Silvertree Chronicles Bk. 02 Pt. 01

Jarron nodded, "I told them he finds evidence on that ship you would likely look to disband the Knights and void the treaty. They know this is bad. I told them my entire life's mission would be for nothing except to cover up their holes in the treaty if that happened. I will work to draft up my letter of resignation as soon as I make contact."

She shook her head, "Until we know more, I will not accept it. You are a member of this court as well. We have elven agents scattered around the world thanks to Eldar. Nobody other than the Dragons knows of where they are or their missions. You cannot walk away yet.

You and I both feel betrayed at the moment. I want to see what Brannar finds on this ship. It might be time to renegotiate those treaties or do away with them. I will hold off on contacting our allies until I know more. For now, all communication to the field needs my approval. You will use your quarters here for now."

He sighed and Bowed, "Your Majesty, I know you want me to keep doing this but I am not sure I can continue. We have 2,743 agents in the field thanks to Eldar's training facility. He helped to build up the Knights and Brannar is on the verge of bringing them down."

She sighed, "Jarron my friend. Hold on. Let us see what is found first. We don't need to speculate when we will know in due time. Just keep it going and curtail any new missions. The Dragons have an issue with that then they can take it up with me in person."

Jarron bowed and left. She sat at her desk and sighed, 'Jarron my friend. If our lives would have been different, if I had not been destined to rule, I might have married you instead way back when.

As it stands, I have a good husband and children thanks to Eldar. A better sex life thanks to him as well. I just wished you would have seen the wisdom in Eldar's desire for you to find a good woman or two to help support you.'

---

Brannar got up on deck, "How are we doing?"

Silver Moon pointed out, "They are making better time."

Brannar looked at her, "Ready to speed this thing up?" She smiled. "I got the sails and you Captain have the wheel."

He got in position and gave them a kick and they moved forward. They sat higher in the water because the pirate ship had way less cargo, they were getting good speed. They pulled up alongside them and Brannar asked the first officer on loan, "You know where we are going or should we follow."

He looked at Brannar, "Follow, they need to send a flag signal not to shoot this ship."

Brannar moved them ahead a bit by a few lengths and then stopped. "They will pass us again."

He looked around and found Silver Rose, "How are you doing?"

She looked at Brannar, "The guy that showed interested in me died. They tell me you saved me."

He nodded, "Just because your heart is aching does not mean that my feelings for you changed. I went after you as I saw you go over. You were close to death by the time I got you out and I teleported us straight up. I cast feather fall on you. I flew and drug you back to the ship. Your cleric cast a healing spell on you to stabilize you. I was scared to death I lost you. You want to grab Sutter and meet us up at the helm."

She nodded and went to find him. She was nearly in tears. She thought about it all, 'He jumped in to save me and the other guy just used me to release his aching balls. Gods I have been such a fool and I broke Brannar's heart in the process. I can barely face him for the shame of it all.'

She found Sutter, "You are not a good man. You had one of your men play with my affections to drive a wedge between Brannar and me. How many lives did he save when the sahuagin attacked? I saw the water. I owe him my life as do the rest of this group. He earned our respect. He drove them off and pulled me from the water.

I should be dead right now. Rollins is dead, he did not know how to swim either. This entire mission has been an emotional storm of feelings for me. I feel out of balance and you started it all."

Sutter sighed, "I know, and I saw. I got more than an earful from Silver Moon on the matter. I love her and I disappointed her with my actions. I have to work on finding a way to make that up to her. I was an ass toward him. He does not want to hear that from me.

I am sorry I got you involved in the middle of that fight. It was not my intention to hurt you but I see that it has because I was only thinking of hurting him at the time because of my overinflated ego. I hope you find it in your heart to forgive me someday."

Silver Rose sighed, "The tenants of my faith would require that when I feel it is sincere. Show me sincerity and work to help him. Work to see this mission succeed and not worry so much about your cock having a womb to house it. They want to see us both."

---

Brannar got up to Silver Moon, "How do you want to handle the division of duties on this?"

She laughed, "I have no idea, we do not have a navy per se. We have some ports on the northern waters but they are relatively free of pirates."

Sutter and Rose showed up. Brannar looked at them, "You might have noticed a greater degree of cooperation since we took over this ship. We discovered some disturbing things from our intelligence. I do not want to go into everything out here. We are both Knights of the Elven Court.

We have been ordered by the Queen to funnel all Knight communication through the Queen. The Elven Kingdom has assumed control of this mission. There was vital information not given to us from the day of my father's pursuit of this Lich. Information about elves being sacrificed to perform these rituals to turn dragons into Draco-liches or undead dragons in case you are unfamiliar with the term.

I know 2 of my 6 siblings are confirmed dead and 3 rituals are to be attempted in the next 3-6 months. This ship is going to be turning around and going right back out.

You have three options, walk away, return to the Knights proper, or ride this mission out with us. Talk it over with your remaining people. You know where we stand on this."

---

Sutter pulled his guys together and briefed them. One of them asked, "What are you going to do? Take orders from an Elven Queen on this matter?"

Sutter looked over as Silver Rose was having this same conversation with her people. He looked back, "If Brannar had not come back to the ship we would all have been dead. He could have teleported away to safety. Instead, he killed at least 50 of the fuckers and pulled Silver Rose out of the water.

Tracker managed to make it back on board but we lost a lot of people on this mission already. If we found out that the dragons kept from us that this lich was doing human sacrifices on our people would we be any less inclined to follow our Queen?"

Tracker looked at him, "What has our Queen said?"

He pulled the crystal, "Queen Thornlord, are you secure?"

She sighed, "You realize the hour Sir Sutter? I am Secure, just my husband and I. He is asleep at the moment."

He sighed, "Sorry Your Majesty, we are in open water in the Deep Sea on a mission with the Knights. We have been advised this mission is being taken over by the Elven Queen. They found intelligence on a pirate who was turned over to the Knights. That information included the mutilation of elven to include the hearts of them in creating undead dragons or Draco-liches. The Dragons apparently withheld that information and the Elven Queen has taken control of this mission."

She sighed, "My great-great-grandmother and her father dealt with interference from a Draco-lich. If this lich is in the process of trying to make more of them then it is in our interest to have eyes on what is going on. If it is the same lich, it decimated our royal court in its efforts to become a lich in the first place.

I will contact the elven Queen in the morning. For now, as you are on a ship with no way off, follow their lead. Eldar Silvertree aided in the mission to take down that Draco-lich and ensured my great-great-grandmother kept the throne from a puppet government. Eldar just died not long ago.

I sent a message concerning the forest they replanted. It was part of the cross-border treaty with the Gray Blades. Letting them know they had met that goal for replanting it. Even with the destruction that centered around Eldar's death."

Sutter sighed, "Your Majesty, one of the arcane casters is Eldar's son and a battle mage on this mission. He is the one who has been overly critical of the Dragons oversight of the Knights in my last communication. It appears he may have been right to feel that way from what we are getting from Captain Silver Moon who leads this mission.

This son carries his father's sword, but from everything we have been told, he is not a champion to a god and we lost 2 in my squad, 3 in the other squad when attacked by sahuagin, 50- 80 of them at best guess.

If not for him, we would all be dead. He launched 2 spells and killed 40-50 of them attempting to board the ship and pulled the leader of the other squad out of the ocean and saved her life, Your Majesty. She is a half-elven paladin of Tyr."

She sighed, "Sounds like a champion. At the very least a talented hero. Continue to support unless you hear otherwise from me. This is too critical an issue to let it go. If I learned of anything dealing with the Silvertree family, they are smart and worked hard to protect our people as well.

Zaria is still a strong ally and field Marshal when war strikes again along that border, likely in my son's reign if not mine if the attack that killed Eldar signals a change in the pattern. Given the history of activity, I tend to trust that family. Support as best you can."

The comms ended. Tracker nodded, "Sounded like a ringing endorsement and she knew what it was from her own family history. Sounds like we are where we need to be, I fucking hate undead." The other two nodded as well.

---

Several hours later and Queen Goldeagle was staring at a crystal to the Human Queen. She sighed, "Sounds like your Knight in this mission knows the same information I know. The fact is until they get through the intelligence on the ship, I don't know what course of action to take. Jarron is a member of my court and all Knights activity gets funneled through him. I have him contacting Silvertree members in the Knights to let them know of their father's death.

Even if it means pulling them from a mission. He said a few had crystals stored for a comms blackout so he will let them know when they contact him again. It is a real shit storm, and yes, it is the same lich that attacked your family.

While he has professed that he is not a champion to the gods and was told as much. The fact the Lady of Dreams went and spoke with him about facing this lich is concerning. We both have a vested interest in this. As soon as I know more, you and the Dwarven King will be informed, Queen Thornlord."

She heard her sigh, "Thank you for the information. I do not see this as a delay in informing me. You just did not try and contact me in the middle of the night as Sir Sutter did. I see your actions as a prudent and wise course of action at the moment. We may have to revisit the treaties in the coming days, Queen Goldeagle."

Queen Thornlord ended comms. Queen Goldeagle looked at Jarron, "You did not know she had a knight to her court in this mission?"

Jarron sighed, "I knew he was a knight in her court, I did not know he was in contact with her. Not all knights have communication crystals to the Royal Family. He did not inform me of this, but it is understandable."

She sighed and nodded, "Not your fault and he was preparing those with him to consider the need to stay on mission with me having taken charge of it and they are not elven assets. Given the dangers present, informing his group of what was found was likely a wise course of action. Too many secrets have bitten us all in the ass concerning dragons and 'dragon business.'

---

They spent the next day getting ahead and falling behind the other ship until it was discovered one of the anchors was not all the way up. Once corrected they kept pace with them. Brannar broke through the final wards in two days. He was motivated.

He found one warded chest that he cracked in under an hour. He talked to Silver Moon and took over the quarters and used it for sorting through the valuable intelligence vs the crap data. He spent the next 3 days going through the information. He found some information that would be useful to the dragons and he stored it away for safekeeping. All information on the target island, shipping route through the reef, and to a cove with a dock that led to the upper keep.

Dragon names including all of the council of nine's real names, schedule of events, information on the dead and his siblings, and their plans to use them. A request for more elven blooded people and dwarven blooded people.

---

There was a knock on the door and Sutter and Rose stood there. They could see Brannar had not slept in days. Silver Rose looked at him, "You should get some rest."

Brannar nodded. "I have references to dwarven blooded people being sacrificed as a part of this as well. Sorry. How can I help you?"

They looked at him and Sutter spoke, "We are staying to see this mission out. What happens with the Knights afterward? We will deal with then."

Brannar nodded, "We appreciate the support. I am going through the list of those things that must be done. Those positions we must fill. What repairs we have to have done. I will spend a small fortune to get them done by the time frame I laid out."

Silver Rose looked at Brannar, "Might it not be faster to buy a new ship that is ready to launch?"

Brannar looked at her, "Let me fly over to the other ship and feed the horses. I will talk with the Captain about that idea. It is good to get a reading on what our options might be. Thank you for the suggestion."

He stepped outside of the cabin and flew over to the other ship and looked at the helmsman, "Where is your Captain?"

He pointed, "Cargo hold."

Brannar headed to the hold to feed horses and found the Captain outside Zea'Trans's stall laughing. He watched them fuck away.

Brannar looked at him, "Horny fella. You see why we keep him away from the others."

The Captain looked at Brannar, "Why does he do that so much?"

Brannar smiled, "Because he cannot run free. You take a regular War Horse at a full charge. These guys can do that. They can kick it up another notch. Run as fast as the riding horses with a light load. While these guys can take barding and full plated riders at that same speed. They can do that over greater distances.

They are also good at riding through woods if need be; not at full speed but they are nimble. Speaking of which, what is the possibility of finding a ship faster and nimbler? That has a smaller crew requirement?"

He thought for a moment, "There is a military shipyard but you have got to have the permission of one of the Warlords to buy one from there. Dromond class ships meet those requirements. They might trade that galleon you are bringing in for one. Trade vessels are harder to come by right now due to pirates."

Brannar looked at him, "Possible to get it outfitted with a crew in fourteen days?"

He nodded, "You just have to go through a longshoreman's group to find the talent you want."

Brannar fed and watered all of the horses. "What will happen when we arrive?"

The Captain looked at Brannar, "Honestly, I do not know. We will likely encounter a Military vessel that will provide instructions. As we are running with a minimal crew right now, it will present some challenges. I would create a solid white flag and run it up."

Brannar nodded, "How would teleporting onto one of these vessels alone be received?"

He looked at Brannar, "It would be risky. They would have a device to communicate with the Warlord they serve."

Brannar looked at the Captain, "I will see what I can see."

They got above deck and he flew back over to their ship, "Silver Moon, I need to see you in the office. We need to contact the Queen."

Brannar looked at the man who was overseeing operations and acting as their first officer, "Get someone with a spyglass into the crow's nest. Let us know if they see any ships in the distance. Also, run up a white flag on this ship. I want to know the moment we see anything! Preferably someone who can identify one of your warships."

He nodded and someone took over the wheel. They headed below deck. Brannar got on his crystal to his Sister, "Has our brother returned yet?"

She sounded tired, "He came in late last night, he had some training he wanted to finish before coming home. He is in his old room. His traveling companions are at the inn. Most of those in the Knights have made it back, Jarron was ordered to recall them to let them pay their respects. Some have returned to their units after doing so because of a mission crisis or something."

Brannar asked her, "You alone?"

She yawned back, "Yes I am kicking the lovely ladies out of my room right now. A girl has to entertain herself for almost 4 more years before she can get cock in this kingdom."

He laughed, "Fine, are his friends' dragons?"

She sighed, "One is an old family friend Lady Amy Tryst. I suspect the other is a mage of some type who is doing the transportation."

Brannar looked at the crystal, "Any change in direction from the Queen?"

She was slow to respond, "No, I know she is in talks with them right now but they are not making much headway."

Brannar growled, "I want you to send his traveling companions away. Let them know we will return him to Jarron when the Queen gives them the all-clear. There is a risk of exposure to them if they remain. Too many wizards in that town.

Contact the head of the Academy in town and have the students practice true seeing spells. Tell them exercises are commencing to train wizards at the Academy in the use of True seeing spells.

That I am in the process of refining a True seeing spell that would even see Lady Amy Tryst."

She shouted over, "Are you?"

Brannar smiled, "I already have it and I am considering giving it to the Academies to replace the old version."

She sounded upset, "Brother, you are starting to sound disturbed."

He laughed, "I have been up for 3 straight days going through the intelligence on this ship. I have enough to bury the Dragon War Treaties as they exist today. Time to bring them back to the table to create new treaties. They are in violation up to their fucking eyeballs.

As they kept our brothers and sisters away and do not feed them information on our own family, I do not trust they will return him if things go bad. Which is VERY likely. For the sake of the family keep him there until this is resolved. Let me know what happens."

Brannar let the crystal go dark. Silver Moon looks at him, "When did you research this new spell?"

Brannar shook his head, "I did not, father did. It was another spell in his book of rare spells. Refined it over the years whenever Lady Amy Tryst came into town. The bag that contained the sheath also had a book, his personal journal. While I had found his book of rare spells a true seeing spell was not worth decrypting back then.

Until I read his private journal. I have been reading a lot during the journey. I have been reading it while in my room alone. Especially when the men started shunning me after the Sutter incident. I assume some of them came to confirm the facts?"

She looked at Brannar, "Yes, the relevant facts, not any of the derogatory stuff that was said by either side. Why?"

Brannar looked at her, "That period drove Silver Rose to another love interest. His incomplete truthfulness drove a wedge between us and I lost her to another. That man is one of the ones who died during the attack. I never knew or asked which one. She is still in a state of loss and I am not reopening that wound on my heart. I leave that to her to decide. We need to get the Queen on the crystal."