Silvertree Chronicles Bk. 07

He finally contacted Charlus back, "Can she cast a teleportation circle?"

He looked at her and she shook her head, "No she cannot. We will have to fix that for the future. Maybe get her an item."

He sighed, "The two of you to the palace."

Charlus sighed, "On our way."

He mounted up and removed an arrow from Shi'Kitor and healed him up. He heard, "Thanks."

He thought back, "Good work my friend."

He got them together and put his other ring on. Charlus sighed and pulled a crystal, "I have an idea. I am knocking."

Charlus heard, "Come in."

They went inside. "He took his horse inside. He called out, "Oliviran!" He came out.

Charlus looked at him, "You got a teleportation circle and teleport?"

He nodded, "Always."

Charlus looked at him, "You heard her kill a champion, heard the crack. Teleported him up to 60,000 feet and then teleported into the stable. To save the district. Consider it your first act as a Duke. Taking one for the team."

He looked at Charlus, "That actually happened?"

They nodded as Charlus continued, "I did it but I have to remain in the background."

He nodded, "Alright."

He hopped up and we went out. He looked at him, "Take us to the palace gate entrance."

He cast and took them there. They rode inside. Charlus took them to the front of the palace. The three of them walked in and the Queen saw them. They walked toward her audience chamber. They stood outside it as she came around and went inside. He followed her in with the other two. She looked at him, "I was told it was just the two of you."

He nodded, "In order to lower my exposure, my brother, the future Duke, heard the crack teleported him up to 60,000 feet and teleported into the stable.

The dying champion was going to attack Oliviran when the champion killed him not knowing he was a champion. They were using improved invisibility with necromancy rings. They did not release any of the half-dragons we took out, which was surprising.

Ginnar looked over, "Two did but they did not last long, black half-dragons and my bow ate them up. I put the orc ring back on the bodies."

Charlus nodded, "I worked the rooftop snipers. They worked the ones on the ground."

Queen Goldeagle nodded. "The truth. THE champion of Corellon Larethian killed the creature and I teleported it out and back into the barn. Called out 'Champion Down.' She came to me in the stable. We pulled him as a future member of the court who has the spells."

She nodded and looked at him, "You are sworn to secrecy and you will be rewarded for your service. Now that I know what happened. Who will describe it?"

Charlus looked at her, "As the one who was in an observer position that could see them and the enemy, I would say I can describe the scene to you twelve dead, one captured minus his arms. One of the ones from the roof. Officially thirteen dead. No mention of necromancy."

She nodded, "No mention of a prisoner he is one of the ones you killed. No mention of the necromancy. How many on the roofs?"

Charlus looked at her, "Three. Four in the barn six around the compound. Unofficially I killed four captured one and the champion killed eight. For this Oliviran killed two, I killed three along the roof, and the champion killed eight."

She sighed, "You keep it straight. What am I saying? With your mind, you will have it straight."

Charlus and his siblings chuckled at that comment. They followed her out of the room and went to the line. She looked at them, "There was a report of an explosion above the city. Who is going to explain this?"

Charlus looked at her, "Your Majesty, my sister the champion, and I came into the grounds. My brother was exiting the home when arrows started flying. Most were using improved invisibility. My brother and my horse followed my sister into the barn for cover and to take out the orcs firing from that location to task. I cast dimension door to the rooftops and took out snipers while invisible. After I finished off the third sniper, I could see the invisible one, my sword grants this ability.

I had given my glasses to my sister earlier after I had claimed the sword figuring, correctly, that she would need those. One approached my brother to kill him with improved invisibility. My sister shot a champion orc. Oliviran heard the crack, we discussed this afterward. He used a teleportation circle to take it up to 60,000 feet.

The edge of the barrier if you will. Then teleported himself back into the barn. He called out 'champion down' and we all converged on him to find out what was going on. We were under the cover of our stable at that point when the explosion occurred.

My brother killed 2, I killed 3 on the roofs, and the champion killed 8. All orcs. The bodies have already been gathered. Except for the one that exploded, Your Majesty."

There were some chuckles from the gallery. "All we did was work to defend our home."

She looked over, "Oliviran, take a knee. I hereby knight you for your quick thinking in saving the moon-elf district, yet another disaster after the last time your estate was destroyed before you were born. I am awarding medals of heroism to the 3 of you.

For your actions in defending your home and the city. She put medals around each of their necks. You may stand."

He stood up and there was clapping. She looked at them, "I would like a moment with you 3 in my chambers."

They followed her into the chambers and she sighed. "Thank you all for your service today. Each of your actions comes with a monetary reward. I will add this to your duke account so you can access it immediately."

He nodded, "Thank you, Your Majesty. Can I ask why he needs to keep a low profile?"

Charlus looked at the Queen, "May I, Your Majesty?"

She nodded. Charlus looked at him. "Part of my job is to remain in the shadows. To restart the Knights. The more I am up on the line out there, the worse I am doing. The sword was one thing. Being there for a 'diplomatic reason' would be something else. This attack was something completely different. We needed to divide out and water down what I did. Minimize what I did officially to keep from being seen as a threat as I work on father's legacy for the Knights."

He nodded, "Alright so this is for father's legacy. To get the Knights going again?"

Charlus nodded, "That is a very big part of it. I am also still in training here."

He nodded, "Alright, thank you for the explanation."

The Queen looked at Oliviran, "I would like to talk with your brother alone for a moment. He will meet you out front." The other two left. She sealed the room and sighed, "I do not like surprises but this did work to limit your exposure to this event. Quick thinking. I know with me in open court you cannot run this by me, but try and run it by your instructor first.

Unofficially, you are raised to a baron for saving the city and killing the second champion. Your instructor gave you clearance to engage. You had no way of knowing a champion was present but you handled it. For that, I am extremely grateful."

Charlus nodded to her, "I will try and do better about asking him in the future. I had other agents present. My trainer, the other agents, and my brother do not know of my status. I could not reveal it to them by asking for permission from the Spy Master. There are times when I look at these things and I feel it is right to just do it. To get back into the shadows easier and out of the light."

She nodded, "I can see your point in this case. I know you will work inside the boundaries when appropriate with who knows what."

Charlus bowed to her, "Of course, Your Majesty."

She walked over and hugged him, "You saved the district and killed two champions and officially it will not be known."

Charlus nodded, "Working in the shadows when possible and limiting my exposure is my goal."

She nodded, "Work on your enchanting project and stay out of trouble."

Charlus smiled, "I do not suffer fools easily, Your Majesty."

She chuckled, "With your mind, everyone might seems a fool."

He sighed, "I keep it in the context of what the norm should be, Your Majesty. I know with my mind I am a genius and at my age a prodigy in enchanting, yet I work to keep my combat skills more muted while still being a battlemage in your Diplomatic Service."

She smiled and nodded, "I understand what you are saying."

She unsealed the room and he followed her out and took everyone home. He stabled Shi'Kitor in the home but took him riding inside for a couple of hours a day around the area while working on his project every day. He practiced acrobatic dismounts as well, now that he had a horse to work from.

---

Seven months later and the expanded system was installed. No additional attacks came at the Silvertree home during that time, for which Charlus was extremely happy about.

---

The general in Dragon's Overwatch got on a Crystal to the Metallic council, "The elves have added the expansion of the system over their Kingdom. They now have a level of vision over their own lands that appears to be stronger than our own system, just focused."

Majisa sighed as she was in a Council Meeting and looked around, "He mentioned doing 3-dimensional displays in his work, he must have got that working. Any additional abilities being detected?"

The General sighed, "It is limited in scope, necromancy, transmutation, illusion, and a refined conjuration detection. They are using 22 diamonds and what was a 6-pointed star net now looks like a pair of three-dimensional interconnected crescent shapes at varying altitudes from 40,000 to 50,000 feet.

A very compact design to keep it within the confines of the elven lands. I now believe this child could not only build a system like ours but one that could be superior to ours if he built one for the world.

They are using higher-level encryption than what we use in our design. From the crystals put back into service from the former Silver Queen. She salvaged them from the original system and safeguarded them while the Kingdom was in limbo."

Majisa sighed, "He talked about building a 72-diamond world network if he had to do it for the Knights. What you are telling us, in your expert opinion, is he could not only do it but exceed our capability if he did so?"

The general sighed, "Our mythic enchanters would be interested in seeing what he has built to tell you the truth. If you can get eyes on the system it would allow me to answer that question with more certainty. But the short answer is yes, for most things. You mentioned he does not use any necromancy draconic spells.

There are things his system would still be blind too, but in all other areas, he could challenge us and from what you have given us of his profile and he is not even a full up enchanter. Very skilled in encryption though he is running those diamonds at full capacity, they are near relic status for the size."

The rest of the council looked at Majisa while she nodded, "I will see about getting a tour of the system. I would hope he is open to showing me what he built. He is wanting to connect into our global system for the Knights.

If he wants that level of detail, he might be able to aid us in expanding our capabilities as well. His ancestors were selected to train ours in recovering draconic magic after the return. He may look to expand that even more is what I am sensing is correct about this demonstration of his."

She pulled a crystal for Queen Goldeagle as she began to walk out of the building. She knew the rest of the council was concerned about Charlus and what he could do. They had seen her writeup on this elf.

Queen Goldeagle sent them a copy of his initial assessment in the name of sharing intelligence and his desire to restart the Knights being a goal of his. Queen Goldeagle felt it was relevant that they understood Charlus better.

---

They immediately got contacted to come to the conference room. Charlus looked at the crystal, "Your Majesty, would it help to bring them here to see what we have?"

She was quite a moment, "You come to the conference room and you can bring us there. I did tell you I wanted to see it when you added the additional capability. I think Queen Majisa would like to see what you have done as well."

Charlus smiled, "Yes, Your Majesty."

The Spy Master smiled, "Excellent work here and a great suggestion to alleviate their concerns."

Charlus teleported to the room and waited for the others to arrive. Finally, Majisa arrived with his uncles. Majisa looked at Charlus, "I sense great magic from you."

He pulled back his cloak and she looked at him, "You are the champion?!"

Charlus smiled, "My sister the infertile paladin is the champion. I hold the blade."

Majisa nodded, "The blade would reject her because of her fertility."

He nodded, "Yes. I can tell you two champions, the drow and orc champion, are off the field. I killed the drow. As I was not a champion it did not explode.

The champion killed the other next to my brother who cast the teleportation circle. He took them to the top of the barrier and then warned us inside the stable when he returned. Saving the Moon-elf district a major explosion with elven casualties. We lost 20 guards in the two attacks over 2 days.

With the new capability, we can pick up if they have invisibility, we will know how many are in the area and can direct the counter-attacks in our lands."

Queen Goldeagle walked in. Charlus bowed to her, "I was just bringing her up to date on the 2 dead champions and what we can do now. I suggested we might want to go to the room holding this equipment and you can see our operation for yourself."

Majisa smiled internally at him being so open about this. She looked at Queen Goldeagle, "I would like to see what he built."

The Queen smiled and nodded.

He pulled his crystal, "Wise one. I have a captive audience here."

He heard him chuckle, "You are set." He teleported them into the secure room. He sealed it off and they walked over to the three tables with 6 manned displays.

He pointed, "He is coordinating with a patrol to track an intruder with necromancy on it."

Majisa sat there and watched as it disappeared. The voice came back, "Ring captured and stored. Subject dead, we had an elven woman appearance over a hill giant."

Charlus walked over to the other two-dimensional display. With the controls, he took it down to the lower cave and she looked at it, "It just changed. Big change!"

Charlus nodded, "I think it is a dragon."

Queen Goldeagle looked shocked, "Below my city?!"

Charlus nodded. "Within a few miles of the Capital. That would be something we would request your assistance with Majisa to investigate. He moved to another location and she saw the same thing and looked shocked, "Two of them?"

Charlus nodded, "That one has a gate open." Majisa looked at it, "Any more of them?"

Charlus moved it around, "We picked up one north and one south of the city. The one is under Quatarsia inside a granite deposit. My theory is they could be gemstone dragons."

Majisa thought to the champion, "Neutral psionic dragons are here?! Just below the elven Kingdom. At a range, we cannot pick up. Gods more capable of a system is right!"

The Dragon Champion thought back, "The council will want to know about this. He is changing the landscape of where we need to be focusing our efforts to get this level of detail, Your Majesty."

Charlus showed her that one and she nodded, "I can almost make out the horn configuration. That looks like an Emerald Dragon. He took it to the one north of the city She looked at that one closer, "A sapphire if I had to guess. What would draw them here?"

Charlus smiled, "A tolerance for psionics and a congregation of psionics in the area. All of our horses included. They can listen in."

Majisa thought about that statement, "Of course that would draw them in like moths to a flame. Especially if the local society is tolerant of them. Many escaped to the planes instead of going to the homelands. Theorized anyway and now that looks to be a fact."

He went back to the smaller one with the gate. They watched it fill up about seventy percent. Majisa grabbed his arm and looked at him, "Looks like it was flying into the area! Might be a crystal. A gate to another plane. All of the gemstones can travel to another plane. Each is different."

He went over to a different image, "An underground stream. This big cave at the bottom concerns us the most."

Majisa looked at it, "Rotate it around." He did so and she watched. "Stop."

She looked and grabbed him to hold herself steady. Majisa looked at it, "Those are dragon eggs! The area is large enough for a mated pair!"

He sighed, "Pair of what?" They continued to rotate.

Queen Majisa grabbed his hand, smiled, and stopped him, "Amethyst dragons!"

Majisa's heart leaped at that as she thought of Amy. She had thought to be the last of them, they likely left for a while and waited to see what would happen after the return. Some might even be her children or grandchildren. They might know of others.

This revelation would be welcomed news from most of the council. Yet, it was found by this 'child.' She remembered the Silver Queen mentioning that she was told she would be humbled by what would happen before the return.

By what Jazzia could do and that was shelters. He had built the heart of the monitoring system she wanted to build. Yet it was elves who built it, one elf, Charlus.

Charlus looked at her, "You are the Queen and Queen Amy Tryst Silvertree died thinking she was the last. Your treaty with us covers them. Them being right under our city is concerning though. How do you wish to proceed?"

She sighed, "A mated pair will be very defensive. Smaller is better and better to not have non-dragons along."

She looked and pointed at the display, "These are the coordinates?"

He nodded, "Does our system meet with your approval?"

She looked at Charlus and could not contain her excitement, "It is wonderous. Your three-dimensional displays; mithril in a sphere?"

He nodded, "With a diamond altered to provide an even coating over the exterior like our two-dimensional displays. Might I suggest one elf to go with you, Your Majesty?"

She looked at Charlus, "Who, you?"

Charlus laughed, "No she is in our service. She is a descendant of and knew Amy Silvertree. I know her as Madam Mind and she works for the Queen's Diplomatic Service."

She looked over and nodded, "She and I alone. I can get us out."

Majisa thought to her champion, "He did it. Charlus built-in capabilities our system does not have to see that far underground. We don't even have these three-dimensional displays he created."

Majisa asked, "What spell did you use to create the 3-dimensional displays?"

Charlus nodded, "I researched and created an Elven Mythic spell to incorporate that. The diamonds are set at 3 different altitudes, 5,000 feet separation up and down from the mid-lines if you will. 40,000, 45,000, and 50,000 feet in elevation for this area. With separate 3-tier encryption in each direction.

I would look at 60,000 feet on the high end for a world system. Because they are getting data from different elevation points, the system is able to build a 3-dimensional representation. It also helps to have so many in such a confined space.

This goes back to the 72 for a worldwide system. We can see almost 10 miles below the surface now around our capital. 45 miles out from the edges of the diamond and 45 miles high in altitude. If anything came in from that high it would show up on the 3-dimensional displays as they monitor the entire area.

They can give a grid to the 2-dimensional displays with an altitude above or below that. They can develop that into targeted searches. To determine the threat, we might be facing. All in all, it is a bit of overkill for the elven Kingdom, but not for a world-wide system we would consider later if required.