Chapter 18

chapter eighteen "Galamelon!" Quint cries, racing to his side. "Are you all right?" "Quint... "Galamelon rasps, reaching out to clutch his hand. "My mentee. You are the legacy I leave behind in this world once I'm gone." He closes his eyes. "And I'm feeling pretty close to being gone." "No!" Quint gasps. "I need you!" We had a good run old friend promise you'll think of me now and then put this on my tombstone. Galilean was the greatest conjurer of all time. Born in a touchedroof arcade, he left home at a tender age of eight hundred ninety-nine to sit fame, fortune, and a clean pair of pants. Quint looks at his friends. His eyes are wide and wet.

"Carry on my legacy, guy..." Galamelon says, eyes fluttering closed. "Use the conjurations I have taught you... And tell the world... the story of Galamelon the Great..." Thunder rumbles in the distance as Kimmy walks in a slow circle around Galamelon. "UNBELIEVABLE!" Kimmy exclaims suddenly. "Even now! Quint, forget about him. Like I've been trying to tell you from the beginning—Galamelon is the pits, OK." "Hey..." Dirk says. "Now's not the time. Little respect, huh?" "Um, nope," Kimmy says. "Ever since the day he sauntered into Fleeghaven, this fraudster has been one giant brainache." Galamelon suddenly lifts his head. "Kimmy, no. C'mon. Let me have this..." "NOPE," Kimmy says. "You want folks to know the story of Galamelon? Well, I'll tell 'em that tale. Right now..."

The tale of GalaMelon. The totally full of it. GalaMelon showed up after the Drakkor first began attacking FleaHaven. I see that a horrific beast has set its sights on your fair town. Well, there's luck. Would have it. I have set my sights on your fair town as well. I am a great conjurer, the greatest conjurer,and I alone can save you. They seem so legit HIRE that HERO othrice? I have some doubts for days. He did nothing but eat our food. Drink our good soda and cavor so much cavorting. And that's how I slew the unstoppable jaw stopper using nothing more than my bare foot in a conjured spoon.

And when the Draco came, GaliMellon was nowhere to be found. Where, oh, where is our wizard? GaliMelon? I only hope I'll take cover in a food truck. He took cover in a food truck.

I thought GalaMellon was done for William. I think I'm done for. But the dragor must've thought the needle buzz was more delicious than gallonmelon because it stopped for a drink and thenslurp it left. As promised, Your town is saved. Bestow gifts upon me .Now bring out the gifts. You are a total fraud. He's not legit fire that hero.

"And after that," Kimmy says, finishing her story, "we ran him out of town. But we should have run him even farther. Like, into the ground." Quint slowly lets go of Galamelon's hand. "That's not true, is it?" Galamelon looks at Quint for a long, long moment —then his head drops. "I'm afraid it is..." Galamelon says, sighing deeply. "You see, in my dimension, I was a used carapace salesman. I was full of confidence. I had swagger to spare! Oh yes, once upon a time, I was the very best..." GUMEVANS Use Carra Park