Silvertree Chronicles Bk. 01 Ch. 24

They rode back to the last home and Annette had worked with the troops getting stuff onto wagons, she saw him approach. He looked over, "The Lieutenant here?"

She nodded, "Yes she is. I will go and get her."

She returned shortly. Eldar looked at Lieutenant Silver Bow, "The coins are gone from this location?" She nodded. He sighed, "Each of the troops can have one weapon, two rings, and either an amulet or boots. I want this to be about the need, not greed. If they cannot use it then it is not up for grabs. I want some of this gear to make it back to the others in the field.

Casters can have two wands if they are available in addition to the other stuff. I want them to be arsenals. Annette will deal with any potion distribution tomorrow morning. Will we have enough wagons to get this stuff back?"

She shrugged, "Depends on how much is in the other caches."

Eldar looked at Charlemagne "How many more?"

Annette cringed, "12 more. We have not given the other locations out yet. Some are larger, these 2 had a good assortment and the rings you collected."

Eldar held up his hand, "Do not give out any more locations until after the mission is done. We have a meeting at midday-meal tomorrow at the Palace, food is being provided by the Royal Family. Something about giving them billions in coins gets you a free meal here and there."

There were a few chuckles from the guys working. "Clear this site tonight, distribute in the morning. Wands the casters can figure it out but any chain lightning would be appreciated to keep one for me."

Lieutenant Silver Bow nodded, "I think we can swing a wand for you, sir. Something about outfitting everyone with magical gear earns you a wand, every now and then."

That got the ladies to laugh. Eldar just smiled at her, "Now we are starting to understand each other."

Eldar rode off with the ladies and Annette asked, "How long?"

He sighed, "Under 30 seconds. I gave him time to confess for leniency via a less painful death. He refused immediately."

She sighed, "I am almost afraid to ask but I will hear about it so what did you do?"

Eldar lowered his head, "The fight involved me cutting off both of his hands. When I offered him leniency, I had the sword off and pressed against the bridge of his nose. Then he refused. I lit the sword up. I pushed it through the other side. I was questioned as to why I did not make him suffer more."

Annette nodded, "Why that location?"

Eldar looked at her, "I was asked that question too. Symbolic. The Blade Singers did not see it coming, the assassins. He got to watch it until he could no longer see. He knew who was doing it and why."

She nodded, "Alright, was not painless but it was his choice. I appreciate you giving him that chance."

Eldar nodded, "That is the man you married. I am still here now. Before we go to the palace, we have one stop to make, House Goldensong."

They got to the palace district and got directions to House Goldensong. He sped things up because it was getting later than he liked. He came up hard on the groomsman and stopped. The groomsman approached and he waved him off, "We will not be staying long. I need to see the patron, let them know it is the head of House Silvertree."

He walked to the door with his wives and groomsman headed for the horses again, "They are trained to attack. They will stand there until we return." The door was opened and they were shown to a waiting room. About 10 minutes went by and the door opened and a man looked at Eldar, "You are the head of House Silvertree?"

Eldar sighed, "Yes I carry my family's Moon Blade which makes me the head of the household. The two ladies are my wives, Dame Silvertree and Dame Silvertree. The three of us were knighted at the palace the other night. Now please let your patron know I must see him."

The man left and came back, Eldar pushed past him, "If he will not come to me, I will go to him. Lead on, or do you need to do it at the end of a sword?"

He walked down to a study and he looked in, "Sir, they are quite insistent to see you."

Eldar moved the man out of his way and walked in, "I am, Knight Protector of the Elven people, Grand Master Eldar Silvertree. I am here on official business from the Academy, Blade Singer Grand Council."

Eldar seemed to have the man's attention and this was not her father but that was probably for the best.

He looks at Eldar, "Go on."

Eldar walked over to his desk and placed the ring on it. "Earlier this evening we discovered the body of Traylar'sune Goldensong in an Assassin's layer. The assassins are in royal custody. We identified who hired her killer. As of an hour ago he is dead by my hand."

He looked up sad and somewhat emotional, "Did she suffer?"

Eldar nodded, "A public funeral would not be recommended given the state of the body. The Royal Guards will be in contact with you concerning her remains."

He looked at Eldar, "Who was it? Why? Why did you kill him?"

Eldar looked at him, "Grand Master Golden Weave, money he lost betting on her to beat me in the tournament. She was one of 21 Blade Singers he had killed. He was a rogue Blade Singer. It was my duty as a part of our Code of Conduct. I was the one who found her and the details about what he did; the responsibility to see he met his death fell to me.

It was a trial by combat, I cut off both of his hands, gave him a chance for a painless death if he confessed to the murders. He refused. I activated my sword's ability and I slowly pushed it through his nose right under his watching eyes until it passed out of the back of his skull. She was a rival on the field but it did not mean I did not respect or even care about her."

He walked over to his fireplace and grabbed a piece of wood from the fireplace, summoned his sword, cut through it, and left the two pieces for him to see as he sheath his blade. "I know her father does not like me much.

I will leave it to you to inform the parents that her killers are in custody and one is dead. On behalf of the Silvertree family and the Honorable Grand Masters who watched his death; including the entire Council, we are sorry for your loss.

The Grand Council will be in touch with the 21 families affected by him in the coming days in regards to compensation. I am sorry for my impatience but as you can imagine it has been a long day. I have to get back to the palace and deal with more of the fallout of these assassins we captured in the palace."

He looks at Eldar, "One more question, Why that location?"

Eldar explained it to him. He nodded, "From past dealings The Grand Council normally does this."

Eldar nodded, "I did not give them a choice for this one. I knew her. In some ways, I knew her better than most. Her death was tied to the tournaments and specifically against losing to me. I cannot say they will not visit. Since leaving the Academy I have returned over 120 Blade Singer Rings. 92 tonight alone from these assassins.

Not counting the 1 and only rogue Blade Singer I have had to kill. All true Blade Singer Rings I have returned were recovered on the field of battle or this assassin. In the next few days, I hope to have things in place to go after the contracting killer of the other 71."

He nodded, "I will tell her parents. You take care of this business."

Eldar nodded and left the room. His wives were in the hall. He walked toward the front door when he saw her father. He looked at Eldar, "What are you doing here?!"

Eldar looked at him, "I had a matter to discuss with the patron of your house as the patron of mine. Feel free to talk to him. I am the furthest thing from an enemy. I have to return to the Palace. Goodbye."

He turned and walked away from him and he was irritated that Eldar would not tell him anything. Then he heard the patron call to her father as Eldar walked out the door. They rode back to the palace and found an empty stall and unsaddle the horses and did a quick brush down before heading into the Palace.