Silvertree Chronicles Bk. 11

He brought her out, "Get another ring made up. Standard training methods will not work with her. You are expecting an assassin? She has massive potential. Give me a week."

Janella looked miffed, "You spent 6 months to a year at a time teaching new abilities to my husband before he 'left' the kingdom to be here to train her."

Sanity smiled, "I can teach her a lifetime of information on her gifts in a week. It is up to her to choose what to access. I will tell her which abilities are best for the destiny before her, which ones she should avoid, and which ones she will not be able to master if any truly exists.

Get one of those psionic detectors. She will need practice but she should be able to suppress them back to not set them off at all without a ring. She had double the Psion capability of any elf I have met; at least that much. She could rival all but true psionic dragon masters in 30 years.

When she becomes an adult, she will have skills to rival my own. She can know it all in a week. She remembers her time in the womb. Her body absorbing most of the psionic energy of her twin and some of her mother's power as well, if not all of it from that fusion your enchanter did.

She has it all in context now that you have told her of the events of her life. It will take her months to master each ability. Not learn it...master it! She will have access to Mythic psionic powers; again, her choice for the most part.

Same restrictions. She has at her age what I have been spending a lifetime trying to master. She may have given me the key in how to do that. I will know before I leave. If so, then I will be leaving here and returning to my elemental plane.

To find others to teach the framework needed to be more like her. I have waited centuries for her to be born. I have a couple of millennia left in me. It will take me a century or two to master, to reorganize, my mind to be like her mind. What I will learn from her will make it to dragons of mine and other kinds on other worlds."

Janella asked, "What happened to all the metallic dragons and neutrals?"

He sighed and nodded, "She will know this in a day so I see no harm. The dragons have not left this world. Well, most have but not in death. They have moved to another world. One where most of the remaining chromatics went, in theory. They killed many Draco-liches and captured the relics to make them. One that I know of evaded them.

It will take centuries for him to be powerful enough or his willingness high enough, to try and create another. I do not know if any chromatics are even left here to attempt it. Then it only 'might' act upon it with another. Only a handful of dragons left on this world and all beyond breeding age.

This is why your draconic magic has faded. It is proportionate to the number of Metallic dragons in the world. Same went for chromatic dragons here. But to the best of our knowledge, they never entered into any long-term deal with their Gods.

Numbers like you have seen will not be seen again for a thousand elven lifetimes, if then because of the deal between Gods. Another of my kind will come to replace me here in a century or two. To see how this collector does as a teacher; if she survives what you are looking to have her do, or should I say her Gods have planned for her."

---

He passed along his knowledge and she took along everything he had gathered on Charlus from his contact with him. Things he had thought he had forgotten, she found. He found the key to what he wanted to do.

Sanity left her to her own training after the week he said it would take for her to learn. She added in every language and book that Charlus had read up to that point and could decrypt those portions of his mind that Sanity could never break into.

She shared some of what was hidden information that was history now concerning the Dragon's Overwatch destruction. Janella had returned Sanity to his cave alone and he found he had a visitor. One he had never met before but he knew who it was from images.

Bahamut stood there before him, "I have a request, a favor, and a demand to make of you. You are not one of my subjects, but things I have done have aided your kind. Specifically Amy Tryst and yourself Sanity. Organize your mind, share it with your kind as you have planned.

The demand, never share it with the chromatic dragons or humans. You would not have it without my efforts or Correllon. We did not do it for the chromatics or humans. Your alliance with the metallics have you keeping these kinds of secrets from them, even today.

Let truly gifted humans find it on their own within their own lifetime. They would likely never be able to share it given the short lives they have. I am asking you to work that into every student to keep your bonded promises made in this world.

Inform all of your students of this demand. Failure to do so will have metallics looking to hunt those that break that bond. The favor, do not work to share it with the metallic dragons without my permission. The ones who left here did not earn the right to that information. They disappointed me on several occasions.

Upon other worlds, those metallics might be well suited to learn this eventually. Psionics though is a gift for your kind primarily. The perfection of the mind though was a gift from the elves as your kind saw their value first. Your efforts to aid them were more consistent and fair. Your kind did not fall to corruption here. Correlon rewarded you.

Keep this in mind as it is a gift from Correlon and myself for your dedication. His people are in trouble here and your efforts in sticking around to find this psion were noticed and appreciated. The request, from Correlon, keep his champion a secret for the next century.

She learned much of Charlus from you and more than tripled her knowledge of the library and encryption from what she pulled from your mind from Charlus's interaction. You sped up her training which he did not predict but appreciated. You chose a side in this conflict that is happening, and we were glad it was our side.

We do not want this enemy who is attacking our ally to know who this champion might be. Send your message about a student with a perfect mind, to your other students, but the fact she is a champion must remain hidden. Correlon cannot make this request himself, so I am making it for him."

Sanity sighed and nodded, "Tell Correlon thank you for making my life long search an eventual reality. Her mind is truly remarkable. I will work to protect her. We will pass along your demand and potential consequences if they fail to listen.

After the incarceration by the corrupted gold dragons and the chromatics that worked with those rogue elements, I would concur with your concern. We cannot control the individuals, but we will make it known and I will share my personal experiences to stress that point."

Bahamut left and Sanity sent his goodbye message to his prominent students and the Elven War Horses to share. Only with Elven Psions, they came into contact with. Those who were not gold-elves loyal to the King. He then stepped through the gate he created and was gone.

Septa 22nd 10241

Her bardic training completed and already earned her Masters level years before, Nova started performing at local inns and eateries; most were outside the capital she visited. She spent a few months with Cresena before Cresena finally passed on.

Novella Silvertree the Bard was born. Playing some of Melody's works, some enhanced versions and she introduced a few of her own pieces. Janella took clothes and reading materials to Hisoran Bramble Bush in Left Eye that he had requested.

Seconds after returning a crystal went active a voice yelled, "Security blades active. Security walls up! Tell Nova I am taking a vacation. Shut off food. SEAL PORTAL."

The crystal broke. She knew the crystal would not break unless the portal had not closed all the way before it broke. She knew the defensive wall was up. She put on a ring of improved invisibility She tried to enter the cavern. It was sealed by another blocker. She took the ring off and shut off teleport access.

An hour later she was contacted by house guards, "Royal guards are here to inquire about teleport activity."

She nodded, "Tell them I will be right out."

She grabbed her instrument and looked at her husband, "Wait here and don't leave this room."

She altered her appearance and walked out. She walked out ready for work. She saw the 4 royal guards. "How can I help you?"

They looked at her, "Overwatch has been monitoring for illegal activity. Something occurred elsewhere in the city and a teleport was picked up here."

She looked at him, "I returned from Broken Glacier inn, my student is performing there. I started training her after marrying my second husband Freemar. My husband Brocken went to human lands to find psions to rain for many years."

He looked at her, "Broke Glacier?"

She shook her head, "Broken Glacier Inn & Pub it has a slogan, 'Hot enough to melt ice. Cool enough to keep the drinks cold.' She is not yet an adult. She had been spending time with a Grandmother of hers; great a few times over actually, until she passed.

Cresena Silvertree the Bard famous for her rendition of 'The Flight of the Pegasus.' Written of course by her husband's great many times removed grandmother Melody Silvertree."

He looked at her, "Illusion magic was also detected here." She figured that would also be noticed with the removal of scrying blockers in all but gold-elf households in the Capital. She reverted her appearance. She then changed to an old human lady and back again. "I am a bard, we use illusions to portray characters."

He nodded. He walked away while the one guard waited. He came back over, "We need proof of this student of yours."

She sighed, "Do you have a teleportation circle to get us back?"

His friend nodded, "She gathered them and used a scroll to take them to just outside of the inn. The guards' split-up. One on the crystal while another followed inside. She knew there was no psionic detector in this place and that Overwatch did not extend this far North. It was an ideal location for Nova.

Nova performed a song from the cubby hole in the corner; an original piece.

She looked up to see Janella and thought, "Problem?"

Janella thought, "Yes, just ask me what am I doing back here so soon. Tell them about your visit with Cresena and your reason for being this far north. In fact, tell the barkeep to ask what I am doing back so soon."

All the while she played. The barkeep came over, "Back so soon? Would you like another glass of wine?"

She looked at the Guard, "I don't know if I have time. How is she doing?"

He smiled, "If she were not underage, I'd ask her to be my bride but that goes for half the bar at any given time. The other half are female and interested until they hear she is not of age yet. She is impressive for her age; for any age really."

She looked at the royal guard who nodded to the barkeep.

The guard nodded, "We just have a question for her when she is done."

The song finished with a nice loud ovation.

She came over, "Back so soon?"

The guard looked at her, "Who is she to you?"

She looked at the guard strangely, "Family, a mentor, my trainer, and a surrogate mother after my mother died in childbirth. What is going on?"

He did not answer her, "Why are you performing all the way up here?"

She sighed, "My grandmother Cresena, who was married to the last champion, performed here. She lived further north in her final days. I spent a few months with her. Performing for her and the tribe. I might have some Snow-elf in me but not enough; that is why the ugly boots. Enchanted to keep me warm. This was the inn the champion first saw her, brought here by his sister. I am connecting with a part of that family history. Working on writing new material on his and her life."

He seemed satisfied with her answers. He walked out with Janella followed him down to the other guard.

He looked at him, "Young talented Bard and even the barkeep asked her about being back so soon."

He nodded, "They still want us to take her there."

He nodded and teleported them into the cave. One of the guards pointed, "Right there. See if she can open it."

She walked over. "Here?"

He shook his head, "Right and back a few steps."

She nodded, "What are you wanting me to do?"

He sighed, "Try open portal."

She shrugged, "Open portal." Nothing. She looked at him. "What is this place?"

The Guard looked at her, "Do not ask."

She heard the one guard, "I know he got across the blades but he was badly hurt. He disintegrated that guy. He was talking on a crystal but I could not hear what he was saying over Flearns screams and the sound of those blades."

She walked back to the battlemage. She asked, "You think there is a shelter there?"

He nodded, "Yes like the ones you have."

She nodded, "If it was built by one of the champions then the only way to open it is to be on the list. If everyone on the list died then it will never open; except by the holder of one of the two Moon Blades used to build them. Whichever one built it. We know where those have gone."

He took her out. Over the next 3 months, every Silvertree of age was brought into the cavern including the Patron in full cooperation with the King. Freemar was not called in because he never took the Silvertree name. But it included every registered Psion in the Silvertree line. Every worker who ever worked there was brought in and nobody could gain entry.

Jana 5th 10245

War started again. The King orders conscription of half of every Moon-elf, wood-elf, and snow-elf races as it happened. No exception for the elderly. No Gold-elf conscriptions occurred because the population was so 'small.'

Yet it was 50 times the size of the Snow-elves. Images began appearing around the capital of a broken sword covered in blood with a regally dressed gold-elf corpse. The resistance gained a new face. One that appeared to be ultra-violent.

Brocken had returned home, barred from being in the army being a registered psion. Freemar, her husband's alternate persona, had been reported killed by the horde as he had been in a human village that was wiped out. He was just a fighter and not a Silvertree gestalt. That removed that fraudulent alter-ego from the family.

Nova 5th 10247

A nighttime attack by a group of battle mages armed with disintegrate and earthquake spells brought the island holding Overwatch crashing down. Two days later all royal guards were conscripted into the military, as well as all city guards.

Only gold-elves were permitted to hold those positions. 2years later and the repaired tower was flying again; just at a much smaller size. Moon-elf city guards returned in small numbers, only in the Roc and Market districts, which included the Moon elf households that lived in the city, except for one. Moon Blade, though it was guarded constantly.

No shields had been in place in the Kingdom for centuries as the draconic magic availability was all but gone except to the master Enchanter in House Silvertree. This fact was kept hidden from everyone, including others within House Silvertree. Especially the Patron who was told no new Master Trainer had been named. A hidden note to the incoming Master Trainer to stay hidden.

Nova is Born.

Feba 36th 10252

Novella Silvertree was finally of age. She spent it singing at the 'Big Brisling Boar' In the Capital for a change. It was just after the evening meal.

She was headed home when she was stopped by 2 royal guards, "Papers."

She showed them her papers.

One asked, "Why are you not off defending the Kingdom?"

She looked at him, "I turned of age as of today and my Patron has not informed me of my need to go yet. Maybe he will when I arrive home. I will go willingly if instructed. Only half of the houses are required to go and he does not send them the day they come of age. Sometimes it is a week later as they get their final gear together."

The guard smiled, "The King will want to see this one. See if she is worthy of an exception."

She pulled out a crystal and the guard looked at her, "What are you doing?"

She looked at him, "Following the law. Informing my Patron if I might be late getting home; because of the curfew laws."

She activated the crystal. "Please inform my Patron that 2 Royal guards are taking me to see the King about a war-time exception now that I am of age. I did not ask for or want one but the curfew is set to be upon us before I could have a chance of getting home from the Palace. Not with teleportation restrictions within the Palace District."

She had heard the stories of these 'exceptions' leading to death or being made a consort. She also knew she would likely have to play along as a strike against the King in the middle of the war; even one as cruel as this one, was unwise. Every gold elf guard along the way enjoyed stopping her to search for a weapon.

Non-gold-elves were not allowed to carry weapons. Unless a market guard, a Patron, or his 1allotted bodyguard. Those coming home from the war had to turn their weapons over at the main gate to a guard who escorted them home and returned the weapons to the patron unless they were gold-elves. Some just teleported straight home instead if capable

Nova thought, "Is he going to detect me as a champion?"

She heard back, "You will not show as a champion yet. After you give birth, you will be visible until you get the sword. Was the best we could do for you at the moment. Everything you are doing is based on your birth. You will gain more after giving birth."

She arrived at the Palace at the same time as Monnius. She knew he could not interfere, only bear witness to her fate. She was taken to the front and bowed before the King. Holding it as required by law now when not a gold-elf. To show obedience to the King and his superior high-elf status.

Others had to bow to in the capital palace district but did not have to hold it as they were not permitted to dawdle. This cut down Mon elf's business and he set up a second shop in the Moon elf district and divided his time.

He employed gold-elves to work his counters to deal with the patrons in that district. The King's spies he knew. They cost almost twice as much as other employees but it cut down on non-family dealing with the gold-elves.

King Goldeagle looked at the guards, "What do we have here?"

The guards looked at the King and the one in charge smiled, "Another one in need of an exception, your Majesty."

The King smiled, "You need an exception, do you? What is your name? You may stand."

She stood, "I am Novella Silvertree. As I explained I have not asked, nor want an exception. If I am expected to go then I will go. My Patron has not informed me as of yet, your Majesty."

He looked at her and debated, "What do you do? Academy trained?"

She shook her head, "I am a bard. Trained by my surrogate mother Janella Silvertree, your Majesty."

He looked at her, "I know you have to be a gestalt."

She nodded, "Nothing useful in the city. I can fight with weapons in both hands. No magical skill beyond bardic, Your Majesty."

He looked at her, "Why do my guards think you want an exception?"

She looked at them, "I pointedly told them that I did not want one! I told who was on guard at House Silvertree the same thing. To pass the word to my Patron, your Majesty."

He looked at the guard, "What made you think she wanted an exception?"

The guard smiled, "She told us, and her paperwork confirmed, she turned of age today. She just finished performing at the Big Bristling Boar. If she wanted to keep performing for money, we thought you should make that call, your Majesty."