Silvertree Chronicles Bk. 07

Majisa shook her head, "That is not good. Giants rarely have a champion. That could explain the mountain fortresses. They probably belong to storm giants. That many coming after us is strange. They are generally good giants."

Charlus shook his head, "They were all aligned to head for elven territory. Even the one coming from your direction was headed toward us and just skirted you."

Majisa sighed, "About time to ask the Gods what is going on. When can the champion get here?"

Charlus pulled out a crystal, "What has Bahumut told your champion on this matter? Sister, how soon could you get to the palace?"

She sighed, "I could get someone to jump me out there but I have my horse."

Charlus smiled, "It would not be the first time a horse was brought to the fourth floor. I have mine as well."

Queen Goldeagle nodded, "True."

Majisa sighed, "Bahamut is not as forthcoming in what is going on as your Gods have been. He is more hands-off generally unless he wants specific dragon actions."

Ginnar arrived and hopped down and the other lady and her horse left. He looked at her, "She has been here before."

Ginnar nodded, "Yes, she has."

He held Trilia in front of him and she smiled, "Planning a marriage?"

He nodded, "Asked her this morning."

Ginnar smiled, "Where are the other 7?"

He smiled, "Not all Silvertree's are that way."

She laughed, "Nothing on my horizons or calendar."

Charlus nodded, "Understand. It would be tough for you to find 7 or 8 to deal with your love life. I will just have to make up for you. Found out my brother the Duke is infertile today."

She nodded, "And into guys."

Charlus shook his head, "I guess I was the last to know."

Queen Goldeagle laughed, "We were the last to know."

Charlus looked at the two Queens. Queen Majisa looked at Ginnar, "Have the Gods spoken with you about the giant champions. Those might be storm giant fortresses."

She shook her head. He looked at her, "Try and ask. That was in the journal, remember."

She tried to ask and got nothing. He thought, "Did she do something wrong?"

The Lady of Dreams knew she had to address it now and Corellon would not like the answer.

Charlus heard, "Yes, she has to atone for her actions. End the relationship or marry the woman who left. We have not pulled her powers yet but I have stopped communicating with her until she takes action."

He walked into the shelter and thought, "The Dragon Queen will know if I am the one answering. Do we know what is going on with the giants?"

He heard, "They have been told you have one of theirs that has been imprisoned by us. The holder of a sacred relic to them."

He thought, "Do we?"

She sighed, "No, the one they are looking for is dead, the chromatic dragons killed him, experimented on his corpse. The necromancers who knew the process to make Draco-liches are long dead. They are crawling with other races and this artifact. He is a giant skeleton in the desert plains off to the far west. In a town called Trolok."

He thought, "Any way to inform their gods so they can inform their people they are being used?"

Charlus heard, "No this problem falls to you as your sister has to atone first."

Charlus thought back, "What about Bahamut and his champion, this is at least partially dragon business if they are working on Draco-lich research. You told me to never reveal myself to them. You cannot simply give her the answer?!"

He heard back, "Bahamut is not that hands-on and the attacks are aimed at us. The problem is yours to deal with for now, until your sister fixes the issue. Being exposed is...unfortunate."

He sighed, "I got an answer."

Queen Goldeagle looked at him in surprise and then Majisa looked at Charlus, "You are a champion?!"

Charlus looked at her, "I was not when you asked me before I got the sword. I did not become one until I took up the sword. You were never supposed to know. Unfortunately, my sister here has to atone for having sex with that pretty thing that left."

Ginnar turned red, "I did not think I let her go too far. We are both still virgins."

He looked at her, "Nothing with genitalia Knight Paladin. I am the champion to Corellon Larethian and she is the champion to Vandria Gilmadrith once she atones and either gets married or ends the relationship with her. You will need to see a cleric about atonement."

She groaned, "She is against marriage so that means ending...whatever it is."

Charlus nodded, "You will have to get resolution on that first and then atone. As to the giants they are a problem. They believe we have one of theirs imprisoned. Also, a relic sacred to them."

He turned to Majisa and his anger started to show, "The chromatic dragons have it. Your champion should have been informed in my opinion. They turned him into a giant skeleton in the far west in a town called Trolok.

Killed by the dragons they are helping of course. They do not have the necromancers to create Draco-liches so they are starting on storm giants. Crawling at the moment. Draco-lich research...dragon business, right?

It has always been that way in the past, right or wrong. Now anytime Draco-lich surfaces it better be elven and dragon business if you cannot get your own God and champion to address the issue for your own kind."

Majisa sighed and thought, "I wish I knew what Bahumut's thoughts on this were."

The Dragon Champion sighed and thought, "He did not answer my request, but given what Charlus just said...we have to consider he is right when it comes to Draco-liches in the future. If we like it or not. That might be his point in this matter, without being direct."

Charlus looked at Queen Goldeagle, "We need to get in contact with them. We need to get one outside so I can send him a magical message. Let him know they hear psionics so we could not use that to any dragons onboard.

Majisa sighed, "How?"

Charlus groaned, "We use psionics to lure him out to ask what he wants. Then send him a magical message of what our Gods told us about the situation. That we have not had contact with storm giants since long before the return of the dragon kingdom. Over 8,500 years if my memory serves me. We have been under constant attack from the force they are aligned with.

The forces that killed and experimented on this 'friend's corpse' with the relic they are searching for. Ask them to look at a map for the last 2,000 years and when we would have contacted him. We have not expanded beyond this area. Our enemy is the dragons with them. Not storm giants, you have not reported storm giants as a threat to us and you have the global aspect of the system to try and make those determinations."

Majisa shrugged, "We cannot watch the entire world. Even dragon gods cannot see what dragon gods are doing. That likely means your gods got this information from the giants in those mountains. It is worth a try at least."

Charlus looked at Majisa, "Or from Bahamut as it involves non-champion dragons. He might have told them. We can speculate all day on the source. Can you take my wanton sister back to our end of the land bridge?

She can get started on what she needs to do to get right with the Gods. Hard for her to keep the heat off of me if she is having this issue. I will take my lady home to actually meet my family and get spells together and then fly out. Will let him know I am with the Queens Diplomatic Service."

Majisa nodded, "2 in one family."

Charlus looked at her, "3, counting yours. For the second time with the dragons."

Majisa signed and nodded, "True."

---

Majisa left with Ginnar and dropped her off and then returned to Dragon lands.

She went to their council chamber as the other arrived, now a council of 10 with the neutrals. They had a small contingency and only three voting members.

She looked across at them and spoke mentally to the head of their group, a very old crystal dragon known as 'Sanity' who knew and helped to train John Silvertree, and who had been searching for that perfect mind.

She glared as she knew they would all hear this as she sealed the room to keep others out, "Charlus Silvertree is the champion to Corellon Larethian and has a mind like Eldar's. His sister is the champion of Vandria Gilmadrith.

He became one the day he picked up the sword. The Elven Gods put two champions into that house this time. The woman he is looking to marry is the daughter of a Psion who works for the elven Queen, the one known as Madam Mind. I believe she is a Psion as well. Madam Mind was the one who helped to get you to return to us.

Those children they have, or down the line could be the one you are looking for. The key to that perfect mind. Ginnar is in trouble with the gods and this forced Charlus to expose who he was to me. She has to atone for some action she took. I wanted you aware as you continue that life long pursuit you have been looking for."

He responded in kind, "I will offer to train when the time comes to any of the Silvertree Psions we find. Amy believed they were the key and she married John until he passed. They had a lot of female Psion children that went into other families.

Including this one with Madam Mind, Moyra Moon Ray who descends from both Annette and Amy through Annette's son John. She is a very strong elven psion, likely stronger than John was at her age."

Majisa nodded, "The Knight Paladin who rose while you were gone had a Psion daughter gestalt who married into the Moon Bow Family and she had 7 daughters who were Psion or Psion gestalts of one form or another.

They all married into 7 other houses including one who married into a gold-elf house known as Morning Glow. The elven people had Annette, Melia, and Amy who all seeded Psion genetics into multiple houses."

Sanity looked over, "Right now, there are over 5,400 elven Psions of one form or another in that Kingdom descending from Eldar or the Silvertree line from those three women. Some day one or more of those will marry into the Silvertree line again and again.

My best bet of finding that mind is in this community. The genetics are there, they are just not together yet. I will be monitoring them all for centuries. Thank you for informing us. We know psionic communication with him is dangerous based upon your champion's reaction."

Majisa looked over and spoke, "You missed all the half-dragon children including my own. Jazzia picked up psionic telepathy and all heirs in the family today descended from her and her father. The father of those children with her was a silver half-dragon.

Then she was transitioned by Bahamut and gained that ability herself. He wanted her for his champion and instead, she became a champion for 2 gods, Bahamut to a lesser extent. She was a force of nature in bringing the larger conflict to a close rapidly. There is a Base Psion genetics in every heir of that line because of her, her mate, and Bahamut's interaction.

Charlus can teleport to the end of a crystal, including objects, like the Queen of the Silver Dragons. The Silver Queen, of that time. She previously had that talent and did that with the Knight Paladin during your absence.

Charlus believes the Knight Paladin, while not an arcane, learned enough from her to alter the genetics that went into Jazzia. The interaction of the two of them working together to send dwarven explosives to the Drow.

It somehow incorporated that ability into his genetics and was passed to Jazzia, she just never learned to tap into it. Nobody did until Charlus. Charlus tapped into that ability, the dragon blood in that family is extremely strong.

It stands to reason that Psionic traits will emerge in that family line in the future and from the other three non-dragon women and the dragon females who seeded the other houses with half-dragons. I concur that the house is worth watching as the mind is following that line, and psionics could come in from many houses down that line."

She had a lot of nodding heads. Her two eldest sons who were part of her protection detail simply stood there and said nothing. They did not like Charlus, many of her sons held that view but they often ended up in trouble due to this 'elf's demands' and those of his father before him.

---

Charlus left with Trilia and took them to the front door of House Silvertree. He looked at his crystal, "I am at the front door for a change."

The door opened and he secured it. Charlus stuck out his hand so the portal opened. She chuckled, "How many of these do you have?"

Charlus smiled, "Counting buried, being used for defenses, or just living in?"

She looked at him, "Live in."

He smiled, "Four that I have been to for that reason. I spent a few hours in one but did not spend the night. I had a dual with three idiots 20 years ago. This one is bigger, much bigger." He left his horse. He walked her off to the side to the library and then to the armory.

She shook her head, "This is a massive mansion."

He smiled, "There is more."

Charlus walked out and took her back, "Blade Singer Training area."

He took her to the sparring arena, the acrobatics course, the archery range, and the riding area.

She shook her head, "Any other big surprises?"

He nodded and took her back out. He walked her toward the table with his horse. He saw Gia come out. He waved her to follow and he took her to the falls and her mouth opened, "Ok whoever built this was a fucking genius. This one is massive compared to the one in the Knights shelter. You could live here and never need to leave."

Charlus nodded, "When you are hunted and have to have your wives live in hiding. At least the ones taking care of the children."

She shook her head, "That is why your sister is taking the heat off of you."

Charlus looked over, "Mother, Trilia. Would you talk with her about your experiences with a champion husband and have Zirra do the same? It sounds like I am bragging and I have never had sex. I wanted you to hear from them. I am sleeping over in the training area. The third room, a bigger bed, and more space."

He unsaddled and brushed down his horse and fed him. He went back to the training area, turned the water on high, and went swimming in his armor. He pushed through it for an hour until he hit the other side and then floated back with a scissor kick.

He got out of his armor and wet clothes. He jumped in the shower and warmed up a little more and washed off. He turned to come out and he had a woman with her jaw dropped open. Trilia just gawked. He finished drying off and walked up to her and kissed her as he went by. He put some pants on and crawled into bed. He sighed, "Ask your question?"

She sighed, "It gets bigger than that?!"

He nodded. "Around and longer. Rumor has it, Gia's father was 'hung'. That is what her grandfather liked to talk with her about was his daughter's love of large cocks. I also have dragon genetics."

She slid in behind him tonight. "The ladies were nice and informative of how bad it can get."

He nodded, "I wanted you to make an informed decision. We will try just you and me. I am fine with that. You might not be. The main thing is, I want you to be happy and not regret agreeing to marry me."

She chuckled and hugged him as he went to sleep.

He was at the falls and he took a knee. Corellon Larethian walked over, "You are upset. Stand."

Charlus chuckled, "At my sister, the fact I was left with little choice but to make the Dragon Queen aware of my true nature after you asked me to hide that fact. That likely means the entire Dragon nation is now aware of my standing because of that!

They have any that go rogue and I will be known thanks to that move. All because the Lady of Dreams did not want to talk to her until Ginnar resolved the issue with no guidance she was in trouble?! The fact Bahamut could not give that information to his own damned champion!

Then the Lady of Dreams says this is my problem to deal with. Not my sister who is lowering my exposure by dropping her pants. We have storm giants surround us. We are stuck trying to convince them when their own God could lead them to their sacred relic.

To keep it from being perverted anymore. Is their God that twisted he likes to have his relics used for such purposes? I am fucking pissed off!"

Correllon nodded, "Also not of age to work off any aggression. That was why you tortured yourself in the pool. You do not normally swim in armor."

Charlus nodded, "Thought maybe drowning would fix the problem."

Corellon chuckled, "You failed at that. Your will to survive and outlook on things is good. Working to channel that frustration into something else is a good idea."

Charlus shook his head, "Not when I am being knighted and ridiculed at the same time about being 'paranoid.'"

He sighed, "I think she took it too far as well."

Charlus sighed, "It took a week for the mother of paladins to atone. I am supposed to get married in a week. Now I got her scared to death. Today started off great. I woke up and asked a woman I loved to marry me. It went downhill from there. I assume you wanted or needed to convey something to me?"

He looked at Charlus, "Know your efforts to stay below the horizon has had mixed results. Today's activity with the Dragons was unfortunate and I did not like the fact you were exposed by having to provide that answer."

Charlus looked at him, "I have done great things and avoided getting called out in court by my quick actions to deflect and minimize what I have done. I save thousands of lives and open that bridge and she would have been better off not having me on that line or in the room. I even suggested that and she IGNORED me! Both were options for her! Instead, she took the time to embarrass me, in open court, and further expose me.

I have thought of returning the favor. Calling her out in open court that I am your champion and my sister has been an elaborate hoax because she cannot keep a mouth off of her lovers' cunt. Or hers off of the other woman's, who knows, besides the Gods and those 2. Instead, I have to go and talk with Storm giants while pissed off."

Corellon growled at Charlus, "THAT would be counterproductive to your mission!"

Charlus looked at him, "My apologies for voicing my frustration with the Queen. I did say I 'thought about it.' Not that I would risk the mission to embarrass her. The same thing with the holiday presents for the human Queen and General.

They will have to go at some point, I can feel it. I worry about how corrupt their kingdom must have gotten at this point as they are extremely slow in dealing with these necromancy signatures. As are the dwarves right now. Yet two other things that frustrate the hell out of me!"

Corellon sighed, "I knew your thoughts and I wanted to make sure you stay focused on this task. We have no relations with Storm Giant gods. Their way of dealing with their followers baffles us. They are almost always hands-off. If they put a champion on the field and it was in the area you destroyed then it makes things that much more difficult for you. You have the tools to do the task. Focus on the problems and share the load."

---

Corellon spoke with Bahamut, "I wish you had been more forthcoming in regards to this Draco-lich business directly with your champion."

Bahamut nodded, "I know, but your people being sacrificed got them into trouble. I provided the information to the Lady of Dreams as your messenger. I needed my people to see when it comes to Draco-liches your people are just as invested as are the dwarves.

We each had goals for those we oversee. I do not see Charlus getting outed by these dragons, but I have some dragons that concern me. That is dragon business we have been building contingencies for if it comes to that in the upgrades Charlus has been building. I have been sticking to the terms of our alliance and some of that created issues with your champions."