Silvertree Chronicles Bk. 06

He nodded, "Good idea. We need to know who controlled things at the city shields and the palace gates."

He called out, "Open portal." He walked back to the Queen and King. He looked at them, "This one says he knows everything. You want him interrogated or just killed, Your Majesty?"

She smiled, "I want answers."

Serius sat back and listened to this elf pontificate everything under the sun down to his own detailed involvement.

Serius looked at him, "What are you hoping to get for your cooperation?"

He looked at Serius, "To be set free."

Serius chuckled, "That is not happening. By going after Strong Oak, you have a patron on patron attack which you are a part of now. Let alone me as the heir to my house. Then there is the kidnapping of the King and Queen. An armed insurrection of all things."

The Queen looked over, "Take him to the dungeon Grand Master Silvertree. Moon Ray go with her and have your mother follow. Sorry, you had to bring her along."

Serius looked at her and whispered, "Strong Oak may still need your assistance."

She nodded and they walked off. He sat down. She shook her head and looked at Serius, "Rescued me, my husband, my unborn son, delivered my son, got reinforcements here, got them to drop the shield, and saved the Duke. Killed several yourself. I do not know what to think."

Serius sighed, "There is more. There are 15+ necromancers and 80-100 or so undead in shelter 12. They will rot inside there as I shut off food and locked out access controls. Controls in all three lower-level control shelters were all destroyed.

We secured the other 11. It plays into what he said. House Goldleaf is in trouble as are several houses that those guards came from, your Majesty. I will point out I was here first thing this morning. They knew I was coming. I am uninjured. I can take care of myself and do not need to be locked away."

She nodded, "One of my guards in the room must have been one of the ones taken to the dungeon. My order for you still stands, more so because of what we just learned."

Serius sighed, "I hope so, else he is on the loose and pissed at me, Your Majesty."

She sighed, "I need to go to my secure shelter to be with my children. I will give this some thought. You stay out of sight and secure in the meantime. I want two of the Guard Captains you mentioned brought up to my secure shelter. One inside and one outside. Behind the wall of course with teleport blocked."

Serius nodded and walked over and handed her the clothes she had worn. "The blankets will disappear going out of here."

She nodded. He took the baby out and pulled another one of his shirts out and wrapped him up in it.

He picked him up and handed him to the Queen as she came out. He sighed, "I almost forgot to apologize for the whole weapon and spells in your throne room, Your Majesty."

She chuckled and shook her head. They walked her up. He waited for the Guard Captain to enter and he held his arm, "Wall up." It went up. Serius looked at him, "You wait here in case she has a request. Do not even ask me who's authority, it is hers. She made her wishes known and as you see I can control the security in here."

He nodded. Serius stepped out to the other one, "You got your second to find and ensure that nobody frees any of the prisoners."

He nodded. They went downstairs and out. Serius went out and found their dead horses. They pulled the tack.

Serius sighed, "They did not hesitate to kill the horses."

Brima nodded. She got the guards to open access and she teleported them home with gear in hand. She nodded and he locked it down and went inside. Three days later and they got contacted to return to the palace.

They teleported to the palace district entrance and then to the front of the palace. They walked inside and were waved forward. Serius stood on the line.

The Queen shook her head, "Like your father you are a force of nature. Rescued me and my family, delivered my son, brought an end to a major conspiracy to bring down the Kingdom, House Strong Oak, and yourself. You have a title waiting for you to become an adult. I know money does not drive you. Regardless, you have a major reward coming from these houses who were involved in this plot."

He nodded, "As you know the terms of the will means those funds should go directly to the main trust. I would ask that a billion gold pieces moved in alongside the money my father set aside for that special project provision you are planning on looking into in the next 10-100+ years. Also, half of that money be Split. Half going toward improving your security forces.

The other half to eliminate all debt for all houses who have nothing but debt. With the remainder being divided across the smallest, in monetary terms, 2,000+ minor houses in the kingdom with 100,000 gold pieces going to each one if the money is available, your Majesty."

She nodded, "Granted. You still added a significant amount to your family trust."

Serius shook his head, "No, Your Majesty. I did nothing other than what I was supposed to do as a wielder of this blade. Keep the promise to the people and protect the royal family. The trust grew because of other houses throwing away their existence for greed, pride, and power, Your Majesty."

She nodded, "I see your point. Please take a knee."

Serius did as she asked and she draped three medals over his neck, "One for heroism, one for service to the royal family, and another for service to the Kingdom. You may stand."

Serius stood and they clapped for him and she could tell he was not happy about something. She held out another medal.

Serius took a step back. That surprised her, "I am sorry your Majesty, but I recognize the medal in your hand."

She nodded, "The Silverleaf medal for a lifetime of achievement for your father."

He nodded, "He was the champion, not I. It should be presented to one of his wives, Your Majesty. They oversee the house right now."

She smiled and waved Brima forward, "For your husband's service in protecting our kingdom, all of our allied kingdoms in the last war. It should have been awarded sooner and Serius is right. The monetary fund for this will be divided between the four wives."

Brima nodded, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Everyone clapped for his father. He still looked sullen. The Queen looked around, "I am going to have a private mid-day meal with Brima and Serius. They waited for her to walk out and followed her to her Audience Chamber. They walked in and the door closed, "She looked at Serius, "Speak freely. What is bothering you?"

He sighed, "My father once questioned if the elven people were worth saving. That thought crossed into my mind after watching and thinking about the houses that needlessly destroyed themselves for gold. Pleading ignorance while working an insurrection.

I cannot turn around and say, 'What in the fuck is wrong with you? You allowed this to happen and now stand there with your titles and clap? You should be doing something to prevent this fucking activity, not patting each other on the back for 'making it' into the inner circle of royal society!'

So many small houses are drowning in debt accrued by their ancestors, NOT them. I put them back on an even keel and let them reclaim their hereditary house titles hoping some of them will do better. They would be hard-pressed to do any worse!"

The Queen was taken aback by his 'speaking freely.' Finally, she sat down and thought about it. She nodded, "I can see why this upset you."

Serius shook his head, "It infuriated me. I could sit here and bet the contents of my family trust on the flip of a coin until it is lost. My family is in debt for that stupidity.

How many houses have that happened too? Silver Flute was so in debt that Zirra was in servitude due to it. My father saved her and set her brother up with a fresh start. With me erasing all of the debt now would be a perfect time for you to implement a new law.

A law to keep anyone from trying to collect on a debt from someone who did not agree to that debt. No parents having their children being born into that debt. The debt the child never accrued or agreed too. Parents borrowing against there children's future its tantamount to slavery!"

The Queen looked at Serius, "I will consider it. I need to run it by my economic advisor to get a better understanding of how prolific this problem is. It is not something I have had to deal with in my court before. Your father added that issue for his family in his will. One of the sections you unlocked in fact. A part that I am not allowed to read to your family until you turn seventy-four."

He sighed, "My apologies but seeing them act one way and supporting corruption on the other hand bothered me. How many of them hold that debt?!"

She smiled, "You are not the only one bothered by it."

He bowed and turned to leave and she called out, "Wait, we still have a mid-day meal coming."

He looked at her, "I am not hungry at the moment. I have been locked up for days with more to follow appears and I need to go to the enchanter's district to pick up more supplies."

She sighed and nodded, "I still want you secured." Brima went to follow him. He held up a hand, "Alone, please. I need a respite from my jailer."

She sighed and nodded. "Please stop calling me that." He looked over, "I am not allowed to call the Queen that and you started it years ago. Giving the name to activities you started." She walked back to eat with the Queen when the food arrived.

He walked out and toward the throne room. He noticed a figure with small bat-like wings talking with a noble. His true seeing revealed him. He had no danger sense from it but he went to investigate. He was grabbed by both arms and told, "Do not turn just yet. Stay back. Far away and watch what happens."

He tried to turn his head but the woman behind him moved her hands to the side of his face and made him watch what was going on. She whispered, "He is a Tiefling. Sowing chaos in the court. You try and out him and he will focus on your house and your family."

He thought, "Lady of Dreams, some guidance if you would." He heard the woman behind him sigh, "I am here on her behalf. While not always evil their presence is disturbing."

She walked him away and he could finally see her standing there with pale blue topaz eyes, silver skin, and feathered wings. She had the form of a gold-elf dressed in noble attire. She put her fingers to his lips and walked into the court.

The Tiefling saw her and walked away quickly. She followed. He looked at the elven man he talked with and saw the symbol for house Golden Sword. He went back toward the Queen's Audience chamber and the Guard let him back in. The Queen and Brima were surprised to see him. He waited for the door to close. He looked at the Queen, "Seal and secure the room please."

She opened her desk and activated the crystals, "What is wrong?"

He started to speak and found it hard, "You had a Tiefling in your court."

Queen Goldeagle looked at him, "Did you attack?"

He shook his head, "He left when the Solar entered the room. The Solar followed him out. She stopped me from interfering in the talk he was having with the Patron, I believe he is the Patron, of house Golden Sword based on the cloak pin. I do not know what was said but the Solar told me he was sowing chaos in your court. Not evil, per se, but she said the Lady of Dreams sent her to stop me from interfering. I thought you should know."

She nodded, "Planar creatures inside the court are unprecedented that I know of."

He nodded, "Makes me more concerned for the future."

Brima asked, "What color topaz?"

He looked at her, "Pale blue, with silver hair and skin, and a human body to die for with feathered wings. Roughly 9 feet tall from my true sight that saw them both. Does that describe her well enough?"

Brima nodded, "Yes it does."

He looked over, "I should get going now."

She unsealed the room. He walked out of the palace and walked out of the palace district glad to be under real sunlight. He picked up another years' worth of supplies and teleported home. The guards let him inside. He went to the room he set up for a workshop and unpacked. Zirra stopped in to see all the materials he brought in. She shook her head. "That is a lot of wands and parchment."

He walked over. He pulled out 300 wands and 2 books filled with scrolls that he had already done.

She sighed, "I know you feel like you are a prisoner."

Serius looked over and cut her off, "I am a prisoner, just fucking admit it already!"

He tossed her his ring for his armor, "See if you can add my alter-self functions to that ring. Not like I am going anywhere."

She nodded, "Three forms?"

He shook his head, "No let me select the form at will. I can change my attire and such as well that way. Gives you something to d besides stare at me all day long."

She nodded, "I will get right on this. I have nothing to do but work with the other enchanters on their different projects. You need help?"

Serius shook his head, "More to just kill off prison time. They cannot do the divine ones anyway. Why was I made a cleric but my skills are being locked away from those who might need them."

Zirra did not answer his question, "Getting late in the day to start something."

He sighed, "Sleep is overrated. I come of age and I will likely leave the kingdom altogether."

She ignored his outburst and sighed, "Food is not."

He got up and walked downstairs and got some fruit, cheese, and water and took it back up to his workshop. She sighed as he left. She thought to herself, "He does not know the danger he is in."

He called it a night eight hours later and was at the falls again sitting with his feet in the water.

He heard the approach because she wanted him to. He waited for her to speak. She sighed, "Not acknowledging me now?"

Serius looked at her, "Sorry. Lady of Dreams I assumed you wished to talk at me about something."

She smiled, "You mean to you."

He shrugged.

She looked at Serius, "Other gods have taken an interest in you. They have since the Knight Paladin. They have watched us put a member of your family into a champion role on many occasions and excel. The Solar you met today fuels your dreams."

He simply nodded. She finally sat next to me, "She liked your eyes."

He nodded again. She looked at Serius, "Not talking verbally?"

He sighed, "No, I have years to go in this prison before I will be of any use. I am left to assume that was your plan for me."

She placed her hand on his knee, "You know you could never marry her, right?" She did not want to address the other question. Leaving him to think about that issue.

Serius nodded, "I know. I figure human wives would be better. They will not mourn me for centuries."

She looked at him, "The reverse is not true."

He shrugged, "In recent history, the eldest Silvertree lived for a little over 500 years. Most died within years of getting the sword. Less than a century is normal for the blade wielder of this house. A few have made it to 105. Almost in my father's case. I have little hope in making it to 80, given that the outer planes are involved."

She smiled, "While we are on the subject what would you look for in an elven wife."

He looked at her, "Nothing. Maybe an elf-blooded or human, dragon, or that Solar. The Solar and Dragon would not be in it for marriage though. Even with my uncle John and the Knight Paladin being married to one. I don't want them mourning me for centuries though, so marriage is not even something worth considering."

He looked at her, "You have thrown two likely candidates my way. The one my half-brother wrecked with his cock and a cousin whose errant shot was meant for us to meet. Tell me I am wrong?"

She sighed, "I had not expected you to go off on your half-brother like that but you did have a valid point." She decided to drop the marriage talk for now.

He nodded, "Dodging the questions I see. You know in my downtime I talk with Varus'Nor about what Gods do and don't do. You staying out of my love life is a big one."

She chuckled, "Your father's influence."

Serius shook his head, "Varus'Nor's influence. My father is dead, remember?"

She sighed, "You have time yet."

He nodded, "Nothing but time and imprisonment."

She looked at him, "It is for the best."

Serius looked at her, "This is where I say with all due respect. I said talking at me for a reason. All everyone does unless bodies are flying and I have to help to save people. Else they want me locked in a cage, even you, it seems. Why bother having champion if you are only going to lock them away?"

She ignored his statement and smiled, "Time to start your day."

He awoke and did his prayers. He switched around a few spells and set about crafting.

He did that for another 6 months and Zirra finally brought him his ring back. He tried it on and changed down to a dwarf, then a halfling, then a human, then the image of the Solar. She gasped when she saw that form. He switched back to himself with violet eyes. She looked at him, "That is what the Solar looked like?"

He nodded, "The one I saw in an elven size, instead of being 9 feet tall. I memorized every square inch of her face. I left off the wings because I did not see them stretched out."

He sat back down and finished up the scroll he was working on writing. He went down and ate for once with the ladies but said nothing.

Finally, Brima looked at him, "I leave again day after tomorrow. Will be gone for a couple of weeks."

He nodded, "Good you are so noisy around here it is hard to concentrate on counting the dust particles as they fall."

She glared at him, "I am still your mother."

Serius looked at her, "You mean jailer. I bet you even have the guards set to not let me out of here." She did not answer which was his answer. He walked off and went to the falls. He pulled his saddle, bridle, and horse blanket. He took them up to his room. Brima looked at him, "You are not going anywhere."

He glared at her, "Does not stop me from making any repairs or polishing it up now does it!?"

He walked away with her fuming at him. He did just that as he fumed at her. He fixed a few small holes in the blanket. He stepped out and went into his shop next door and Brima looked at him, "What are you doing now?"

He sighed, "Starting another enchantment project. I might shit first and scratch my balls while I am at it. I take a shower are you going to want to inspect me to ensure I did not injure myself? I think a few wands of invisibility are in order now."

She sighed and groaned out as she slammed the door shut. He went in and packed up his supplies. He thought long and hard and picked up those bags and moved them back to his other room without drawing her attention.

He sealed his room with his own crystals she did not know he had. He went to sleep.

He awoke at the falls again. He sighed. She looked at Serius as he took a knee, "Rise champion. I know what you are planning."

He nodded, "I know you do. The ancient texts say you were imprisoned once. If that is true, you can relate to my circumstances."

She sighed, "You are not a god."

Serius nodded, "True, just a champion of one."

She chuckled at that, "Good luck champion."

He woke and unsecured his room to find the main room had been secured. He got all of his gear on and his spells ready. He pulled his sword and started cutting through the door. She teleported in and he dimension doored out and then down to the where Zirra had turned it back on again. Serius picked it up and walked with it. She undid the lockout and his mother came out screaming, "You are not doing this!"

He deactivated the teleport blocker and dimensioned doored to the other side and turned it on.