Silvertree Chronicles Bk. 04

She nodded, "It is worth investigating."

Jazzia shook her head, "I will check it out on one of the smaller islands on an active one. If it goes down that is a problem."

She nodded, "That would be a flaw in the design."

Jazzia walked out, "Would like everyone back here. Vivia would you stand in the center of that white square please next to me." She nodded. Jazzia looked at the men and activated the briefing room defenses.

Jazzia then deactivated them and looked across. "I ever tell you to scatter in my home, that means to get into a white square only. The small black diamond-shaped ones will become spikes. In case a chromatic ever gets into my home. We encountered new rings." She proceeded to describe all of the known variants found thus far.

They shook their heads. The human copper sorceress smiled, "Well you got their attention."

Jazzia nodded, "They also have a champion dragon. Another shadow dragon. This one can go ethereal."

She heard them groan. Jazzia looked at them, "Follow me." They followed her out.

Jazzia opened the door to her old home. "Set access to all of those in this home currently. Add Grandaxxa, Traxxa, my cousin the Duchess, Vivia, and Wendia. Get some rest."

They nodded. Jazzia walked out and walked outside to the Keep. Jazzia went to the control room and removed wards She found there. "Get the Duchess for me." A man went off to get the duchess, "You had dragon wards in here."

She sighed. "I need a communication crystal, Contact the King. Let him know I need them to drop the teleportation shield on Queens Island. She got ahold of him and she nodded to Jazzia. "Drop the one here."

The guy dropped it and Jazzia teleported into the control room of Queens Island and removed wards from it. She threw a wall of force on the ceiling, "Drop the shield and restart it. All of it. They did so and it functioned.

She nodded, "Drop the Teleport blocker. When I leave here, turn it back on. Duchess coming back."

She heard, "Short trip."

Jazzia nodded, "Yes." She teleported back to the inn using a scroll. "Get some sleep."

She went into the home and the Countess was there with the 6 sorcerers. Jazzia looked at them, "Find a room in here tonight. Today's activity is classified. I am sure you have been told that." They nodded.

The Countess looked at Jazzia, "The King was very adamant about it. General Goldeagle is at a loss. The King is going to ensure he is not impacted by the event. Cover it under the giving funds to the crown activity you started."

Jazzia smiled and nodded, "She died in an assassination attempt?"

She nodded, "Something to that effect."

Jazzia looked at her and Staria, "No issue with a wall of force. Cut right through it. As though the wall was not even there. Both casting one and restarting it."

The Countess looked at Jazzia, "Restarted what?"

Jazzia smiled, "A shield."

She watched those two have a private conversation mentally.

Staria looked at the Silver Queen, "Jazzia put together that you came and found me to get me into bed after getting the report from Grandaxxa. I did not comment but she could tell I was embarrassed about being caught.

She stated now you have someone else's bed to worry about other than hers. She wants to build two dragon shiels to act as a sphere for catching the land in the return. One up and one down. She tested it would not be impacted by a wall of force."

She heard the Silver Queen groan in her head, "I guess I deserve that after giving her a hard time about her sex life after she became infertile. I lost my life-mate but still have sex and she knows it. Now I am the hypocrite and she knows that too."

Jazzia thought to her, "As I said, I keep a lot of your secrets. I said nothing out loud about your sex life. I have given you enough to stay out of mine now."

---

Jazzia sat and waited sitting on the slowly repairing table. The Countess merely nodded to her and did not respond. She finally looked at Jazzia, "Very clever idea for the shields. It is designed to block it going in and out. The item is a diamond and is not likely to break from this land hitting it.

Jazzia threw 6 big diamond fragments on the table. "From the phylactery. They have the right gold piece value?"

She nodded, "Some are twice the value."

Jazzia looked at her, "Did you decide on my helping with the shelters here? Also, did you enjoy the report on my evening with Grandaxxa?"

They both blushed to confirm to her that those two were lovers, but made no mention of that fact. Just wanted them on the record that Jazzia could handle her own affairs after that.

The Countess smiled, "You proved you can handle yourself and him. I will leave it alone, as you suspected. We will work your efforts into the existing shelters here, it is a good idea and you were given those talents for a reason. I am working on loosening my reins on the half-dragon population...some. Not completely, but some as you had made a valid argument."

Jazzia nodded, "I will start with the exterior of the one holding my dragon children. First thing tomorrow. I need to sleep. Something tells me, you 2 do as well."

They both blushed again before leaving.

The countess commented, "You had a busy day after that busy night.."

Jazzia went into her room and stripped out of her armor and chuckled to herself. she laid on the bed and was out. She was once again at the falls, "The lich was an accomplishment we did not see at this point. Like your father you are getting ahead of the curve."

Jazzia nodded, "I am debating if that is good or bad. It did not turn out so good for my father."

She sighed, "I know you regret him not being there for you. Both of your parents. Your ideas for the return are causing permutations. We had not planned or foreseen that particular solution."

Jazzia nodded, "I want to get through this fucking breastfeeding stage. My chest wanting to explode every few hours is frustrating."

She nodded, "It is a burden. This new champion has Bahamut worried."

Jazzia shook her head, "I am not worried. I can deal with ethereal. I have the spells to join him and kill him there. You told me the dragon's return is my priority. Is that changing?"

She sighed, "We have not decided yet. It is too early for you to go after the Draco-lich. Your chipping away at his resources will likely cause him to come to you."

She nodded, "Which is why I need to get past this breastfeeding stage. Then remain over the dragon homeland until they return. Do you have any other tasks for me to take care of right now?"

She shook her head, "We have not decided on changing your direction. Start on your project. Get some rest Champion you are doing very well. Stay on task."

She awoke with two ladies curled up next to her. Grandaxxa was not here. Jazzia looked at them, "Where is Grandaxxa?"

Wendia looked at her, "Aerial maneuvers, he took yesterday off after the pounding we gave him."

Jazzia chuckled, nodded, and kissed them both, "Wendia I may need your help watching the babies today. I may need to borrow Vivia today."

She nodded, "Understand. Your ideas were interesting."

Jazzia nodded, "They are actually based on old defenses used on that island, combined with what Vivia wanted to do. The goddess approves as well. They are not redirecting me because of this champion. The land returning is still the priority."

She got her armor on and went back to take it off and feed the children with two extra sets of hands, "Vivia get Staria please."

They finished feeding the kids when Staria returned. "I was thinking we need a physical structure to work from. We take one of the gems and we create a small dome over an area to have a tower built. At the quarry. Can we put all the controls on one surface? Set them for upper and lower?"

Staria nodded, "That can be done."

Jazzia sighed, "We should. We do that with the reefs. We need to build it. Fly it. Then teleport it to the site without being seen. The only thing I have seen that blocks out divination completely is the stones we use to secure rooms or homes.."

Staria sighed, "Except for draconic listening wards. They will act like another shield and have a chance to fail, but they could hear it if they get them inside. We will have to keep it secured and cleared daily if needed."

Jazzia nodded, "Right, things to keep in mind. We also have to build all of the structures and we need four enchanters minimum. Working in pairs. Vivia has worked with Golden Moon. They could work the controls while we work the other two. We also need to bring in all of the Shadow Riders for our 'secret mission out in the Far East.' Can you think of the name of an ancient but lost artifact?"

She sighed, "How powerful?"

Jazzia smiled, "Evil dragon drool-worthy?"

She chuckled, "I can think of a few but if you are talking supposedly movable. The Dread Staff of Carrok. That would be at the top of this list. If you are talking a holy artifact then Trastsar's Prism. Said to be able to light up like another sun in the right person's hands. Something a Shadow Dragon would hate and would want to corrupt."

Jazzia nodded, "Then the prism it is. A decoy object to get leaked to the enemy. They will want to keep me alive long enough to locate it, kill me, and then take it to build more dragons of bone. You need to copy in the defense spells. I want the two I talked with you about incorporated into each design. You can do it with a mythic. Like I did this one. But I want the spikes six inches apart in a twenty by twenty-foot entranceway with the blade sliding along the outer wall and across the portal.

With 'Active/deactivate welcome home defenses.' To activate them all. If the spikes did not kill him, losing his head will."

Staria nodded, "That is brutal."

Jazzia nodded, "That is why we will restrict who can use it. Initially Traxxa, myself, and you. You give me the design and I can build my guys and make two of them permanent a day. I will have the four done in two days. The entranceway force walls included if I use scrolls. I need to study spells and go. I have that one home today. Keep all talk of that in this home. The Countess can come here and talk about it."

Staria nodded, "Sounds good. But why don't we take an existing watchtower? We can shrink it and expand the teleport to get it into place after we shrink it down."

Staria looked at Vivia who nodded, "Would work we would just need to enchant all of the lower levels tower blocks to fly. It would have to be one person who did that aspect." She smiled.

Jazzia groaned, "Fine but be safe and have Traxxxa and Grandaxxa watch your back. Have them empty the tower. We would need to clear it of wards then look to make it invisible. To the humans on the shores who might be spies."

She nodded, "We get it to fly and we bring it inside of the dome and finish enchanting it. We can build the surface and set up the controls for the pre-enchanting phase. Will also save us time when we move it."

They went and finished studying and set the spells they needed. Jazzia grabbed all the sorcerers and took them to the old home and set them up to have access controls. "You're in hiding moving around the world to find an artifact. Enjoy the downtime." Staria cast up the new shelter design She wanted. It had the same layout as her home but the addition of the wall and spot on the floor for the spikes.

Jazzia nodded, "That is it. I can make this adjustment based upon my current home and leave the briefing room in it as well with the security at the entrance only."

Staria nodded, "Very clever addition given who is hunting you."

Jazzia went over and god locked the one portal. They walked into the home that took in her 6 dragon children. "We just locked the outer shelter in place. If anything happens to Staria then it will survive. Your vault is another matter. It will be shunted into your home wherever you have it."

She nodded, "What would we have to do to get that done?"

Jazzia smiled, "Wait and ask me on my next visit. Then show me where the entrance is. It does not give me access, I just lock in the permanency."

She nodded, "Next visit them. Thank you for taking care of our home first."

Jazzia smiled, "Thank the Countess for finally agreeing that when Bahamut gives me access to draconic magic that there is a purpose behind it."

She chuckled then looked at Jazzia, "Bahamut is helping you?"

Jazzia nodded, "That is how we have 6 dragon children. There was a fight brewing between the Gods and what to do with the children. They were split because I finally got them to listen to me. I told them if I had no say in my life then it was not worth living.

I had the spells to undo the lock the Countess put on me. Would have killed myself and the children if I had. He wanted to turn me into a full dragon. Needless to say, my Gods were not pleased by him wanting to steal the elven champion.

They came to an agreement because of where I was at. An alliance using me to bridge the gap. I am working toward the same goal in going after the chromatics. I am just doing it for all of them and getting the direction with one voice."

She nodded, "Those are very special hatchlings then?"

Jazzia nodded, "All of them are special. Including yours. You are doing the part that needs to be done. Continuation of your species."

She smiled as they walked out. They got outside, "I was surprised she did not know given the circumstances. I was obviously allowed to address it with her given her involvement."

Staria sighed, "I was not consulted on the matter."

Jazzia smiled as she knew she was aware but not allowed an opinion. They went to the lower level and out to the stable. She got mounted up and went out to the training ground. Grandaxxa came in with Traxxa. Traxxa looked at her, "We had a human show up today at the border. Claiming to be a lancer who wants to join us."

Jazzia shook her head, "Where is he." He pointed to the man running up the road. Jazzia looked at him, "Play along force my hand to try him out."

She looked at Grandaxxa, "I see you made it into a saddle today. Will have to work harder next time."

Traxxa laughed at her for that comment. Grandaxxa rode up and kissed her. Jazzia turned to Traxxa, "Yarla needs to be given that idea, I am sure a big strapping gold half-dragon champion could handle two wives turning the tables on him."

Traxxa glared but said nothing. He knew she would likely say something to them if he commented.

Grandaxxa smiled. Jazzia looked at the man, "The first thing you need to do is strip!"

He stopped, "Why?"

Jazzia looked at him, "Invisible tracking and listening wards. We have had people coming in with them. Draconic in nature. They place them on the body or objects."

He looked at Jazzia, "I don't strip in front of women I do not know."

Jazzia pointed to Grandaxxa, "My husband. If you are not capable of this then you will have a hard time with any unit here. Sometimes daily checks are done to ferret them out. How much aerial combat experience do you have?"

He shook his head, "I am used to land-based lance work."

Jazzia looked at him, "Where is your lance?"

He looked at her, "I thought they would be provided. My army unit kept them."

Jazzia nodded and looked at Traxxa, "You know I do not have time for this. I know you would like to get someone on that red we picked up the other day but it might be best if you have three or four candidates before we do that. Especially having some who are not hung up on simply getting naked."

Traxxa shook his head, "If he wants his shot, he will strip down else he can wait until we have others to evaluate for the one slot."

Jazzia looked at the Countess, "Why don't you check him out and get rid of him. I could always do this upon my return."

Traxxa sighed, "You, going to comply, or are you going to wait until she gets time to return again,? It could be weeks or months."

The man took off his clothes and armor and was covered in them.

Jazzia thought to the Countess, "Start removing them but leave a few listening runes. I want to make a statement and then you can get rid of it."

She started dispelling. She sent Jazzia a message, "6 runes left."

Jazzia sighed, "They finally told me where they have my men headed. To find an artifact. A prism of all things. Trastsar's Prism. I find an obscure reference in the Silvertree library and they want me to go and fetch it. I secured the book of course. Something for this upcoming conflict."

She thought to her, "That was it."

She looked at Traxxa, "You put the saddle on I will fly him myself first and see if he has what it takes before putting him on the red."

Traxxa nodded, "She looked at the guy, "Do not bother getting dressed for this. Easier to clean the saddle than all of your clothes."

She turned her mount and jumped down, "Give me space." Her mount moved off and she changed into a huge silver dragon.

She turned toward him and roared to see what he would do. He pissed himself. She looked at him, "My point exactly. In the air you will have dragons swiping at you, roaring at you and trying to roast you, electrocute you, or freeze you."

Traxxa finished getting the saddle on. "Your job is to stay in the saddle. Mine is to show you what aerial combat is like. You got a feather falling item?"

He shook his head, "Well you better get one. You got one to loan him Traxxa or are you running short again?"

He looked at Jazzia, "I have one."

He tossed the man a ring and he put it on quickly. Jazzia looked at him, "Remember, stay in that saddle. Those stirrups are different, they will lock your feet into place to keep you from falling out of it."

She looked at Traxxa, "Give him a practice lance."

He tossed the man a lance and he was 7 shades whiter. She took them straight up once he had his grip. She rolled them at about 5,000 feet.

She thought to the Countess, "Test out his pathetic lancing skills. Play target for us."

She heard her laugh and she joined them in the air. Jazia looked out, "She is our target. You hit her with the lance and I do the flying."

She dove toward her spinning the whole way down and he was screaming his head off.

She got him into striking distance and he had dropped the lance and was holding on with both hands. She pulled them back.

She saw the lance on the ground, "I am going down so you can get that lance you dropped." Jazzia flew down toward the road at full speed rolled over so his head was inches from the ground and they flew by the lance and he made no move to get it. She went straight back up into the air. "You have no lance talent, do you?"

She kept climbing straight up. "Answer me! You were sent here as a spy, right? A sacrifice? You sure as hell are no rider and that ring is not feather fall. As soon as I change shape, you will be a wet spot on the ground!"

He made no sound. She changed forms and then back again. Getting out of the saddle and he went falling. She was right the ring was not feather fall. She flew down beside him, "You got anything to say before you are a bad bloodstain on the road?"

He screamed, "Yes, I was sent here to die!"

She flew away then came back and grabbed him.

She hovered and dropped him on the ground and changed back. She drew her sword on him. "Spy sent to die. Traxxa the prisoner is yours. Husband, gather his gear and wash that saddle. I need another shower after that ride."

They chuckled because he pissed and shit himself all over her back as well. She mounted up and went back to the inn. She went upstairs back into the house.

Vivia looked at her and smiled. Then she saw the mess, "What did you do?"

Jazzia smiled, "Scared the shit out of a spy in the air. Took him on a ride that emptied him out. If the saddle did not lock his legs in, he would have fallen on the take-off. I had him ride naked after the Countess removed like 70 runes. All except 6 so I could plant the artifact into the misdirection. Then she removed those 6. Now I need a shower to get his shit off of me."