Silvertree Chronicles Bk. 09

Her mouth fell open, "You are the one they are crediting with shortening the war!"

Mercian nodded, "I know."

She looked at Mercian, "Are you a champion?"

Mercian pulled out his tube, "This document speaks about things I have done, but they do not define me."

She nodded. He handed it to her. She read through all of the pages and put her hand over her mouth a few times. She looked at that. "You did all of that with your mother having been killed so no immediate family? No wife?"

Mercian nodded, "I was kind of busy."

The father walked over, "May I?"

Mercian nodded. He opened up and read through it all and looked at Mercian, "That explains the secrecy you were seeking. You wanted people to know you. Not all of these over the top things you have done."

Mercian nodded, "I had a crowd gathered at the palace gate. I was trying to go from court to Quatarsia to replace my horse who died after carrying me out of that battle. Once I stepped through my sword's danger sense went off.

I teleported myself and those around me away. That was a disgruntled family member who threw a fireball into the middle of that crowd. Killing 3 children. Nothing to hurt me, but to damage my reputation. I went back and used up the remaining charges in one healing wand and then used another to help those I could.

My life is dangerous, I travel alone a lot because Charlus did. He found it easier to get in, strike, and get out. No worrying about if the person next to them is going to be disintegrated. He had his horse disintegrated under him once. Our families grow up in a very safe environment though."

She looked at Mercian, "How?"

Mercian smiled, "I can show you a simpler version if you want to see what our main home looks like."

She nodded, "Please."

Mercian stood and pulled out a scroll and cast up the portal for the shelter. He walked inside and they followed.

Mercian pointed at the floor. "There are guards outside on the grounds, guards outside the home entry portal, spike defense system with three one-inch-thick clear diamond walls. Those features I cannot cast. The shelters were made permanent and tied to the blade. This is the main house. Off to the right here is another which is the library and armory. The left side is complex, "Training areas for swimming, melee and archery combat.

A functional sparring arena, used by blade singers. Also, a room to train acrobatics, another to exercise horses and practice acrobatic dismounts."

She looked at him, "How do you train swimming in a place like this?"

Mercian smiled and walked her to the back to the waterfall.

She looked at it, "This is spectacular."

Mercian smiled, "This one is small and shallow; I cannot cast the spell and rely on scrolls to do it. The others created by my ancestors are another matter. It was made out of necessity after the estate was blown up by the killing of a drow champion in the champions bedroom.

Destroyed all the buildings and damaged some outside of the estate. That killed most of the trees and destroyed the barn. His horse was already dead from drow poisoned arrows. He was a house of one heir, himself. Not even an adult when that started."

She looked around, "How many do you have like this?"

Mercian smiled, "There are 10 main homes each have 6 external portals now. Each has at least 3 expansions.

Around 30,000 family members. Another 7,000-8,000 live off of the estate. A lot of them are at the Academy training. She looked at Mercian, "37,000 family members?"

Mercian nodded, "Not counting the ones who formed new houses or got disowned. That would make it close to 110,000+. Since Jarronus. He was rather prolific. 72 children he fathered. Charlus had 98 children but only 33 remained with the house.

Jarronus had 11 who were half-dragons who all formed new houses. He died in 8355. Was not even a 105. Almost all had multiple wives. 2-4 at a time. They have from 1-3 children with each birth. Infertility is rare in our family.

I have been told it was toned down to where 1-2 wives should be enough and the children should be 1-2 at a time. All of my heirs would inherit that. The Gods came really close to losing the house.

They increased the fertility to make it larger and always getting them pregnant a year into the dry spell. He walked out to the table, "I probably ruined your mid-day meal. I can feed us all here."

He looked at the table. "Mead, wine, water, assorted fruit cheese and Silvertree boar stew for four."

Mercian looked at her, "We had a die-hard cook and she worked to perfect recipes here without having to touch an oven. Each one will feed over two-hundred, not this one as it was from a scroll."

Her mother ran out and took her food off the stove. She came back in. "This is very, very nice." Mercian nodded, "It will clean your clothes, clean the chamber pots, the floors, it maintains itself so there is no staff other than guards and they have two barracks now. Just like this. Our house has dangers but it also has perks to work for it.

Getting paid, fed, and a roof over your head with access to your own waterfall swimming area."

She looked at Mercian, "You are kidding me?"

Mercian took off the top of his armor and then his shirt. He walked into the shower area and soaked his shirt and threw it on the floor. He walked back and sat down and they stared at his holy symbols. Mercian looked at them, "There were 4 who could wear this symbol. Two were in same-sex relationships. The other had 3 wives and having his sex drive curtailed could be problematic.

That and there was the fact they would be hunted. The blade wielder is always hunted. You have so many champions and heroes out of one house and the house is a target. The symbol and sword both make you a primary target.

I put it on in open court and announce I had it to draw attention away from the others in the family. First to ever do it in open court. Charlus managed to hide he was a champion for 40 years before being revealed. You have yet to give me a name."

She smiled, "My mother named me Melody Moon Drop as she knew I was to be a bard. How did he get revealed?"

Mercian shook his head, "Not while we are eating."

They finished eating and her parents left Mercian alone with her. Mercian looked at her, "I think the gods helped to push me this way. When I told my mount to run, he was hell-bent to get there in time with you being there. Your concern for my horse I found touching. I just got him.

My last one died shortly after killing those 3 champions. She was brave and kept flying even though she had at least 5 heart seeking bolts in her. I kept healing her but I could not save her from those bolts. They burrow in and seek your heart. I had to cut one out of myself. I got hit by 3 and I pulled 2 out immediately.

The third was in my leg and moved up toward my waist. I pulled it out before it went through my stomach. I had to cut myself open to do that. You wanted to know how he got exposed. A fight with a champion. That champion used a relic called a sword of pestilence.

The fight went on for almost 2 hours by all accounts. The sword really fucked with magic users. He spent two years on a ship undergoing amputations hundreds of them. He was hit with every disease in the book.

The clerics worked in shifts to keep him alive. They even had to amputate his genitalia 8 times! Then another year back in training and regaining his strength from the ordeal; not counting the weight loss. They worked to keep him unconscious for most of that time.

You do not do that for every elf, but the Queen wanted him alive and made all of the arrangements. No magic within half a mile of the ship. The diseases fed off of it. When he died his gift to the sword was immunity to diseases."

He walked upstairs and grabbed his clean and folded shirt and put it on. She shook her head, "With all of the tasks being done magically what do people do all day?"

Mercian smiled, "Depends on skills. You might spend time in our library. It is approaching 100,000 books. Some are erotic. Some are unique. Like the entire history of the Pegasus riders and their downfall. Given to Jazzia. Those books have to have song materials in them. As far as I know, no bard in the family has ever worked with those books to put together anything."

She looked at Mercian, "Sounds like you want me to come back with you?"

Mercian looked at her, "Are you attracted to women at all?"

She looked at Mercian, "That is a very personal question." She paused and sighed. "I would say I am curious but have never acted upon it."

Mercian looked at her, "Just curious?"

She sighed, "Alright, I am attracted to women as well. Are you attracted to men?"

Mercian shook his head, "Blade wielders are checked for fertility and the blade has followed that branch. Any particular woman?"

She smiled, "Next village over. Like me, Kazzara Silver Rain. I know she is attracted to me but her parents want her marrying up into a good house. Love yes. Grandchildren, yes. She has 40 years on me, huge tits which I love. Especially for an elf. Mother was an elf-blooded, she died over 50 years ago. The new mother is nice enough."

Mercian smiled, "Sounds like you have been pursuing her."

She turned red. She sighed, "I am 82 and I have talked with so many at that fountain and you answered everything except your name because you wanted me to know you. She has long red hair and green eyes and lovely curves."

Mercian chuckled, "She knows you love her?"

She nodded, "She has feelings for me as well. We have talked about being in a plural marriage but it seemed to be a fantasy."

Mercian looked at her, "Your mother knows but does your father?"

She shook her head, "No, she knows because of her gifts. Your being open with her impressed her."

Mercian smiled, "Just showed her the family tree of heroes and champions that has led to me. One of my visits with Corellon Larethian. So, she did not think I was totally crazy."

She nodded, "I was concerned about that. I did not factor that in with the Moon Blade to figure out who you were sooner."

Mercian smiled, "Sometimes the journey to the solution is more enlightening than just giving you the answer. You got a horse to go see her?"

She shook her head, "My father has one, old and for work only or so he says. It is an hour's walk but it is larger with a small store."

Mercian smiled, "See if your mother needs anything from the store while I am here."

She smiled and ran out, He thought, "I like that one. Using my horse was inventive."

He heard the Lady of Dreams chuckle, "The other one is just as much of a bubbly spirit but most elven men do not like her large chest. They think she is deformed."

Mercian sighed and thought, "I told her we would go to the store. I have not asked her about anything yet. I want to be sure they would be happy with this kind of arrangement. That we are all compatible. I also told you I wanted to take my time."

Mercian walked out of the portal and the mother looked over, "My husband does not get paid for a couple of days."

Mercian smiled, "I did not ask if you had money. Just if you need some things from the store."

She nodded, "There are a few items that would be especially nice to get. Since you have a horse."

Mercian smiled, "I carry four bags of holding as well they are not full. I keep money in two of them to spread it around.

Magical components in another and my clothes and such in the fourth. I have been moving around a lot and not living in any one location, as of late."

Her father looked at Mercian, "Two for money? You have a lot of money?"

Mercian looked at him, "The short answer is yes."

He looked at Mercian, "How at your age?"

Mercian looked at him, "When I inherited the blade, I inherited some money. Every medal and commendation came with some. Then the dragons were grateful to be freed from their bonds and I killed 3 of their gold dragons that went rogue. They sent me a gold piece equivalent of those three dragons' hordes.

I have killed a lot of dragons for my age. Which is 77, by the way, 78 next month. Most of it will be given away in some fashion. Money to brides, children, and not just mine. 37,000 members are in the family.

800 did not get anything from the main trust when it emptied, I am correcting that with billions in gold. I am not starting another trust."

His jaw about fell from his face. He asked, "Why are you giving that all away?"

Mercian smiled, "Because I am not a dragon. Gold can and often does lead to corruption. I am sword bound to deal with corruption. If I get corrupted the sword will kill me. Gold and titles nearly destroyed the house. Took it to one. The house assets were over a hundred billion. On a few occasions.

Jarronus sold all money-making aspects and wrote new house laws that even the Queen of the time started to adopt into her house to eliminate corruption. Restricting what any one person could draw from the trust."

He looked at Mercian, "Do your wives get their own money?"

Mercian nodded, "The trust is gone but I will follow its guiding principles. We are getting ahead of ourselves as I have not asked anybody anything yet. I will tell you I hate corruption. Killing family who becomes corrupt is a part of the special purpose of this sword."

His wife slapped his arm for prying. She handed her daughter a list. Mercian mounted up and aided her on getting on the back of Wistara'Mika.

Mercian thought, "Wistara'Mika, use your best speed that you want to use, as you know where you are taking me."

Mercian heard a chuckle from the horse and then the blade. Mercian sighed, "How far in debt is he? I know the bank will not allow it but there are black market money lenders."

She whispered to Mercian, "Probably 70,000 gold pieces. About half his pay goes to the debt. Laws be damned they will go after the children for the money."

Mercian sighed, "I would hate to have to kill him. If I cleared his debt how likely would he be to get more debt?"

She sighed, "Very."

They made the next village in 15 minutes. He thought, "You have him leading the way. I figure he will stop near her."

Melody pointed. "That is her."

They rode over. He looked at her, "Let me do the talking."

He looked down at her, "Melody has a list of stuff to pick up." He handed her five hundred gold pieces and it would not fit in her bag. He merged his money and put five hundred into the one bag and handed it to her. He dropped down after letting her down. "I know your name because she told me. Save asking mine until later."

She nodded, "Can I help you?"

Mercian smiled, "I want to know more about you. Are you a bard like Melody?"

She shook her head, "I do minor enchanting. Not great. Little instruction."

Mercian nodded, "Is that something you would want to pursue, with the right training?"

She looked at Mercian, "Absolutely, but I hear there are way too many enchanters to make a living at it."

Mercian smiled, "IF you could, would you not just enchant for the fun of it? Just to see what you could make. For your own children or your family?"

She nodded, "I had not thought about that but how would I make a living?"

Mercian ignored her question, "She knows I am looking for a bride or two. I mentioned two brides, she pointed me here to you. Why would she do that?"

She turned red; Mercian whispered, "Do not be embarrassed about how you feel or who you have feelings for. Be honest with yourself and with me. You do that, it might be a very good day for the 2 of you."

She looked at Mercian, "You're a dragon-blooded sorcerer."

Mercian nodded, "Also a ranger."

She looked at him, "Part of each?"

Mercian shook his head, "Full up in both tier 9 and mythic battle sorcerer. Master-level ranger."

She looked at Mercian, "I am not sure I believe that."

Mercian smiled, "Assume I am telling you the truth. You like children?"

She nodded, "Yes, I would like to have several if I find the right guy."

Mercian looked at her, "Describe the right guy."

She looked at him, "Someone loving, supportive, can stand having a wife with little talent, does not care about my 'deformity' as a lot of them around here call it, adventurous in bed and would not mind sharing it with a certain someone. Then there are my parents' requirements. They want me to 'marry up' to have a better life."

She rolled her eyes at the last statement.

Mercian smiled, "First you are different but deformed is never a word I would use to describe you. Curvaceous, absolutely but they are in the right place. I don't know what you mean by adventurous but if you are talking sex in all of your orifices then that is not a problem, as to sharing, I think it would be more like a three-way partnership if I do this. Lastly, I am confident that your parents would approve of the arrangement.

I travel a lot and I would expect the two of you to keep each other company while I am gone. Share your bed with only my cock. You want to add another wife because I am wearing you down too much, that is something I will consider. My ancestors left a journal on the right way to treat a virgin and it says to try everything twice on her and see what she likes.

My ancestor who recently passed confided to me he ravaged his wife on the first night. Because that was what she asked for. He came 17 times and she came 68 and he got this same guidance. She let him know they needed more wives. I am not expecting to hit that number without a few minutes of rest at least.

She about fell over. He grabbed her to steady her, "Did I answer your questions?"

She looked at Mercian, "Not about making a living."

Mercian smiled, "Continue to learn and teach the children. To be faithful servants to the gods and the Kingdom. To never be corrupted by greed or crime. I am sword bound to remove corruption from my house when found. Even if it means killing them."

She looked at Mercian, "What kind of sword would have that?"

Mercian smiled, "A Moon Blade."

She looked down, "You are one of the 14 houses who have them?! One is in the King's hand. One is in wood-elf's hands. The rest they would find acceptable!"

Mercian nodded. "Probably."

She looked at him, "Are you asking me?"

Mercian looked at her, "I have asked nobody yet. I found Melody first. I would likely have to ask her first."

She nodded and then she ran for the store. The two of them appeared a few minutes later hurrying with full hands. He shook his head.

He took the bag of holding and opened it, "Put that stuff inside, just nothing sharp."

They put it in the bag and he handed it to Melody. He looked at Kazzara, "Lead the way, I have yet to meet your parents."

She walked a few houses down and she took them inside. Mercian nodded at them. She looked at her father, "He is interested in me. He is a Moon Blade holder."

Her father's eyes lit up. He looked at Mercian, "She did not give me your name."

Mercian smiled, "Because I wanted to get to know her before she knew who I was. The name is Duke Mercian Silvertree, Knight Champion of Corellon Larethian."

Mercian handed him his papers. He sat down with his wife and he read through everything listed. He looked at Mercian, "This has a hereditary title associated with it."

Mercian nodded, "Tied to the sword. The King referred to it as the Sword of Champions. I call him Varus'Nor."

He went back and finished reading through it and his wife smiled and handed it back. Mercian looked at them, "I am looking at taking on 2 wives. 2 that consider it a partnership of equals, particularly in the raising of children and sharing our bed.

I have met both of their families and I would like to take her back to the capital to meet my family and house Patron, Not all 30+ thousands of them but several key people.