Farindian Summer (Stavin DragonBlessed Book 4)

by Loren K. Jones

  The woman took another step backwards away from the road. “Some,” she admitted. “I know a bit about herbs that allows me help the sick and injured. Why?”

  Karvik explained about the annexation, and Stavin. The woman’s reaction was predictable. “The Dragon Blessed is here?” she asked as she stared up at him with wide eyes.

  “He is,” Karvik replied with a grin. “If you would be so kind, please pass the word to your fellow inhabitants that Evandian officials will be coming into this area in the near future to establish order. If you have a settlement laid out, you will be allowed to keep it. This,” he waved his hand in a circle to encompass the entire ruined city, “may one day be rebuilt. It will be important to establish your claims early.”

  “You mean that?” the woman all but whispered. “We’ll just be able to say, ‘This is mine,’ and it’ll be legal?”

  Karvik nodded. “Essentially, yes. Some things, like the road and bridge, will belong to the crown, but any house you’ve built or field you’ve cleared to grow food will be yours to keep.” He looked around again and shook his head. “It would be a shame to leave this a ruin without even trying to rebuild.”

  Eve bowed deeply. “I’ll pass the word, Guardsman, and we’ll be ready when the officials come. Most of us have just a shack and garden, but if we can keep what we’ve claimed, I’m sure some will claim more. I certainly will.”

  “Very well,” Karvik said and raised his hand to signal the column. “Good day to you, and your people.” He smiled and glanced over his shoulder. “Prince Stavin is the one in the golden armor. He’ll pass by in a few moments.”

  The column came forward, and Stavin bowed in the saddle in acknowledgement of Eve’s deep bow. He was aware of what Karvik had been telling her. That had been decided well ahead of time.

  The army crossed the bridge cautiously. It was not a substantial structure. Gavlin limited them to five riders at a time, spaced several horse-lengths apart. The infantry was limited to groups of ten, and only one of the support staff wagons was allowed to cross at a time. The sun was down and camp set long before the last wagon crossed.

  Gavlin held a meeting with his officers once the camp was seen to. “We’re in what our prisoner called Zel’Esten territory now. It’s the southern-most of the Chosen estates.”

  Karvik said, “The woman I spoke to said she ran away from the Zel’Esten estate.”

  “I wish we had a current map of the area,” Stavin groused.

  “We all do,” Barvil agreed. “About the only thing we can be sure of is this road.”

  Stavin looked at Gavlin and asked, “So what’s our plan, Colonel?”

  “We’ll send the cavalry ahead to scout while the column continues on the road. Our best intelligence tells us that the Zel’Esten Estate can only field one hundred trained men, and three hundred armed farmers.”

  “Don’t discount farmers, Colonel. A good hand with a scythe is as dangerous as a good hand with a sword,” Barvil explained.

  *

  A soldier rushed into Lord Zel’Esten’s study and went to one knee. “Report,” Lord Jonnis commanded.

  “My lord, they have crossed the river at Lestalin Ford.”

  Lord Shardan, the oldest of Lord Jonnis’ children, asked, “How many?”

  “My lord, we couldn’t get an exact count,” the soldier replied, “but we are sure of at least three hundred and sixty riders, and thirty supply wagons. The men on foot numbered in the thousands. My best guess, begging your pardon, is five thousand infantry.”

  “Gods Below.” Lord Jonnis said as he sighed. “And to face them we have just seventy fighters and a hundred and a handful of auxiliaries. Auxiliaries! Hah! Rabble. Worse than useless.” The old lord stood and paced around his study with his hands clasped tightly behind his back. “It’s too far to the Zel’Hestel Estate to send for help. As I see it, we have three choices: We can fight and die. We can run and hope to join forces with the others. Or we can submit and give up our land.”

  Lord Shardan shook his head slowly. “Together, the seven Houses have enough men to match them, but that would mean running all the way to the Zel’Gastak Estate and hoping everyone is there with us. And even then, we would only have about five hundred real fighters. The rest, as you say, would be rabble. They would be no match for the soldiers of the Evandian Army.”

  “And we’d have to abandon everything to do it,” Lady Rainah pointed out. She was standing by the desk, holding a glass of wine. “We need those farmers in the fields and orchards, not out getting slaughtered fighting the Evandians. We won’t survive the winter without them.”

  Lord Jonnis hugged his wife and pressed his face into her hair for a moment. “Then it’s settled. Come daybreak, we’ll surrender to the Evandians and hope for the best.”

  Daybreak found Lord Jonnis and his son sitting their horses on the road about twenty dragon-lengths from the edge of their estate. Lady Rainah had the younger children and grandchildren in a wagon with all of their fighters around them. If the worst happened, they would flee north and warn the rest of the Chosen families.

  Chapter 28

  “PRINCE STAVIN,” A GUARDSMAN SAID AS he came to attention next to Stavin and Karvik, “Colonel Zel’Fordal requests your presence.”

  Stavin nodded and stood, shoving the last of his eggs into his mouth. Karvik stood with him and grabbed his shoulder. “Freeze, Your Highness,” Karvik muttered, and Stavin stopped in his tracks. Karvik shook his head in mock sorrow as he used a napkin to wipe a drip of egg yolk from Stavin’s armor. “Can’t go looking like that.”

  “Yes, father,” Stavin muttered.

  “Be glad neither of your fathers is here,” Barvil commented mildly. “And especially none of your big sisters. They’d really give you a hard time.”

  Stavin sighed and nodded his agreement, then let Karvik and Barvil take their positions at his shoulders. They marched together to the command tent and found Gavlin with his senior officers.

  “Prince Stavin,” Colonel Zel’Fordal said without looking up from his table, “our scouts say there are two well-dressed horsemen waiting for us this side of the wall that marks the boundary of the Zel’Esten Estate.”

  “Any sign of armed opposition?” Stavin asked as he looked at the map on the table. Details had been added since last night.

  “No. What I’d like to do is send Darak and his men forward to find out what their intentions are. If they are peaceful, then I’d like to join you in discussing their surrender, or whatever they have in mind.”

  Stavin nodded. “Guess I’d better shine my armor and limber up my wrist. It’ll take all day to sign my name and titles, and I don’t want to cramp up.” There were chuckles of agreement from around the tent, then Darak left. The sound of his men riding out of camp at a canter soon followed.

  Darak returned with the two men a short time later. “Prince Stavin, please allow me to present Lords Jonnis and Shardan Zel’Esten.”

  Stavin nodded his head deeply as the two well-dressed men bowed. “Gentlemen, welcome to our camp. Can I offer you some kava?” Stavin waved one hand to where an elegant silver kava service was sitting.

  The older man shook his head. “No, Prince Stavin, but thank you for the offer. I am Jonnis Zel’Esten.” He bowed once again. “This is my son and heir, Shardan. We would like to know what your intentions are.”

  Stavin considered that for a moment. “Lord Jonnis, Evandia has annexed this portion of Farindia. It is our intention to establish order here, and bring civilization back to the land of our ancestors.”

  Lord Jonnis clenched his teeth, his jaw muscles visible under the skin of his face, then forced himself to calm down. “Prince Stavin, this is the land of our ancestors.”

  “Lord Jonnis, I am from Kavinston, in Kel’Kavin. All but a few of the men you see around you are scions of the old Royal Guard. We all carry some portion of the old royal blood. Karvik Kel’Carin,” he raised his hand to indicate his friend, “carries nearly one hal
f royal blood from three lines. I carry somewhat less. As far as we have been able to determine, we are the only members of the old line to survive the revolt. As such, it is our right to reestablish order in our kingdom.”

  “You’re an Evandian prince,” Lord Shardan all but shouted.

  “By adoption,” Stavin agreed with a slight nod. “But before that I was Warleader Second Stavin Kel’Aniston of Kavinston, called Dragon Blessed.” Stavin turned so his shoulder was toward the lords. “Since then I’ve been elevated to Senior Warmaster.”

  “How?” Lord Shardan demanded.

  “By killing a hundred and twenty-seven men, Lord Shardan,” Stavin replied softly. “By slaughtering part of the Andarian Army.”

  “The dragon sword,” Lord Jonnis said in a soft, barely audible murmur.

  Stavin laid his hand on the hilt of the Sword of Zel’Hallan and lit up the tent like the rising sun. “Yes, Lord Jonnis,” he replied in an echoing voice. He led go of the sword almost immediately.

  “What are your terms for our surrender?” Lord Jonnis asked as soon as he stopped blinking.

  “Don’t fight us,” Stavin replied simply. “We’re not here to conquer you. We’re here to bring you into Evandia, and welcome you to our kingdom.”

  “What of our lands?” Lord Shardan asked.

  “They are yours. We, King Kalin, Princess Marina, and I, want you to continue with your lives. We want this to be a prosperous portion of our kingdom. Magistrates will be following us in the near future to establish titles and land deeds. I’m sure you still have your ancient titles from the early days of Farindia. The Zel’Esten family dates back to the founding of the province. Those titles will be honored by Evandia.”

  “How did you know that?” Lord Jonnis asked. He seemed puzzled by Stavin’s knowledge.

  “I am, or was supposed to be, a scribe in the Kavinston Archive. I transcribed an old scroll once that listed the thirty-seven Chosen families who originally settled the Land of Farind. Zel’Esten was among the first, settling across the border from the Land of Kavad in the twenty-first year of the reign of Emperor Farind Zel’Varsal.”

  Lord Jonnis looked down and shook his head. “We were prepared—I was prepared to fight you to the last man for our heritage. Shardan, go home and tell your mother to unpack the good dishes. We’re having guests for the mid day meal.” He smiled as his son gave him a suspicious look, then turned and bowed to Stavin. “Prince Stavin, please accept my hospitality. I would like to discuss this annexation further. What you are telling us contradicts the information we received last year.”

  “Thank you, Lord Jonnis,” Stavin replied with a slight bow. “I am pleased to accept.”

  Stavin turned to Colonel Zel’Fordal and nodded his head deeply. “Colonel, bring your force forward to the edge of the cultivated land and set camp. I’ll take Warmaster Kel’Carin and the Royal Guards with me. Once your camp is set, please join us at the manor.”

  “Yes, Your Highness,” Gavlin replied with a bow.

  “Lord Jonnis, if you would?” Stavin gestured toward the tent flap and the elderly lord left the tent with Stavin right behind him. Barvil, Karvik, Dahvin, and Hardan were close on his heels.

  Lord Jonnis retrieved his horse from the guards and waited until Stavin and the rest had mounted. Without another word, he led the way toward his home, and seventy Royal Guards trailed behind him.

  The manor house was still obviously a fortress. Tall and squarely built of cut stone, it was nearly the size of Fort Kel’Kavin. “I’m impressed,” Stavin said as he looked up at the walls.

  “The house was the first settlement in these lands, and was built as a defensive position against the nomads and wildmen of this area,” Lord Jonnis explained. “At one time there was actually a town here, built close to the manor walls, and the inhabitants would retreat and close the gates at the first sign of trouble.”

  Stavin was surveying the defenses critically and nodded his approval. “It would take a determined foe to break your defenses. If you objected to us so much, why didn’t you just fort up and let us pass by?”

  “We couldn’t risk a siege. We couldn’t withstand it,” Lord Jonnis admitted with a grimace. “We need our farmers out in the fields, not eating the limited supplies we have this early in the summer.”

  Stavin simply nodded his understanding. “It’s hard to keep back supplies for a siege when you can hardly feed your people.”

  The old lord led them into the courtyard where a group of people were waiting and dismounted. “Prince Stavin, please allow me to introduce my wife, Lady Rainah.” The oldest of the ladies gave Stavin an intensely curious look as she bowed deeply. “My daughter-in-law, Lady Maris.” The young woman standing beside Lord Shardan bowed. “My daughters, Hava, Jessen, and Nanca. Family, I present to you Prince Stavin Zel’Andral of Evandia.” Unlike the two lords, all of the ladies were dressed in leather travelling outfits.

  Lady Rainah bowed again, and said, “Be welcome in our home, Prince Stavin.”

  Stavin bowed and said, “Thank you, Lady Rainah.” He took a step forward and Barvil and Darak stepped up behind his shoulders. On their heels came Dahvin and Hardan.

  Lord Shardan gave them an intense look, and Stavin smiled slightly as he explained, “Even in the palace in Twin Bridges they follow me. Please allow me to introduce Warmaster Barvil Kel’Carin of the Farindian Royal Guard, Warleader Second Darak Kel’Norlan of the Farindian Royal Guard, Captain Hardan Zel’Tarlin of the Evandian Royal Guard, and Captain Dahvin Zel’Fordal of the Evandian Royal Guard.”

  “A Warmaster?” Lord Shardan asked in a stunned tone as he stared at Barvil. Barvil bowed in acknowledgement.

  Lady Nanca, the youngest at about fourteen, stepped forward and asked, “Have you really killed more than a hundred men?”

  “I have, Lady Nanca,” Barvil replied courteously.

  “That’s enough, Nanci,” Lady Rainah said, making the girl close her mouth with a snap. “Your forgiveness, Warmaster, but she gets excited. She has been studying the history of Farindia, and is currently reading about the time after the revolt.”

  Barvil bowed, then glanced at Stavin. “I understand completely.”

  “Prince Stavin,” Lord Shardan said as he joined their guest, “you wear four hollowed stars. How is that possible at your age?”

  Stavin sighed. “It is possible because there were a lot of people who thought this armor was real gold, and I spent most of my first two expeditions killing the fools who wanted to kill me and steal it. The coup attempt in Twin Bridges is responsible for a lot of it, and my fight against the Andarian Army finished it out.”

  “Your pardon, Prince Stavin, but how old are you?” Lady Maris asked.

  “I just turned twenty, Lady Maris,” Stavin answered with a slight bow.

  “I bet you have nightmares about all the men you’ve killed,” Lady Hava whispered.

  Stavin shook his head. “No, Lady Hava.”

  “How could you not have nightmares?” she demanded in an aggressive tone, turning to face Stavin squarely.

  Stavin bowed slightly and replied, “I am a Warmaster of Kel’Kavin, Lady Hava. It’s what I’ve been trained to do since I turned five. And I’ve never sought out and killed anyone in cold blood. Everyone I’ve faced has been trying to kill me.”

  “Children,” Lord Jonnis said in a soft voice that silenced his offspring instantly. “Prince Stavin is our guest, and, as of a short time ago, our liege. Be polite or be absent.”

  All of the young women bowed and said, “Yes, Father.”

  Lord Jonnis led them into the ancient fortress and to a comfortable parlor. A man in immaculate clothing was waiting for them and bowed to his lord. “How may I be of service, Lord Jonnis?”

  Lord Jonnis turned and bowed to Stavin. “May I offer you refreshment, Prince Stavin?”

  “Beer, please,” Stavin said and smiled at the surprise on his host’s face.

  Lord Jonnis bowed and motioned toward the butler,
who immediately filled a large stein with beer. “I’ll have Draiger’s Tears, Chesten,” Lord Jonnis said as the butler handed Stavin the stein.

  Lady Rainah smiled and said, “Red wine, Chesten.”

  Barvil and Darak opted for beer, while Hardan and Dahvin requested Draiger’s Tears. Lord Shardan also had Draiger’s Tears, while all four of the younger ladies followed Lady Rainah’s example.

  Once everyone was served, Lord Jonnis raised his glass and said, “Prince Stavin, honored guests, family, I raise my glass to peace and prosperity.”

  “Peace and prosperity,” everyone echoed and took a sip.

  “Now, Prince Stavin, I’d like some more details about the annexation,” Lord Jonnis said as he ushered Stavin to a large chair. “We were under the impression that you were coming to take our lands.”

  Stavin bowed in his seat. “No one really wants these lands except you, Lord Jonnis.” Stavin shrugged and smiled apologetically. “The purpose of the annexation is to enhance our security by bringing the territories of Farindia under the control of the king. Or at least some king. King Kalin annexed Kel’Kavin to bring us, the old Farindian Royal Guard, into his service. After the incident in the palace summer before last, he was convinced that it was too risky not having us bound to him and Evandia. The Elders’ Council of Kavinston proposed having Evandia annex all of Farindia from Kel’Kavin south. And when I went to Andaria to end the war, I proposed the idea to King Jallat. I really didn’t have the authority to make that proposal, though, and King Kalin was not entirely happy with the idea. As you probably know, this is one of the few fertile areas of southern Farindia. West of here are the foothills and badlands of the high plateau, and east is Kavadia.”

  Lord Shardan sat forward and fixed Stavin with a piercing stare. “So if this is just to bring us under the rule of a king, why didn’t you just have one of your people declare himself King of Farindia and be done with it?”

  Stavin tilted his head to the side and asked, “Would you bow to Karvik Kel’Carin? You met him out at the command tent. He has the highest percentage of royal blood in the valley.”