Silvertree Chronicles Bk. 08

She looked at Charlus, "No. It should have set off alarms inside the base. I am dispatching a team to take a look at it."

Charlus looked at him, "I am betting you will find it was sabotaged from the inside out by the two half-dragons we took down. Could you get one of them to teleport my horse from your facility to Base 2, please? While they are at it."

She smiled and nodded. She looked at the state of the bodies. She looked at Charlus, "Why did you stop after the general?"

Charlus looked at her, "The general broke through the physical security. The wizard took the consoles to an area that has scrying blocked outside of their city, but not teleportation. You know my abilities for tracking through communication crystals. All I had to do was go to the crystal you were using to find them."

Charlus repeated his request, "Your Majesty, I can have one here in seconds."

She looked, "The city shield is down. Get one of our psionic operatives while the three of us talk. By three I mean the dwarven King who could not make it here."

Charlus contacted his house, "I am knocking."

He heard, "Door is open." He teleported out. He went into his home and went through. He went into the training wing and knocked on the room of his mother-in-law. She came out of his room. He looked at her, "Get Zirra to sit with her, you are needed in the throne room now. Meet me out front. We got a diplomatic crisis in the works." She followed him out and went and got Zirra and he waited out front. He wiped down his blades and sheathed them.

She stepped out and asked, "What kind of..." He pointed at the guy and he undid the lockout and they appeared in the throne room as she finished. "Diplomatic problem?"

She looked at the scene. "Alright, I can see the problem."

He looked at her, "First I need to know if he is in league with the chromatics? Second, I need him to confess his involvement with the looting of Base 1. Including if he directed his operators to make any changes at Base 1."

She walked over, "No direct involvement with the chromatics. He and the general did send a messenger about what the bounty on the Stealth Butcher or Butchers was up to. They sent it on a warship yesterday, Marietta is the ship's name."

Charlus nodded, "Majisa I want that messenger."

She nodded, "We can find that ship and messenger."

Moyra continued, "He asked those working at the base to go through the physical security. He wanted them to provide him with a location on the base. He has been planning on taking at least one console for some time. When he heard it was unmanned, he told them to take them all and fuck the elves' control over this magic."

Charlus looked at her, "Check to see if he already knew he was an infertile fuck and his children are not his?"

She went to check and she backed away, "He knew but he also likes to have sex with children. Including the ones, his wife has had with others! He is one twisted fuck and so is she as she participates!"

She looked at the bodies. "You were busy. Did not go all the way through that one. Charlus nodded, "Made it easier for the King to get the body onto the console."

Charlus looked at the Queen, "As I know it was not in their city because I got in through teleportation. Can you find out how many were involved in the attack on my base and get a list of names and where we can find them. I want them dead."

She checked, "It was held by the general, King, and 2 court wizards. You apparently killed them all."

He sighed, "If he sent information back then the base is compromised."

Majisa nodded, "We will build a new first base at the alternate site you selected."

Charlus nodded, "Base 2 will become Base 1. I will take these to Base Two. I left room for expansion as each site so this will not be a problem in the short term."

He grabbed the general's feet and flipped him off of the console and on top of the King who screamed his head off. He moved him and out of the way and set the wizard's body on one side of him and the head on the other. He called out, "Base 2, time to open the door."

The Queen looked at Charlus, "The shields for teleportation are down. Be quick."

Charlus got a response. "Door is open." He used the rod and took the two consoles in and looked at him, "Leave it down.

He teleported back and took the third one back and he returned to the palace. "Base 2 is now Base 1. Our human allies compromised it and tried to steal those consoles. They did not know how to work them. Get someone to clean up the blood if you would."

He replied, "Base One is secure."

The Queen looked at Charlus, "Teleportation is locked down for now."

Charlus looked at Moyra, "Find out who the next legitimate ruler would be, and where we can find him or her. Also, where they took the consoles? Why that location? Then have him write out his confession to what he has done."

She sighed, "Next real heir is a cousin. Vladius Fredrick, a lieutenant in the army on the south end of the land bridge. They hate each other. The location is actually in a shelter they build in secret within the elven territory. It was to become a command post when they took on Quatarsia in a few years to expand and collect more wood for homes.

The treasury is almost depleted. Buying materials for homes would be problematic. They would take more than needed and ransom the territory back to the elves while working to strip the woods. That was his idiotic plan anyway. The shipyard has been a problem."

He removed the one cuff so he could write out his confession. He gave him parchment and a quill, "Use your general's blood for the ink." He started writing rapidly all of his crimes against the elven people and the alliance.

He thought, "Varus'Nor, do we have a clause for buying assets for the crown?"

He heard a chuckle, "What are you wanting to buy?"

He thought, "All of the current human land. They are gold poor and if we gave them money to relocate and build a new city further south, then we could find a way to continue an Alliance while getting us some distance for the security of the elven people. It also pushes them into the front line to bring peace to other human societies."

He heard a reply, "Yes, there is a clause to deal with that. Clause 61 does this. To expend assets if it is for the benefit of the elven crown and not the Silvertree house. That is a very clever idea."

While Charlus was talking to the sword the Queen was on a crystal to Duke Strong Oak to get this heir.

Charlus looked at the Queen, "Your Majesty, could we have a moment in your Audience Chamber?"

She sighed, "Can it wait?"

He held up a hand for a second and pulled a crystal, "Tell Duke Silvertree to come to the palace as soon as possible. Have him bring the mothers but leave Zirra to watch over my wife."

Charlus looked at the Queen, "Your Majesty, will clause 61 can be activated."

She looked at Charlus, "Follow me."

He followed her into her room. "You got a solution to this problem?!"

Charlus nodded, "Can you read will clause 61, Your Majesty?"

She sighed and pulled the will and cracked the seal on 61 and read through it. "This deals with purchasing of things for the crown."

Charlus nodded, "House Silvertree with twenty-five billion and your house for another twenty-five billion. We buy the rights to all of the lands the human kingdom occupies and the section across the southern border that we just captured. There King becomes a sovereign prince reporting to Duke Silvertree.

With the funds, they can build a real city further south. Where the woods are more plentiful and there is space for more farmland. Those that wish to stay can do so and live under elven laws. Those who wish to work building the new city can do so. This moves them further away given their planned attack on our people.

Their army moves to the southern border immediately to be used to protect those building the new town. The alliance stays intact, they get an infusion of gold, we get peace of mind over the area, the shipyards, and naval vessels they have transferred to the Elven Kingdom.

The shipyard will complete ships in progress. As a part of our alliance, they can work aboard these ships. If my request for enchanter is approved, we could capture several more and you have an Elven Navy to be reckoned with. It pushes a hopefully stable human government into the midst of the chaos to let them expand and get the other regions to start to return to civilization. We continue to use the Alliance Overwatch.

Code for Knights, to keep an eye on their proposed site and provide assistance if needed. Even the dragons have started expanding south and west in the region they occupy. The dwarves are rebuilding and this gives their craftsman another potential job in helping to build a proper palace for them and a walled city.

Just need Duke Silvertree to sign off on this. Then for you to agree to it and it smooths the transition. You put a big enough object out there and you know humans will gravitate toward it."

She looked at Charlus, "Your request for enchanters is approved. You asked your sword about this and it told you of this clause?"

Charlus nodded, "After I explained this is not to profit the house but to help the crown and the security of the Elven people.."

She nodded, "Any negotiated extras would be paid for by my house. If they want an extra five or ten billion."

Charlus nodded. "Yes, Your Majesty. I am not expecting any extras as they are totally fucked at the moment. May I play the diplomat to this after we get rid of the current King from the throne room floor."

She nodded, "I would like to see what you do with this mess."

They walked out as his Brother and the Queen met and talked with the mothers about what was written in the clause. Charlus saw his brother nodding as did the Mothers. Gia smiled at him. They looked at the mess on the floor and the mother looked at him in shock.

Charlus looked at the mothers and walked over, "Because it dealt with the will, I figured you would want to know and my brother would have to sign off on this solution."

He nodded, "Brilliant move if you ask me."

Charlus looked over, "I think Moyra is a bit ill from going through his mind. As soon as he goes away someone should take her home. He is a rather sick fucker."

The mothers nodded. Duke Strong Oak showed with a young army Lieutenant who was shocked to see his King laying on the floor handcuffed to the dead General.

The Queen nodded to Charlus who spoke, "You are here as the next rightful ruler of your people. The children his wife has are not his. He is infertile and he knew it. That is not his crime against us but your people. You familiar with what was called the Alliance Monitoring Service in my absence?"

He nodded, "I have heard of it. He seems to hate it because we do not have it."

Charlus nodded, "It was in 2 bases. Sometime last night after I locked down Base 1, he had his general and wizard break through the physical security. Then they took the system I built and did not take it to your kingdom but to a secret bunker, they built in elven lands. For the day they would attack us. In a few years when he was ready to use his army to invade elven lands.

Starting with Quatarsia and the surrounding area. He is guilty of stealing my personal property. I built it for servicing the Alliance, planning an attack against his allies, building a military fortification in elven lands.

Also, from what our mentalist pulled from his head, he enjoys sexual gratification from children, including those his wife is still producing from others. He took classified information and sent a messenger to try and profit from my death.

If he were a patron in an elven house half of his assets would go to the aggrieved, namely me and Strong Oak to an extent. The other half would go to the crown and his house would be destroyed. To top it off he let it be known, although not willingly, your government coffers are close to empty. You have problems left and right. Would you agree?"

Fredrick looked at Charlus, "I want to kill the fucker."

Charlus shrugged, "I am not stopping you."

The Elven Queen looked at him, "He will die for his crimes as Sir Silvertree never entered your Kingdom to retrieve his property, he did not violate your sovereignty. Your King violated ours, that is an act of war."

The lieutenant walked over and pulled his sword and slit the King's throat. Charlus pulled the signed confession away just in the nick of time. Charlus looked at him, "The personal property on them belongs to me."

He walked over and removed the manacles. He grabbed the crown and handed that to the young man.

He took it. "The Queen and I had a conversation with Duke Silvertree and have a solution for you that would keep the Alliance intact, solve your gold shortage. While dealing with an adequate but measured response to this attack on the Alliance."

He looked at Charlus, "I am listening."

Charlus looked at him, "All land from the new border wall north would now fall under the elven kingdom.

You would come in as a Sovereign prince under Duke Strong Oak, your navy and shipyards are turned over immediately while the ships under construction get finished at your expense.

Your required funds for the border wall would also have to be paid in advance. The Silvertree and Goldeagle Houses would give you an infusion of 50 billion in gold to build a new city further south to reestablish the human kingdom.

Because of where you would want to go, based on my intelligence and travels, it would be a day or two south of the border wall by horseback. No access to the Deep Sea as you would have mountains along that border.

You can of course commission your new palace and city walls with the dwarven kingdom plus your own masons. Once your palace is completed you could assume the throne as the King of your new city with room to expand south and west.

A lot of farmland and a good-sized forest to build your structures. By remaining with the Alliance, you still get protection from the hordes that have attacked in the past. You would be right on the front line at this point.

Any humans who remain behind will still live under elven law. Just as they do in Quatarsia. Human laws are suspended while you are a Sovereign Prince. You can reinstate them after you become King or build new laws.

The area south of the wall with a border to be agreed upon by the Elven Queen and you. This allows our farmer's room to provide for the population as well. Dragon Riders and dragons will still help to oversee your new city.

The Alliance Overwatch, I built it and I named it, will continue to monitor your lands and the dragons will do the same. We find necromancy showing up our covert forces will investigate and terminate as necessary.

As we have done every time your people have allowed your kingdom to get infiltrated. Too many times. Our ability to act in your lands is non-negotiable.

Safeguards to protect your people from a corrupt government for 3,000 years would also be part of this deal.

We do not need a captured ally becoming an adversary because of the short-sightedness of the ruler of the day. The human outlook of 3-5 years does not work. Not when your enemy has been planning things for a century or more."

He walked over and handed him a book. "This is the group we are attempting to rebuild with the Alliance Overwatch. Helping to bring peace and prosperity to the world as much as we can. Take a few minutes and read that and think over what we are offering you.

The protection of the Alliance, the money you need to rebuild a true kingdom, the opportunity to be that human civilization that helps to calm the world by removing chaos, and bringing order. One other thing, you have an order of Paladins, Order of the Rose who have their garrison in this area. They are welcomed to remain.

The choice is theirs. Regardless we recognize the site of that garrison as a holy site to Tyr. That human and elf-blooded paladins of that order and those who wish to join it are allowed to go or visit the site even if they decide to relocate. They have a history with the elven people and have been an honorable group."

Frederick walked over and grabbed a chair. He read through the book while Charlus stripped down the bodies of any useful gear. Majisa looked at him, "What are you using as an off-handed weapon?" He smiled and handed it to her.

Her eyes went wide, "A vorpal sword. That is why you take the heads off so many of your adversaries."

He nodded, "I kept my use of magic to a minimum. Alter self, secure shelters, dimension door, teleport, and disintegrate if I just needed to make them disappear. At least for the last couple of years. I found it in the family armory and I have never fumbled a weapon. I took it with me after breaking the other in that fucking abyssal touched dragon."

Charlus's brother Duke Oliviran came in behind him, "I think you did great. I know why you did that for the Order of the Rose. The Queen has an idea of it after our grandfather. She may know more but she seemed shocked for a second when you mentioned that."

The Queen walked over to him, "I know they had a champion, who helped to eliminate fiends in the human land. What is so special about this order?"

Charlus looked at her, "Silver Rose. She became Silver Silvertree and was a paladin of this order. She went on to become the mother of paladins in our land and that led to two paladin orders within our society.

They are also the ones who saw to it that her body was returned to her family. They participated in the recovery of the Eternal Forge. When things started getting revealed they stayed with Brannar and his mission.

The order finally switched to the Elven Kingdom to oversee as the longest living of the order. Now we have Dragons working with and in the Knights. They help to oversee our work but as equals. Checks and balances. That order brought a lot to the elven people and the world, Your Majesty."

She nodded, "Very nice work. You are the best diplomat and 'investigator' that I have had working for me." She returned to her throne and the Lieutenant looked at Charlus as he stood. He went to hand him the book.

Charlus held up a hand, "Keep it. I have others. For those who join or when I am looking to recruit agents for the order like I did during my travels. Individuals you can find. They can attract like-minded individuals and eventually you get people who want to work to bring order to the chaos."

He nodded, "I was kept far from the politics of the kingdoms court. I was seen as a threat and my ideas bordering on radical. I have no economic, diplomatic, or military advisor that I would trust. I need to rebuild those. With the death of the general, his second will want revenge."

Charlus nodded, "Which is why we want the military to move away from the elven people. We will monitor them and if they work to act against the kingdom the leaders of this revolt will meet the same fate. Their loyalty will be to you.

If they try to usurp you then they would be an enemy of the Elven Kingdom. The same goes for your court. All titles for them are suspended in the eyes of the elven court. You can deal with that as you wish. I will tell you that those who serve your kingdom proudly tend to make better nobles.

Hereditary titles should be kept to a minimum as it gives some a feeling of entitlement. My grandfather did not want a hereditary title. Right now, in the eyes of the Elven Kingdom that would be you and your offspring.

The Queen and her accountants would help to oversee the funds. Where they are going to be dispersed by your direction. Also, to provide a poisoned-pill to the deal. Any assassination of you and your family would make them a rogue element.