Silvertree Chronicles Bk. 04

Jazzia sighed, "They have their will, their will shall be done."

The Countess looked at Jazzia, "In your brief history with this a champion was chosen. He bore two heroes if not more. The one who took up the blade bore the next champion. Because he died before you were born you took up the blade and became the next champion. Your children are born and there will be one or more heroes. One will take up the blade and like your father the next champion but die before the child is born."

The Lady of Dreams appeared. "Remain seated. We ask that none of this information leaves this room. Let people speculate. No talking of this once you leave here. Even Bahamut is in agreement with us on this matter. No adding information to your journals on this discussion. Your sword is not even hearing this discussion."

Jazzia looked at her, "There is truth in what she says then. Nobody should know too much about their own destiny."

The lady nodded, "You understand. I have no insight into Bahamut's future plans but you should be honored that he took notice of you. A non-dragon. Eldar once commented he was happy that the dragons could not make him a dragon.

This was in regards to the praise and promotions he was receiving so rapidly. He did not have the patience of a dragon. He did not need it. He needed to be able to act. Quick and decisively. The King is allowed to say that Bahamut took an interest in our champion.

On the night of her wedding gifted her with new talents. This caused her to give birth a month later to 6 elven children and made her infertile. The 6 dragons are not to be mentioned to anyone not involved. They will be revealed at a later date I am sure.

Those that know of them have already been blocked from discussing them with others. They will carry the Silvertree name for the one generation, but it will be a secret like all dragon names.

If another champion comes from that line we will likely never know. We started choosing a champion at conception after Eldar. The second champion is a Moon Blade wielder. He did not find out until he did what Eldar did and added a magical amulet that bound into his holy symbol.

He was drawn to worship Vandria even though he is a Paladin of her father. He has 3 holy symbols fused into him including mine. Only my husband's symbol is visible, for now. Like Eldar, he has 6 wives because of the same amulet he donned that day.

An Elven version anyway and not another draconic version from your royal vault! One that was destined for a metallic dragon champion at some point in the future! Bahamut informed us of this because of the underlying issues in our final agreement. That is not known or to be discussed in the elven community.

Too many dragons know it already in the Dragon community including Amy and any living chromatic potentially. In both cases, the amulets were given to the champion by the wives, in this case, the first wife as a gift before he was informed of being a champion. Not knowing the effect, it would have on him. We found the similarities amusing; it won't carry into the progeny the way it did in Eldar's children.

In Eldar's case, it even influenced those not born yet, but still in the womb, because of his prowess with his wives. Because Eldar's was a draconic version of that amulet meant for a dragon champion, not elves, and his dormant dragon blood enhanced it and his genetics beyond what we could have anticipated.

That second champion is Knight Paladin Dusk Moon. He married the champion's sister on the first earlier that same day or her wedding. His identity is to be kept secret for now. But now the King knows who he is and how the champion figured it out.

A house with one living heir that your father helped to regrow. Some talk about the houses he destroyed. Some do not realize the houses he saved and created. Like Tri-Moon. Or the fund he helped to establish for new houses to be formed.

His ingenuity to get the blades back from the dragons was unexpected and led to saving Strong Oak. Strengthening Moon Ray. Reestablishing a level of respect for the other blade wielders' houses, such as Goldeagle."

She looked at Jazzia, "All of your chosen children's names are embroidered on their blankets. Their classes will be known when they start manifesting powers in twelve to fifteen years. All 6 have some type of caster component or two. The King has to get you down for a public ceremony of sorts.

The champion is likely to make an easy request for you at that time. Maybe even more. Though the second one will be a shock to a lot of them. Melia set up the 12 accounts for your children. Six of those are not associated with Silvertree for her 6 Dragon offspring."

The Countess looked at her, "She is giving them money?"

She nodded, "Yes, those 6 have 2 million in gold set aside for them to start their hordes with."

Jazzia looked at the Countess, "I felt that urge to horde while pregnant with them. I wanted to give them all a good start at that."

The Countess nodded, "An elven trait to give it to them. Dragon's normally get it through prowess, combat, and deeds. It is acceptable in this situation."

Jazzia did not like her tone, "My father giving funds to his half-dragon children as part of his will...did you voice these same objections or is it just with mine because they are fully dragon. Remember the town name is Quatarsia."

The countess sighed, "I never raised an issue with inheritances with the half-dragons. I can see why you would do this for your culture. It is just unorthodox, then again so is an elf giving birth to dragons. You are right, we are living in your town which is about Tolerance."

The Lady of Dreams continued, "She set up a million each to the other 6 available to them once they have completed their academy training or seventy years of age.

Whichever comes first. I will leave her will's plans a mystery until it is read. Champion your sight can pick up other magical auras but you have to choose to look for them. That will be a part of the gift to the sword if that remains your choice in the future.

Bahamut has also granted your request for your 6 dragon children. They were born with this new true sight vision. It will carry on with their children. Making them all desired mates."

The Countess nodded, "Yes it will. Thank you for that champion."

The Lady of Dreams smiled, "You may try to resume relations with your husband."

She then disappeared. Jazzia looked at the King, "What is this ceremony?"

The King smiled, "My throne room in 10 minutes."

He got up and walked out of the shelter. Jazzia looked at the Countess, "The only thing she said that concerns me is I could try to resume relations. Have you said something or barred him from having relations with me?"

She sighed, "I will remove the restriction. It was within my right as his Queen to protect you. At least until we got direction."

Jazzia nodded, "You are not his Queen, his mother's Queen yes. He is half-elven and falls under Traxxa! Please keep that straight. When war strikes your battles come first for them, as outlined in the treaty. I have read it and you signed it based upon my father's work in that effort. I do listen to how they put things and I know these agreements."

Everyone chuckled. Her sister the Queen walked out toward the throne room. Leaving her with the Countess.

Jazzia walked up to her, "I will push his boundaries in bed. I am not fully elven and I need to know what will work and what will not. Then I will set them in regards to myself. I regenerate and I have a cleric wife as well. I am infertile now so it is not a danger to breeding."

She nodded, "You have the warnings. You have your reasons for seeing what has changed with you. I will not stop him."

Jazzia shook her head, "In regards to me let him know I am in charge in the bedroom. Not you. I know you are always going to try and exert control over the half-dragons, but you need to remember the agreements."

She laughed and nodded. They walked to the throne room which had a much larger audience than anticipated for a normal day. Her cousin the Duchess, Uncle John, and all of the Silvertree leadership were in place. There were a lot of gasps as they saw the changes she had undergone, for the first time. She walked straight up to the line as the King motioned her forward.

He looked at her, "Our champion's appearance has changed. Even for a dragon-blooded sorceress. Let me address this first. On the first of Septa her birthday and wedding day she took command of the Shadow Riders. She immediately started changing their tactics. That evening she married an elf-blooded half-dragon named Graxxa Silverbar. In keeping with Moon Blade tradition, she and her children will keep the Silvertree name. Take a knee."

She knelt in front of him, "You are now Countess Silvertree. This would have been done on the day after your wedding as the new commander of the Shadow Riders. She also stopped an invasion of dragons and identified a new threat, rescued one of our enchanters, and several other things I cannot say in open court.

Not only for the elven people but for our allies as well. I took notice. As did the Dwarven King and Human Queen. I have been told by the Lady of Dreams that the Dragon God Bahamut took an unexpected interest in our champion. On the night of her wedding, upon the conception of her children, he gifted her with new talents.

This caused her to give birth a month later to 6 elven children and made her infertile. This is why she has not been seen in the last month. I understand that some of those new talents were tested today. She took those in the unit who were struggling with the new tactics and went against our top dragon rider and the Queen of the Silver Dragons.

Those new tactics soundly beat them. She is changing the role of the Shadow Riders and how she put it 'Giving the bait teeth.' She is a force of nature. I also am awarding you these three medals. One from the human Queen. The Silvertree Medal in Service to Excellence to the Kingdom. The Dwarven medal of heroism, and the Elven Medal for heroism and tactical acuity. Please rise, Countess."

She stood and the room erupted in applause. Jazzia stood there and waited for it to die down. She looked at the King, "Thank you, Your Majesty. There were 3 other matters I wanted to discuss. First, we are still looking for talented casters and arcane archers to fill out our ranks. Last report I got we still had 50 open slots.

Second and the first of my requests. I wish to address the award of heroism. I wish to petition the court to create a new one that is awarded upon death to the family. An award for a lifetime of heroic achievements. I am not asking for this for the Champions or my Grandfather who was the hero to secure the forge the first time. You may choose to award it to them at your discretion.

However, I think the first receipt, and who the award should be named after, should be Jarron Silverleaf. The Jarron Silverleaf award of heroic achievement over a lifetime. He should be the first recipient. For those who do not know. He dedicated his life to this Kingdom. He was the Elven General of the Knights for centuries.

The success of Eldar and every champion and hero in my family would not have occurred without his support and efforts. Including stepping out of retirement to fix the regional general issues. He reworked the treaty with our allies in the Far East. After my father found the corruption and slavery that was occurring.

My father dealt with it in the Paladin way. He left the diplomacy aspects of fixing that to Jarron. He left it to Jarron to correct the issues with regional generals and got him the vetted crews needed to establish our military capability that still exists today in the Deep Sea, Your Majesty."

The King smiled at her, "The goddess was right. That is an easy request to grant. Things he did for this Kingdom may never be known but he had a long life of heroic achievement. I will get started on that right away. You had other items?"

Jazzia nodded, "Yes, Your Majesty. While I have the elders of House Silvertree here, I want them to know this. I have set up my children's monetary inheritance already.

It is a small fraction of the money I have. I want a full 25% to be set aside of what remains for death benefits for any Shadow Rider that falls in battle to go to their heirs if they have them. Each rider will be entitled to 100,000 gold pieces if they die while riding with me. When I die the balance of that account is to be distributed to those who died while in my service. Including any who die the day my life ends.

I want to give to the Kingdom a full 50% of my holdings. This is to go to outfitting our troops for the upcoming war. Also, death benefits if the funds allow for it once the war is over. I say that last part because I would like the rest of House Silvertree adults, particularly the elders, and those who hold titles, to follow suit. Now before you ask let me tell you what drove my decision.

Two things have occurred to me recently. While undergoing this change I felt the need to horde the way all Dragons do. Even going so far as requesting all of my personal gear be brought to me. While this was going on, I was locked into a dragon form. The children were growing so fast it was the safest means to ensure their survival.

The Dragon Queen was able to lock my form while this occurred. Going through two years of pregnancy in a month was an undertaking I would wish on nobody. I was constantly sleeping or eating vast quantities of food. The other was a Silvertree Duke who was punished accordingly for embezzlement. The funds were restored.

My blade Journal, the one kept since Eldar talks about money and greed. He was not seeking wealth; the money was a means to an end. He even gave the Kingdom Billions in gold for the last war or fines that came to him. I want this to serve as a reminder to my house and to every house.

Money is a means of getting a job done. To seek it just to keep holding more and more leads to greed and corruption. That was the third item, Your Majesty. I have set the standard and I hope they will follow suit."

The King nodded, "Thank you champion. I think a review of my own house finances might be in order as well. I would hope other house leaders would listen to these words. I know why you said them here now. You may go."

She bowed, "Thank you, Your Majesty. I need to get back and feed six children before my chest explodes."

That drew some laughter. She looked back and saw the Duchess and Traxxa nodding to her.

She teleported straight out of the throne room to the main gate. She stepped out and teleported to just outside of town.

Jazzia walked to the inn. She was soon joined by Traxxa who caught up with her and the Duchess. He looked at Jazzia, "Bold move on the family assets. But a sturdy reminder. After the Goldbar incident, the family was flooded with money. With that came what we saw happen with our cousin.

The elders were all in agreement with the example you set. I will be setting the same thing up for my Dragon Riders. As will our cousin the Duchess for the Gray Blades and protection forces."

The Duchess nodded, "We have had death benefits with the exception of when my brother terminated them for 2 weeks. I ensured they were reinstated and the 2 who died during that time got them. Did you know you were the directed champion even before you were conceived?"

Jazzia nodded to her, "It was in the journal. Also the letter I got the day I took up the blade. The will of the Gods. Mine has the order by which each child should be given the option by name. That is how the goddess knew which names I wanted for all of the children. Jarrus, Eldrius, Tranolas, Sharlus, Maliam, and Darnal. Named after Jarron, Eldar, and the first 4 elven men who watched his back. Including Doc. I believe he is the only male alive, while Eagle-eye is the only female alive from those days."

The Duchess looked at her, "What is Eagle-eye's real name?"

Jazzia smiled, "Sharia. From the journal. Why?"

She looked at her, "I am expecting a girl and needed a name for her. I will work with it."

Jazzia smiled, "That brings you to 13 children?"

She shook her head, "No 14."

They both laughed at her. She just smiled and then frowned, "Mother told me when I was looking to get married to keep my family name.

She was concerned about my brother's outlook on things. My husband agreed of course because I had him by the balls. My first one anyway. His death hit me hard. The second one agreed but this marriage was more of a partnership. She wanted to ensure my brother was watched. That was why we caught the embezzlement.

It is hard to do that to a family member but your own twin brother broke another piece of my heart. Mother's concerns were founded. I was wondering what I was going to do. To keep that from happening with my children."

Jazzia changed the subject and looked at Traxxa, "Well we knew she got plenty of practice but given her Mother, it was not a surprise. We now have a better understanding as to why."

They all chuckled. She stopped at the door to the church, "Would you let Doc know I would like to see him in my home by the falls. Speaking of families, he has 40 children?"

The Duchess looked at Jazzia, "Had 47. Lost 9 in conflict around the world. 3 with the blades. The other 6 with the army or the Knights."

They walked into the inn and to her home. She saw Grandaxxa.

Jazzia grabbed him by the neck and kissed him. Biting his lower lip. She looked at him, "Your ass is mine tonight. Your restrictions; ALL of them, have been removed in my case. I am in charge when it comes to the two of us and what I will allow.

We have a wedding night to finish. This one-shot and done does not work for me. We will see what we can do."

She grabbed him by the balls, "You better be up for it."

He kissed her back. He went to put a hand on her breast and she smacked it away. "Those are off-limits right now. I got six children to feed and they are on the verge of exploding."

They laughed at her as she went back to the falls. She had kept them in cribs out here with the other six.

They were moved while she was out as planned. She sat in the rocker after stripping the top of my armor off and picked up two of them at random and started feeding them. She looked at the embroidery. She had Tranolas and Sharlus. Not a minute later and Doc walked in and turned red, "I heard you needed me?"

Jazzia nodded, "The goddess added the names to the children's blankets for me. I wanted you to see it first."

He looked surprised, "Why me?"

Jazzia smiled, "Come and read the names on the two I am feeding."

He walked forward and his eyebrows went up. Jazzia pointed with her head to the other four. He stood there smiling. "You named them after our group. When Eldar joined Charlie right out of the Academy. Plus, one for Jarron."

She nodded, "The next likely blade wielder. I listed out the names in my will but I wanted the goddess to identify the best order. She selected the six candidates. I wanted the top candidate to get the top name. As divination was cut off on them only she could align the information."

He stood there looking at the babies and shook his head. She went over and handed him two towels and the two children She had in her hands. She looked at him, "You can burp them after I feed them. Pull up a chair."

He chuckled and took care of that while She fed the next two. Followed by the next two. Jazzia sighed when it was done, "Trips to the city need to be shorter than that next time."

Doc chuckled, "What did the King do?"

She handed him the scroll and the medals that were with armor top. Doc read through it with the awards associated with them. He shook his head. "All on the first day of being an adult."