122 A Confession (1/2)

\”Chosen one… really?\” Luca asked for the fifth time since I told him what Kallista told me which hadn't been more than an hour ago. \”How is Tiberius Cruz a chose one and I'm an indentured servant?\”

After Kallista had saved Luca and Ashley from the heavyset trolls who'd caught them trying to break the locks of her door, she'd ushered us out of the auction house with a promise from me that we would be increasing our purchases from her company considerably over the next month as an apology for the little misunderstanding. In exchange, she'd promise to help find a way to spirit us away to the Westersand Desert in case our next gamble didn't pan out.

This brings us back to Luca badgering me about Ty's new social status.

\”Seriously, Dean, how is Ty the chosen one?\” Luca asked as we rode our mounts along the sandy road a few miles northwest of Broken Sellsword's Canyon.

Honestly, I was kind of feeling just a little bit of jealousy too. I was an ordinary dude in extraordinary circumstances while Ty, well, Ty was apparently really special.

\”I know… it's weird for me too,\” I admitted.

Luca and I continued to discuss Ty and Ashley who'd been listening in suggested something that made me laugh out loud.

\”You say he's a hardcore gamer, right?\” Ashley had pulled on Moonray's reins so she could slow her pace and chat. \”Maybe that's why… aren't there a bunch of books and anime about gamers traveling to other worlds and turning into overpowered characters\”

I wasn't the only one. Luca was laughing alongside me. Ashley, after a second of narrowing her eyes at us, joined in on this laughter too. Aura was the only one who couldn't relate so we decided to fill her in.

\”Why would someone who didn't or earn it suddenly become all-powerful? Aura asked, her eyebrows furrowing.

The three of us shrugged.

\”Wish fulfillment,\” Ashley answered. \”Everyone just wants it the easy way…\”

\”But based on your stories, doesn't that mean Ty have to die on Mudgard before he gains power?\” Aura reminded us.

The thought of one of my childhood friends getting killed sobered me up really quickly. The same was true for the other humans in my party. Luckily, none of us had to answer Aura's searching gaze as we'd just arrived at the rendezvous point.

Yes, I'd planned ahead just in case we'd need assistance lickety-split. It's why I'd had the bulk of the Foolhardies waiting for us just at the edge of Westmarch territory.

We led our swiftharts to the nearly four hundred soldiers gathered in a loose ring formation of hastily raised nondescript tents. There were zero banners in sight too like I'd instructed just in case Kallista's little birds noticed.

However, as soon as they spotted us approaching, the Flag of Fools was unfurled along with the banners of the pavilion.

As I'd expected, Edo and Qwipps came out to greet me.

I got off Mythchaser, stroked its furry neck in appreciation, and then handed the reins over to Jensen so he could lead him to some delicious fay greens, my swifthart's preferred brand of food.

\”Varda and Thom okay being left behind?\” I asked.

\”She barely had time to see us off,\” Edo answered, Afterward, he walked over to Aura who'd just gotten off her mount, and stood at attention behind her.

I chuckled. Edo was still playing bodyguard even after his promotion.

\”At least she's safe from whatever Foolhardy plan Dean's going to have us pull off, next,\” Qwipps complained.

\”Nothing too hard,\” I said. \”We're just heading off to see old Garm.\”

Qwipps eyes widened. \”Why in muds would we want to go to him?\”

\”Because we can't travel west without his permission,\” I answered sighing.

\”It'll be dangerous,\” Edo noted. \”Garm is nearly as bullheaded as Grimthorn and not as pleasant…\”

Aura reached behind her to squeeze his right forearm which admittedly made me feel a little jealous of the half-ogre even though I knew they didn't have that kind of relationship.

\”We have to try… it seems Dean's friend has a strange destiny,\” Aura said. \”We have to make sure he isn't taken by our enemies.\”

The way Aura said it, like Ty wasn't just a person who needed saving, worried me. She'd never made it a secret that she would do anything to help the Trickster Pavilion triumph in this war. Hell, that's why she recruited me, but I hated to think she'd use Ty to further her ambitions too.

\”What are you on about, Aura?\” Qwipps asked, his eyebrow rising skeptically. \”What's so special about another mud-boy?\”

\”He's special,\” Aura said, not meeting my eyes when she did.

\”You're surrounded by weirdos, boy,\” Azuma noted right as he opened the tent flap and walked out to greet us.

At the same time, Luca and Ashley had just ridden their mounts to us too. Behind them was Xanthor.

\”Looks like everyone's here,\” I said. \”You guys go make sure your squads are ready to fight or flee if the need arises…\”

\”What will you be doing?\” Aura asked.

I nodded toward the tent. \”I saw the kobolds among the soldiers. I assume the sprites are back in the tent?\”

Edo grunted a nod and Azuma translated with, the girl-sprite has a message for you.\”