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

from Celeste and Chase Moondancer, she grinned. “He used an Ancient Watcher ritual to return.”
Celeste gasped, but nodded. “So he knows about Airmed Starchaser, and her link to the Watchers?”
“Gloriana told him after she fought against her.” Sabrina said.
“If what you say is true, Sabrina.” Chase began. “How Orthos is going to bring back the Stalkers, than we have no choice. We must plead with Lord Guardian in letting the Dweller kin-Clans return.”
“We have to warn them of the recurring danger.” Celeste supplied. She looked at her son. “Come with us, Chikité. Tell Lord Guardian your story and plead your case. The kin-Clans must know of this.”
Red Wolf Moondancer nodded to his mother, then looked to Wolf. “By your leave, Sire, if I may?”
“Go now.” Wolf Stargazer announced seriously. “Return here with Lord Guardian’s reply.”
“Aye, Sire.” Red Wolf nodded to his parents. “Matéré? Pérat?”
“Behind you, Donar.” Celeste supplied. “We shall return.”
When they were gone, Sabrina said. “We must be going, too. Mother and Lord Maximaniac will worry.”
On that, Sabrina and Cyrix disappeared.
“Onto more pressing business.” The Shadow announced. “Times are tough, and they’re about to get a lot tougher. Young Guardian’s vision must come true.”
“What vision?” Both Braken Hawks echoed.
Young Guardian stood up, facing each of them at the table.
“All Companions, Young and Elder, must come together in one Companion Army.” She announced. “All enemies must become friends against a common foe. If we stick together, and fight hard, never giving up, there’s no way Orthos or Bane will win this war.”
“I agree.” The Protector said. “We have to join together long before war is officially declared. Now, who’s with us?”
All Companions and Earthbound alike cheered.
“Sir Sheldon and Sir Nathaniel?” Young Guardian asked them. They stared, waiting. “Gather as many Elders as you can, going to the houses of their former-Warrior children. If they don’t already know, tell them what’s going on. Persuade them to join us in the Canine Valley’s Practice Fields.”
“Aye,” they chorused.
“You’re excused.” Young Guardian responded. She turned to Wolf. “Sire Wolfton, we’ve spoken many times on this. Is the Canine Army armed and ready?”
“On your commands, Young Guardian.” Wolf supplied. “They are used to seeing Destiny Grey, Tiger White-Snow, and my daughter Celine in training, so it will not be hard for them to add more felines into their already-strong ranks.”
“Good. Take Sire Tobias and spread the word ‘round the Feline Village.” Young Guardian commanded. “Return to the Practice Fields for further instructions.”
“We will go with you.” Braken Joel supplied, with Nikita nodding beside him. “Our influence should persuade them should they refuse.”
“Good thinking, Braken Joel.” Young Guardian said. With a nod, Wolf, Toby, Braken Joel and Nikita were gone. She turned to Joel’s foster-father and namesake. “Lord Braken, tell Queen Mystica to ready herself and Princess Sarabeth. Then get the Young Companions ready for the Underground, starting with Kit and Kat.”
Braken Hawk was open-mouthed. “I am your Elder. You cannot talk to me like that!”
“I have full authority from Lord Guardian himself, being his successor.” She challenged. “Are you going to question that?”
Braken Hawk shook his head. “Shall we meet you at the same place then, Young Guardian?”
She nodded. Braken then excused himself from the group, leaving for the Epsilon to tell his queen.
Young Guardian slumped back in her seat, letting out a breath of air.
“Are you okay, sister?” Shadow could see the fatigue in Young Guardian’s eyes.
“I’m fine, brother.” Young Guardian nodded, sitting upright and looking at her twin and brother-in-law. “Go home, you two. I need you to talk to the Enchanted Child and her band of Crusaders.”
“About what?” Grand Magus asked.
“The thing you’ve been bugging me to think about since this mess started.” Young Guardian responded with a tired grin. “While we’re here, I want them to watch over the kids.”
“Are you sure all seven of them should be involved?” Shadow and the Protector shared an anxious look.
“Maybe not all seven of them. Just Cara, Bradley and Kelly should be okay.” She responded. “They know all about our battles here. They also know enough to keep it quiet.”
“What about Juliet?” The Grand Magus asked. Panther’s ears perked at the sound of his still-Earthbound sister’s name. “How much does she really know about this?”
“Next to nothing, which is just as well.” Young Guardian told her. “Panther, your sister isn’t exactly the bravest woman I know. She’s great with the kids, though, and I’m glad for that.”
Panther nodded. “Does she know you’re an Ancient Mystic?”
“Yes, she does, but she’s spooked whenever we use magic around her.” Young Guardian said finally. “It’s taking her awhile to adjust, especially after Hill View Cemetery.”
“I remember.” Panther groaned. “If she’s spooked over that, what if one of your Ancient Mystic children happens to use Magic around her?”
“Relax, Panther Grey.” Young Guardian grinned. “That’s what we have the Enchanted Child and Bradley Allen for. They can watch for stuff like that.”
“What about Amethyst and the Unicorn?” Panther wondered. “Will they be here or there?”
“They’ll be fighting here, definitely.” The Protector responded, then smiled. “Have we put all your fears to rest, Panther?”
“For now.” Panther smiled back. “I guess I’m jumpy lately. I’ll be okay to fight, and so will Destiny.”
“That’s good to hear.” The Grand Magus replied.
“It’s getting near sunrise, you three.” The Protector announced, eyeing his Life-Line watch on his wrist.
“One more thing and we’ll all go home.” Young Guardian replied. “I promise.”
“Get on with it, then.” Shadow teased.
Young Guardian turned to Panther. “Since Wolf and Red Wolf are away, will you keep an eye on the Canine Army, and supervise their training sessions?”
Panther was honored. “No sweat, Ariana. I’ll tell Katherine now.”
As he turned his back to leave, he heard the Grand Magus whine. “Now can we go home?”
“Yes, Lu, we can go home.” Young Guardian groaned.
Panther laughed under his breath, glad to hear his old friend joking around.
Wait until Katherine hears about this. Panther said in his mind with a smile. She’ll never believe it! After all this time, Ariana still remembers how to relax and kid around.

Chapter:
Across the Ancient Mystic Province

Chase Moondancer pulled at the ringing chime that hung from the Ancient Mystic Palace. He, his Bondmate Celeste, and son Chikité “Red Wolf” waited for someone to answer.
“What can I do for you?” Enchantra asked them.
“Is Lord Guardian around, Mistress?” Celeste wondered.
“It is a matter of great importance.” Chase supplied.
Enchantra nodded, leading them inside. They saw O’Dell staring out a window of the Palace, his brows deeply lined in thought.
“My Lord, the Moondancers are here to see you.” Enchantra’s voice shook him out of his daze.
O’Dell turned to see all three Moondancers, kneeling at his feet. They weren’t smiling. He stared, waiting patiently for either to speak.
“We need the Dweller kin-Clans in this Realm.” Chase announced.
“Why?”
Celeste nudged her son, who told O’Dell the story of his Spirit Quest.
O’Dell nodded for them to rise. “Unless my brother has called upon the Stalkers, I cannot allow it.”
“You must!” Chikité barked, then, realizing his disrespect, looked to Lord Guardian’s feet. “The Maiden herself has confessed his return!”
“I felt him return, Red Wolf.” O’Dell supplied. “Did Sabrina tell you how?”
“An Ancient Watcher ritual, my Lord Guardian.” Celeste replied. “Somehow, he knew about Airmed Starchaser and used it to return.”
O’Dell turned his back, thinking. After a moment, he announced. “Celeste, go to the Outer Realm and warn them of Orthos’ return. Should he call upon the Stalkers, you have my permission to bring them here. Have Ramon and Daniel report to me when they arrive.”
Something in O’Dell’s voice told Chase he knew his brother would bring back the Stalkers. It scared him.
“Aye, my Lord Guardian.” Celeste said softly.
When O’Dell didn’t turn back to face them again, they took it as their cue to exit.
Enchantra had been standing in the background, listening in silence. When the three Mountain Wolves were gone, she moved to wrap caring arms around her lover’s human-male waist.
“Oh, Chantie.” O’Dell sighed, pulling her in for a hug and a kiss on the lips.
“What else bothers you, my love?” Enchantra whispered, resting her head on his chest. “Anything I can do to ease your mind?”
“Check on Byron, Chantie, please.” He said, his tone filled with worry for his youngest brother. “See if he is strong again.”
Reluctantly, she pulled away. He was all business, when she wanted to do nothing but pleasure him, easing his mind and soul. The Goddess knew he needed to feel pleasure again, after all he’d been through recently.
“Aye, my Lord.” She said with a nod.
He stopped her departure with another kiss to her lips. “I promise, Chantie. When this is over, we will know love once again.”
Enchantra smiled, her heart beating a little faster at the statement. Before they could say anymore, she disappeared, heading to the Ancient Mystic Kingdom to check on her twin sister Challandra and her sister’s husband, Lord Byron.

II

Elder Companions, the Timber Wolf Sir Sheldon Stargazer and Jungle Tiger Sir Nathaniel White-Snow walked out of the borders of the Canine Valley.
“Well, Sheldon?” Nathaniel asked of his canine friend. “Where to first?”
“To my son, Strath.” Sheldon remarked. “He and his human love Laurynne Silver-Hawk will be able to help us complete Young Guardian’s task.”
“Do you know where they dwell now?” Nathaniel wondered. “They disappeared not long after we returned from the Underground.”
Sheldon had a knowing look in his eye. “That I do. Follow me, Nathaniel.”
He led the feline to the Realm of the Ancients, where they found Laurynne and Strath already waiting for them.
“Father.” Strath grasped Sheldon’s arm. “Laurynne says you have need of us.”
“We do.” Sheldon announced. He told his oldest son what was going on in the Dream Realm, and what Young Guardian told them to do about it.
“You know most Companion children of the Wars are no longer with us.” Laurynne pointed out. “Some were turned into Dominionites, and followed Uncle Orthos when he was Exiled by the Crusaders years ago.”
“The rest are either with Lord Maximaniac in the Grey Area, or lost in the Dark Area.” Strath continued. “How are we to persuade former Dominionites into fighting a war against the Master himself?”
“Once those in the Grey Area see what their so-called Master is doing now, they will join us in battle.” Sheldon said. “Young Guardian herself must have a most brilliant plan. She told us to gather as many Elder Companions and their former-Warrior children as we could, meeting her and her three Earthbound consorts in the Canine Valley’s Practice Fields.”
“How did Orthos get back?” Laurynne asked. “Father cast a powerful Ancient’s Spell of Exile on him so he would not be able to return.”
“He used an Ancient Watcher ritual, my Lady.” Nathaniel supplied.
Strath’s eyes narrowed. “Do Tory or Chero know anything about this, Father?”
“Nay, but the Moondancers do.” Sheldon supplied. “Will you come with us to tell them? The Master will call the Stalkers, and that will affect the Young Cherokee.”
“What affects the Dweller-Companion Cherokee Moondancer also affects her Bondmate Toriam Stargazer.” Laurynne announced. After sharing a look with her own love Strath, who happened to be Toriam’s older brother and Sheldon’s eldest son, she nodded. “Aye, we will go with you, and let Cherokee know her mother Celeste already handles the Dweller kin-Clans.”
“Then we will gather the Elders.” Strath said. “It will be too hard convincing the Grey Areans.”
“We must try, son.” Sheldon scolded. “For All the Realms in All the Worlds, we must try.”
“One thing at