Ancient Mystic's War of the Realms Saga - Lady Adellandra Dratianos (best detective novels of all time TXT) 📗

twin sister, an original Crusader from the Wars, the Shadow, and a strange young black feline-man. There was also a Creature whose eyes he’d seen before, but it wasn’t until the Creature spoke and shifted to a Gargoyle that Red Wolf recognized him. The former Maximaniac, an Originator (and now Lord of the Grey Area’s Shady Kingdom) who had Banished himself for a woman, the Ancient Mystic bride of the Master, Jezebel.
Red Wolf stood silent, anxious to do something but curious as to what was going on. Was there to be another senseless War, killing those Companions and Warriors that were left? He hoped not. His eyes surveyed his opponents, only to see the friendly faces of Wolfton Stargazer and Tobias Snow. Why were a feline and canine working together? He wondered. It was against nature for the two breeds to be friends, let alone on the same side. That’s when he saw Wolfton’s hand clutching that of another feline, the Merchant’s cousin Katherine Hawk. Toby’s arm was held by Katherine’s sister Kitten’s Claw. Red Wolf saw the unusual glowing crystals around each of the four Companion’s necks and knew they regained their powers.
Good for them, bad for the Master.
It didn’t take long before one of the Crusaders, later named Young Aaron, used his own bit of Unicorn Magic power against the Merchant, calling the Exiling Spell to send him wherever. Of course, the Master Orthos wasn’t happy, but Lord Guardian wouldn’t let him do anything against Aaron or the other Crusaders, especially the Young Guardian. Soon, the battle between the Lord Guardian and the Master himself. Once Lord Guardian called his own Ancient’s Spell to Exile his evil brother, the Warriors were free to go. Before he left, Red Wolf caught one last glance at his best Companion friend. Wolf met his eyes and nodded, holding Katherine close. Katherine saw the interaction between them and smiled before leading her canine beau toward the Ancient Mystic Palace.
It was the last he saw of Wolf for a long time. Since the Crusades ended, the once-Dominionites and Warrior Army were homeless. Lord Guardian himself had named his other brother Maximaniac the Lord over the now-colorless Dominion Realm. Dark Tower was crumbled to the ground with the rest of the now-Old Dominion. It didn’t take long to find out who would be his Lady Queen. Jezebel, now seeing the err of her ways, turned her back on the Master and was allowed to return to the Dream Realm. Once adding a new Princess, Tempest, who was born in the Crusades, the old realm had a new name. The Grey Area.
In the present, Red Wolf practiced his fighting stances and such, just in case another War was declared. He was deep in meditation before another exercise when he heard a familiar voice.
“Red Wolf...” It was a Goddess-like voice, gentle and soft.
His eyes snapped open and he reached for his short-sword’s hilt, standing.
“Who is there?”
He saw her figure ahead of him, in a form that reminded him of his mother. She was in a wolf-maiden form, looking the female counterpart of Red Wolf himself. The image in front of him was faint, also reminding him of his mother’s Astral image.
“Kneel before me, Chikité Moondancer.” The voice echoed, outstretching one of her Goddess-like hands to him. “I mean you no harm, so you may take your paw off the weapon.”
He obeyed, both taking his hand cautiously off the short-sword and kneeling in front of her. He didn’t know why, but he took her hand and attempted to kiss it. As he took it, he got the image of the night he was abducted.
Red Wolf knew immediately who this woman figure was, and how she knew his full Companion blood name. “Matéré.” He whispered in his native language. Matéré meant mother.
Celeste Moondancer nodded her canine-human head. “Aye, my Donar, I have returned to you.”
“How? I thought the Master stole your power before the Wars?” Red Wolf inquired.
“You forget my Dweller-kin ties, Chikité, as well as your own.” Celeste remarked. “Master only knew how to take the Companion powers away. I am not a Companion, so I do not have the powers. You are only half-Companion, from your Pérat.”
Pérat meant father.
“What about the Wars?” Red Wolf asked. “And the other Companions? How have you survived all this time?”
“Lord Guardian’s only Donar taught us well.” Celeste explained. “He explained we had not lost our inner spirit voice, which fuels and controls our Companion power.”
“You mean Braken Joel Hawk?” Red Wolf asked and she nodded. “The very child of Lady Sibylline’s with his own Ancient Mystic powers?”
“Aye, Donar,” Again, she nodded and laughed.
Red Wolf couldn’t believe the rumors regarding the Balinese feline were true. That didn’t matter. What mattered was his Matéré was alive. “Is Pérat still alive, too?”
“Aye, but we know not where we are.” Celeste’s soft voice replied. “We are surrounded by many Elders who shared the same fate. Braken Joel tells us we are in what he calls the Underground. He has since disappeared, leaving us wondering.”
The Underground. Red Wolf vaguely recalled the hidden place, or where it was. He made up his mind.
“I will find you, Matéré.” He bowed his head to her as he remained knelt.
Celeste placed a hand atop his head, whispering. “I do not doubt it, Donar.”
When he looked up at her again, she disappeared.
Red Wolf gathered what he needed for a long journey, including weapons for hunting and protection. He went nowhere without them. In order to leave the Grey Area, he had to have permission from Lord Maximaniac himself.
It would not be easy, Red Wolf thought, but neither would be finding his family again.
Swallowing the nervous lump in his throat, Red Wolf Moondancer, former Warrior with the Dominionite Army, walked toward the Lord and Lady’s thrones. Lord Maximaniac was deep in discussion with one of his delegates when he approached. When he knelt in front of his Lord, the short-sword scraped on the hard floor, startling Maximaniac.
“My Lord Maximaniac, I am Red Wolf Moondancer, former Dominionite Warrior sent to this realm for rehabilitation.” Red Wolf started, not meeting his Lord’s eyes. “I wish you grant me permission to leave the Grey Area on a journey I must take.”
“Rise, Red Wolf Moondancer.” Lord Maximaniac’s voice was kind. “Tell me why I should grant such a request?”
Red Wolf stood, now meeting his Lord’s eyes. “I have found my family, and wish to free them from the Underground.”
Maximaniac stood from his throne after waving the delegate away. He stepped down to face the ex-Warrior pup who used to fight with the Master himself.
“Do you know where the Underground is, Red Wolf?” Maximaniac asked.
Red Wolf shook his head no. “Nay, my Lord, which is why I want to find it.”
Maximaniac stroked his human chin, his grey eyes on the pup. “I know of your experience in survival arts, which is why I grant your leave.”
Red Wolf smiled, relieved.
“But, you will not go alone, under any circumstances.” Maximaniac commented. “Is that clear, Red Wolf Moondancer?”
Red Wolf bowed his head. “Aye, my Lord.”
“Relax. I will send you to the best Companion for the job.” Maximaniac replied, allowing Red Wolf to relax once again.
“Who, my Lord Maximaniac?”
“His name is Sire Wolfton Stargazer.” Maximaniac told him.
Wolfton? “Wolf!” The pup’s eyes flashed at the name.
“Aye, but with him no longer a Warrior such as yourself, he was given land of his own to rule.” Maximaniac explained. “He and Lady Katherine live in the Canine Valley.”
Another name he remembered from the Wars.
“Katherine Hawk? A Lady?” Red Wolf was incredulous. “Is she not one of Orthos’ nieces, though? How could she be the royal title of Lady?”
“Although it is unfortunate she is the Master’s niece, she is also an Ancient Mystic.”
“Who is her mother?”
“None other than Queen Lady Sibylline of the Epsilon.” Maximaniac told him. “If you wish to begin your search, go to the Canine Valley, nearly hidden in the Ancient Mystic Province.”
The new knowledge made Red Wolf’s head spin. “What if he does not remember me? Or if he does not wish to help me?”
“I assure you, pup, Wolf will remember you.” Maximaniac clapped him on the back, startling him. “As for helping you, he is bound to it by the Crusader Oath.”
“‘To help those in need, whenever deemed.’” Red Wolf quoted. “Maybe someday, I will be a Companion Crusader.”
“I do not doubt it for a minute.” Lord Maximaniac bid him farewell and sent him on his way.
Red Wolf began his journey to the Canine Valley. It didn’t take long, using his memories from the Wars. Soon, he was deep in the dark forest of the Canine Woods. He could smell venison cooking on a nearby fire, and his stomach ached for a taste.
As he stepped closer, he heard something behind him. Grasping his bow from his back, Red Wolf was armed and ready for anything. The noise came from the top of a nearby tree. He stood poised in case whatever it was decided to jump him.
Just as he had thought, whatever it was jumped out of the tree and toppled him to the ground. His bow was thrown out of reach by some strange, unknown power. He wanted to get it, but the attacker’s weight held him down.
“Who sent you?” The attacker’s voice growled, making Red Wolf face him. Around his neck hung a charm from the Mistresses, which gave him the power of speed and agility. He could faintly make out the face.
A wolf-man’s face he’d known years before. Red Wolf stayed silent, but a hand grasped at his throat, nearly choking him.
“Lord Maximaniac of the Grey Area.” He choked. With one swift move, he grabbed his attacker’s hand and threw him across the dirt.
This enabled Red Wolf to stand and grab his bow, putting it away before confronting his attacker.
The attacker spat the mud out of his mouth, stumbling to stand. Obviously defeated, he sat on the ground, rubbing his jaw.
“Believe it or not, I came in peace.” Red Wolf replied, lending the stranger a hand up.
“If you come in peace, why bring weapons of war?” The attacker coughed up blood when he caught his breath, spitting it to the ground.
“For a journey I am on.” Red Wolf supplied. “You could at least greet a former Warrior brother with a handshake instead of attacking him.”
It took a moment, but his attacker, the renowned Sire Wolfton Stargazer, regained his senses. The two wolves stared at each other. Wolfton, commonly known as Wolf, stood slowly, grasping Red Wolf’s hand. Red Wolf helped his old friend off the dirty ground.
“Sorry about that, but old habits die hard.” Wolf replied.
“Aye.” Red Wolf agreed. “Do you remember me, Warrior Wolf?”
Wolf shook his head. “Those days are over. I am no longer a Warrior, but a Companion Crusader.” He rubbed his jaw and looked at him. “I cannot say I remember you. Do not feel bad, I do not remember most about the Wars for Power, nor do I wish to.”
“Understandable.” Red Wolf found his belt pouch and pulled a homemade salve out of it. He took a fallen leaf and applied the salve on his friend’s wound. “I am Red Wolf Moondancer, but you knew me as Red.”
Wolf had to do a double-take. “Red?” He whispered, and his friend nodded. “It surely has been a long time!”
“Not too long.” Red Wolf supplied. “I was there when Lord Guardian and the Crusaders Exiled the Master.”
“That was not long ago, indeed.” Wolf smiled as much as he could without showing pain. He wrapped an arm