“His son.”
“Good family,” Stavin said with a sharp nod. “We met the colonel at Fort Zel’Marran.”
“The colonel is a general now. At Dahral’s request I promoted him and gave him Zel’Marran when Dahral became General of the Armies of Evandia.”
Stavin smiled. “What’s Dahvin doing now?”
“That’s another of your surprises,” the king replied, then led them down a different hallway. At a door that looked like any other, the king stopped and knocked.
The door opened and a maid looked out, then went to her knees and bowed her head. “Your Majesty.”
“Tell Dahvin that he has visitors,” the king commanded.
“At once, Your Majesty,” the maid replied, then vanished into the suite.
Dahvin came to the door himself and said, “Yes, Your Majesty?” The king looked to the side and Dahvin finally saw Stavin. “Stave! Welcome back. Come in.” He opened the door wide and let the king and Stavin pass, then closed it as the guards took positions against the passageway walls. “Glori, look who’s here.”
Lady Glora looked up from the sofa and smiled deeply. “Prince Stavin, welcome back to Twin Bridges.” She didn’t stand, which puzzled Stavin until he saw her belly. She appeared to be about eight moons pregnant.
“Stave, when did you get back?” Dahvin asked.
“Just now,” Stavin replied as he and Dahvin clasped forearms. “And people said Shari and I didn’t waste any time.”
Glora’s smile deepened. “We waited a moon after the wedding.”
Stavin chuckled. “Well, you’re in good company. Shari is in Marina’s suite with Karlin—and our twin daughters.”
“What?” Dahvin asked in a stunned whisper.
Stavin grinned. “She found out she was pregnant just after you left Kavinston. The girls were born just after mid winter. Sahren and Mahren.”
Dahvin was stunned silent for a moment, then he began laughing. “Well, at least we have someone to keep Glori company. How long are you staying?”
“All summer, unless there’s a reason for me to leave sooner. Personally, I don’t think I’m going to be able to get the twins away from Marina any time soon.”
“I seriously doubt it,” King Kalin agreed. “I’ll leave you two to get caught up while I make some arrangements. You’ll be joining us in Council tomorrow, Stavin, so don’t stay up all night talking.”
Stavin and Dahvin both grinned and said, “Yes, Your Majesty,” at the same time. King Kalin chuckled and left the suite with a wide grin on his face.
“So, Stave, what’s going on?” Dahvin asked as soon as the king was gone.
Stavin shrugged. “Last year Kalin said he wanted to meet Shari and his new grandson, so we planned a trip for all of us. The twins were a surprise, but I’ve never seen Shari happier.”
“And I would have bet a gold crown that you’d never call Kalin by his given name, even in passing,” Glora said as Stavin and her husband walked over to join her.
Stavin grinned. “After getting used to Marina and Dahvin, and you, it wasn’t too traumatic a transition. Shari and Sora didn’t even twitch.”
“Sora is here, too?” Dahvin asked.
“Yes, she’s helping feed the twins. Her daughter was born just a few moons before them, and she can’t drink enough to keep Sora drained out.” Stavin chuckled. “The three of them together barely keep Sora from being sore.”
Glora looked at her husband with raised eyebrows. “Maybe we won’t have to hire a wet nurse after all. Three of us should be able to handle four babies.” Stavin was looking at her with his head tilted to the side, so she explained. “The women of my family usually don’t produce enough milk, so we have to hire women to help us feed our babies. If your sister really produces that much, then it’s all to the good. After all, the sister of a prince has to be acceptable.”
Stavin nodded. “I’ll talk to Shari and Sora about it.”
Dahvin grinned. “No promises without permission?”
“Are you kidding?” Stavin replied with a wide grin. “Sora still thumps me more often than Shari and Marina combined.”
Dahvin and Glora both laughed, then Dahvin said, “I have another surprise.” He walked over to the side of the room and picked up his uniform tunic.
Stavin didn’t see it at first, then grinned. “Congratulations, Captain Zel’Fordal.”
Dahvin smiled broadly. “They gave me Ocellen Watch.”
Stavin laughed. “Very good. I brought my own set of keepers, so you don’t have to detail anyone.”
“Oh?”
“Barvil and three teams, with all but a few of them veterans.”
“Oh, my,” Dahvin laughed. “Worried about you?”
“Worried about Shari and Sora and the kids. I’m a bit too dangerous with the Sword of Zel’Hallan at my side for them to worry about me.”
Dahvin nodded slowly. “You’re keeping it then?”
“No.” Stavin said, then sighed. “I’d like to, but you’ve seen what kind of power it represents.” He patted the hilt of the sword. “With this by my side I could conquer the continent, but that’s the problem. No one man should wield that much power.”
“Very wise,” Glora said as she nodded. “That is a very wise and mature thing to say, Stavin. What will you do with the sword then?”
“I’ll take it to Amarna’s father. Or whichever of her uncles is the heir. But I think it might be needed again, so I’ll hold onto it for a while.”
Dahvin walked over to Stavin with a puzzled frown on his face. “Might be needed again? How?”
“Farindia. If King Kalin and King Jallat reach an agreement on the annexation, I’m volunteering to lead the expedition that tells the Farindians that they are now Evandians.” He grinned and chuckled. “It’s just a suspicion, but I think it might help to be able to overawe them with a display of power like that.”
“Besides which,” Dahvin said with an evil grin, “you like having a real sword that you can handle.”
Stavin sighed and smiled. “There is that.” He chuckled and shook his head. “There is definitely that. So, what else has been going on?”
Glora patted the sofa next to her and Dahvin sat down, and Stavin took a chair opposite them. Glora looked at Stavin and said, “Lord Chaldin died before mid winter. He hadn’t designated an heir, so Kalin chose one of his cousins. Lord Cavael is Lord of Zel’Fordan now. He’s Kalin’s age, but he has six sons and three daughters. No shortage of heirs there. Shalamis Zel’Fordan is the new Keeper of Mary Death’s memorial. She’s Cavael’s youngest daughter. Little imp is only fifteen, but she’s very serious about her responsibilities. Oh,” she said as if something had bitten her, “you don’t know about Ahlvin and Carrisan. They were married while you were in Kavinston, and weren’t here when you were last summer. They have a little boy now.”
Stavin grinned. “That’s good to hear. Now we need to get Marina married and producing heirs. Kalin tells me she’s being courted.”
Glora grinned broadly. “Wait until you meet Markal. He’s just twenty, but he seems to be everything that Marina is looking for in a husband.”
Stavin laughed. “I’m only nineteen. I won’t hit twenty until after mid summer.”
“But you’re not marrying Marina,” Dahvin pointed out. “Mark is negotiating with Marina and Uncle Kal to get everything arranged before he asks formally.”
Stavin nodded. “What’s Sarvan doing?”
Dahvin and Glora both looked suddenly sad, and Dahvin confirmed Stavin’s worst fear. “Sarvan is dead, Stavin. When the war ended, he walked into his bedroom and plunged a dagger into his heart. He left a note saying he couldn’t go on without Ehrwan, and now that you were Marina’s heir he felt he could end his life without dishonor. He was only living because of his duty to Evandia.”
Stavin sat forward and put his head in his hands, and took several deep breaths. “And in the end, I failed him as well.”
“No, Stavin,” G
lora said softly. “No, you didn’t fail him or Ehrwan. He was a broken man after Ehrwan’s death, but it was the traitors who broke him. Stavin, one of the traitors was his aunt, his mother’s big sister. She and her family were condemned, and most of them took their own lives. After he heard that he wilted. He was just a shell of a man by the end.”
“It’s still a tragedy. I wish—what I wish doesn’t matter. Was he at least buried beside Ehrwan?”
“Yes,” Dahvin answered. “Together in death as in life.”
“As it should be. Is there any more happy news?”
Glora smiled and nodded. “Because of the conspiracy against the king, there were a number of Chosen families who lost everything. Kalin elevated others to take over their estates and titles, and now just about every lord is behind him. The few who aren’t are old friends who oppose him just because they think he needs someone to keep him in line.” She giggled. “My father is one of them. He and Kalin joined the Army together, and they’ve been butting heads since before I was born.”
Stavin nodded. “Like me and Kar. Or me and Dahvin for that matter.” He smiled at his host’s thoughtful look.
“And I hope we remain that way,” Dahvin sighed.
“So do I,” Stavin agreed.
Dahvin looked to the side and shook his head. “I have to go. We take the watch in four spans.”
Stavin nodded. “And I need to go see what Shari and Marina have planned for me. For some reason the two of them together always makes me nervous.”
Dahvin chuckled as he escorted Stavin to the door. “That, my friend, is called good sense.” He opened the door and nodded to Barvil.
Stavin let Barvil and the rest form up around him and said, “Back to Marina’s suite, gentlemen.” They marched away as Dahvin closed the door.
Chapter 10
THE GUARDS AT MARINA’S SUITE SAW them coming and announced them before they arrived. Once the doors opened, Stavin walked in to find Marina holding the twins. He laughed and said, “I knew it.” He smiled at Shari when she giggled.
Marina smiled brightly. “They’re darlings, Stavin,” she told him without looking away from the girls.
Stavin smiled as well. “I just saw Dahvin and Glora. She looks like she swallowed a melon.”
Marina’s smiled deepened. “She’s only got about a moon left.”
Stavin looked at Sorandis. “Glora said the women of her family have trouble keeping up with their babies’ appetites, and wanted me to ask if you might be able to help out.”
“Probably,” Sora agreed.
“I’ll let you, Shari, and Glora work out the details when the baby is born. I didn’t ask if it was a boy or girl.”
“They don’t know,” Marina said, still without looking up. “They told the Healer that they want to be surprised.”
Stavin knelt in front of Marina and stroked her arm. “They told me about Sarvan. I’m sorry.”
Marina nodded. “Once the succession was secure, he decided that he’d done his duty to Evandia.”
“I had hoped—it doesn’t matter. Sarvan was a good friend.” Stavin smiled sadly as he stroked Sahren’s hair. “I’ll miss him.”
“Yes, but he was in so much anguish there at the end that it was a sort of relief. He chose his end and followed the rituals. His estate, such as it is, is yours now.”
“His what?” Stavin asked stupidly. “An estate?”
Marina sighed and shook her head. “Such as it is. There’s not much to it. No land. His little sister got that because when he became my heir he had to renounce it. No real property. Just his knick-knacks, some childhood treasures that he wanted Karli to have, and his collection of rare coins. There are some very old and valuable coins there, but their value is mostly historical. He thought you’d like that.”
Stavin swallowed the lump in his throat and bowed his head. “I’d rather have him here with us.”
“So would I.”
“Marina,” Shari broke in, “we need to get settled. I’m exhausted.”
“I’m sorry,” Marina said with a hint of a smile. “I just love having you here.” She looked at her maids and said, “Someone go see if the Prince’s Suite is ready.” One young girl darted from the room and Marina smiled at Shari, and her voice was warm when she said, “I’m carrying these two.”
Shari almost chuckled as she replied, “I suspected you might.”
They were all ready to go when the girl returned. She bowed to Princess Marina and said, “The Prince’s Suite is ready, Your Highness. Prince Stavin and Princess Sharindis’ servants are waiting.”
Stavin smiled and picked up Karlin. “Shall we?”
Marina led the way, and a laughing Stavin and Shari were right on her heels. At the Royal Suite, the doors opened for them so they went straight to the Prince’s Suite without stopping. A man and three women went to their knees as soon as Marina entered.
Marina smiled when she saw who they were. “I see my father did the choosing,” she told Stavin and Shari. “You might remember Avrin Fel’Nahla. He’s father’s second butler. Matron Sindal Fel’Hostan and maids Helva and Delva Fel’Merrit. They’ve all been in father’s service for ten years or more.”
Stavin nodded. They were all familiar faces. “I remember all of them.” Stavin introduced his family, and saw a wave of shock on the servants’ faces when he introduced Sallin. He smiled slightly as he continued.
“Sallin will be going home with her husband in the fall, but until then she’ll be remaining with us.” All of the servants bowed to indicate their understanding, then Stavin turned to Sallin. “As a member of a Warrior Clan, you outrank them. You’re also our senior servant, their ages notwithstanding. Don’t let them boss you around.”
Sallin looked at the man and women and swallowed convulsively before replying, “Y-Yes, Prince Stavin.”
Stavin looked at his servants and nodded. “I expect you to aid Sallin in adapting to palace life. We’re all going to have to adapt. Avrin, recruit some help and retrieve our baggage from the wagon. The stablemen will have put it somewhere. Sindal, you’re the most familiar with what the palace has to offer. Ensure that cradles are brought in for all three of the babies. Some small beds for the boys will also be needed. The boys will occasionally listen to Sallin, so if there is a problem, refer them to her.”
Avrin had bowed and left immediately. Sindal bowed and followed close on his heels. Helva and Delva stood waiting, and Stavin nodded to them. “My sister and her family are going to need accommodations as well.”
Helva bowed before replying. “Prince Stavin, the king suggested the servant’s quarters here in your suite. We can remain where we are for the time being.”
Stavin looked at Sorandis and got a nod of approval. “Very well. Sora, the bathing chamber is through that door. Avrin should be up with our luggage soon.”
“Good idea,” Sora agreed. “Ladies, let’s take the babies for a warm dip.” She caught Shari by the elbow and led while the two maids relieved Princess Marina of her burdens.
Then Stavin noticed that Marina was giving him and odd look.
“Did I do something wrong?” he asked.
Marina shook her head slowly. “No, not you. I’m surprised my father suggested keeping Sora and Aric here. We could have put them in a different suite.”
Stavin shook his head. “And wake the whole palace every time the babies need to be fed? No, this is better. Besides, I think Shari is going to feel better having Sora close to her. As intimidating as this place was to me in the beginning, it’s got to be worse for her.”
Marina considered that for a moment, then nodded. “That’s probably my father’s reasoning as well. Thinking ahead, as usual.” She tilted her head to the side for a moment. “It’s surprising that you two think so much alike. I’ll see you in the morning. I’ll also make sure that Warmaster Kel’Carin has been introduced to the general. I think he has, but I’ll double check.”
“Thank you, Marina.” She smiled and was g
one in an instant, leaving Stavin and Aric with their sons.
Chapter 11
STAVIN JOINED KING KALIN AND PRINCESS Marina in the King’s Council the next morning. He was seated at Kalin’s left hand. Marina was at the king’s right, as Crown Princess. They were all dressed in quietly elegant clothes, with the king in a dark gray coat, and the princess in the seafoam green dress that Stavin liked so much. Stavin, at Avrin’s insistence, was in one of his fanciest outfits. The king looked around as his councilors settled into their seats, and waited for them to focus on him before speaking.
“As you can all see, Prince Stavin has joined us. It will take some time before he’s familiar enough with what’s happening to join in, but I’ll say this only once: if any of you think you can ignore him because of his youth or inexperience, think again. Stavin’s dedication to the scribe’s art has prepared him far better than most young princes. Much better than I was.”
One of the Councilors stood and bowed to the king. “Your Majesty, while we’ve all heard of Prince Stavin’s knowledge, is it wise to bring him into the council so soon? He is, after all, from Farindia.”
“An outland barbarian, you mean,” Stavin said without standing. “I assure you, Minister of Finance Zel’Cordas, I can absorb information very rapidly, and thoroughly.” Stavin saw the shock on several of the councilors’ faces and smiled. “There are only two of you I don’t recognize.”
King Kalin didn’t even try to hide his satisfaction at how well Stavin had dealt with the lords. He indicated the man across the table from them and said, “This is Minister of the Interior Georan Zel’Jessel, and the other new face is Adept Fel’Banan.” The king paused to allow Stavin to exchange nods with each man. “Since Stavin is here, I’ll bring out the proposal to annex the southern two-fifths of Farindia. You’ve all had a chance to think about it through the winter. Trade, what are your thoughts?”
Lord Zel’Corvis stood and bowed before speaking. “Your Majesty, trade with that portion of Farindia has always been marginal. We send far more north to Farindia than comes south. I see little benefit to us in the annexation.”
Farindian Summer (Stavin DragonBlessed Book 4) Page 7