Barvil bowed in the saddle, then led the way out of Kavinston. Once the expedition was out of the crater, he made his arrangements. The veterans took the lead, followed by Stavin’s wagon. The men in the fifth-year slots formed a barrier riding beside the wagon. The rest of the warriors followed the wagon in a column of fours, filling the road.
*
Shari and Sora were in high spirits when the wagon rolled out of Kavinston. It was unusual for such young women to be allowed to leave Kel’Kavin at all. Normally, only older women who traveled with their husbands in strongly fortified groups got to go to Trade Town or Aravad.
The wagon rolled smoothly until they left the area immediately around Kel’Kavin. Then the road deteriorated, and they were all thrown to one side of the wagon when it hit a rut.
“Stavin!” Sora shouted, “Watch what you’re doing!”
“Sorry,” he shouted back, “but the road isn’t very good!”
Sora reached out and hit him in the back, which didn’t do much good since he was in his armor. “Watch what you’re doing and avoid the ruts. You’re going to hurt one of us.”
Stavin tried, but he finally had to shout, “Barvil!” He waited until the Warmaster turned to look at him, then raised his arm and shouted, “Ride back here, please!” When Barvil joined him he said, “We have to slow down, sir. Shari and Sora are getting thrown around too much.”
Barvil looked at him, then nodded. “Very well, sir, we’ll slow down. Why don’t you try setting the pace and we’ll match you.”
Stavin was startled when Barvil called him sir. “Sir, why did you—?”
“Because, Senior Warmaster Prince Stavin Zel’Andral, you outrank me.”
Stavin paused as that sank in. He was still so used to being on the bottom, the youngest and least important, that it was a shock to hear otherwise. He let his head sink between his shoulders and said, “Sorry, Barvil.”
“It’s nothing to apologize for, Prince Stavin, but it’s something to remember. Just set a comfortable pace with the wagon and we’ll match you. No sense in delivering you to Twin Bridges battered and bruised.”
“Yes, s—Warmaster.” Stavin smiled and slowed the wagon to a pace that let him avoid the worst of the road hazards, and warn Shari and Sora of the ones he couldn’t miss. I wish I could get everyone to stop acting like that. I’m still just me.
The expedition had been on the road for just three days when Barvil’s horn sounded from the front. Twenty veterans rode ahead while the rest of the expedition formed up around the wagon. Stavin stood and clasped the Sword of Zel’Hallan, wreathing himself in power. No one was going to threaten his family.
It wasn’t long, however, before Barvil led the veterans back. “As you were, men. It’s the supply train!” he shouted once he was in range of the expedition. “Prince Stavin, please pull off the road so the supply wagons can pass.”
Stavin let go of the sword and took his seat, then did as he was asked. It wasn’t long before the first wagon, driven by Landon Kel’Vandar, rumbled by. He bowed to Stavin from his seat, but that was the only reaction to Stavin’s presence. Once the fifteen wagons had passed, Barvil again led them forward.
One advantage this expedition had was the presence of the women. Shari helped cook when she could, and Sora did her best, but it was mostly Sallin who cooked for the expedition. Her early years helping in her uncle’s inn had prepared her far better than most girls when it came to cooking for a lot of people.
Much to Karvil’s surprise, he was congratulated almost every day on having married such a good cook. He hadn’t tasted Sallin’s cooking before except for a few visits to Shari and Stavin’s house or suite, and their first morning as husband and wife, when she’d helped his mother. Now even Warmaster Kel’Carin was stopping to give him a congratulatory grin and slap on the shoulder as he walked by with his plate.
Stavin saw it and whispered to Shari, “I think Karvil is surprised by how popular Salli’s cooking is.”
Shari giggled and whispered back, “If he had a year with the regular expedition’s rations, he’d understand why.” They both chuckled and went back to eating. Sallin’s talent with spices made even boiled beans delicious.
The expedition reached Aravad after fifteen days. The roads in Kavadia had been maintained far better than the roads in Farindia. The Aravad Traders’ Council and the Zel’Vandar Trading House had seen to that. Barvil and ten veterans rode ahead to arrange quarters for the royal party. When they found out who was coming, the entire Aravad Traders’ Council turned out to greet them. Stavin stopped the wagon when he saw who was there, and Lord Zel’Kaudell bowed very low as he said, “Welcome back to Aravad, Prince Stavin.”
Stavin bowed from the seat of the wagon as he replied, “I am pleased to once again visit your city, Lord Zel’Kaudell.”
Lord Zel’Kaudell smiled broadly as he looked around. “We have arranged for you to stay in the Rowan Tree Inn, Your Highness. It is widely held to be Aravad’s finest.”
Stavin bowed his head. “Thank you. Could you provide a guide?”
“We will escort you, Prince Stavin.” Lord Zel’Kaudell again bowed deeply, then he and the rest of the council led the way. The Rowan Tree Inn was halfway across the city, and Stavin watched every balcony and rooftop they passed. Aravad, for all that he was officially welcome, was still in Kavadia.
The Rowan Tree was a huge inn. Four floors tall, with real glass in its windows, it rivaled any inn Stavin had seen in Twin Bridges. The innkeeper was on the porch and bowed deeply to the visiting prince when Stavin pulled his team to a stop near the stairs.
“Prince Stavin, welcome to my humble establishment,” he said as Stavin climbed down from the wagon.
Stavin bowed his head deeply and said, “Thank you.” Then he went to the back of the wagon and opened the door. The door folded out and down, and proved to be a set of stairs that allowed the women to climb down much more easily.
The Council members stood in silence as Shari handed Karlin to Stavin, then backed down the stairs with Sahren in one arm and her staff in her other hand. Stavin stood close by the stairs with his hand out to steady her if she needed it, but she reached the ground without needing his help. Sallin followed with Mahren held closely in her arms, and behind her came Sora with Delian. Aric walked up and held his arms out, and little Noral jumped into his father’s arms with a laugh.
Stavin led his family up to the inn, carefully guiding Shari up the steps. Looking at the innkeeper, he said, “We are going to need two suites, please.”
The innkeeper stared wide-eyed for a moment, then bowed very low. “Yes, Your Highness. I’ll have a second suite prepared immediately.” At Stavin’s nod, he vanished into the inn.
Stavin smiled at the stunned Councilors, then guided Shari into the inn as well. Barvil and the three veterans who were leading his teams followed on his heels, then the Councilors all followed them. Behind them, Karvik had taken control of the wagon and closed it up, and led the team around behind the inn.
Inside the Rowan Tree, Stavin and his family were sitting at a table as two nearly panicked serving girls scrambled to bring them drinks. Lord Zel’Kaudell walked up to Stavin and bowed.
“Prince Stavin, this is quite a surprise,” he said as he looked at all of the people around the table.
Stavin smiled, but he didn’t stand as he replied, “Lord Zel’Kaudell, we are honored to be here. Aravad has become an integral part of the House Kel’Aniston trade network. Please allow me to introduce my wife, Princess Sharindis, our son, Karlin, and our daughters, Sahren and Mahren.” He smiled at the intense look Lord Ahlic Zel’Vandar was giving him. “My sister, Sorandis, and her husband, Aric, along with their son, Noral, and daughter, Delian.” He didn’t introduce Sallin because she was still a servant. That wouldn’t have been proper.
Lord Ahlic stepped forward and bowed. “Princess Sharindis, I am pleased to meet you at last. Prince Stavin has told me quite a bit about you.”
Shari
smiled toward his voice, though she was having a hard time distinguishing who was who in the noisy room. “You must be Lord Ahlic. Stavin has told me a lot about you as well. Our eldest daughter is named in honor of Master Trader Sahren. She was instrumental in Stavin’s rise to prominence.”
Lord Ahlic bowed again, then spoke because he was aware of Sharindis’ limited vision. “I am honored, Princess. The association between our Houses has been beneficial to both of us, and it is my fervent hope that it will continue to be so.”
“That is our hope as well, Lord Ahlic,” Shari answered.
The serving girls brought beer and wine to the royal party, and Barvil took the opportunity to interrupt. “Lord Zel’Vandar, we have your six teams, as well as the other four teams of the expedition. When you are ready, I will be pleased to introduce you to the leaders.”
“It looks like there were more than a hundred and ten men out there, Warmaster,” Lord Zel’Kaudell said as he looked out the window. The roads outside the inn was packed with Warriors and their horses.
“Yes, sir, but three teams are Prince Stavin’s escort.”
There were nods of understanding from most of the Councilors, then Lord Zel’Kaudell turned to Stavin. “Prince Stavin, the Council is at your disposal if there is anything you need to make your stay more comfortable. Would it be possible to arrange a meeting for tomorrow?”
Stavin bowed in his seat. “That will be fine, Lord Zel’Kaudell. But preferably after the morning meal.” Stavin’s comment made several of the Councilors chuckle, then they all bowed and filed away.
Lord Ahlic was the last to go. As he turned to Barvil he said, “Warmaster, if you’d care to introduce our team leaders, I’ll lead them back to Zel’Vandar and put them up in the bunkhouses. It’ll be three days before the first of our caravans is ready to go.”
Barvil bowed and led the way out of the inn. Once the lords were gone, the innkeeper walked up to Stavin and bowed deeply before saying, “Prince Stavin, two suites are at your disposal. What shall I do with the rest of your people?”
“Barvil will arrange them when he gets back,” Stavin replied. “Now the question: What is this costing me?
“What?—Oh, no, Prince Stavin. Lord Zel’Kaudell said to send the bill to the Council. We are honored to have such a distinguished visitor in our city.” The innkeeper smiled slyly. “Especially a visitor who might be convinced to aid the Traders’ Council in dealing with the Evandian Minister of Trade.”
Stavin chuckled as the truth came out. “Indeed. Shari, do you want to eat first or go upstairs?”
“Eat. Salli did wonders with what she had, but trail rations are still trail rations.” Her comment had everyone, especially Sallin, laughing.
The innkeeper smiled and said, “It is early in the evening, Prince Stavin. We have roast bison, mutton stew, rabbit, pheasant, or duck available. There are, of course, steamed vegetables, white tubers, red tubers, and bread as well.”
Stavin stroked Shari’s hand, so she ordered first. “Rabbit. I am so tired of red meat. Vegetables and bread.”
Stavin smiled and said, “I’ll have the same.” One by one the rest of the party ordered. Karlin and Noral both said “duck” and started quacking, much to the amusement of their parents.
The table was soon full of more food than it could easily hold, and Stavin and Aric dragged a second table over, much to the shock of the servers. They ignored them, and concentrated on keeping their sons from running around the common room.
Barvil returned and bowed when he stopped beside Stavin. “I’ve set guards, and we’ll be keeping one full team on guard at all times.”
Stavin nodded and replied, “That will be fine, sir. The innkeeper is waiting for you to tell him what accommodations you’ll need for your men.”
Barvil bowed and turned away as Shari stroked Stavin’s hand. “You called him ‘sir’ again.”
Stavin sighed and shook his head. “I can’t help it, Shari. It’s all I’ve ever called him. Even when he was our servant, I called him sir most of the time. Dad said I have to think about everything I say from now on. Looks like he was right.”
“He usually is,” Sora commented. “Noral, stop that.”
Stavin looked over to find his nephew with most of a drumstick stuffed into his mouth. Aric gently took the drumstick and pulled it away, but Noral had bitten down and kept most of the meat. He grinned as he chewed, then swallowed. “Good.”
“Yes, it’s good, but you don’t have to eat it all at once,” Aric said as the rest of the adults chuckled.
The sound of marching feet rumbled through the inn, and Stavin looked up to watch as the two off-duty teams filed in. There were few new men in these teams. Barvil had filled all the senior slots with veterans—except for Karvik. Kar was filling a fifth-year slot, completing his required fifth expedition. The fact that he outranked every member of the teams except his father didn’t sit well with some of the veterans, but none of them dared dispute his position. After all, the Elders had confirmed his position as Warleader Fourth. Only the six first year greenlings were really first year boys. Varik and Karvil were joined by the three other boys who had won their matches against the Warmasters, and one boy who’d come very close.
The warriors all took seats, and the serving girls were soon scurrying around the common room with food and beer. As soon as they finished eating, the team that included Karvik, Varik, and Karvil went out to relieve the watch and the other eleven men came in to eat.
Barvil walked over as the royal party was finishing their meal. “Aric, stay with your family. I want at least one warrior inside each suite. Prince Stavin, I’m going to send Varik up when he comes off watch. He’s the most likely to be comfortable with you and Shari, and he’s got your Dragon’s Tongue. Keep your sword handy, but I doubt there will be any trouble. Lord Ahlic hinted that the Council Enforcers are also going to be on watch tonight.”
Stavin bowed his head deeply and said, “Yes, Warmaster.” He stood and motioned Barvil to the side and they had a whispered conversation. Barvil was chuckling when he walked away, and Stavin returned to the table with an irrepressible grin.
Sorandis looked at her little brother through narrowed eyes. “What did you do?”
“Just made some arrangements,” Stavin replied as his smile deepened.
Sora shook her head and muttered, “Gods Above help us all.”
*
It was late when there was a knock at the door to Stavin’s suite. Sallin answered the door and found her husband smiling at her. “They gave us a room,” he whispered. Sallin’s eyes widened, then she whipped her head around when the sounds of giggling came from the bed where Stavin and Shari were supposed to be sleeping.
She giggled a little herself as she joined her husband in the hall. “Arrangements indeed.”
Chapter 6
IN THE MORNING, THE TRADERS’ COUNCIL sent Lord Ahlic to invite Stavin to join them for a conference. Barvil and one team joined him, leaving one team on watch at the inn while the night guards got some sleep.
The entire Traders’ Council was assembled in the meeting room, and they all bowed in respect to Stavin when he arrived. Stavin returned the bow and accepted a seat at the foot of the table. As soon as he was seated, the Traders’ Council joined him.
Lord Zel’Kaudell stood and bowed, then spoke on behalf of his colleagues. “Prince Stavin, please allow us to once again to formally welcome you to Aravad. It is our hope that through you we will be able to negotiate a closer association with Evandia.”
Stavin nodded his acknowledgement to Lord Zel’Kaudell. “I understand, and, as a Master Trader, I would also like to see a better agreement between Evandia and Kavadia. Unfortunately, I don’t know how much influence I’ll have with King Kalin and his Minister of Trade. And I already know that the Evandian Traders’ Guild is mad at me.”
Lord Zel’Kaudell smiled slightly. “Mad is probably not the best term, Prince Stavin. Our representatives in Twin Bridges say t
hey are disappointed because they wanted to use you as a conduit to the king, and you haven’t proven to be as pliable as they had hoped.” He paused to grin. “I can’t say that our motives are much different, but at least we’re up front about them.”
Stavin grinned back. “Indeed. Do you have a specific proposal that you would like me to take to Twin Bridges?”
Lord Zel’Kaudell motioned one of his associates toward Stavin, and that man brought him a message tube. He held it out toward Stavin, but it was Barvil who took it. “This contains our proposal to open easier trade between Evandia and Kavadia. In essence, we’d like to reduce or do away with the tax entering Evandia. After all, there is no tax entering Kavadia.”
Stavin nodded his understanding and said, “Very well. I will present this to the King’s Council in Twin Bridges. We will be staying one more night, then heading to Evandia.” Stavin stood, and the entire Traders’ Council stood with him. He led the way out of the old palace and back toward the inn.
“It wasn’t wise telling them our plans, Prince Stavin,” Barvil all but growled.
Stavin grinned up at him. “Maybe not, but they’re going to expect us to take the road west to Evandia, not the road south to Coravia. If someone has something planned,” he said with a chuckle, “they’re going to be on the wrong road.”
Barvil started chuckling and shaking his head. “Kar is right about you.”
Farindian Summer (Stavin DragonBlessed Book 4) Page 4