Silvertree Chronicles Book One, Chapter 4, The World Awaits (Dragon Wars Enhanced Edition)
Synopsis: The life of Eldar Silvertree from graduation at the prestigious Elven Academy and desires to leave it behind; only to return full circle to shake Elven Society to the core.
***Inspired by multiple fantasy environments. Not endorsed by any of them. © EmotionalStorm April 2021. This story cannot be transferred to any other site besides Literotica.com without the prior authorizations in writing from the author and EmotionalStorm must be credited for this work.
Authors Note: For those who have not read my bio, please note I write as a form of therapy for a Traumatic Brain Injury. I know the English majors will probably encounter issues that annoy them. If these are your focus, instead of the story itself, then this is not the story for you. I am not and will never be a professional writer.
I do it to tell the story, for those who wish to read them. I originally submitted this story back in 2017. I have worked to try and improve my writing style while struggling with this issue. I have added some editing software and written a few other stories. Now I am revising and editing this earlier work to try and bring it up to a higher standard from what I have managed to learn over the last few years.
Chapter 4
Confessions and Revelation
Charlemagne cleared her throat, "Our meeting was not exactly an accident? In fact, your life has been under evaluation since the day you were born. Some of this story is not mine to tell. Let me tell you about my part. I was assigned a mission to pick-up some time-sensitive and highly valuable information and resources from the Elven Capital, but my mission did not end with that.
Part two of my mission was to evaluate you for membership in our organization. We work for no kingdom, but we provide services and some insight to many Kingdoms and organizations across Tildar."
Eldar glared at her, "Finding my journal and then getting me into your bed was a part of that evaluation?"
Charlemagne tried to look as sympathetic as possible. She feared this reaction, "Yes to finding your journal. ONLY so far as working to identify any other organizations that might have attempted direct contact with you. As to me getting you into my bed, that was COMPLETELY against the rules for a candidate for membership.
As the saying goes, 'The heart wants what the heart wants.' Even I did not realize the depth of where that was going until that last night in my wagon. You challenged me to admit what my heart knew, but my mind was not ready to accept. No, that's not right. What my mind did not want everybody else to know, yet I had come to accept that I love you."
Jarron interrupted at this point, "I haven't gotten your full written report yet, what happened in your wagon? Could you explain what is going on?"
Charlemagne mumbled, "Breath, breath, breath."
Then looked straight at Eldar while she talked with Jarron, "Initial verbal report from Grand Master Yetto. The candidate is one of the brightest and most naturally gifted Apprentices he has ever come across or witnessed. He could be a Grand Master in 10 years or sooner if the Academy did not have its restrictions.
He stands not as a 3-time competition champion, the Academy has never had any 3-time champions, at least in the 6th Age. He is the only 4-time champion that exists in the history of the Academy, again in this Age as all records from the 5th Age are incomplete, damaged, or something else happened to them. Regardless, he is the only 4-time champion known to us."
Charlie cleared her throat, "The Academy is frustrated by Grand Master Yetto's methods, student, and his hybrid approach as it flies into the face of Academy tradition and Elven superiority in generating Blade Singer Master's, let alone Grand Masters. The candidate did not know of Grand Master Yetto's involvement in our organization. The candidate did not know that his selection was based upon his merits."
She stared at Eldar, "Eldar was given no special privileges, while the candidates selected for the trial program by the Academy were outside of Grand Master Yetto's full control and the selection was made with the oversight and unanimous approval of the Governing Grand Masters in attendance from the Council.
To have an abomination train an impure bastard was the ideal situation in the Council's eyes, to discredit Grand Master Yetto's methods that allowed him to beat the head of the council during his evaluation for becoming a Grand Master. I know you knew this last part from earlier briefings, but Eldar did not until now. He wished me to pass this along..."
She went over to Jarron's desk and drops a pouch with 10 diamonds.
"Half of the winnings he got from bets placed with other Grand Masters, parents of other students, and other Academy officials. He did not risk that much gold but he got great odds right after the selection process given both Eldar's mixed heritage and Grand Master Yetto's mixed heritage.
As to if he could generate a Champion Blade Singer Apprentice was the initial bet and his method of training. He had bets going with every member of the council after the selection process. Parents came later. He rolled the money forward after Eldar won at the 15th-year trial.
The Academy incorrectly predicted that Traylar'sune Goldensong was the strongest competitor from that year group. Yet they did not expect her or him to win for that tournament.
There were 3 30-year students who they thought would likely be that year's champion for the tournament. He had 4 25 year students in his specific bracket as well to decrease his odds of success. She faced 20 and 25-year students except for the one 30-year who beat her.
Grand Master Yetto felt Eldar drove her to practice her ass off. He checked and she lightened her course load to gain more practice time. At that 15th year trial, Eldar faced all three of the 30-year students. As Grand Master Yetto suspected the bracket had been stacked to ensure Eldar was kept out of the championship round when he reported that Eldar was beating him regularly at that point. Instead, he beat them all."
Eldar interrupted, "You are telling me, Grand Master Yetto knew about this?"
Jarron cut in, "Of course he knew! He met your parents when he was an apprentice to his father. By the way Charlie, how is your step-son?"
Charlie winced and hung her head for a second, "Grand Master Yetto is very proud and in good health. He is taking on another student. A trying prospect given his heritage and getting a good candidate as half of the field was not ready to handle a sword at all from what he told me."
Eldar's mouth hit the floor, "Backup! Grand Master Yetto is your step-son as in the son of your dead husband?"
She held up her hand, "There is more, Yetto was his mother's Maiden name which he took due to his animosity toward his Eleven father's family. They disowned him for marrying a human. His father's name was Jasorosa Silvertree. A distant cousin of your father, of you. I never took his name for the same reason. I kept my family name instead, with his understanding and blessing."
Eldar leaned against the wall and slid down to sit on the floor and shook his head. Jarron interrupted, "Your report now. Might as well do that one verbally too."
She straightened back up, she began, "Initial impression was he was cocky but a charmer, arrogant but humble, chip on his shoulder but not willing to use his family name or Academic record to try and impress. After reviewing his journal, I found out where the chip on his shoulder originated; in the perceived shortcomings of his father."
Eldar interrupted again shouting, "What do you mean PERCEIVED shortcomings?!"
Jarron looked at Eldar, "STAY CALM and let her finish please!"
She looks over, "CONTINUING, perceived shortcomings. He was focused on what he could see and not what was occurring behind the scene. His view was and is understandable. His father's direct contact was non-existent.
Eldar's lack of knowledge of his father's attention and involvement with his instructors in regards to his education. His father allowed him to choose another path as his school informed him he was getting frustrated with his magical skills.
All while he had his desire to live up to his mother's battle prowess. Finding him a Grand Master to train him was a challenge. If Master Yetto had not volunteered to get his Grand Master status to scout for talent for our group, Eldar might not have been here.
At least not as a Blade Singer, as the Academy tried to push him into a Battle Mage role. This has allowed Grand Master Yetto to work as an assessment agent. Scouting at the Academy across disciplines when not actively training Eldar. I have probably overstepped my authority with that much of an explanation but until his father arrives."
Thunk, thunk, thunk, as Eldar banged the back of his head against the wall.
She paused and continued, "Cocky and a charmer because of the way he flirted with me right off the bat not knowing I was 52 years old; I found it flattering. He did not flirt with the other women in the group which I also found flattering. His journal confirmed he was a charmer with his side bet against his top competitor. That is the last of my report on the examination of his journal."
Eldar smiled for that small consideration.