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

to bring you back?”
Young Guardian’s brow lowered in thought. “Let me think.” She muttered under her breath. “Aha!” She bent to whisper something in the Enchanted Child’s ear.
“I remember now!” The Child cried. She stepped away from the four of them, closing her eyes and raising her hands to the air.

“Intertwine these Forms of Mine
“Magic, Mind, and Body Yearn
“From duo places and duo times
“Make one once again in turn.”

Her hands clasped together at the last line. In a flash of light, the Enchanted Child was whole again.
“Is the Djinn still there?” Young Guardian asked quietly.
The Child nodded.
“Call the Dream Chant.” Young Guardian instructed. “When you arrive, go straight to Stargazer Castle. We’ll meet up with you.”
“Okay.”

“Moy Yam Tor Ham Day,
“Take me away.
“My heart, my soul and all I seem,
“Take me now to the World of Dreams!”

In another flash, the Child was gone.
“Why there?” The Protector asked.
“I want to see if that Dark Mist was gone for good.” Young Guardian announced, taking his hand. She also took her sister’s hand. “Ready to rock and roll?”
Grand Magus rolled her eyes before she closed them. Once all hands were clasped in another’s, they called the same spell and disappeared.

II

Sabrina watched her brother pace. It made her dizzy.
“Damian...” She whined.
“Silence, sister.” Damian announced.
“You let them go free!” Sabrina cried. “I wanted the Grand Magus!”
“Relax, Sabrina. You will have her, yet.”
“Why did you let Shadow free her?”
Damian finally turned to his sister. “I wanted to see how much Magic she really knew how to use.”
“She is the greatest of Ancient Mystics.” Sabrina remarked. “I wanted her, and her powers.”
“I told you, you will have her.” Damian supplied with a grin. “Did I not give you the Djinn to help you?”
“Why send a Djinn to the Enchanted Child when I want the Grand Magus?”
“Have you learned nothing all these years?” Damian huffed. “When one is in need, they all come running.”
Sabrina was finally understanding her brother. “Tricky, tricky.”
He bowed. “None other.”
“What of Gloriana?”
“That oaf of an evil-doer?” Damian laughed. “I sent her somewhere to reek havoc.”
Sabrina was curious. “Where?”
“To the mighty Ancient Mystic’s Kingdom.” Damian supplied.
“What for?” Sabrina asked. “That place has been in ruins since the Wars.”
“Lord Byron dwells there with Mistress Challandra and their children.” Damian said. “I just sent her there to have a little fun.”
“Lord Byron?” Sabrina crooned. “Aye. He should pay for Exiling me.”
Damian nodded. “And so he will, from Gloriana, by my orders.”
“You scandalous beast!” Sabrina was excited. “Father will be enraged!”
“As my intent. It will teach our new stepmother not to disrespect us.” Damian supplied. “After all, she was one of our many useless Dominionite drones.”
Sabrina saw the blazing colors in his eyes. He was going to have some fun, and so would she. “My, brother, you really know how to liven a party!”

III

Young Guardian and her three colleagues met the Enchanted Child in the Dream Realm’s Canine Valley. She was happily playing with Celine Stargazer and her new kit-pup brothers Raulf and Lovell . An elder version of Wolfton Stargazer himself was watching them, Red Wolf beside him.
“Sheldon!” Young Guardian cried. She hugged Wolf’s father. “Where’s Shelby?”
“Getting to know her new daughter.” Sheldon Stargazer supplied. “If you need my son, he is patrolling the border of the Canine Wood.”
“Any more incidents of the Dark Mist?” Shadow asked.
“None we could detect.” Sheldon remarked. “You may seek if you wish.”
“Can I stay here, Momma?” The Enchanted Child asked.
“What about the Djinn?”
“I have already explained to the Child the Djinn must be taken care of in your own world.” Sheldon supplied for her, shaking his head.
“Wouldn’t it be easier here?” The Grand Magus asked. “After all, he hasn’t any power here, right?”
“I was wondering that myself.” Young Guardian supplied.
Red Wolf had been quiet up until then. He cleared his throat, getting his Young Guardian’s attention. “May I speak freely?”
“Go ahead, Page Red Wolf.”
“It is true the Mind-dweller has no power here, but it would still be difficult.” Red Wolf said softly.
“We can handle it, Red Wolf.” The Protector replied.
“However,” Red Wolf continued loudly, “you must use the combined Magics in the Outer Realm. The Child told us of his existence, and how he wishes to get to the Grand Magus.”
“Me?” Grand Magus asked, holding her heart. “Why me?”
“You are the most powerful Ancient Mystic in your line, with the exception of Young Guardian.” Sheldon announced, bowing his head. “Begging your pardon, Young Guardian.”
“Understood.” Young Guardian bowed her head back, acknowledging his remark. “Go on.”
“This particular Mind-dweller was sent by the Maiden herself.” Sheldon continued.
“Not Sabrina again!” Young Guardian cried. She looked to her sister. “Will she never learn?”
“I guess not.” The Grand Magus supplied.
“For now, go home and get rid of it before it hurts the Child more.” Sheldon supplied.
Now the Protector was angry. All could feel it. Young Guardian placed a hand on his arm with a look of warning.
“How has it hurt her?” He growled, fists clenched.
“Just my mind, Daddy.” The Child hugged him. He hugged her back tightly. “I knew enough to handle him.”
“But not enough to get rid of him.” The Protector whispered, kissing her temple.
“It’s the take-over all over again.” Shadow growled. “I hate to admit it, but Sir Sheldon’s right. We need to get home to the kids anyway.” He turned to the Protector and Young Guardian, who were each holding the Child. “We’ll meet in the morning and get rid of the Djinn, okay?”
The three of them nodded, agreeing. The Grand Magus and the Shadow disappeared, returning home to the Outer Realm.
“In the meantime, I believe we have a mission.” Young Guardian announced. “Child, stay here with Sir Sheldon and Page Red Wolf. Protector, are you coming with me?”
“Where else would I go?” The Protector grinned.
“Thanks again, Sir Sheldon.” Young Guardian said. “I’ll find some way to repay you.”
“No need. Reuniting me with my son and his family was thanks enough for me.” Sir Sheldon bowed to her. “When you have need of me, I will be yours to command.”
“How noble of you.” The Protector nodded. He wrapped an arm through his Love’s. “Shall we find Wolf?”
Young Guardian and the Protector disappeared from sight. Sir Sheldon, Red Wolf and The Enchanted Child exchanged worried glances. They hoped everything would turn out all right, and nothing would happen to them.
The couple found Sire Wolfton where his father said he would be. He was with a pup, patrolling the border of the Wood.
“Wolf!”
When Young Guardian gave the cry, Wolf saw who it was. He said something to the pup before heading in the couple’s direction. His face lit up when he saw the Protector.
“Young Guardian!” Wolf bowed quickly. “And, who is this?”
“Wolf, it’s me. Derrick.” The Protector supplied. “Apparently, I’ve earned my new title, along with the clothes to go with it.”
“I see that. What is your new title, my friend?” Wolf asked.
“They call me the Protector.” He supplied. “I don’t know what or who I’m supposed to protect, but that’s who I am. For now, I’m helping our Young Guardian with her duties.”
“So you are the infamous Protector!” Wolf laughed. “I knew your deeds sounded familiar!” He turned to Young Guardian. “It would seem the Dark Mist has completely disappeared.”
“Have you had any more problems with it?”
Wolf shook his head. “Nay, thank the Gods.” He yelped. “Oh! Come and meet one of my own Soldiers of Justice.”
“Soldiers of Justice?” Young Guardian giggled. “I’ve got to see this.”
She followed him to the pup in a uniform.
“Personnel Ronan Brownpatches, meet your Young Guardian and the Protector.” Wolf replied. “Ronan here is a beagle pup. Very loyal and determined. He was one of the first to sign up for the Canine Army.”
Ronan bowed. “It is an honor to finally meet you, Young Guardian.” He supplied. “I am truly blessed by your presence.”
“Stop.” Young Guardian giggled. “Thanks anyway, Young Ronan.”
The Protector nudged her. “You’re blushing, my dear.”
She turned to him, surprising him with a kiss. Startled, he turned away from view.
“Good. Now you’re the one who’s blushing.” Young Guardian teased. “We came to see if it was gone for good. I was worried for a while there.”
“Like the night, it was gone.” Ronan was still knelt in front of her.
“Rise, Ronan.” Young Guardian announced. “I don’t feel comfortable having Companions kneeling to me quite yet. I’m still Earthbound, you know.”
“Does that mean the rumors of Lord Guardian’s demise are false?” Ronan asked them.
“He’s too strong to die.” Young Guardian told him. “Where did you hear the rumors?”
“That rumor has been around the Canine Valley for a long time!” Ronan supplied. “Thank the Gods it is not true.”
“How long have these rumors been around?” The Protector wondered.
“Years of Outer Realm time.” Ronan announced. “My Auntie Mim told us there were attempts on his life.”
“There were, once.” The Protector supplied. “How much do you know about the Crusades?”
Ronan looked to his Sire. “Just what my Sire has told me. How brave the Crusaders were against the Master! I am proud to be on his side!”
Young Guardian laughed. “Well, you’re on my side, too, Young Ronan. Don’t forget that.”
“Aye. I owe you my life and loyalty, Young Guardian.” Ronan nodded. “Yours as well, Protector. Without you, there would be no Canine Valley.”
“The pup speaks the truth.” Wolf supplied, clapping Ronan on the back. Ronan beamed. Wolf turned back to his two friends. “Looks like we have to ferret out the starter of these rumors, in order to keep the Valley safe.”
“Why not speak with Auntie Mim?” Ronan asked. “Surely, she would know.”
“Who is this Mim?” Protector asked.
“Mim is one of the local Elder canines.” Wolf rolled his eyes, huffing. “The young pups call her Mimsy, and she has quite a mouth on her.”
“Have you tried taming her?” Young Guardian asked with a teasing smile. “You seem to be doing a good job with the rest of the Valley.”
“Can you truly tame a coyote?” Wolf asked.
“I’ll find and speak with her on my next patrol night.” Young Guardian announced. “If anyone can scare the daylights out of anyone, it’s got to be Lord Guardian’s own successor.”
“Proudfoot.”
“Sorry, what?” The Protector was confused.
“Mimsy’s Elder-name. Madam Proudfoot. You will need her name to find her, aye?”
“Aye.” She nodded to the pup. “Pleasure meeting you.”
“All mine, Young Guardian.”
“You, we’ll see later.” Protector supplied to Wolf. “Full reports at every patrol visit, is that clear?”
“Crystal.” Wolf grinned. “You are taking your role seriously I see.”
“‘Bout time.” Young Guardian grinned. “By the way, send the Child home when you see her, if she hasn’t left already. We have to Exorcize a Djinn Mind-dweller from her.”
Wolf nodded. “I would be honored. Pleasant Journeys, Young Guardian. Protector.”
With an equal cry of “Pleasant Journeys!,” the couple held hands and returned home.

IV

Shane, Derrick and the twins were in the room Ariana used for her magic studies, far away from onlookers. Kelly consented to being tied to a pole as she sat in a chair, just to be safe. They knew it would be potent magic, far too dangerous for any of the other children to be near. As instructed, the five of them used their Gold and Silver Magics to Exorcize the Mind-dweller from Kelly’s