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

she found her twin, Challandra, alert and searching through numerous books that littered the conservatory.
Sensing a strange presence, and not knowing it was her own twin sister, Challandra spun, dagger ready to attack. Once she realized who it was, Challandra’s face turned red and she sheathed the dagger back in her laced boot.
“I am sorry, sister.” Challandra hugged her twin. “One can never be too careful, you know.”
“Aye,” Enchantra grinned, nodding. “I know. How are you fairing?”
“I am myself again.” Challandra said, then shook her head. “I only wish it were the same for Byron.”
“He has not regained magical strength yet?” Enchantra asked her.
Challandra sighed. “Nay. He is in constant dazes, brooding over what Gloriana did to him. He feels responsible because he let her do it.”
“We all know that demon-witch.” Enchantra supplied. “She will do anything to anyone and not care. No wonder she and Orthos made a pair of it.”
Enchantra felt her sister’s anguish.
“I cannot bare to see him like this.” Challandra announced. “He has been changed, Chantie, and there is nothing any of us could do to get the old fun-loving Byron back.”
Enchantra hugged her. “Regardless, I will try.”
“Thank you, sister.” Challandra said.
With that, she was on her way to find Byron.
Lord Byron, Lord King of the Ancient Mystic Kingdom, was, in fact, brooding. Enchantra made no noise when she found him in Challandra’s back garden. He was sitting on a bench, staring into space. Enchantra sensed his mind in turmoil without even trying. His mind was that open, and it worried her. How was he going to fight against his evil older brother in this condition?
He seemed to sense her, but didn’t move. He only replied softly. “I am weak, Challie.”
Just as Chantie was Enchantra’s nickname, Challie was her twin Challandra’s. Enchantra ignored him calling her that, choosing to listen in complete silence.
“I could not fight Gloriana.” Byron went on. “I did not have the strength then, and I do not have it now. Our people have noticed the change in me, and they are disappointed. I see their faces when I make my rounds, Challandra. I scare them and am at a loss to stop it.”
Byron finally turned to Enchantra, the look in his eyes was sad and pleading. Enchantra sat next to him, taking a hand in hers.
“It is okay, Byron.” Enchantra tried gently. “It was not your fault. None of it was.”
“Why do I feel so bad then?” Byron pleaded. “She hurt you, Challie. She almost killed you and I could do nothing about it. That demon-witch seduced me, and I could not fight her. She even taunted me with what she did to you, but I could do nothing.”
Byron stood and walked away, tears in his eyes. “A King is not supposed to be weakened by demons. A king is not supposed to be able to be lied to, or caught in traps. A king is supposed to be all-knowing and trusting, judgmental but fair, just and honorable. A king must have resounding courage in the face of danger.” He turned to face Enchantra once again, going on as he stared at her. “Challandra, a king is supposed to protect his queen and followers, not be led on by a demon-witch.”
Enchantra stood. “I told you, Byron. It was not your fault.” She said softly. “Gloriana was fully into her Dominionite powers once becoming Orthos’ queen. You had no control over her, or what she did to you.”
She paused, taking both his hands. He wrapped his arms around her waist. She pushed herself away before he could fool himself more into thinking she was Challandra.
“There is hope, Lord Byron.” She said sternly, hoping he would listen and understand. “While war has not officially been declared by your brother or Lord Bane, we must be ready for it. In order to do that, you must be able to think clearly, and quick on your feet. You have to have your wits about you, and stop brooding over things you can do nothing about.”
Byron stood still, staring at her. Based on the look on his face, she knew her words were getting to him.
“Look at me, Lord Byron.” Enchantra commanded. “Really look at me. I am Enchantra, twin sister of your Queen. I am love-bound to your oldest brother O’Dell. Gloriana did not hurt only the two of you; she hurt the rest of us as well. I felt it when she was caught in the Witches Cord. O’Dell felt it when Orthos returned by way of a Watcher’s ritual. Even the Unicorn’s Earthly Protector Airmed Starchaser felt it when Gloriana threatened us.”
Byron continued to stare when she let go of his hands, slowing coming to as he listened.
“When O’Dell felt Orthos return, he hid himself in his books, just as Challandra is now, searching for some spell, some ritual, some incantation to bring his own twin brother to justice. As he was doing that, Young Guardian had to take his place, being both herself and a stand-in for him. It exhausted her so much, she reverted to her younger self, weakened by it. The Protector felt her, and was hurt. It bet you could not name a single Earthbound or Ancient Mystic that did not feel it. You could not name a single Companion anywhere in the Realm that did not feel it. Now, we must do something about it.”
Enchantra watched his stance as he stared, listening. What more could she say to convince him to snap out of it and act like the King he said he was supposed to be?
“Now tell me, Byron, Lord King of the Ancient Mystic Kingdom.” Enchantra commanded. “What are you going to do about all these people in pain? What are you planning to do about Gloriana, Orthos and Bane? What will the King of a strong Realm do to stop his older brother from killing those in this world, from Companions, to Creatures, Earthbound and Dreamers?”
“Enchantra. . .” Byron snapped out of his daze. “Where is my Lady Queen?”
“In the conservatory with her books and herbs.” Enchantra said. “Go to her, Byron. Go to her and tell her you love her. Then, come up with something to stop Orthos from destroying us all.”
Byron stood straight, now proud of his rank and himself. He took one of her hands and kissed it gently. “Thank you, sister-of-my-heart. I owe you for bringing my mind back into focus.”
“Repay me by fighting beside O’Dell in this war.” Enchantra said. “He needs his loyal brothers by him, when his own twin is against him. Can I trust you will do your best not to disappoint him?”
“Aye, Enchantra.” Lord Byron was serious. “My best by O’Dell.”
Satisfied by his words, and that his mind was back to normal, Enchantra disappeared, returning to her lover’s side.

Story: #1:
In the Outer Realm

Luna Woods-Morehouse sulked after she picked up the kids from school the next day.
Why should Shane and I tell them what they have to do? Luna thought to herself. Kelly is Ariana’s daughter, not mine. Why can’t Ariana tell them?
She gave it a second-thought. Oh yeah, she’s the Young Guardian, and just got over a very stressful, emotionally draining ordeal. Besides, Luna thought. I’m the Grand Magus. It’s part of my job to warn others and tell them what they have to do.
I might as well get it over with then. She thought, walking across the street with her husband and three kids.
After shooing them to the backyard with Juliet, she and Shane found Kelly in the Study, going her homework with Bradley and Cara.
“Just the three we wanted to see.” Shane spoke, since she didn’t know what to say.
They looked up and saw their faces. Neither were smiling.
“What’s going on, Uncle Shane?” Bradley asked. “Why do you look like the Shadow?”
“We’ve got a huge favor to ask the three of you.” Luna announced, matching her husband’s Shadow persona with her own Grand Magus.
Kelly stared at her aunt’s now-silver-blue eyes. “What do we have to do?”
“You know there’s going to be a war in the Dream Realm?” Shadow asked them.
All three nodded. Bradley and Kelly knew because of her mother, Young Guardian, and Cara knew because of both her new siblings, who happened to be Ancient Mystics and both Ariana and Luna’s brother and sister.
“You know the Crusaders will have to be there in person to fight in it?” Grand Magus asked them.
Again, they nodded.
“Do you know what we’re going to ask you to do?”
“I have an idea.” Kelly, acting as her Enchanted Child persona, nodded. “Since the Crusaders will be fighting in the war, you want us to help take care of the younger kids.”
“You want us to make sure they don’t pull any Ancient Mystic surprises on Juliet or anyone else.” Cara continued.
“You also want us to keep it all secret from the rest of the world.” Bradley finished. “Anything else, Shadow? Grand Magus?”
The two adults looked at each other, impressed and surprised they knew what to do. They were even more surprised the three were more than eager to do it.
“One more thing.” The Grand Magus announced. “You,” she nodded to Kelly, “are to take your mother’s place as Guardian of the Dream Realm, with you,” she nodded to Bradley, “taking the Protector’s place as her consort.”
“What about me?” Cara asked.
“You have a choice on that, Cara.” Shadow said. “You can stay a Crusading Dreamer, or you can go with them when they patrol the Dream Realm. This war isn’t going to be pleasant, I’ll tell you that right now. We need all three of you to keep Dreamers’ spirits up.”
“It’s gonna be hard, and there will be no physical rewards, only mental ones.” Grand Magus said. “Do you think you can handle it?”
“We’ll have to.” Bradley said seriously. “Dreamers of the world are counting on us to keep their dreams from turning into nightmares and their Worlds from turning to ash.”
“As the Enchanted Child of the Dream Realm, I give you my oath.” Kelly’s silver-blue eyes blazed, showing she, too, was serious. “We’ll do it.”
“Right.” Cara chimed.
“Just tell us when and we’ll be ready for you.” Kelly said.
“Thanks, Crusaders.” Shadow shook each of their hands, hugging his niece Kelly.
All three beamed at the acknowledgment. Each were part of the Third-Generation Crusader team, named so more than a month ago by Shannon Ryan-McNathaniels, Young Guardian, and herself the Grand Magus for catching a criminal that had been haunting Hill View for ten years. Four of their friends were a part of it, too, each with different stones around their necks in a Dream Locket that took them to the Dream Realm on a Chant. Only Kelly, her Earthly Protector Bradley Allen and Cara Richardson were allowed to keep the knowledge of the Ancient Mystics and the Dream Realm in their memories.
They may have worked hard to become the next generation of Dream Realm Crusaders, but time would only tell how much harder they’ll have to work.
Before leaving, Luna looked them over.
Kelly Reading was the Enchanted Child of the Dream Realm, just as Luna was the Grand Magus, Ariana was the Young Guardian, Derrick was the Protector, Shane was the Shadow, Jamie was Jammins, Aimee was the Amethyst Faery and Aaron was the Unicorn. Kelly had her own persona, and her duties to her great-great-grandfather, Lord Guardian O’Dell. Her duties entailed her to welcome new Dreamers and keep them safe from harm while they adjusted to the Dream Realm. In time, she would become a very powerful Ancient Mystic, every bit as powerful as her mother and aunt Luna combined. For