Category: Awena

Who's in Charge???

11/15/2023

The next morning Aralt left his home and started to the council building. He had not sent a message ahead to let the others know he was coming as he figured that if he took his time someone would notice him and inform the others. "Minions are so useful that way," he thought as he noticed one. Meen, (he thought someone had called her) was leaping around acting like she wasn't watching for him.

"Hhhmm, the Sleeping Sisters are also involved," Aralt realized when he recognized the bird as a magpie sitting in a tree behind the other minion. "I do wonder what this council has been up to in my absence."

As Meen caught sight of the Herald coming out of his home, she quickly jumped the last log as she tried to get back to the council chamber to alert the others of his approach. "This spying stuff is fun," Meen thought to herself. "I can actually play my favorite game of Leap without even getting into trouble." But she apparently did not need to worry too much of Aralt beating her to the council chamber. "He seems to be stopping at several of the local shops and apparently taking his own sweet time to arrive at the chamber. I wonder if he is part Pkysee like me since he seems to be playing instead of worrying about getting to the meeting," Meen pondered for a moment. Aralt even stopped by the local brewer to place an order of Dragon's Brew to be delivered to his home later today. It wasn't until he finished his tea and biscuit at the teashop that he finally started towards the chambers. "That should have given those silly council members plenty of time to arrive," he smiled, knowing that he was subtlety letting them know who will be in charge of this meeting.

When he walked through the chamber doorway, he was not surprised to see several of the town councilors already seated and waiting for his arrival. He noticed immediately the Sleeping Sister by her headpiece and serene look as if she was meditating and biding her time. "Is that a reporter sitting next to her?" Aralt thought to himself. "He must be since he has a copy of the Bellwether laying on the desk and scribbling away with his quill. The others are only a guess."

"But I would have to surmise with this mix of citizens here, the Troll and the young Nyte Shade must be important as well as the older couple in the corner." As if they heard his unspoken thoughts, the older couple both turned their attention to him.

"I am the Dowager Griselda and this is my son Baron Belvedere Allowishes Theodore Steffon. Our greetings from one of the last members of the Dragon Clan to you Herald," she spoke to Aralt (sounding to him like she was royalty waiting for him to deliver a message). Aralt took a slow breath and only nodded his head and waited for her to continue the introductions. It took a minute before the Dowager realized what the Herald was waiting for before she continued.

"This is Queen Ffion of the Shadows' Realm, King Dulbbe of the Trolls, Awena of the Sleeping Sisters, and Efem the Tree Mother. The others are citizens of the Realms who are here to witness this historic occasion. We also have Augustus, The Earl of Grey, who is also the editor of the local newspaper, The Bellwether, to record this news worthy event."

Aralt let the silence last a little longer when the introductions were completed. "I must show them I am in charge here," he thought as he silently walked to a corner of the room so all had to turn to see him. "I am Aralt the Herald. I speak to and for the Dragons and the Clans and will prepare the way for the return of the Dragons. Soon they will return and we must be prepared to make sure they cause no chaos nor reek havoc among the fae folk or the Outies. I will meet with their leader, the most powerful of their kind - a Wish Dragon. Upon her return I will re-establish the rules of order laid down by me in the past for their conduct. If I need your assistance, I will ask for it then. I expect you will all be available and require each of you to have a runner or setup a message system so that I may contact you when I need your assistance. If there are no questions, then we are adjourned," he finished as he started towards the chamber doors.

"But what about Hungry?" Meen uttered to Queen Ffion. "I mean Dre..." she started to add before she saw the look she was getting from all of the others. "Opps..." she muttered as she tried to find someplace to to look other than at everyone who was glaring at her.

"What was that all about," thought Aralt as he slowly was walking towards the open doors. "Maybe I should see if there is something I should know." Looking at everyone now watching him and not saying a word, the Herald decided that he definitely was missing something. "They should all be complaining or trying to get me to say something more," he pondered and then realized, "they are waiting for me to leave. Yes, there is definitely something else going on here."

Deciding on a new tact, he stopped just short of the doorway and turned back towards the council. "I am sorry. Being alone for so many years has made me a little brusque in my ways. I am concerned for the safety of everyone in the Realms and sometimes I do not present myself as cordial as I should. I have been gone for so long and so many things have changed, I would like to meet with all of you to see what I should know that will help me prepare for the Dragon's return," he finished as he sat down in one of the nearby chairs and awaited their response.

It was slow in coming. Actually it was none as no one wanted to be the first to speak back. "I came on too strong," Aralt realized as he waited. "I will have to start this."

"Dowager Griselda, I am honored to be met by a member of the Dragon Clan. I will rely on your assistance upon the Dragons return as you are one of the few who really understand the importance of what I need to do. We must keep the Dragons under our control if we are to maintain the peace and harmony of our way of life."

As the Dowager remembered the incident with the scroll showing her past and why the Dragon clan was formed, she knew that their decision not to tell the Herald about Dree, the Moon Dragon, had been for the best.

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Delay and Distract...

10/18/2023

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When the villagers realized that the parade was over and Aralt wasn't going to make another appearance, the crowd began to drift back to what they had been doing before the Herald had arrived. "Guess it's time to get back to work," smiled Snoop, the editor and owner of the local newspaper the Bellwether, as he pulled out his quill and started writing down the events of the day for the evening edition of the paper.

Not everyone else was smiling though. Especially not the town council members who had glanced at each other when Aralt had disappeared behind his doors and now started back to the council chambers. They definitely needed to talk.

Shortly all of them were sitting around the conference table thinking about what to say at the meeting. Each of the councilors had their chief minion there in case an errand or message needed to be delivered awaiting in the chairs spaced against the wall of the chamber. Even if they were longingly gazing at the buffet table that Granny Flare and Cornelia had setup for everyone to snack on, they understood the importance of the events of day.

Finally it was the Dowager who started the conversation. "Well, that went well."

Those four words were all it took to get everyone talking at the same time. "Who would have thought he would be so short and I don't just mean in stature," snapped one member. "How can he think I will let him stay on the grounds of my castle," growled Queen Ffion. "What are we going to do now?" both Awena and Dulbbe silently thought to themselves as they listened to the others talk.

Finally, when the room became quiet again, it was the Baron who spoke. "Well, yes, I was expecting Aralt to be a little friendlier," shaking his head as he couldn't understand this as he was friendly with everyone he met. "But the question is what will we do now? It appears by his actions that he might not be as open to us as we had hoped," continued the Baron.

Each of the council members sat quietly, thinking about the Baron's question. Indeed, what do we do now? It was a quandary. "There is one thing we probably should do," grumbled Nemmer as he watched the others staring at each other around the table. "Maybe we need to hide Dree until we know more about this Herald business."

It took a minute, as the others were heavy in thought about the situation, before they realized what Nemmer had just muttered. "Nemmer is right," smiled the Dowager. "Dree should be hidden until we know enough about Aralt before they meet. We don't want the two of them to get off on the wrong foot. But I also don't think they should meet until we find out what the Herald's plans are first."

After a short discussion, the rest of the council agreed with the Dowager, but who to send? For they needed to distract Dree and to keep him away until the council had their chance to find out Aralt's plan and that wouldn't be easy.

"I could send Meen," volunteered Queen Ffion as Meen jumped from her chair when she heard her name.

"No disrespect to you or your minion, Queen Ffion," answered Awena, " But we need someone who might be able to distract Dree as to the arrival of the Herald but not spill the beans about him. Meen would get so caught up playing and probably tell Dree everything since she is a twiddletop when it comes to keeping secrets." The conversation continued for some time, going back and forth on who would be best to inform the Dragon, but it wasn't until Dulbbe, the Troll King, made his offer before they selected the messenger.

"Tell me again why you think I should be the one to distract the Dragon? Am I supposed to let him eat me? For that won't take long and then you will be right back to the same problem," Drat said.

"Quit being so dramatic. You have meet him before and he knows you work for me... and besides, of all of the others here that can be sent on this errand - we both know you are the best choice," answered the Troll King as he looked directly into his minions eyes.

Realizing that his boss was both correct and actually giving him a compliment, Drat blushed slightly and bowed his head. "As you command Sire," he replied as he departed on his errand.

"Well, it got me out of what looked like a long and boring meeting," thought Drat as he darted down the street to the caves under the Baron's mansion all the time working up a plan to keep the Dragon busy without letting him know he was being hidden away again for now. "I wonder if I can get him into a game of Tic Tac Toe? That could take a while if he doesn't know that secret. But I will definitely need to let him know that it doesn't require body parts or eating."

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He has arrived...

10/4/2023

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"He's Coming! He's Coming!" shouted Meen, the little Pkysee, as she hopped in front of the Village's Council members who were meeting in the Village Council Chamber. "He is coming up the road and should be arriving soon Queen Ffion," Meen said as she stuck her head back out the door to keep watching as she had been told to do. Of course this announcement started all the members talking all at once and staring at each other.

"What are we to do now?" replied one member followed by "What do you think he will look like?" from another council member.

In the middle of all this chaotic noise, Fiddlefaddle leaned over towards the Baron. Being the Baron's all around handy man and procurator of travel arrangements he quietly asked, "Do you know where he will be staying since we don't have what the Outies call a hotel here in our small village?"

With that small question, the noise stopped instantly in the council chamber that one could have heard a pin drop if one was listening for that pin. Finally, Nemmer was the one who broke the silence. "There is a room over at the Rusty Nail Pub. I was just there this past week with my fellow archers and I am sure I heard the owner mention he had a spare room available." Which of course set up another flow of highly opinionated views on that suggestion.

"Well there is the Blue Bird Breakfast & Bed place outside of the Village," suggested Effem. "It's not too far to walk and I hear the rooms are fairly clean." Granny Flare, upon hearing the comment about how clean the place was just smirked and shook her head.

"No, I don't think that is a good idea," replied Awena. "I walked by there on my way to the council meeting and heard that the little old lady that owns the place just picked up a set of Peerrots (in the Outie world would be known as parrots) that squeal 'Rise & Shine and Git Out' every morning now. I don't think we want our guest to think we don't want him here," continued Awena.

At that moment a golden coach pulled up in front of the Village Council's building. All the members stood in anticipation for the Herald to exit the coach. As he did he simple stepped down, gave everyone a cold look, paid the coach driver, and then turned towards the center of the Village as if looking for something. He then proceeded to walk off and left without a word of acknowledgement or greeting as the coach departed in the opposite direction.

So, just like the Pied Piper in tales of old, the Herald continued walking down the center of the small village neither looking left nor right with the Council members (now with a few curious villagers who were wondering where the parade was going and what was it for) all following behind him. Little did they know that Aralt was focusing on the ley lines of the area. He could feel them and though it had been many many years since being here, especially without the Dragons to feed them, the lines were still here, though very faint.

It was taking all of his concentration and with the slight glow appearing in his locket, he soon could feel the pull where the ley lines crossed and where he needed to go from there. For he now knew where he was and the location of the place he was looking for. As he continued walking, soon it became evident to those following as to where he was going. Walking behind him Queen Ffion indignantly muttered, "Well I never!"

"If he thinks he is staying at my castle without an invitation or greeting, I don't think so!" Ffion growled to herself as the crowd all turned towards the Shadows' Queen castle.

They all continued walking down the road like a gaggle of geese following the Herald's lead as he walked into the courtyard of the Shadows' Queen's castle and proceeded to the back upper garden where several of those following soon realized it was the same garden where the young Wish Dragon had transformed into a Moon Dragon. Aralt then went past the waterfalls (that covered the entrance to the secret cave that held the Dragon tablet recently taken by a Borrower) towards a wall covered with bramble vines that grow only in a darker corner of the garden. With his arms raised and the stone in the locket glowing that he always carried with him, Aralt spoke. " Rise to the left. Shift to the right. Reveal these doors to my Sight."

Magically the brambles began to pull to the left with some shifting to the right, soon a massive stone door appeared that slowly opened for him. Apparently, by everyone's stunned reaction, Aralt realized that most of these simple people didn't know about the Dragons' Cave below. He finally decided to address the crowd of followers and turned to face them. "Excuse me. This is where I'll be staying. It has been a long day. I will meet with you tomorrow," and with that walked through the now open doorway with them shutting behind him. All the villagers stood there stunned with their mouths hanging open, wondering just what had happen.

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Gathering the Facts...

9/27/2023

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With the information that Ffion and Dulbbe had received, everyone realized that it was time to meet and discuss what was to be done. It was quickly decided to hold the meeting at the Shadows' Realm castle since both Ffion and Dulbbe were already there and it might be helpful for everyone to have the Dragon orb available if any more questions might come up. Soon the council was all there to include the one whom any decision that came out of this meeting would most affect - Dree, the new Moon Dragon.

Griselda then spoke up saying "We have learned something about our past. We now are aware who Aralt is and I have told you of my experience with the magical scroll and of the forming of the Wish Dragon clan by Aralt. It wasn't the family nurturing clan I grew up in that's for sure. Who knew that the clan originally was created to control the Dragons more than to work with them," the Dowager said shaking her head slightly side to side as she remembered her vision of that council meeting.

Tattoo of the Wish Clan worn by clan members

"We have also heard from King Dulbbe and Queen Ffion about the potential dangers of a ruling Wish Dragon according to the past stories of the She-Dragon," finished Griselda.

Everyone looked at each other, waiting to see if someone would start the conversation they all knew had to happen. It was Awena who began. "We need to create a plan to minimize the chaos of the arrival of the Herald and the Dragon's return. I have searched the records of the Sleeping Sisters and have found nothing that will aid us in this problem. The only ancient text or prophesy that was discovered is extremely vague. The most we can confirm is that all realms are in danger if the Dragon's are no more and the game is lost. We have not found out what is meant by 'this game of power' nor what would make all of the Dragons disappear," she said and sat down on one of the many chairs in the audience chamber.

"You have all heard what we have found out about the returning Dragons. Do you have any further questions of the Dragon orb?" Griselda asked the others. "If not - then now is the time we must decide what we can do. The one major question we cannot answer is does Aralt know we now have a Moon Dragon here in the Realms?" What do you think of this Dree?" finished Griselda as all turned to look at the young Moon Dragon.

Dree was totally caught off guard. He had been listening to everyone's discoveries and was picturing in his mind what the other Dragons would look like and how they would act, but he had not been following the Dowager's final comments. So with a startled look he realized everyone was staring at him and waiting for his comments.

After a few gulps, he finally started to speak. "Excuse me for not paying attention at everything that has been said here, but I have been listening and thinking. I understand both from your discoveries of the Orb and from the reading I have been doing from some books that Granny Flare gave to me what it meant to be a Wish Dragon. I am just now getting my wings under me in trying to find out what a Moon Dragon may be. I am hoping this Herald can help me discover what it is that I am supposed to do," he said. Taking a slow breath Dree continued, "But, I also know that he is a stranger to me while all of you are my family. I may be a Dragon, and formerly of the Wish Dragon Clan, but you have all raised me and have helped me become what I am now so you are my clan too. I do not know if there is anything I can do to prepare for the coming of my kin, but I do feel that I should learn all that I can to be prepared for their arrival," Dree told the others.

"Dree, you are part of our family too," answered Efem as she walked over to him and squeezed his hand. "After talking to the trees in the Sacred Grove, I now have gotten to the root of what they were trying to tell me. It is this, you can prepare all you want, but when the game of power starts, all you can do is play along and hope you know the rules. We will help you all that we can, but in the end, it will be your decision as to what will happen. I am sorry to have to put all of that burden upon you, but I believe that you are up to the task and we will all support you."

Everyone in the room stood and bowed to the young Moon Dragon to show him their support. It was almost too much for the Dragon, but he finally did look back at them all and said a simple "Thank you."

It was then that the Goodie Sisters and Parsley entered the chamber and announced that the meal they had been preparing was ready... was anyone hungry? Dree started laughing and said "No, I'm Dree now - but I am still Hungry!"

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Moonlight is...

6/14/2023

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After Awena sent Dree, the new Moon Dragon, to his cave following the council meeting, she knew she needed to follow up with some research of her own. As she returned to the home of the Sleeping Sisters, she thought to herself, "I need to see what message the cards of the Flowers have to say and then spend some time with my crystal ball." Calming herself and centering her energy she pulled a card from the Language of Flowers deck and then sat quietly holding her crystal ball. It didn't take long before the lights starting swirling around inside the ball appearing to open a portal into another dimension.

"I need to stay calm and open my mind to this new energy," she reassured herself. "For if this helps the Village on the Wall and the Realms, I need to know." The more she stared into the crystal ball the more she felt that she was being taken into another realm. The trees were so green and she could feel their magical roots connecting under her feet as she was walked along the unfamiliar path. She was holding her crystal ball in front of her like a lantern lighting her way when she started to see the mist in the ball clear away.

She could see a face though not clearly. Then she heard a deep voice inside her head. "I am Aralt and I am here to guide you on this journey. Follow my voice so that we may soon be together." Looking ahead of her, Awena could now see a new path opening up as the bushes and plants cleared a way for her to follow. Not knowing if danger lay ahead for her, Awena decided the knowledge she may receive was worth the risk.

She followed the new trail which led her down into a grotto with a large waterfall. As she stared at the falls and listened to the crashing of the water onto the rocks, she heard the voice again. "Enter the waterfall for there are those that have a message for you."

After seeing a few stepping stones in the water, Awena proceeded ahead hoping the waterfall wasn't going to destroy her elaborate headpiece she wore. As she was just about to step into the falling water, magically the waters parted to reveal a cave. She slowly entered in to see two Dragons laying in wait for her. At once she felt a connection to one for this was the mother of Dree. Beside her lay a white Dragon though transparent more like the spirit of a beautiful Dragon. Awena could feel in her heart that this was the Dragon that gave her magic to the girls that created the Sleeping Sisters.

They nodded their heads as she entered and she heard a melodious sound in her head. It was a different language then anything she had ever heard before but yet... somehow she seemed to be able to understand it. The Mother Dragon said "Sit Awena for we have words of strength, guidance, and love to share with you. We are here to help this change that is about to happen to your realm." Awena sat and suddenly it occurred to her that she would also talk with these Dragons. It seems like hours for there was much to learn and yet time also flew by. Soon she knew it was time to return to her world and as she rose, thanking the Dragons for sharing their wisdom, she was met at the cave entrance by another Fae. She was not sure who it was until he spoke.

"Let me say these final words to you Awena as you will never return to this vision again," said Aralt. "Sunlight may banish the Darkness away. But Moonlight is the Light in the Darkness." At which Awena awoke in her room holding her now silent crystal ball.

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Bringing to a Close...

6/7/2023

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As the Dowager finished telling everyone her reason for summoning the council meeting, the room was silent. It was Snoop who was the first to speak, but this time making sure he did not interrupt Griselda again.

"I had hoped for a 'newsy' scoop for the Bellwether but I wasn't looking for a disaster!" he moaned. "From your story, how are we going to survive this? Who or what is a Great Fae? Will Aralt the Herald be enough?"

Seeing the look of concern in everyone's eyes, even Dree's, the Dowager realized that she was the one who was going to have to inspire confidence to them all. "I bring this up so we can prepare and be ready for their arrival. It appears from what Goodie4U has seen that the Dragons are widely dispersed. That means we will probably start seeing them either return alone or in small groups. That will give us time."

"I will put out the call to the Wish Dragon clan. I still know a few others who are around that will come to help," she told them waving her tattooed arm around with the clan symbol. Waiting to make sure that everyone was still listening, she continued. "Augustus, I need you to write the best stories you have ever put into the Bellwether. Start out slow. Give the readers time to adjust to having this new change of seeing a Dragon with the hint that many more may be seen soon... You know the old saying, where there is one - others are soon to follow."

Wish Dragon Clan Symbol

"Let everyone in the Realms know that Dree is a peaceful Dragon and that the council welcomes their return when it should happen." Seeing Snoop nod his head and start writing on the paper he held, Griselda knew that he would do as she asked since he now understood the danger they were all in.

"For the rest of you, I will be returning to the Mansion with my son. We have a lot of messages to start sending out to see who will respond. I will also call an All Clans meeting to see who will attend." For a second, the Dowager stopped talking. A very concerning thought came to her but she did not want to have the others notice so she quickly continued. "Each of you must return to your homes and start preparing both yourselves and your people as to the Dragons' return. What we did worked last time after the Great Age of Befuddlement, so it will work again. Before you go, I will talk to each of you as to what I suggest you do. But I also suggest you start thinking of what you might also be able to do in addition to that."

While the Dowager was meeting with everyone before they left, Awena and Dree were standing in a corner of the council chambers talking in a low whisper. "Dree, I think it is time for you to return to the caves under the Mansion," Awena told the Moon Dragon. "That way you will be closer to Griselda when she needs you as I am sure she will in the coming times."

"I hadn't thought about that," answered Dree. "I would like that. I will let the others know also so if they need me they will all know where to find me."

"I think that would be a good idea. Why don't you go tell them now while they are all still here?" Awena answered as Dree started to walk away. As the Moon Dragon passed her, he did not notice the look in her eyes as she watched him go. "Your life is again about to change as another prophecy unfolds young Dragon," the Sleeping Sister whispered, "and I hope you have both the courage and the strength as I have started to become quite fond of you." Taking a deep breathe and closing her eyes to center herself, Awena thought to herself. "It might also be a good time to see what my cards and Crystal ball have to say about this Great Fae."

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Dragonflyyies and Danger...

5/31/2023

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It was Dulbbe who finally had to ask. Being new to the royalty business, this excitement about a dragonfly was beyond him. Sure, he had chased his share of them (and not to tell the others - he had even swatted a few of the more annoying ones), but why was a dragonfly important enough to call a council meeting. He thought it had to be important as he never even read about it in the many scrolls he had researched.

"Dowager, I don't mean to be rude, but I don't know why a dragonfly is so important," he said when it was quiet again. The Baron realized that he should say something as his mother seemed to sometimes think that everyone else should just 'understand' what was going on.

"Mother, I think that some of the youngsters in the room might not have heard about Dragonflyyies since many of them were not around Dragons very much (if at all) before they left. Maybe you should tell them about the coming of the Village on the Wall and how it happened because of a Dragon," he told her.

"Maybe later, what's important is that they understand the importance of receiving a Dragonflyye," answered Griselda. "What all of you must understand is that when the Dragons were here and plentiful, there were several of the Great Fae who helped the clans keep the peace between Dragons, Fae, and the Outies after the Great Age of Befuddlement. Most of these Fae are now gone (who knows where... but we hope they are having a good time), but a few are still here in the Realms in case the peace is disturbed again."

As Griselda paused, it was Awena who now spoke. "According to the ancient scrolls, the Great Fae used Dragonflyyies to send important messages to the Dragon clans. These special Dragonflyyies were one of the few creatures that could speak both to Fae and Dragons. Only the 'Outies' could not understand the messages they would deliver."

Nodding her head, the Dowager continued when Awena paused. "That is correct. As a member of the Wish Dragon clan I would routinely see the Dragonflyyies delivering messages to the clan elders. I was so shocked to have one appear at the Mansion before leaving to this meeting that I almost forgot about the meeting."

"I was one of the those Dragons? Right Awena? But now I am a Moon Dragon," asked Dree the newly transformed Dragon. "Dowager, did they have a clan for Moon Dragons too?" Before the Dowager could answer, Dree asked another question. "Can I still be with the Wish Dragon clan too?"

Unable to hold his patience any longer, Snoop, who could feel a terrific story coming but he still did not have enough to print in the Bellwether, jumped up from his chair.

Snoop pointedly asked, "What did the Dragonflyye say and who sent it!" When he realized what he had just done, blushing from embarrassment, he quickly apologized to the council and sat down but not without having his pencil out and paper ready to write it all down.

"Before the interruption," Griselda glared at Snoop, who continued to shrink further into his chair, "I was about to say that the message was very short. All it said was 'They are returning' and it was signed Aralt the Herald."

"Dowager, who is returning and who is Aralt?" Queen Ffion asked as she was just as confused as the others in the council chamber.

"That my dear, is a long tale that I need to tell all of you so everyone understands the dangers that are coming to the Realms. It all began when Goodie4U appeared before me while I was enjoying my favorite tea..."

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Calling the Meeting...

5/24/2023

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"Quiet! Quiet everyone. I am calling this meeting to order," the Dowager said forcibly without raising her voice. Awena nodded her head knowing the chant she had cast earlier was helping her friend be heard over the crowd. Everyone started moving toward seats in the chamber. Some assigned and some for whomever sat in it first.

The Baron sat on the left of his mother, the Dowager Griselda, while Awena was on her right side at the front of the room. Everyone else gave respect due to the new royalty of the Realm - the new Queen Ffion and Troll King Dulbbe, who sat facing towards the head table wondering what this meeting could be about. The Gooblin King was not into protocol. He preferred to sit off in the grey hidden shadows of the back of the room observing what was going on. He told others that he preferred to be off to himself, but most believed it was because he couldn't stand all the bright lights.

"There are several things I need to bring to this Council's attention that are very important. But before I do, I want the Council to be aware that just before I arrived at this meeting I received a Dragonflyye!" exclaimed the Dowager. That started the muttering around the room to go in several different directions.

In the section reserved for the minions (so they could be called upon to deliver edicts from the council) Arnie had taken one of the seats because she had never sat at council before. It's not like a 'Borrower' is invited to many functions since they have a tendency to 'find' things that they take with them when they leave. Leaning over to Meen she asked in a low voice "What's so important about a dragonfly? I chase them all of the time when I am not out borrowing."

Meen whispered "I am not sure if it's the same thing. It could be I suppose, but I remember once that the old King of Shadows' referred to having a relic of one posted in an ancient scroll. It was an ancient way of sending important messages when the Dragons where around."

Throwing up her hands into the air with a shrug Arnie asked her companion, "Who could be sending a Dragonflyye to the Dowager? How could they even know to send it to her?"

Who indeed???

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VMP Arrivals...

5/16/2023

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As Snoop quietly snuck across the street and into the alley beside the council chamber, he could now see clearer through the window. There she was, Granny Flare, and she was doing the cleaning.

At first he thought she was sweeping with her broom, but realized that she was actually holding a Dusty Myte and pointing it towards the floor as it was sucking in the dust.

It was that new style of cleaning she had shown to some of the other house Brownies at her last convention that he had written about. She called it 'vak-u-ming' (whatever that was). "It will never replace the broom," Snoop thought as he continued watching her clean. "There must be a meeting going to happen today," he realized when he also saw the brewing tea pot and cookies. "There sure are a lot of cookies and cups, so it must be for a full council meeting. Maybe even some VMPs (Very Magical Persons) " Snoop muttered to himself.

Since he knew all of the best hiding places to observe the towns people, he soon was sitting comfortably in an old chair outside of the Hicaberry Tea Shop. Here he could sit at one of the best places for a cup of tea and could watch the council chamber too as he hid in the shadows of the eaves. Snoop had long ago set aside a small expense budget for just this purpose because the Tea Shop made him buy something when he just sat on their porch and watched things happening.

"At least the tea is better than what I brew at the Bellwether," Snoop thought while he slowly sipped a little. "I might have to make this cup last a long time since it doesn't appear that anyone has arrived yet but Granny Flare."

It was then that he noticed the troll. It was Dulbbe, the new King of the Trolls, and standing besides him was Drat. "Where did they come from," he wondered. "They had not been there a minute ago." Listening closely as he leaned over slightly (another reason he had picked this spot), he could just barely hear Dulbbe talking to Drat.

"You were right," Dulbbe said to Drat. "It was uncomfortable besides being dirty too. I don't want to have to use that route again unless we absolutely have too. I mean, I can usually see well in the dark, but not in that pitch black hole you took me through. I don't know how you did it because I could not see my hand in front of my face! And don't tell me what was making that sound when were were walking around down there... I don't even what to know who or what it was," Dulbbe finished with a shudder as he brushed his clothes with his hands.

"Sorry Sire, but you did say you wanted to get here fast," Drat answered (but not before Snoop noticed that the rat had answered with a small smile on his lips). Still smiling, Drat stepped aside and motioned for his King to enter the council chamber first as he followed.

"Interesting," thought Snoop. "I wonder who else will appear." Just as he said that, the coach with Queen Ffion pulled up being pulled by no less than four Nytemares. "She must have been in a hurry," he decided. "This must be important!"

As Snoop continued to sip on his tea, he was able to observe several more arrivals for the meeting. There was Hewy, Hir'aeth the Gooblin King, the Goodie sisters, Awena from the Sleeping Sisters, the Baron and his mother the Dowager, and even Dewin the Wizard. All VMPs indeed! It was the last guest that appeared the made Snoop realize that he had to get into the meeting somehow. It was that young Wish Dragon who had transformed into a Moon Dragon, Drai'ochtluan. "I am glad that he likes to go by 'Dree' for short," Snoop sighed to himself. "I would have to look up the spelling every time I want to write it down."

As Snoop was trying to figure out some means of getting into the council chamber, he did not notice that a Pyksee had been sneaking up behind him until she pulled on his sleeve, making him jump several inches into the air. It was Meen, the new Queen's minion. "Don't do that," he told her. "You made me jump."

Not realizing that Snoop meant it as a bad thing because she liked to jump everywhere, she shrugged his comment off and pulled on his sleeve again. When she thought she had his full attention, she delivered the message she was sent out with. "The Council asks if you would join them in the council chamber. They said they did not want to start without you."

Snoop was flabbergasted... how did they know that is exactly where he wanted to be?

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The Politics Begin ...

2/21/2023

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"It feels like it all just happened," said Awena as she took a moment to collect herself. The others that were with her in the Shadows' King's receiving room all nodded their head in agreement. It was in fact now several hours after Hunter, The CAT, and Druzzy had disappeared through the magical portal. At first everything was mass confusion right up to the point when Ffion, finally realizing that her father may be gone forever, fainted. It was Dulbbe who carried her inside of the castle to the receiving room as everyone followed him.

Gently he sat her on one of padded chairs to recover as Awena continued. "The question is, what do we do now?" It seemed that no one had an answer.

Finally it was the newly re-born Dragon who spoke. "It's all my fault," he said with a tear in his eye. "If it wasn't for me none of this would have happened."

"Nonsense! Now listen everyone... this was but one of two possible outcomes from the moment the Dragon tablet was found. With what it foretold would happen long ago, I am glad for one that goodness prevailed," said Goodiegood. "It could have gone either with a new beginning or a recipe for despair and the ending of the Realm. We should rejoice that the Shadows' King gave us a new beginning!"

Realizing that the Goodie sister was right, the Dowager decided it was time to start that beginning. "Goodiegood is right. The proper time for mourning will come when we know for sure that those who entered the portal are truly gone."

"In the meantime, we have lots of work to do," she said as she started over to where Dulbbe was tending to the princess. As she approached, she noticed that Ffion was getting a little of her color back and was looking at her. "Princess," began Griselda, "in your father's absence you are now the Queen of the Shadows' Realm. I will stay for a while to assist you, but what are your commands?" she asked as she slowly curtsied before the new Queen. Seeing this, the others in the room also bowed down (all except the Hir'aeth, the Gooblin King of course).

Both surprised and flustered, at first Ffion did not know what to say. Seeing everyone bowing was a shock to her. "This is an honor for my father, not me," she thought. It is when she looked at Hir'aeth looking at her and seeing him nod his head is when she realized that she would have to make some decisions - she was now the Queen of the Shadows' Realm!

Slowly raising from the chair, she started to speak but it came out more like a squeak. After taking a breath and a few swallows (which also gave her another second to gather her thoughts) she began. "I thank you all for your allegiance and your good wishes. In the absence of the King, I will do my best to keep our Realm prospering. My first acts are to make the Dowager Griselda one of my advisors and as my father had requested that Awena of the Sleeping Sisters be the royal tutor."

Deciding this would be the best time for him to act, the Gooblin King waited until the Princess (" I must remember she is the Queen now," thought Hir'aeth) had finished - he made his move. "Queen Ffion. With the absence of the Troll King, someone should take his place to guide his kingdom. As the nearest monarch, I offer my services until his return."

"Ah... the politics begins," muttered the Dowager. As she was sitting near Ffion, it was only the new queen that heard her. Being raised in a royal household, the new queen smiled to herself as she had learned quickly what to do from the many times of watching her father.

"Oh great King. I thank you for the offer of your service, but another has already been selected to replace the Troll King. A distant relative of Druzzy is already here in the room. Hewy, I ask if you will be the acting Troll King until his return?" Ffion said as she looked at the startled troll.

This was something that Hewy knew he did not want to do... "I am a musician," he thought as he slowly rose to his feet deciding how to decline. He knew that if the Gooblin King became the acting ruler of the Troll Kingdom, it would take more than a Dragon to dislodge him when it came time to select a new ruler if Druzzy did not return. "Your majesty, I must respectfully decline as another more suited and is closer in relation to the absent King is also here." Now this surprised everyone! Who was he talking about? It was the Dowager who figured it out first.

"It must be Dulbbe!" she whispered so that only the Queen would hear. Shocked at hear this, Ffion turned to look at Dulbbe who was still bowing and looking at the floor. "Dulbbe, is this true?" she asked.

"Yes my Queen. It is. I am the younger brother of King Druzzy," the troll answered, still not taking his eyes off of the floor. "Your father knew but he told me when he made me the keeper of his accounts that it was because of my skills with numbers and not because of who I was. That is why I told no one else. Hewy, being a troll knew because he often would perform at the Troll King's events and would see me there with my brother."

This revelation surprised even the Gooblin King, but before he could speak again, the Queen asked her question now to Dulbbe. "Will you be the acting Troll King until his return?" Not wanting to let her down and only now partially realizing that as a King he might actually have a chance at winning her heart, Dulbbe finally looked up at her as he told her "Yes, I will do as you ask."

At this announcement the crowd began to stand and clap as Dulbbe walked to Hewy and shook his hand, while Hewy, being the only other troll in the group, bowed to his new sovereign. "Ahh, the fun begins anew," smiled the Gooblin King wondering how this adversary will 'add up' (accountant humor).

It was during the clapping and applause that the new Queen noticed a feeling that she had not felt before. It first started as a tingling at her fingers which soon was covering her whole body like the magic that flowed through her when she was at the Goodies cottage. Soon the others in the room also saw the glow forming around her as the room became quiet. As all eyes were looking at her, one set of eyes was watching another who was having the same issue. "As the prophecy stated - forever joined by the sacrifice of magic will they be," smiled Goodie4U as the glow slowly disappeared around Queen Ffion and the new Moon Dragon.