Silvertree Chronicles Bk. 01 Ch. 36

Lady Silver Hair entered the room and looked at Eldar, "Can you teleport home?"

He shrugged, "Not if you block me. I have been keeping two of those and circles with all of the travel I have had to do between allies, my village, the battlefield, House Silvertree, the Academy, and the Palaces. I have also burned through several scrolls in the last few weeks on top of that."

She handed him the crystal, "I cannot give you specifics but we are assembling a strike team your information proved valuable. You should go now."

He looked at her, "I once again acted instead of hesitating. I do not need to know more than you are working on it and it helped you. If the lich escapes, which is likely, that I would like to know. As well as where he escaped too. Anything else is a Dragon matter. Happy hunting and come back alive!"

He teleported out.

Lord Regal looked at her, "What did you find out?"

She sighed, "Valley of Crags Chromatic territory, on the fringe but inside our area. We tracked the one stolen book as it traveled from location to location. Our best guess is at least 10 and maybe as many as 30 dragons aided in the theft of the book. The team has the teleport blocker but someone or it teleported shortly after they disconnected. They went to the Far East. He could be searching for the other champion or has other allies who are not dragons out that way. We have no method of checking. I recommend sending Knights to investigate."

Lord Regal shook his head, "No, they don't know of our capability. How widespread it is."

She looked at him, "I just had to walk Eldar through that area. He will likely put it together. If he does, what Bahamut told us is going to happen!"

The Gold King looked over, "It has already started. He blames us for the loss of Heliar, his father. I don't know if his gods talked to him or it is his observations but that is a death, I cannot see him forgiving us for allowing it to happen because we hid behind this treaty.

He called it one-sided, said we are not following it because of our rogue elements. He is right, it was written that way and we are bound by it. We have to have honor in what we do for our species. Yes, it is costing our allies lives but they are not our lives. Not yet anyway."

She looked at him, "It is not honor, it is cowardice. The fear of discovery. The orcs, ogres, giants, and gnolls all know it has been broken and we still keep our allies in the dark and weaken them without supporting them."

Her crystal went off, "Your Majesty, we captured three blues, two blacks, and two red dragons at this location. There are traces of necromancy here and the one book that was stolen was recovered here. No signs of any lich and the book appears to be damaged. Several pages were burned or had holes in them."

She looked across, "Bring it back and drop it in the volcano near gold Metallic lands. Just destroy that vile book. We cannot use it as bait again."

---

Eldar had teleported to the front of his house and he brushed down T'suras. He waited a good hour as he did not want to yell at his wives though they would likely yell at him. Then the whole issue with Dorothy and Rachel. He sighed, "Open and honest, even when it hurts."

He walked inside and the ladies were sitting around and Charlemagne looked fit to be tied. "What the hell just happened? What happened to open and honest?"

Eldar looked at her, "You know my first duty in the code is to protect the elven people. That includes you. My second duty is to my family. That includes you, Rachael, and Dorothy. As they are not elven but carrying elf-blooded offspring. My code was never designed with having humans as wives. If my code included all elf-friends then there would be no need for a second entry.

But at the moment it does not. When we are married and they are Duchesses of the elven court then two could go away. But right this second, I have to have that in place because it is not in the code. The third is the Dragon War Treaties and our allies as defined by the Elven Queen and the Knights. Now if I find something that impacts our allies, I take it up with our Queen.

If it impacts our Allies and had dragons associated with it then I contact Lord Regal and the Queen. If it threatens another Dragon War it threatens the elven people. In this case, I was contacted by the lich for an extended period of time. He was trying to figure out where I stashed his items away. I pushed back on his invasion and learned he was under pressure to deliver.

He was hiding out in dragon lands. He was being protected by someone who was getting impatient with him. I started to get a fix on a 'Valley of' when he cut communications.

Now, did this involve the elven people or our allies at this time? No. Did it affect the Dragons? Yes. Would my going to the Elven Palace seem logical? Dragging the Queen and whomever else is watching me come and go into, how they like to put it, 'Strictly a dragon matter.' For once I shoved those words back into their faces.

I went off on them about their inaction and the destruction it caused. Including that of my father and our human allies. I threw everything I had been holding back about this whole one-sided affair and the response 'we have to play by the rules.' I blasted him on that. I told him, 'NO WE. YOU. You have a rogue element that is not following them which is why you have us to try and clean up this mess.'

The one time I try and take their mess directly to them and they freak out. Once I told them what was going on and they understood. They had some method of tracking magic in their realm. I gave them the location. Not only the Lich but the dragon or dragons who are trying to use the lich's services. He is out of business without those artifacts.

He has a snowball's chance of flying through the nine hells of that working out for him. In order to protect the first and the second thing on my list by shoving straight down the dragons' throats. Is that open and honest for you?"

She jumped over and hugged him now that she understood. Now he had to deal with damage control with Rachel and Dorothy.

He looked at them, "I do love you and I am not trying to say you are second on my list. I am saying my code of conduct does not reflect today's changes. There is one maybe two who can address this issue. The Gods who we will be seeing tomorrow.

I did not even realize there was an issue until I started listing off my priorities to Lord Regal. As the Lady of Dreams guided me to the two of you, she has to have the answer if her husband does not address it at the ceremony you will be at. That is typically a frozen in place, he does all the talking kind of event."

Annette and Charlemagne both nodded. "If it is not addressed, I will ask the Lady before the ceremony begins." They looked at Eldar and hugged him. Rachel spoke, "We understand. We hope she clarifies it for us and others who might follow us."

He sat down and threw his head back, "I am hoping that he will address it at the ceremony as I know one guest can direct the change. The Queen."

They all looked at Eldar. Charlemagne asked, "She is coming?" He nodded. "Not even the Palace knows. She is going to sneak out for it with the Blade holders from the city including her nephew who has invited her to attend. That is why I am ramping up security. The only one I told before you was Tranosa.

Because I asked for 4 squads and with the lieutenants and the Captain to be here. The other guest for the wedding is the Princess coming in with the Duke. I am going to get them myself. Now I need to collect a few things and leave."

Annette looked at him, "Leave?!"

He nodded, "Before our wedding night where did you stay?"

She sighed, "With my father."

He looked at them, "With six of you it is easier to move just me."

Annette nodded, "Where will you go?"

He smiled, "I have four places in mind. Anyone comes looking for me then that is what they will have to do. Figure it out."

He went upstairs and they groaned, "We told you where."

He nodded, "So I did not walk in on you early. You six are stuck here until escorted to the ceremony followed by the wedding immediately after."

He grabbed his wedding clothes and handed the two books to Staria, "Someone will have some reading to do, All enchanter stuff, some rather exotic stuff."

She smiled at that.

He looked at Charlemagne, "If I have to, I will magically lock the door on you."

She grumbled as he kissed them all good night. He saddled up T'suras with barding and all and rode out to Silent Falls. He stopped there and laid out his bedroll under the stars. He laid back and got some sleep. He woke up three hours later and converted all of his tiered spells to teleport and teleportation circle for the day.

He practiced for just over 3 hours straight and jumped into the water to rinse off and climb back out and dried himself. He rode over to his grandmother's home and knocked on the door.

She answered, "You are up early."

He smiled, "I have been up for four hours already and had over three hours of sword practice and spell preparation. Wake my apprentice let him know morning meal is at John Silver's home today and to prepare his spells first."

She nodded, "He told me about you taking them into combat."

Eldar nodded, "If they are going to wield that sword they had to know what that means. In the head and in the heart."

She nodded. He mounted up and rode out back toward the other village and Tranosa rode toward him, "There you are. I was told you stayed away last night."

Eldar nodded, "The human ritual about seeing the bride before the wedding thing."

He nodded, "Not a custom with Keyno's people but others insisted for her too."

Eldar laughed. "I am getting my other apprentice moving. They both got blooded yesterday."

He nodded, "I heard, on the one hand, they are young and on the other, they are getting Moon Blades put into their hands."

Eldar smiled at him as he knew. He got to Moon Ray's home and Tranosa let him know, "I have those units in the inn polishing armor and mages are cleaning all the clothes. They are riding down to the creek at mid-day meal to get washed up and then riding back to shine up weapons and such and get dressed and into armor. When do you want them into position?"

Eldar looked at him, "An hour before the evening meal. Eat light and early, they have all that meat we captured to cook up so it shall be a hell of a feast at the mass wedding."

He walked inside and heard Tiger going at it early. He went and knocked on Moon Ray's door. All went quiet with Tiger and Silver Moon. He smiled, "Silver Moon I need you to teleport not teleport circle out to House Silvertree at mid-day meal. Give an extra hour after that time.

Then bring the guests collected there to the Village. Brides may go to my house but grooms may not. Victria is allowed, she is a Silvertree and friend with Staria and Astria. Apprentice Moon Ray, up dressed in clean clothes, spells prepared and over to John Silver's house for the morning meal."

He headed over to John Silver's home and walked inside.

He was up already in his chair and Cook was cooking. "I would have brought some over."

He smiled, "Brides have commandeered the house since last night. They get you all the meat and materials for the feast?"

She nodded, "Now if I just had more hands."

He smiled, "Get us fed here and next door take all the material to the inn. Use the ovens and stoves we have there. You can borrow some clerics from across the way.

When you see my Aunt tell her the Brides are gathering at my home."

She nodded, "Good idea."

He smiled, "Watch out for Tranosa's troops preparing for support. They are getting cleaned up and ready to rock the wedding. Down to polishing armor."

She looked at Eldar, "Who made that request?"

He looked at her and smiled. She rolled her eyes.

She turned back to the stove, "You would think you have the Queen coming."

He smiled, "We have a Goddess coming and we know about it this time."

She nodded, "True last time was a surprise. So many surprises."

He finished eating as his Apprentices finished. He looked at them. "Modified schedule for today, weapons training. No sparing, at Silent Falls. Left hand for an hour then right.

Repeat. You should get through two sets before jumping in the water and drying off. Then back here, unsaddle your horses and read until evening meal time. Eat light. There will be a feast at the wedding ceremony. Cook will be working her magic."

Cook headed to his home and he headed out for a ride to no place in particular.

He pulled up the crystal for The Queen as he walked outside, "Just checking, your Majesty wanted to ensure we had no issues with the Moon Blade Holders and their guests. Ensure they come to the front of my home. All of the Blade Singers have been there."

The Queen chuckled, "No issues."

The stone went quiet. He pulled the one for the Princess "Princess, was just confirming our meeting at the evening meal, the Ambassador's quarter."

He heard a chuckle, "Yes, we will be there."

He put that crystal away. I pull out the next one, "Jarron, how are you today."

He heard him groan, "You fucking teleport into the Nines conference room without authorization?"

Eldar smiled, "Yes, did they tell you the specifics of why?"

He heard him breathing, "No they were very vague on that."

Eldar chuckled, "As it should be as it was Dragon business. I refused to go to the palace and drag them into a Dragon business circus. Are you there?"

He sighed, "Yes I got called in to answer for your teleportation."

Eldar smiled, "Please remind them I work for Lord Regal and he knows the specifics of why. You cannot justify anything as you do not know. If they want me to return, I know the way. I will tell them why in no uncertain terms. Just as I did when Lord Regal growled at me.

To what I assumed was his quarters. I unloaded everything I had been holding back and he did not have a good answer for me. Let me just say I did it to save their collective ASSES again."

He sighed, "We really need to work on your diplomatic skills."

Eldar snorted, "I do not have time for bullshit and ass-kissing. Respect is one thing. I did not ask for this job. I was a victim of my successes remember. Then there is the frustration of their failure that cost me my father's life. I requested several times for them to intervene. They almost cost us our alliance.

Dealing with an asset in league with a rogue element of theirs. Not just in league with him. Responsible for helping to turn him into that creature. I cannot forgive them for their part of my father's death. That of the entire human court. I called on another matter. Since you are there, Lady Amy Tryst has been invited.

I wanted her to check out my two human brides and their brother for any hidden ability. She can also witness the visit of the Goddess. Next to make sure you are coming. I would invite Lord Regal and Lady Silver Hair but they are into staying away from casters. Next, you will be getting more assets.

One I will train a while longer as we just got him and he has more potential. The other was Sergeant Walder of the order. His whole section was wiped out and he had no point of contact for the last 30 years. They are very interested in getting him back as he is now Duke Walder and the father of two of my brides. Lady Silver Hair wants him.

The other asset I mentioned is his son. I will also be working with you to find locations where bards congregate. We brought in our battle bard and she is working to bring in our details from the battlefield and combining it with the underpinning of the order. She will be providing specifics for each allied territory to drive them toward us. We can train and drive them toward you.

Where are the ones you are supposed to be sending me? Hells, my apprentices are seeing more action than this mythical unit. While I was causing chaos for you there, I also led my apprentices into battle in the morning with 3 other officers. Against 22 orcs. They got credit for two and a half kills each. They teamed on the last one."

Jarron sighed, "Please meet them at the palace from now on. Evening meal at your place. We can talk more then."

Eldar smiled to himself while he glared at the crystal, "If you can find me."

He put the crystal away and grabbed another one, as his frustration and aggression peaked. He activated the crystal, "Lord Regal?"

He responded, "I know you just finished talking with Jarron."

He sighed and tried not to growl, "I want to know the status of the target I gave you? I know from past experience that I never get the answers coming back unless I ask the question again and again."

He was silent for several seconds, "We captured the one who was harboring him. The lich himself escaped."

Eldar glared at the crystal, "To where? Be glad these crystals do not show you a visual. What is your plan to destroy this lich and did you request that all of our future meetings be done at the Palace?"

Eldar heard him sigh, "At this time there is no plan. I do not have the location. The request came from me."

Eldar said in an almost seething voice, "Is Jarron nearby?"

He cleared his throat, "Yes."

He spoke very clearly but angrily, "Jarron, do not try and talk to me before the wedding. You are going to be tempted to. DO...NOT...DO...IT! Lord Regal, as my direct assistance is no longer required. It needs to be funneled through the palace.

I WILL send all future communication to you through the Queen! You WILL do the same for me!"

He threw the stone into the air and yelled "MORTANA!" Sending it into millions of pieces as the magic missiles destroyed it into particles the size of sand.

----

Jarron called out, "Oh fuck." As Lord Regal threw a chair against a wall and shattered like the crystal that had been in his hand seconds before. Lord Regal got the Elven Queen on a Crystal, "Queen Goldeagle, you get Eldar Silvertree to our fucking conference room now! I want his fucking head!"

She called back, "Wait one damned minute. What is this in regards to?"

Lord Regal growled out, "It is Dragon business! He just destroyed his crystal to me and that I will address! That is completely disrespectful to a King!"

---

Eldar was only a few steps away on T'suras when a crystal vibrated. It was the Queen.

He pulled out the Crystal, "Yes, your Majesty has an issue related to the security of the elven empire come to light in the last few seconds?"

She yelled back, "What in the nine hells is going on?! I got Lord Regal calling me in a complete fit over you. He wants you in the palace immediately!"

He looked at the Crystal, "Your Majesty, you order me to the palace I will come. Given my last conversation, I do not think that is a battle you want occurring in the Palace. Trust it would be a battle to the death!"

She sounds aggravated, "I want you in my Audience chamber in 5 minutes. No Lord Regal. Be here! Keep your sword in the sheath. Please!"

He looked at the crystal as it went off. He pulled out another crystal, "Silver Moon?"

The voice came back, "No this is Victria."

He sighed "When Silver Moon arrives, tell her to wait for my arrival. Have a Guard take a Silvertree horse to the palace and wait out front for me. I have a lot of locations to teleport to today and the Queen has requested my presence at the palace."

He ended it and took T'suras to Silver's house and teleported onto the front steps of the palace. He walked straight to the Queen's Audience chamber. The door was already open and Jarron was present. He stopped dead in his tracks.

He glared at Jarron, "Do NOT even say the word 'hello' to me right now. I told you to not even try and talk to me before the wedding. If you wish to speak to the Queen that is your business. He looked at the Queen and she stared at his eyes and she sat down, "The irises of your eyes are all silver."