6. The Perfect Distraction

“Distance is irrelevant in this matter. Especially when you side with the unembodied.” He gave me a weak smile. “Nothing you need to concern yourself with, my friend.”

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 6

So I had a basic plan.

It wasn’t the best deal, but hanging around for a month and getting home was a lot better than the alternative.

Besides, could you imagine me, in a fight? I’d had enough problems with Jeffery and his dogs. The last thing I wanted was adding some ‘Dark Lord’ to the list. Delnar led the way out and I followed him back up the billion-and-one stairs of the Key, in silence. I thought he’d be complaining or begging me to change my mind and stay.

Nope.

Not a single peep from the blueberry.

“You’re taking this well,” I said, “considering I just dropped a bomb on your plans.”

The High Elder didn’t turn around. “I have done what my duty demands of me. That is enough.”

Listening to him scuffle up the steps, I had time to consider my situation. Where am I going to stay? Wait, Delnar said I had a mansion…but, uh, that’s likely to be on the planet below. What am I going to spend my time doing? I wonder where the girls are. Do they come in an assortment of colors? Hmmm …I have this enormous diamond in my chest. Oooo, wait. It’s supposed to give me magic powers! I wonder what I can do? Can I fly? That would be SO cool if I could…

No.

“What?” I asked.

The High Elder stopped and turned. “Yes?”

“Uh…”

He waited.

“Never mind,” I quickly amended.

The High Elder turned and resumed climbing the steps in silence.

Weird. Maybe I can shoot lasers from my eyes? Or run at super speed?

No.

I stared at the back of the High Elder’s head, perplexed.

Well…can I…?

No.

“Why not?” I said.

The High Elder stopped once again and turned around. “Why not, what?”

“Why can’t I do anything with this gem? Aren’t I supposed to have magical powers or something?”

“Indeed, you are,” he said. “Your blood, combined with the gem, can make you the most powerful of all Mägo.”

“Mägo?” I asked.

Wizard.

“Wizard,” said Delnar in unison.

I stopped in my tracks, looking behind and then above me.

“Are you all right?”

Flustered, I asked, “S-so you mean I can, or rather will be able…to actually do magic?”

OH, YES.

The High Elder’s lips never moved. I’m not sure what my face did at that moment of shock, but I could feel my mouth swing open. Yanking the collar of my shirt forward, I stared at the Ithäri. A tiny light winked at me.

“Yes, she can,” Delnar said softly.

I looked up, even more confused. “She can, what?”