Silvertree Chronicles Bk. 03 Pt. 02

Travious looked at her, "Black dragon that absorbs light and hates the light."

She looked at him, "A Shadow Dragon; Umbral. They are in the Underdark and only a few exist. They are specifically not called out in the treaties. They had such a limited area they operated in."

He looked at her, "This 'human' who has not aged a day since in 230 years rides one. He is a human champion on the field and feeding slaves to the chromatics for food and breeding."

She sighed. Travious looked at her, "Take a look at this elf-blooded lady over here. Gia said she is all but brain dead and has implanted devices."

She went over and looked at the woman. "Gia is right."

She talked to Staria in draconic. She took her upstairs.

Travious looked at her, "Tell me what is going on?"

She looked at Travious and mentally told him. "As soon as she walked out of here, she would have exposed the metallics involvement with you. Best that she be disintegrated in a quiet room. She has been all but dead for some time."

He nodded. The Countess called out, "All of these ladies need to go out back to the falls area and strip down." They all did so including Golden Sun and she checked them over. "Two had dragon marks which did the same kind of thing but they have been removed. It would have been detected if I did it outside of this shelter."

Golden Song looked at him, "Good catch."

Travious looked at the Countess, "I want two shelters put up. One for our freed slaves and one for my troops and my wives. The freed will be inside the embassy.

Twenty women have decided to take the money and move on as soon as they are healthy, clothed, and armed."

The Countess nodded, "They would have no home to go back to as they were either sold into slavery or their family would not want the dishonor by welcoming them back. Different culture."

He nodded and Staria came down, "She is gone."

Travious looked at her, "Get a room in the embassy and move the refugees there."

She nodded, "Will do."

He sighed at her, "Then Majisa will show you where our home will be while we are gone. We need that up today."

She nodded. He looked over as Bree came toward him, "You change your mind about marrying me yet?"

Bree looked at Travious, "Not yet. Still considering it. I have your back though."

He smiled, "That is so one dimensional of you."

She rolled her eyes and groaned at his attempt at humor, "Give me time. I will let you know when I have made up my mind."

Travious nodded, "All the wives will have to be present. We will be on the ocean in days so it will have to wait if you have not decided by then."

She nodded. "Fair."

He grabbed his tack and headed outside, "Straka Unta."

He thought, "Shi'Drakon the head of house Golden sun needs a couple of elven Warhorses, mares. Some that you already filled. I am leaving you here to get the troops situated with horses who still need them and to continue to ficka away.

I am going to start getting them to move the herd tomorrow. With the treaty in disarray, we don't need this many Elven War Horses here. Better to get them back to Quatarsia."

He got Straka saddled up and mounted. He looked over, "Gia, do not forget the rings of feather fall. Especially for the sorcerers. Be sure that those who cannot cast it get one."

She nodded. "Then once everyone gets their horse tonight Bree and Silverleaf are to take them all up for nighttime aerial riding. Getting them used to fast turns, being evasive while hundreds of feet above the ground."

They nodded. "Then bed the horses down and get the troops to bed. I hopefully will not be gone that long. Come morning, I want to start moving excess horses back to Quatarsia, Get a lot of these stallions into the field for the Gray Blades and Army."

Travious saw Ambassador New Moon, "You are upset with me and I am pissed off at you. You walked me in there with less than half the facts. You left King Goldeagle in the dark as to how bad things are on the ground. I will see him soon to reiterate my loss in faith of you as an Ambassador.

You are a talented Battle Mage. Even the Goddess said what you did was 'not ideal.' We will see how you do with the new peace treaty that has to be negotiated with the new Warlord. That is between you, the King, and the Warlord.

When I handed Guards at the docks the letter from the new Warlord. I told them not to interfere because I had their Warlord under duress. They backed off. I sank 23 of 24 ships. I sent 22 crews' home on one empty and broken boat. Not counting the hundreds we killed until they all surrendered.

The other two crews went down with their ships. Shackled where they kept their slaves. I left those slaves with the cargo and instructions that the slaves owned the cargo and they could sell it and start a new life. The guards thought I was joking until I repeated it in every dialect they used. I am headed to see King Goldeagle now. You desire to come along?"

He glared and shook his head, "No. I should get some rest in order to attend to the peace treaty in the morning."

Travious stepped back into his home and looked to the Countess. He found her by the falls with the naked women. He looked at her, "I need to speak with you."

She walked over, "Yes?"

Travious looked at her, "These dragon Marks you found could they be placed on someone without their knowledge? Can they be placed on objects?"

She looked at him, "They can be placed on an object but they lose the ability to communicate over time with it. They would have to reapply the mark. As to doing it with people without their knowledge then that is a possibility. Rare but possible only if they were drugged or asleep during the process."

He looked at her, "I want you to check the Academy building area, the staff, and students. As well as the ambassador and his staff."

She looked at Travious. "I could not get to the Academy without fear of exposure to some of your arcane caster."

He looked at her. "Just the exterior then and just at night."

She sighed, "Very well. We did check the boy and he did not have them. It is draconic magic and something we are unable to teach others. It would be like you trying to teach elven vision to a human. It is a part of us."

She knew that was only partially true. It would take a draconic deity granting access to a level of magic other races did not have. Bahamut would not or had not done it but some of the enemies had with the Draco-liches.

That she was certain of, but could not prove it at this point, so it was not worth addressing. Travious suspected there was more but did not push it at this point. Travious nodded and went and found Golden Sun, "We will depart as soon as you are ready. What skill sets do you possess?"

She sighed, "I was a rouge until I got caught. Infiltration mainly to find secrets. A spy if you will. I had some minor magical ability but it was never trained. I might have a 'Golden' name but my house was in decline well before that. I could not get into the Academy."

He nodded, "You will be debriefed at the Palace or Quatarsia. I will recommend the latter and ask that you stay with my Uncle John for a while. He is good at gathering information. The Academy has trainers that could help you with some of that minor magical ability you have. Might improve your skills for when you return to the field."

She nodded, "He is with the Knight's?"

He nodded. "Yes, my father and his brother are the ones responsible for getting the Knights cut free from the Dragon Council. This century is known as the Age of the Knights."

She chuckled, "Kan Tri had his own calendar. All revolving around him."

They walked out and he activated the crystal to the King, "Your Majesty, I will be escorting home House Golden Sun in just a moment. Could I get my Uncle John to meet us out here for a few minutes first?"

The King responded, "Excellent idea as I still need an hour to get everyone together here."

He looked at Bree, "Wait here please for my Uncle's arrival."

They stepped back into the home. Golden Sun asked him, "How come you want your Uncle to come here?"

He looked at her, "We had one lady altered to the point of being the walking dead. Then the dragon marks. I just want him to spend a few minutes going over a few things to ensure you have not unintentionally left anything out."

She nodded as his Uncle walked in. He looked at her, "This my Uncle John."

He looked at Travious, "I was up half the night you know."

Travious smiled. "I wanted to ensure Kan Tri did nothing to mess with her mentally and also see if you can gain an insight into this 'man.' She might have forgotten over the last two centuries."

She looked at Travious, "You think he might have messed with my mind?"

Travious nodded, "It is possible psionics were used against you during your captivity."

She sighed and sat down. "How will your uncle make this determination?"

Uncle John sat down next to her and held her hand, He then talked with her for the entire hour mentally. She looked over, "I know a Knight's secret that he has it. The fact his mother had it is known according to him. It was read in open court by your mother."

Travious nodded, "If it was history-making and unencrypted at the time, then yes."

He looked at Travious, "I do not think he is human at all. I think he is sterile. The symbol she saw was not a human deity but a draconic one. If I had to guess a half-dragon."

The Countess interjected, "A half-dragon could not live to be that old."

Travious looked at her, "What if the one he rides is the parent?"

She looked at Travious and then sat down. "They were never in the treaty and never altered. A child from them could be that old and only be halfway through its life."

Travious looked at her, "A half-dragon champion from an evil dragon deity."

Uncle John looked at Golden Sun before speaking again, "I told her I and my wife would put her into a sleep state and go through the information from her capture to her release. We can help to put up some blocks to some of the most scaring items for her if she wished. She will take us up on that offer only once Kan Tri is dead."

The Countess looked at them, "The device would have blocked him from being born fertile. His attraction to the elven form would be expected. I do not think he is a champion. The parent, on the other hand, is another matter."

He thought and prayed, "Your thoughts on this revelation Lady of Dreams and my messenger?"

He heard, "It might have been wiser to send you to the drow first. If we had known of this possibility. It changes nothing. You took on that task already while following our directions to stay away."

He thought, "Except for my strategies."

He looked at the map, "Show me the borders of Kan'Tri's province and that in relation to the Griffon riders."

The Countess marked the location for the Griffon riders. Golden Sun outlined the province as best she knew it. "He has been at a 'playful' war with this neighboring province. They do not have the forces to really do anything. If they did, he would invade and wipe them out.

He has troops in every major city and a Navy with a thousand ships. Five major ports along this coast with two smaller ones along here. He has increased his slavery operations 5 fold in the last 10 years." She marked the map for him. He nodded, "That is all I need at the moment."

They walked out, "I need a caster to take us and our mounts to the Palace and wait for me. Then when I am ready to bring us to Quatarsia. Then I will get a Gray Blade caster to return us once we are done relocating House Golden Sun. Do I have one ready?"

One young elf came forward, "I can get both locations."

He nodded, "Countess, please check those things for me. Lieutenant Silverleaf and Bree you have your orders."

Melia looked at him, "I will stay with Majisa and help out here with the new shelter and aiding the people."

Travious kissed her and Majisa goodbye. Mounted up and kissed Gia who was going with him. They gathered as he rode Straka to have Shi'Drakon working on assigning horses and fucking the herd.

He saw Golden Sun was on her own Warhorse and even her son had one already. They appeared in front of the Palace and an honor guard lined the outside entrance and led inside. She was taken aback by this. He dismounted and helped them to their feet.

He could tell she was uncomfortable with the crowd. He grabbed her hand, "The King and Queen Mother are looking forward to your return. This is a formality to get your house reestablished and assets restored. Likely a closed-door meeting with a meal and then we can get you out of here to unwind."

She nodded rapidly, "It has been ages since I was here last. That was with my father as a child." He nodded and helped her down.

He looked at her son, "You will be accepted here. More so in Quatarsia, that means tolerance and is the name of the town my grandfather built."

She looked at Travious, "Let us do this then and get it over with."

---

Staria got the first shelter in place and the Countess found her, "We need to go back to Quatarsia for a bit. I will bring her back later. We have others to contact about discoveries made here."

Melia smiled, "Alright."

She sent a mental message to Majisa, 'Stay indoors. I have to consult with the others and this is not the place to do it.'

Majisa nodded to the Queen.

The Queen went back and they went to one of the Silver Dragon homes they had set up and she heard from Bahamut as he appeared before her in this home. Time stood still for everyone else, "This elven champion has found this ancient threat; I do not have a champion on the field because there are so few of you at the moment.

I will look to get one on the field before the return, just between the two of us. I have spoken with the Elven Gods and they see him attempting to take the challenge because of his dedication to his paladin code they put before him. Which includes killing evil dragons.

He won't turn from that challenge for you as he sees it as his duty as a paladin to accept that challenge. The fact that he has elven slaves and is feeding this evil dragon's army only fuels him more to see to it that this champion gets off the field. You have advised him as best you can and told him the truth that it is a dragon champion.

The chances of success based on what we are seeing are not high, but they do exist. He is underestimated and this champion likes to think outside the box. Like your explosive delivery which none of us foresaw. His chances of living through the encounter are not as high. You will not speak of this conversation with anyone.

You are doing what you need to be doing, and his gods agree that they do not want you attempting to interfere at this point. They have already talked with him. They pointed him this way and they find it a threat as well. A threat that if he succeeds will benefit the elven people for millennia to come."

He disappeared and she could suddenly move again she looked across at the others. She went over home designs for vaults with the couple who lived in this home. Staria was confused about the sudden change in topics but followed her Queen and occasional lover's lead.

---

Travious walked Golden Sun in holding her for support because she was not back to full strength from her ordeal yet. They walked into the open court to a round of applause. The Queen Mother stood out in front of the throne leading it. She smiled at them as he walked her to the line.

"Your Majesty and the Queen Mother. I bring you the return of House Golden Sun."

The Queen Mother extended a hand to her. Then she wrapped her arms around her and whispered something into her ear. She handed her papers, "You are the patron of your house. There were some monetary assets, a significant amount in fact that belongs to you now. Your family estate is gone.

Absorbed by two other families and the homes leveled. This was more than a century ago. The owners of that estate are returning the land free and clear to you and will contract a builder to establish a new family home for your family if you desire."

Golden Sun shook her head, "No thank you, Your Majesty. I want no home that I cannot take care of myself. After what I have been through, I do not wish to have any servants. This new town sounds like it might be a good place to start."

The Queen Mother smiled, "It is a wonderful little town from what I hear. One day I will have to plan an informal visit. We have one other announcement to make. House Golden Ray will be assuming control over the bank. House Goldenbar is currently under arrest for suspicion of treason. As such all business assets are being held in receivership by the crown until this is resolved."

A lot of murmurs in the crowd. "Everyone's finances are safe in the bank. As they have been for centuries. They have been audited regularly by the Palace for a long time now. These changes are directly related to the attack on House Silvertree and Strong Oak. As such it was a patron against patron attack not authorized by the crown."

She handed the girl a bag of holding, "Items for you and your son to reflect your house and some of your funds to have on hand while you acclimate to your return. I would normally have a big reception for this. It was advised to keep it small. To ensure it did not overwhelm those returning or finding their way home."

The Queen Mother looked at Travious, "Let me start by saying I am very sorry for the loss of life within your house. I appreciate your work more than you will ever know about getting this family home to us. My late husband was from house Golden Sun. Therefore, the King is your Cousin by birth Trilarna Golden Sun. I believe the last time you were here was for my wedding."

She nodded, "Yes, Your Majesty. I was barely 50 at that time."

The Queen Mother looked at the crowd. "We will be adjourning to a private meal and meeting. Knight Champion would you please help her to the conference room we have set up for this meeting and meal."

He bowed to her and walked her away from the crowded room and took her to the large conference room.

They stepped inside to find a buffet of food laid out. He saw the table had the stones to seal the room off on a side table. The King and the Queen Mother entered the room and He reached over and sealed the room. "The room is sealed, your Majesty."

She nodded, "Good! Speak freely!"

She went up and hugged Golden Sun more vigorously and held onto her. "Your parents and three other brothers were killed in part to gain the land to expand the Goldbar estate.

That was in those books. One other house was destroyed as well to eliminate the nearest competitor to Goldenbar. Houses Golden Sun, Strong Oak, and Silvertree will be receiving assets with the destruction of house Goldenbar which will be announced in a few weeks. Your request for a new name was denied. As funny and appropriate as it was."

Travious nodded to her. She looked at all of them, "Speak plainly and freely I had enough of the court 'Your Majesties' during my reign. I had to welcome you home myself."

Trilarna smiled, "Thank you for that and for getting me out of that mob of people. I am not quite used to going from a slave to the head of an Elven House in less than a day."

The Queen nodded, "No more talk of being a slave. I know it impacted you and our Knight Paladin will be taking measures to address the issue."

Travious looked at the Queen Mother, "Eventually."

She looked at him, "What?"

He walked over and had a seat, "We encountered an issue during her debrief. We believe the Champion is not human. The champion is a dragon. Kan Tri may be a half-dragon offspring with a shadow dragon. Not a part of the Dragon War Treaty. He never aged a day. Likely one of those rings or a regular ring of polymorph. He rides a dragon that absorbs light and avoids light. The other Warlord who is at war with him is an amusement. He could simply overrun his forces. They pose no serious threat. He has his troops scattered and seven ports. All major cities have massive armies. Five of which are major ports.