Silvertree Chronicles Bk. 01 Ch. 29

The dwarves smiled, "Well that is a lot of coins."

Eldar smiled, "I know this is also a place where trade caravans can seek a safe harbor if being attacked. The site is near where the first dwarf to die in this conflict perished. A merchant."

He nodded, "The sooner the better, then!"

Eldar nodded, "We leave in the morning. Now before you leave this gentleman is a surveyor so he will need dimensions. I want a corral able to support 400 horses next to it.

On the other side of the corral is where that tavern will go. I want trees in the middle of the garrison and in the corral area. Now this section over here is where the new Arcane Academy is going. Same dimension as the one in the city. Add 40 feet to each side and 20 feet across the front as an open area. You have the site location for the new temple already correct? Marked off given the dimensions provided by the church?"

He nodded, 'We have the location but it is not marked yet as it is right next to your Keep so that will require some adjustments."

Eldar shook his head, "The church should be on the other side of the road from the garrison. The road headed south. That was by my design. It provides towers for casters on that side. An Arcane Academy at the other end of the road will cause trouble for anything that makes it this far. Which hopefully will be none when the fortifications are in place on this front. The crown is working the Academy and the Churches are working the new church."

He looked at the dwarves who were listening to this, "Some of your designs for the keep and garrison are humanly inspired, built by dwarves, and on elven lands. Nothing is more symbolic of the town."

They chuckled. He smiled, "That is all I had for you today."

Tranosa and Eagle-eye show up for midday-meal and he brought them over to look at the map. He showed them where things were going to be.

He pointed to the location for the bar, "Eagle-eye this is the location. Have you come up with a name for the tavern yet?"

She shook her head, "I had not given it much thought, but you have?"

He nodded," It is right next to a corral and garrison and just down the street from the stable and inn. Here is what I pictured. I sign with a horse tied to a post out front with a rider having one foot in a stir-up and lying flat on his back. Call the place 'Dismount.'"

That got a few chuckles even from the dwarves. Eagle-eye looked at him, "I like it, lets the guys know this is a place to unwind. Not be so serious all the time."

Eldar smiled, "Up to you but I thought I would throw that out to you. It will be up sooner given the funds we have set aside in our discretionary account for building things faster. We will need homes built before that but a small crew getting started on that at the same time should not be a problem. It will help with morale. While we are on the subject of not so serious. Has Charlemagne given you the items for the ladies?"

She shook her head. He looked at her, "Go see her in the room before she goes, she may have forgotten."

They sat and finished lunch and his apprentices had picked up where they left off. Charlemagne gave him a kiss before she left, "See you when you get back. Thanks for the reminder. Eagle-eye loves them. I gave her the warning."

He nodded, He found one of the two special second tier spells from a captured spellbook. He set it down beside them so no issue with who got to copy first. He checked their work as they went. He read in-between checks.

Eldar looked at them, "Make sure you have everything for the trip, bedrolls, clothes, spellbook, set your old spellbook down on the table. Once you have all of that bring your colts up here. All of your gear as well. You will be spending the night on the floor here. For when we leave."

Silver Moon was back and gave him a message she did not understand, "Queen likes both books and will get you 30 copies made and translated."

Eldar smiled, "Tiger's book and another book dealing with Saatorixx Knights my mother had."

She turned red, "The Queen?"

He nodded, "She has access to the best scribes in the city. I am sure extra copies of Tiger's book will be made by the scribes for their own use."

She chuckled, "It will hit the bookstores I am sure!"

He looked at her, "You can have my room tonight, I am staying down here with my apprentices. Please get on the carpenters to repair the other house while I am gone."

She smiled and ran off to locate Tiger.

The apprentices reappeared and laid their blankets on the floor as did he, "Sleep in your clothes and armor. You will most of the time while we are on the road. You need to get comfortable with it now. You will learn how to change your clothes under a cape. Armor will always be on top. Throws off the fact that you are a caster. Keep your bows with an arrow nocked unless you are doing sword practice."

They nodded. He rolled onto his back and got some rest. He awoke early. His spells were already prepared so he went out and fed and watered T'suras. He got the barding and saddle on when young Moon Ray came out.

He looked at her, "You will be an adult much faster than Strong Oak. Eventually, love is going to find you. I will tell you to ensure they are fertile and embrace it. Even if you are still in training. A Moon Blade has to have an heir to go to so that will become a priority for you sooner rather than later because of the window you have. Trust me I am married to two half-elves."

She chuckled and he looked at her, "I have never heard of one of these blades in a human's hands. If your children are human, I do not know if the sword will accept them or kill them. You are better with a full elf or another elf-blooded. To ensure the heirs will be acceptable to the sword."

She nodded, "Good to know, Grand Master. Thank you for talking to me like an adult."

He nodded, "You both are not by age. Once you have seen or been in a battle or two you will be older faster."

She nodded and got her horse ready. He went back inside and woke Strong Oak, "Clear your mind to prepare your spells and burn your old book. Then get your horse ready to go once you are packed. I will be outside waiting. He nodded as he was half asleep. Eldar rolled up his bedroll and finished with his pack and headed out to see how Moon Ray was doing.

He looked at her, "Clear your mind, prepare your spells, and burn your old spellbook. I will be waiting out here for the others who should be along shortly."

Captain Blaze rode in on his horse a few minutes later. He smiled as he saw Eldar up on T'sarus with his bow in hand.

Eldar looked at him, "The troops geared and ready? You got another lieutenant riding with you right?"

He nodded, "They all got geared yesterday. Charlemagne said it would be a couple of days before she starts doing more as she wants to pull in some of the other larger caches first."

Eldar nodded, "Makes sense." His two apprentices were out of the house within the hour. He looked at them. "Just the spells I have told you correct?"

They both nodded, He started riding out and they followed until they got to the crossroads.

He looked at them, "Column of 3. I want my apprentices behind me. We will ride the left column Captain center column with the men left from the one battle-tested squad. I want the lieutenant to ride right side with his squad behind him."

Eldar started riding out and they fell in line. They kept this formation for three days at normal speed with no shortcut in the ride. Even though they had no wagons with them. They encountered no issues and he met up with Captain New Moon who was at the border with his troops. Eldar looked at him, "Any more attacks?"

He shook his head, "The humans have encountered a squad here and there but they put them down easily enough. Rumor is they are infighting."

Eldar nodded, "Once they are done expect another incursion. Keep four squads patrolling the area from the battle back to here. I will be working on getting you more troops. In fact, set one of your lieutenants to take over and come with us."

He smiled as they crossed the border into dwarven lands and moved his column into the center. They rode through the first set of settlements on the surface with only a curious look or two as they approached the major Dwarven Conclave known as Thunder Rock. They encounter their first set of dwarven troops. The lead officer held up a hand.

Eldar yelled out to his troops, "Halt here, captains are with me."

They nodded and we rode forward with several dwarves on warhorses approached them.

Eldar yelled over, "Good day to you."

The leader looked at Eldar, "That is a lot of troops riding with you."

Eldar shook his head, "I am Duke Silvertree Commanding General of the Gray Blade cross-border mercenary company. The officer to my left is Captain Goldeagle of the Gray Blades and the nephew of the Queen of the Elven Kingdom. For diplomatic escorts, we are actually well below what some would bring. We are visiting allies and most of my troops are watching the border after the last incursion."

He reached in and handed him his diplomatic letter and he looked it over and handed it back. "Follow us, we can take you up to the main city."

Eldar nodded and waved his troops forward as they fell in behind the dwarves who led us through Thunder Rock and up to the dwarven capital gates into the side of the mountain.

They departed after talking with the guards, who seemed to be scurrying around. One of the guards came up, "We need you to stable your horses here. My men will escort you down to the royal complex. The royal guards will escort you from there. We just do not have stables in the city for obvious reasons."

Eldar nodded. They stabled the horses and set up the saddles.

He visited with the stable owner for a moment. He waves them off from paying as Eldar was on a diplomatic mission while Eldar warned him, "The warhorses have a temperament to attack if they feel threatened."

He headed into the city with 6 dwarven guards plus his team and 2 apprentices who had never seen the likes of this before. For that matter neither had Eldar.

They traveled into a large cavernous opening that sloped downward for a while before leveling out. It raised again just before they got to the edge of the royal complex. The guards with them announced who they were. The guards nodded and the doors opened.

The city guard left and the royal guard beckoned us forward, "You have been expected. The King told us to take you straight to the palace when you arrive."

Eldar nodded, "I get that a lot to tell you the truth."

Captain Goldeagle chuckled at that, "Imagine growing up in the royal family and having guards escort you to a private room to use a chamber pot."

That got the Royal Guard to at least crack a smile. Eldar looked at the escorts, "I am not your typical diplomat or Duke. In fact, I just got that title thrust upon me. I am a military commander of a mercenary group. If I say something you find funny feel free to laugh, my troops do. I am always trying to break the tension."

They simply smiled and nodded at him. He could sense this would be a tough crowd. They made it to the palace and were taken straight to the throne room. Several dwarves lined either side. They walked into the center of the room. Eldar saw the Dwarven King Fireaxe sitting alone on a throne. Several members of his court sitting off to the sides.

Eldar bowed to him, "I am Duke Eldar Silvertree, Commanding General of the Gray Blades. I travel with Captain Goldeagle of the Gray Blades and nephew to the Queen of the Elven Kingdom. It is a pleasure to finally meet you face-to-face, Your Majesty"

He chuckled at me, "You go through titles like some drinking water."

Eldar nodded, "Yes, Your Majesty. I have compared some of the events in my life to trying to drink from the bottom of a waterfall."

He smiled, "Your name has been popping up left and right. I was beginning to wonder if there were 2 of you."

Eldar smiled, "No, Your Majesty. There are my twin wives but I have no counterpart."

This got a chuckle and a few murmurs from the crowd. The King looked at Eldar, "Let us get down to what you want."

Eldar nodded, "I spoke with one of your stone smiths and explained the fortifications. The garrison and a separate front-line fort, and the watchtowers we want to have built. He told me to get it done I would need 30% of your stone cutters and masons for the next 20 years."

The King looks at Eldar, "Building a palace?"

Eldar smiled, "No, a garrison with keep in the town. A front-line fort with 40-foot walls 10 feet thick and capable of housing 200 comfortably or 600 on a hot bunk basis. Then there is the line of watchtowers running the edge of the trade route on the southern border all the way to the first crossroad at about 10-mile intervals. Those towers will be able to signal an incursion in both directions to ensure maximum troops can be applied.

It also provides a safe haven for your drivers if a caravan is attacked, again. We are sitting at just under 200 and we have the charter to take us to 600 which brings us to trying to find the best way of drumming up volunteers to join the Gray Blades. Those that wish to protect their own and their allies and to get some battle experience before this next full-blown war occurs.

I am also planning a similar trip to the human King in the near future to broach the same subject. That first incursion cost the lives of a human and 2 elven Gray Blades. The loss of a Dwarven caravan driver and the Army of the Humans lost a squad of 8. Between us, we killed 220 of them."

The King nodded, "You think you can keep war at bay for 20 years?"

He nodded, "We are working on making it 40 years as you are aware of the raid we did on their leadership, Your Majesty."

He smiled, "Yes, that was impressive from all accounts. When war strikes, this is more for my court than you, you will be Field Marshal over the troops in that area."

Eldar nodded. There were murmurs everywhere at that surprise announcement.

The King looks at Eldar, "What kind of troops are you looking for?"

Eldar sighed, "From the dwarves' fighters of all types, scouts, battle clerics, and sappers are at the top of my list. I am hoping to find 150-200 dwarves. I have troops at the border who are patrolling out to the last battle zone and back to the edge of the dwarven border who will handle the evaluation of talented people.

I can have scout trainers available to evaluate within days if needed. I have several clerics. Some geared as healers and a few who are battle clerics. Those who can ride and have horses or some other form of mount would be ideal for patrol work. Caravan security is a different matter.

We can add a fourth wagon to carry support while they switch out with those who are walking. We also have business opportunities for those who are interested."

The King looked at him, "The stone cutters and masons we can do. We know the terms of our treaty and from what I hear you have a nice granite deposit to build these buildings. As to troops, we can let you talk with our fighter's guild. Drumming up some support from there should be easy enough. Battle clerics, I will send an inquiry. There might be a few but we will see what you get. Why sappers?"

Eldar smiled, "I am a student of history. Human, dwarven, and elven. I examine conflicts from each race's perspectives. One thing I have learned about the dwarves is they are unmatched when it comes to their sappers. I would like to have them slowly trap the entire valley floor and eventually turn a hill into a crater. That way we'll always have the high ground in the fight."

He chuckled, "They are a peculiar lot."

Eldar laughed, "I am a peculiar elf."

The King laughed at him, "I have heard of some of your court antics."

Eldar smiled, "Like talking plainly and not dealing with bullshit? Action over lip service? Or the infamous drawing of weapons in open court and sealing the castle because of assassins? I have survived 5 assassination attempts from our common enemy to a wicked step-mother. That is just in the last few months.

There are so many to choose from. But the story I was told you were most fascinated about with my calling a trial by combat against another Blade Singer. Then killed him in under 30 seconds. Cutting off both hands and slowly pushing my burning sword through the middle of his head, Your Majesty"

The King laughed for several minutes, "The story intrigued me, it is not usual for you to kill one of your own order."

Eldar nodded, "We had proof that he had ordered the assassinations of 21 other Blade Singers. One simply because he lost money on betting on them. She failed to beat me in my final tournament. Not just killed outright. Acts so depraved I will not list them in open court.

That made him a rogue of the Order. The gods stripped him of his abilities as a Blade Singer for violating the code of conduct. Dwarves have a long and proud history revolving on honor. I think you would understand my actions."

He nodded to me, "There were a couple of elements in your story that I was not aware of. That sheds new light on your actions. Was there anything else on your list?"

Eldar nodded, "Did you get my request concerning the magical forges as well as the business opportunities that are open to your people, Your Majesty?"

King Fir Axe nodded, "Why the forges?"

He smiled, "Building and maintaining a large force of troops, armies coming in from the elves, dwarves, and humans. Forges are essential in keeping these troops supplied, and equipment repaired. Homes and businesses built. The amount of wood required to support this effort would be enormous. Magical forges that do not require fuel would keep the forests growing and ensure little to no delay to the troops.

We have not had a weapon-smith or armor-smith in our new town as of yet. I want them from human or dwarven smiths. I have the best eleven Weapon Smith doing consignment work for me out of the capital. A village in my area has the best bow-smith and another the best leather-smith. I can get elven equipment fairly easily but the heavier armor and weapons desired by dwarves and some humans are another matter.

Our human counterparts buy gear from both of us. We cater to different markets with only a small area of overlap. As such, dwarven merchants or smiths wishing to set up shop in this town have an opportunity to explore within this area with a measure of security, Your Majesty."

The King looks at me, "How many of these forges are you wanting?"

Eldar paused for a second, "I would look for 3. The first is a forge that will be used during the construction phase of the town. Then I would like two others, one at the garrison and one at the fort. Any weapon-smith or armor-smith would have to work on bringing in their own forges specializing in this area."

King Fireaxe looks at Eldar, "I will allow you to commission them. But you must pay for them at 80,000 gold pieces each. The forges are not the ones we would use to craft weapons and armor but for what you are wanting they would work."

Eldar nodded, "You have a connection into the Elven bank, Your Majesty?"

He nodded, "We do."

He smiled, "Very well, I will speak with your representative on this. I will pay for all three upfront while the first two can begin construction as soon as possible.

The third will require the walls of the fortification on the front line to be in place and we will house over half our Gray Blades out of this area during the construction."

The King looked over, "I will not allow weapon or armor forges to be built outside of dwarven lands. I will allow the merchants the option to decide on setting up a store without a local forge."

Eldar simply nodded, "Was there anything you wished to discuss with me, Your Majesty?"