed.

Chuck pulled back the sleeve of his robe to reveal three different watches on his left arm. “As long as ‘no time’ is within the next 58 minutes.”

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