Silvertree Chronicles Bk. 01 Ch. 27

He nodded, "We return them to the stone. A few hours by wagon that way."

Eldar nodded, "I will take his body back personally if you wish it. I will be leaving the bulk of my forces with you." He saw Lieutenant Blaze riding in from the battle, "I was traveling with my last 2 squads. 1 of the 2 replacement Lieutenants was riding out with me for a few hours to finish talking about border etiquette we have established when the horde came over that hill.

Damn, there were so many. I got a couple of fireballs off and the fighters jumped off their horse and rushed in to slow the horde. They were just overwhelmed, we took down 12 or more. We were looking at turning the wagons when one of their archers took out a driver. I brought my horse around. I started casting magic missiles into them.

Just as the fireballs and chain lightning spells started to take their attention. My archers put a few arrows into the ones still approaching as I went in with my sword. I figure we got 24, unfortunately, we lost 3."

Eldar sighed and looked over at Captain Tranosa, "You have a body count yet?"

He shouted back, "Yeah, 184 not counting the human battle site. Best we have seen was a couple of ogre captains."

Eldar nodded, "Get a count from the human General dispatch a squad to find out. Send two of our healers in case he needs aid." He nodded and got men jumping.

Eldar looked back over, "Oil the bodies but do not burn them yet!"

Eldar looked at Blaze, "So Captain, your first real taste of combat with us. You did well, considering the numbers."

Blaze looks at Eldar, "How did you know?"

Eldar waved him over as he headed out to the bodies, "That leader we talked about? We got invited in to do a teleportation travel strike on his base. That leader and most of their high command are dead. That means it took them about and a half a day to figure that out after the tunnel collapse. There was another day of seconds jockeying for position.

One or two of them were probably looking to prove superiority with this assault. We rode straight through into town in time-and-a-half and then double-time today after 7 hours rest to get here. We swapped out horses, except for New Moon and mine.

One squad road ahead to grab troops from the road heading in. The rest of us cut across diagonally and cut the corner if you will. We hit them with 80 of us here counting your men. He shook his head, "You saved our collective asses, you called me Captain."

Eldar shook his head, "I tried to minimize the damage from our covert strike that impacted our men here."

He looked back and he saw the squad came with a squad of humans who had some cuts and their General.

Eldar looked over, "Can I get a couple more healers up here for our allies."

The General looked at the scorched earth and line of bodies. He rode over to them, "Good gods! I did not realize how many were on this side of the hill. How many did you lose?"

Eldar looked at him, "We lost 3 this time and 1 merchant. Did you lose any men?"

The General nodded, "The front squad of 8 as a rider came and alerted us of the horde. We took down 36. Your men got how many?"

Eldar sighed, "Captains Tranosa Dusk Moon gave me the count at a 184. Some bodies might have been disintegrated with all the firepower we unleashed."

Eldar looked at Captain Blaze, "Can I let the palace know you are here now?"

He nodded, "Yes it might wake them up."

Eldar smiled, "They are awake on the Elven side of the border. The Queen was briefed right before I set out. I got on my horse to get to you with three squads, 3 Moon Blades, and a lot of tired horses. You find out what the caravan leader wishes to do. We will take him in either direction. All caravans are to have 3 squads going forward."

He handed Blaze a wand, "For next time, and yes I did call you Captain. You work that detail while I work with the General for a few minutes."

He looked at the General, "You still have that communication crystal?"

He pulled it out. Eldar looked at him, "Could you call up your King, please? My Queen Knighted me recently. I want to have him relay some information to our Queen as well."

He activated the Crystal and the King responded, "You have a report?!"

The General responded, "Your Majesty, first someone wanted to speak with you."

Eldar looked at the General, "Your Majesty, Knight Protector of the Elven people, Eldar Silvertree, Commander of the Gray Blades. Could you get to a secure location please?"

The King moved into his private room and secured it, "I am secure."

Eldar continued, "Your men encountered a horde a scout got back to your main force. The lead squad of you men was lost in delaying the approach toward your other forces.

As your men pushed from the west toward the east, he was unaware of my forces. We approached from the south and south-west attacking the same horde. We lost 3 of our troops and one civilian driver who was dwarven. They were on a caravan guard and transport.

We left a combined 220 of the enemy dead on the field. A few of the enemy troops made it back to the other side. We have not scouted that far into the valley. I ordered my men to cut off pursuit after the third charge. Their wounds and losses should make them think twice. This was not a full-out attack. There would have been thousands."

The General spoke, "Sir Silvertree's caster laid waste to a large number of those combatants. I would not declare this a war zone but things have heated up along this border. I do not know the cause."

Eldar sighed, "Your Majesty, my forces being here in force with this number was no accident." The King interrupted him, "I am grabbing the crystal for your Queen."

Eldar sighed, "This attack was an attempt to try and reestablish some form of leadership with the horde. Yesterday morning a small covert team found a way to teleport into the leadership stronghold. Lord Barimus and most of his command structure were eliminated without them getting off a call for reinforcements.

I briefed the Queen on this yesterday. Then we did a forced time and half-time ride back to my town. We stopped for a few hours of sleep, prepared spells, and swapped out horses. Then we came in force again at double-time speed and picking up troops from other caravans along the way we hit them 80 strong.

It would have been more but we still have some men guarding caravans, towns, and we are down on horses after the first leg of our trip. We came at them with 55 casters and Arcane Archers blasting through the front of the horde as our warriors moved in, Your Majesty."

The King responds." You were on this mission for the leadership, and are there now?"

Eldar smirked, "Yes, Your Majesty. I knew there would be some reaction and chest pounding to establish new leadership. This brings the total butcher's bill to 8 of your men, 4 of mine, and just over 300 of the enemy since the Gray Blades started. That number does not count for the first attack force. When I was doing just caravan duty. We got around 27 including a giant from that attack.

I knew of the extent of our success behind enemy lines. I wanted to be here for my troops when this horde hit. We were a few seconds later than I would have liked. Please pass along to the Queen that her nephew Captain 'Blaze' Talius'vae Goldeagle held the initial assault as we came in and routed the enemy."

The King clears his throat, "Why this mission and why without notice?"

Eldar thought of how to word this, "We captured two assassins in the Elven Palace. Through strong interrogation, we got a list of over 7,000 Elven citizens that they killed and who hired them over the last 142 years. The names were coded. But they were in the Palace to kill me and to commit Regicide.

The common name to kill the King, Queen, and myself was Lord Barimus. This caster is an Elven traitor and had a magical way into the stronghold. If we delayed her failure would have been noticed. Given the wards that were added, it may have been noticed anyway but her back way into the area was unknown to the leadership at large.

We had a very small window in which to strike. Counting the leadership, we took out with no losses that added another 12 of the enemy to the count including Lord Barimus. Please do not be surprised if Queen Goldeagle shouts about her nephew being here, it was not widely known.

I am placing orders to move to 3 squads to accompany each trade caravans. The trade route is still open. I think your General could use a couple more units, maybe a unit of casters in his mix as well. We loaned him the use of our healers to get some men back on their feet. Just an observation, Your Majesty."

The King went quiet as he talked to the other crystal. He responded to them, "I was told to let you know excellent work, she would like her nephew to accompany you back on this next trip."

Eldar smiled, "Your Majesty. Please pass along that was my intention to bring him with me on this trip. Again, I am sorry we could not have prevented the loss of life here but we greatly minimized it."

The King chuckled, "Yes that would be an understatement given the strikes you have made in back-to-back days. Thank you for letting me know."

Eldar smiled, "Knights will be along to brief you further in the coming days, Your Majesty."

He chuckled, "Understood. General Falchion, I am dispatching four more squads with their leadership including two squads of casters and four of our battle clerics. Consider your appointment permanent. Great job. Thank you for the report and keep an eye on things along that border. We have a lot of trade going to both Kingdoms."

The General smiled, "Thank you, Your Majesty. This section is marked as hot and will have doubled up patrols."

The King replied, "Very good, are the wounded alright?"

The General replied, "The Gray Blades brought 6 clerics in with them and they are tending to the last of our wounded. We are at full capacity minus the 8 we lost, Your Majesty."

He sighed, "Send back their personal effects with the next dispatch. I will look to send a couple of cavalry units to aid as well to cover the losses you encountered. I will ensure they each receive a commendation for heroism, as will your men today. Give them a good military funeral by fire on the battlefield by burning all of the bodies."

Eldar looked at the General, "We have the enemy we took down ready for burning if you wish you can drag the bodies of the enemy dead back and throw them onto that fire. Send them one giant ash bonfire back to our common enemy."

The General smiled, "We will do that."

Eldar looked at the crystal, "That is all, Your Majesty. Unless you have any further directions for us."

King Thornlord chuckled again, "Sending the message is enough. Take care out there."

The crystal went quiet. Eldar looked at Tranosa, "If we have finished counting them, make one very large bonfire. The General can bring in some wood and bodies. Once things get started, throw this on the fire."

He handed him a pouch of dust. And he looks at it, "What will this do?"

Eldar smiled, "Turns the smoke a dark gray color so it will look like a Gray Blade rising into the sky."

The General laughed, "I will get my men to bring you those things."

---

The Elven Queen sighed, "King Thornlord, let me get King Fire Axe and the Silver Queen connected. This will take at least 20 minutes if I had to guess."

While she worked, the human King got in contact with his General to get better specifics on how the numbers broke out on who killed what and what-if scenarios.

The King sighed, "This champion of yours is a piece of work. I am ready to bring him up in our court if you are as well. Let us see what the others have to say."

The Queen got the Dwarven King on a crystal, "King Fire Axe, we have a report for you. Hold one second while I get the Silver Queen on with us."

The Silver Dragon Queen responded, "Queen Goldeagle, How can I help you today?"

She laughed, "We need everyone secure. This is an Alliance call to the Knights."

She sighed, "I am in my chamber and secure."

King Fire Axe groaned out, "Secure. What is this about?"

King Thornlord looked at his crystal, "Could we get an early report, preliminary if you will on the Strike on the Horde leadership if you have it?"

The Silver Queen sighed, "Very preliminary. Let me start with the fact that most of the work done on this strike was handled or planned with Eldar Silvertree, Commander of the Gray Blades. We went into the horde stronghold through a hidden teleportation circle that he discovered from assassins, I should say he captured them and his team gained the information.

That brought my forces to bear as we had an undead Dragon calling himself Lord Barimus and his Half-Dragon son attempting to lead this horde in violation of the Dragon Treaty. My Dragon assault force was there to bring the Draco-lich down.

Eldar's team was there to deal with the Half-Dragon, most of the 3rd tier leadership which happened to be there, and any reinforcements. His team managed to get us the location of a teleport blocker in the area so we could recover a portion of over 400 Billion in Gold from this undead dragon's hoard.

Gold that was stolen from the Dragon Royal Vault. Along with millions if not billions in gear which we could not recover. It is spread out across all member kingdoms including the enemy forces Eldar is facing.

We will get totals on what we recovered in coins. Whatever we are missing will be divided in half then the half remaining will be divided into thirds to each of your Kingdoms to level the playing field for what was stolen and put into this upcoming war effort.

The gear we will end up leaving to each of your Kingdoms as we work with Knight assets to handle this activity over the next few weeks. We are rounding up conspirators within our kingdom who were involved in this effort and I would tell you that is Dragon Business to resolve.

Your Son King Fire Axe is a spy for this based on the intelligence we gathered. One human spy remains in the court wizard in the Human Kingdom. Those are assets you will have to deal with capturing and dealing with. If you wish to turn them over to us for further interrogation we would welcome the opportunity.

We can tell you his wife, and two commanders that work for him are also involved along with 4 others in your court King Fire Axe. The information will be in your hands within the hour. Eldar did a very good job of capturing one of your spies in the form of a Mason who worked for your son, but he was killed when he escaped from the dungeon.

Eldar and his team took out the second and third tiers of their leadership while my team dealt with the dragon matter. Eldar did not travel back with us as he expected an attack along that border."

King Thornlord laughed, "He expected it and he was right as they got it. 12 died in the attack, 8 of my soldiers, one dwarven caravan driver, and 3 of his Gray Blades. They collectively, with my military forces engaging as well, killed 220 of the enemy on the field, the 12 you talked about, the 49 on the attack on Rambling rock, and another 27 before he started the Gray Blades at Rambling Rock.

He has lost 4 total of his men and women in these attacks. By my calculations that is 318 to 13 losses in 4 engagements, he has taken on that region. I contacted my general about how those numbers divided out. He stated 184 of them were taken down by Eldar's main group.

About half of the rest of them were taken down by Eldar's splinter group that joined up with his military unit that was under attack. His clerics spent more time healing my men than his own. He said my inclusion of human arcane casters cannot come soon enough. As well as the clerics I promised him as Eldar has shown him they are needed now.

He said 30 of his men that would have likely died on the field were saved by his clerics with another 30 that would likely have died without the arcane support from Eldar's troops. General Falchion was extremely humbled by Eldar's battle prowess and generosity when he talked with me earlier. He did not downplay my men's contribution and just gave me a total; looking at them as one force if you will in that fight.

We discussed what would happen if Eldar proved himself in battle. I stand ready to follow the Elven Queen if she makes him a part of her Court. I would also say it looks like we have found our Field Marshal for the next conflict in that area."

King Fire Axe groaned out, "Your messenger arrived and showed me what you have on my son. I would say given this information he has worked to protect all 3 Kingdoms both from internal threats and external threats. I am ready to support this effort. Including Field Marshal status given his numbers. Hopefully, that is years out yet."

The Silver Queen smiled, "The Knights Order is also considering him for a promotion. It has to go up before the entire council so it is not a done deal yet. Your efforts, speaking for myself only. I would say he has earned it with what he and his team are doing. They have also just gotten started. How many men did Eldar have with him?"

Queen Gold Eagle sighed, "According to the report I just got from King Thornlord, 80 rode in with him. That is about half of his forces at the moment. Maybe less. He needs to start recruiting from the other areas but has to be cleared."

King Fire Axe sighed, "I want my son and his wife turned over to Knight Dragon assets for interrogation. These others I will execute myself. I will get him set up to visit and start recruiting."

King Thornlord smiled, "I will set him up to do the same, hopefully, Jarron's strike team will have dealt with this spy by then or I may ask Eldar to help me directly. He has been cleared in Grandfalls regarding the Underhill Gang. I now believe my spy was responsible for it as most of the damage appeared to have shown no sword wounds.

Jarron is working on pulling assets but said they were geographically separated and it will take maybe a week longer. I have a feeling the spy on my end knows the undead dragon is dead.

He got suddenly ill and locked himself away in his quarters. I have taken his absence to work some protection measures in my castle without his knowledge using our Arcane Academy. I cannot say if he is in his room or if he is investigating the attack. I just know I do not have casters powerful enough to bring him down without risking everything, including and especially my daughter."

The Silver Queen sighed, "I know you want our help with that one but it is an exposure issue. Jarron is doing what he can with the resources he has. The losses to the Knights over the last 50 years are significant.

What Eldar is doing should turn around those losses and gain us more assets to be able to respond faster when an issue like this arises in the future. I am doing everything in my power to see that Eldar is recognized for his work in these matters as another Dragon War would be catastrophic for all involved."

Queen Goldeagle smiled, "I am looking to expand his area to include everything south of the capital in the elven territory and making him a Duke in my court. Do the 2 Kings agree and want him listed as being recognized as Dukes in your courts?"

The Dwarven King sighed, "Yes, he has saved my own life in this because a couple of these names were trusted advisers. This intelligence is damning and it has saved me my Kingdom."

King Thornlord smiled, "Yes, I will make an announcement about that at the Royal assembly, first thing on my agenda. The first time this will have ever occurred but consider it effective immediately when you do the honors for us.

I would like Heliar here for that meeting as it is his son who is being recognized and he has been a trusted friend for years. I should warn the Elven Queen to keep an eye on the ambassador she has here. He is rumored to be intimate with my traitor. You may want your people to clear him at some point.