Silvertree Chronicles Bk. 07

Jazzia asked for a dying request to take the Draco-lich out of that fight. To bring that charge by the chromatics to an end. It was selfless and she made the right call tactically given the state of the dragon forces that survived.

I honored the request. It would have been devastating to the elves if she had not made that move. The choice was hers and it was the right call. If she had not it would have taken the elven population to below what Eldar had based on our best analysis after the fight.

Discussions on Jazzia are for your ears alone. The Lady of Dreams and her were at odds for a while. Jazzia worked wonders as a champion but she died with a rift still existing between them.

We made Moon Bow a temporary champion when she destroyed your grandfather's amulet. Which means you need not worry about it going off when you die. As long as your death is not caused by a champion. In whole or in part.

Your father was a special exception. He was killed because of a confrontation with the fiend as he called the thing. It had the powers of a god and his body could not enter into the material plan even in death. Not even his remains.

Yes, I had to do it as part of the agreement to block the creature. The destruction of that shelter was not needed but was done as a way to contain any ash from the material plane. An explosion in a shelter would cause extensive damage and likely would kill many or all of those near it, but the shelter would remain.

Best to have another activate security if you suspect a champion. That you can put in your journal, else get under some form of cover far from the area. Like the falls in the back, or one of the extensions and closing the portal quickly.

Killing your father was my personal part of the price. Taking my own champion off the field. Not all who watch over these rules are good-aligned. They wanted their pound of flesh. Your father's Celestial son being barred from becoming the next champion was his part of the penance.

Though he did not know it at the time. Hence the warning he gave you. Gruumsh and Bahumut's nemesis had no love for the fiend but they both blamed your father for the death of their champions. The dragon champion killed the other dragon and orc champions and avoided the explosions.

The drow champion retreated from the field because of the lava your father sped up with his actions. They still lost many in the lava flood that occurred. They had to work to find other routes to the surface.

The sword will not change your eyes except in the heat of battle or passion. Your mind overrides it when not engaged in strenuous physical or emotional exertion. You can use the alter self to avoid it from being seen in both cases; if you think of it."

Charlus nodded, "What do I do about the champions journal?"

Corellon nodded, "Blade Wielders journal. You will have the Moon Blade."

Charlus nodded. Corellon Larethian looked at him, "Go see your sister Ginnar, everyone will be making a fuss over this revelation. She will arrive shortly. She will also tell them who the blade is going to and why."

---

Charlus woke up to being mugged by his siblings. They looked at his chest, "Did you get visited by the Lady last night?"

He looked at them, "About the holy symbol."

They nodded, "She told us one should have it still on the surface. That leaves GINNAR!?"

He looked at them, "Nobody says anything until she announces it herself. This home will become a target if she does it early."

They all backed off and nodded.

He pointed, "Out, I will be out after I shower and change."

They left and he showered and changed. He came into the main part of the house as she entered the home. They locked eyes and she smiled at him. He walked over and gave her a hug, "You give them hell. Be ready to get mauled. They attacked me in my bed this morning."

She chuckled. Charlus let her lead the way and she got mauled by the other 5. Gia, Kora, and Zirra had caught what the ruckus was about and watched as things unfolded. The siblings wanted to see the amulet but she refused initially. Ginnar finally relented and flashed her chest at everyone after getting the top of her armor off. She then commanded her armor on.

She looked around, "This does not leave this home! Not even my instructor knows the others have receded. I will not declare it until I become an adult. I also know who is getting the blade."

They all looked wide-eyed and she stared at Charlus. They looked shocked. She smiled, "I could not take the blade because I am infertile. His destiny will need some of those blade abilities."

His brother the Duke to be Serions was very put out, "What abilities? He is going into the Diplomatic Service. That is just a bunch of contracts and talking."

Charlus nodded, "You know who else was in that service? Eldar's mother, Heliar, and Jarron Silverleaf."

They looked at him as Serions glared, "You knew?"

Charlus nodded, "There is a challenge question that has to be answered as part of the rules of grandfathers will. I know the question and the answer."

Serions sighed and groaned, "Well I will have to make do with the one account, I guess."

Charlus smiled, "The second account is going to her, not me. Also told to me by the gods."

Serions looked at Charlus, "That is supposed to go to the Blade Wielder!"

Charlus smiled, "This time it is going to the champion. I have no issue with that."

Zirra smiled, "He is making money hand over fist."

Charlus looked at her, "Commendations. For that last project. Like that project, I cannot get started on until you return with the materials."

She smiled, "Just for that you can come with me."

He smiled at her and got his swords and cloak.

He turned and Zirra looked at him, "I thought it would be you given your holy symbol."

He hugged her, "It is me getting the sword. Does hers have poison immunity in it?"

She looked at him, "I cannot say what is in any of them."

He nodded, "I understand. If not make her one on something else. Heck, make 6 of them."

She chuckled, "Let's go."

Charlus looked at her, "I would like father's armor."

She looked at Charlus, "We can discuss it. More than one person has asked for it. Including your brother who is to be the Duke."

Charlus sighed, "Serions wants everything. I worry about him and corruption. Who else has asked about it?"

She looked at Charlus, "Kora, Gina, and I all worry about corruption. Oliviran and Korina asked about the armor."

Charlus nodded, "Give it to one of them. Get one of the celestial sets and I will pay to have it upgraded the same way. He has two million that he has access to already to do the same."

She looked at him and then away. They walked through the enchanter's district and she stopped, "He emptied that account on who knows what. He will not even tell his own mother."

Charlus sighed, "Let Kora know that when I get the blade, I might be forced to kill him if he is not careful. I remember Brima talking about when father got the blade and the promises to protect from corruption."

She sighed, "Do not jump to conclusions."

Charlus nodded. They got everything bought. "I will meet you at home."

She nodded as he teleported away. He walked through the entrance into the palace district and pulled the crystal to his instructor, "Greetings wise one."

He laughed, "What do you need Enigma?"

Charlus smiled, "I need to see you on a personal matter."

He sighed, "I am near your invention."

Charlus teleported to him.

He looked at Charlus. He handed him Sterns crystal and he looked at Charlus, "That one is to you and him."

Charlus nodded, "I need a drop of blood from him, his crystal, and a book list."

The Spy Master chuckled, "What do you need? He is out in the field."

He pointed. He adjusted the other one down to that height and then he activated other controls and they watched him zoom into the area, "Wanted to show you that aspect while I am here."

He looked at it, "It is like I can see the tunnel!"

Charlus nodded. "Great for trailing someone. I need you to check on my brother's activities. Serions Silvertree. He has access to an account with 2 million in gold, he is a few days older than I am. The account has been emptied and he refuses to tell anyone what he did with it all. There are rules for our house dealing with businesses, making money, greed, and corruption. I need to know if he is in trouble."

He sighed, "That's important to you?"

He nodded, "That is important. Urgently important in my eyes. He is to become Duke. If he is out of line with house policy and law; even at this age, he should never assume the title. My uncle who holds it now would need to know or I will have to deal with it our way."

The Master Spy looked at Charlus, "That is a bold statement."

Charlus nodded, "It is. When I come of age, I will not have much of a choice in the matter."

He sighed, "Let me check my sources, come back at midday tomorrow."

Charlus nodded, "Thank you, instructor."

He nodded and walked over and turned teleportation off and left.

Charlus walked home to save on spells. He got to the gate and saw the invisible shadows moving about the estate grounds. He slid off his ring for alter self and slid on improved invisibility. He stepped back out and contacted his instructor, "Do you have a training exercise for me going on at my home?"

Charlus heard him respond, "No why?"

Charlus sighed, "Because there are at least 10 invisible targets in the compound. I could have sworn I saw a hand crossbow on one of them. Which means I am going to kill them. We have a history of being attacked by the drow."

He sighed, "I know of that history. You need help?"

Charlus smiled, "I think I have this. I will contact you if I get into trouble."

He downed a poison resistance potion. He looked back and dimension doored up on the roof. He saw one at the apex. He snuck down to him and ran him through with both swords. He yelled out and Charlus dimension doored away behind the great tree. There was one prone there who looked out into the compound.

He snuck up upon him and he died without a sound as both blades struck. He snuck across to the stable and looked around. 2 in the rafters, 1 facing each way. Charlus launched two acid explosions, one quickened. One died and the other fled for the front gate.

He dimension doored to the front gate. He heard him cursing and the assassin looked for him. Charlus snuck in behind him and hit him with both blades and he gurgled as he died. He kept his body between him and the compound.

2 bolts came at Charlus and 1 hit him. One on the roof of the home. He dimension doored to the roof. He snuck up as that one went to stand and look at his 'handy' work. Charlus ran him through with both blades he fell with a thud from the roof.

He saw the next in the corral. He tossed the bolt from his arm. He saw the horses avoided that location. He dimension doored well behind him. He snuck toward him. The assassin turned and Charlus still spelled a paralysis on him. He fell over. Charlus went up and ran him through.

Two more bolts came in and another one connected. It burned and he fell in behind the dead guy. Charlus looked over and two walked forward. Charlus waited until they were close enough together. He hit them with an acid explosion.

Charlus dimension doored back to the roof of the house. He saw another dimension door up to the barn. He dimensions doored behind him and ran him through. He hit him a second time to be sure. Charlus went toward the back of the barn as the body finally fell over.

He saw two bolts fire up where he had been located. He dimension doored back to the ground behind the great tree. He tossed the bolt and looked around. He saw two in opposite corners. A third over by the edge of the house. Another walked into the barn and went into a stall. He snuck across the compound and moved behind the one at the corner of the house.

He still spelled teleportation circled him up 2,000 feet. He dimension doored to the wall in the corner of the compound as the screaming body hit the ground. Charlus dropped down on the man in the corner ran both blades through him and rolled him over and put his body between him and the guy in the other corner.

He had 4 more bolts come in. 2 hit the corpse and 2 hit him. Ficka it hurt. Charlus dimension doored to the roof of the stable again. He got the bolt out and tossed them out into the pasture. He pulled a healing potion and drank it. He looked over and the one from the other corner had run across to the other side, to the corner he had just left.

He dimension doored onto the back wall. The Drow removed the rings off of his buddy and Charlus dropped in and killed him and rolled him toward the stables. Two came from the stables and one from the corral.

Charlus dimension doored out of the compound. His wand ejected and turned to dust the one near him fired and hit him in the rib cage. Charlus went in and took him to task with a whirling attack with both blades. He cut through him out of the line of sight from the central compound.

He pulled the bolt and drank another healing potion. He loaded another wand into his bracer. Charlus dimension doored back into the corral area. He looked around and saw the one guy lined up for a shot toward the entrance. He lept and ran him through while rolling him toward the stable. He snuck away and two bolts nailed him in the leg. One or two must be using true seeing now. Charlus dimension doored back to the top of the barn. He watched them as they moved and searched around.

Charlus hit one with a magic missile and flipped back away from the edge. Charlus dropped into a crouch as the bolts came flying in. Charlus got hit by one and two went wide. Charlus thought, 'Fuck they are like roaches. At least three more.'

Charlus dimension doored out of the compound again. He pulled the bolts in him and downed his last healing potion. He saw his sister Ginnar riding in. He threw the bolts in front of her horse and she stopped. As her horse backed away. She drew her sword.

He looked over and whispered, "At least three left. Use your potion, drow." She moved off to the opposite side. He looked at her, "I will highlight them you fuck them up."

He looked around the corner and four bolts flew by and into the wall, "Alright make that 4." Charlus moved away and got an angle and fired a magic missile at one and he fell. Had to be one of the ones he hit earlier. Charlus dimension doored back on the roof of the house.

Charlus saw two together. He quickened one acid explosion and wand hit the other. They both fell that left one. Charlus got hit with a bolt that paralyzed him.

He rolled and fell from the roof. The rolling and impact knocked the bolt free. The guy came in with daggers at the ready. Charlus rolled him up and ran him through. Charlus heard the crack of his holy symbol. He twisted and put himself between his sister and him. He got hit by his sister's fucking arrow from that damned bow. He pulled his ring and laid there.

She came in and hit him with lay on hands. She looked at Charlus, "Why did you get in the way?"

He pulled the rings off of this gal and she saw the holy symbol in the chest, "If you had killed her the place would have been destroyed; we both would have been destroyed. A champion kills a champion and it causes an explosion. I do it," As he stabbed her again and again. "Nothing."

She nodded, "This is early."

He nodded, "Sixteen dead."

He looked at her and pulled a crystal, "Instructor?"

He responded, "You alright?"

Charlus smiled, "Better if my sister had not shot me but 16 dead, drow. I need a clean-up crew. I will pull them all to the back of the stable."

Charlus walked over and pulled rings. He turned and saw another coming out of the barn. The Drow aimed at his sister. Charlus fired another magic missile. He ran into the barn. Charlus dimension doored into the barn. Charlus saw him pull a crystal and he cut out the Drow's fucking throat.

He heard in drow, "Report, do you know who the champion is?"

Charlus picked it up and whispered in drow, "Both champions dead. Then gasped and dropped the crystal."

Charlus saw the crystal break. He walked out, "Seventeen dead."

Charlus drug them all out back and stripped them of intelligence and anything magical. He waited for 4 members of the service to show. Charlus pointed at the bodies. "Tell my instructor 17 including a drow champion."

He looked at Charlus and Charlus pointed to the woman. He nodded, "Why did she not explode?"

Charlus smiled, "I thought about asking the gods that same question. It might be because I am not a champion. Just skilled and extremely ficka lucky."

He nodded, "What are you going to do with the information?"

Charlus smiled, "Go through it. My instructor will understand."

Charlus reached in and pulled out books and papers. One bag had one spider and it bit him. He killed it by stomping on it. He looked at them, "Drank a proof against poison. Get rid of these. The only witness is my sister; she is a paladin of the Lady of Dreams."

They nodded. He walked away and they took the bodies away. She contacted inside and they let them in. They got past the security walls and he pointed, "Room." She helped him to his room and then she went for the mothers and grandmother. He pulled off his armor. They came in and saw blood and a good size hole from where his sister hit him, "What hit you?"

Charlus smiled, "Ginnar and that bow." She chuckled and hit Charlus with some more healing to stop the bleeding. He still needed a cleric at that point.

He sealed the room, "Not to leave this room. There are 17 dead drow gone. Any outside patrol is likely dead. I did not see them. The last one went to contact the lead bitch, likely heard that my sister was the champion but I cut his throat out before he got a word out. I whispered and sputtered in drow that both champions were dead and dropped the crystal.

It cracked. The ones we pulled from the bags were all cracked. They left with the bodies as the Diplomatic Service took all of them away. I pulled all of the written communication. My conversation last night was not with the lady but with Corellon Larethian. Concerning the Blade and why she was not getting it.

I asked several questions about champions like why did the second champion during Eldar's time not blow up? I got answers for her, Jazzia, grandfather, and father. The second champion in Eldar's time was not killed by a champion. For Jazzia, it was a dying request that was granted for the selfless sacrifice. In Grandfather's case, Moon Bow was made a temporary champion to do the strike. Our father, Corellon Larethian had to kill our father himself.

Part of that bargain to punish the creature who communicated with him. Not even our father's ashes could return to the material plane. He had to do it himself; take his own champion off the field. When I heard the holy symbol on the one outside crack.

I turned and took the arrow shot from her. To keep the compound from being blown apart and killing both of us and the guards on the other side of the door. I am very skilled in magic and other things."

He grabbed the papers up to the desk. He pulled out parchment as Zirra asked Ginnar, "How many did you kill?"

She shook her head, "None."

They looked back at him and what he was doing. He finished writing. "That is a communication directive with drow encryption on it. Childs play with me. I had a meeting with my uncle's silver dragon a while back. Their Queen Majisa sent me a question mentally.

I told her I could not answer her mentally without appearing like an attack. My uncle, the dragon champion, told me he had been warned. He asked me if I could hear him. I answered 'yes.' In every language and every sub-dialect. All at once.