Silvertree Chronicles Bk. 06

He nodded, "As several already know. Especially in Quatarsia, I should mention to the court. You already know that I am the Champion of Corellon Larethian. I had held that secret for over 30 years until I was revealed by the Dragon Champion to you. It is early but the situation demanded action. I had nobody respecting my direction on matters without putting that fact out in front of them. Issues with my age, of course, Your Majesty."

She sighed and nodded, "I have a medal here for exemplary service to the Dwarven Kingdom in identifying this problem and helping to mitigate it so it was not a total disaster. Two others from the dragons. One for heroism and another for the service you provided them in mitigating this problem.

Then there is your diving off of a dragon into an ash cloud to find and rescue hundreds of Wild-elves, reminding me that we were ripe for an attack with this crisis going on, and ensuring they did not gain an inch of ground. Then killing a black dragon and saving the Wild elves a second time with special attention to a small boy from what I hear from other clerics.

Some may wonder what you have been doing in your spare time. From what I gathered from your mother, you are reading, learning, and crafting wands and scrolls. Hundreds of wands. Which you gave them away freely to let the clerics tend to the wounded. That is four more medals, two more for heroism, one for tactical excellence, and another for your humanitarian efforts as the humans would call it.

I read history too and the Kingdom in Grand Falls had a medal named after Eldar's Father. The Silvertree medal for service to the Elven people. Which is what we will now call that last medal. As no other house has come close to doing that than your own House over the last couple of centuries of my reign when champions are on the field. Take a knee."

Serius took a knee. "I am knighting you into my court for your continued efforts. I know you have a hereditary title waiting for you to become of age. You are Knight Champion Serius Silvertree. Champion of Corellon Larethian. Before anyone asks, I have seen the proof of that. As he stated, he was made known to me by a Champion of our dragon allies. You may rise."

Serius stood and everyone started clapping and she could see this still upset him. She held up a hand. "I would like to remind the court. All who hold titles, those titles are associated with service to the Kingdom. I would like to see more involvement from the court in things troubling this Kingdom.

I got a large dose of that trying to coordinate humanitarian, rescue, evacuations, and military activity by myself from dragon lands. It felt good to be that active in working to mitigate a disaster. Also tiring as I was sending others into danger. Including our champion who is not even an adult yet."

Serius nodded to her, "Eldar's Daughter was 40 when she entered the battlefield. The Gods accelerated her growth to give her the body of an adult. She still only spent 40 actual years training to face that combat. My father did similar activities before he was an adult, Your Majesty."

She nodded, "Yes. You are correct. When our adult population is not doing enough our young step in and fill the holes to have a future. The point I wanted to stress is I would like to see others where you are at, for a real cause. Before you return to that spot, Knight Champion. Let others help to shoulder the burdens coming.

Given the imminent attack that occurred during this tragedy, I am putting everyone on notice. If you hold a title it is a privilege that comes with continued service. Get with the city guard, the Royal Guard, the Duchy security forces, and the Army.

Become active instructors at the academy or churches providing services. Find a way to serve our greater communities. I would like to see the Knight Champion in private. My War Room."

He bowed to her. She left in a hurry with a twelve-guard escort detail which was twice her normal in the Palace. He followed at a distance trying to pull pieces together. He reached the top of the stairs and a hand was on his shoulder. Serius heard her voice again, "I need you to get me into this meeting."

Serius looked at the Solar and nodded, "I think that would be best. You can add the pieces I am missing."

Serius got to the door and grabbed her hand.

Serius looked at the guards, "She is with me and the Queen will understand."

They simply nodded and he walked into the conference room holding her hand as Majisa quickly sealed the room off. The Queen turned and looked then put her glasses on and her eyes went big. She sighed, "I really need to wear these glasses more often."

Serius nodded, "You could consider getting yourself enchanted with the spells always on so you do not have to wear them. It is expensive and takes time but it could work for you if you keep forgetting, Your Majesty."

She nodded. "I will consider it. Who is she?"

Serius smiled, "I know she is a Solar in the Service of the Lady of Dreams. Beyond that, I have no name for her except Mithiana Zintar (Beautiful perfection)."

The ladies giggled. The dwarven King put on his glasses and looked sideways, "No beard."

The ladies laughed at him. Serius looked at the Queen, "You might want to conduct your question for her out here. I doubt she would be very comfortable in the shelter."

She chuckled, "You know a lot about my kind?"

Serius smiled, "I know that extradimensional spaces can be crossed into by gods. I do not know if Solars have that ability as all plane access is cut off inside of them."

She nodded, "I will be alright in this one. You would not allow me to be trapped in there. I do appreciate your concern."

He opened the door and they walked in. The Queen made her announcement, "I am considering us at war again. Speak freely."

She pulled up the map to the appropriate area. She sighed, "We believe the drow could breach into the southern duchy in weeks if not days. The hole is filling in so they are working very quickly to build up shafts to the surface.

Serius nodded, "Here is your answer. Send in a dozen casters on elven warhorses. We take down the force wall that was put in place years ago and destroy the outer layer of hardened lava with disintegration.

This will cause the lava in this field to pour into that hole 10 times faster at least. The volcano over here will lower down to more reasonable heights and the ash cloud should drop off. It is a win-win to the current crisis for the wild elves as well.

The drow will be forced to flee or burn. Given how fast they sent their last champion after my father! They would be in the same boat as I am in. Unless she chose an adult champion in which case, they have an advantage. At least a perceived advantage. This does mean that the lava fields will cool off and potentially dry up at some point. The ground would be treacherous to walk upon for cave-ins but a couple of earthquake spells could fix that.

Which we would want to do anyway to get the hardened stuff moving into this river of lava to fill in the hole faster. That means that we could have a passable area into giant, orc, and ogre lands. That could take thirty years or longer to be viable. The drow are the threat we see, the force over the land bridge is the threat we are facing.

Now our new friend needs to inform us about the threat that is the bigger problem. She would only be here if the outer planes were involved. I know of only one Solar who fell and was banished by Corellon Larethian. Is this what we are facing?"

She smiled, "Not that we know. But someone trying to impress him might be another matter. I tracked that Tiefling until it returned to the abyss."

Majisa looked at her, "Should it not have gone to the hells?"

Serius shook his head, "No. Some devils followed this Solar out of the hells into the abyss. The land of the Yogoloth, if my memory is working well."

The Solar nodded, "You are correct. Please do not call out his name, even in here. I was not aware you were so well versed in the planes."

Serius smiled and then chuckled. The Queen asked him, "What is so funny."

Serius looked up, "My years in virtual prison gave me time to read through 1,400 years' worth of books. Including three on dwarven geology, several on the outer plains, the history of our religions, the war with Loth, and the one Solar who backed her."

The Queen looked at Serius, "That's what was funny?"

He smiled and shook his head, "I had a conversation with the Lady of Dreams about her and her beauty. When she asked the question, my mind went into my adolescent thoughts. Where else would you expect to find such heavenly beauties."

The ladies laughed and the dwarven King chuckled at him.

Serius smiled, "Back to you, the reason for joining us today? Also, how was it the Guard Captain did not see the Tiefling or you?"

She nodded, "Some higher power disrupted the magic in the glasses temporarily. The Lady and Corellon Larethian sensed the disruption. She sent me and asked me to keep you out of the middle of it. Knowing your eyes would reveal the truth."

He nodded, "Then you are a Peace Bringer. Because of the outer planes' direct involvement with us, you came."

She smiled, "She told me you were smart and special."

Serius chuckled, "Compliments will get you everywhere."

The ladies chuckled and the Queen sighed, "You still have several years to go before that."

Serius nodded, "Which is why I need to be in contact, but move away from here, for a while. Something I was trying to do when I kept getting tracked down. I still have the communication crystal that you gave my house. If you want, I will keep it and you can get another to Brima. I am going to look to move off with the wild elves. Get more of their land reclaimed by altering the storms for a few more days.

Then I will visit Majisa. See the alternate sites they found for a base of operation. Work on coordinating with her on getting that setup. Any spies will be looking for me in the Elven Kingdom. I can change forms with this ring. Unless they have true seeing. I trust I have proven I can handle my own security, Your Majesty?"

She nodded, "Yes, did you have anything to add to this discussion?"

Serius looked over the map. "We got a black dragon into elven lands while I was here. They are looking for the sword-bearer and they were looking in Quatarsia. That means they have spies. Those who turned are one thing. Those who can be seen by true seeing is another. The Duchy needs to have a supply of those glasses sent to them. Also, some of my uncles could walk through there. The human lands that have been strangely quiet through all of this."

She nodded, "The New Queen is trying to decide if supporting our efforts are worth it."

Serius sighed, "Time she got a wake-up call on the realities of the world around her. If she wants to try and move her people to the other side of the land bridge and make peace with them then more power to her. I should pay her a visit as well."

The Queen chuckled, "You do not have any diplomatic status as of yet."

Serius nodded, "But if I get into her court as a human, a knight, and I see something wrong and take care of it in one form or another then that would be something. When was the last time my uncles visited?"

Majisa sighed, "Not since the war. When would you want to go?"

He thought, "Tomorrow. After I get the next series of storms going over Wild Elf lands."

Varus'Nor chuckled, "The ugly human Keep."

Serius continued, "I would like a couple of pairs of those glasses. We have a stop to make before going to their Human Keep."

The Queen chuckled, "It is their Palace."

Serius looked at her, "It is a Keep with a Queen in it. It is too small and grotesque to be a palace. An image of it came into my mind from Varus'Nor."

She chuckled, "Do not call it an 'ugly Keep' to them."

Serius nodded, "That I will TRY not to do, Your Majesty."

She shook her head and stepped out. The Dwarven King looked at him, "I thought your sword had a different name?"

Serius nodded, "It did, the Gods gave it a new name and added a special purpose. Faith Unlost is a good name for a sword on a Cleric."

He chuckled, "That it would be."

Serius walked out of the room and the Solar followed. The Queen walked over and handed him a tube, "Your paperwork. Where are you going to now?"

Serius nodded, "To Silvertree Estates. I have not been back since my big escape."

She nodded. "Try to stay out of trouble."

Serius bowed to her and left. The Solar disappeared. He got to his horse and got out of the place district and teleported to the front of House Silvertree. His mother was kissing a male elf and he was not happy.

Serius rode over and dismounted. He looked at Serius, "Hello, you are Brima's son?"

Serius looked at him, "Yes, and you are going to hand me that book."

He looked at Brima and Serius told him again, "Books do not leave the Silvertree library. Ever. Besides you are not going to find anything useful in it."

He looked at Serius, "How do you know what I am looking for?"

Serius smiled, "That is one of three books in that library cataloging necromancy spells. You have no need for it. If you wish to research that you can get access through the Academy restricted magic section. It will be recorded by the royal family of course. That book contains no spells."

He looked at Serius, "You know what is in this book?"

Serius smiled, "I know every book in the library. I cannot recall them the way Eldar Silvertreee did but I know enough. This is not a fight you want to take on right now. I can pull a crystal and have the Queen direct us to the palace and she can decide the matter."

He looked at Brima who looked livid, "Why are you being this way?"

Serius ignored her, "You will return the book now."

He chuckled, "You have no standing child."

Serius thought, "Varus'Nor left hand Moon Fire ON!"

He was staring down the end of his sword. He thought, "Turn spell turning on."

Serius looked at him, "I am a Knight in the elven court as of an hour ago. I am the heir to this house, as a Duke. I have more standing than you know as I am also the Champion of Corellon Larethian. Announced in open court by me just over an hour ago."

He backed up a few steps.

Varus'Nor alerted, "DANGER!"

Then he cast disintegrate at Serius and it turned back on him and his screams faded as he fell to dust.

Brima screamed at me, "YOU JUST KILLED THE MAN I LOVED!"

Serius looked at her, "He threw the spell. He was also the man talking with a Tiefling in the throne room. You do remember that conversation with the Queen?!"

She looked at Serius, "I thought you had figured out who I was seeing?!"

Serius shook his head, "No. Unlike you, I am honest about what I say to the Queen and especially my family. Did you mention to him that the Queen was going to go through his financial records?"

She sighed, "I might have mentioned it."

He pulled out the Crystal, "Your Majesty?"

Serius got nothing. He tried continuously for an hour before she finally responded, "Something wrong?"

Serius sighed, "The head of House Gold Sword is dead in the courtyard of House Silvertree. He threw a disintegration at me which was turned on him by spell turning, Your Majesty."

Serius heard Queen Goldeagle groan, "Did you threaten him?"

Serius smiled, "I had him at sword point trying to get him to hand over a book on necromancy he had from the Silvertree library. He kept refusing to do so. He stepped back a few steps and then tried to kill me. I never swung my sword. He could have teleported out, dimension doored away, or simply gave me the book. I am sure he was hoping to get to the other two volumes at some point.

I identified who and what I am, title, and role as called out in court. That was when he attacked. He saw me as simply a child before that. Brima is standing here. She may have mentioned that you were going to look into his house records, Your Majesty."

Serius heard the Queen Goldeagle groan, "Why?"

Serius looked at the crystal, "If I had to guess he is the father of Brima's unborn child. Or the Tiefling. Regardless she thought I was trying to discredit the man she loved not believing I would be totally truthful with her. I did not know who the father was until I saw him here. Even that can now be in question."

Brima turned white. "I need a cleric for the Lady of Dreams. Also, some royal guards here to gather his belongings. I will keep this book for now. I told him he was making a mistake as it was useless to him. He did not know that the book contained no spells.

I told him it did not, but he refused to listen. Only a description of what to look for and ways to counteract the spells. Very useful to a cleric. Useless to an arcane trying to learn necromancy."

He looked at Brima, "Anything you wish to add?"

She shook her head, "Serius did not attack, just drew a weapon and repeated his request for the book, Your Majesty."

The Queen sighed, "Collect his belongings and return to the palace. I will have a Cleric here."

Serius picked up his belongings and stored them in a normal bag. Serius looked at Brima, "Get your horse."

She nodded and walked off crying. Serius walked over and the guards let him inside. Serius went to the library and made sure nobody was inside. He walked out. "Seal library to all but me until my seventy-fifth birthday."

Zirra looked at him, "What are you doing?"

Serius looked at her, "Brima's lover is dead after trying to disintegrate me. She let him try and take a book on necromancy from it. I stopped him. He cast a disintegrate spell at me and killed himself. I never even swung my blade. Just let him know I was a knight and a champion and he was going nowhere with that book."

Serius turned and walked out. She looked at him, "Where are you going?"

He yelled back, "To the palace at the Queen's direction. Keep the home secure."

Serius mounted up and started riding toward the palace. Serius thought to Regin, "Best possible speed to the district boundary."

They rode through the streets and he knew Brima would be far behind him. Once he got into the palace district, He teleported them in front of the palace. he walked inside and turned to the Guard Captain, "I need a copy of the paperwork one would use to start a new house."

He went into his office and handed it to him.

Serius looked over to see the Queen approaching with a woman from House Gold Sword.

He looked at her, "You are the patron's wife?"

She nodded, "You are the one who killed my husband?"

Serius shook his head, "I am the Champion of Corellon Larethian. I have a contingency that puts spell turning up. He cast a disintegration at me. It rebounded. As it is divine in nature it is almost always effective." She looked white. "Was he looking to marry another? For a child?"

She laughed, "No. I would have killed him. Besides, he has been infertile for years and he knows it. I would have killed the woman as well."

Serius looked at the Queen, "In accordance with the law I recommend this be treated as a patron-on-patron attack until you rule on the nuances of the issues, Your Majesty."

The patron's wife looked at Serius, "You are the patron?"

Serius looked at her, "I am a knight of the court and the heir to house Silvertree. I will be Duke Silvertree. My mother is a duchess by marriage and one of four who oversees the house. By your own admission if she were pregnant with his child you would look to kill her.

That is a concerning statement given what has already happened as well. As such, there is a gray area and both houses should be placed under house arrest until such time as the Queen rules on the matter."

The Queen nodded, "No one person is holding the title to your house. Your father's wives are duchesses by marriage but this could be viewed as an attack on the heir to keep him from taking over House Silvertree. Your response is also a concern. The court will need to investigate this further.