Corinne chuckled and shook her head as she followed Stavin. Behind her, Larvin and six Guardsmen escorted the four visitors. The four Guardsmen who were holding their weapons remained near the door.
Stavin and Corinne were seated at a long table, and Corinne waved toward four chairs on the opposite side. “Please be seated and we’ll begin.” The women took their seats, and Corinne smiled as they continued to stare at Stavin. “As my note stated, we are interested in hiring thirty-six of your women for permanent caravan guards.”
“I thought we only had twenty-six wagons,” Stavin said under his breath to Corinne.
“I bought more to handle the contracts,” she muttered back. “Back to the subject,” she said in a normal tone as she smiled at the women. “We are interested in hiring a woman for each wagon of our House.”
“Your pardon, but whose House is it exactly?” the leader asked.
“I own it, but Corinne runs it,” Stavin answered. “Please introduce yourself.”
“Your pardon, Prince Stavin. I am Major Sandis Kel’Ashlan of the Kel’Eshan Snowcats. I command the detachment here in Valovad. My companions are Lieutenants Kel’Flores, Kel’Tahitan, and Kel’Hassan.” Each woman bowed in her chair as she was introduced, and Stavin nodded his acknowledgement of each.
Stavin glanced at Corinne and raised an eyebrow, so she continued. “This would be a year-round contract. We run mostly textiles and bulk cargoes south along the coast. Rather than hire new guards all the time, it is our thought, well mostly mine, that having the same guards all the time would be to our benefit. We had several cargoes delayed last year due to a lack of guards.”
Major Kel’Ashlan bowed her head deeply. “We have a number of women employed as you describe, Madam Corinne. Not that many by a single employer, though.”
Corinne nodded. “Kel’Aniston is a large House. And, as you are no doubt aware, a well-connected one.” She smiled at Stavin for an instant. “We could hire our own guards, but that would mean training them. And sorting out the kernels from the chaff. That’s why I suggested hiring mercenaries instead.”
Stavin spoke softly. “I spent two seasons as a caravan guard, so I’m well aware of the requirements of the job.” He ignored the intensely curious looks the women were giving him. “What we need are good, stable men—women.” That’s going to take some getting used to. “Women who know what to do and, more importantly, what not to do. What we don’t need or want is young hotheads out for glory.” He glanced at Karvik and grinned. “We’ve had our share of trouble because of that.”
“Caused by a young hothead in golden armor as often as not, Prince Stavin,” Karvik replied.
Stavin smiled and nodded. “As often as not.”
“So you’re looking for older women,” Major Kel’Ashlan said in a thoughtful tone.
“Essentially,” Stavin agreed.
The major glanced at her companions for an instant, then bowed in her seat. “We may have what you want,” she said as she looked Corinne in the eye. “Our company has two hundred women at our Valovad Base, and we have about forty-seven women who fit the requirements you’ve given us. We have mostly younger women in the field right now.”
Corinne and Major Kel’Ashlan began bargaining in earnest, and it only took three spans to reach an agreement. One woman per wagon at five sparks a day per woman, plus an officer for each caravan at six sparks a day. Corinne informed Stavin that they usually only had three separate caravans running. Stavin exchanged glances with Larvin and Karvik. The arrangement was close to their own ratio of officers to men—women—damn.
“Major,” Stavin said in a soft tone, “just to settle my curiosity, I would like a demonstration of your skills as warriors. Our women,” he glanced at Karvik, “don’t normally fight, though each girl is trained until age ten with the boys.”
“As you wish, Prince Stavin,” she replied. “Against who?” Stavin glanced over and Karvik stepped forward. She gave him a quick glance, then nodded. “Very well. Where?”
“Outside,” Larvin said in a flat tone, and all four women stood.
Out in front of the house five warriors drew a circle in the sand. There were no practice swords available, so Karvik and the major were given sword-length sticks.
The major muttered, “I haven’t used a bare stick since I was a newbie.”
“I never have,” Karvik answered just as softly. He brought his stick up in salute, and the major answered.
Larvin said, “Begin,” and both sticks blurred. Karvik was doing well, blocking every strike the major made, but he was unable to initiate an attack. She was very good. The match continued for nearly a span before the major knocked Karvik’s “sword” out of his hand.
“You’re good,” the major said as she panted and stepped away from Karvik.
“I’d love to see you face my dad or Charvil,” Karvik replied. He was winded, but recovering quickly. “That’s the longest bout I’ve had in a long time.”
“If the rest of your women can measure up to that, I have no worries about our caravans,” Stavin said as he walked forward. “Kar is a very good swordsman.”
The major was looking at Karvik curiously. “Your dad?”
Stavin answered. “Warmaster Barvil Kel’Carin. Charvil is also a Warmaster. He’s my father-in-law. They take turns teaching in our Academy. Kar,” he said as he nodded toward Karvik’s shoulder, “is a Warleader Fourth. Roughly equivalent to a major.”
The major looked at Karvik through narrowed eyes. Her voice was almost inflectionless as she said, “You were promoted young.”
“He earned those stars,” Larvin said before Stavin could. “Karvik can claim fifty-three kills in combat.”
“Fifty-three?” the major whispered.
Karvik was calm as he replied, “Yes, Major.”
The major was suddenly examining every shoulder around her. The warriors all turned their left shoulders toward her. Only six of the men wore a star, but all of them had at least three red stripes. The major shook her head slowly as she looked around. “I’ve only had to kill twenty-one men in my entire career,” she said as she turned back to Stavin. He wasn’t wearing his armguard, so there was no way for her to even guess.
Karvik leaned forward and spoke so only she could hear him. “One hundred and twenty-seven.” She whipped her head around to stare at him, and he grinned. “Eighty-five before he got that sword.”
“Gods Above,” the major whispered. “Gods Above and Below.”
Chapter 16
STAVIN LEFT THE NEXT MORNING, LEAVING Corinne to finalize the contract with the Snowcats. The ride up to Twin Bridges was quiet, but it was the companionable silence of men who were comfortable with one another.
Stavin’s visit to Corinne had reminded him of the proposal from Aravad, and he brought it up during the first council session he attended after he returned. Once the normal day-to-day duties of the Council had been seen to, he stood and bowed to King Kalin before speaking.
“My lords, on our journey down from Kavinston we stopped in Aravad and I had the opportunity to meet with the Aravad Traders’ Council. They asked me to present a proposal to King Kalin and Lord Zel’Corvis concerning trade between Kavadia and Evandia. This is directly related to our earlier discussion concerning trade between Farindia and Evandia, Lord Zel’Corvis.” He bowed slightly to the Minister of Trade and then pulled the message tube from his pouch and opened it. “I took the liberty of reading through the proposal, and I think it is workable. In essence, the Aravad Traders’ Council wants to establish easier access to Evandian markets by reducing or eliminating the tax on goods entering Evandia.”
“Impossible,” Lord Zel’Corvis snapped. “Those taxes are to prevent the Kavadians from flooding our markets and undercutting our traders.”
“I am aware of that, Lord Zel’Corvis,” Stavin replied politely. “I am also aware that, as you pointed out in opposing the annexation of Farindia, only a limited amount of trade comes into Evandia from Kavadia
because of it. Much of that trade is done by Evandian Houses going to Kavadia and purchasing goods to bring back since they only have to pay two and a half percent instead of five.”
“That’s to encourage our traders to bring goods into the kingdom,” Lord Zel’Cordas, the Minister of Finance, pointed out. “But the taxes on those goods provide a fair portion of the kingdom’s revenue.”
“Granted,” Stavin said with a half-bow, “but how much more would there be if we granted certain Kavadian Traders the same rate? As I pointed out in our earlier discussion, given the choice of losing five percent by coming here or going to Kavadia, I’d go to Kavadia. Much of the trade from Kavadia goes to Farindia or Reynadia. The Reynadians charge five percent, but they have exemptions for favored traders. That would be the compromise I would suggest.”
“But how would we establish who to grant favored status to?” Lord Zel’Corvis asked.
“The same way we establish it here,” Stavin answered. “Membership in the Guild. Or in this case, the Aravad Traders’ Council.”
Minister of Finance Zel’Cordas said, “There is a world of difference between our Traders’ Guild and the Kavadians, Prince Stavin.”
Stavin shook his head. “No, not really. You may recall that I’m a member of both. Though, in fairness, I’m a member of the Aravad Traders’ Council, not just the Kavadian Guild. There is a difference, and it is the Aravad Council that is making this proposal.”
“There is a security issue as well,” Minister of Sheriffs Zel’Lothal pointed out. Like all the ministers, he was an older man, and a bit thick in the middle, though he seemed fit enough. “The border checkpoints search each wagon in order to inventory the goods for taxation. That discourages the smugglers.”
“And they still would, just as they search Evandian wagons while inventorying them.” Stavin grimaced and shook his head. “Not much smuggling actually crosses on the roads, gentlemen.” Stavin turned and faced his adopted sister. “Princess Marina, does the Council know the results of your investigation concerning the child-thieves who passed through Evandia?”
“No, Prince Stavin. The subject has never come up.” She stood and Stavin sat to relinquish the floor to her. “My Lords, three years ago Prince Stavin brought three young girls to me in the hopes of returning them to their families. They had been stolen in Andaria, transported through Evandia, and into Kavadia. By consulting maps and the girls’ home towns, we were able to surmise the trader’s probable route.” She looked around at the Council and frowned. “We believe he crossed into Evandia near the town of Kel’Janda, but there is no record of his crossing. When questioned about it, the commander of the border station admitted that it is easy to cross the border in that area due to the flatness of the land—and the dishonesty of some locals. A trader pleading poverty can bribe a common farmer to look the other way for a few sparks. For single wagons, at least. A caravan might require a full gold crown to ignore.”
“That’s outrageous!” Minister of Magistrates Zel’Vorlas snapped. “They should be arrested and brought before a magistrate.”
“If we could catch them,” the princess continued as she glared at the Minister of Justice, and his subordinates.
“That, gentlemen, is the problem,” Stavin said as he stood and bowed to the princess. “Legitimate traders are not likely to smuggle across our borders, though it’s almost a sure thing that they all smuggle something at one time or another.” Stavin’s wry expression drew frowns from the Councilors. “Our own Traders are no less likely to smuggle than Kavadian Traders.”
Lord Zel’Cordas shook his head and said, “We could not afford to lose that much income.”
“If we half the tax but double or even triple the volume, what have we lost?” Stavin asked as he looked around the table. “And please remember that we are more than doubling our border with Kavadia by annexing Farindia. A lot of the food for Farindia comes from Kavadia. We’re going to need the Aravad Traders’ Guild to continue shipping to our new territory.” He shrugged. “I ship the Kavinston supplies from Aravad.”
“Then our trade increases,” Lord Zel’Corvis said with a satisfied nod. “There is no need to reduce the tax in order to court it.”
“Yes, Lord Zel’Corvis, there is,” Stavin replied softly. “That tax is passed on to our people as higher prices. You may not see it, but many of the people who buy from Kavadian traders are the poorest of our citizens. They feel the added cost. And in the Farindian territory, they will feel it all the more because they’ve never had to pay it before.”
“I think I’ve heard enough,” King Kalin said, silencing the rest of the council. “Stavin’s idea of establishing Favored Trader status with some Kavadian Houses is sound. He is correct that increasing the amount of trade will offset any loss of income reducing the tax might cause. Additionally, increasing, or at least maintaining, the volume of trade from Kavadia into our new territory is vital. Evindal,” he looked Lord Zel’Corvis in the eye as he spoke, “establish a favored-trader agreement with the Aravad Traders’ Council.” He smiled at the stubborn set of his Minister of Trade’s jaw. “And if your friends in our Traders’ Guild don’t like it, that’s just too damn bad.”
Lord Zel’Corvis took a deep breath and said, “Yes, Your Majesty.”
Minister of Foreign Affairs Zel’Ordan stood as soon as the king sat down. “Yes, Lord Carvan?” the king asked.
“Your Majesty, now that Prince Stavin has returned and the subject of Farindia is open, I would once again like to bring up the subject of the annexation.”
The king nodded, then looked at Stavin. “Jallat is in a hurry to finalize the agreement dividing Farindia. Our sources tell us he hasn’t waited on us. He’s already moved on the northern border area.”
Stavin bowed in his seat. “I can’t say I’m surprised.”
“Nor I,” the king agreed. “Is the treaty he sent us ready?” he asked Lord Zel’Ordan.
“It is, Your Majesty.”
King Kalin nodded toward the table, and Lord Zel’Ordan walked around to the king’s side and placed two copies of the treaty before him. “It has places for all three of us to sign, Stavin. That’s one reason we were waiting for you to get back. Jallat and his son, Jeffan, have already signed both copies.” The king took a quill and dipped it in ink, then signed his name on each document with a flourish. He dripped red sealing wax below each of his signatures and sealed the treaties with his ring. Marina signed her name and sealed the treaties next, then slid them to Stavin.
“This will be the first time you’ve signed and sealed an official document, Stavin,” she said unnecessarily.
Stavin nodded and signed his name on both treaties in Imperial Glyphs, then added his titles. The king handed him the burning candle and he dripped wax on the parchments so it ran partially over his name, and for the first time, officially at least, used the signet King Kalin had given him to seal them. “And Farindia is no more.” Then he let go a soft sigh as his eyes closed.
“Now for the hard part,” King Kalin said as he looked at Stavin. “We have to tell the Farindians about it.”
Chapter 17
MARKAL ZEL’TAHRAN WAITED JUST ONE MORE day, until the middle of the evening meal with the Court, to formally approach the king. He hadn’t told anyone of his plans. He was afraid they’d try to talk him out of it.
He waited until the main course had been served, then left his place and walked in front of the king’s table. The room fell silent as everyone realized that the night’s entertainment had just been supplemented.
Looking into King Kalin’s eyes, Markal fell to both knees and spoke in a loud, clear voice. “Kalin Zel’Andral, King of Evandia, I come before you this day to ask for your daughter, Crown Princess Marina, to be my wife.”
King Kalin stood to reply. “Why do you ask this of me?”
“King Kalin, I ask this of you because I love your daughter.”
Kalin looked at him, then did a precision turn to the right and asked, “
Marina Zel’Andral, Crown Princess of Evandia, what say you in this matter?”
Marina stood and bowed to her father, then answered, “Your Majesty, I have come to love and respect Captain Markal Zel’Tahran, and will accept him as my husband.”
King Kalin’s eyes were dancing with mirth as he did an about-face and looked at Stavin. “Stavin Zel’Andral, Prince of Evandia, have you anything to say in this matter?”
Stavin stood and came to attention, then bowed. “Your Majesty, I have come to know and like Captain Markal Zel’Tahran since our arrival in Twin Bridges. I believe him to be a brave and honorable man, a proven warrior, and a fit husband for my sister, Crown Princess Marina.”
King Kalin looked down into Stavin’s eyes and said, “If Crown Princess Marina marries Captain Markal Zel’Tahran, he will be the next King of Evandia. Will you, as Crown Princess Marina’s heir, accept him as your king, and his children as the heirs of the kingdom in your stead?”
Stavin stood just a touch straighter as he replied, “Your Majesty, I will not only accept the children of Crown Princess Marina Zel’Andral and Captain Markal Zel’Tahran as the heirs to the kingdom in my stead, I will welcome them as members of our family.”
King Kalin and Prince Stavin executed a perfectly coordinated turn to face Markal Zel’Tahran. It was all the more impressive because it had obviously not been rehearsed. King Kalin looked at the young captain and said, “Markal Zel’Tahran, Captain in the Evandian Army, I grant you permission to take my daughter, Crown Princess Marina, as your betrothed.”
Markal stood and bowed deeply to King Kalin, then did a left face, took one step, and did a right face so he was directly in front of Princess Marina, and bowed again. “Marina Zel’Andral, Crown Princess of Evandia, I ask you to pledge your troth, that you will marry me in one year’s time unless I prove myself unworthy in your eyes or those of your family during that year. I have three years’ service in the Army of Evandia, and have received the rights to hold lands and titles, and to dispense high and low justice. I am the third child of my parents, and hold no other titles.”
Farindian Summer (Stavin DragonBlessed Book 4) Page 11