The Ancestors' Secrets
Magical realism, alternate reality fantasy trilogy
Character interview with Ilona
A middle-aged man drops down on his knees and bends his head to the side exposing his neck as if offering his life to the woman standing in front of him. “My name is Zoran, and I’m the Scribe of the Hunor clan. I’m honored that you have agreed to meet me and answer my questions, milady.”
Ilona:
“Oh, please get up, sit with me in the living room and 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. What is the job of the Scribe in the clan?”
Zoran:
“Thank you, mi… Ilona,” he 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.”
Ilona:
“Oh, the clan’s secret, the instant internet which people don't have excess until they turn forty. When were you born, Zoran?”
Zoran:
Clears his throat and fidgets on his 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 him 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.”
Zoran:
“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 find out and make sense of it.”
Zoran:
“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.”
Zoran:
“What is your biggest regret?”
Ilona:
“That I couldn’t prevent the death of my parents and save Ema from her life-altering experience.”
Zoran:
“But without those events, we wouldn’t be here today. May I ask, if you could choose one magic power, 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.”
Zoran:
“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.”
Zoran:
Scratches his head feeling embarrassed, “I didn’t prepare for that, but do you have pets?”
Ilona:
Laughs, “Yes. Gypsy is my dog, he’s such a gentle giant and he’s a softy when he’s playing with his best friend, Tui, Bela’s Chihuahua. They have at least 140Lb weight difference between them, but they’re bestest friends.”
Zoran:
"Have you any pictures?"
Ilona:
"Yes, right there on the coffee table."
Zoran:
"Have you any pictures?"
Ilona:
"Yes, right there on the coffee table."
Zoran:
"Oh, that little one is so cute!"
Ilona:
"Don't let her fool you, she's a menace. But, you can ask one more question, and I must make this interview short. I have an engagement. Please, stay and visit with Elza and Rua."
Zoran:
“Can you tell me about your love life?”
“Can you tell me about your love life?”
Ilona:
“It’s complicated, and it still puzzles me how naïve I was. I let myself be mesmerized and let my mind be clouded… Anyway, it's all clear now.”
Zoran:
"One more question 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 did what I felt was right. I chose my destiny and I will always follow my heart and instincts to make life better and to do no harm.”
Zoran:
“Thank you so much for talking to me, I’m truly honored.”
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The Ancestors’ Secrets, 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?
A review:
"I was very pleased to read this Fantasy novel because it is much more aligned to my taste in such books, namely real people living in our world, but gifted with special ‘magical’ powers. The first sentences already grabbed my fascination, and the easy flow of the entire book continually held my interest and curiosity. The author has skillfully let the main characters talk in the form of diary entries, and with natural dialogue and careful descriptions of thoughts and feelings, the reader soon feels intimately acquainted with them.
Particularly interesting is the fact that many aspects of this story are based on fact and history, namely the Huns who lived in Eastern Europe some 1500 years ago. It is therefore not too hard to believe that ancient traditions and secret rites could have continued down to our time. The main character, Ilona, is a young doctor educated in the modern world who at first struggles to comprehend the depth and power of her heritage when she ‘becomes of age’ at 29. Fascinating and fun to read is the way she discovers her special healing abilities and in particular, the way she can slow time around her. Even more intriguing is her handsome love interest, Zoltan, who can time-travel, but always within limitations and ancient law.
This first book in the series has been cleverly woven with various threads that continue into future books, and needless to say, I can hardly wait to read the next book and find out which man is Ilona’s true love, what her ultimate great destiny is, and what menace is still pursuing her with evil intentions. This is a book I can recommend to anyone interested in this kind of historical fantasy involving ancient traditions and down-to-earth characters of our own world."
~ Barbara Underwood
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