29. Attack

Chuck let out a little giggle, then cleared his throat. "Here they come," he said, nodding at me most seriously.

When the Gem awakens to call a Hero, the world is ill prepared...and its fate is placed in the hands of a 17 year old boy, named Wendell. 

Some will say this is nothing but a tale of fiction.
Let them think as they may. 

After all...I can't fix stupid.

Previously: Wendell discovers Lili, the girl of his dreams, trapped at Til-Thorin with everyone else. That would have been odd enough, but now he’s hearing voices.

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Never be predictable in a fight.
Control where, when and how the conflict is fought.
…and if possible, get someone else to take your place.

“I’m not doubting you, son, I just…”

“Go ahead, Chuck, say it,” I challenged, taking two steps with each leap. The wizard was hard pressed to keep pace as we ran down the tower. The warning bells of Til-Thorin sounded without ceasing. I could hear soldiers shouting orders to subordinates. “You question if I’m actually nuts,” I mocked, “that maybe what I’m telling you isn’t in the letter.”

“Well, yes,” the wizard faltered, stumbling and catching himself against the wall. “No! No,…” he righted himself and sprinted after me. “I’ve got no right pointing fingers at anyone — not after what I’ve seen…” then less loudly, “or done. But it is difficult to believe, not being able to actually see what you see.”

I stopped at the archway of the Great Hall. Children and women gazed about, confused, as the sound of distant drums grew louder. Some children started clinging to one another — clinging to their mothers. I looked at Chuck, point blank. “You can always walk away,” I said.

“What are you talking about?” Chuck said.

“I have enough pressure trying to keep up appearances. It’s going to be hard enough to hide who I really am without having to convince you too." I forced out a smile. "You were right, Chuck. I found my way here without you. Bad at this or not, I’ll figure it out. You can leave.”

“Now wait just a minute, that’s not what—”