Silvertree Chronicles Bk. 01 Ch. 34

She took his Moon Blade from him and gave it to me. Something not possible for a Moon Blade until after the wielder's death. She gave him a new sword. My father died here. Likely when he would have died in the deep roads. The only thing missing from his body was the sword given to him the night of my wedding by the Lady of Dreams.

So, a cryptic prophecy instead? Possibly. It did not keep my father from dying, it just ensured he died here bringing me to you. I raised concerns about your father's safety several times. Even getting my Queen to talk with him in private to make him aware of the exact danger he faced.

You cannot change when you are fated to die. You have three clerics approaching the Palace grumbling about the order of events for tomorrow's funeral. I will leave you to them while I make some communications."

She nodded and stared at him as he headed into the Ambassador's wing. The others could hear the Clerics enter the hall shouting at each other about what should be the order of events moments later. He entered the Ambassador's quarters and pulled the crystal out, "Eldar what do you need?"

He looked at the crystal for Jarron, "The lich lives and escaped. Two human guards are dead but we forced him to teleport away without some of the items he wanted. I need to know when I can deal with the pay for the men under my command as promotions come forward. As they are my men now, I would think that I would not have to go through you to report that."

He chuckled, "Well, we discussed that very issue and they decided that Charlemagne will handle that aspect for both of us. This means we report the new Knights to her and she gets the funds directed to the appropriate accounts."

Eldar nodded, "Acceptable. I have a new Knight and you cannot steal him, at least until after the war is over."

He sighed, "Who did you bring in and why?"

Eldar smiled, "Why is not important but he was getting too close to the truth. Smart for a formal royal guard. Captain New Moon and Moon blade wielder. I will not release any Gray Blade Captains to you unless it is what they want. At least until after this war is over. Bad enough that you take my Lieutenants. He will not be the last one I recruit either. My area, my men, and women. That makes it my decision."

He heard Jarron chuckle, "Alright I got the message. Let Charlemagne know about this change."

Eldar looked at her, "You just told her she will get with Lady Silver Hair. Take care Jarron."

He let Jarron go and Charlemagne stepped out. She contacted Lady Silver Hair to go over the change to her job.

He grabbed a crystal and activated it, "Yes Eldar, how are things there?"

He sighed. "Chaotic, the new head guard and court wizard are in over their heads. I gave them some direction with the Princesses backing. We should have much better protection. The Ambassador is going to complain because his teleportation location will be changed in the near future.

Too many know the current location so it needs to be moved. The other thing I wanted to warn you about is we had another visit from the Lady of Dreams this morning. My wives mostly, your Majesty"

She sounded eager, "What did she tell them?"

He looked at the crystal, "That I would need more wives. Two more sets of sisters. Because of that amulet, DOUBLE. Well, it is more than doubled. I wore both of them out and never lost my staying power last night. Even after coming three times with each of them.

I am regenerating at an alarming rate and alcohol appears to be like water to me. I drank four bottles of wine and consumed all three of our meals last night. I will have 6 wives in the near future. Thought I should tell you. Have a good idea as to who they are as well, your Majesty"

She asked, "Who are they?"

He smiled, "Have not even talked with them about it but I will tell you a pair of human twins and a pair of Moon-elf sisters. When I drop to four wives, I will likely have to find another pair. Probably Wood elves or my grandmother is going to kill me, Your Majesty."

The Queen laughed. "So, your prowess has improved that much?"

He chuckled, "I didn't even try to hold back. I did not use a cock ring. Charlemagne is hurting to even walk today. Thankfully she does not need to ride."

The Queen laughed, "Poor girl, and this is due to the nature of your holy symbol embedded in your chest?"

He smiled, "The Lady told them it was there doing. They changed my fate to need that many wives. The gods are amused is how the ladies put it."

She laughed, "So much for the tree! You will be more like a bush! Speaking of trees, word of what you did for your father reached me. A wonderful gesture to him and your house."

He looked toward the door. "Your Majesty, a bit of drama is occurring in the throne room that I will need to address. I will see you tomorrow."

He headed to the door with his guards in tow, "Keep your weapons sheathed."

They enter the throne room. The Head Guard Captain was ranting at the Queen about being his puppet and glared at Eldar as he walked back in and stood toe-to-toe with him, "You have something to say to me, then say it to me."

He looked at Eldar, "I did not come alone."

Eldar looked at him, "Yes the 6 other guards waiting to jump out of the hall. I can hear their hearts racing as I know how many of them there are. I can also tell you 22 are coming up the stairs to the palace right now because one Guard Captain has rallied the guards to come and stop you.

They will be here in less than 5 minutes. The question is will you stand down or will they remove your corpses from this room. I told my men to stand down. Seven royal guards are not a problem for me. Especially when your head goes bounding across the floor."

He screamed out, "NOW!"

Eldar, "Karti, Ros left hand Moon Fire on."

Eldar swung in a 270-degree arc sending the head guards severed head toward the ground as his right hand pushed it in the air toward the hallway in front of the six guards. They could also see the guard's weapon laying on the ground with the severed hand that was inside of his arc.

They stopped and stared at Eldar. "I can turn you into ash before you make it two steps further. Princess, would you like me to detain these men until your other guards arrive or dispatch them?"

She looked at the body lying on the ground and her advisers had gotten their swords drawn now and they were looking at the 6 guards Eldar now faced down. His men walked over to stand in front of the Princess. To block the guard's approach. The Princess looks at the guards, "Throw down your weapons and surrender."

The guards stood fast. Eldar waited for the Princess to decide a course of action. "She yelled out KILL THEM!"

He sent a fireball into the hall. The men were dead or badly wounded and burning.

He looked at his men. "Clean up this mess for the Princess." They stepped forward and put the three alive out of their misery while he sheathed his sword."

Two minutes later and the Guard Captain he spoke with earlier looked at the carnage on the floor and ordered his men to a halt. The Princess looked at him, "Get these bodies out of her and dispose of them. They attempted a coup. Get the servants in here to clean the soot from the marble walls and floors. Guard Captain I would like a report."

The Guard Captain looked at the Princess, "We were ordered off of the search and the Guard Captain accompanied us back to the barracks let it slip that the head Guard Captain planned to kill the Princess for the good of the people. They figured the 'real' Dukes could then appoint a proper ruler.

They just needed to eliminate the Princess and the advisers and blame it on the Elven Duke. We captured the Captain in question and I rallied the guards to come to your aid. I see the Duke once again protected the Royal family."

Eldar walked away toward the Ambassador's wing where his men had gathered again. She looked at Eldar, "How did you know?"

He looked at her, "That the head Guard Captain was out here threatening to kill you? That the other Captain had 22 men en route to try and deal with them? It does not matter, the answer is the same. I heard them, just like the six heartbeats in the hall."

Charlemagne spoke up "Princess, he shot a 7x7 elk with a bow killing it with one shot at 120 feet by listening to its heart. This was a frontal shot and in the dark with no chance to have seen it. His eyes were closed when he made the shot.

I was trying to figure out what he was doing at the time. I was in the hall talking on a crystal and I did not hear what was going on in the throne room when he came storming out of the ambassador's office to confront him."

The Princess returned to her seat and contemplated what she just heard. He walked over to the guards, "When I arrived here to collect my father's body, I was ready to leave with it. My knowledge of your laws led to two options.

Become your King or set up your Princess with human advisers who you all know. I did what would be best for the human people. I turned down your throne. If anyone thinks she is my puppet you are sadly mistaken. Her advisers would see that that was not the case.

If the elven government wanted to rule, I would be sitting on the throne under your own laws. That was not the elven government's wish or my own desire. I wanted a stable ally after the chaos that took the life of your King. My Queen and the Dwarven King support the Princess and her advisers. Humans ruling humans for the sake of humans. I am a Duke in this court by a decree of the King who died in the attack.

The same attack that killed my father. I served their best interest, both of them. My father was the diplomat. Your King did not want chaos for his people. If you are to continue as Royal guards you have to understand; accept your JOB is the protection of the Princess. Your future Queen. If you cannot commit to that then you should leave your swords on the ground now."

He walked back to where he had been standing with his men. "Princess, where will my men and I be spending the night, and what time is the event for this evening to take place so I can prepare? Also, my apologies for drawing a weapon in the throne room but your protection was more important at the time."

She looked at her Guards Captain, "Will you have one of your men show him to the guest quarters. He should be in a room next to the room his Queen will be using during her stay tomorrow."

She looked at Eldar, "I do not suspect she will be staying the night but we always leave a room open for each of our allies' royal families in addition to the diplomatic envoys. Please be here by 6 and I will see the servants bring you and your men anything they need. They will be quartered across the hall from your room.

No need to forgive you for protecting myself and my advisers. I would expect it from you. I thank you for your restraint and your attempt to allow me to try and deal with them."

Eldar got nods from the 3 advisers and one of the guards showed him the rooms in the ambassador's wing toward the end."

The guard looked at Eldar, "You killed the Captain with one blow?"

He nodded. "He ordered an attack. I killed him before he had his sword fully drawn all the way back to strike. I had to cut through his wrist to sever his neck."

He looked at Eldar, "You are more than a Duke."

Eldar nodded, "I am the command General of the Gray Blades and Grand Master Blade Singer."

He nodded, "What is the human equivalent to a blade singer?"

Eldar looked at him, "The closest you have is a Paladin. We use arcane abilities not specifically divine abilities. Our abilities can be stripped by our gods if we fail to follow our code of conduct."

He nodded, bowed, and left them in their room. Eldar walked in and waved his troops into the room. "I knew that Head Guard Captain was going to be a problem, I just did not see it happening today. He waited for us to leave the throne room."

Tranosa looked at him, "That was a hell of a strike."

Eldar nodded, "Another focused strike, I saw the whole thing. The whole swing and pushing the head toward the hall. I believe that is the ability added to my sword is a focused strike. I can visualize the strike from beginning to end. Like the elk and Ogre Magi, I took down jumping off of my horse."

New Moon looked at Eldar, "You did not jump from your horse. That was an acrobatic work of art."

Eldar looked at them, "Hopefully tonight will be quiet."

There was a knock at the door and there were several carts with food and wine. He walked out and cast his detect poison and the staff looks at him, "You survive 5 assassination attempts you check for poison in unfamiliar environments."

They nodded at him and left the carts. They pulled them into his room and the team and Eldar ate together.

New Moon looked at Eldar. "Five attempts?"

Eldar nodded, "My step-mother's lover attempted to poison the food at the inn we were staying at. The Human General, who my archers took the horse out from under him when he charged at me. The dwarven mason artificer who showed up a second time after his capture and attempted to kill me as he had a poisoned weapon.

Then the two assassins that led us to the caches of stolen dragon treasure and all of the gear you guys are wearing." Eldar walked over and removed my armor shirt and my shirt and tapped the amulet. "I might as well get this out in front of you guys now. You remember this amulet, Tranosa?"

He looked at Eldar, "From the bear, it has changed. The claws and cord are gone as well."

Eldar nodded, "The ladies found me an amulet of health. A major version. This holy symbol absorbed, enhanced, and attached itself to me. Because I am the Knight Champion for a god according to Lady Silver Hair who examined the item. Well, it has had an effect or two.

He cut along his palm and they saw it bleed. He grabbed a towel and wiped away the blood. "Also, my sex drive would put Eagle-eye down for the count.

The Lady of Dreams visited with my wives this morning. After a rather worrisome night in bed with me. She said I would need two more sets of sisters to deal with the effects of this amulet that my ladies gave me. 4 more wives." He heard several forks drop as Tranosa looked at him, "It is that bad?"

He looked at Charlemagne, "You want to jog around the room for him?"

She glared at Eldar. Tranosa raised his hands, "Never mind."

Charlemagne looked at him, "He came 6 times last night and never went soft. He just kept fucking me. I lost count of the orgasms. I cannot speak for Annette as I was passed out while he worked her over."

Annette looked over, "I cracked the mirror in the bedroom and broke three oil lamps in the hallway outside our room when the Banshee hit. He kept fucking me through the wail. Three levels higher!"

Doc looked at him, "That talk about red-headed twins is about that?"

Eldar nodded, "I was never to have met them or been with them. They would have been too old. I met one of the other pairs when we were working in the city and I knew she was destined to become one of my wives in the future. But that would have been 80 or more years from now. Not this soon. I had Victria setting up an evening meal with them a couple of days after we get back. The armor the ladies and I wear is a gift from the dragons for recovering all of that stolen coin. A small token of gratitude. The King and Queen did the enchanting designs."

He looked at Fireball, "Identify it." He looked at the armor and his eyes went big, "Celestial Chainmail! Not standard stuff either. This has the highest tier protection on it tier five."

Eldar nodded, "I told the ladies with the mods the palace did it was worth around two million gold pieces for the three sets. For the 400 billion gold pieces returned it was a 'small token.'"

That got a few to laugh. Captain New Moon looked at Eldar, "What is the standard tier on that armor." Eldar looked at him, "Tier three. The armor allows you to fly once per day."

His wives looked at him. Charlemagne huffed, "You never told us we could fly?"

He nodded, "Not until we get something enchanted with feather-fall on it. I was thinking amulets for you two. I think you have enough magical rings. I see you now. Hundreds of feet in the air when it decides it is over."

They looked at each other and Charlemagne looked at him, "We will see what they got from the caches. We might have to switch out for a ring and get an amulet for something else."

He nodded, "Good idea. Just be sure you are not wearing a holy symbol at the time." That got the guys to snicker. "I bring up the money because we will use the barn in our town to handle money transfers from the bank to the dragons. They will come and get it from our completed stable. The royal treasury will get to have a billion of that.

Another billion is set aside until the human Princess becomes the Queen and she fully signs on. Then the caches of gear found in the human lands will be turned over for her army to use. That reminds me I should update the Queen now that it is official."

They looked at Eldar and he pulled out the Crystal, "Hello, your Majesty. There was an incident here. Seven Royal Guard Captain's attempted a coup against the Princess. They are all dead. I only killed one until the Princess told me to kill the other 6. A new Head Royal Guard has been put in place. The man I told her to look at the day I picked up my father's body now has the job. I see no other issues at the moment."

She responded, "One of the advisers got ahold of Jarron who contacted me about half an hour ago. Why the delay?"

Eldar smiled, "Because the choice for the new Head Royal Guard was just made I did not want to give you the incomplete report until they finished debating it in the throne room. They are sending someone to come get me and let me know. I should get dressed. I wanted to check out the exterior security while I am out of the room, Your Majesty."

The Queen sighed, "Keep me informed. Try not to cut off any more heads, if you can avoid it."

The crystal went quiet. He got a clean shirt on with his armor. He pulled one of his 'Palace worthy' shirts out and handed it to Fireball. "As the only caster and not having armor cover you, I figured you did not bring your nice clothes along so you can borrow this shirt for the formal visit."

The guys laughed at him as the knock came on the door, "Come in." A guard opens the door. "Yes, I know the Princess wishes to see us."

He nodded. They headed out of the room leaving the carts in the hallway divested of food.

They returned and Eldar looked at the Princess, "You wanted to see us, Princess."

She nodded, "I believe you are acquainted with the new head of my Royal Guard."

Eldar nodded. He walked over to him, "Keep in mind what I had to do to the last one."

He smiled at him and his guys chuckled. Eldar looked at him again, "Look to make your group more diverse. Incorporate some battle mages. As long as that lich is on the loose, having one in every squad would be a prudent step to make."

He nodded, "I will work with the military adviser and Court wizard on that and ensure the economic adviser says we have the funding. Provided the Princess is in agreement with your suggestion."

Eldar smiled at him, "I knew that reading would pay off for you."

He walked over to the Princess, "It is your call Princess on the recommendation I gave him."

She smiled, "I will meet with my advisers on the matter, tomorrow evening. Please put it on the agenda, my advisers."

He smiled at her and she smiled at him.

Eldar looked at the group, "I told my Queen we would like to take a look at the external security before her visit. I let her know you had selected a New Head Guard before coming down here and ensured she was aware of the incident with your guards."