Artwork by Gretchen Deahl

The Wishing Map is a full-length fantasy that is being posted episodically at this site. To read the previous episode, click here. To read the entire novel, begin here.

In an attempt break free from the naims (gnomes) who’d chosen him as their Storysmith, Zack picked twenty naim semi-finalists, from whom he planned to announce a new Storysmith—before making his escape.

By mid-afternoon, word had spread that Master Zaggyzim (Zack) would introduce a wonderful new event at the Naim Games! Anticipation rose to the point of frenzy.

While his eight-inch-tall fanboy Bud worked the crowd—“My Uncle Zaggy is coming!”—Zack ducked out to meet with his Leaf Naim pretenders. On the way there he spotted Bulgy with half-a-dozen burly bodyguards. He offered a friendly “hey-fah!” But Bulgy, who’d clearly not forgotten Zack’s slight from yesterday, grunted and hurried on.

Zack dressed alone, donning his secretly-altered tunic and red-and-blue greatcoat. Everything was in place, everything except his heart, which kept trying to jump out of his chest. He found his backpack and pulled out the Jolly Ranchers.

Per Zack’s instructions, runner-up pretenders had directed everyone onto Root Naim and Leaf Naim sides of the field, and were now whipping up the crowds:

“Root Naims rock! Leaf Naims fall off tree limbs!”

“Leaf Naims soar! Root Naims eat mud!”

Not the cleverest cheers, but effective enough for fans who’d never even conceived of competition until today.

The ten Leaf Naim finalists were gathered at the edge of the woods, uniformed in blue leaf-patch tunics. Some were shaking violently, a few were too weak to even stand, and three were gnawing nerve-soothing pooker leaves.

“Scared?” asked Zack.

They nodded their heads manically.

“I totally understand, and that’s why I’ve decided to reveal my secret to you.” He reached inside his greatcoat and pulled out a handful of Jolly Ranchers. A collective gasp arose from the group.

“What are they, Master Zaggy?” a leaf-chewing female asked.

“They’re sour jewels!” Zack replied.

“Jewels yer can eat?”

“Yep! And when you do, they’ll fill you with starheart—story power!” To demonstrate, he pulled out a green apple Jolly Rancher, pulled off the wrapper, and placed it in his mouth. He sucked hard for a minute and then showed them his candy-colored tongue. “You thee? Ith melling in my mow, an’ giwing me tharhar power!”

“Ooooooooooooooooooooooo!”

Zack distributed Jolly Ranchers among the newly empowered Leaf Naims and started to walk away, but then turned dramatically and pulled back his greatcoat, revealing his Leaf Naim tunic. “And remember, I’m on your side!”

A few minutes later, he made his way to the ten terrified Root Naim finalists, gave them sour jewels, and he delivered the same “starheart” pitch. Then he pulled back his greatcoat to reveal his Root Naim tunic.

“And remember, I’m on your side!”

φ

Thoughts: Have you ever deceived someone “for their own good,” only to have the plan blow up in your face?

To read the next episode, click here.