Silvertree Chronicles Bk. 11

She portaled out. She did a teleportation circle to the fourth floor and stepped in. She looked at them, "I just cleared both dungeons, killing at least 15 guards. Locked out the portal for the War Room and the King's secure quarters. I think his wife and kids are inside.

Recruited out of House Silvertree and locked it down for 7 days. The Patron and I are now the only ones with portal and security access and now I am here for the blade wielders."

She saw a few of the guys she spoke with about the resistance.

She looked over, "I pulled every prisoner you can come and check on them. If they are your guys you can get them back."

They nodded. They stepped out. "I am locking this portal for 7 days. Nobody will be able to open it. You staying Brocken or coming?"

He walked over to his wife. She called out, "Set portal access to those inside and already on the list. Seal portal for 7 days."

She brought the portal in and they all stepped and portaled out. She opened the door. Nearon stopped in his tracks and was near frantic, "We have to get my wife!"

She nodded at him and pulled up the encampment," Which tent is hers?"

He pointed. "She is not in it."

She nodded, "Contact her."

She answered, "Hello my love."

Nova smiled, "Your love and I are sitting trying to find you to pull you out. House Silvertree is locked down. I broke out every prisoner from both dungeons and caused havoc. They are searching for House Silvertree members."

She sighed, "I am in the commander's office and he just got a call to get me."

Nova smiled, "Commander I am coming. I will punch you in the face and leave this Message. The Dark Nova is coming. Judgment comes. Then stick some manacles on you. You tell them it looked like a woman called Viper. The assassin. You managed to kill or wound 2 of us before they got out of the portal."

He chuckled.

She switched forms, ran out of the portal sprung herself at him, and gave him a medium punch in the face. She did not want to break his jaw but she did hear a cracking sound. She secured maniacal on him lying on the floor. He looked over, "You fucking hit hard."

She smiled, "I held back. Did not want to kill you. Get a cleric to heal that after you speak with the King. She snapped one of his arms and sent him screaming. "Also fix that. For the damage, you caused. Buys you credibility with the King. I need you leading this army."

Her cousin Senna stepped in. The commander chuckled again and shook his head, "Way to sell it." She looked over at her Aunt Prinna as she put the Nova symbol on the center of his desk as big as she could make it and then she cast permanency on it.

She stepped back, "Remember, I am Viper and spared you to deliver a message. Dark Nova is coming to kill the corrupted King. He will need an army to stop us!"

He nodded, "Understood." She portaled out and back to the base.

She walked down, "Follow me, one at a time. Do not touch anything in this room but your sword and do not fight it's probing. They are all relics. Once we are done, I will seal this room up."

They came in one at a time and claimed their swords. Monnius grabbed his having already done it. She thought, "What do you want to do with the flute?"

Nova heard her sigh, "Tell your Aunt Orea to use the flute. She plays already but she is unsure if she should do it. She is standing near it and looking at it."

Nova smiled, "12 down and 2 to go. We had to move faster than we wanted. They know my house is involved. They have probably guessed that I am alive."

She walked down to the holding cell. "All 12 blades are in the hands of new wielders. We will pass judgment on the King by the direction of Corellon Larethian. I just completed a lightning strike on the Palace, clearing both dungeons, killing his interrogator, and 15 others.

I dropped a couple of those in the throne room. The rest on the front lawn. Then I struck the Commander of the army. He put up a fight but I wanted him alive to deliver a message. Aunt Orea, by the direction of the Lady of Dreams, you should use the flute."

Orea looked at Nova, "Really?"

Nova nodded. "Yes."

She smiled and picked it up, "She gasped as they communicated."

Finally, she looked up, "The flute has direction, 'Kill me if the performer gets corrupted.'"

Nova smiled, "There is a lot of that going on. Did it give you any abilities to tie itself to you?"

She nodded. Nova smiled, "Good to have another relic in a user's hands."

Nova thought, "Any other elven relics I need to distribute?"

She heard the Lady of Dreams, "There is one you could do now. One from the resistance movement. It is a rapier. It is the last Elven one here in fact."

She sent her the image. "He would make an excellent wielder for Heart Piercer. His name is Forjan Silver Root. A former splinter from House Silvertree."

Nova walked down to the master where most of them were gathered. "I am looking for Forjan Silver Root."

The one who did all the talking looked at her, "How did you get my name?"

Nova walked out waving him on, "The Lady of Dreams wants to put a weapon in your hand that is an elven Relic. Rapier named Heart Piercer."

Forjan looked at Nova, "You're kidding me?!"

Nova looked at him, "I do not joke about relics." He nodded as they walked in and Nova pointed. "That rapier."

It had a white alabaster grip and a dark red guard shaped like an actual heart. He reached up and took the sword. It seemed to be talking with him. Nova knew the look. He looked at her with a smile and nodded, "Thank the Lady of Dreams for me."

Nova smiled, "Just say in your head. She will hear you."

He laughed and then he looked up, "She told me to work with you and get the resistance in order."

Nova nodded. "Then get with the guys here first."

Nova looked at her Aunt Orea who followed. They walked out of the room. "Seal relic room until the activation ceremony." She walked over to the command center. "I want to know if there is any activity at New Moon and Moon Blades homes or businesses.

She looked and they seemed quiet. She looked at the display. "Looks like they are spreading the word that teleportation is forbidden. Our portal leaves a unique signature. Have you noted that? It is not really a Portal as in the spell it is someone's research."

Orea nodded, "Your right, there are significantly fewer teleportation signatures. Probably only..."

Nova smiled, "Guards and Gold-elves."

She pulled up House Silvertree and it looked like they set the building on fire.

She brought out the other Portable displays and divided up the area watching over the area. She picked the two up that she had, "Food."

She smiled and they went to the dining area. She soon had 12 blade wielders there.

She looked at them, "We need to talk. This should be all 14 of us but we cannot take a chance to go after the other 2 at the moment. We need to talk about what we do after taking the King and most of his family down?"

Monnius looked at her, "I am not King material."

Nova smiled, "That is what would make you a good King, but we need a second body of government that cannot be corrupted. To work with changes in the law and in the case of destroying a house has to approve and to what level. A council of thirteen; Thirteen houses that at the blade wielder level cannot be destroyed. Unless they put in their will.

They also have to provide what proof they have that their house should not be saved. All house disownments have to go through this council. They have to be made aware of the state of the treasury and approve any expense over a set amount. It is called checks and balances. We get corrupted our blades will kill us. Talk it over. The Gods liked my ideas but they are leaving the choice to us."

She thought, "Varus'Nor do you hear the Gods in my dreams?"

He sighed, "Sometimes they want me to listen in but it is rare. Normally I only hear your responses in your mind."

Nova sighed and thought, "I need to address that issue mentally. Fix that flaw for a spy and assassin."

Nova heard him chuckle, "I will let you know if there is trouble."

Nova thought, "Dear Lady what if they destroy the Silvertree?"

Nova heard her reply, "It is an elven relic not in the hands of anyone. They do not realize it. No elemental damage will affect it, any damage from an ax or another weapon should heal faster than they can damage it. Even the Branches will regenerate. To destroy the tree, they would have to destroy your house.

Every member. It is immune to instant kill spells like the finger of death and disintegrate. It can only be moved from its location with a specific divine spell to allow the earth around it to be encased in force."

Nova smiled, "Thank you for answering that."

Nova heard Varus'Nor, "Thank you for letting me listen in on that exchange."

Moon Bow looked over at Nova, "The grinning bitch wanted to say hello, and thank you."

Nova nodded, "Tell her I know everything about Varus'Nor and it is locked away. Which means I know a lot about the grinning bitch. He did a mental exchange and as far as mental prowess goes a powerful Psion can win out. Especially against a 'fucking know-it-all psion.'"

Nova heard Trika, Varus'Nor, and all the guys chuckle.

Tri-Moon looked at her, "You did not have the painful bonding?"

Nova shook her head, "Freely gave him everything about me in under 10 minutes. I pushed it at him and I learned everything about him in about an hour. Yes, definitely a male persona. The way my mind works I record everything going on around me.

Every sound, every breeze across my skin, changes in color if my eyes are open. I also remember every sex act and person or creature I had to kill. I have every memory he has from every wielder. I would pull knowledge from their minds sometimes. Depended on the target."

He shook his head, "I find it hard to believe that an assassin would hold one of these blades."

Nova smiled, "Charlus did it as well; every duelist with magical or clerical talents can be formidable assassins for their Gods. They do things for the greater good, like recovering 14 relics. I have access to the method to repair 2 more. In case you did not hear there were 2 non-Moon Blade relics found and given to users."

He sighed, "Alright I can see for the greater good."

Nova nodded but was still miffed, "What do you think you will be when you have to kill a house member for corruption? When you have to hunt them to do it?"

He held up his hands, "Point made. We all have to kill and we all have different methods of doing it."

Nova smiled, "Thoughts on this council."

Storm Blade asked, "What if we are not here or the blades are destroyed."

Nova nodded, "We work with a minimum quorum. We will have fourteen blades and the King would not be on the council, he forms the traditional role of leading the people. That would mean 7 is a minimum quorum to take on an issue. With the base, we have a place with a portal that can get you and return you to anywhere provided I am around. I would say the War Room is the meeting place; when I open it back up."

They chuckled. "I did not shut off food access so if anyone was in there they can eat. To approve a change, you would need a 5 out of 7 or 9 out of 13. Two-thirds of the council's approval would be required. We have a division that wide on an issue then we need to break it down. What is good and what is bad about the decision for each side.

Now someone may abstain or has to recuse themselves. They feel like they have a conflict of interest or it involves your house then the council drops in size for that vote. We would have to have a minimum of 5 voting members who will consider the issue. Else it is delayed until we get more council members available. All of this still goes through the King.

But these big life-changing decisions have a second check against something that is not corruptible. The King's Blade should not be in battle; however, he or she is King or Queen can make that choice. There are no proxies or anyone who is not being checked by their blade adviser. That means if the King or Queen goes into battle court comes to a halt.

We are going into a civil war because our blades could not handle the issue. The previous wielders refused to consider the King as being the corrupted one until they were all dead or trapped in a pit fighting arena.

That also means to be King or Queen you have to be judged and accepted by the blade. The heir is chosen by the Gods to take on the blade or they risk their lives trying. Blades would need to be assigned immediately if recovered; will readings are fine.

Blade wielders need to be adults to be counted on the council. If the Gods put the blade in the hands of a 10-year-old then the council is down one for 65 years. I wrote most of it out if you wish to read through it, then you can. I am the one making this suggestion.

I will abstain from the vote because you know what it would be. I am biased. You bring the issue and you have to abstain from the vote. Rules and procedures. I need to go and track a few people down. I will be back."

Nova walked out and found Lieutenant Senna Silvertree moping around, "Walk with me."

Senna nodded, "I need something to do."

Nova smiled, "Part of what I wanted to talk with you about."

---

King Goldeagle felt thwarted at every turn. He issued a decree, All Moon Blade wielders homes were disowned. They can reclaim their family names and finances only if they turn over those who had joined the rebellion. He gave them a list of the suspects for about half the houses. All accounts going to the Kingdom. All teleportation into and out of the Capital was suspended unless they were gold-eves or gold-elf guards. Violators would be killed and their families disowned."

He had circumvented his own family trust years ago and he had all of the gold brought to the palace from that. It went toward his second payment. He went to the fourth floor and cast up another secure shelter. It did not have security but from this location, he could use the repeater crystals.

He ordered the Palace vacated, except for guards, advisors, and family members who were to be in this secure shelter. He planned to kill them all. Monnius and his family were missing. He was married to a former Silvertree wife of the last wielder. He should have seen that sooner. His name was at the top of the list along with this Novella Silvertree.

He issued orders to Overwatch. "Keep an eye open on those signatures. I want the system divided up, the outside area trapped to the hells and scrying on where they go too and in that tower. I want 20 battlemages inside the shelter in case they breach from the roof.

Leave it as an obvious entry point. They act as though they have Alliance Overwatch functioning. No...there was an entry about Gods' eyes is another system. Do we know where that is located?"

Overwatch responded, "No idea, our data is limited. We can tell you there are two caverns below the city that have scrying and teleportation blocked off. One was Alliance overwatch. The other is much larger and we cannot see or get into it. It is also deeper underground. There are two others outside the city in the same fashion. Scrying and teleportation blocked. It could also be outside of our area of coverage."

The King cursed, "Damned it! Continue to monitor. Inform me of when you see that activity. Do not deploy on it immediately. I want groups of battle mages to target it once you know people are coming out of it."

The voice at overwatch sighed, "I should report that 2 house patrons are missing, Gold Ear and Golden Lute. We have seen signs of minor necromancy at both locations with that teleportation signature. They could get through the building material in the palace to teleport. Scrying is also likely."

He thought to Abraxus, "They have cut off access to my final payment to you. I will sacrifice others during this delay. They will have to open it at some point."

Abraxus thought back, "I cannot see into that shelter. Your elven gods have it sealed off from me. It is owned by the Silvertree Blade Wielder and is not truly yours. Pray they still live. Else you will burn for thousands of years and be turned into a soul larva to be consumed eventually."

King Goldeagle shuttered at the thought and it enraged him even more.

---

Nova took Senna outside. They went into the stable out there which was not being used. She put down the displays on a bench and took her into her arms and kissed Senna passionately. She tried to suck the tongue out of Nova's head. She let her try as Nova grabbed her ass. Nova looked at Senna as she backed off, "I knew you liked women too."

Senna smiled, "Yes, I have been trying to get Nearon to pick up a second wife."

Nova sighed hard and let her go.

Nova walked over to the door and back, "He told me his wife did not want a second wife. I am a hard woman to commit too because my job could take me into the field where I am put into the position to be the seductress to get to a target."

She growled, "I will have a few words with him about that!"

Nova nodded, "You both have kissed me passionately. I will say when I looked like you, he put more effort into it. When it was just me working on beating him up about hating me for his time in prison.

Those are 2 big things and I do not know if he could overlook them both. 5 years of hatred is not something easily overcome. Then I never told him, or anyone that I was the champion. The direction of the Gods."

She nodded, "It might just be you and he does not have the guts to tell you. Because of those issues."

Nova nodded, "We can get you outfitted to work on a strike team. We have gear that is not army gear and probably way better than what you are wearing. I could also use your help with Gods' Eyes. You have options other than being bored. I want to do a strike on Overwatch. Pull crystals from the console.

One for each will do it. And it will disable them until we are ready. They are abusing the system. It was built by a spy and assassin to protect not crush the people. The sooner the better."

Senna nodded, "Give me a couple of days on that strike and I will come up with a plan."

Nova nodded, "Then we will put them to work. I will have every caster load up on the teleport and teleportation circle spells. Quickened as well. We can have them bouncing around putting Nova symbols everywhere. We need a slew of communication crystals to do that."

Senna nodded, "I will ask around after I grab my husband by the sack and have a talk."

Nova nodded, "Do not beat him up over those issues with me. He can accept me or reject me."

Senna sighed, "For you. I still want a second wife and him telling a woman I do not want one is not right."

Nova nodded, "I can only tell you what I experienced. I do not know if he has done that with others."

Nova walked back over and kissed her again. This time she taught her a few tricks about kissing. Nova had a crystal go off and interrupted her.

It was Janella, "I am up in the command center and I got a call from Moon Blade. I think we need to discuss an issue."

Nova sighed, "On my way. Who are 'we?' Who else do you want?"

She sighed, "All of the blade wielders. Your Aunt Orea is already here, she is my cousin."

Nova smiled, "I am bringing Lieutenant Silvertree to get an army perspective."

She giggled, "Not a bad idea."

Nova let it go dark and they walked back. She thought, "Shi'Trika was Nearon on that list of mates?"

Nova heard back from Trika, "No he was not."

Nova thought, "It will have to wait then until after this is over."