Ancient Mystic's War of the Realms Saga by Lady Adellandra Dratianos (book club suggestions txt) 📕

but in yourself.”
He could hear her words in his head as if they were said only yesterday. Jammins’ hand went to the Dream Locket around his neck, and he believed in himself.
Something in his mind clicked and the words to the spell were there.

“Deep in the forest, where the Wishing Well hides,
“Go a little deeper, and darkness abides.
“A single beam of light glimmers around now,
“Grand Shamus and Apprentice waiting for thou.”

As if on command, the quartet saw the Wishing Well, lit by a single oil lamp. Not far from the Wishing Well was a single beam of light.
Jammins led them toward the beam, to a secret castle deep in the forest.
“This is amazing!” TJ breathed.
“Sure is.” Charlie whistled.
Jammins laughed under his breath, shaking his head at them. “We’re not there, yet.”
“It’s still amazing.” Julie supplied. She sat straight in the saddle when she saw two figures ahead of her. “Who are they?”
“Weren’t you listening?” Jammins teased her. “The woman is the Grand Shamus, Dixilynne Ryan and the man is her consort, the Apprentice.”
He dismounted, silently telling Charlie to do the same. After helping the women down from the horses, he couldn’t help himself. He raced to the Grand Shamus and bowed to her.
Grand Shamus only laughed. “Jammins, you can hug me you know.”
Jammins stood, doing just that. “It’s great to see you again, Dixie.”
The Grand Shamus pulled from the hug, putting a finger to her lips and winking. “You know better.”
“I’m sorry, Grand Shamus. I couldn’t help myself.” Jammins smiled. “You know me.”
“Of course.” Grand Shamus laughed. “Why do you seek me after all this time?”
Jammins straightened, clearing his throat. “I am an Earthly Protector, Grand Shamus.” He turned and gestured for the three of them to join him.
The Grand Shamus only stared, shaking her head. “No, it couldn’t be.” She turned to Jammins. “Is this Julia Lynne, Shannon’s twin sister?”
“And Princess Sarabeth’s other daughter.” Jammins confirmed. Julie could only stare at the Grand Shamus. “She’s also my wife.”
“Congratulations.”
“Thank you.” Jammins said. “Julie, this is Dixilynne Ryan. In the Dream Realm, she’s known as the Grand Shamus. She’ll teach you the Silver Magic you need to know.”
“Really?” Julie asked. “It’s nice to meet you, I guess.”
“Likewise.” Grand Shamus said. “What about the others?”
“Julie’s daughter Tamara Jane, TJ, and her Earthly Protector, Charlie Reynolds.” Jammins introduced them.
“Who declared the two of you Earthly Protectors?” The Apprentice jumped in.
“How did you know the Grand Shamus was the woman for you?” Jammins cornered. The Apprentice couldn’t speak. “We just know. It’s in our hearts.”
The Apprentice stared at him. “You don’t have Protector’s Pendants.”
“That’s what we’re here for, sir.” Charlie said softly, coming up from behind Jammins and nodding his respect. “To receive them, and learn what we need to know about being Earthly Protectors.”
Apprentice harrumphed. “How is it you have no respect for your elders? Were you raised in a barn?”
“I was raised at the System in California.” Jammins stood up to him. “The Grand Shamus taught me all I needed to know about becoming a top detective. Now, I bring my family here to learn what we need to in order to fight in the upcoming war.”
After a moment of glaring, the Apprentice smiled, looking to his wife. “Well, you raised him, after all. The kid does have spunk.”
“So you will give them the Pendants?” Grand Shamus asked, giving him a loving squeeze of the waist.
The Apprentice nodded. “Come with me, gentlemen. Time to learn how to be Earthly Protectors.”
Jammins relaxed, following. He knew TJ and Julie would be fine in the Grand Shamus’s caring hands.

Story: #4:
Lord Byron’s Troubles

During her patrols, Young Guardian had the nagging feeling she was missing something. Even the Protector could tell she was distracted.
“What bothers you, Love?” The Protector asked, holding her hand.
“I keep thinking about O’Dell.” Young Guardian supplied. “No one’s seen him lately, and the Companions now revere me as their Lady Guardian.”
“I know what you mean.” The Protector supplied. “Want to find out?”
Young Guardian nodded. “Maybe the Unicorn had any luck talking to him?”
From their positions, they disappeared. Once reappearing in front of the Ancient Mystic Palace doors, Young Guardian practically fell into the Protector’s arms.
“Whoa.” He whispered. “Careful.” He looked at her, noticing how white and pale she was. “Are you okay?”
She shook her head. “Just a little dizziness, that’s all.”
He didn’t believe her. “If that dizziness doesn’t go away by the time we go home, I’m personally putting you on bed rest.”
Young Guardian stood to her feet. “I’ll be okay, I promise.”
She tugged at the hanging chime that hung overhead. A few bars of Tchaikovsky’s “Romeo and Juliet” played in the air. The door opened to reveal a very tired-looking Mistress Enchantra.
“Young Guardian, Protector!” Enchantra replied. “The Unicorn and his lady are already here.”
“We know, Enchantra.” The Protector took over when he felt Young Guardian feeling faint again. “We sent them here earlier this evening.”
“Well, come in.” Enchantra glanced at Young Guardian’s features, taking a hand to her face. “Sit her down by Lord Guardian’s blankets.”
When the Protector had done that, he told Enchantra. “She’s wearing herself thin, trying to be herself and take Lord Guardian’s place.”
“It is a good thing she has you to lean on.” Enchantra stared in Young Guardian’s direction, but not at her.
“Yeah, literally.” The Protector tried to joke. He noticed Enchantra’s vague expression. “Is there anything bothering you, Mistress? You aren’t yourself.”
“At least we agree on that.” Came the voice of the Unicorn as he joined them. He noticed Young Guardian’s form, now her Earthbound Ancient Mystic self, lying on blankets. “What’s with her?”
“She’s drained.” The Protector explained. When the Unicorn went to her, he barked. “Leave her!”
The Unicorn raised his hands in surrender. “Sorry.”
“He didn’t mean anything by it.” Airmed chimed after him. It was then she noticed Enchantra’s blank look. “Mistress?”
Enchantra shook her head. “I am sorry, Airmed.”
“Is something bothering you?” The Protector asked again.
“Many things bother me, but none you have to concern yourselves with.” Enchantra tried to convince them.
“You are one of the great Mistresses, not to mention a dear friend.” The Protector supplied. “If something is on your mind, please, let us know.”
“There is nothing you can do to help.”
“Does it have anything to do with Young Guardian working herself too hard?” The Unicorn asked.
Slowly, Enchantra nodded.
“Which more than likely has to do with Lord Guardian.” The Protector announced. He thought of the Crusades. “Did he see something in his Sphere he didn’t like?”
“Each of us saw a few things we did not like.” Enchantra nodded. “He will not tell me what he saw, and I cannot explain what I saw.”
“For Young Guardian and Lord Guardian’s sake, please try.” The Protector said softly, sitting next to his Love’s normal form. She was Ariana Moon, his life-long Dream Girl once again. So young, so fragile, so scared and lonely. He could just feel her heart wavering under his hand.
Enchantra saw the awesome display of love the Protector had for Young Guardian. It was heartwarming and breaking at the same time. It gave her a sense of duty.
“Not long ago, I felt something wrenching in my soul.” Enchantra began. “It was Challandra, my twin sister, and she was in danger. I saw a vision in my mind of what was happening to her. Orthos’ new queen, Gloriana, was in the Kingdom. She somehow managed to float her body in the air, binding her with the Witches Cord. Once casting a final sleeping spell on her, Gloriana went straight to the Royal Quarters, searching for Lord Byron.”
The Unicorn made a fist with his hand, getting angrier with every sentence. Airmed tapped his arm, bringing his anger down once their eyes met.
“The vision was gone as fast as it had come.” Enchantra continued, not noticing the Unicorn’s growing anger. “Immediately, I sought Lord Guardian, to tell him of my vision. I found him in the Mirror Room, scowling at an image only he could see. I tried telling him my vision, but he was not listening. He saw something in the Mirror he did not like.”
She turned to meet the listening ears and watching eyes of the Unicorn and Airmed. She looked to the blankets where the younger form of Young Guardian was silently resting. The Protector sat beside her, petting her hair as if to soothe her thoughts.
“Where is Lord Guardian now?” The Unicorn asked softly.
The Protector was alert now, shooting his friend a glare. “You mean, you haven’t seen him yet?”
The Unicorn shook his head. “We’ve searched, but can’t find him anywhere.”
“Maybe he went to his Castle?” The Protector suggested. “Go see if he’s there. Take Airmed with you.”
The Unicorn knew the Protector was serious, and nodded.
As he moved to leave, Enchantra cried. “Nay!”
The Unicorn asked. “Why not?”
“Let me find him for myself.” Enchantra supplied. “Why do you have need of him?”
He took Airmed’s hand and searched her eyes. “I believe she’s my Earthly Protector. I only need confirmation from Lord Guardian.”
Enchantra smiled. “I believe I am able to judge, in his absence.”
The Unicorn looked at her, hopeful. “Really?”
Enchantra nodded. She faced the couple. “Have you dreamed of each other before actually meeting in the Outer Realm? Did you feel a sense of completeness in your very souls as you first met eyes there? When you kissed for the first time, could you feel the tug upon your hearts?”
The Unicorn was excited. “Yes, yes, and triple yes!”
Enchantra held a hand, silencing him. “And you, Airmed, could you hear his voice in your mind?”
Airmed nodded. “He told me he was telepathic.”
“Only to very few people who know him.” Enchantra said. “Young Guardian and Amethyst, for example. Did he tell you about his childhood, and the Blood Pact they made?”
Airmed nodded again. “He told me everything, even about him being an Ancient Mystic.”
The Unicorn jumped in quickly, to cover Airmed’s folly. He may have considered himself half-Ancient Mystic, but he didn’t think Enchantra would agree. “Mistress, I can explain.”
“It is okay, Unicorn. You earned Ancient Mystic status.” Enchantra said. “Saving the lives of those you care about more times than I can recall definitely deems you a Pure Ancient Mystic. Both Amethyst and yourself have done so much for Young Guardian when she was growing up, and even in the Crusades. You have worked hard in the past to learn your special Magic. I am very proud of you.”
The Unicorn was honored. “Thank you, Mistress. You don’t know what that means to me.”
Enchantra winked. “I am sure I do. In the meantime, I must agree with you.” He waited for her to continue. “I firmly believe you have earned your Earthly Protector, Unicorn.”
The Unicorn named Aaron Schmidt took his true love in his arms, hugging her and kissing her lips. “Did you hear that, Sierra?”
Airmed could only laugh at his enthusiasm. “I love you, too, Aaron.”
“I don’t mean to be a downer, but what about Ariana, and Lord Byron?” The Protector spoke up.
“Aye.” Enchantra nodded. “We need to find out about Lord Byron. Unicorn, take her to the Kingdom and see what ails him.”
The Unicorn hesitated. “Are you sure this time?”
“Absolutely.” Enchantra announced. “Go now.”
When they disappeared, she looked to Young Guardian’s silent form on the blankets.
“She’s getting younger by the minute.” The Protector told her. “Can you heal her?”
“I am afraid not.” Enchantra supplied. “It is only her mind that