Silvertree Chronicles Bk. 07

He glared, "They will just return every time."

She looked at Charlus, "Stop it."

He looked at her, "Is her being with four children a punitive attack on me for being uncooperative? Just to twist the knife in me they will not all survive? I will assume the answer is yes if you do not answer."

She looked at Charlus, "Stop thinking that way. Following your sister in death is not an answer."

He looked at her, "No it is not an answer. If it is the only answer I can count on from you, then it is an answer worth considering."

He went to get up and he heard Corellon Larethian's voice boom out, "ENOUGH!"

Charlus said nothing. Corellon Larethian looked at his wife and they appeared to be having a silent conversation.

---

Corellon Larethian thought to her, "You did so. That is not a part of your portfolio. Aerdrie Faenya is furious at you right now. She knows at least one of those children will die."

The Lady of Dreams thought back, "You set me up as the messenger for your champion and had me deal with fertility before. I know it is her domain but in regards to champions, you set the task to me. I have been her hand on several occasions."

He thought, "When she agrees with it, you did not consult her or me. We have already lost one champion and you are working to kill the one remaining by your actions. Leave us. This is your mess to clean up but you cannot clean it up right now. You are just further aggravating the problem. Now the ripples and permutations from this action are spiraling out of control!"

---

Finally, she left and Corellon Larethian stood there, "Your actions are bordering on blasphemous."

Charlus looked at him, "I have worshiped you every day that I can remember. I read that journal and the issues other champions have had with the Lady of Dreams and you know it raised questions she refused to answer. At least to me. I know she is not answerable to me. She did not stop my sister from killing herself or warn her about that woman, but she feels she can screw with my mind.

My perception of the matter right or wrong. She will not alleviate my concerns or suspicions on the matter. That only confirms my suspicions in this matter in my own mind. Will you tell me if she took action against my wife aimed at being punitive toward me? Death is part of her portfolio as alluded to on a few entries in that journal."

He did not answer Charlus. Charlus just sat there numb to the prospect. Corellon Larethian finally left, He got up and got dressed. Trilia did the same thing. Charlus walked over and undid the crystal for teleport. "I need someone to man Base 1."

A voice came back, "Will be right over."

He looked at her, "Wait here a moment."

She nodded. He added one entry to his own journal. 'The Lady of Dreams made me question if I should ever trust her. Take it for what it is worth. See if history bears this out. Expecting four children with my wife Trilia. Not sure the children will survive but was told the mother would be infertile.' I recommend no future champion should ever get married."

He heard Corellon Larethian, "Eldar would be very disappointed in that statement."

Charlus thought back, "Not really. It just means you would likely not identify a champion in the future until after they are married if it is required. Also, it is not an order or demand.

Just my thoughts and the next blade wielder or champion can decide if those thoughts should be relevant historically. If they agree with my thoughts. Things may change in the future. But if I die tomorrow then my thoughts as they are now are known.

I am stopping from taking her to have the pregnancy terminated all together because I value elven lives. Right now I cannot say I see that in the Lady of Dreams, in valuing our lives. It seems she looks at our dreams and if she does not like them then she works to send us to our death. Champions, and their children anyway."

He did not get a response back to that.

He took his journal and the blade wielders journals and put them in a different hiding spot. He left the shelter. He thought, "Varus'Nor did you hear that exchange with the gods? What are your thoughts?"

Varus'Nor responded with a sigh, "I understand why you are upset and I think I would be too in your place."

He thought to him, "I will give Trilia the option of what she wants to do."

Varus'Nor, "What are you thinking?"

He thought back to him, "A hundred things at once. Because I can and it is nothing."

Three guys arrived and Charlus teleported them away to the main gate, "Knocking for entry."

He heard back, "Come in."

They teleported inside and he walked into the armory as she followed, "What are you doing?"

He looked at her, "Getting a different off-hand weapon. I broke the last one. He found one that would work. One he would likely have never wielded before now because of the risk, a vorpal blade. He equipped it to his belt and a half dozen returning daggers and equipped them in various locations.

She looked at Charlus, "What are you doing?"

Charlus looked at her, "Getting ready to travel."

She looked at him, "Where?"

He pointed. "South."

He went to the back and saddled up his horse. She looked at him, "Do you want to talk about what happened?"

He looked at her, "I was told the Gods would stay out of my sex life. They would be more hands-off. Instead, you get attacked. That is what it feels like and they will not confirm or deny it. I don't know if it is a conspiracy among them all at the moment.

I can stay and be a hand puppet to be directed while waiting to watch what happens to you. We go together and take every day that we can together. Knowing that if you die, I will never have any children.

Know that if all your children do not make it to adulthood that my line ends with you and those that happen to survive. Else you once mentioned you could live in this home and never have to go anywhere or need for anything.

I will be back in less than 2 years to find out how the Gods let this play out if that is the case. The choice of coming with me is yours. Know I will share nobody's bed but yours. I will release that aggression into any enemies of the Elven people I find instead. Saddle up and you can ride with me as I get ready at least. You can think about this and decide. Talk with me as we go along and give me your thoughts."

She nodded and got her horse together. They left the home as the mothers arrived. They looked at Charlus, "Back so soon?"

He nodded, "Not for long."

Gia looked at him, "Is everything alright?"

Charlus sighed, "Ask the Gods. Maybe they will answer you, as they will not answer me. Unlock."

The guard unlocked the front door and Gia looked at him very worried, "Where are you going?"

He smiled, "Bank, palace, and shopping to start."

She nodded. He rode off with his wife.

He went to the bank.

He checked his account and it was over ten million again. He looked at the account, "I would like a million gold pieces." She looked shocked and filled his request. He put it into a bag of holding. He rode to the market and picked up six months' worth of dry rations for two.

Trilia looked at Charlus, "You are serious about this?"

Charlus nodded. "Yes, I am."

She looked at Charlus, "Today?"

He looked at her as they rode, "If they put your life on a time limit to punish me..."

He groaned. "I either want to spend every moment with you away from here or come back and see what they did to you and the children. I do not want to live every day as we are waiting for the goddess of death to strike.

We both know the Lady of Dreams is the Goddess of Death, it is part of her portfolio. At the same time, I would find it hard to know it was my actions that led to this conclusion. Not yours. For daring to love you. Sound familiar.

The same words I used on the selfish bitch because she refused to marry my sister. Now I try to love. I marry you and have those very words turned full circle back at me. Don't love and don't care, just do what we say as we will make those around you pay the price and suffer is the message I am getting."

He rode into the palace district unmolested today. Charlus teleported them to the front of the palace. He went inside, "Charlus Silvertree to see the Queen."

He looked at Charlus, "Important?"

Charlus looked at him, "Only if she wishes to see me before I leave the kingdom."

He went and got on a crystal. He came out, "She will meet you in her audience chamber. She is coming from her private residence."

They walked down and waited. She walked by and entered her room and sealed it, "What happened? You just got married?"

Charlus nodded, "That is what happened. The Lady of Dreams refuses to answer certain questions about what she has or has not done to my wife that will lead to her death or that of our unborn.

As such I am leaving the Elven Kingdom to start on this next portion of my mission for the Gods. I have given Trilia the option to stay and see what happens or to come with me. I cannot pretend that nothing has occurred. I need to get away from here for a while."

He filled out two pieces of paper, "One is a request for a leave of absence to explore the southern side of the border in your service. To undertake this mission, you talked about yesterday. The other is a letter of resignation. You may decide how you wish to handle it, Your Majesty. Unfortunately, I do need to leave one way or another. That has not changed."

She picked up the paper for the leave of absence. "I hope you find your answers."

Charlus nodded, "I hope we all do. I am going to see Majisa and get an idea of where to avoid and where to start."

She nodded. Obviously unhappy that he would see no other options. Charlus rode with Trilia to the main gate.

---

Queen Goldeagle got on the crystal with Majisa and brought her up to speed on what she knew as he was extremely cryptic.

Majisa sighed, "Champions can be a stubborn lot. The Gods can as well. If he is at odds with one that will be a problem. I cannot track him, he has a divine non-detection. He could go anywhere and I have no ability to stop that. Has he put together a group to go?"

Queen Goldeagle sighed, "If he has he has not told me about it. He is on his way to see you."

Majisa sighed, "I will see if I can learn more from him. I wish I had better answers, he is not going to like the briefing I have for him."

She let the crystal go dark and cursed, "Damned, I wish I knew what the Gods are doing now."

---

Charlus looked at Trilia, "You are not ready to go, are you?"

She shook her head, "I will try and play it safe. You do the same."

He kissed her and whispered, "I am sorry you became a pawn in this game. Know if anything happens, I will not allow another to become a pawn ever again."

She nodded. He rode out and teleported out to the Dragon Kingdom ground level.

---

Trilia prayed, "If he dies before my children are born, I will go in search of him and join him in whatever battle he faced, pregnant or not. Please watch over him as now you have all of our lives on the line."

---

Charlus pulled a crystal, "Majisa, I am here to see you. To get a briefing before I leave the Elven Kingdom."

He heard her sigh, "Queen Goldeagle just informed me. I am coming to you."

Charlus rode slowly through the streets as she arrived and looked at him, "Where is your team?"

He smiled, "I have to find them but I cannot do that with elves."

She sighed and they went into the palace to the intelligence room he had been to before. "Give me the two-hour brief. An hour of where to look and an hour of places to avoid as you know it."

She nodded and they went through the information.

It was hit and miss across the map. No definitive borders. No stable governments. Charlus looked at everything, "What you are telling me is the situation in human lands is completely fluid from day-to-day and no government can be trusted. ANYWHERE!?"

She sighed, "That is one way of looking at it. Another is there are opportunities everywhere except along here and here."

Charlus nodded, "Looks like the place to start is those 2 areas."

She shook her head, "Why would you say that?"

Charlus smiled, "Shorter lifespan."

She sighed, "You are worrying me."

Charlus nodded, "Agreed. When you cannot rely on getting a straight answer to those you work for it causes you to question everything. Including living. Get this bag to my wife. It has a book, maps, and crystals. All numbered for the border defenses. She works there for now."

Charlus switched over to look like a human rogue in brown leather with green garb. He teleported to the south end of the crossroads and headed south alone.

---

Majisa pulled the crystal to Queen Goldeagle. She sighed, "Worse than you know. He was considering going to the most high-risk areas of the world I told him to avoid. It would be suicide, especially alone. Don't try and contact him.

He put all of his crystals in a bag and left me a bag with the book for the border defenses he put into place, all 84 of them, counting what already existed. I will send this to his wife as he requested that as she works there."

Queen Goldeagle sighed, "He has cut off all contact."

Majisa shook her head, "No, his wife will know if he dies. Champions rings. I have been through that, but he went for a purpose and armed with men. Charlus is set to try and do this alone. He has nobody with him. His chances of failure and 10x higher. If not more."

The Queens were both at a loss of words.

---

As it approached dark, he moved off to the side and cast up a secure shelter and went inside. he sealed the portal and brushed down the horse and thought, "I know I am taking you away from the herd but it was the only thing I could think to do."

Charlus heard back, "Running from your problems?"

Charlus thought, "You cannot run from a Goddess, especially the one of death. I am just taking the tasking given and handling it in a different manner than they would have probably expected me to take with it."

That night he was at the falls again and he sat at the edge. Corellon Larethian approached. He bowed to him once he saw him as his hands shook in anger and heartache.

Corellon Larethian looked at him, "You are breaking her heart."

Charlus sighed, "The Lady of Dreams drove a dagger into mine. I asked her to come with me, she chose the course to take. She is breaking my heart as well, but at the same time, I want her safe. That safety is in jeopardy. May I ask you something? Hypothetical but still relevant."

He nodded. "They call her your wife. If you found out that she was likely to die and or her children would not survive. Would you be angry or upset at the higher power who was taking it out on her for an action you took? An action you were told you could take in governing that piece of your life?"

He nodded, "In that hypothetical, I would be upset but that does not mean the higher power will change course."

Charlus nodded. "I know, which is why I am not changing course. Which is why I am taking the tasking given and approaching it myself. Where nobody is going to be hurt by my missteps with the world around me other than myself. Is it dangerous? Yes. Reckless? Absolutely!

But I am risking nobody else getting a God's wrath other than myself. I gave her the option to join me. The truth of the matter is I don't know if it is her that I should be mad at or Aerdrie Faenya as she governs fertility. Right now, I only trust you, even when you won't give me answers.

The whole thing was counterproductive because she was coming around to the Lady of Dreams warnings about my anger and frustration. She was looking and considering the names of friends. Women she was thinking of bringing into the marriage.

The Lady of Dreams destroyed it, not me. Or Aerdrie Faenya, I do not know, I just know if a death is coming the Lady of Dreams has sought it out. Now I will be waiting close to 2 years before even considering it and only if she has not punished others for her issues with me.

If she has, then there is no point in making another pawn to be sacrificed. Have my children be born and die like the Knight paladins' siblings. Or 5 of 6 of Jazzia's children. Probably destined to die already or not even to have been born to her. Still, that is a lot of dead children. But is part of the Lady of Dreams portfolio, death.

Jazzia did what the Lady wanted until she was not there to watch over her children and they followed her in death. She is not the only one. Brannar's children. A 'long life' being a 'few months longer' does not seem like it was that much longer. Not to a sane elf."

He nodded, "There has been a lot of tragedy with the Silvertree family."

Charlus nodded. "History seems to be in an endless loop with this family, born, blade, a legitimate child on the way, die, repeat until the house is a house of single digits. It will return to that. I can see it if things do not change."

Corellon Larethian looked at Charlus, "Your outlook is a bit colored at the moment."

Charlus nodded, "With the death of my brother, sister, an infertile brother, and over half of the children of my grandfather choosing another path and a few of them getting killed for their choices. Meanwhile, the trust is growing hand over fist because of the actions the champions do. Others dying without a will.

I want someone to make a play for the trust and hope it gets destroyed. I know it was not my grandfather's plan but he did not plan on the trust to keep growing as it has."

He sighed, "Your grandfather would be disappointed to hear you say that."

Charlus sighed, "I would like to hear him say this then. Have him explain why what is being done to me is fair and right. There is no mechanism in the will as we know it to reduce the size of the trust when it has grown by ten percent or more. Definitely not going down at all."

He nodded, "Talk to Varus'Nor. Your Grandfather made the clauses known to the sword. Your father enacted some clauses by the direction of Varus'Nor. He knows of others to address that concern."

Charlus nodded, "I will ask when I am closer to returning. If I manage to return, If I don't it will not matter. Two years is a long time to be away from a new wife. Again, I felt like I had no choice to keep others from paying for my decisions. If the decision is truly not ours then why do Gods not simply inhabit our bodies and make the choices themselves? Things I think about as you know."

He nodded, "She hears your dreams as well."

Charlus nodded, "Which is why I am trying hard not to dream of my wife. I do not want her being a target of her wrath any more than she is already."

Epilogue

Charlus avoided any major entanglements for a few months. Finally, he was forced into joining in with a group of human adventures to assess what they were capable of doing and to attract less attention. He spent a month with them as they were into dungeon crawling.

It got him to his next town and a new horse had to be acquired as his elven warhorse got killed while in a dungeon. He hung around in that town for 2 months. He got the lay of the land. The people and the politics of those involved. He attracted the attention of the local thieves' guild. Not for anything he did.

Because they became aware, he had skills but was not a member. That threat did not last long as he sent 36 back to them with their tongues removed and their heads in their laps. Found scattered across the town. By the time they got an idea as to who was possibly behind the deaths, the red-headed human had disappeared.

Four months later he found himself in the Far East. He came upon the ruins of the elven Academy and the compound. He stopped at the site of Brannar and Silver's grave and said a small prayer in the partial grove of trees that still existed here. The place was at war with another regional warlord and people were being conscripted left and right.