Silvertree Chronicles Bk. 09

It was quiet. Karena hugged him, "Thank you for not pushing it onto one of us. We talked last night about why we were at the will reading. We discussed this possibility. We agreed with you before you even walked in here. Doing it in an open court will definitely take the heat off of all of us. You would be the first to do it."

Mercian looked at his mother Hermina, "You knew when I walked in with the sword that this was the likely outcome."

She nodded. Mercian looked at the Patron, "Dealing with corruption falls to us. You monitor, I enforce."

He nodded, "I do not envy you that task."

Mercian walked out after hugging his mother. He walked down to the library, "Set library access to the blade wielder and the Patron Silvertree."

Mercian looked at him, "Let anyone who swaps out gear know. They will be required to show they still have it. Else the Psionics in the house, including you, will be turned loose to get the answer."

The Patron nodded. Mercian walked out of the house and nodded to the guard who undid the teleport. He was in the cave. He saw shadows moving and he did not get a danger sense. He looked around. "I have eyesight better than most dragons. You will teleport out or I will start unloading on you for trespassing. One of the shadows revealed themselves.

A guy from the Overwatch. He looked at Mercian as he spoke, "The King sent us to see about the feasibility of getting the Overwatch system."

Mercian nodded, "You can tell him you failed or I will. I will activate a teleport blocker in thirty seconds. Entering my home, yes, I count it as my home, will get you killed."

He sighed, "No reasoning with you."

Mercian nodded, "I explained this to the King already. They are useless until we get the dragon's issues resolved then they will become operational for the Alliance, but owned by the wielder of this blade. They are my property. Remind him I hold the keys to the draconic mythic magic and ask him when will a shield have to be reenchanted? Or part of our defense network?"

He nodded and left. He looked at the other shadow. "You got four seconds left." He left.

He walked forward. He opened the shelter and walked inside with his horse and sealed the portal. He activated the shelter teleport blocker. He stored everything where he found it. He called out, "I activated the teleport blocker in the shelter. He stepped outside and watched as one guy snuck in, "Security walls up." The walls went up. Merican looked at them trapped between walls.

He sighed, "Turn off food access." He looked at them. "Spikes and blades will start any second unless you identify yourself."

Lucian looked at him, "Orders."

He nodded, "I will see how badly he wants you back."

She teleported to the portal entrance. She looked at Mercian, "You cannot keep the King out forever."

Mercian nodded, "True. But he is not the one trying to get inside."

She shook her head and teleported away.

Mercian sighed, "Seal portal."

He pulled the invisible teleport blocker. He put it against a wall. He pulled the crystal, "Activate."

---

Lucian contacted the King, "You secure, your Majesty?"

He sighed, "In my audience chamber. Did you succeed?"

Lucian sighed, "No. He spotted us all, locked out food, and threatened to turn on the security blades in the shelter. Teleportation into the shelter is blocked. He also wanted to remind you that he alone has access to the mythic books to fix the shields when they start to fail.

He said the cavern is his home and he will unload on trespassers, Your Majesty. He is still in there. He does not know we opened up scrying in the area. I will try and sneak back in when he teleports out."

The King hissed, "He may force me to arrest him. If he keeps that up."

Lucian sighed, "Damned, he is blocking teleport and scrying at the moment but has not left yet. I will try and time it."

---

He went around and made light permanent on different walls. Lighting up the cavern nicely. He was quick about this, "Deactivate."

He teleported out. "Activate."

---

Lucian contacted the King, "Damned it. I made it in, but scrying and teleporting out are both blocked and I am not seeing any crystal that is doing that. He added lights to the wall. At the moment I am trapped in here, Your Majesty."

The King was in transit to the throne room, "I will talk with him soon likely. Hold tight and keep searching."

---

Mercian walked into the palace and got in line to see the King. He did not look amused. He reached the front and the King went to call for a break.

Mercian interrupted him, "Your Majesty, I am here now to make a couple of announcements. This is in regards to your new champion and guidance to share with the court."

He sighed and nodded. "Your Majesty, first Charlus did not pass on as expected. He is in the service of Corellon Larethian as a Revered Champion. The first champion to live a full measure of life in this age. He will be contacting heroes, champions, and Moon Blade Wielders. He did not call you by name but your very position and the sword you carry speaks to being a hero of the people. I have brought you the proof of this as well."

He pulled out the amulet, "The last amulet crafted by Zirra at the direction of the gods. A symbol was added to it in the bottom left. According to Varus'Nor, it was not a part of the original design that was stored."

Mercian put his hand behind it and so King Goldeagle would see it. "A pair of arms reaching out from the shadows striking down with a pair of elven long swords."

He looked at Mercian, "How do I know this is real?"

Mercian took the necklace and put it on. Everyone covered their ears as this one was especially loud for some reason. He pulled off his armored shirt. He looked at him, "Because I am the new Champion to Corellon Larethian. I have a mission which we should discuss in private, Your Majesty."

Mercian put the top of his armor back on and the King sighed as he thought, "Now he is the champion who I will have to deal with in this matter. The gods are having fun with this I see."

King Goldeagle looked at Mercian as the ringing stopped, "Take a knee."

Mercian did as he asked. He looked at Mercian, "I knight thee, Knight Champion of Corellon Larethian and Protector of the Elven People. Please rise."

He looked at Mercian, "I believe this is the first time a champion has done that in open court."

Mercian nodded, "Yes. It needed to be done in open court to recognize Charlus and settle any doubts now, Your Majesty."

King Goldeagle nodded, "Private audience now."

He walked and Mercian followed at a respectable distance. They entered the room and the door sealed. He looked at Merican, "You have a member of my Diplomatic Service trapped."

Mercian nodded, "There is a teleport blocker that has an activation crystal to it. He worked to perfect it over time." He listed off the capabilities Charlus built into the device. "It is potentially lethal if you happen to grab a hold of it."

He pulled a crystal, "Any luck finding an escape?"

He heard her growl, "No he locked it out remotely."

Mercian looked at him, "She ready to teleport out, Your Majesty?"

Mercian pulled a crystal, "Come straight here, please. Deactivate."

She appeared. "Activate."

She looked at him about ready to spit fire at him. Mercian looked at her. "I am Corellon Larethian's new champion as declared and demonstrated in open court. That device is lethal to the touch unless you have my Family blade, as in being the owner of it."

She looked at the King who nodded, "Yes, very loudly I might add. I know he was talented in crystal enchanting but you expect me to believe it has all of that?"

Mercian nodded, "Unexpected noise. Normally when the necklace is put on and it is an enchanted holy symbol it merely attaches, Your Majesty."

They heard a voice, "He is correct. Normally that is how I do things. Unless I wish to stress a point."

They all took a knee for Corellon Larethian. Corellon looked at Lucian, "You are not needed for this discussion."

She was gone. "Rise the two of you. First champion, bold and daring move to do it in the middle of the open court. Ensuring word will spread that you are the target for the enemy. I know why you did it. To try and protect your family.

Also, to let the King know he should respect your mission. The mission that deals with the very equipment you are wishing to steal from him. That crystal and its backup are very real devices. Relic level devices. Your efforts on that equipment better end now.

He has shown considerable restraint in not killing intruders as he said he would do and would be within his right. He is working to protect the Elven people. Support him instead of trying to rob him of HIS property. The Champion will ensure it is in any signed agreement going forward so we do not have to keep repeating this discussion with future rulers.

The Queen of the day paid for the Overwatch over the empire, Charlus offered to expand it for you and you turned him down. Now you are more reliant on the Knights system getting into place sooner rather than later. She did not buy the Knight system, the Champion Charlus insisted it would be owned and built by him. To follow that blade. Just for days like today."

The King bowed, "Understood."

Corellon Larethian disappeared. She reappeared just like she had not moved. She looked up, "He is gone?"

Mercian nodded, "I cannot keep the King out but Corellon Larethian can make that demand of the King. That is what you missed. No more entry into that area unless I leave it down for a long period of time. Else I will ward it to the nine hells."

She looked at the King, "Monitor but stay out of the area. What do you need from us Knight Champion?"

Mercian looked at him, "Your Majesty, I have had courses in etiquette and diplomacy. I need diplomatic orders to go and see the Dragons. Send Lucian if you like as well. She is a part of your Diplomatic Service."

He smiled, "I will have your papers within the hour. Lucian will bring them and your orders to the main gate. Then the two of you will travel to the Dragon lands and see if you can put that issue to rest. What do you plan to do?"

Mercian looked at him, "From a diplomatic perspective inform them of what I know, how to correct it or we go it alone and build a global system ourselves, Your Majesty."

He looked at Mercian, "Why do we not do that straight away?"

Mercian sighed, "This breakdown was an agreement between Gods to bring the Alliance back together. To let them know that they are acting counter to Bahumut's wishes in the matter. Then it will be the dwarves' turn in order to get access to the forge opened back up. Then all of us finding and reestablishing a connection to a human settlement to activate the forge.

It has to be close, have a master smith, and willing to work with us. I will need Charlus's will as well, Your Majesty."

He nodded, "She will bring it to you at the gate." Mercian bowed as the King released the door. Mercian left the audience chamber and then the Palace. He looked at his friend, "We have to be at the main gate in an hour."

---

King Goldeagle looked at Lucian, "You cannot control him. Direction to me was to support him. Try and keep negotiations civil if possible. Something tells me it might get heated with the way the dragons have been getting vocal."

Lucian bowed, "I will try my best but Mercian does not seem to be very compromising. He is rather 'matter of fact' about things."

The King nodded, "I am seeing that myself."

She bowed again and left with the paperwork after it arrived.

---

Mercian hopped on and teleported them to the palace gate and then to the main gate.

Then to the edge of Quatarsia. He sighed as they entered, "Send me a horse stealthy and nimble in the woods. Not afraid of magic or dragons."

He pulled his brown saddle and reigns that cost a small fortune to have made off of his horse.

He heard, "You take care champion."

She ran off as a medium warhorse came in with a deep copper color to it. A black mane and legs. Mercian thought, "Wow. You are a beautiful mare. Anama'Losgadh."

He heard back, "I like the name. Burning Soul. You have the heart of a poet."

He saddled her up, "The saddle and reins are enchanted to protect you from normal arrows and poison."

He heard her, "Good. Now I just need to not get hit by other things."

He chuckled. He mounted up and teleported them to the main gate as Lucian arrived. She handed him his papers. She looked at him, "I take the point in the discussion."

Mercian shrugged, "Until they try and dismiss us, and then I will say my peace."

She sighed, "He said you would be difficult."

She teleported a respectful distance from their gate. She looked at Mercian, "New horse?"

Mercian smiled, "I was told I would be monitored."

She sighed, "Even more so now."

Mercian looked at her, "I have a divine non-detection."

She nodded, "I was told."

They rode up to the outer gate. Lucian looked at the copper dragon on duty, "We are here to see your leadership. Diplomats from the Elven kingdom answering the request for any knowledge on an enchantment issue they are having."

He looked at Mercian, "You the same?"

Mercian nodded, "Except I would like to also see any surviving sons of Jazzia Silvertree as well."

He handed him his papers, "Family."

He looked at Mercian and his dragon-blooded features. He contacted the palace. He came back, "Your request to see any Silvertree relative has been denied. An escort will be here shortly."

Mercian looked at him, "In accordance with our agreed-upon diplomatic code I have a right to know who denied the request and the reason."

Mercian looked at him, "The council denied the request. You will have to ask them why."

Two hours later and a security detail of 6 dragons arrived. All gold dragons. He smiled to himself and thought, "They sent gold dragons because of my silver lineage. This is not confrontational at all."

They rode into the Palace to a large room and stopped in the middle. A forcefield went up around them and 5 metallics, 3 of which were gold, flew into the chamber. A copper and bronze joined them on the outer edges.

The one in the center looked at them and spoke out, "What do the elves want?"

Lucian started in, "I am Mariana Silver Reed of the Kings Diplomatic Service. We came here to provide information on a communication issue you inquired about, Your Majesty."

He looked at Mercian, "A Silvertree. You must be a relative of Charlus who we requested to be turned over to us."

Mercian looked at him, "I was a relative of his but he died the day your communication issues started."

He looked at Mercian, "You did not call me 'Your Majesty.'"

Mercian looked at him, "As per dragon tradition no introductions were made, this does not appear to be the council as there are 3 Gold Dragons here. I would have no way of knowing which one of you held that title, Your Majesty. I was told we would be seeing the council."

He looked at Mercian, "This is the Council and you will refer to everyone as 'Your Majesty.'"

Mercian nodded and said nothing. He looked at Lucian, "Give us your information."

Lucian pointed to Mercian, "Mercian Silvertree has the information, Your Majesty."

Mercian nodded. He looked at Mercian, "Well then you tell me what you know."

Mercian looked at him, "You have had a complete failure of your Overwatch system. All of your high-encrypted crystals fractured. An examination of the diamonds in the sky would find they are no longer there, all destroyed.

Your access to draconic Mythic Magic has been cut off and your books on the subject have either disappeared or gone blank. You can call me Knight Champion of Corellon Larethian, appointed messenger for him and Bahamut to a lesser extent, Your Majesty."

That irritated the hell out of him, "What makes you think you are a messenger for him?"

Mercian looked over at a guard, "Charlus Silvertree's will. You forgot Knight Champion of Corellon Larethian, Your Majesty."

He looked at the guy upfront and he signaled to drop the shield and the guard took the papers and they were right back inside of the Force Field. He read the contents of the will into the record and to the council. He looked at Mercian, "How do I know this is not some elven trick?"

Mercian shrugged, "Ask Bahamut, Your Majesty. You once again left out calling me by my title. We did not have to come at all. We came to work to get the Alliance reestablished.

To get the mythic magic back into the hands of ALL of the Metallic dragons. As they are not all represented here that portion of my mission is on hold. Who denied my request to see the offspring of Jazzia Silvertree and why, Your Majesty?"

He looked at Mercian, "I denied your request. I want those books!"

Mercian looked at him, "That is the fourth time you have neglected to use my title. I must assume that we have moved to informal communications. You are required to provide a reason with that denial. As to your question. I do not know where they are at. The Sword does. I have not and will not ask the question. Not until we have reached an agreement or come to a total impasse and you request us to leave."

He looked at Mercian, "You did not call me, YOUR MAJESTY!"

Mercian looked at him, "You have never called me by my title which would be proper court etiquette in this situation. You went informal and I went informal after your fourth failure in court etiquette. Especially when dealing with diplomats.

The first time I explained because your council has representatives of each metallic species. Brass and Silver are missing. This is not a fair representation of your kind to discuss the matter any further. If this forcefield were not up we would have ridden out of here by now."

He growled, "They are lying. We should execute them."

The bronze looked at him, "While I agree his diplomatic skills need work, we risk war if we attack them. They are here under diplomatic orders. If what they said is true then we lose mythic magic for, potentially ever."

The Gold King looked over, "Bring in one of our neutral interrogators!"

Mercian nodded and looked at Lucian who looked ready to shit, "They can, that would be a violation of the non-aggression pact with the neutrals. His only saving grace at the moment is that I am not with the Diplomatic Service.

I have diplomatic orders to deliver a message from the Gods. I have delivered it. They attack you, that is a whole other matter. Then our King can declare war over this. Bringing an end to the non-aggression treaty with the neutrals as well."

She looked at Mercian like he was trying to get her killed. The Gold King yelled at Mercian, "You will address this body, not each other."

Mercian continued to look at Lucian, "The only way that is happening is if they send me back or you back. You want to make a bet on which one of us he decides to keep around?"

She glared at Mercian but said nothing now because she feared for her own life if she even spoke. The Gold King roared out, "Get her the fuck out of the capital!"

They lowered the shield and took her away and raised it. Mercian sat there on his horse. He looked at Mercian, "Now tell me where those books are located!"

Mercian just shook his head. An hour later a neutral Crystal dragon was brought up chained. Mercian shook his head, "I wish no trouble for your kind. I am sorry that they have gone to chaining their own kind. I give you permission to tell him that I am telling the truth about who I am and why I am here. The fact that I do not know where the books are located. Because the sword has not told me yet."

The 'King looked at Mercian, "COMPEL HIM! ASK THE FUCKING SWORD!"