Lovable characters from this heroic fantasy series for children 6-14 |
| A man became one with his beloved cat: "The black, humanlike cat took a step forward and said excitedly, “Wonderful! My name is Otto, but I prefer to be called Catman. I’m the caretaker of Wormbelow.” “How come you look like a cat and can talk like a person?” Jack asked. “That’s because I am a person. Or was, I should say,” said Catman. “You see, long ago I had a black cat named Poe, whom I was very fond of. He lived all of his nine lives and then got sick and was close to death.” Tears formed in his eyes and he turned around. Noticing Otto’s distress, Wishbone said, “The only way to save Poe was for Otto and Poe to become one person.” “That is so cool,” Jack said. Catman wiped his eyes with his paw and turned around to continue his story. “So the Trinity of Wishmothers granted my wish, and now Poe and I are one. We are Catman.” |  |
On their long, boring journey to find the way how to free the trapped Wishmothers, Catman loves to tease the bickering children. But he also hides lessons to be learned behind his humor.
As they walked on, heading west toward their first destination, they saw Ogre Mountain rising in the distance, far to the north. The top of the mountain was covered with snow, and its peak hidden by mist and clouds.
“That’s where the Giant Oafs live,” Ghoulina told Jack and Nikki.
“They rarely come down from the mountain,” said Catman. “It’s cold up there and that’s just the way they like it.”
“I hate cold weather,” said Jack. “But I love playing in the snow.”
“Yeah, that’s all you do in winter… play in the snow,” said Nikki. “You should come over to Grandma’s and help me shovel her sidewalk once in a while.”
“I would, Nikki,” he said. “But she only has one shovel.
“We can always share it, Jack,” she said. “Haven’t you ever heard of sharing?”
“Sure I have,” he said. “Don’t I always share my movies and games with you?”
Nikki sighed and said, “Yeah, I guess you do.”
Wishbone chuckled. Catman and Ghoulina looked at each other and shook their heads.
“Kids!” she moaned, but not unkindly.
“They should be seen but not heard, right?” Catman asked her.
“As right as rain,” Ghoulina told Catman and winked at him playfully.
Nikki and Jack frowned, but then started laughing when they realized they were just being teased.
“No, it’s not right, Catman. Children should be allowed to speak freely when they have something to say.” Ghoulina changed her mind as she remembered how the children were hushed by the caretakers and teachers all the time in the orphanage where she grew up.
“Yes, you’re right.” Catman admitted. “I was just kidding. I always hated it when adults bullied and threatened kids into silence when I was a young lad.”
“Children should speak their minds,” came Wishbone’s chiming voice. “But they shouldn’t blab and they must learn when to keep quiet.”
Nikki frowned, looked at the group and said indignantly, “I think Jack and I heard enough of teacher-ish stuff for today.”
“Yeah!” Jack agreed happily because he hated to be lectured.
As they walked on, heading west toward their first destination, they saw Ogre Mountain rising in the distance, far to the north. The top of the mountain was covered with snow, and its peak hidden by mist and clouds.
“That’s where the Giant Oafs live,” Ghoulina told Jack and Nikki.
“They rarely come down from the mountain,” said Catman. “It’s cold up there and that’s just the way they like it.”
“I hate cold weather,” said Jack. “But I love playing in the snow.”
“Yeah, that’s all you do in winter… play in the snow,” said Nikki. “You should come over to Grandma’s and help me shovel her sidewalk once in a while.”
“I would, Nikki,” he said. “But she only has one shovel.
“We can always share it, Jack,” she said. “Haven’t you ever heard of sharing?”
“Sure I have,” he said. “Don’t I always share my movies and games with you?”
Nikki sighed and said, “Yeah, I guess you do.”
Wishbone chuckled. Catman and Ghoulina looked at each other and shook their heads.
“Kids!” she moaned, but not unkindly.
“They should be seen but not heard, right?” Catman asked her.
“As right as rain,” Ghoulina told Catman and winked at him playfully.
Nikki and Jack frowned, but then started laughing when they realized they were just being teased.
“No, it’s not right, Catman. Children should be allowed to speak freely when they have something to say.” Ghoulina changed her mind as she remembered how the children were hushed by the caretakers and teachers all the time in the orphanage where she grew up.
“Yes, you’re right.” Catman admitted. “I was just kidding. I always hated it when adults bullied and threatened kids into silence when I was a young lad.”
“Children should speak their minds,” came Wishbone’s chiming voice. “But they shouldn’t blab and they must learn when to keep quiet.”
Nikki frowned, looked at the group and said indignantly, “I think Jack and I heard enough of teacher-ish stuff for today.”
“Yeah!” Jack agreed happily because he hated to be lectured.
Ghoulina, the vegetarian ghoul
 | Jack stuffed his mouth with the half of his burger. “Hey, have you forgotten, Nikki?” he said with a mouth full of food. “Ghoulina doesn’t eat meat.” “I’m a vegetarian,” Ghoulina told Jack. “And it’s not polite to talk with your mouth full, young man.” “So what does a vegetarian ghoul like to eat?” Nikki asked, opening a bottle of water. “You know,” Catman said laughing. “Dead leaves, flowers, plants, and vegetables.” Ghoulina gave Catman a look that froze the laughter in his throat and she said, “I’m glad to see you’re enjoying yourself and having fun at my expense.” Catman gave her an apologetic look but when Ghoulina winked at him with a smile on her pretty face, he realized that she wasn’t angry, she was just teasing him. |
Dangers in Red Crow Forest
The sky grew even redder and darker with the oncoming flock of crows.
“What are we going to do?” Nikki asked, staring at the sky and growing more afraid by the moment as the Shrieks drew nearer and nearer.
“We run!” proposed Catman with fear in his eyes as he picked up a thick, broken tree branch lying on the ground.
And so they turned and ran for their lives, back the way they came. But they could not outrun the flock of Red Crows coming after them.
“Why are they coming after us?” Nikki asked.
“Because we entered their forest and they saw that we took something from the tree,” Ghoulina told her.
“But they didn’t even seem to know it was there until we came to get it because they didn’t guard it. And the Wand is not theirs, it belongs to the Wishmothers,” Jack said defiantly.
Ghoulina shook her head. “That doesn’t matter to them. Their rules say that anyone is allowed to bring something to their forest but nobody is allowed to take anything away,” she said. “Now run as fast as you can!”
They ran as fast as their legs could carry them. But the Red Crows closed the gap between them and swooped down to attack, cawing and squawking with anger.
“Guard the children, Ghoulina!” Catman called out. “I’ll try to hold them off.” He stopped and turned, and then started swinging the branch as if he was a baseball player taking his turn at home plate.
Bam! Wham! Slam!
Catman snarled and whacked three of the Shrieks, sending them tumbling through the air. But the Red Crows swarmed in for the kill.
“We’re doomed!” screamed Wishbone.
The branch was a blur in the air as Catman kept swinging it, fighting off crows that tried to peck and scratch him. He knocked down two more Shrieks, but more swarmed all over him.
“Cover your eyes and your faces, kids,” Ghoulina told Jack and Nikki. She herded them under a pumpkin tree and stood guard in front of them, her arms outstretched on both sides.
Jack buried his face in his hands. “Why don’t we use Nikki’s rocks and throw them at the crows?” he suggested.
“What kind of rocks do you have, Nikki?” Ghoulina asked.
“Just… just some rocks I found in the creek back home,” Nikki told her. She was trembling with fear but tried hard not to let her voice give her away. “You know. River stones.”
“Ah, yes. Wisdom Stones,” said Ghoulina. She turned, reached into Nikki’s backpack and pulled out a fistful of brown stones. “These will do nicely. Catman, come back here!”
Swinging his branch left and right and up and down, battering crow after crow, Catman backed away and rejoined the others. Though he had killed or knocked unconscious a number of Shrieks, the Red Crows kept up their attack as more and more of them stormed in.
Ghoulina’s silver eyes flashed red and purple and green, like Halloween lights.
Turning to face the army of Red Crows, she tossed her handful of rocks high into the air, raised her arms and chanted a magic spell:
“What are we going to do?” Nikki asked, staring at the sky and growing more afraid by the moment as the Shrieks drew nearer and nearer.
“We run!” proposed Catman with fear in his eyes as he picked up a thick, broken tree branch lying on the ground.
And so they turned and ran for their lives, back the way they came. But they could not outrun the flock of Red Crows coming after them.
“Why are they coming after us?” Nikki asked.
“Because we entered their forest and they saw that we took something from the tree,” Ghoulina told her.
“But they didn’t even seem to know it was there until we came to get it because they didn’t guard it. And the Wand is not theirs, it belongs to the Wishmothers,” Jack said defiantly.
Ghoulina shook her head. “That doesn’t matter to them. Their rules say that anyone is allowed to bring something to their forest but nobody is allowed to take anything away,” she said. “Now run as fast as you can!”
They ran as fast as their legs could carry them. But the Red Crows closed the gap between them and swooped down to attack, cawing and squawking with anger.
“Guard the children, Ghoulina!” Catman called out. “I’ll try to hold them off.” He stopped and turned, and then started swinging the branch as if he was a baseball player taking his turn at home plate.
Bam! Wham! Slam!
Catman snarled and whacked three of the Shrieks, sending them tumbling through the air. But the Red Crows swarmed in for the kill.
“We’re doomed!” screamed Wishbone.
The branch was a blur in the air as Catman kept swinging it, fighting off crows that tried to peck and scratch him. He knocked down two more Shrieks, but more swarmed all over him.
“Cover your eyes and your faces, kids,” Ghoulina told Jack and Nikki. She herded them under a pumpkin tree and stood guard in front of them, her arms outstretched on both sides.
Jack buried his face in his hands. “Why don’t we use Nikki’s rocks and throw them at the crows?” he suggested.
“What kind of rocks do you have, Nikki?” Ghoulina asked.
“Just… just some rocks I found in the creek back home,” Nikki told her. She was trembling with fear but tried hard not to let her voice give her away. “You know. River stones.”
“Ah, yes. Wisdom Stones,” said Ghoulina. She turned, reached into Nikki’s backpack and pulled out a fistful of brown stones. “These will do nicely. Catman, come back here!”
Swinging his branch left and right and up and down, battering crow after crow, Catman backed away and rejoined the others. Though he had killed or knocked unconscious a number of Shrieks, the Red Crows kept up their attack as more and more of them stormed in.
Ghoulina’s silver eyes flashed red and purple and green, like Halloween lights.
Turning to face the army of Red Crows, she tossed her handful of rocks high into the air, raised her arms and chanted a magic spell:
Loran's interview with Ilona
 |  |
A young woman with face paint drops down on her knees and bends her head to the side exposing her neck as if offering her life to the statuesque woman standing in front of him. “I’m Loran, the Táltos and scribe of the Hunor clan. I’m honored that you have agreed to meet me to answer my questions, milady.”
Ilona:
“Oh, please get up, sit with me in the living room, and please call me Ilona. I’m still not used to having a title besides being a doctor. I’ve been oblivious to the complicated structure of our secret society with its strict rules and deadly laws until my 29th birthday. It is all new to me. You’re a Táltos. Is that like a shaman? What is the job of the Scribe in the clan?”
Loran:
“Thank you, mi… Ilona,” she sighs and follows her to the couch taking a seat. “Well, my job is to monitor the Collective memory and keep a detailed file of the important people in our tribe, and I read everyone’s diary who is connected or interacted with that person. It makes it easier for the Elders and Royals to find every detail about them. Táltos is similar to being a shaman, except I was born to be able to connect with the collective and the ancestors. Shamans are chosen and they have to learn and use powerful magic to do so.”
Ilona:
“Oh, the clan’s secrets, the instant internet which people don't have excess until they turn forty. When were you born, Loran?”
Loran:
Clears her throat and fidgets on her seat. “Um… I’m supposed to ask you questions, but I was born in the fourth century when Elana, the great Healer lived.”
Ilona:
Gives her a warm, encouraging smile. “Oh, so your ‘live-for-centuries-gene’ had been activated, too. Elana is an amazing woman, but sorry, go ahead, ask me your questions.”
Loran:
“Thank you, and yes. If I take care of my body the way I’m supposed to, and I don’t have an accident or someone would kill me, technically, I could live forever. May I ask what you would consider being your greatest strength?”
Ilona:
“I would say that it’s my bulldog personality. When I’m faced with a secret, I bite on it, metaphorically speaking, and won’t give up until I can make sense of it.”
Loran:
“If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?”
Ilona:
“I would love to live a simple life in the 4th century and ride a horse into the sunset, feeling free,” she says sighing. “But, I know I’m needed in the present and I’m going to try to make life better for everyone, here.”
Loran:
“What is your biggest regret?”
Ilona:
“That I couldn’t prevent the death of my parents and save Ema from her life-altering experience.”
Loran:
“But without those events, we wouldn’t be here today. May I ask, if you could choose one of your inherited and activated magical powers, what would it be?”
Ilona:
She looks out the window and laughs softly, “I activated and obtained many unimaginable powers while searching for my Destiny Box, but if I could choose to have only one, I would choose my healing power.”
Loran:
“What is your biggest fear?”
Ilona:
“Useless life and meaningless death. I want to make a difference and I want to make life easier and better for everyone. People deserve security and happiness. Okay, enough of the serious questions. Ask me something else.”
Loran:
Scratches her head feeling embarrassed, “I didn’t prepare for that, but because I have deep connection with animals, and I know you do too, my question is, do you have animals in your home?”
Ilona:
Laughs, “Yes. Gypsy is my dog, he’s such a gentle giant and he’s a softy when he’s playing with her best friend, Tui, Bela’s Chihuahua. They have at least 140 Lb weight difference between them, but they’re bestest friends.”
Loran:
"Have you any pictures?"
Ilona:
"Yes, right there on the coffee table."
Ilona:
“Oh, please get up, sit with me in the living room, and please call me Ilona. I’m still not used to having a title besides being a doctor. I’ve been oblivious to the complicated structure of our secret society with its strict rules and deadly laws until my 29th birthday. It is all new to me. You’re a Táltos. Is that like a shaman? What is the job of the Scribe in the clan?”
Loran:
“Thank you, mi… Ilona,” she sighs and follows her to the couch taking a seat. “Well, my job is to monitor the Collective memory and keep a detailed file of the important people in our tribe, and I read everyone’s diary who is connected or interacted with that person. It makes it easier for the Elders and Royals to find every detail about them. Táltos is similar to being a shaman, except I was born to be able to connect with the collective and the ancestors. Shamans are chosen and they have to learn and use powerful magic to do so.”
Ilona:
“Oh, the clan’s secrets, the instant internet which people don't have excess until they turn forty. When were you born, Loran?”
Loran:
Clears her throat and fidgets on her seat. “Um… I’m supposed to ask you questions, but I was born in the fourth century when Elana, the great Healer lived.”
Ilona:
Gives her a warm, encouraging smile. “Oh, so your ‘live-for-centuries-gene’ had been activated, too. Elana is an amazing woman, but sorry, go ahead, ask me your questions.”
Loran:
“Thank you, and yes. If I take care of my body the way I’m supposed to, and I don’t have an accident or someone would kill me, technically, I could live forever. May I ask what you would consider being your greatest strength?”
Ilona:
“I would say that it’s my bulldog personality. When I’m faced with a secret, I bite on it, metaphorically speaking, and won’t give up until I can make sense of it.”
Loran:
“If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?”
Ilona:
“I would love to live a simple life in the 4th century and ride a horse into the sunset, feeling free,” she says sighing. “But, I know I’m needed in the present and I’m going to try to make life better for everyone, here.”
Loran:
“What is your biggest regret?”
Ilona:
“That I couldn’t prevent the death of my parents and save Ema from her life-altering experience.”
Loran:
“But without those events, we wouldn’t be here today. May I ask, if you could choose one of your inherited and activated magical powers, what would it be?”
Ilona:
She looks out the window and laughs softly, “I activated and obtained many unimaginable powers while searching for my Destiny Box, but if I could choose to have only one, I would choose my healing power.”
Loran:
“What is your biggest fear?”
Ilona:
“Useless life and meaningless death. I want to make a difference and I want to make life easier and better for everyone. People deserve security and happiness. Okay, enough of the serious questions. Ask me something else.”
Loran:
Scratches her head feeling embarrassed, “I didn’t prepare for that, but because I have deep connection with animals, and I know you do too, my question is, do you have animals in your home?”
Ilona:
Laughs, “Yes. Gypsy is my dog, he’s such a gentle giant and he’s a softy when he’s playing with her best friend, Tui, Bela’s Chihuahua. They have at least 140 Lb weight difference between them, but they’re bestest friends.”
Loran:
"Have you any pictures?"
Ilona:
"Yes, right there on the coffee table."
Loran:
"Oh, that little one is so cute!"
Ilona:
"Don't let her fool you, she's a menace. Sorry, but I must make this interview short. More had sent her minions to kill me and she won’t stop. I must find my Destiny Box in the 14th century. I hope the information in the box will guide me how to protect myself from the evil woman and how to save the future of the Hunors. I must get ready for the time travel with Zoltan. Please, stay and visit with Elza and Rua."
Loran:
“Just one more question if I may. Would you mind you tell me a little bit about your love life?”
Ilona:
“It’s complicated. I love them both and I can’t make my heart choose. Time will tell, it will work out for the best. I hope...”
Loran:
"One more question, milady, if I may. Do you see yourself as a hero and savior of the millions of people of our clan?”
Ilona:
Stands up ready to leave. “Absolutely not. I always do what I feel is the right thing to do. I chose to accept my destiny and I will always follow my heart and instincts.”
Loran:
“Thank you so much for talking to me, I’m truly honored.”
"Oh, that little one is so cute!"
Ilona:
"Don't let her fool you, she's a menace. Sorry, but I must make this interview short. More had sent her minions to kill me and she won’t stop. I must find my Destiny Box in the 14th century. I hope the information in the box will guide me how to protect myself from the evil woman and how to save the future of the Hunors. I must get ready for the time travel with Zoltan. Please, stay and visit with Elza and Rua."
Loran:
“Just one more question if I may. Would you mind you tell me a little bit about your love life?”
Ilona:
“It’s complicated. I love them both and I can’t make my heart choose. Time will tell, it will work out for the best. I hope...”
Loran:
"One more question, milady, if I may. Do you see yourself as a hero and savior of the millions of people of our clan?”
Ilona:
Stands up ready to leave. “Absolutely not. I always do what I feel is the right thing to do. I chose to accept my destiny and I will always follow my heart and instincts.”
Loran:
“Thank you so much for talking to me, I’m truly honored.”
The Ancestors' Secrets Trilogy
A magical realism, alternate reality fantasy trilogy.
When a young doctor, Ilona, starts to develop unusual powers, her life and her beliefs change. Mora seeks to gain the power to rule the ancient clan with a strict hierarchy and deadly laws that still exist hidden among us. Ilona has been chosen by the ancestors to stop Mora and save the future of the clan. She has been in love with her best friend but is also drawn to the stranger who appears in her peculiar dream. Ilona must save herself and her family from Mora’s evil plans, uncover ancient tribal secrets, and find her Destiny Box… the box that contains the message of the Ancestors.
Does she have the strength to fight evil?
Can she keep her sanity when discovering her magical abilities?
Will she accept her destiny?
Can she find true love?
Will she use her unimaginable powers for good or evil?
When a young doctor, Ilona, starts to develop unusual powers, her life and her beliefs change. Mora seeks to gain the power to rule the ancient clan with a strict hierarchy and deadly laws that still exist hidden among us. Ilona has been chosen by the ancestors to stop Mora and save the future of the clan. She has been in love with her best friend but is also drawn to the stranger who appears in her peculiar dream. Ilona must save herself and her family from Mora’s evil plans, uncover ancient tribal secrets, and find her Destiny Box… the box that contains the message of the Ancestors.
Does she have the strength to fight evil?
Can she keep her sanity when discovering her magical abilities?
Will she accept her destiny?
Can she find true love?
Will she use her unimaginable powers for good or evil?
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Author of fantasy, suspense, and children's books
R.M. Garino. Author of The Chaos of Souls Series. Fantasy fiction to feed your soul.
Poetry from the soul.