Silvertree Chronicles Bk. 01 Ch. 16

Eldar shook his head, "Not until I check this first then we have to get my father and the King into a separate room together because they are neck-deep in this shit!"

Jaron moved ahead, "Follow me." They got to the wing, he walked ahead, "The room is right down here."

Eldar stopped and started opening doors until he found the storage closet. He started searching the four bottom corners until he found the book. Jaron looked at him, "Is that what I think it is?"

Eldar nodded, "Yes, it is....and right now it's worth a King's ransom."

He passed it to Charlemagne, "Stuff it under your armor."

She did as he asked. He looked at Jarron, "Now, I REQUIRE a private audience with the King and my father."

He looked at Charlemagne, "Tell Tiger I may require his skills."

She nodded. Jarron stopped him, "How bad is it?"

Eldar looked at him, "Depends on much you like having my Father and the King around bad! Especially the King; as in governments have been known to fall bad. Kingdoms fall bad."

He looked at Jarron, "Do the Knights have any dragon ancestor relatives we can get in contact with?"

Jarron sighed, "Dragons won't get involved in the affairs of men or elves."

Eldar asked, "That's a no? You're being vague. You're being evasive. I just want an honest answer. I'm not asking how or who."

Jarron sighed, "Yes."

Eldar sighed, "Good then we have a prayer!"

Eldar asked again, "How long till you can get just the 6 of us in the room?"

Jarron replied, "I do not know that I can."

Eldar grunted, "Fine can you show us to the royal garden? If only a group of us, then myself, Tiger, Annette, and you."

He pointed to Annette to connect Jarron in. Annette hooked them together.

Eldar, "Jarron there is more than one spy in the Palace. The other has been here for years and is a consort frequented by the King."

Jarron, "Do I really want to know this?"

Eldar, "You said you did. Father has visited her at least once."

Eldar, "Lord Barimus is supposedly a dead ancient Red Dragon named Torbarim--as in the same dragon this Era's name was merged with. He runs an army out of Ok'nar. Giants, orcs, gnolls, ogres, and oh his son who sits on the FICKA Dragon Council! Now, do you see why I have her doing this communication? In case we're being FIKCA monitored."

Jarron, "I'm going to be sick."

Eldar, "More! That notebook has one communication; the one we intercepted, data came from my Father AND it probably got delivered as the human kingdom has a spy as well. Their court wizard. Likely suspect for the Underhill Gang if I had to guess, and it explains the attack on Rambling Rock most likely!

Lose your lunch yet? I could tell you that the codebook has 3 months of communications that were sent; most from information gained from the King. Did I exaggerate?"

Jarron, "Who knows of this just a few of us?"

Eldar, "Until I decide to scream it in the main throne room."

Jarron, "Jokes do not translate well with this method of communication."

Eldar, "I know, just sharing the pain you wanted us to share with you. Now you know how bad it is. Do we need a dragon's help? Probably. We kept the spy from accidentally getting killed. He had a couple of words if you asked him about could have triggered a geas if he said them. He is deaf and mute until he meets the condition of his release or the effect wears off."

Jarron, "What words?"

Eldar, "Before I answer that, does Annette have a job as an agent now?"

Jarron, "Yes, with this kind of data how could I not use her."

Eldar, "I had her have him piss himself and shit himself then shake for 10 minutes. If anyone checks he cannot hear or speak. But the words are consort and Barimus."

Jarron, "I was wondering about that, guess you wanted to make him look like he was tortured."

Eldar, "Yes, cover for Annette's abilities. Drop Annette."

Eldar sighed, "Jarron, do you think the Queen is up for that talk?"

Jaron chuckled, "It would be funny and very painful."

Eldar smiled, "Especially if I talked about a certain metal-studded strap-on in the bottom drawer."

Jaron groaned, "Anything you left out of the mix."

Eldar sighed, "Yes a couple of things. Now about that meeting. The only other option would be to let them know how we do things. Why don't we go back to the main throne room, maybe get Tiger, Annette, you, and I go to the royal garden?"

Jaron groaned, "Almost four."

Eldar sighed louder, "We need a place to stay tonight."

Jarron nodded, "I will take care of accommodations, there is a place in this district we can stay."

Eldar shook his head, "Does not work unless you can get that wagon and guards moved here; we all need to get cleaned and all our clothes are in that wagon; unless you plan on buying everyone new clothes for the extra days we will have to spend in this district?"

Jarron looked at Eldar, "Days, why days?"

Eldar smiled, "We have another spy to catch, we will need the charter and paperwork, and we need to discuss the directives the goddess gave to our royal family. We need the last to work on the intolerance issues, the fertility issues, the love issues, and the ability to attract trained recruits at the Academy who will follow those directives.

This will have to be a joint announcement with the Grand Clerics all backing it. We need an announcement about the southern trade routes becoming open, mercenaries working protection duty currently should be evaluated by our new group in regards to trader protection on that route.

It will be our responsibility as we're the caretakers of this cross-border area. More importantly, the days cut off of shipments to the dwarves and nearest human kingdom.

Because of this agreement the cost for the protection won't fall to the merchants but from the government. The usual way of doing announcements and agreements will not work in this case; we need it completed in days, not in a century."

Jarron, smirked, "Anything else you want to add to that list?"

Eldar smiled, "Since you asked we will need a diplomatic mission to return to Grand Falls to formalize the agreement and a plan to neutralize the other known spy without causing a diplomatic upheaval as the King could be under some compulsion.

This means taking Elven assassins with us skilled in spellcraft to capture and remove the wizard without getting caught. That would give us the means for him to be interrogated by Annette or jeopardizing the mission. This means you will have to extend some level of diplomatic protection to our group to be able to return there. I think that covers it."

Jarron snorted, "I had to ask. You really are becoming a pain in the ass. I am not sure we should send your group back. Currently, they are still investigating the Underhill Gang. While you are not being sought for questioning others did hear of a threat you made and someone carried it out. Possibly the very asset you are referring to and alluded to, I know."

Eldar nodded, "I agree, but if that spy is under the same manipulation as the one you have then direct questioning will cut off our ability to gather additional intelligence on what influence he has had.

Is there another spy like her? That leaves Annette's talents unless you have another to call upon and you know my wives won't leave my protection so you have other means please use those my plate is rather full already."

Jarron thought for a moment. Then he responded, "You won't need to go. I have another option, but I cannot discuss that option until I have some conversations. We will have everything formalized before you leave the city.

I will let you meet them because they won't get involved in our affairs until we prove involvement. Which means they would need to question the prisoners here in the same manner as Annette. That means getting the Queen to sign off on that visit."

Eldar smiled and bowed to him, "The Knight Champion finds your approach to the human issues to be the preferred way ahead if you can handle it. I look forward to that meeting."

Eldar smirked, "This has to be the first test; to keep the timeline we have to remove these assets without 'US' being the one to remove them. Whoever is this second in command will take time to solidify the new leadership role. The additional time that it buys us to get things in place. You have to love our Gods for putting the right tools in place if we're only willing to pick them up."

Jarron smiled, "That's an apt description of you, a tool!"

He slaps Eldar on the back and laughed at his joke. Eldar smiled and nodded, "To think I signed up for this abuse, at least from you."

Jarron laughed louder and nodded his head in agreement. Eldar smiled as he knew he could take it and so would Jarron going forward. Jarron smiled, "I will get a week's worth of clothes suitable for this district; one-time expense. Keep them safe from swordplay if you can."

Eldar nodded, "We will have to get my father to stable our horses and he could have those crates delivered to Moon Blade. Ask him to store them on behalf of my father until he gets further instructions. Then have our gear sent to where we're going to be staying. Beats around the clock protection on the wagon."

Jarron nodded, "I can get an entrusted runner or two to get that taken care of. The gear won't be here tonight but it will be safe until it does. It will be taken to my home in the city. I think Moon Blade will shit himself when he looks into those crates."

Eldar smiled, "Then send a note 'Warning: Opening these crates have been known to cause the bowels to instantly empty' with the messenger."

Jarron chuckled, "I will do that."

They ended up having to wait. Eldar took the time to talk to Annette, "When I give you the signal, I want you to connect the King and my father to the two of us. Let me do the talKing Goldeagle, alright?"

She nodded rapidly. They finally got taken back to the meeting room. Eldar waited to be addressed. The Queen spoke first, "I want to wish you all the best of luck with your effort; here is your charter for the village and mercenary group. What are your plans?"

Eldar nodded to her, "Thank you, your Majesty. The first thing to be built will be the sawmill; it will help with the other construction. While that's going on, start the conversion of the incomplete inn into a very large stable with corral and storage; inn followed by the general store if not at the same time.

We would like to start the construction of the Garrison if we have the agreements finished with the other 2 kingdoms. I know the typical time frame for finalizing these agreements but in this case, it's a matter of making the requests to existing treaties and days would be better given our constraints."

The Queen nodded, "The humans have already signaled their support even with the additions of turning the land over to the control of the cross-border village in 100 years for the purpose of restoration of the previous forest. The dwarves might not want to respond that quickly."

Eldar nodded, "I thought of that. Three businesses that are not currently claimed are blacksmith, weaponsmith, and armor-smith. While I agree our armor and weapons are superior some humans prefer the heavier armor and larger weapons of the dwarves; not counting any dwarves that wish to join.

We will be putting a hurt on the mercenary companies on the dwarven side as we will be putting a dent into some of their caravan protection business as well. All good governments and merchants do not like paying for something twice.

Then there is the matter of the granite quarry we will be using. Offering 30% of any gemstones found in the quarry as a bonus to what the dwarven government will be paying them. We're looking 50 to start ramping up to 200 within the first 2 years as we speed up on the garrison and start laying out the towers along the southern trade route."

The Queen smiled at Eldar, "You seem to know about dwarves?"

Eldar smiled, "Only what I have read; but merchants are another matter. I have seen how they are about profits."

The King entered the discussion, "Did you make any headway with the prisoner?"

Eldar nodded, "Some. I would like it to be a smaller group. The four of us who went down, my father and King if it would be permissible without guards in the room? The information we did get is extremely sensitive, and I would like to know how the crown would like to deal with the information."

The King looked at Jarron, "Is this what you're advising?"

Jarron nodded rapidly, "Yes, absolutely, Your Majesty."

The King nodded and grumbled, "Very well."

Eldar nodded to King Goldeagle, "First I would like to thank you for your efforts so far there will be other items we need to address in the coming days but this deals with the spy. I'm about to share a secret with you that only a few within the Knight's even know and the reason we sought out the prisoner. We're trusting you and as a show of trust..."

He extended his hand to Charlemagne and she pulled out the book and breathed easier for having it out from under her armor, "You should hang onto that and please do not read it yet and do not panic. Everyone sit please." He cleared the room as Eldar turned to Annette and nodded.

Eldar, "My wife Annette is a psionic and an agent for the Knights. She performed a series of compulsions on the prisoner to give up the information in your hand. As the knowledge of her ability would be feared by many it's kept secret."

King Goldeagle, "You can read my mind?"

Eldar, "She has opened a connection for us to communicate so only those things we think as if you were talking are coming to us. The reason we're doing this is you have a second spy and you both are called out as sources of information in the messages in your hand. The cryptography should be kept for analysis. The inside messages are damning."

Heliar, "How am I sourced?"

Eldar, "You were called out by name in only one communication; we do not know if the spy shared anything else via other means. She has been in place for years. The rest of the communications came directly from the King.

According to the scribe and you have them unread by my team. It is not the job of the Knights to take down a Kingdom. If this were made public, it would be doing just that. We do not need it in this time of turmoil."

King Goldeagle, "You have my attention."

Eldar, "Lord Barimus is the ancient Red Dragon known as Torbarim. He is not dead or if he is, he is undead. He is based out of Ok'nar. He has an army of giants, gnolls, orcs, and ogres. We do not know who his second in command is. His son holds a seat on the Dragon Council of Nine and is involved."

King Goldeagle, "Dear Gods, we cannot fight a dragon right now especially one with that kind of army."

Eldar, "I do not have a name but I do have a location for the spy in the Palace."

King Goldeagle, "Where?"

Eldar, "I'm going to tell you Jarron does not even have this information, I wanted to get your reactions before anyone takes action. Agreed?"

King Goldeagle, "Agreed."

Heliar, "Agreed."

Eldar, "Both spies are Drow and they do not work for the empire they work for Barimus. She's located on the third floor Consort wing, East corridor room at the end of the hall."

Both of them started going white and sank into their seats when he said consort wing.

Eldar, "Now you know why I wanted a cleared room. Anyone wants to hear a plan to make this go away?"

They both nodded.

Eldar, "Annette sweetie could you try and add Jarron in."

Annette, "Beyond my current ability to connect that many at once."

Eldar, "Drop my father we can brief him later with Charlemagne but I need Jarron."

Annette, "Jarron?"

Eldar, "It's just the King and the three of us. Annette cannot do 5 connections yet we will have to work on that with her. We brought the King up to who lord Barimus is and he now has the location for the spy. Now, how to deal with both and control the damage is something I have been thinking about during our wait. Jarron, you mentioned someone who would like to talk with our spies."

Jarron, "Yes and to deal with the other one."

King Goldeagle, "What 'other one?'"

Eldar, "That spy is in another kingdom I did not know if it was appropriate to bring that up as to the non-interference between governments rule."

Jarron, "You're right, but I think the King should have this knowledge."

Eldar, "As long as he does not act on the information for now."

King Goldeagle, "Fine I have enough problems to work on."

Jarron, "The other spy made the rings. He is the court wizard in the human kingdom of Grand Falls."

King Goldeagle, "I probably did not want to know that.continue."

Eldar, "Your Majesty, are you still on good terms with this spy.as you could meet her or have her come and meet you?"

King Goldeagle, "Yes I could get her to my Audience Chamber."

Eldar, "Would it be unusual for you to have guests in the room when she arrives.ones that are just leaving?"

King Goldeagle, "No it has happened before."

Eldar, "Then this is the plan. Have Jarron in another room with Charlemagne and Fireball."

King Goldeagle, "Why so many?"

Eldar, "With Annette, Tiger, and myself you could be talking to us about our new group. Fireball is a sorcerer if you want to keep the details out of the Palace then we have to use our outside resources to clear her room and gather evidence.

If she's a caster she will have set wards, alarms, any number of things in her room. Tiger will aid in taking her down. Tiger is a master in unarmed combat able to subdue in case Annette cannot command her. I bring in the lethal means if needed.

Jarron can take her to the dungeon with Annette and Charlemagne. We can bring up Cook and Skinner to do a thorough search after we have cleared any magical wards. Those two can find any traps.

Anything found is to be gathered, not touched if possible, and nothing is to be read. We can bring what is found here or to your audience chamber. Guards on the third floor need to be told to let us pass but not why. Thoughts?"

Jarron, "Sounds tactical and would keep Palace personnel out of most of what is going on."

King Goldeagle, "I do not like the number of people but I cannot see a better alternative."

Annette, "Thank you for the back up on this one, I'm not used to doing this much in one day."

Eldar, "Tiger only needs to know we want to subdue, he will, when you give the signal by sneezing after she walks past you. Once she's down Tiger will leave and we can get her tied up and gagged with just the rest of us.

We will have Tiger send Cook and Skinner to the third floor. Fireball will likely need to know more because we have to find the object creating her illusion when we take it off to confirm she's Drow.

Tiger does not know of your abilities so just tell her to stay quiet and standstill. We will let Tiger take her down when you sneeze. Cook and Skinner are Knights our 2 humans are not. I will leave that to Jarron."

King Goldeagle, "Why would they need to know more?"

Eldar, "To catch a spy you have to think like one. Those two have skills to get into the mindset of how she does things they might need to know she's a Drow."

Jarron, "I hate to say it but Eldar is right. I will need to let them know but we will keep those in the know to just a part of your team."