Category: Awena

The Nyte Shades ..Where Are They Now???

4/26/2022

Both the Dowager and Baron could not believe what they had just read. Nyte Shades! And they are what gave the power to Dragons! After a long silence when they finished reading the story, Griselda turned to Awena and asked "Do you know where the Nyte Shades went or are they still here?"

"No, I don't know. As far as I have found, nobody even knows what they looked like for sure," answered the Sleeping Sister. "There are no sketches in any of the scrolls and no descriptions. For the power of the magic they had, we can only assume that they could probably also change shapes and may be with us still."

"It is hard to believe. Another magical being gave magic to the Dragons... and I never knew... even when I received my dragon tattoo as being a member of the Dragon clan," mumbled Griselda. "They never told us," she continued to tell Awena. "The Dragons never even mentioned Nyte Shades and who would have thought to ask!"

Realizing that this discovery was upsetting the Dowager, Awena steered her to one of the seats in the library and asked an acolyte to bring them some tea and biscuits.

Soon they were sipping tea and slowly Griselda was beginning to come to terms with this discovery. "I felt betrayed by them not telling us, but now that I think more about it," she told the Sister, "I guess that it was never my place to know. It's just hard to fathom that Dragons were at one time just another being in the Realms and not the powerful creatures they became..."

After a long pause, and when Griselda did not continue, Awena decided it was best to tell her old friend of her concerns. "Griselda, I believe that the finding of the tablet by the Borrowers and your discovery of this book were meant to be. Somehow they are tied together and you are going to be a major player in the game." What the Sleeping Sister did not say but was in her thoughts was, "and I hope you have the strength for it."

As the Baron was still staring at the book and trying to turn the pages but it would not let him, a gleam was slowing starting to come to his eyes. Neither Awena or Griselda noticed as they were deep in conversation about the Nyte Shades. "A new adventure unlike any I have ever had before - to solve this mystery of the Nyte Shades," he realized. "I will need to figure out a way to have mom stay at the mansion. Also Fiddlefaddle will need to start packing again as soon as when he returns and upon us getting back home. I'll need to find someone to babysit my creatures!"

Nyte Shades... Discover the Tale

4/12/2022

"Nyte Shades? I haven't heard of them before. What do they have to do with Dragons?" asked Griselda looking at Awena. The Baron was just as perplexed and shook his head in amazement at what he was hearing.

"Let me see if I can explain better," answered Awena but before anyone could say another word, the book the Baron was holding started to glow brighter and tried to pull from his hands.

Startled as a jolt of lighting went through his arm, he dropped the book to the floor and jumped back. The book acted like it had heard the question, opened and flipped through several pages, finally stopping partway through the book.

"Be careful son," warned the Dowager when they realized that the book was finished moving and not going to close, the Baron started to pick it up from the floor. He slowly placed it on a reading table near the bookshelf it had come from keeping his hands from the front of the book incase it decided to close like teeth chomping together.

Awena stepped up to the book and saw the page it had opened to, smiled and then stepped back, motioning for the others to read the page. "I think there is your answer."

If you would like to read the story with Griselda and the Baron...
click here or on the book below.

Nyte Shade... What's a Nyte Shade???

4/5/2022

"Did you bring the book with you?" asked Awena after listening to the Baron and the Dowager.

They had just finished telling her about their adventure getting the book and all that they knew about the tablet the Borrower had found too.

"No, I am sorry," answered Griselda. "It was too heavy to carry all of this way and we decided it was best to see you as soon as possible."

"It is no matter. From your description we probably have a copy of it here in our library," smiled Awena.

Neither of her guest knew about the long years Awena, as a novice, had spent reading the scrolls and tablets in the library of the Sleeping Sisters. Plus few even knew about the Sister's library or how enormous it was. The Sleeping Sisters' home looked small from the outside, but the tree they lived in had very far reaching roots, much like an iceberg, with only a small portion seen above as most being below the surface.

"Come, I will take you to the library." Rising smoothly from the cushion, Awena and the Dowager started towards the door.

"Hummm... Don't worry about me," grumbled under his breath the Baron as he struggled to rise from the floor. He wasn't going to let two "old ladies" beat him to the door.

Soon they stood before an ornately decorated entranceway with no door. "Aren't you worried about someone getting in here with all of these books and scrolls," asked the Baron thinking about how even Atian had a lock on his door. Awena just smiled and said that "they are well protected". What that meant, the Baron did not know, but after thinking about the power the Sisters had, decided it was probably better if he didn't.

Awena lead them through many rooms and passageways filled with books, scrolls, tablets, bottles, crystals, and mirrors. There was one mirror that several other Sisters were staring into and when the Baron stopped to see what they were looking at, he realized that he did not see himself in the mirror but a bridge spanning a mountain gorge with several trolls pointing at him... quickly he hurried on to catch up with his mother and Awena.

Finally the Sister stopped in front of a large bookshelf and asked the Dowager if anything looked familiar. "We try to copy everything exactly the same from other books to include the cover and binding," she explained. "Anything look familiar?"

Slowly Griselda pulled back a portion of her sleeve, revealing her dragon tattoo and started to approach the bookshelves. All at once, a book started to glow! "It looks like we found it," the Baron grinned as he pulled the book from the shelf.

As the Baron turned to the others he realized that Awena was no longer smiling. Catching his mother's eye, he gestured toward the Sister and then Griselda saw it too. "Is there something wrong?" she asked her friend. "What is it?"

Finally Awena answered. "How did you open the book? It has a magical enchantment on it and you should never have been able to open it." It was then Awena saw Griselda's tattoo and that it was glowing. "Of course, you are of the Dragon Clan! That explains much. So then you must know about the Nyte Shades?"

Griselda glanced at her son who just shook his head negatively and shrugged his shoulders before turning her attention back to the Sleeping Sister.

"What are Nyte Shades and what connection do they have to the Dragons?"

Walking Down the Rabbit Hole....

3/8/2022

As the Baron wondered how much farther he would have to walk to the home of the Sleeping Sisters, a line of purple sparkles suddenly appeared on the side of the trail leading off into the undergrowth. "It's about time," he grumbled hoping this was it. Without a word, the Dowager started following the sparkles and soon they were standing before a tree house with a small door.

"Not very big," thought the Baron as his mother started to lift her hand to knock on the door. But before she could knock the door opened and there stood one of the Sisters. "Awena awaits you in her chambers."

Unsurprised, the Dowager nodded her head in thanks and the both of them followed the Sister through a series of hallways until they arrived at an ornate set of doors. "The place doesn't look this big from the outside," the Baron muttered, only to receive a look of reproach from the Dowager. "Do I need to leave you on the doorstep?" she asked him in a frosty voice. Realizing he had best just keep quiet and listen with his mouth closed he gestured for her to lead the way.

Sitting in the middle of the room was a Sleeping Sister who was meditating and it appeared she was totally unaware that they had entered. A flickering magical light was floating above her hands and before it went out it flashed once brightly. Opening her eyes, the Sister smiled as she saw the Dowager. "It has been a while since I last saw you," Awena said. "And this must be your son, the Baron?"

Yes, there were a few things he did not know about his mother the Baron was beginning to realize and that maybe there was more to his mother than he thought. "I must find out more about this," he decided.

"It is a pleasure to meet you." the Baron said as he bowed. " I am Belvedere Allowishes Theodore Steffon, but you may call me Baron since I am one," he told the Sister removing his hat, "Or by my nickname BATS." Smiling, Awena introduced herself and proceeded to give Griselda a brief hug. "It has been way too long," she told the Sister, "but as usual, sadly my coming here is not just a friendly visit."

As the smile left Awena's face and by the look on Griselda, Awena knew that another big event was on the horizon. "Come, sit with me and we will get reacquainted and then you can tell me what troubles you," she told both of them. Trying not to be noticeable, the Baron quickly glanced around for a chair as he did not relish the idea of sitting on the floor for any long period of time. Ignoring him, Griselda lowered herself gracefully to a pillow and waited for the others to join her. Groaning silently to himself, "I think I have just gone down a rabbit hole here!" and not as gracefully as his mother, the Baron sat on an adjacent pillow. "I hope I can get up when this is all over. My knees aren't what they used to be," he continued thinking to himself.

As the Dowager and Baron explained to Awena all that they knew about the tablet, those hunting for it, and the book they borrowed from Atian's library, just like the Baron, Artie was also wondering if she had just come through a rabbit hole???

It came in a dream...

8/25/2021

I do admit I get interesting dreams and from time to time I will get such complete and detailed ones that I receive a full story... like the Story of the Sleeping Sisters. It was that story that inspired the creation of Awena. I felt this tale needed to be told but didn't know how to incorporate it into our Dragon Tale.

Again... little messages or clues inspired the "competition" between two kings.

So what is so important and why is the King of the Trolls trying to find a blue rose? Ahhh, but this is not just any colorful flower. This is a treasure of great mystery and power! The Blue Rose is one of the greatest treasures in all of the Realm of Wymsy but it has been hidden for a very long time by the Sleeping Sisters...

Maybe you will understand more if you knew the tale? It all began a long time ago, not very far from this spot, and it involved four sisters who were just trying to find a way not to get into any more trouble... but let's have Awena tell the tale...

***Click here to read the tale***

Singing in the chaos...

6/16/2021

"A Wish Dragon? Hungry here is a Wish Dragon and I am his Spite?" growled The CAT. "And there is some prophecy? Is that what you were singing Hewy?" Hewy nodded his head to the surprised feline. "Okay, so I can understand this right... could you sing the prophecy again Hewy?" The troll slowly started his melody again with the first part of the prophecy.

"When the last of the Wish Dragyns are lost
and is starving for knowledge at any cost;
will choices be made by many
that will bring the Realms to despair or to plenty. "

"Now wait a minute. Sorry to interrupt but I am trying to figure this out," cut in The CAT. "If Hungry is the last of the Wish Dragons and he has been lost for this whole time... sounds like to me that he would certainly be starving. Also sounds like he might be in need of a teacher too. Okay, please continue."

Hewy then continued his song.

"Which way will it sway and who will triumph none yet can foretell
but for good to win the evil must not prevail;
for if evil wins forever magic will be changed or lost
and the Realms will suffer at the cost."

"Whoooh!" said The CAT. "That sure sounds like the wizard here. He almost prevailed with trying to get his wish. Not that I am saying you are evil, mister wizard, as I don't know you that well. But it sounded like to me that the wish you were asking for could have changed things not only here in this Realm but where you were from too."

Dewin, hung his head and nodded. "I hadn't really thought about what my wish could do. I was just angry and wanted to go back to where I had come from. Now I can see that maybe fate put me here for a reason," answered the wizard slightly raising his eyes to look at Hungry.

Excited, Hewy sang the next line of the prophecy. "For in the telling of this tale a musician must play' - that sounds like me," exclaimed Hewy getting caught up in the solving of the prophecy. "But who would be the - 'as the dryad who has forsaken it's way'?"

Parsley raised her hand and told the others that it could possibly mean her. "I left the ways of the Tree Mothers to become the herbalist I am today. Though I don't see why that would make a difference?"

"The troll will mend what was once broken, " Hewy continued. "Apparently that is me also as I am the only Troll here. The sole thing I had broken was my heart when the love of my life left, but that was healed when I saw Awena again. This last line still confuses me though," said Hewy as he sang the next part.

"As they both must gain the Dragyn 's token."

Excited about how the prophecy was coming together, Hungry pipped in, "That is easy. A Dragon's token is his trust. Nothing is more important to a Dragon than knowing who to trust."

As the others thought about what Hungry had just said, Hewy wrapped up the prophecy by singing the last stanza.

"For if this does not happen another will sway
the young mind which will drift away;
and from the lack of knowledge will the choice then be
for the Dragyn will grant the destructive plea."

Silently everyone gathered around the little Wish Dragon. Dewin was the first to speak. "I am sorry for misleading you Hungry. I just wanted to go home, not realizing that maybe I am already there." After that, everyone agreed that Hungry needed to learn more about the powers of the Wish Dragon. It was decided that Hewy and Parsley, having gained the Dragon's trust, would be responsible for starting those lessons. The CAT was happy he was also going to be returning to familiar surroundings, as he now had to have lessons too apparently as the Dragon's Spite.

Sprout was thrilled to hear that Hungry was going to be heading home with him as her heard his mother tell the Wish Dragon that she would be his teacher. Until Parsley added, “and you will not be alone for Sprout will take classes with you.” “WHAT?” exclaimed the startled Dryad.

So now that the little Dragon was found, and the prophecy seemed to have been fulfilled, everyone decided they could all return to their homes. Of course a stop by the Sugar Plum Bakery on their way didn't sound to bad too. "I wonder where Nemmer is?" thought Cornelius as they started to leave. As luck would have it, Nemmer had forgotten all about getting to The Wishing Well (he had bumped into some Dusty Mytes who had sprayed him out of habit with the forgetful dust) and too was on his way home.

It was only The Wishing Well who noticed after everyone had left Snoop rushing from the bushes he had been hiding in to hurry back to the Bellwether to get out the scoop of his career. A Dragon had returned to the Realms!!!

Looking into the Mystic Ether (AKA 'What the Future Holds')...

1/4/2021

Awena was sitting in her room doing her daily meditation when she felt a 'pull' to take out her crystal ball. As she gazed into the ball it began to change from clear crystal to a swirling mist. "Well... it might not hurt to check on the little Wish Dragon and those that seek to find him," Awena mused to herself.

"Several new characters have appeared in the search and Hungry is still looking for his pillow, but where are they?" she muttered as the mist began to take a shape.

Granny Flare was the first to appear with Parsley, the Dowager Griselda, Efem, and Cornelia. "This Zooming on their PEE-Cs is almost like looking into a crystal ball," Awena thought with a smile. She could see they were discussing the need to expand the search for the Wish Dragon as the Mushroom Line, the Bee Gs, and the Twitter birds had still not located Hungry. The only problem with a crystal ball is that images may appear clearly, but it is difficult to hear all of the conversations completely. "I really need to work on getting better at lip reading," she reminded herself (not for the first time and probably not the last) as she pieced together the searchers' conversations.

As the ladies faded out, Passporte' and the wizard, Dewin, came into focus. They were still out in the forest of the Shadows' Realm. Awenda could feel something in the ether that each had a different purpose in mind in regard to the little Dragon though she didn't feel that it was truly evil. Awena had noticed that the Spite still has not reappeared since Dewin last saw her in his cave where he left his magical spell book behind. "I'm sure Dewin's journal book would make interesting reading," thought Awena as she watched Dewin telling Passporte' before they faded from the crystal ball that in Spite of her not being there, "She might actually be useful for once."

As the crystal searched for another, soon Hewy, the troll, appeared. He too was out with Sprout trying to find the Dragon. Hewy had decided that if Sprout had met Hungry earlier by the Sugar Plum Bakery and since Sprout had told him that the Dragon was as hungry for sweets as Sprout - it was a perfect place to start. "And of course Sprout offered to go since they were going to be near the bakery," she snickered. "It must be a great magical gift the way that kid can make food disappear."

Then the huge Mansion of the The Baron's popped in. The Baron, Fiddlefaddle, and Sneefle were sitting in the Drawing Room playing with some cards and wondering what will happen next as they await word from Griselda and the others about the search.

Suddenly, the image shifted and the entire crystall ball was filled with a Cheshire grin! It was The CAT. He seemed to look right at Awena as if he knew she was watching him. She could see past The CAT that the archer Nemmer was still searching for the Wish Dragon and trying to avoid the Dusty Mytes. The CAT then turned and went his own way. Awena didn't have difficulty realizing that The CAT was thinking that chasing a Twitter Bird might be a little more fun than Dragon hunting. Funny that he should be the one to find Hungry first...

Being "asked to leave"...

9/1/2020

While the others were in the breakfast room, the Sleeping Sisters were in Awena’s chambers forming a circle in which Awena sat in the center. She had closed her eyes and was meditating on what they must do. Finally she spoke. "Sisters, as you all know, we must not directly interfere with events. I may have already stepped over the bounds by telling Hewy of the prophecy, but we must not divulge any more information. They must leave immediately." Nodding their heads, the Sisters left Awena to do as instructed.

As Hewy and the others finished their meal, a Sister entered and bade them all to follow her. They were lead to the entrance of the Hall where other Sisters were holding the few items they had left in their rooms. "Please take your things and go. There is nothing more here for you to learn."

Soon they were all standing on the front yard of the cottage, wondering what they were doing outside. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN? We haven't learned anything," growled Efem as she was handed her things. "What is going on here? What is the big hurry in having us leave?" Efem continue to scowl at the Sisters.

Hewy just nodded his head and turned to go. Cornelia and Parsley glanced at each other when they noticed Hewy leaving. Without saying a word, Cornelia grabbed Efem's hand and started pulling her in the direction of Hewy's departure while Parsley motioned for Sprout to follow. "What are you doing? We came to get answers. We can't leave yet!" Efem growled at her sister.

"Look at Hewy. I think we did get an answer but we will need to get it now from him," answered Cornelia. As Efem started towards Hewy, she could finally now see that his shoulders were slumped, his eyes cast downwards, and what might have been tears at the corners of his eyes.

All of a sudden it hit Parsley!

"How did you know his name? We never told you his name was Hungry," she asked Sprout.

"You mean the Dragon? I was taking him home to meet you a few days ago after we met at the Bakery, but we were separated,” answered Sprout. “He said something about trying to find his pillow." Turning to Cornelia he continued, "How far is it to your home? My stomach is starting to growl again. Did anyone not eat the chocolate mint that was on your pillow last night?”

Come on...Tell us what you know...

8/25/2020

Soon Awena bade Hewy to return to his room as the dawn was approaching. Reluctantly, he started for the door to find another Sleeping Sister waiting to lead him back to his room. As he followed her, Hewy repeated the prophecy over and over in his mind so he would remember all of it.

The next morning, as he and the others were taken to the breakfast meal, Hewy again passed the doors where he had found Awena. This morning they were closed and he also noticed that they did not meet any other Sisters on their way to the dining room. "I wonder where they are," he thought. He did not know that the other Sisters were meeting with Awena while he sat for the meal.

"Hewy, are you okay?" Efem asked as she noticed he was only picking at his meal. "What is happening here?"

After a long pause, Hewy finally answered. "It all about a prophecy and a Dragon..." he began.

"Awena told you a prophecy?" asked Parsley. "What do you remember of it? And she thinks it is about a Dragon?"

Hewy paused for a moment before answering. "The prophecy includes a Troll that must mend what was broken, the last Wish Dragon, a Dryad who has forsaken it's way, a musician, and one other who was unnamed. The unnamed one will ask the Wish Dragon for something and if the Dragon is not taught it will cause the destruction of the Realm."

Efem, Cornelia, and Parsley all looked at each other in shock. A Dryad who has forsaken it's way - what could that mean and who could it be? Each of them secretly thought that they could be the one. Parsley who decided to work with herbs and flowers instead of trees, Cornelia who talked to animals and the bees, and finally, Efem who had given up teaching many years ago. Each felt that in some way they had forsaken their way.

Sprout was the first to ask Hewy, "and you are the Troll?" Hewy looked at Sprout with a small smile and told him "that's what Awena thinks anyhow?"

Efem piped in, "Did she tell you anything about the others mentioned in the prophecy?" Hewy frowned and replied, "No, after she told me of the prophecy, the night was ending and the dawn was near. I was asked to return to my room. I didn’t see or hear anything until I was invited to breakfast with the rest of you," Hewy answered.

"We need to talk more about the prophecy and exactly what Awena told you. Prophecy is fickle. Every word can have a hidden meaning and every sentence may have several outcomes that are not expected," said Cornelia. "My home is the closest. Let's go there and talk when we are done here. Maybe Nemmer will be there with news of the Dragon he was sent out to find. He does seem to be the center of everything."

"Hungry?" asked Sprout.

"I am sure I can make you something," answered Cornelia with a smile. "Nemmer is the greatest hunter in all of the Realms." Cornelia boasted. "If anyone can find a lost baby Dragon, it will be him. While we wait I can make you something to eat."

"No... The dragon's name is Hungry," replied Sprout.

The others decided that Cornelia was right. They needed to talk and get the latest update on the search for the young Dragon Hewy knew that he needed the others to help solve the prophecy's mystery.

And a Prophecy is Unveiled...

8/4/2020

Now that Hewy had found Awena, all of the things he wanted to say seemed to have fallen out of his mind, so he sat and stared at her. Finally it was Awena who spoke.

"It is good to see you Hewy. You still look like the troll I met so many years ago."

"The moment I saw you, it felt like it was just yesterday. The years have been kind to you," replied Hewy. Her comment finally broke the ice between them and slowly they just sat and talked of what each had been doing since they last were together.

As the conversation started to slow, Hewy finally asked the question that had been nagging at him since he received the Petal Post. "Why after all of these years have you finally tried to reach me?"

Awena knew the conversation would eventually get to this question and had been waiting for it to be asked. "Hewy, let me tell you of why I had to come here and what I found. I felt a strong pull to the Sleeping Sisters and it was during my early training that I discovered a scroll in the library. It was old even then when I first unearthed it those many years ago. I was a young novice and so new to my studies but this scroll had a prophecy written on it. It had a troll in it and each time I read it I was reminded of you." Closing her eyes as if trying to remember what was written, she took a small breath, and began.

"The entire prophecy is very long and convoluted as if the writer was slightly crazed and wrote down the thoughts that came to his mind, but, in it there is a part that suggests you will help save all of the Realms or help destroy them." Hewy jumped up from the floor where he had been sitting. "What are you talking about? You must be wrong!"

Without moving, Awena slowly continued speaking, "This is what is in the prophecy that you must know." With her eyes still closed she repeated the words she had memorized those long years ago.

When the last of the Wish Dragyns are lost
and is starving for knowledge at any cost;
will choices be made by many
that will bring the Realms to despair or to plenty.

Which way will it sway and who will triumph none yet can foretell
but for good to win the evil must not prevail;
for if evil wins forever magic will be changed or lost
and the Realms will suffer at the cost.

For in the telling of this tale a musician must play
as the dryad who has forsaken it's way;
the troll will mend what was once broken
as they both must gain the Dragyn 's token.

For if this does not happen another will sway
the young mind which will drift away;
and from the lack of knowledge will the choice then be
for the Dragyn will grant the destructive plea.

Hewy, standing before her, was trying to both understand and remember the prophecy. As surprised as he was, he failed to notice the small tear at the corner of Awena's eye. Had he but known the rest of the tale, he might have made a different decision that day.