Silvertree Chronicles Bk. 01 Ch. 35

They sat and ate and Dorothy asked the wrong question, "Whatever happened to your opponent from that match?"

He sat his bowl down and walked out of the house. She followed him and looked at him. She realized something pained him in that question.

He pulled out his journal and let her look at the entry around the tournament.

She giggled, "That is funny." Then he flipped to the entry on assassins and the rogue Grand Master.

She looked back at Eldar, "Oh Gods. I can see why that upset you."

He nodded, "Take the journal and show those 2 entries to the other brides. I leave those entries unencrypted. She walked back into the home. He followed her and sat down and finished eating. Then looked at his 2 elven brides who had just finished reading the 2 entries and looked at him in shock.

They now could see the killing machine who struck quickly and precisely. He took the journal and unencrypted parts tied to dealing with the wizard lich and his father. Then the section detailing what he did to the Barron. He handed that back to them.

They looked at Eldar and Astria looked at me, "I heard about the attempts on your life and all of the houses involved being stripped of assets because of what they did."

He shook his head. He removed the encryption of a couple of pages where the entries said 'Mission Classified by the Elven Crown' and some of the 'Mission Classified.'

He showed those to her. "You only know the rumors in a lot of cases. You do not know how bad stuff could have gotten. You do not go from being an impure bastard to the head of your house. Then knighted and made a Duke without several big things being found. Then take care of the problems to save the Kingdom and our allies."

Staria looked at Eldar, "Annette and Charlemagne know about these things?"

He sighed, "Most of them, there are a couple of recent events that still need to be addressed that they do not know about yet."

Annette walked in. She saw his journal out, "The Centaur Captain is outside and what did I miss?"

He got up and as he passed her, "Rogue Grand Master."

Then they walked out to see the Captain. He looked at me, "What is the word on the prisoners?"

Eldar looked at him. "Declared enemies of Kingdom and are to be executed. Was told they do not exist. Those were my orders from the Queen. That I am passing back to you. This deals with the journals recovered and it was not just about poaching animals. It was MUCH larger. The good news is there will be an influx of funds coming in the form of rewards that we can use in a variety of ways.

Let me know what they need and want and we will get it resolved quickly. It is that kind of money. The leather-smith has already been given instructions to size your men up for leather armor. This kind of money I can enchant it, buy, or have crafted just about anything short of a relic.

The more complex the less we can do. I want to get your armor crafted and to the enchanters. Here was what I was thinking. Put medium protection on it, protection from normal missiles, and a camouflage effect to make you blend in even more."

He nodded, "We will get sized up and consider what we want on the armor or if there is anything else, we need."

Eldar nodded. He looked at Silver Moon who just got back, "I need you to send another into town to collect every ring and amulet of protection or resistance. Every magical bow and melee weapons and bring them back here to start distributing to our Centaurs. They have a harder time dealing with the Elven city. We need to start moving the mountain."

She nodded, "I got another going shortly she can get quite a bit of but not all of it. Where to bring it."

He smiled. "Downstairs bedroom here for now. Captain, bring a couple of squads of your men at the evening meal. We captured several caches from an assassin and have been working on getting it distributed. There is almost an entire building with this stuff laying around and I want to get it into the hands of those that can use them. Bows that shoot fireballs, no. Bows that turn arrows into acid, sure."

He looked over at the woodpile and pulled his bow, "The first from the Silverwood and this is what it does." He shot the log and he watched the liquid fire burn half of it away. "The bow I took that big bear down with."

He nodded, "I will see what I can do. You have others who wish to meet with you. If you grab your horse, I will take you to them. They avoid cities and villages."

Eldar nodded and got on his horse and followed him into the woods after he orders his men to see the leather smith. They traveled for over an hour through some rough terrain. They got to a small clearing and waited.

Broxan looked at Eldar, "They will come to us here."

Eldar nodded and hopped down. He pulled food and water out for T'suras and I heard them approaching from all directions. There heartbeats which they could not mask.

"I know you are. There are 8 of you approaching from different directions. Evenly spaced. There is a ninth but he or she is further back and observing for now. Hillside to the north about 400 feet out." They quickened their pace. The observer moves in closer. He saw all manner of elves, half-elves, and humans in the group. All dressed in robes and they carried staves.

He looked at each one, "I hate to assume but it looks like a group of druids to me. A group passed by briefly to trade for a few items and left, I was 25 at the time."

The ninth enters the circle and looks Eldar over, "You smell of magic."

Eldar nodded, "I am a Grand Master Blade Singer and Champion of Corellon Larethian."

He looked at the Centaur Captain, "This one says you are the Duke over this area?"

Eldar nodded, "I am also a Knight Protector of the Elven people. Titles do not make the person. Actions do. What would you like to know of me?"

He looked at me, "What is your goal here?"

Eldar looked at him, "Some change is inevitable and some aids the community. We are building a new village." He explained about the mercenary company, the regrowth of the forest, reclaiming said forest, the enchanted stoves, and what the threat was.

"Where possible we combine resources like our leather-work, working with our human counterpart who makes a special saddle for the type of riding she does. We have children on the way, lots of children. Lots of twins occurring, two of those twins have predestined grand cleric for Erevan Ilesere and Rillifane Rallathil.

Most of the women in my group upon returning for my wedding are carrying predestined Grand Clerics. One will produce a half-blooded child who will be the Champion of Vandria Gilmadrith. Together we will face the coming invading force. We have already done a covert attack to take out the senior leadership.

To delay the war from happening until we have the fortifications built to protect these changes and improvements to the elven people. Especially the wood elves and wild elves who would be on the verge of extinction if we did not make these preparations to protect them.

I guess the only thing we have not done is ask for your guidance in this area. This is because you are so reclusive. There are likely other groups who are watching to see what we do. Like the wild elves that I have not spoken with. It is easier to keep the enemy from them than try and change their very nature and be open to outsiders and working in mixed units. I grew up in the wood elf village until sent to the city at 37, I have a history with them."

Eldar walked over to him. He removed his armored shirt and then he removed his shirt so he could see the embedded holy symbol. "I am also the activator of blades." He took his sword belt off and held it before him. "24 of these blades were made, one was confirmed destroyed. Nine others are missing.

After the ceremony at Silent Falls, there will be 13 of these blades in a wielder's hand. An hour after the ceremony the Lady of Dreams will be coming to perform a mass wedding for those who wish it. The sword ceremony is an invitation-only event. Those who have tried, there was one, had their eyes burned out of their skull.

The area is totally off-limits except to those authorized for the ceremony. Each participant is allowed only one guest. I am allowed my wives and brides to attend. Have I answered your question enough?"

He looked at Eldar and placed his hand onto his chest and pulled back from him. "We will be watching. We will send word if we have an issue you need to address."

Eldar nodded at him and proceeded to get dressed. By the time he was done, they had vanished back into the wood of the trees. He looked at the Captain "How did I do?"

He chuckled, "You should have led with taking your shirt off."

Eldar smiled, "But that is magic. I smelled of that already."

He laughed as he strapped his sword back on. He mounted up and they took the long ride back to the house. The night approached the evening meal and he walked into the house. "Wait here, Captain." He headed to the lower bedroom and it was full of stuff. He looked at it, "Ladies can you help me to carry some of this outside for the centaurs to look over?"

They came down and the bedspread was covered in jewelry. They folded it up and he took that out first. Meanwhile, they started bringing out weapons in small groups. He set it on the ground and spread out the blanket. "Everything is tagged with what it does. Anything unsuited to the forest life set it over on this corner of the blanket. We will put weapons out on one side.

Again, if anything is not suited for use in the forest set it to the side. We try and limit jewelry to two items per person. Weapons are one ranged and one melee at most. As an active field Captain, you can take two rings, an amulet and you have first pick."

The ladies finish bringing out the weapons that were brought back. "This is most of the small stuff we have larger things coming in tomorrow. As you can imagine we have hundreds of suits of armor that you could not wear. We do not have a lot of full plate wearers. I will be out after the Gray Blades meeting. I would like your thoughts on what we have here today. Please wait for my return."

He nodded and Eldar went inside. "Trying to keep the centaurs happy. I was summoned to see a circle of druids. They basically said they would be watching. Any other surprises."

Commander Tranosa stood up, "There were a few more skirmishes, we lost 2 elves in the attack both green privates. Found out that some of the men have been pulling these from the dead enemy. I informed them that anymore show up then they are to be turned over to the General immediately as they are important to the elven Blade Singers."

He hands Eldar another 6 rings to return. Eldar looked at him, "Thank you for bringing this to my attention. Please be sure that word is spread to keep an eye open for these very distinctive rings on the dead. Give me a moment."

He teleported into the Grand Masters meeting hall where the trial by combat took place. A meeting of the council was in progress and he had just interrupted. The Head Grandmaster looked at him, "Duke Silvertree, to what do we owe this surprise?"

Eldar walked over to the table. And laid them out one by one. "Given to me by men in the field taken from the enemy. I return these to the council so they can find closure."

He nodded, "I understand. I know this has been a grim part of your job in returning these rings back to the order. Some have given you a disparaging name in regards to this task. I look at it as the Grand Master who works to bring closure to our fallen comrades, not the bringer of death. The bringer of closure. Completing the circle which is symbolic of the circle of life."

Eldar nodded to him, "I have an officers meeting to get back to finish. Thank you for your observations."

He teleported back into his home. He sat down, "Next order of business. Please see to the family notifications of those lost. Have the bodies taken care of if they have not been already. Anything on the recruitment front?"

Tranosa looked at him, "A few humans and a few elves. Dwarven Recruitment has slowed and will likely pick up when some of our new ones return to let them know how things are working here. Generally positive feedback only a couple of personal matters had to be settled."

Eldar nodded to him, "I know our need for the Blades is big but we still need to protect the town. Have Dorothy look at these new people. Some may come to protect our wives and expecting mothers. Plus, all the workers we have."

Tranosa nodded. "Has anyone spoken with our Sapper unit yet?"

Rachel looked over, "I rode out and encountered the lieutenant to get a status. They got into the area to make an assessment. Getting out did not go as smoothly. They got spotted and pursued.

As Lieutenant 'Spark' put it, 'Whatever was pursuing us came raining down in small fleshy chunks and red rain.' That got several laughing among his group. Whoever assigned the non-sappers to that unit did a good job as overall, he was pleased with all of them. The other bad news which I have not had time to relay is this.

A force of 300-500, mixed with a couple of dozen giants are amassing. Including a couple of Fire Giants. I told him if he has the supplies, use everything his guys to set more of those surprises along the path out of the valley. They turned and traveled back with a Dwarven Captain who smiled at the news and the loan of the unit to 'Thin the herd' as he put it."

Eldar looked at Tranosa, "How many Lieutenant assigned to each of the dwarven captains right now?" He held up two fingers. He sighed and he saw the other Dwarven captain sitting there. "I want you to scrounge up two more lieutenants with their units not assigned to the upcoming security here to join our Dwarven Captain here. You are to leave first thing in the morning.

One of those units will get transferred to the other dwarven Captain. Once the sappers are done, they are to return to the dwarven side of the border and resupply. I will contact the Elven Queen to contact the Dwarven King to work out payment and have the supplies ready for them at the border. Regardless, I want Lieutenant Spark to stay on the Dwarven border for at least 2 days.

Let the Lieutenant do what dwarves do best. Talk about what they just did and what they saw. That should drive up dwarven recruitment. Then escort out the next caravan heading our way. They are to return here so we can go over the assessment when they return. Hold off that discussion unless I am present. They are to stay in town until that time. I know I have been all over the 3 Kingdoms lately.

Hopefully, that will die down soon and I can catch a patrol or two. Astria and Staria I want to get Commander Goldeagle to tell you what spells to prepare for tomorrow. Commander Goldeagle I want you to take the two of them to the other side of the river and assess their abilities for Battle Mage duty. Until our enchanter arrives, I want every available wand slinger and area of effect spell available for WHEN that force tries to come over the ridge."

He stopped talking for several minutes and the others stared but those officers in the know just held up a hand.

He turned to Tranosa, "We got several 20- and 24-foot wagons. Get 4 of them teamed up tonight and taken to the mill. Start running six by six and four by four beams into those wagons and start rolling them toward the crossroad. I want you to make a Quick Ride out there tomorrow and meet with the siege weapon builders who show up.

Find out what they need to do the job. The first thing I want is four giant killer ballistae. He will ask the size. Tell him hill to fire giants have been seen so a step above that. Ask him to describe the devices to you. He should say that devices would have a 120-degree arc of fire with a moving base to quickly change the angle. Tell him I want them out to a 140-degree angle for better overlap of fire. Reenforce as needed.

Once they are built, they will need to be mobile to get to the scorched site of our last battle. I want them to set up and manned on the north side of the road. It will give them a better angle of fire for now. Hire them on as another specialist unit the same as the sappers and put them under Captain Rachel Walder just like our sappers.

With the new recruits coming in from the dwarves I want two units dedicated to guarding those four ballistae. All dwarven units. Reporting to Captain Walder that should fill out her four units. She will have control over the special operation aspects. We will get a communication stone for that line to her so when she is out, she can still get with Commander Tranosa and me here.

They will be operating in Commander Goldeagle's area but if they need supplies, we can make arrangements. I want communication crystals from every commander to me. I also want one from Commander-to-Commander. Charlemagne you will need to procure them, and the funds for the projects I gave them yesterday.

Get an estimate for the remaining bows that can be made from the existing Silverwood tree. Pull half of those funds. Annette you will need to speak with the Leather-worker to get the cost for current projects, and those on the drawing board. Get the figure from Charlemagne on what she is pulling for bows.

Add that figure to what you pull from the discretionary funds. We are putting half those bows into the protection force. We are going to start setting up the protection forces with better gear and we got authorized by the Queen to use discretionary funds for outfitting the protection force. Any questions?"

The Dwarven Captain looked at Eldar, "You went quite..." Eldar cut him off. "Talk with Commander Tranosa after the meeting and he will explain that to you in better detail. You will get a chance to see it first hand as you pass through that area tomorrow. Same goes for you Lieutenant Silversong."

She laughed. He looked around, "Any other questions or issues for this group?"

He looked at the Dwarven Captain's, "You will be leaving early. You better start getting your current units rounded up. Commander Tranosa will find you so you can head out now. Everyone else, wait here a moment. I need to speak with Charlemagne in private."

He walked into the back bedroom and brought in Charlemagne. "I asked you to get a message over to Jarron through Lady Silver Hair concerning Walder being in the Knights?"

She nodded, "She did not forward to Jarron, she went through her own records. There was a sergeant by that name thought lost when a whole section got wiped out. The fact he is alive and a Duke gave her ideas. She wants him back as a Captain to help reconstruct that lost unit. Correction she demands it."

He pulled out a communication crystal, "Lord Regal we have a change in plans."

Lord Regal replied, "What is this change?"

He smiled, "I plan to bring all four new wives into the Knights. Two are battle mage capable one will be commanding the town protection forces, and another will be a Captain in the Gray Blades. The two Captains and their older brother, who is a lieutenant. They are legacies. Confirmed by Lady Silver Hair.

In fact, the father was thought dead by the order and Lady Silver Hair wants to get him reconnected as a captain in that area to rebuild the lost unit from 30 years ago. They would be active members. The only non-active wife we would need to address is the Duke's wife. We can do that when they are here for the wedding.

I also plan on bringing in our Battle Bard and other Moon Blade holders. I want her to craft some general recruitment songs about the exploits of the men and women fighting with honor against extreme odds in order to work on recruiting in more members.

If I am to cycle people out for the Knights, I will have to send her out on occasion to meet other bards to teach these new and true songs of what is occurring here. To attract the right kind of talent."