Silvertree Chronicles Bk. 01 Ch. 21

That got a couple of laughs. The next man stepped forward, "I work lumber and sawmills."

Eldar nodded, "All trees will be selected by the wood-elves except where buildings have to go and have to be cleared to allow for it. However, a sawmill with double blades is one of the first things being built by Captain Tranosa. There will be a cost for his services for those needing the mill to work a tree into boards. Speak to him. He can fill you in on the details as he will be looking for staff."

New Moon stepped forward, "Any Blade Singers beside myself?" Silence. "Alright then, you ready to spare with me, New Moon?"

He nodded and pulls out his sword and Eldar drew his sword left-handed. "Do you practice against left-handed fighters much?" He shook his head. "We will have to test you both ways...not many do. Whenever you're ready to start."

They stood there sparring for a good ten minutes. He was not used to left-handed fighters; Eldar switched it up and went right-handed on the offensive and he did much better at blocking and he had good technique. Eldar held up a hand. He yelled out, "Tranosa, please come here. Tranosa You remember New Moon. Spare with him for a bit and let me know what you think. His fighting against left-hand needs work, but that is true for just about everyone."

He headed to the back to see if any more casters had shown up and to send them forward along with more tradesmen. He looked at the group of casters, "We are going outside of the city to see what you have. How many arcane archers?" He mounted up.

He saw three hands go up. Some faces he had seen before at the tournaments or in classes. He nodded, "This year's class?" They all nodded. "Good, let me check on where things are at."

He swung by to see Annette. "How are things going?"

She looked at him, "The blacksmith likes the location next to the barn and stables when I told him how big it was, he just smiled."

He looked at her, "Good. I hope he is good at making other things. Like hinges and stuff as well. How is our planner doing?"

She nodded. "He makes all kinds of things. Greentree looked things over, you are going to need a lot more laborers to start another 200."

Eldar groaned, "See how soon can we get them? If we have to send a team back to get them, we will. We have 100 a day after tomorrow. First things are corrals and fenced in areas for horses to graze until we get the farmers in. I want 24 20-acre lots cleared of rock and ready for plowing; with access roads between the farms. I want these farmers to be drooling to come here because they are running off of 2 usable acres.

I want the carpenters to start on the barn RIGHT away. I want to get a grain mill here. Not a first-line item. The massive inn will be a big priority. I want it done right but quickly as it can hold a lot of people while we get other housing built. Once the inn is up, the next would be the general store. We split the inn crew with housing and then the general store.

We can run most supplies from a wagon for now. We can store some in the barn once it is ready. Greentree will need to work with Annette to visit our neighboring wood-elves and to find out if their craftsmen want in on the projects; they should get first shot. They are local and have a place to live. I got to grab more casters, I will send more business people your way if I see them, no trappers, anyone wanting to work lumber needs to talk with Tranosa."

He headed to the back of the wagon train, "Any merchants go to the end of the first wagon, any arcane casters, of any type come up to the front of the first wagon. He looked at Keyno, "I have three arcane archers here. Check them out on horseback and pull a few of our riding horses from the stables if you would. Speak with Annette and the city planner. They can help with finding apprentice leather workers."

She smiled, "Thank you for letting me know. Extra hands would be useful if we have to make many."

He nodded, "While those are the highest priority, they are not the only equipment we will need; regular saddles, tack, and harnesses, special orders...who knows."

She nodded and heads off. He headed back up front, "All the casters please follow me."

He looked at the guards, "We are taking casters just outside the city for evaluation."

His Royal Guard escort signals them to open the gate. He rode out and looked for a downed tree nearby. He found one and he started slicing targets with his sword. Some watched from the side of the road, "These targets are a good 30-40 pounds. Can I get two volunteers to join me to pull these wheels of wood out of the way?"

He set the targets out at different distances and placed. "Alright! Show of hands, wizard to the right. Sorcerers to the left. The arcane archers will be back in a while. Sorcerers first. You have more spell power but are less useful. Knowing strengths and weaknesses helps to figure out the best position for you.

As well as a good mix of people to start you off with. No patrol will have two arcane casters unless a lieutenant, captain, or myself is on the patrol. That is correct, I do not sit behind a desk. My wife Charlemagne will be overseeing training and the town garrison. While still catching the occasional patrol.

I will be working on patrols and special assignments. I will stay with a patrol long enough to try and get a feel if the mix is working. I will switch when patrols cross paths unless I need more time to look at something or I have another destination. I will start out each day with a different patrol and I will not be alone as I will have two apprentices Blade Singers with me in the field.

They are my responsibility but security is everyone's responsibility. Sorcerers, hands up if you are primarily fire. Step forward, most powerful fire-based spell and range you can cast it." He got 4 fireballs, range unknown.

I got on my horse, "I will move down the road and get my horse out of the line of fire. You are A, B, C, D." I got on T'suras. "I am looking for accuracy and distance one spell only. Your target will be me."

He rode out a good 600 feet away and could just see the waists of the recruits. The road was wide enough. He pulled the horse out of the way. He held up his sword, 'A' hits the dirt at 400 feet and exploded. He waved the sword. 'B' was off slightly to the right but gets out 450 feet. Signaled 'C'. He shot in a straight line but it went 700 feet but a good 50 feet in the air. Signaled D.

That one landed fifty feet in front of him, 550 feet. He rode back up to the group. "A and B range is around four hundred feet fairly straight line. 'D' your range is around 550 feet. 'C' you had the greatest range but was the least accurate. Is there a reason?"

The guy smiled, "I did not want to hurt you."

Eldar asked him, "What other fire spells do you know, scorcher?"

He nodded. He moved out about 30 feet down the road, "Hit me with it."

He did and Eldar walked straight up to him as it went off. Eldar smiled, "You got another one of those fireballs left?"

He nodded. "I will head out to 700 feet and see if you can hit me." He rode out to 800 feet to leave T'suras. He came back to 700 feet.

He waved and his spell stops about 6 inches in front of him and explodes. He went back to the group, "You a graduate or getting ready to graduate?"

He looks at me, "Graduate but not the Academy, last year."

Eldar looked at him, "Where have you been practicing?"

He smiled, "Caravan patrols."

Eldar nodded, "You know something about mixed group dynamics, you were not all casters."

He nodded, "We were mixed."

Eldar smiled, "Now mister 699 feet and 6 inches..." That got a laugh. "I want you over here 'C' is at a 1, 'D' is at a 2. 'A and B from the first round are at 4. I am lining you up for evaluation by my battle mage after the mid-day meal. Please remember your number. Stop back down here at the first wagon, except you, 'C'. I want you to stick around for a bit. Something I neglected to mention, I do not knowingly put anyone in danger for training, especially myself."

That got a chuckle. "I asked you to cast a spell at me, I can either take it or am prepared to counter it in some fashion. I did not like him throwing over my head, but I did like him thinking of my safety. Both of those things are good. Because if I am in a group with him and not mounted, he knows he can lay a fireball right on me. Anything around me will be ash. My being there does not impede his ability; strengths and weakness. I would like your name 'C'"

He smiled, "They call me Blaze."

He looked at the gold-elf, "No family name?"

He shook his head, "Not one I would care to use."

He nodded. "We will talk later. Be back for the second round. I want you back tomorrow morning as well."

He nodded. "Now the two sorcerers that are left. What is your specialization, cold, electric? Cold caster cold spell? "Ice storm." Eldar nodded, "OK. This will have to be a very precise casting then. You can see the scorch mark for the 699 feet; that is your target, the center of it you have one giant throwing boulders at you. Now cast your spell."

He casts his spell. Eldar got up on my horse and rode out to check the damage, "Let me see how you did here." He got the line right, his range would put it on the giant's ammo pile.

He waved him forward; he got to Eldar. "That is a thirty-foot circle, and you can see where the water is now; you missed the giant, but his ammo is frozen."

He chuckled. "Right now, I want you in as a 2, subject to change. Because you are an ice specialist, I want you to hang around for a bit while I work with the wizards, so how many wizards planned to dazzle me with a fireball today? All four of them; Alright, let us start there, you can see the markers on the ground if you can hit seven hundred feet raise your hand." No hands. "Six-hundred?" No hands. "Five hundred?" He got four hands. He had them cast at the existing scorch mark.

Eldar moved up to 600 feet. He raised his sword. They all hit about the same at 500 feet.

Eldar got back on T'suras and headed back up, "'A' spells in memory,"

He listened to his list, 'B', and 'C' his was pretty standard. While 'D' his list at least included one exotic. Favorite spell, magic missile for the A, B, C. While D said 'snowball swarm.'"

He told him "Cast it downrange." He has it over the 500 feet marker. "You can see where the five hundred and seven-hundred-foot range. He looked at the lightning sorcerer, "What kind of distance can you get on a lightning bolt?"

He smiled, "800 feet."

Eldar looked at him, "Grab targets and follow me out; they rolled targets down the road. He got to the seven-hundred-foot mark and waited for him. He told him, "Follow me. We got the targets scattered at each of the ranges. They all headed back. "Mister snow, be ready to reset the targets after he cast. I like spells like lightning bolt. Cast when you are ready."

He let it fly. He clipped the front target, clips the second, and misses the third as he did not target the far target. Eldar looked over, "Snow, go set them up and then step off to the side of the road." He looked nervous on that last one as he stepped away and slightly behind a tree. Eldar smiled, "Been a while since I have thrown one of these, let me see how I do."

He pulled out his sword, got into Blade Song, and got focused on the center of the third target. He whipped his sword into an arc over his head, pushed his right hand out from underneath and extended it toward the third target and there was a loud crack and all three targets fell over. "Let's go see how they lined up." The first target was low just outside the circle. The second entered the circle, it was on the bottom ring of the white. While the 3rd target and the center had been blown out of it.

He looked at mister lightning; "You never compete against me. You compete against yourself. You get a 2 Mr. snowball. You get a 2. The other wizards are at a 4." He rode back up. "Those who got a 6 go home and practice. those who got a 5 from me would put into training those who came in at 4 would start as privates until their skills increase. Those who are 3 would be sergeants. Those who are two would become lieutenants a one is a possible captain. Morning numbers have to be figured into afternoon numbers...so these numbers are not final. Go grab a mid-day meal."

He got on his horse, and rode up, "Tranosa, when you got a second."

He came over, "How did New Moon do? Compared to you."

He smiled, "Would make the team easy."

He nodded, "Where would you place him beside you, right below, or another step-down?"

He thought about it, "Probably right below me, he gets in some field experience he could make a good Captain."

Eldar nodded, "How are the fighters checking out?"

He shrugged, "A couple of good ones mostly grunts none I would throwback."

He nodded, "Send over New Moon and a couple of possible candidates."

He looked at New Moon, "Where do you think you fit in right now? Tranosa is a Captain so compared to him."

He thought about it, "I do not have as much field experience as your guys. I would say right below him."

Eldar nodded, "We all 3 agree on that...for now. I want to get you some tactics and work on your combat against left-handed fighters. I know your weaknesses. Mine is a 400-pound bear crushing me."

He chuckled "That story is true?"

He nodded, "Every story I told was true. Some details might have been omitted for security or personal reasons. You know how the palace is and sometimes cargo can be the same. The question is do you want the job?"

He nodded, "It is time for a change."

Eldar nodded, "Let me watch you spar with these two coming over and we can see how they do. Then check you out on judging horseflesh other than your own."

He watched the sparing with the two fighters; one was still a grunt but number two could be a sergeant.

He asked New Moon and he agreed. He looked at Tranosa, "One is a grunt still while two could be a sergeant. He has some instinct."

He saw Fireball, "How are you holding up?"

He nodded, "Better now, thanks for the time to think."

Eldar looked at him "What did you decide?"

He laughed, "Besides I am needing a drink? I cannot really talk to her at the inn."

Eldar nodded, "She will not be there much longer. Hunter worked rooms for us in the market. She will have her own room. You will have a group coming back after the midday meal. There is only one sorcerer who I labeled only a 'one' of all the casters as exceptionally talented, goes by 'Blaze.'

Get their numbers, start with the lowest number first you decide if they stay the same move up or move down. Five means they go directly to training not ready for fieldwork.

A four is your private while a three is a sergeant. Two is lieutenant and a one is a captain possible. I won't add another captain until I have them in the field myself in combat.

I want to put all the possible captains in my personal detail to evaluate them before they assume responsibility as a lieutenant if possible. I need to go see New Moon. I have a couple of things for the new lieutenant."

He chuckled, "Stealing from the Queen's guard?"

Eldar shrugged, "Only an underutilized talent going to waste."

He rode up to the front. "New Moon, walk with me. You have seen how I have known things and sent people to take care of a problem before it was a problem. You have some command skills and I want to see you as a captain soon. For now, I got something for you. They accidentally made an extra one of these."

He pulled out the cloak, "Now if you have not resigned from your position you should do so before putting this on."

He smiled, "Thank you."

Eldar shook his head, "Do not thank me yet. You remember that mass murder I sent Moon Blade after?"

He nodded.

He pulled the last sword from his bag, "Do you have the commitment and courage to try and activate this Moon Blade for your family?"

He looked at New Moon who stared at Eldar as if he had gut-punched him.

New Moon Finally spoke to him, "I thought you gave that to the Queen's nephew."

Eldar shook his head, "That was one of two we got from another escapade we fell into. This one is number three. The last one I have in hand right now. I have another source looking for others. You did not answer my question?"

He looked at me, "Yes, I do."

Eldar nodded, "The blade looks like it needs work but do not be fooled it will look like a newly minted platinum piece when we are done. It is dead at the moment but in less than a week it should be talking to you. How soon until you resign?"

He chuckled, "As soon as I get back!"

Eldar nodded, "How are you fixed for gear?"

He sighed, "I have weapons and armor. I will need a horse and the gear to go with it."

Eldar nodded, "Tomorrow morning or this afternoon. You need to go see your black-haired Raven now. If you want children with her then you best get to her before she starts work. Take her standing with her left leg on your shoulder, she is flexible. stay in her. Lay her down on the floor and do her again.

Now before you go crazy on me, every person I have given instruction this detailed too has had a pregnancy occur because of it. If you consider every female Officer is pregnant with twins but one and she has triplets. You would be wise to just go with it. I don't have much control over what I see.

Tell her to quit her job effective tomorrow night because you are taking her away from the city. You will need heirs for that blade to survive beyond your life. Go see, you 2 decide together."

He smirked, "I will see you later this evening or first thing in the morning."

Eldar nodded, "Doc, will be waiting to see her."

Eldar jumped on his horse and went to Keyno. He did not have to travel too far. He looked at her and she mumbled, "They have skill with the bow. Riding, not much."

He nodded, "Simple answer to that, every waking hour for the next three weeks in a saddle. Now, to you, do you have any special commands that you use to keep your horse in a straight line?"

She shook her head, "Just reigns in a certain place so I can get to them again."

He looked at her, "Follow me. T'suras we need to find her a warhorse that will not have issues with sudden shifts in weight, can run like the wind when commanded, knows Biatus Evanill Aisiaon, Biana, Filarna, Kita, Unta, and Vita already. She is human but elf friend so we need an accepting horse as well."

Keyno watched, "Your horse will find me a horse?"

He nodded to her, "He is a good judge of horseflesh. Do you use spurs, kicks, crops, or bitted harnesses?"

She nodded, "No spurs or crops."

He continued, "Kicks to get moving, and a bitted harness needs to go away!! These are majestic creatures, they are not broken, they are not beat into submission, and they will not take a bit. You can guess what you will not be making."

She chuckled, "So how do I control the horse?"

He shook his head, "You do not control it, you come to an understanding with it, and you have to come up with a name. Find it in you as you come to terms with her."

He took us to the mares. A beautiful black horse with a single white star-shaped pattern on the forehead. He looked at her, "Go to the general store, get a dozen apples, Go into the stable master office, grab a set of reins no bit and bring them here."

About ten minutes go by and the Stable Master was back, "You going to be doing this often?"

Eldar shrugged, "Only for the next couple of days. In four years, these will have had three offspring each; then the next stud will breed all of those females and we will be back for another eighteen females with a dozen going to another stud and the other six for T'suras as he will breed his successors.

After that time, he will be in the pasture to continue with the first set of females. In 20 years, I hope to be around a 1,000 trained warhorses. We might bring a few new ones with us for trade; like an extra male stud or two. We will see. They would know from 4-12 commands initially but they will never be broken. They will never take a bit, spurs, and will attack anyone trying to use a riding crop on them. It might be too much trouble for you. So how much?"