Chapter7 Home, Hearth, and a Kingdom made Whole
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"My people, recover many wondrous things from the floor of the sea. If you have the time I will show you something I think you should see in Bay town. We can go out to the harbor masters building at the end of the main dock." Sebastian told them. The three made their way to the harbor master's building and entered. "Oceanus, we will be going to bay town please see the revenue chest and their mounts are taken back to the palace."
The harbor master saluted at once, his skin having just a hint of a blueish tint to it as the light of the sun touched him. He wrote out orders and sent several young marines running. "Be sure to close the hatch this time My Lord Sebastian, I nearly fell in earlier today"
Sebastian led them to a hatch in the floor opened it and went down the ladder and slipped into the water below. Tristan and Celestae were amazed at what they saw. children played with stingray's that followed them like puppies. Coral houses were set along streets and multiple colors of fish swam in schools and in and out of the coral gardens. Truly several thousand elves moved about here beneath the waves as folks in Breezae proper might, they swam along a main street to great coral gates that stood in the rock of this watery wonder filled basin.
The guards opened the great gates for them and they swam in the moss lighted corridor then they emerged in a vast underground cavern. Gnomes moved about mushroom beds and a few small storage area's that were little more than worked caves. This is near the gnome quarter or the city. a good deal of the food that fed the city above was grown here before you came. They have there own tunnels down to the caverns as do the Dwarves. He led them through vast galleries with natural columns and filled with stalactites that hung from the ceiling above and stalagmites that rose up from the floor. He led them behind a large underground waterfall and into a carved archway. They followed it a few hundred feet to emerge at an adamantine gate. Gold armored guards opened the gates for them and they entered a large vaulted hall. Great coral columns rose up to support the ceiling above. The floors were of polished marble. Silver and gold clad warriors of the palace guard moved about kitchen and dinning area's and great rows of bunks. "This my Prince, is in the very basement of your own tower" He led them to a heavily guarded door. It was opened and another pair of guards stood on the other side. A well muscled Gold armored Officer came toward them.
" My Highness's, I am Lord Vivex commander of the palace Guardians. My apologies for not greeting you before hand. You were quite busy and so were we. Kalix explained much to me and we were all amazed to find we had been in stasis i think he called it, for almost five decades." The commander said in a flawless high elven. " We are the Draconians, We are very much alive but differ from the rest of you. When ever a metallic Dragon dies his remains are recovered and brought here. Lady Hiffurani the High Priestess of the Dragons temple above takes the teeth and using magic plants them in the catacombs. We grow till our roots are drawn into us and we bare the characteristics of the Dragon from who's tooth we grew. We gold and silver Draconians serve as the Palace guard. the copper, bronze and brass are the servants above. We retain much of the knowledge the dragon from which we came had. We are bound to the Palace and the area around the city. We are able it seems to move freely about the caverns. They are vast and extend in some places all the way to the Great Causeway at Lake Isil. In ages past we could accompany our Lords and Ladies to the Capitol at **** Kethendae****. It currently lies beneath the Lake Isil. If it is ever brought again into the light of day we will again be able to move about the surface of Duchy Breezae. Our purpose for existing is to protect you, the palace and city, this duchy and the capital. Tens of thousands of my race, for lack of a better word lay in stasis as Kalix calls it in the capital at ****Kethendae*****." The commander seemed a bit embarrassed as he searched for words. "My people the golds, and the silver are not a very talkative lot, I must admit. In time we will warm to each other and become more relaxed around each other. the others are more accustom to social inter action. Please do not judge our stern and rigid demeanor to harshly. Our first duty is The protection of you and your family. Then the city, and lastly Breezae itself. Kalix tells me I was the first and Sunbringer himself gave my tooth. I do hope in time we can consider each other kinsmen perhaps. Well I have kept you over long and must see to the rosters. We are moving slowly out from the palace to protect the city once more. Tonight we will move to cover from the waterfront to the market Square." The commander added..
Lady Celestae, came forward and not only hugged the rigid commander but kissed both his cheeks before releasing the somewhat startled Draconian. "Of course we are kinsmen and we share the proud heritage of the Dragon clans. Would you be able to make yourself available to dine with us this evening I have much i would like to discuss with you if your willing?"Celestrae ask, the commander.
Tristan came forward and clasp Vivex arm in the way of warriors, "You might as well tell her yes Commander Vivex or she will order you to dinner anyway," He said with smile. "I am pleased, I have cousins guarding us and am quite overjoyed we in particular share the blood of Sunbringer. I have some few things i myself would like to speak to you on. So please consider it, as a personal favor to us." Tristan added.
"It shall be then," Vivex saluted them and went towards his office.
Sebastian led them down a corridor where a great spiraling stairs with massive marbled sculptures sat back in the alcoves along it. Some different breeds of dragons and others of elven ancestors, unicorns, and other noble creatures. Tubes set into the stone shone light upon them. At the first landing Sebastian opened a adamantine door and they entered a room with some fifty guards dispersed at intervals around the circular room. "This, My Lords and Ladies is the treasury of Breezae. Niles has had a few dozen gnome and dwarven accountants and appraiser in here since you left. I dare say he knows fairly close by now your exact wealth." He led them around the stacks of ingots and leather bags of coins. One section had several large bins each contained a single type of gem and a carat range were labeled upon them with the current count. A dwarf came over and opened one of the bins for them and they stared with disbelief at all the egg sized emeralds. He dumped ten more into the bin changed the count and closed it again. "Over here are all the transaction records for nearly a thousand years several of the brass Draconians maintain them and have them filed so they can produce records for you in less than hour. This new section TrisCel is where all the records of your reign will be stored if your children ever wish to see what payroll was in any given week of your reign. They can find it here. Having walked in a circle around the treasury they exited and climbed to the next landing.
This room was about half the size of the ducal treasury. one section had roughly a hundred crowns, tiara's, and other state items such as scepters and necklaces and rings, earrings, bracelets, and bracers. Fine porcelains, instruments, statuary, and art. Their were libraries of magic tomes and spell books, ancient books and scrolls gathered from around the world. Stacks of ingots and bins full with leather bags of coins, and a gem vault on a smaller scale. There were magic labs and crafting area's And a vault of drawers that held items of magic and even a small section labeled relics. "This is the treasury of the royal house which is of course you and Tristan," He explained as Celestae looked about amazed. "I dare say your highness's are rather well off." He said with a smile and led them back to the winding stair.
"This is your Library," he said as the guards opened the doors to a room as large as the treasury. It was a marbled hall with mosaic floors. The mosaics were maps of Ontillae and all the known world. Hearths warmed the rooms and they were decorated with cushioned chairs carved wooden desk and tables. "Their are a dozen librarians here as well." Sebastian supplied.
They climbed the last flight of stairs, the waiting guards opened the door into the hall of their apartments. They walked about ten feet and emerged from a tapestry that was an illusion passing two guard barracks that held about fifty guards each. "Niles had to keep picking my chin up and closing my mouth for me when he gave me the tour. We were so busy after the Palace appeared we never really explored to much did we? Our small company had much to do, Even now we scramble around all corners of Ontillae to make her secure."Sebastian added.
" Indeed we are." Tristan replied. then smiling he told them. "I have a few things to do with my lovely Celestrae before dinner Please try to make it back to dine with us. He then scooped his lovely wife into his arms and entered their private apartments He walked over, stepped into the bathes and waded out into it till they were totally underwater. There in the deep of the warm pool he kissed her deeply as they helped each other remove their cloths. As they held each other there on the bottom of the baths. They discovered the mosaic of two gold dragons sunning themselves on a cliff over looking the sea.
When Celestrae and Tristan finally emerged from the bath their toes and fingers were wrinkled up like prunes. They dried each other off and then stood on the balcony in their robes. "We never did see what the cargo was that was on the blockade ships did we. I think I enjoyed the wonders just down the hall and that spiral staircase much better." She said with a content smile.
"There is so much about this duchy, city, and kingdom we know little to nothing about. How are we suppose to rule over so many Celestae. We are still learning things of our own peoples here in Breezae. Ontillae has two and twenty duchies." Tristan sighed heavily holding his beloved. "Not to mention the Seven Jewels of the East."
"I have faith, not only in you my Tristan, but in us and the small company. The other Lords and Ladies will see to their duchies even as we see to Breezae." She kissed him gently, "We will do our best for all our people, and none could ask more. Now hold me she said dropping her robe to the floor and he scooped her into his arms and kissed her. He inhaled deeply her scent and the honeysuckle and jasmine filled his sense of smell. He fell back onto the bed and they laughed as Celestrae's wealth of ebony hair fell shimmering down around them like a veil and she kissed him deeply.
"I would be so lost without you to boaster my confidence with that relentless faith you have in me. I and the people of Ontillae are truly fortunate I have you my dear heart," Tristan said as he softly ran his hands over her smooth skin and combed her long hair with his nimble fingers. "You are my beating heart my sweet Celestae, and I have loved you since the first time I saw you."
"Celestae smiled flipped up to straddle him leaning down to nibble his ear lobe. Soon the pair had given into their passion and their dragon heritage begin to emerge as lightning flashed in their eyes and what could only be called draconic words and growls issued softly from the entwined pair.
They dressed in their leather ranger britches and green cotton shirts They stuck their gifted daggers into the tops of their boots and belted on their swords before going to the dinning hall in their apartments. Sebastian talked near the hearth with Amelia and Niles. Lady Astrid conversed with commander Vivex as they entered and had a tankard of fire mead. They all sat around the smaller table as thick steaks and baked buttered potatoes were served with a salad.
" Vivex , just how far out from the walls can you currently go before you must return?" Celestae ask
We can venture out about five leagues before we begin to weaken and must return inside that perimeter. Why do you ask?my Lady I may be able to answer better. Vivex answered his curiosity aroused.
She had Astrid get the plans for the Academies as the dishes were being removed. They spread them out and showed him the full scope of their plans. He looked them over thoroughly then spoke." We can freely move in those areas to be sure. If I might suggest why not just build a second wall around the first we have many gifted among the staff who can carve stone very skillfully. All of us can carry it. If you build the two academy sections of walls around the lighthouses and then add other like sections every year in two or three years it could be complete so you could thus expand the city so it is near twice its present size. allowing for city expansion and building projects later on. We draconians could do the walls why your craftsmen build these fine academies. Until we can patrol more than five leagues we are sort of confined it would be good for us to have more to do. Perhaps it will get us back to interacting with people more as well.
"Would some of your people be willing to write skill books and make copies? We will need libraries and the people themselves should have access to more books. I seen in our personal library, today. thousands of tomes that could be useful"Tristan added. " It might be nice to get down on paper as well all the wisdom and knowledge we can gather the more we have the more we can use. Because your people are mine and mine are yours so from now on its our people." Tristan added with a smile."We are all the peoples of Ontillae, and we rise to greatness or fall together.
" I have had two suggestions, I think you may want to look over from the suggestion boxes that went up today. This one is from a Fizbang Tinkerpot in the gnome district he says he has invented a machine that can print multiple copies of pages in short time I noticed the import of it and visited him at his work shop. This machine, a press he called it wasn't it Amelia?" Niles ask turning to the aging former chamber maid now Minister of education.
"That's what he called it sure enough, Dear." Amelia turned red realizing the others had heard her. " Well you, would have found out sooner or later Niles and I been steppin out together." She said causing her and Niles both to blush. "Any way go on with the telling, Niles."
"He has this press and says he can make more if given a small workshop to build and print in. We could give him space in one of the many buildings and warehouses that belong to you, and help with initial cost. If the staff can make copies of books he can print out mass copies and we can store say seventy-five out of one hundred the other twenty-five we can sell at the market and track which ones sell the best. we will split the profits for the ones we sell with him evenly. I ran those terms by him to get an idea how he felt about it and he assured me he can build enough presses to make five hundred books a week. He can set four hundred aside and sell some in our market and send some to the other duchies as well. We have a few big warehouses near the gnome district if your agreeable Fizbang has already signed it just needs your endorsements." Niles said showing them the contract.
The other comes from our friends Terrance and Alvin, they propose to send out wood crews to scour the forest to collect all downed wood for firewood and making charcoal as well as marking and cutting disease and damaged trees to keep our forest healthy. He also would like to start both an oak and pine tree farm for lumber production. He has managed to get several fruit tree samplings started and he an Alvin now have orchards planted south of the city. They have planted one hundred of each of the following tree's Apple, peach, plum, pear, and cherry. Alvin revealed he is actually a druid and he specializes in trees. They have been collecting maple sap for some time and now offer maple syrup. To the delight of the bakers. Every woodsman's cart and wagon that goes out the gate has an empty barrel and comes back in with maple sap water. We may consider giving them a warehouse near the market square for their operations and become silent partners for say fifteen percent of the profits." He produced another document to that effect already signed by both Alvin and Terrance. "They named their operation SunTalon trading company. In honor of the two of you that made it all possible.
" I have no need of the prize purse but your father and I talked once of a carrier system now that folks are moving back to out laying towns and villages and our neighboring duchies. We can build out post at our crossroads and have carriers ride from one post to the next then back each day carrying messages back and forth. If can connect with the duchies we can send word back and forth for non urgent things." Vivex said a bit apprehensively."even small packages that would fit in saddle bags. If things go well wagons could be added from the major towns to major town like here to spray a wagoner would take a wagon say bound for spray to the north crossroads near the border and drop it and bring an empty or return with freight bound for here." He gauged their reactions,"Just a thought I had.
" Niles make a note to each of the duchies that we would like to see immediate action on this. Advertise for mounted messengers a copper drake per day to start and same for the wood crews, any logs good enough go to build carrier post, corrals and wagon sheds. If we use one idea to help make the other a reality it may be we can expand it a bit more to include carriage between post for folks wishing to travel an not walk. they just change carriages at the post. I want to encourage travel and communication as well as trade between the duchies. I will have the Osprey crews patrolling the north coast carry message bags as well. I will leave that in your capable hands Niles we can figure out a price per letter, parcels and weight per league and per league for passengers as well." Tristan stopped to catch his breath. "My dear cousin Vivex has supplied the answer to something I have been puzzling over on occasion." His mouth dry, Tristan poured himself a fresh tankard of fir mead.
Celestae looked to Astrid. "Sister, are their any immediate needs of the townsfolk or the guild houses?" She ask.
" Nothing much, at the moment, the people seem content for the most part." She thought for a moment then continued Terrance and Alvin are head of the merchant and craftsmen councils and they keep me informed. I would suggest you appoint your own as well. Soon we will be off to war and you should have someone to see to things." She paused taking a drink of the fire mead smiling as it warmed her from within. "Mmmm" she let escape."I would suggest our cousin Vivex see to city defence and the watch, Niles and Amelia to the rest of the goings on and projects. Between them they should be able to handle most anything that arises. Kalix, Father, Sebastian and I will be with you in the south and we really don't want things to stall here."
"Good point, Niles, can you draw up an official document to those effects so we can make things more official." Tristan inquired smiling as he watched Amelia fill his tea again.
"Of course my Prince." Niles replied and went to work as Tristan and Celestae signed the papers for Fizbang and SunTalon trading company. When they had been drawn up and signed as well as Amelia's post to minister of education the small company set business and state maters aside. They sat chatting lightheartedly about all that had went on in town while they were gone. Near midnight they retired to their rooms.
Over the next month and a half, the armies of Raven, Spray, and Misty swelled the ranks of the Breezae army they had crossed the great causeways and met the troops of Willowdawn, Meadowbrook, Sillicalm And Gull sea They were staged in camps along the lower east canal and had set up foot hold on the far side of the great causeways.
Sheldon had led the armies of the western duchies with the addition of Starbreeze and Lallae, into Celestae. Oakendale, Dunes, Tides , Lallae and Starbreeze swung down through northern Quarrentin where they were met by the assembled Dwarven army they swept south cleansing the rugged mountains and cliffs of foul evil all the way to borders of Cranes Tangle. The armies of the south consisting of Erie, Axefall, and Seawatch, Supported by Celestrae marched east they cut the duchy of Cranes Tangle in half along the middle road. Sheldon then swept through the northern half crushing the orcs between his army and the army of the south. The fleet of Ospreys now near twenty vessels captured some fifty odd ship that had tried to flee. Sebastian's people sailed them home to Breezae as they were captured. One sunny morning, the horns of the North and east were answered by those of the south and west and the amassed armies marched on Cranes Tangle the city. By the second day they had reached the walls. The city was surrounded.
"Concentrate all fire on the gates of the city, have the rangers blot out the sun with their arrows and keep the knights ready to rush the gates when they fail. Slay every orc and foul creature. Any citizens found move outside the walls to safety. Search every house, barn and rabbit hutch, I want the city swept clean. By dawn of the third day of the siege the city was cleansed and the duchess and most of her citizens had been rescued from their last stand in the palace keep. The Humans,of the city, for the most part cheered their saviors. Some few who did not were detained and questioned by the Lords and Ladies and were discovered to have been working with the orcs of the golden tusk pirate band from Kellsae. They were then questioned in greater detail and several locations along western Kellesae were revealed along with numbers of ships and troop sizes. All told some six pirate enclaves were revealed along that western coast.
Tristan released the armies. He and his Lords and Ladies made their way north to the southern tip of Breezae where they camped near the great causeway that led out into Lake Isil and ended. Each Lord and Lady followed Prince Tristan and Princess Celestae to the end and there Kalix performed the ceremony.
Kalix in his dragon form, flanked by Elerrinar and ore and some twenty other guardians in their Elven, human, and Dwarven forms stood witness "Tristan and Celestae, do you vow to act as King and Queen over these assembled Lords and Ladies, will you guide them with wisdom? Will you bleed for these assembled? Will you strive to bring justice and peace to all the peoples of Ontillae? and will you never relax your guard and stand vigilant against the evil of this world?"Kalix ask them.
"We do so swear before these assembled Lords and Ladies that we will bleed for them all, We shall rule to best of our ability and bring Justice and peace to their lands. We with the aid of the Guardians will stand ever vigilant and seek out evil where ever it may lurk and hide. This is our Oath to thee and this is our blood." Celestrae and Tristan had spoken the words together as they faced the assembled Lords and Ladies of Ontillae. Then they had drawn their daggers and cut each others outstretched palm. then turned to show first the Guardians then the assembled Lords and Ladies. "Here is our proof Ontillae We bleed willingly for thee now and till the end of our days."Tristan and Celestae concluded their part.
Twenty one Lords and Ladies came forward and drew their daggers and sliced their palms, "We the noble Lords and Ladies of Ontillae swear this day to serve thee.
We pledge you are lands and peoples, We take you as our King and Queen. Let our blood this day show our commitment. All Hail King Tristan and Queen Celestae of Ontillae." They dropped to one knee followed by their honor guard of one hundred troops each.
"Guardians," Kalix continued as he placed a crown upon Tristan's head and a Tiara upon Celestae's, "Hath King Tristan and Queen Celestae, met thy requirements, and does their hearts and the hearts of their Lords and Ladies speak true their intent?" Kalix paused as the assembled guardians replied "They do."
Kalix waited as ore began to sing a song so lovely it brought tears to the cheeks of all assembled. One by one the other guardians joined hands with her and added their voice to the song. Far out in the lake came a brilliant prism of light growing higher as the song continued. "Then behold Queen and King of all Ontillae, Your Chrystal Palace and the Capitol City of ****Kethendae****** is returned to you from the depths of Lake Isil where it lay concealed for now over a century."
Great towers and buildings rose up shedding water from a protective dome that encompassed it. A great gate rose up at the edge of the Causeway. with a great click the gates swung open to reveal mounted gold and silver knights forming a protected walk way leading to the Palace. Thousand cheered to either side of the knight lined main street. Led by Kalix, They mounted and road up to the edge of the blue protective dome. Kalix waived his hand forward and they road on into the dome. When they were completely inside it shimmered and was gone and the others followed them. The mounted knight's and their steeds knelt down before them as did the citizens as they passed. The two and twenty guardians shimmered in curtains of silver and gold light and when the light had disappeared the sky was full of gold and silver dragons as the guardians soared and circled and rolled in the sky's overhead rejoicing that Ontillae had been restored.
Tristan and his beloved Celestae entered a great hall with many doors at the end of the Hall stood two doors one with the likeness of Sunbringer and the other with the likeness of Talon upon it servants and guards knelt as they walked the forest green carpeted hall Great Tapestries hung to either side depicting dragons of every race and breed. They continued to a vast throne room and Kalix led them up onto the dais and the pair of gold and jewel inset thrones.Tristan and Celestae kissed then sat down upon the silk covered cushions. "Behold, The Queen and King of Ontillae, May their reign be prosperous and usher in a golden age." Kalix said. He then bowed down before them as did all those in attendance.