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

The young woman commanded. Her red-eyes narrowed, glowing. Her skin was pale, as if death was her token of life.
“Young Guardian.”
The young woman’s eyes widened. “Business?”
“None of yours. Step aside, Companion.”
“I am no Companion!” The young woman cried. “I am the princess of this castle, Tempest.”
“My apologies, Princess. I’m here to see Lord Max.”
After a suspicious glare, the princess supplied. “Follow me.”
Tempest stalked off, flitting her skirts behind her. Ariana could tell she was rotten, if not spoiled. She knew who Tempest was, but did the Princess?
“I wasn’t aware Lord Max had a daughter your age.” Ariana supplied.
“He does not.” Tempest announced. “I am adopted by the Queen.”
So that’s how she thinks she’s a Princess. Ariana thought. Let her keep thinking that, I suppose.
Tempest led her to the main hall, where Max sat at his throne. He was talking to two Companions she didn’t recognize from behind.
“There he is. Lord Max, Young Guardian to see you.” Tempest announced.
Lord Max looked up with a smile. “Wonderful! See her in, then excuse us.”
The two Companions he was talking to turned to look. To Ariana’s surprise and delight, it were none other than Wolf and Red Wolf.
Something must be going on if that dog’s in on it. Ariana could hear Tempest’s very thoughts, so curious and suspicious. The Princess was every bit as mean as her true mother, and her empathy revealed her nature.
Close your thoughts, Princess. Ariana thought back as she bowed to Lord Max. I can hear you.
With a cry of disbelief, Tempest stomped her foot and stormed out.
“What angered her this time?” Red Wolf growled.
Lord Max supplied, “Why do you not tell me, Young Guardian?”
“She was projecting her thoughts and I told her so.” Ariana stood.
Lord Max’s frown widened to a smile. “Jezebel took up the task of teaching her Magic, but Tempest hates the lessons with a passion.”
“I can see that.” Ariana replied. “On to business. Was I brought here for a reason?”
“Ah, aye.” Lord Max remarked. “The pups claim you helped find the Elder Companions in the Underground.”
“Yes.”
“And you rescued them, bringing them to my brother O’Dell.”
“Yes, what?” Ariana started, but he interrupted.
“Did you also claim to help them find homes and reunite with their children?”
“In a way, yes.” Ariana huffed.
“It has been brought to my attention the Canine Valley needs looking after, and you yourself suggested an army to do this.” Max declared. “You have also decided that Red Wolf Moondancer would be a part of this Canine Army. Has something happened in the Canine Valley not even my brother knows about? Something that needs an army to defend it?”
“Not to my knowledge.” Ariana replied.
“I sense a presence there; one so evil, it makes the Master look like a child.” Wolf replied. “I only wish to see my home, and our world safe from all harm. That is why I came to you. I believed, with this mission, Red would be able to regain his lost power and live with me at Stargazer Castle.”
“He is not warranted by Lord Guardian to leave the Grey Area.” Lord Max shook his head. “He still pays a penance for his part in the Wars for Power. His actions helped destroy many hundreds of Companion homes, tearing apart families and kin-packs.”
“Not by my own hand!” Red yelled. “The Merchant and the Maiden had our powers; you know this as well as anyone, my Lord Maximaniac!”
Max was no longer sitting. He stood up with such speed, the three of them cowered.
“Enough!” Maximaniac screamed. “No more insolence!”
“What of myself?” Wolfton responded, getting in Max’s face. “Have I fully paid for what I helped destroy?”
Only he was able to talk back to Max, Ariana thought. All those years together in the same Earthbound mind.
“You became a Companion-Crusader.” Max supplied. “You earned your title in the Crusades, Sire.”
“Why not let Red Wolf earn his?” Ariana stepped in. “He may have his faults, as we all do, but that doesn’t mean he has to pay for what wasn’t his fault to begin with.”
“You have no say in this Ariana Moon!” Max cried.
“I have every say!” Ariana yelled. “I am the Young Guardian. I am Lord Guardian’s eyes and ears. I can generate decisions that can make or break this world. I’ve earned through my life and love of this world my right to stand in Lord Guardian’s place. Now tell me I have no say!”
Max was silent, staring at Ariana’s wild eyes. He could have sworn they were turning colors. Colors he’d only seen with Dominionites that could never be good again.
“You will be silent. All of you.” Max’s voice was level. “Sire Wolfton, can you explain what you sense so madly, and how?”
Wolf shook his canine head. “Nay, my Lord, but I believe my Companion Magic has allowed me to sense these things. If I were an Ancient Mystic, I would be explaining visions. As it is, only my wife is, and she has been away helping Young Guardian in the Outer Realm. She only returned recently, when events here brought her home.”
“Has she told you of any visions concerning this eerie presence?”
“Nay.”
“All I know, Max, is something is happening in all realms and all worlds, starting with this one.” Wolf responded.
“Have you felt this presence he speaks of?” Max turned to Ariana.
“I regret I’ve been unable to patrol recently.” Ariana supplied. “On the way back from the Underground, I did feel something odd in the Province. I believe it turned Wolf against himself, having him think of his lost family.”
Max gave Wolf a curious look. “Is this true, Sire Wolfton? You were pitted against yourself?”
Wolf growled at Ariana, then commented. “You could say that, aye.”
“Where were you in all this?” Max asked Red Wolf, who had been kneeling in silence, listening to them talk.
“I was there, with them.” Red Wolf replied. “I felt it when Sire Wolfton changed form and raced off into the wood. I also felt it when Young Guardian did the same and loped after him. There is something amiss on this side of the Dream Realm. I want to find it and help destroy it.”
“So, you wish to be a part of Sire Wolfton’s Canine Valley army?”
Red Wolf exchanged glances with his former Warrior friend. “If he would be willing to have me.”
Wolfton smiled, nodding his canine head.
“And you would be willing and able to help him earn Knight status?”
“Aye, my Lord Max. I told you; Young Guardian suggested it.”
Max now turned to Ariana. “The one person rallying for peace in this world and you suggest an army?”
“Only as a means to an end.” Ariana shrugged. “We have to fight back when forces are against us. We can’t do that unless we have separate armies stationed around the Dream Realm. Always on alert, always ready for battle or a fight on short notice.”
“You believe my brother would agree with you?”
“If you mean O’Dell, I’d say, yes. He’s trusted me with decisions before. He’ll agree with this one, I’m sure.” Ariana remarked.
Maximaniac put his hands behind his back and began to pace the floor.
“If I should grant his leave, you will be fully responsible for him from now on.”
“Aye, Lord Max.” Wolf’s tail wagged.
“And you, Red Wolf, shall listen to all he says.”
“Aye, Lord Maximaniac.” Red Wolf replied, nodding.
“Young Guardian, you will be in charge of this endeavor.” Lord Max responded, stopping in his tracks. “Bring it up to my brother, every last bit. Is that understood?”
“Of course, Max.” Ariana nodded.
“On that note, I give you my decree.” Max unsheathed his sword from his belt. To an already-kneeling Red Wolf, he held his sword high and responded. “I, Lord Maximaniac of the Grey Area’s Shady Kingdom, give unto you the power you so richly deserve. I send you to the home of Sire Wolfton Stargazer, to be his Page until he deems you ready to receive your knighthood.” Max tapped each of Red Wolf’s shoulders, saying. “No longer a Grey Arean, I dub thee Page Red Wolf Moondancer, of Stargazer Castle and the entire Canine Valley.” He sheathed his sword, telling Red Wolf to rise. “Your Companion powers have been fully restored. Go, join your Knight-Master and Sire at Stargazer Castle. I wish you pleasant journeys in what lies ahead.”
Max turned to Ariana. “I now release you from my own magical grasp, with my deepest apologies. You may return home to the Outer Realm. I do not wish to hear of your not patrolling anymore. As the Young Guardian, it is your job to help protect this world from such presences as the one Sire Wolfton has brought to my attention.”
“I won’t argue, Lord Max. Rather, I’ll take my leave.”
Finally, Ariana was allowed to go home.

II

She knew she was in grave danger of being discovered, but that didn’t matter. She had to know what Red Wolf, Sire Stargazer and Lord Maximaniac were up to, and why Young Guardian looked as if she were in charge of the place. She’d heard of Young Guardian from her adopted father Lord Maximaniac, but she never met the woman until now.
There was someone to be scared of. She thought to herself as she watched the scene.
She watched from behind a brick wall that separated the Throne Room from the Main Hall. She could hardly hear their voices but knew something was up.
“What have I told you about snooping, Tempest?” She heard someone behind her, feeling the touch of a hand on her shoulder. She turned to see her adopted mother Queen Jezebel. She stood once seeing the frown on her Queen mother’s face.
“Not to do it.” Tempest remarked. “I could not help it, Queen Mother. I was curious.”
“About what?”
“Why Sire Stargazer has come to Lord Max, and why Red Wolf is with him.” Tempest replied. “They look as if they returned from a quest.”
“Very observant.” Jezebel noted.
“Can you answer my questions?”
She thought about telling the Princess the truth, but decided against it.
“And tempt your curiosity?” Jezebel remarked. “I think not. These are the affairs of Elders; not to be taken lightly by the Young Ones.”
Tempest stomped her foot, hands at her hips. She gave her Queen Mother her darkest, most hideous glare, her eyes turning black with rage. “Why can I never know what goes on around here?”
“It is none of your concern.” Jezebel supplied, arms crossed. She pointed off to the distance. “To your quarters, Princess.”
“But.”
“Go now or you will clean out Lord Byron’s stalls as punishment.”
She frowned, but went anyway.
Story #4:
Dark Mist From the Unknown

When she was Exiled by Lord Byron, she returned to the Unknown. Sabrina fell face down in a mud pile. To her embarrassment, slaves and peasants surrounded her. One even put their hand out to help her up. It was a male Dominionite with orange-glowing eyes.
“May I?” The male inquired.
Sabrina scowled at him, standing abruptly only to fall flat on her butt. She wasn’t happy.
Silently, she took his hand, allowing him to help her out of the mud.
“Are you alright my Lady Maiden?” The male asked, sounding worried.
“Take me to the Tower.” She commanded without hesitation.
The male nodded tightly. “Certainly.” He whistled, calling someone from behind her. “Allow my fellows to clean you off.”
“You are too sincere to be in the Unknown. How did you get here?” Sabrina asked him with a curious look.
“My loyalty for you.” The male supplied. “I am Cyrix. I was once one of your