Silvertree Chronicles Bk. 01 Ch. 35

The ladies laughed at her, those awake did. He looked at the other ladies, "Help get Annette awake."

Charlemagne came back, "I did not see any unbroken drinking glass downstairs. I brought up these metal mugs."

He looked at Astria and Staria, "Mend which ones you can. Annette was awake after 10 minutes and Rachel still downed wine straight from the skin.

The ladies came up, "We saved 14."

Charlemagne looked at me, "What did you set them to?"

He looked at her, "Rachel and Annette's were set at two and two. Dorothy had a one and Astria had a two. Staria was set at one while yours was at four."

She growled at him.

He smiled, "You get to go fourth. I expected Annette would have beat Rachel and it looked close."

She nodded, "Her howling kept me from dropping."

Everyone laughed at that one. "Rachel you are first, what would you like to do." She looked at him and dived on his cock with her mouth sucking for everything. He shot his seed into her and she pulled out and shot it onto her chest and then dove back on my cock and repeated this act five times. Then she stopped gasping for air, "Ok who is cleaning me up?"

He laughed. He breathed a little harder from her rapid oral attention. She looked at Eldar, "My insides feel like they are pulsing and swollen."

He looked over at number two and Astria sucked him off and rode twice on each hole. She gave him a kiss, "Thank you for switching me."

Staria followed her sisters' example and rode him twice each way after blowing him. Charlemagne decided to go last. Dorothy blew him once, rode him once until he came and she was wiped out.

He looked at Annette, she came over and gave him two blow jobs. Charlemagne glared at him, "I am riding that cock in my cunt until I can't or you pass out. He looked at Astria and Staria. Please clean up the toys. This might take a while."

He looked at Charlemagne as she fell onto him. Eldar looked at her, "I have elven to go before you will have to wait fifteen minutes. She gave it her all and pushed through eleven and he went soft and she was dripping in sweat as he laid in an ocean of bodily fluids.

He looked at them, "Give her water and anything we have with salt. Cheese, fruit."

He looked at her as she drank and she felt him getting hard and Eldar looked at her. "Don't kill yourself."

He tapped the amulet and she remembered the paddle and fell off to the side. He went over to the bag and pulled out 2 paddles and he waved the new sisters over. "Each of you takes one and smack my ass as hard as you can as fast as you can then pass it to your sibling.

One on each side. After 10 minutes and the pink constantly fading away and never getting anywhere near red, they looked at him and Rachel spoke, "Fuck, that is not normal."

He walked over and grabbed his boot dagger and cut his hand then took a towel and wiped it away. "Nothing with this holy amulet is normal."

He crawled into bed and pulled the ladies toward him. They figured out a way to rotate who went where. Annette and Charlemagne were on the same side tonight. Astria was curled protectively over him and she kissed his cheek and he kissed her back. They headed off to sleep and once again he was up early this time. It had only been 3 hours but he was rested.

He studied all his spells for the day and cleared through two of the magical books he had yet to fully go through. A couple of rare spells but they would be of more use to an enchanter. He marked the pages and set it aside for Staria. He got cleaned up and got dressed and he realized it is only been four and a half hours since they went to sleep. He sat down and cleared through two more books.

He found a couple of new spells for his spellbook so he added them. The ladies started to stir. He went downstairs and removed the chair and unlocked the door. Cook sat outside with a pot of stew in hand. She looked at him, "Give me 5 minutes on the stove to reheat this."

He nodded, "The house was silenced."

She shook her head, "I think it wore off before Banshee struck." She looked around at all the broken glass.

He looked, "It was way worse. Astria and Staria managed to repair 14 glasses."

She looked at him, "What did you do to her?"

He smiled, "The gnomish device with two ends. She looked at him, "Really?"

He chuckled, "They have a new model. We got two of those. They have a vibrating function, I paired them off until one in each group passed out."

She looked shocked, "That is evil!"

He laughed really loud, "That is what Charlemagne said. I set the vibrate function on hers to the higher setting after that. If she wanted evil, I was going to give it to her."

Cook smiled and shook her head. She gave him some more stew. He sat and ate as the ladies started down the stairs. He yelled up, "Staria I left a book on the table for you."

He heard her turn around and called out, "By the Gods, these spells could be so cool to use."

He nodded, "You want to score points with your soon to be master. Take him that book and let him copy that spell on light manipulation. You should also visit Victria, the wedding is tomorrow and she will want to square your accounts. I am grabbing my apprentices' be ready to go Rachel. Get your brother from next door. Find our Bard as well. She is in a wagon in the village."

He went out and saddle up T'suras and Rachel's horse. He shot over to Moon Ray and she was asleep still. He knocked on the door. She hurried down the stairs. He looked at her, "Packs, food, and horse in front of my house. I am going after Strong Oak."

He jumped on T'suras and rode to the other village. He was up and saddling his horse, "Packs and food my house double time."

He turned and rode back to the house. Rachel was on her horse waiting along with her brother. The bard had just finished saddling up when his apprentices rode up. "Captain Walder to my right, Lieutenant Walder take the rear. Lieutenant Silversong on the left. Apprentices in the middle swords out. You will engage the enemy today. I expect acrobatic dismounts and for you to kill the enemy you face.

Officers, any enemy my apprentices are facing leave to them to fight them. Alone or together. I expect at least two kills from each of you. Move double time and remember your spells."

They started riding out and they crossed the river. He turned them left and headed between the farm and the river and started riding across the plain. "Captain, I want you to circle around to prevent escape.

Look for the scorch mark as to where you should be positioned. Keep moving forward. He fell back a little, "Lieutenants, both of you, I want you to move between the river and this group. To block their advance. Look for the scorch mark so you will know where to stand." He pulled forward, "I will throw two fireballs. You will fight from this side. I will be to the south of you. He went over to the Captain, "Ignore the first fireball that is for the Lieutenants."

He rode ahead of the captain by two lengths and saw the group. He fired the fireball at the head of the group running forward. He cast the second in the south-west corner of the group. He jumped onto his saddle and did a simple backflip off the back, casting mirror image in the air, something he should not have been able to do. He landed on his feet on the ground with four images facing 3 orcs.

His apprentices were off their horses already, he saw them when he did the backflip. They left enough distance to get defensive spells up first. The Orcs were caught off guard because he did not drop in with a weapon in hand. They started to advance as he shot the burning hands toward the three of them. As his spell ended.

Eldar, "Karti'Ros left hand Moon Fire. Time to kill a few orcs"

Karti'Ros, "I was beginning to think you forgot about me." (He heard laughter in his head.)

The first orc missed wildly as he was trying to put the fire on himself out. The second rolled on the ground trying to put out the fire. The third just looks pissed and took out one of the images. Eldar's turn. He simply ran him through and stabbed his buddy on the ground. The third one grazed the back of his sword hand. Eldar popped him with a magic missile and watched him drop. Eldar watched his apprentice and where they were standing.

They both managed to take down one of the wounded orcs from the fireball they had three between them. Scorch and acid hit the two in front. He saw the field was clear except for these three. He watched his apprentices and held up a stop signal to the others T'suras came upon his right side. He grabbed the horn of the saddle, pulled himself forward, and jumped off a good 30 feet behind the third one.

His apprentices had a couple of minor wounds and a couple of images left. He stood there facing the third who tried to figure out what Eldar was going to do. His buddies dropped in unison. He saw his apprentices trying to impress. Strong Oak leaped and tumbled forward while he saw a witch bolt hit the third. The Third turned toward her. Strong Oak came up with a strike through the ribs, under the right arm, and finished the orc off from the attack.

Eldar walked over to his Apprentices. he yelled, "UNTA!" All of the horse's headed in toward him. He looked at them, "Now you know what is expected to be a Blade Singer and the Wielder of a Moon Blade. Glory and code aside you have to be able to kill to defend your home."

They both yelled, "YES, GRAND MASTER!"

He looked at them. "Any doubt you have left you are to burn with the bodies of the dead. Search all bodies, pull any magical items, and stow them for now. We have a field of dead orcs here. You better get to work getting the bodies into a pile and getting me a body count."

He looked down at the last orc and noticed a Blade Singer Ring on his hand. He held up his hand, "Moon Ray, you struck first, take the ring. You know what we have to do. She provided the distraction that got you the killing blow. This was a combined kill. The honor and responsibility to return this ring belongs to you two. Now get to work and let me know if you find any others."

He gathered the officers, "I could have come out here and blown the whole lot away myself but the only way they truly understand what they will be doing is to do it. If they have any issues now is the time to find out. I had their back, I could have launched another fireball and fried the last three but I wanted to watch them in action." They nodded and the bard was taking notes and she looked at him, "Vision?"

He smiled, "That they snuck across the road and were headed for the tree line. Scouting party. Centaurs would have likely started picking them off as they reached the river."

One Centaur came in, "Everything alright? We saw the explosions, I was the closest so I came to investigate."

Eldar looked around, "Training exercise."

He started to laugh and he saw the two apprentices dragging bodies. He looked at me, "Just blooded?"

Eldar nodded, "Soon to be Moon Blade wielders. I removed any doubt about what they were signing on to do."

He galloped over to the 2 apprentices and gave them a nod. Then charged back for the woods.

There were only two minor rings of protection among this group and 15 gold pieces. He gave the apprentices 7 gold pieces each. "A flask of oil each. Douse them and then burn the bodies." They got the bodies going and he threw the 1 gold piece in the fire, "Fight for it on your way to the nine hells."

He then threw on a wrapped pouch into the fire and the smoke turns thin and gray and seems to go straight up.

He looked at his apprentices, "Horses and mount up. Did you clean off your swords?" They nodded and Moon Ray answered, "Wiped clean on the bodies of the fallen enemy, Grand Master."

He nodded, "Officers watch over the fire then head back. That is a signal to the enemy to go fuck themselves. The Gray Blades have taken care of this issue. You 2 will become reserve privates to the Gray Blades. That means even a private outranks you. It also means you will collect half pay for a private.

See Charlemagne when you get back and let her know no cloaks. First, gather apprentices. We are going to the Academy. Do not clean up or tend to wounds. I want them to see you as you are. Keep swords sheathed in town. I am taking us directly to the Academy. Memorize the location as much as you can.

You will be able to teleport there in the future if needed. We will likely be doing this a lot so examine it every time until you get the spell."

He cast the teleportation circle and entered the arena where a sparring match was taking place. A fighter versus a Blade singer using practice swords. He would guess he was a five-year Blade Singer. Getting some sword practice.

Someone yells out, "STOP!"

The two of them stopped the match and a Grand Master walks around and looked at us. This one he did not recognize.

He walks over toward Eldar, "Who are you?"

Eldar looked at the fighter and he was one of the ones who got knocked out at his ring ceremony. He looked at the fighter, "Ask him?"

He looked toward Eldar, "He is Grand Master Eldar Silvertree. I heard he was made a Duke over the southern borderland."

He looked at the fighter, "Can you find the head Grand Master for me? Tell him I have another first."

He looked at his apprentices, "Be sure to use WE in your explanation. Strong Oak you will talk. You need to work in that area."

He nodded, "Yes, Grandmaster."

He looked at the apprentice, "What year?"

He looked at Eldar, "The sixth year."

He looked at his 2, "Apprentices What year?" They both yelled, "First, Grand Master."

He looked at them as He pulled away "Strong Oak left side, Moon Ray right side forward dismount." They came to their feet facing each other.

He looked at them. "Stand in the center facing the long table 3 feet away."

He did a triple flip dismount and stood right behind the Grand Master. He extended his hand to him, "I did not get your name."

He looked at Eldar, "I am Grand Master Golden Spear."

He shook his hand. Eldar looked at him, "They are first years but are in their first month of training."

He walked past him, "You might want to observe this and have your apprentice do the same."

He walked up behind his apprentices. The Head Grand Master came and stood at the table. Eldar motioned for him to take a seat. He looked at the Grand Master, "I would like to introduce you to my two apprentices. Strong Oak and Moon Ray. Moon Ray present."

She set the ring on the table. The Grand Master looked at him, "You took them into battle?"

Eldar nodded, "I am General of a Mercenary Company and a Duke of the southern border. Of course, I take them with me. They have even been to the Dwarven Kingdom, King's throne room. Traveled by horse. Strong Oak explain your activities this morning."

He cleared his throat, "We engaged a party of 22 orcs with 4 officers and the 2 of us. We did acrobatic dismounts from our horse and we both cast mirror image. I hit my first orc at range with a scorching ray. He was dead by the time he got to me. The second orc I went into sword combat against after he hit me a couple of times, I cast another mirror image and dispatched him."

Eldar put his hand on his shoulder, "Moon Ray pick it up from the mirror image." She looked at the Grand Master, "I hit the first one with an acid arrow. When he fell, I hit the second one with a magic missile then engaged in swords and dispatched him. Strong Oak was closer. I attacked with Magic. The last orc was facing our Grand Master trying to figure out what to do. I threw a witch's bolt.

This caused him to turn toward me as Strong Oak had done a leaping tumble and came up under the right arm and ran his sword into the orc's heart. That Orc had the ring, WE killed it together."

He sat back in his chair and looked at Eldar, "Why would you put them in harm's way?"

Eldar looked at him, "They needed to remove any doubt about what they are signing up to do as Blade Singers."

He pulled out the Two swords and handed them the ones they chose, "They were also chosen to be Moon Blade wielders which will be activated at a ceremony tomorrow. A blooded warrior who may be younger than most who take on those blades. Apprentices. Draw the Moon Blades and set them on the table."

Eldar, "Karti'Ros left hand"

He set his blade between the two. "The next time you see these blades they will have runes like mine and the moonstones will be encased with their house symbol. Mine is different," He flipped it over. "As it has a holy symbol of Corellon Larethian for reasons you already know."

Eldar, "Karti'Ros left hand"

He sheathed the sword. "Apprentices Sheath your Moon Blades and attach them to your weapon belt left side as you have earned the right to carry them until the ceremony tomorrow. Then for the rest of your lives. I would like the record to reflect that two Blade Singer Apprentices Strong Oak and Moon Ray killed the Orc carrying that ring."

The Head Grand Master picked up the ring and fumbled it. He then dropped it on the table. He looked at Eldar, "The ring is my sons. On behalf of the family, we thank you for returning this to us. We knew he was presumed dead guarding a dwarven caravan heading home from here. Fresh out of the Academy 70 years ago."

He picked up the ring and walked out. Eldar looked down, "I did not know it was his son's ring. I did not remove it or read it. Mount up. We are headed back."

He looked at the other Grand Master, "I have returned over 140 rings. For once the burden was not mine."

He looked shocked. Eldar mounted up, "We will likely see you in just over 4 years for the tournament." He cast teleportation Circle and they appear outside his home, "Feed and water them then come inside." T'suras went over to his feed barrel and ate.

He has a water barrel right next to it. When he finishes eating, he put a cover over his feed barrel. I looked at them, "Smells like rain is coming." He undid his saddle and blanket and barding and stored it all including his reigns. "Go graze my friend." His apprentices did the same with their horses. They stepped inside the house. He looked around and nobody was here. Then we heard a horse pull up out front.

Rachel steps in the house, "Your back."

He nodded, "I did not read that ring. It belonged to the son of the Head Grand Master, lost 70 years ago. My apprentices have done what I did for a classmate of mine. They returned it personally after ensuring the council knew it belonged to and the circumstances of the death. Word will spread. We will get more Blade Singers in the next 5 years now.

They will be shamed into doing it when two apprentices have returned more rings than they have. Nobody keeps score, it is a matter of a solemn duty. Nobody likes to report the death of another in the Order. Can you get Doc next door at the Silver house? Tell him I know I am interrupting yet again but I have two wounded apprentices. They take priority."

She nodded and went outside. "Now while we are waiting to go over your reading from last night."

He got a 10-minute summary from both of them. "Keep up on your reading. Do you notice anything odd?"

Moon Ray pointed, "The massive stack of books."

He nodded, "Those are all spellbooks I have captured from other wizards. Some they had captured from yet other wizards."

Rachel walked in with Doc as Eldar shook his head, "Just had to finish I hear."

Rachel laughed. Doc looked at his apprentices, "These look like sword wounds."

Eldar nodded, "They have been blooded in battle. Each killing 2 and working together to kill a third. Orcs. What was the body count?"

Moon Ray looked up, "22, Grand Master."

He looked at Rachel, "Did you know one of the reasons Staria went to town today affects you, Rachel?"