As Drakkar's troop fought in the front lines, his younger sister Dracora was sleeping – or trying to -- but she was interrupted by her advisor and pseudo-butler, Trenor Lakota.
"Countess, there's someone to see you in the throne room."
Countess Dracora of Monarch's Glenn did not want to do anything, least of all meeting someone this early in the morning.
"Can it wait, Trenor?" The Countess moaned, wrapping her blankets over her head, wishing for that five more minutes of rest.
Trenor opened her bedroom door and shook his head. "Afraid not."
She uncovered, sitting up and rubbing her eyes, letting out a loud roar as she yawned. "Who is it, then?" She asked. "Why is it so important to wake me so early?"
Trenor laughed, "It's two in the afternoon, Countess."
She watched as he opened her wardrobe and picked out a dress-pant outfit that would show her as the monarch of Monarch's Glenn. "Ah, here we go. A rich pine green's your color of the day."
She stepped out of bed, stretching arms, legs and wings. "Whatever, Trenor. You still did not answer me."
Instead of saying anything, he handed the deep green dress to her. "I would be honored if you let me help you."
Dracora shot him a glare. "I can handle it, thank you. Now, who is waiting for me in the throne room?"
She headed to the adjoining bathroom to wash up and change clothing. Trenor stood outside the door, waiting diligently for her to open it once she was done.
When she did, he smiled at her. "Lord Brakkon's ally from the Mystic Realms."
Dracora stopped for a moment, trying to think. "Lord Guardian O'Dell?"
"Yes, Countess."
Dracora moaned. "I can't stand that man sometimes." She sat at her vanity and gave Trenor the brush for her hair.
"Nor can I, but he deemed it of great importance." Trenor brushed her long black hair, tying it back with a small plait that wrapped around her coronet.
"Did he tell you anything?" Dracora asked him, standing when he was finished.
"Only that it had to do with the Empress." Trenor watched her face for the expression he was expecting.
As he thought, Dracora was silenced, staring into space, and whispering. "Adellandra."
"Yes, Countess," Trenor said quietly. "That was the only reason I let him bother you."
Dracora sighed, held her head up and marched to the throne room a staircase below. Once taking her position on her throne, and Trenor took his position on her right did she notice a man ahead of her.
He had flowing silver hair the light played with to show a prism of color. His dark eyes were troubled, saddened with deep grey and he was biting his lower lip.
"Lord Guardian O'Dell of the Mystic Realms," Dracora spoke, and O'Dell finally looked up at her. "What do we owe the pleasure of your company?"
"I only wish it were a pleasure." Lord Guardian O'Dell's voice wavered. "My brother is at it again."
"Which one?"
"Orthos." O'Dell forced, afraid of what that name may entail. "I have seen it."
"Control yourself." Countess Dracora commanded. "Approach and explain."
O'Dell walked slowly up to her before bowing. "Orthos will destroy me in his next war." He explained. "Hundreds of Companions will perish at his hands."
"Why come to me?" Dracora asked. "I have nothing to do with your realm, Lord Guardian. I only see my own people."
"That is why I came, Dracora." O'Dell rose and faced her. She could see his eyes changing from grey to white, the color of a Mystic's when in a prophetic trance. "Orthos will destroy your people, too."
"Do you wish me to join you in defeating him?" Dracora was confused. "Why should I care for one so evil as your brother?"
O'Dell closed his eyes and shook his head. He took a deep breath before speaking again. "I wish to cash in the favor owed."
"Favor." Dracora looked to her advisor Trenor.
"When he gave you the Mortal Realm spell for the Dramphyr, my Countess." Trenor reminded her.
"Ah, that favor." Dracora nodded. "What do you wish of us then?"
"Your permission to gather three of your people for our needs." O'Dell tried to explain.
"Ask any Dramphyr for your favor." Dracora was ready to dismiss him when O'Dell shook his head.
"I need your Empress and her siblings." He met Dracora's stare.
O'Dell's eyes were showing two different scenes. His left eye showed the scene of an elder DragonWolf woman, hiding in her old family home, knocked out cold. His right showed the DragonWolf's twin sister and younger brother on the battlegrounds of war. Dracora's own siblings, the DragonWolf's mate Drakkar and the DragonWolf's younger brother's mate of her sister Alexia were with them.
She stepped back and took a deep breath. Trenor placed a hand on her shoulder, silently telling her he, too, saw the visions in Lord Guardian's eyes.
"Tell me the truth, O'Dell." Dracora said softly, thinking about the three of her people in his eyes. "Why do you want them?"
"Your Empress will be my successor." O'Dell's words were insistent. "Come with me, as a witness to the ritual."
Dracora wanted to go with him, even if it was as a witness, but she had another thought in mind. She looked at her advisor. Trenor only smiled, nodding his head in agreement.
"Fine." She groaned. "When do we leave?"
"Yesterday."
Dracora gave Trenor her instructions before leaving Monarch's Glenn. She shifted form to her large, red dragon while O'Dell shifted to a white Unipeg with waving rainbow mane and tail.
∞∞∞
They touched down in front of the Palace of the Mystic Sisters, shifting back to immortal form before marching into the building.
A woman with long black hair and silver eyes greeted them.
"O'Dell, are you all right?" The woman asked, panicked. She took his hand and gave him a kiss.
"Fine, Enchantra," O'Dell responded absently, shoving by to find a place to sit. "Everything going as planned?"
"Yes, my Lord," Enchantra replied. "Countess, would you like to sit down?"
"No, thank you, Enchantra," Dracora told her. "Where is Adellandra?"
"On her way." Enchantra supplied. "Chase Moondancer should be here any moment with her."
"Kateea." Dracora forced herself to smile politely. She did not like what the Mystics might do to her beloved Empress-Sister and her siblings. Enchantra and O'Dell stared at her. "It means thank you."
O'Dell paced. "What is taking him so long?"
"I already told you he is on his way, my Lord." Enchantra took his hand.
"Every moment that passes is another moment Orthos could be killing our Companions." O'Dell spat, running a hand through his hair.
"It does no good stressing yourself over it," Dracora told him.
"For once, I agree." Enchantra nodded.
As if on cue, the door flew open and in crawled a very weary-looking mountain wolf. Slumped over his back was a DragonWolf female. Behind them was Enchantra's twin Chandra.
"You found him well?" Enchantra asked her sister.
"Yeah, yeah." Chandra scoffed before leaving her. "I did my part. Time to do yours."
Dracora was curious, so she approached the door.
"Thank you, sister." Enchantra smiled.
O'Dell took the Empress to one room while Enchantra helped the mountain wolf to another.
"I believe he is one of you?" Enchantra asked.
Dracora nodded. "They both are."
"He needs to Feed, Countess," Enchantra told her, leaving Dracora with the mountain wolf.
Once Enchantra left her vision, Dracora sat on the chair beside the weary wolf's bed. "Do you have enough energy to shift, Chase Moondancer?"
A tight nod and a few moments later, Chase Moondancer, now the Dramphyr-Companion and one of Dracora's people, shifted to Companion form. In moments, he shifted to his half-wolf, half-immortal form. "Countess."
Dracora did not need her empathy to sense his fatigue and need. His eyes had a red ring around the brown coloring. He was amid what Dracora and her Dramphyr called Blood Lust. Chase needed it to heal his wounds.
Dracora used one claw to trace a small line in her arm, just enough to release a lick of her own blood for him.
"Come on then, Chase." Dracora softly instructed, helping him sit up enough to drink. "You'll feel better afterward, I promise."
"Kateea, my Countess."
She watched as his canines grew longer, ready to grasp a hold of her arm and drink the fluid he needed to heal.
"You are very welcome, my friend."
He drank the copper-colored liquid from her arm until he had to take a breath. He licked her wound, closing it with his saliva before laying back on the bed.
"Rest now," Dracora responded. "You did a good thing for your new people."
"I will always be in your debt, Countess Dracora," Chase whispered with a grin. "Had it not been for you, I would not have my beloved Celeste or our family."
"Had it not been for you, our Empress would not be alive." Dracora winked. "For that, I am in your debt."
"Let us call it even," Chase was able to chuckle before he closed his eyes to sleep.
"Rest well, Chase Moondancer." Dracora brushed the clump of hair out of his face before whispering. So to rest go your weary soul. She thought the short spell. Aloud, she whispered. "Pleasant Journeys."
Dracora returned to greet the two Mistresses and O'Dell. She could hear Chandra clear her throat before asking, "So, what do we do next, my Lord? Just sit and wait?"
O'Dell sighed. "There is naught much we can do, Chandra. Destiny will take care of its own when it is ready."
"Destiny is such a strong word," Dracora announced as if bored. She received a vision in her mind of her brother Drakkar, magically on his way there. "Oh Goddess, not him."
"Countess?" Enchantra asked.
Dracora nodded to the couch, which had been empty a few moments ago. Her older brother Drakkar appeared, arms draped around a DragonWolf woman identical to Adellandra. Holding her to his chest, he moaned desperately. "Don't die on me now, Adarra. I need you."
Dracora decided to be quiet, curious as to what and how the two of them appeared there, miles from the Dragon Nations.
"What can we do for you, Lord Prince Drakkar?" Enchantra asked the question.
"It's my mate, Mistress Enchantra." Drakkar supplied, breath shaking as if coming straight from battle.
No one spoke for a moment.
"She overexerted both herself and her twin." Enchantra surmised in a soft tone. "Am I right?"
"Aye," Drakkar's breath was still shaking, yet calming. "How did you know which Prince I was?"
"The same way you knew which Mistress I was," Enchantra told him gently. "Twins – duos – always know the differences between other pairs."
By this time, Drakkar had calmed his breath, which cleared his mind so he could think logically.
"Now you know why I took some of our people to the Mortal Realm," Dracora mumbled to her brother. "Your twin has released Kaos from his core, and it looks as if there is no end to his destruction."
"There has to be a way to save Adarra from him." Drakkar supplied. "I would rather die than have her under his control."
"I believe we can help with that," Enchantra remarked. "My love?"
O'Dell took a moment before responding. "Chandra."
Chandra sighed as she said "Aye, my Lord."
Dracora gasped. "Adellandra is your successor?"
"I showed you my vision, Countess." O'Dell spat.
Dracora huffed. "Very well; carry on."
"There is something about those girls, O'Dell," Enchantra observed. She sat next to the Empress. "Something that screams magic."
"They are Draconian," Drakkar said, as if that would explain it. "They have great power."
"Nay, it is something else." Enchantra supplied. "They are worth saving. They must live, but not here. Not now. Not while many wars are being fought."
"For once, I agree," Dracora spoke up. "But what are you going to do with them?"
Enchantra smiled. "Give them another destiny." She looked up to O'Dell. "Find Susan and bring her here."
"Who is Susan?" Dracora asked.
"You would call her my Grankana." Enchantra announced.
"What does your earthbound granddaughter have to do with anything?"
"She has five children already, with more than enough room in her home and heart for three more."
"You don't mean?" Dracora breathed.
"Anton," Drakkar whispered. "I knew he disappeared; I just didn't know where he went."
"He is resting in another room," Enchantra responded. "We found him unconscious in a trench and healed him the best we could. I had to put him under a spell for him to stay unconscious."
"He's a soldier in our Armies," Dracora told her. "Neither of the siblings is dead; just weakened and under your wretched spells. How are you going to give them another destiny?"
"They will be reborn as Earthbound Ancient Mystics," Enchantra said simply. "This one is different, even from her twin and brother. I cannot place it."
"Adellandra has always been different," Dracora remarked, a smile telling whoever listened she might know a secret about the Empress. "She has always been kind, loving, gentle, caring, loyal and good; yet a fierce fighter and an honorable Empress."
Kateea, Cora. Dracora was surprised to hear her Empress-Sister's voice in her mind. It meant Adellandra could hear what was going on around her. Thank you for the compliment.
You're welcome, Sita. Dracora thought back. I'm just sorry it must be this way.
"Only she knows why she left our bratton." Drakkar said, using the Draconian word for 'brother.'
"It was to save the children from destruction," Dracora replied softly, staring at her. "She made sure her children would live to carry on the Dratianos name."
Will you take the Royal Crest for me, please? Adellandra asked in her mind. I will not need it where I am going.
Certainly. Aloud, she cleared her throat and took the Royal Crest of the Dragon Nations from around her sister's neck. It was the only piece of royal jewelry the Empress had left from her self-exile. I wish you luck on your new Destiny dear sita, until it brings us together once again. She spoke up to the Mystics. "I will keep the Royal Crest safe until she is ready once more."
"What about me?" Drakkar demanded. "I'm the next in line, not you."
"As I recall, Draconis is still Emperor and I'm Countess."
"Yeah, of Monarch's Glenn." Drakkar sneered.
"Enough!" Chandra cried out, forcing herself in between them. "You can bicker and fight later."
Before either could say any more, a young woman's voice broke the tension. "Gramere? What's going on? Why did you send Grampere for me?"
"Fetch the DragonWolf male for me from the other room, Susan," Enchantra instructed automatically. "Set him down beside his sisters."
"Yes, Gramere," Susan was confused but obeyed.
Dracora was not happy. "When did you get him?"
"Not long before his sisters." Enchantra nodded. "He is fine."
"I hope so, for your sake," Dracora growled.
When Susan came back, she took a moment to stare at the trio on the couch. She gasped. "I know who they are! She is the Lost Empress of Mal'estar, Lady Adellandra, and that's her twin, Lady Princess Adarra of Mek'anar. The male is their younger brother Sir Anton Dranna."
Now I know why her name is familiar. Dracora thought to herself, watching Susan with O'Dell and Enchantra. Years ago, she single-handedly destroyed five demons, saving several dragon pups from death.
Enchantra inquired. "Do you know what I wish you to do with them?"
"No Gramere," Susan whispered.
"Keep them safe."
"What's really going on, Grampere?" She stared at the DragonWolves as she asked O'Dell. "Why do you need me to keep a trio of Draconians safe?"
"Your granduncle is at it again," O'Dell told her. "His many troops of Dominionites have teamed up with a demon named Thorn. Now they wreak havoc not only in the Dominion but across the Nations' borders."
"Thorn!" Dracora hissed. "How did I know that sorry excuse of a demon had something to do with this?"
"Calm down, Countess." O'Dell tried. "With your Lord Emperor deep in his chaotic form fighting the Demon Lord, I fear not even he will be prepared for Dominionite Armies once Thorn and Orthos bring them through Bordertown and into your Nations. With those two working together, your home will be demolished before your brother can blink."
"Have you so little faith in us, O'Dell?" Dracora argued. "Despite all Draconis has done, we still have quite a formidable army of our own. Why, my own armies at Monarch's Glenn number in the thousands. We're not so weak or stupid as you may believe us to be."
"She's right." Drakkar supplied. "The two of our realm colonies may be linked thanks to Dratyr, but that doesn't mean we need you to rescue us from disaster."
"That's one of the main reasons I took a group of our people to the Mortal Realm with me years ago," Dracora explained. "They would remain safe from Kaos and continue to train, learn, and fight for the day when peace has returned to our home."
"That is all I wish to do with them." O'Dell pressed. "It will take a lot of power to destroy those like Orthos and Thorn. These three have the potential for that power, especially your Empress."
"I admit the Dranna siblings have the gift to quickly harness strong and powerful magic." Drakkar began. "They also quickly learn how to fight, with or without fighting gear or magic. I should know; each of us trained with their Dratyr, Sir Airemus Dranna."
"I ask again, O'Dell," Dracora spoke up softly before Drakkar could continue. "What are you going to do with them?"
Enchantra began. "We wish to use the Ancient Mystic ritual chants to blood them as our own."
"'Blood' them?" Drakkar asked, speaking up. "I mean no disrespect Mistress, but, surely, there must be another way?"
Enchantra shook her head. "Not if you want them alive to see Mal'estar once again."
"But blooding them as Ancient Mystics will --" Dracora cut herself off.
"I know what it will do, Countess." Enchantra supplied softly, her voice sad. She cleared her throat. "I assure you, there is no other way around it. They must be blooded as Ancient Mystics to survive Kaos, Thorn, and Orthos' reign of destruction."
"For all we know, they could be working together," Drakkar replied.
"You're not helping, Skar." Dracora moaned.
"It could happen," Drakkar argued.
"Enough!" Dracora spat.
"They must grow up in the Mortal Realm, hidden from any magical radar." O'Dell interrupted. "We must keep their existences a secret; else Orthos – and anyone or anything -- will seek to use them against us."
"How are you going to do that?" Susan finally spoke up. "They are already fully-grown and in a form the Mortal Realm has never seen."
"The time rift between Realms is different." Enchantra supplied. "When we cast the spell, they will be 'reborn' of sorts as Ancient Mystics, the only ones in the Mortal Realm."
Drakkar growled. "If you hurt her, I will know about it!"
"No, you will not," O'Dell confirmed. "Once the ritual is done, the three of them will have no memory of who they once were."
"They will have their powers," Dracora pointed out, "and their forms. The Mortal Realm is not ready for DragonWolves. Mortals still believe the Nations – the very Realms in which they live -- are but fairy tales!"
"She's right." Susan pointed out. "Only those with the Magical Eye know the truth."
"All will be well," O'Dell said sternly. "They will assume an Immortal Ancient Mystic form and be taught of whatever magic their minds believe they are ready for."
Dracora and Drakkar shared a sad look and could say nothing to the statement.
Susan broke the silence. "Shall we begin?"
Chanting in the Ancient Mystic language, they spun a wild, magical spell around the three DragonWolves that would change their very existence.
Dracora rolled her eyes. Was each not already in their binding and sleeping spells? Why add one more to the mix?
She was not happy about the situation but could do nothing about it.
She watched as all three siblings' bodies began to shift and change. Wolfkin ears morphed into mortal ones, small dragon's horns sunk inside their heads. Wings forcefully returned inside their bodies at the same time arms and legs lost their scales and fur. When the spell was finished, the twins were children and the young male was only an infant.
The whimpering sound of the infant broke into her thoughts.
"Shush, shush. There, there." Susan picked him up and held him. "I know what I must do next, Grampere."
"Rename them and protect them," O'Dell responded.
"What will you name them?" Drakkar asked.
Susan sat next to one twin. "You will be Aluna Star." She placed a hand on the other's cheek. "You will be Ariana Moon, and you, my dearest child, will be Jonathan Gregory."
"Great names, Susan." Dracora complimented, unknowing what else could say.
"Thank you, Countess." Susan smiled.
Dracora knew she and the Mystic Susan would form a bond someday because of the three children she now cared for.
"The time will come when they are called to the Mystic Realms once again," O'Dell responded. "Until then, their true names and lives before must remain a secret."
"Yes, Grampere," Susan agreed.
That was the last Dracora heard of the very interesting conversation. She felt Drakkar's sorrow for the loss of his beloved mate. Dracora herself felt the same way about the now-Mystic female they named Ariana Moon.
Drakkar was the first to go, shifting to dragon form and flying off. Dracora and Susan shared a nod before Susan left.
What once was a favor owing the Mystic's Lord Guardian now entwined both the Mystic's Realms and the rest of the Dragon Nations. Dracora would see her Empress-Sister again; the Royal Crest around her neck guaranteed that.
"What do you have planned for them, O'Dell?" Dracora asked.
"Just as your destiny has brought you to us in the past, so will it return them in the future." O'Dell supplied. "In time, one of them will be the most powerful Wizard of the line. One will be the most gifted of Mages and the other? Well, they will be my successor."
Dracora could only stare at the space her Empress-Sita had disappeared from, hoping she, too, would return to the Dragon Nations and the Empire of Mal'estar. For the moment, all she could do was shift to her dragon form and fly home to Monarch's Glenn.