Art by Jason Pedersen
Dear Everyone,
Not sure if you can say we’ve formally met since I’ve never done this fourth wall breaking thing before. Still, it was suggested that I write a little something considering the . . . situation I find myself in. Probably best not to procrastinate here considering nobody is sure if I’ll make it out or what condition I’ll be in if I do. Imagine me not making it to the end of the series or spending the final battle out of commission. That would kill me . . . bad choice of words there.
I guess I should thank everyone who has followed me this far. Ritual of the Lost Lamb is Book 13 . . . Really? I’m going through hell and suffering on the 13th book. What do you mean you just realized the timing now? Obviously, I get my aloofness and denseness from the author, which isn’t surprising. He was me at least once a week for almost two years in college. I was his first non-hack and slash Dungeons & Dragons character, so it shouldn’t surprise anyone that there is more of him in me. At least an idealized, fantasy version that I hope people have enjoyed. Sure, I’ve made a lot of mistakes and haven’t grown up as quickly as some people want, but it isn’t easy. Born believing I was destined to be a hero doesn’t really prepare you for being a champion.
To say I have no regrets would be a lie. There are plenty of times I never thought something through and made a situation worse. Hurt some people that I cared about too and I’ll be trying to make amends for a long time. Even though they say I shouldn’t take all the blame, I feel like I’m the one who should. On the positive side, we’re still friends and talking, which means things can be better. It’s funny how I have these flaws that I don’t really shed. Aren’t heroes supposed to become perfect like in the stories? Maybe I still have a long way to go or wasn’t really cut out for this. Next time I’m in Haven, I’ll talk to my grandfather about this. I could talk to Nyx, but . . . Well, both of them might punch me in the arm, but she doesn’t hold back.
It’s weird doing this letter because I don’t really want to say good-bye since I don’t know if it’s necessary. We still have two more books after this. Sure, the champions are barely in the 14th one, but I’d like to believe I’m in it until the end. All six of us should be doing some kind of letter around that time. I really don’t want to be the one that doesn’t make it to the end. That feels like it would be wrong considering I’ve been here since the beginning. I’d like to think that everyone wants to see me make it to the end too. Well, at least most of the people since I know there are those that hate me.
I don’t care if this is whining because I really don’t like this. The Baron keeps flaying and healing me! That’s the mild stuff too. Pieces are missing and I’m not even sure what I mean by that. Forget it. I refuse to make this a good-bye letter. I’m limping to the end and the Baron can do his worst. So what if he’s an immortal who used to be a god and has had centuries practicing his torture techniques on demons. I’m always up for a challenge and none of them have killed me yet.
Although, I guess only one has to succeed, huh?
Sincerely,
Luke Callindor
Hello, everyone! We have a guest today. My thanks to John W. Howell, for agreeing to do a joint post with me, using one of his fabulous lists of what not to do! Actually, this post is already live at his blog, 
