Silvertree Chronicles Bk. 01 Ch. 23

They relent and Charlemagne asked, "What did they talk to you about?"

He sighed, "The Queen, the four other Moon Blades that are coming. Answering questions about who they go to, why my visions include things I cannot change, taking my 40-year-old daughter into combat, the second champion, and house politics. It was not just the Lady of Dreams this time. It included Corellon Larethian."

Annette smirked, "His mood seems better, less brooding than yesterday."

He nodded, "Getting some of the concerns off of my shoulders helps."

Annette got up. Charlemagne seemed a little annoyed that she let him up. Doc left the room as he threw back the covers. Doc had seen him naked before so Eldar didn't really care. He found pants and worked them up. Charlemagne had her arms wrapped around him, "So what did they say about the Queen?"

He smiled, "Thanks to the advice and direction I gave her the twins are safe. No theocracy."

Charlemagne let him go. He flashed her his ass as he slid into his pants. He grabbed a shirt and started putting it on, "What did they say about our daughter going into combat?"

He nodded, "She will age like a Silvertree 2 years for every year. Her training will accelerate during this time as well. She will effectively be 80, not 40. With 24 years of training under her belt. She will be a monster on the battlefield. My right hand. Afterward her age will slow to half normal for the next 40 years."

He got his armor pants on during this and was sitting getting his boots going. Annette looked at him, "What is this with another four-Moon Blade?"

He smiled, "My request to even the battlefield will get us the last of the living house blades and three dead ones. I will not go into who they are going to until they get into our hands."

He got up again. He got the top of his armor on and his gloves. Charlemagne smirked as she hands him his weapon belt and Annette put on his cloak.

Finally, Charlemagne reached up and kissed him, "Your eyes do look beautiful. Tell us about house politics."

He sighed, "I am going to separate sword ownership from house leadership. I am going to establish a council of 9 with my father representing me. Five of them will be from disowned members of the family. Together they can affect the changes needed to drain that swamp.

It is the opposite of what I did for House Silverbar, but I will show Young Silverbar what I am doing. His heirs can set up something similar as he grows his family. I actually managed to surprise the Gods."

Annette gasps and grabbed his arm, "How?"

He smiled, "My request for the swords to level the playing field. They did not put me on that course or predict that action. They were impressed with that creative thinking."

He opened the door to the room and started walking down the hall with a sense of urgency as he did not know what time it was. He asked, "Did I miss the morning meal?"

Charlemagne, "No we should have it ready in about 30 minutes. You can slow down a bit and drink some coffee." He got to the bottom of the stairs with a full house of people.

He looked at our guys, "I am fine the Gods just did not let me get into bed before deciding I needed to talk with them."

Dame Silver Moon looked at him, "Is that normal?"

Eldar shook his head, "No last time I was awake and just spewing information. This time I got to ask questions. I got some answers that took some of the weight off of my shoulders. I feel better about what I have to do. As some tasks, I have completed to their satisfaction. Also, about what we have already accomplished but are still working. I do not need to continue to worry about those that are completed."

He sat and drank some coffee. Annette handed him some warm stew. He could feel dozens of eyes on him, "Yes I have been told my eyes look different, I do not know the significance of that but it does not bother me. If you want more information you can talk to the ladies after I am gone but I have a lot to do."

Hunter looked at him, "You had us worried."

Eldar nodded, "Landing on my face was not an ideal way to start the night. Not with two horny wives right behind me."

He got a round of laughter for that comment. He saw apprentice Moon Ray there and she turned red.

He looked to her, "We will be going over some moves and you will be doing everything left-handed today. Tomorrow you will switch hands every 30 minutes. I want you to get started on the books on that sixth shelf. You will read for three hours every morning and night. I want three hours of bow training. The day after tomorrow you are going to repeat.

However, you will be doing all of the training and bow shooting from horseback."

She nodded, "Yes, Grand Master. When will we get into spells?"

He smiled, "Next week when I have both of my apprentices together. You start writing your new spellbooks with the spells I select for you. That is also when I will start to train you in the blade song abilities."

She smiled, "Yes, Grand Master."

He looked over at her, "Do not be too happy yet. We will also be doing acrobatics starting next week. We will break you of your fear of heights."

She looks at him, "How did...forget it. I know you have your ways, Grand Master."

He smiled, "You are learning faster than some of my Lieutenant's."

That got a few laughs. Hunter looked at Charlemagne, "He seems more energized than he has in days. I think he is fine."

Eldar looked over at him, "I am still in the room, but seeing as you are here, I need you to come to the meeting today and bring my Aunt if you can. Silent Falls mid-day."

He nodded. Eldar finished eating and got up and signaled his apprentice to follow. He stepped outside and saw T'suras still in the armor and saddle.

He took the time to divest him of the gear, "Sorry about that fella the Gods kind of took me out of action last night. Why don't you take the day off after I brush you down and graze for a while? I will be fine." He took the saddle and set it up on the fence. He stored the barding and took off the reins. He removed the blanket and washed it with a cantrip.

Then he pulled out the brushes and gave him a good brushing down. He went over to a barrel and pulled out some oats for him and extracted the last apple from his bag. "You were great yesterday. Go graze for a while I will call you later if I need you. You should be free for the next couple of days. With no riding."

He patted him on the side and T'suras walked around, grazed, and drank from a trough.

He looked at Goldeagle who was with Annette as his apprentice continued her sword work while they walked, "You may join me if you wish I will be speaking to Elders from both villages."

He nodded, "I am interested in what you have to say. I will join you."

He looked at Annette, "I am walking to Silent Falls now. If Charlemagne wants to join us you better hurry and get her. Including anyone she is still answering questions too."

He smiled at her as she rolled her eyes. She ran off as he made the long trek to Silent Falls.

They were a little early. He removed his cloak, bag of holding, and sword and jumped into the water. It was cool and refreshing even in his clothes and armor. He dove under the water and found a couple of rocks about the size of grapefruits and threw them onto the shore. He repeated the process.

He looked at young Goldeagle, "Grab a few of those rocks. I want you to place them on the edge where I point."

He pointed at different spots along the semicircular shore, Then he reached down and picked up a couple of smaller rocks and marked the bottom with a circle and an 'X' through the center. He got back to shore and threw the two extra rocks up there. He unsheathed his sword and measure the placement of two of the smaller rocks toward the center of the arc.

He got his weapon belt back on and draped his cloak over his back and connected the new cloak pin. "One more night until the next double crescent."

About another 30 minutes went by and the rest of his group showed up. Another 30 minutes and all of the elders started rolling in and they could finally begin.

Eldar smiled, "Let me say the trip to the city went better than expected in some ways. A few surprises occurred. I will start with the Gray Blades. They will not be 200 but 600 strong as directed by the Queen. 200 for every nation in the treaty. Our efforts at the Academy and discussion with current caravan protection groups are just over 150 strong now.

We have brought in several hundred people to begin construction we need to have done. The people working the planning are Annette and an elf named Greentree who is working to fix a few issues with the surveyors this morning. Next, there was some political drama in the city, and an attempted assassination attempt made against me and my wives.

This was a result of me having to claim my right as head of House Silvertree." That caused some murmurs. "The patron of House Silvertree is tied to the sword I now wield. This has created a shake-up in the Capital. I refused to have any benefit from the attempt. However, The Queen demanded that some things be done in compensation. Personal accounts of the 3 involved here were transferred to mine. I use that account to fund Gray Blades gear. There will be an additional building in the town.

An Arcane Academy geared toward our wood-elf, elf-blooded, and other residents of these three villages including humans. Growing up here I know how arcane study is a challenge, uprooting to the capital that is just as foreign. Change takes time and they are still currently not as accepting of our people as pure races or mixed races like myself. This Academy will allow for the training of Casters, Battle Mages, Blade Singers, Bards, and Arcane Archers.

The Academy will be dedicated to 3 houses, Silverbar, Silvertree, and Strong Oak at my request for their involvement in bringing this Academy about. The additional people will mean a larger town. Still within the allotted area. It just means it will be built much faster. We have arranged for an expanded discretionary fund.

Part of that money will include enchanted stoves and ovens in every business and home as soon as we can arrange it, in the town and in the two villages. We want to do the same for the forges used. This will greatly reduce our use of wood. The questions to the elders have they agreed upon a per sapling price while we were gone?"

Elder Strong Oak looks over, "We figure 5 gold pieces a sapling would work as it benefits us all."

He nodded, "Annette did you pull the funds from the discretionary account as I asked?"

She smiled, "We brought back 100,000 gold pieces for the first 20,000 saplings to be divided evenly between the two villages' efforts. That covers the first 4,000 trees we will need in construction. If we need that many for construction. When and if we need more, we have the funds available."

The elders look at them in shock. Eldar smiled, "We will also be getting with some human farmers in the next couple of weeks and hope to use them to attract cattle farmers to reduce the need for hunting as the year progresses. That attack on Rambling Rock. We saved them from that attack and hope to move them here to ease the strain on food stores.

The other thing I wanted to cover is the ritual tomorrow night. We will need the entire area around Silent Falls cleared of people. There will be a very small group of observers at this event. My wives, both of my apprentices, a significant other for some participants.

That left 4 places I have selected Elder Silver and Elder Strong Oak and requested that the youngest elven Elder from each village be given the last 2 slots. Anyone who is not invited into the safe area should stay far away.

They will find that trying to observe this ritual will not only be painful but permanently blinding. All elves, humans, and elf-blooded people should not be anywhere near Silent Falls tomorrow night from 10 until midnight to be safe. Those at my wedding will remember the blinding flash; this will be 1,000 times stronger and 100 times longer in duration.

There will always be one who will test this; the warning has been given. Questions?"

Elder Strong Oak raised a hand, "I understand the Silvertree and I appreciate the inclusion of the Strong Oak name in the dedication. Why Silverbar?"

Eldar sighed, "Let me start with the first part of that, Silvertree and Strong Oak represent both my family trees. Silverbar is the name of my father's now ex-wife. Her father tried to arrange the assassination of me. As such I could have had the entire house destroyed being the Head of House has rules concerning patron-on-patron attacks.

I could have seized all of that House's assets. I chose not to do this as there is someone in that family who was undeserving of that fate. They traveled with us to claim their family blade. It would have destroyed a very powerful family, Moon Blade. Not something the Gods would want.

In fact, I had an exchange with them, where they allowed me to ask questions. This conversation described it in terms that any wood-elf would understand. Occasionally a tree is so rotted you have to prune it back to the roots to allow it to grow a stronger tree. The funds for this Academy are coming from Silverbar at the direction of Queen Goldeagle. They were the richest Moon Elf family in the Capital. Any other questions?"

Another Elder, "If the ritual is so dangerous why do it here?"

Eldar chuckled, "Next time I have a question and answer session with the deities I will try to remember to ask that question. The short answer is my wedding and our Gods direction. Any other questions?"

Elder Silver looked at me, "I did not get a chance to ask this of you last night because you did not mention it at that time. What will happen with all the additional troops?"

Eldar nodded, "It will push an increase in housing a slight increase in the size to the garrison but the big change will be on the human side outside of the city limits. That will occur in the plan to build a fortification on the south side of the road toward the mouth of the valley of our enemy. A frontline fortress. That will be integrated into the tower system I already talked about.

That would house over half of the Gray Blades by itself. The garrison here would focus on training, supplies, logistics, and rotating town presence of our forces to act as a town guard. The town will become the place where they wind down and have family accommodation; both sides of the border. All homes are being built as three and five-bedroom homes.

Anyone single will live at the fort or garrison when they are there."

Another elder asked, "Why the increase in size?"

Eldar sighed, "This was not something I requested. The answer is the Queen is taking this threat seriously and the usual rules limiting the company to 200 have been amended for protection forces that it will grow to 200 for every Kingdom involved in the protection of the area.

In this case the dwarves, the elves, and the nearby human kingdom. I can understand the concern she has. It means more in front now rather than later. I appreciate having the option. Any other questions?" No further questions thankfully. "I would like Dame Silver Moon and Elder Strong Oak to remain with my apprentices for a moment."

He waited for the crowd to thin out and his wives watched what was going on as was young Goldeagle. Eldar looked at his two apprentices, "I thought the two of you should meet as you will be spending a lot of time together over the next 30 years. Apprentice Strong Oak and apprentice Moon Ray were selected, not just me, but the deities as well.

They pointed me to the two of you. I expect you both to succeed. This week you will be living apart and doing different exercises. Next week you will be living in my wives' home village as I have bought the Moon Ray home to act as a dormitory and learning center. You will each be working next week on a new spellbook with the spells I give you.

You will also learn the basics of blade song. Apprentice Strong Oak is stronger and has a better grasp of magic. Apprentice Moon Ray is stronger in book knowledge and has a better grasp of swordplay. Do not let these go to your head. Your magic and swordplay are both starting from the ground up so that leaves education and strength.

You will learn these things from me and each other. Dame Silver Moon is staying on as an adviser and Captain in the Gray Blades. She will be watching over Apprentice Moon Ray this week then you can get to know each other. Just like Apprentice Strong Oak is spending time with family. Now, this is something new; having 2 apprentices at the same time.

You are not competing against each other; you are competing against your OWN fears and your OWN issues. You will be miles ahead of some of your peers coming out of the Academy. You will be learning in the field. Both tactics and strategy. You will be asked for your opinion.

That will be a chance to excel and learn. Learn from your mistakes and the mistakes of those around you. Each of you would have a hard time at the Academy. Your family makeup and status are of no concern to me and will not be a crutch to you. You will both be at the sword ceremony.

Two weeks from now you two will have your first sparring match; left-handed only. You will start out on a fairly even field that way as the only magic you will be casting is your blade song. Nod if you understand."

They nodded. "Good, after that match we will be saddling up and moving out into the field. I have two locations to get to and troops to check on so that will be a lot of saddle time after I return. Enjoy the hot meals while you can as hunting will be limited and you will be expected to participate in every aspect of camp life."

Eldar smiled, "I am heading back for a mid-day meal. I hope you both do the same and keep up with the tasking I have given you."

Elder Strong Oak smiled at Eldar's wives and young Goldeagle. They walked back to Goldeagle, "I am willing to bet you never had to go through that during your first week."

He nodded, "It was class, sword training, and magical training along with all the other political classes I had to take."

Eldar nodded, "We each have our own challenges. I want to spend part of the next few days with you going over some things your Master would likely not touch upon. That might help with your next tournament."

He smiled, "Always willing to pick up a couple of pointers here and there."

Eldar gave him a grin, "I would love to see some of the things Dame Silver Moon might have picked up in her travels."

She laughed, "I am a traditionally trained Blade Singer. I never had anyone to train me in the styles native to that part of the world. The upside is they found my skills to be exotic."

Eldar nodded, "Well you should be heading back to the Academy to become a Grand Master. Pick up a couple of students of your own."

She nodded, "Something to think about. Finding students would be a problem out here."

Eldar shook his head, "No you just have to convince the families to release their students from the city and you would train them out here. You could be one of the first instructors of this new Academy."

She nodded, "That would be an interesting idea in fact. I will look in on that while we are back. I will have to get a couple of cloaks for my students, horses, and armor."

She chuckled, "Something to spend my family money on."

Eldar nodded, "That is what I am doing." Eldar headed back to the house and had mid-day meals with everyone. Tranosa and New Moon showed up shortly thereafter and joined them.

Tranosa looked at him, "Heard you went out of it again; thought we should see if you were alright. If everything is still on?"

He smiled, "Correct on both accounts. Here are your swords, new sheaths have been ordered for them, they were measured and paid for last night. Keep an eye open for the dwarves. If they arrive early then send a messenger. If I have gone back to the city, have them meet with Annette and or Greentree to go over Garrison plans if they have any.