Painting by László Mednyánszky

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.

Zack was stunned to discover that the terrifying apparition who’d halted the naim’s war was not, in fact, Rhema the Queen of the Fae, but his sister Gina!

“Shoo!” the apparition shouted. “Go and make up with each other. If I see anyone left in this field I shall surely smote them! Now go! Shoo!”

The naims hurried away as quickly as they could; many were detained by the need to help their battered and bleeding comrades. They’d forgotten about taking sides, and were struggling together to escape the terrible vengeance of the Queen of the Fae.

“And one more thing,” Gina warned, “If you ever make war on each other again, this planet of yours will be reduced to a tiny burnt out cinder! I am the great and powerful Rhema! Gort berenga! Now go before I change my mind!”

Zack watched as naims he’d come to know glanced back at him with undiluted hatred, and he wished their lances really had killed him.

Despite all that had happened, little Bud shot a longing look at his Uncle Zaggy. But Sniggle, Bud’s mother, turned and declared, “Yer are nay friend ter naims, Master Zaggyzim. Yer are a liar an’ a deceiver!”

This hurt worse than the arrow that had pierced Zack’s neck. But what he saw next was the most devastating thing of all: Tuber was being carried off the field by Slipstreak, Thistlecress, and four others, including tiny Reetie. Zack had never been in the presence of death. Nevertheless, he knew Tuber was dying.

The old naim’s eyes were half-open when Zack arrived at his side. At Tuber’s signal, the others laid him in a cluster of bluebells.

Zack kneeled beside him. “Oh, Tuber, I should never—”

“Nay, yer spake traith, Master Zaggy. I ne’er knowed I had Story in me till now. An’ now I know there’s Story in everyone. Tell ‘em, Reetie, Thistlecress, Slipstreak. Tell ‘em!” He coughed up a mouthful of blood. Thistlecress wiped his chin with her own blood-stained tunic, and tried to hush him.

“Nay, I got ter speak! Tell ‘em there’s power in Story…” Blood jetted from his mouth as his chest spasmed. Reetie laid her head on his chest. “…power ter heal,” he went on, “and power ter hurt.” He stroked Reetie’s hair. “Tell ‘em ter use their stories ter heal!”

“I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry!” Zack wept.

“Nay, Master Zaggy. I was dead afore. It’s only now as I’m alive.” Then he closed his eyes, and a strange smile settled on his face.

“He wielded nay weapon,” Slipstreak said, forcing back tears. “On’y tried ter stop the others from using ‘em.”

The breath departed from Tuber’s lungs. He was dead, but the strange smile remained. His carriers lifted him up and bore him away in silence…

As Zack stood watching.

φ

Thoughts: Have you ever done something so wrong that you doubt you can ever forgive yourself?

To read the next episode, click here.