Silvertree Chronicles Bk. 01 Ch. 36

We do not have an accurate number but the chromatics outnumber us. They are not following the treaty. Another Dragon War will come. It is only a matter of time. Even when you still refuse to see it. He told me the Council lacked the teeth to act. In your case, he said you lacked the balls if you ever had them!"

She stormed out.

The Gold King looked at the crystal and sighed to himself as he thought, "Bahamut was right. This would create a rift and I am standing here jumping up and down on the crumbling ground and seeing it I cannot make it worse. I have no solution to make it better. Not yet and not with Eldar. I burned that bridge to ash."

---

The Lady of Dreams watched the millions of ripples turn into just a few hundred. Eldar had set a course of action in minutes that killed millions of permutations of the future. She scanned through them all and saw the deaths and horrors that Eldar saw. He only looked out less than a century.

She was curious about that and looked at it all and realized he saw out less than a year after his death. He knew when he would die. Barring any further Dragon interference. She saw actions in those things she could predict before and looked across at Corellon as she shared massive amounts of information,

"The path he chose gave him the best chance to see his children reach adulthood. But not even a decade beyond that. He had centuries of life ahead of him until the interference from Dragons, 3 Dragon Deities played a hand; Null, Sartior, and Bahamut. Yet Tiamat is the one he is worried about for our people, yet again."

Corellon sighed as he looked over the information. "We will hold on a champion after him. We will follow the Blade to find the next one from another unborn child. He is doing everything we have asked of him. Given us insight into Dragon activity we would not normally have.

It will cost him family, friends, and years of his life because of that interference. We will reward his service to us in choosing this course. As we did with his parents and many of his ancestors. He had such promise on the field to aid our people more. Yet, we cannot undo what has been done."

---

Eldar got to the front gate of House Silvertree, "Tell the stable boy to brush down the horse and give food and water. Nothing is broken, just a little swollen. Nobody is to ride him for the next week."

He walked over and saw Silver Moon. She did not like the look in his eyes or it might just be the eyes themselves as there was very little of the purple showing. He joined her, "We are all here."

Silver Moon teleported them in front of his home. He looked at their guests, "Brides are in my house, and brides should go to my house. Grooms to the Silver house this way. He is Charlemagne and Annette's father. Silver Moon, tell Charlemagne and the others I am back and I should be left alone until I return at the evening meal."

She nodded but looked alarmed. He pointed at the house, "That is the Silver house knock and Karra will answer the door. She is married to one of my training officers. Tell her I will be back later."

He mounted up and headed for Silent Falls and dismounted. He stripped down to his pants and jumped in and did several laps and then set up the stones for the evening ceremony. He got out and drew his sword and went through four hours of sword practice at double pace non-stop.

He switched hands every ten minutes and finally finished. He sheathed his sword. He rinsed off and dried himself. He stripped down to put his armor on and put his wedding clothes on. He rode back to the village. Commander Tranosa came down the road. Eldar pulled up in front of the house, unsaddled the horse, and cleaned the blanket. He brushed down the horse while Tranosa got the troops in place.

Eldar ensured he was still clean. He looked at the layout and nodded to him and teleported away. He looked around and the Ambassador sat there and looked at him, "Back again?"

Eldar stared and opened the door. He saw the Duke coming down the hall in one direction. The Princess and her military adviser from the other. He opened the door and watched as everyone entered. The Ambassador looked surprised.

He got everyone together. Eldar looked at the ambassador as he stared at them, "Retire from the diplomatic core when you find the time. This posting will be your downfall."

Eldar teleported them away and he arrived within seconds of the Queen. Tranosa yelled out, "Sword salute!"

The human military adviser looked shocked as all the swords went up. The Queen was surrounded by Moon Blade wielders and a few guests in the back.

Eldar looked at the Captain, "This man is the Princess's Military Adviser. I want the two squads on horseback on each side. I want a Squad of Centaurs right behind them. One squad of Gray Blades on either side of the main group. I want the 2 village squads in front of the Gray Blades.

Commander Tranosa please inform the Village Elders of this village we have Royal guests in attendance. Captain, you will lead this group to Silent Falls once you see the lights go away from over the tree line in that direction. Princess, there is a sword ceremony that we have to attend to first.

Apprentice Strong Oak, go to my Grandmother and Elders of the other village. Let her know we have Royal Guests. Ride over and leave your horse in the village. All blade holders and blade candidates move to the front and bring your guests with you."

Eldar looked at Duke Walder and his wife, "Your daughters are in there. You will have to wait with the Princess but if you want to take a minute and say hello to them before I take them to the sword ceremony that would be fine. Jarron, glad to see you made it and with Lady Amy Tryst."

Lady Silver Hair briefed Lady Amy Tryst not to engage Eldar as he was bordering or going hostile if he found her motives to be out of line with his own. She had told Lady Silver Hair she wanted the best for Annette and her son. Nothing out of line but she was invited to a wedding and was going.

Eldar looked to the Military adviser, "These are only the troops you see. There are more in the woods watching. As soon as the Captain sees the light show from the ceremony go away then he will start to lead you forward. I have to take the Moon Blade Wielders, candidates, and the guests for that ceremony up to Silent Falls."

He heard the wagon pull up behind the men. He looked back, "Hello Cook, our Queen and the Human Princess from our allies Kingdom are here."

Cook looked shocked at that news. The Princess worked to get all of the information in and she had Centaurs behind her. The first time she had ever seen one before. Eldar looked at her, "I have four squads of Gray Blades, one from each village, and the Centaur Captain Broxam with a squad of his soldiers behind you.

Then I have every other officer from our unit who if not on patrol will be attending and lining up shortly for tonight's events that will also be behind them. The wagon contains all the tables, plates, and food for tonight's feast. You will never be unguarded and after the ceremony, you will have Thirteen Moon Blades on top of everyone else."

The Princess appeared to be in awe of the forces he had in place to watch over her. She looked at him and nodded. Eldar looked at her Military Adviser, "They are not Royal Guards, but they are better trained, dedicated, and determined to see to your security needs.

Let the Centaur Captain Broxam behind you know if you have an issue, he will send someone up to let the captain leading the group address the problem immediately. Cook, make sure the villagers are behind the military escorts."

Eldar moved up to Queen Goldeagle, "I hope the Princess is feeling secure, your Majesty."

She looked back, "She better be with everyone you have around her."

Eldar shook his head, "That is not everyone, Your Majesty."

Eldar looked forward, "Commander Tranosa, you take point. With a column of Moon Blades on either Side with the Queen in the middle. My other apprentice will be leading my Grandmother to the falls and meet us there.

He reached into his bag and pulled out a box and removed the sword. He grabbed the box with his bag and passed it to Karra after putting the new sheath on it. "Can you put that in the house for me and let the ladies know they are keeping the Queen and the Gods waiting. To the other guests of the Blade Singers please line up behind my ladies as I will be behind the Queen."

Eldar looked over as they came out, "Victria do you have the house stone with you?" She nodded. "Would you please pass that to the captain upfront? To any guests that are here. If you have not specifically been invited to the sword ceremony, stay away for your safety. The light alone will burn the eyes from your skull.

Someone tested that at the last ceremony. They did not like the results. We have a couple of clouds in the sky this evening. They will not be a problem if anything they will give a reflective glimpse of what the light at the falls will look like. Also, how damaging it is. Commander, lead us out."

Eldar felt arms on either side of him, "Was wondering if you were ever going to come out?"

They chuckled, Charlemagne whispered, "You alright?"

Eldar kept looking forward, "Ask me that after you see my eyes at the falls. You got a message back that I scared the shit out of her. That I did nothing but look at her and told her things I could not possibly know."

Charlemagne chuckled, "Pretty much."

Eldar nodded, "I will not give you any details, especially tonight."

She clung to him tighter and the other ladies had arms interlocked.

Eldar looked forward, "Which of the Blade Singers invited Jarron along?"

He saw the hand from young Silverbar.

Eldar nodded, "The Queens doing."

She laughed in front of him.

Eldar smiled, "Good, it is time he had the shit scared out of him."

They got to the Falls.

He stripped off his shirt and handed it to Charlemagne and the top of his armor and handed it to Annette with his cloak, "Moon Blade and Moon Bow take the same position.

Apprentice Goldeagle dead Center. Apprentices, In the water. Lieutenant Silversong in the water."

He finished aligning the rest of them around the pool and he had Silver Moon in the water with Silverbar this time. "To all of the guests. I recommend centering on the Queen." His wives each took one of the Queen's arms. Then continue around the blade Holders on the shore. He looked at his apprentices, "Moon Ray and Strong Oak unsheath those swords.

Throw the sheaths toward the shore but in the water. At your feet, you will find a rock, get down on one knee on that rock. Lieutenant Silversong, there is a rock in front of you. You are facing. Apprentice Goldeagle and his Aunt the Queen. You are unfamiliar with this so I will explain it. Do nothing to take that sword out until I yell for you to do so.

You do not have to take it out all of the way off when the time comes. You keep your blade under the water pointed at Goldeagle. Each of you on the shore, unsheath your sword and point in the direction I told you to underwater. All of the guests. As I know what will happen here, I would ask everyone to please take a knee."

While they were doing that, he placed the 14th sword on the floor on top of its new sheath at the bottom of the pool. Pointed at the back of Lieutenant Silversong. Everyone was ready, "Please breath normally for as long as you can and keep your eyes open."

Eldar, "Karti'Ros Left hand"

He knelt onto one knee. "Yell out 'ready' if you are ready."

He heard a unison, "Ready!"

He sighed out, "In the name of Corellon Larethian and Sehanine Moon Bow, we ask you to aid us in reclaiming our lost heritage. Prepare us for the upcoming war by activating, claiming, and cleansing of these blades." He took his sword and stuck it into the bottom of the lake right again his forward knee.

Eldar, "Karti'Ros Moon Fire on."

The line of light moved toward Moon Blade and Moon Bow. It forms the inner and outer lines of the double Crescent Moon in the water. His apprentices' swords were aglow. The light began to fill in the outer crescent and finally the inner crescent. Just as the last of the inner Crescent filled and the pattern completed. He yelled out, "NOW!" Lieutenant Silversong got it about an inch off of the sheath. When her sheath disintegrated into nothing.

The entire pool of water exploded in the air and once again froze several feet above the now dry bottom. The light pierced and burned a double crescent into the clouds above the ceremony and sent the clouds to dissipate. Nobody at the ceremony could see this at the moment as they were frozen in place as the form of Corellon Larethian appeared.

He walked around the bottom for several minutes and looked over the group gathered. He extended a hand and the 14th blade flew into the air and flew into the sheath with runes glowing. He floated into the air above Apprentice Goldeagle and landed in front of Queen Goldeagle.

He opens her hand and closes it over the top of the sheath, "The symbol of the new house will appear on this after you leave here. When you are in your Audience chamber alone. My Champion will return the box the last 4 swords had been stored within. The bearer will know you have it and you will see the symbol on the new house application.

You are the caretaker of this sword, as you are of the Elven people, the future ruler, and my next Grand Cleric. My Champion has had a couple of issues with the interpretation of the Blade Singer Code.

You will have it rewritten, to state that humans with no Elf-blood but the parent or wife of an elven citizen are considered to be elf-blooded by marriage or parentage if unmarried. Provided they are not an enemy of the Elven Kingdom."

He walked over toward Jarron and bent down. He looked at him. "His father is gone. You are the closest he has to that who will be around for any length of time. He respects you more than you realize. I am inclined to agree with him. You seriously need the companionship of a good woman or two.

One day you will produce strong children who will help to shape and change the world much as my Champion is doing. His concerns with your mutual friends are valid to a point. They have an extensive history but to be better allies is not to fall on the errors of the past.

If everyone fails to play by the rules? Then it is time to create new rules. To ensure the Elven people do not suffer any more than they are willing to. Carry that message back to Lord Regal.

Corellon sent Jarron a message mentally, "Keep that in mind in the years ahead as his actions with the dragons ensured you will have a far longer life than he will have. You owe him by being there for the Elven people and not just being a Dragon Council Mediator! That job will evolve at some point. You are never to discuss this message with anyone!"

He backflipped over the group and landed in-between Goldeagle and Silversong's blades. He turns to the bard. "This is one story you will have to share." He looked to the left and right. Then at Eldar, "Champion there training progresses nicely. Blooded in combat with less than a month of training and working together.

They will succeed because you will not let them fail. Push, drive, inspire, and love. Without ever crushing them. To all of the wielders of the powerful Moon Blades, you will find that one of the abilities of your sword is no more.

The least liked of the ability of the sword has been changed and is now locked into place. This is one less generation that will have to deal with the issue. If it is ever damaged and repaired it will be recovered.

To those who have new house blades, the ability was added. To my Champion, you have the ability already and it is now locked into place. Another ability has been added. From your tragedies, an ability it lacked is now available."

He turned around to the crowd, "The other 10 blades have been destroyed by one means or another. These are the last of the Moon Blades in this world. They are all purified and this ritual will never need to be repeated. Except, to assign a blade from a dead house to a new one or when one is repaired.

Then this is the location and at least 4-blade holders will be required in recognition of the 4-blade holders who worked to bring the other 10 back and get them all cleansed of House corruption. Sounds like something that belongs in a history book there Battle Bard Silversong."

He looked over as Elder Strong Oak, "You have a blade to carry on your family name that has a Stronger history than even you know about. A virile young elf who can make that happen in time. You had an Elder ask, 'Why this location?' Tell him, 'Because I said so.'"

He put his hand onto Eldar's shoulder and Eldar felt his body burning and Corellon spoke to the crowd, "The days ahead will be filled with joy, anguish, violence, and love. Do not forget why you are doing this. Wielding these blades to help our people. Some will do that here.

Others will help halfway around the world in a cause and effect they will not be seen until after it passes. Eldar, follow through on your plan for the Blade Wielders. Their involvement will only increase in the coming years."

Corellon released his shoulder, "I said last time, and it still holds true. What goes up, must come down."

The water came thundering back into the pool and like last time there were moonstones everywhere. Eldar worked to regain his bearings and looked at his apprentices, "I will get your sheaths as soon as you have all these moonstones collected. That goes for you too Lieutenant Silversong."

He worked his way to his unsteady feet and had Tranosa and Goldeagle who helped him out of the water as the power of Corellon had slowed his movement. At least temporarily. Eldar looked at the Queen and she had a death grip on the sword. Eldar spoke softly to her, "Now you know what it feels like to carry the weight of one of these swords, Your Majesty. To be touched by a God."

Eldar reached into his belt and pulled out the silver crystal "Captain, Tell Karra Silver Sword to bring the box and my bag of holding with her. You may start to bring the group forward. Normal walking pace. It gives me a chance to get dressed. How long did the lights last?"

He responded with a laugh, "A minute if that. There are no more clouds in the sky. They simply burned away. We are moving out."

Eldar looked at Jarron who stood behind the Queen. "Jarron, did that scare the hell out of you?"

Jarron looked white and pointed at Eldar's chest. The symbol on his chest no longer pulsed. The moons now looked like liquid pearls swirling with light in an ever-changing pattern.

Eldar looked at Charlemagne and Annette, "Need to get to my feet so I can get dried and dressed."

Annette leaned in, "You have two sets of irises now. Inner purple and the outer are silver. Like all the silver in your eyes got pushed to the outer edges.

Eldar looked at Tiger, "Will you go to the Wood Elf village and let them know it is safe to move forward?"

He nodded quickly and headed off to the neighboring village. Eldar got to his feet and dried off. He took his gear and got dressed. There must have been 200 stones on the edge of the water.

He looked at his sword and asked Tranosa, "So which ability?"

He laughed. "It gave us the summon weapon ability."

Eldar smiled.

Eldar, "Karti'Ros what ability was added? Then give me a complete list."

Karti'Ros, "Undead bane has been added, Activator of blades. The ability to be summoned to either hand is now locked. All Moon Blades are intelligent and telepathic with the wielder. Those don't count as rune abilities. Danger warning dream and telepathic warning. Immunity to fire and immunity to mind control. Orc, ogre, giant, Drow, undead, and evil dragon bane. Along with Moon Fire. Then the God ability that was added which I do not have access to and cannot confirm."