Silvertree Chronicles Bk. 01 Ch. 34

Annette looked at him, "She is not even an adult yet!"

He smiled, "She learned quite a bit from one of her nannies discussion of her two-shot and done boyfriend. We did not get naked, at least not completely."

His wives look at him. He smiled, "I showed her the amulet. So, she could understand why I was looking for more wives. I showed her the cut on the hand trick which she was fascinated by. She also got and gave her first kiss tonight. To the Duke's youngest son. She will be checking into the proper etiquette for a Princess to be courted."

Charlemagne laughed, "You pointed him out to her!"

He nodded, "First thing he did when he had her alone was kissed her. Then she kissed him back. She thanked me for pointing him out to her."

Annette' smiled, "Playing matchmaker."

He smiled, "As I did with Hunter and my Aunt."

They stripped down and crawled into our usual sleeping position. The ladies giggled at his last comment. Either that or the fact that he was hard as a rock again. He did not ask as they fell into sleep.

He once again woke early cleaned up and cleaned their clothes up. He set about getting his spells ready for the day. He figured the phylactery spell would be useless today so he focused spells on protection spells, like wall of force, and spells that would work in a crown and avoid friendly-fire. He made sure to have the spell to recall the chest and send it back if needed. He got dressed and left his wives to sleep longer.

He walked to the ambassador's office and he was not in yet. The guard looked at me, "He will not likely be here for another two to three hours."

He looked at him. "Is the throne room empty?"

He nodded, "Except to the occasional guard walking through."

He nodded and headed to the throne room and spent a couple of hours doing sword practice going quickly and switching hands frequently. When he stopped, he saw a crowd of servants and guards had gathered to watch his display.

He looked at the servants, "Good morning ladies. Could we get a morning meal sent for 12 to my Quarters in the Ambassador's wing?"

They nodded and one asked, "You are quite good with a sword. How long do you practice?"

He looked at her, "Spent over 30 years honing my skill. While at the Academy I would spend 8 hours a day switching hands every hour with a small break between. The longest I have done this type of display you just saw was 4 hours straight. Your next question is when would I be wielding a weapon that long? The answer is when war comes to our lands. Most actual combat is not over within minutes."

She asked, "Have you ever used such outside of war?"

He smiled, "I was in a tournament at the Academy. I had a very determined opponent and we had set up a side bet on the outcome of the match. I knew from watching her in this and previous tournaments that she never had let a match go longer than a minute or two. I stretched out our match for 30 minutes frustrating the hell out of her before taking her out.

That was the longest match in Academy history. My last match and won me my fourth straight championship. I graduated from the Academy not as a master, but the first to graduate as a Grand Master Blade Singer."

She nodded, "You wore her down because it took you that long to find an opening?"

He shook his head, "No. I had to deal with a Rouge Grand Master, a man who hired assassins to kill other Blade Singers. I did a trial by combat with him. I severed both hands and then sliced his head from the bridge of the nose through the back of his skull in under 30 seconds. I took that long with her because I respected her talent and it was a hell of a display we put on. Even though it frustrated her I had planned it."

One of the guards looked at him, "How did you slice through the center of his head?"

He walked over to the fireplace.

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

He took his sword and a log from the fireplace. He swung through it and created 2-inch strips until he had one for each of them. He then put his sword away. He collected the pieces of wood.

He walked up to them and handed each one a piece, "If I had not made a promise to one of my wives I would cut his body into 21 parts. One for each Blade Singer he had assassinated. I told her I would finish it in under 30 seconds. I made him watch my blade take his life, unlike the 21 he had killed."

The guard looked at him, "So it is true, that you killed the previous Head Guard Captain in one stroke when he threatened the Princess?"

Eldar nodded, "Severing his head at the neck and his hand at the wrist in one arc. Then when commanded to by the Princess I hit his conspirators with a fireball. For they refused to drop their weapons."

The guard looked at him white as a ghost but nodded. Some of them had not apparently heard of the confrontation so they seemed shocked and he looked at them, "I am heading back to my room. I look forward to the morning meal. Sword practice does give me an appetite."

The servant looked at him, "One more question, please? What is a Blade Singer?"

He looked at her, "An elven fighter wizard who could be best compared to your Paladins. Our abilities can be stripped away by our gods if we fail to honor our code of conduct."

She looked at me, "An elven holy warrior!?"

He smiled and nodded. He headed back toward his room as they dispersed. He heard someone clapping from near the throne. It was the diplomatic adviser, "Talking with servants and guards as equals after spending the night dealing with the court. Which do you find more comforting?"

He motioned back toward the people, "The politics of court I refuse to play. I speak plainly and to the facts in hand. I have confounded all 3 courts with my approach to things."

He laughed, "Jarron said you were a piece of work. Your father would have been very proud of how you dealt with the court last night."

He nodded, "The Princess told me the same. I also explained to her why I never asked for or wanted your names. Has she told you this?"

He smiled, "Yes she did. It was a smart move to show distance. The Princess admires you. From the journals, we have shared so did her father. I can see why. Like yourself, I was not born to the court and can tolerate it in small doses. I would rather be with the people making a difference."

Eldar smiled. "On that, we can agree."

Eldar nodded to him and headed back to his room and knocked on the door to his guys. The door opened and some were still getting out of there bunks. "I took the liberty of requesting meals be sent to my room, I will leave the door open as it is currently silenced."

They nodded and he walked into his room as the ladies were just getting dressed.

He looked at them, "Food is on its way and the guys will be over in just a minute."

They finished getting covered and into their armor as the trays of food were brought in and plates were set up around the table. Doc looked and saw the extra plates and looked at Eldar, "Expecting company?"

He shook his head, "Just hungry, I climaxed a lot last night to satisfy my wive's curiosity."

Tranosa took the bait, "What about?"

He smiled, "How many times would I cum before going soft. The answer was 30. But not for long."

Doc looked at him, "30?"

He nodded, "Which is why the Lady of Dreams told my wives I needed 2 more sets of sisters. The necklace they gave me that melded into my holy symbol and chest. Kicked my sex drive over the edge and aggression when I go without release.

After my father's death, I did not have relations with the ladies until he was put to rest. I scared the hell out of the two of them with how aggressive I was in bed."

They both nodded rapidly. "I bring this up because you will see me eating a lot of food at times. Drinking wine like it is water with no effect on me. If I start to seem overly aggressive with our men you need to take me aside. Let me know I need to go home and get laid! For the entire day."

They laughed as he finished 3 plates worth of food plus anything the ladies left behind and 3 skins of water. "I need to try dwarven spirits when I get back to see if it has any effect. I might drink them under the table."

That got the guys laughing. They got up and headed to the Ambassador's office. Eldar knocked. "Enter."

He walked in, "When will the Queen be arriving?"

He looked at Eldar, "Any minute now. The Court Wizard has been by and set himself for the new location. Which you will need and he pointed it out to him. Eldar and Fireball both nodded. While he did not have the spell, he could use scrolls to travel if the need arose. It did not take long for the Queen's forward guard to arrive.

Eldar had his men line the halls outside the door and the forward team followed. They knew of him, his detail, and mission. He got a cursory nod and he waited as the second team came and then finally the Queen with her escort, He bowed. "Your Majesty, I thought you would like to see this." As he held out the medal to her and she looked at the image of a Silvertree upon a human medal.

She read aloud, "The Silvertree Medal of Excellence in Service to the Kingdom."

He looked at her, "They named it after my father and awarded it to me last night for my 'heroism and diplomatic skills' that aided in keeping the Kingdom from plunging into chaos."

She smiled, "I think your father would like a Medal named after him. You know as the Head of a house he was effectively a hereditary baron.

As were you when you took over his role. Making you a knight in your own right showed your bravery, making you a Duke showed your compassion for the people you swore to protect along with your overwhelming support for the welfare of the Kingdom and the Royal family. The idea behind making it recognized as a Duke in each Kingdom came from the Princess's father.

I thought it was an excellent idea. After you exposed the plot and recovered the assets for the Dwarven King he agreed that you had unparalleled respect for all three Kingdoms. We spoke at length after your visit and this tragedy. About the fact that you took the high road and did not try to assume the human King's throne.

He found that most noble of you. As it showed a further level of respect to the dwarven people. That you would not exert that kind of control over the dwarves if that happened in his Kingdom."

She looked at him, "If you were the only Surviving Duke and the rest of the Royal family was killed for some reason, very unlikely given the size, you would do what is best for the Elven people and assume control over our people."

He sighed, "I would do that if that is your desire. I fear that my focus on diversity, and working for the good of all elves would draw the ire of every gold-elf while increasing our population, dealing with the churches, and everyone else who nags at the court for a sliver of time. I like that you give me a level of power. I go and act under that authority, Your Majesty."

She looked at him, "Your title is hereditary within the elven court but not the other two. It would go to your eldest child regardless of sex."

He whispered to the Queen, "The ladies took matters into their own hands last night to determine the lasting implications. 30 times before it took a break and rose again. Without a release, my aggression grows."

She looked at him, "You have my support for the 3 sets of sisters, how goes the hunt?"

He smiled, "The visions continue. I do have a favor to ask upon your return. I would like it if you could have the Building department plans section release Staria Crescent Moon for the week with pay. To check on our plan implementations in the new town. Send her a message to see me at House Silvertree at her earliest convenience to arrange transportation. For her and her sister to see the town she gave us the plans to build."

She smiled, "That is another set of sisters?"

He nodded, "Her sister is encouraged to attend for a possible job opportunity in the new town. I heard she is having issues not being an Academy trained mage in finding work."

She nodded, "I can help you with that, those kinds of favors are the easy ones."

He smiled, "Thank you, your Majesty. I hope to have another set of twins traveling back with me. They are daughters of one of the human Dukes I met yesterday."

She smiled, "You are putting a rush on it."

He nodded, "The night of the sword ceremony, an hour after it is over the Lady of Dreams returns. She will perform marriages for all who wish to get married that evening. I thought you might find that interesting on a personal note. Has Captain Goldeagle contacted you?"

She shook her head. "What happened?"

He smiled, "Not my place to say but would a wedding performed by the Goddess trump a royal wedding with a Grand Cleric?"

She looked at Eldar, "He found someone?"

He smiled, "She is expecting twins."

The Queen smiled, "I can see your urgency now. When we get back and you see him, I want to talk to him. Let me know if you need my help with anything."

He nodded and they left the office after all of their whispered communication. They walked to the throne room and the Princess was already at the throne with her advisers. They approach and they exchange pleasantries.

The Dwarven Ambassador spoke, "The Dwarven King sends his regards on behalf of the Dwarven Kingdom, Your Highness." They finished and the Dwarven Ambassador pulled Eldar aside. "I heard it was your idea to send me."

Eldar chuckled, "I was happy to arrange transportation for an envoy from the Dwarven Capital and they chose to send you. I was happy they did. While this is a funeral there is always a chance with the chaos that you will get to let your ax fly into battle."

He looked at Eldar and laughed, "How have you been?"

Eldar nodded, "Good, I was wondering if you have any dwarven spirits on you? I have had a magical item that has transformed and caused me to not notice the effects of any alcohol. At least elven and human wine. I thought I would try the strongest stuff to see if it had an effect."

He smiled and pulled out two shot glasses. He filled them from a small container and he offered a toast, "To the alliance."

They drank. The Queen looked on in shock as he took the dwarven spirits before such an event. He swallowed it before she could say anything. He took a minute and then looked at the dwarf, "It causes a burning sensation in the throat which has gone now but otherwise had no effect on me."

He looked at Eldar and shook his head, "Sounds like this item made you part dwarf."

He bellowed out a laugh and poured them another round.

Eldar offered a toast, "To a sharp blade and an enemy stupid enough to cross us."

He laughed and they drank. The Queen still stared but did not want to cause a scene. Eldar caught her staring disapproving eyes after the second shot. He handed him back the shot glass, "The Queen needs me for something."

He nodded and shook his head. He walked over to the Queen, "Your Majesty, we just did a little experiment to confirm something. The Amulet neutralizes the effects of alcohol. Else removed them really quickly. Either way, I could probably drink a dwarf under the table."

She smiled and laughed. "That amulet is full of surprises."

He smiled, "The Ambassador told me he thinks it has made me partially dwarven, Your Majesty"

The Queen laughed loudly. They continued their walkout to the ceremony and it was long, and boring with a lot of people talking. After the Queen delivered her words, Eldar decided to take the podium.

"I am Duke Eldar Silvertree. I spoke with the Queen earlier about how I got here. A Duke to multiple Kingdoms. She informed me the idea originated with your King. We never met face-to-face. We discovered and warned him about the traitor in his midst but with him being a powerful caster plans had to be made to capture or kill him.

The effort failed. I think of the King and what he dealt with on a daily basis. Sitting next to a powerful traitor of your people. The best words I could find was 'Brave and Heroic.' The Princess lost a father and so did I. My father was here on a Diplomatic mission. I look now at the King's idea of making me a Duke in his court.

If he had not taken that step, I would not have been able to aid in establishing a framework for the Princess to rule with advisers. The Queen also passed the word to me that the Dwarven King thought what I did for the human people was noble. Specifically, not taking the crown. I was not made a Duke in Dwarven or Human communities to rule them in the event of a catastrophe.

It was a sign of honor and respect from two great Kings to say we appreciate the work you have done and will continue to do on our behalf. Some of which are classified and will never be known to the general population. My place is not in Court but the Battlefield.

Being elven we look at things that are decades out and try to be ready for when the war will come. Being an ally, I ensure that all of the rulers in our alliance are aware of events that are going on. The continuing preparations we are undertaking on the elven southern border. The human northern border. With the aid of dwarven craftsmen.

Dwarves have joined my mercenary company. We have a few humans but we are always looking for more. We are an interracial Cross Border Mercenary company. When it was first brought up to your King he commented, 'I wondered when someone would use that provision in our treaties.' There has been a lack of trust in the past.

The Town of Quatarsia means 'tolerance' in the common tongue. Those who can work together for the common good of all three Kingdoms. The idea to act on those provisions was mine. It took some support on the elven side. The Human King was happy to see it happen.

The dwarven King found that keeping the battle out of dwarven lands was a better idea, as he does not wish to lose ground. The company is financed by all three Kingdoms with a clear division of who will do what. It was my concept based on existing treaties and supported by three Kingdoms. Your King was a visionary in honoring and supporting this effort.

I hope to find some humans willing to take up arms with my company who are also tolerant visionaries to help protect the trade routes. Eventually being the pointy end of the spear in the next war. We will know the area and the enemy better than any of the armies coming in. Which is why I will be the Field Marshal in that area when war strikes.

I do not have the latest numbers, but before I left, we had over 300 of the enemy dead. The human army loss of 8 and the loss of 4 in my ranks is concerning to me. I would like that to be closer to 50 or 500 to one instead of 20 of the enemy to one of ours.

We are new, we are building both in size and fortifications. We are not going anywhere. We are The Gray Blades because we exist between the light and dark. We work to keep the dark forces at bay. Some will say this is not the place to bring this up. When the attack occurred, I was in the Dwarven Warriors Hall giving the same kind of rallying call with my next stop here.

Your King knew this. I am finishing that aspect of what he expected of me, while I have such a large audience to address. Help to support the vision your King supported. Seek the Gray Blades if you are interested in supporting this. He was brave and a visionary. His presence, like my own father who died in this attack, will be missed."

His address was longer than most. Given his involvement as one who lost family in the attack and one who was on a mission, he felt he did alright. He got back to his seat and a note was passed to him from the Queen, "I see both you and your father in your statements. I hope it helps to fill out and balance your ranks. I think you did well. Especially for a 'non-diplomat.'"