The Andarian Affair

by Jones, Loren K.

  Sallin took a breath to protest that she did, but Master Stavin had said much the same thing. “Yes, Mistress.”

  Sharindis chuckled. “You’ll get used to us, Sallin. You do understand that I’m a Scribe, and that one of my duties is to teach the children of the valley.”

  “Yes, Mistress. Master Stavin explained that on the way here.”

  “Good. I’ll expect you to learn to read and write as well as my students do. You’ll be sitting in on the rest of my classes as well, so you’ll be learning everything we teach. Including Old Tongue, of course. You’re a bit older than our usual students, but not too much.”

  Sallin looked at Sharindis and asked, “What is Old Tongue, Mistress?”

  Now it was Sharindis’ turn to look at Sallin, even though all she saw was the dim shadow of the girl. “The language of the Empire of Luxand. Didn’t they teach you any of that in your old school?”

  Sallin spoke softly as she answered. “I’ve never been to a school, Mistress. That was for Chosen children, and the children of rich Traders. What was the Empire of Luxand?”

  Sharindis sighed. “You’ll learn, Sallin. Just pay attention in the classes, though I’m afraid the only ones that will make much sense to you will be the first and second year lessons. I’ll help you where I can.”

  “Mistress, I’m here to help you,” Sallin said in a cautious tone. “Master Stavin paid a whole gold crown for me so I could help you with little Karlin.” She smiled at the little boy in her arms.

  “And you will, Sallin, but the law of Kavinston is that all children must learn to read and write.” Sharindis smiled and a little laugh escaped her lips. “Salli, you won’t be a servant forever. Eventually some young man will want you to be his wife. It’s allowed. You’ll need the same education the rest of us have.”

  Sallin didn’t argue the point, but Sharindis could tell by her silence that she still didn’t believe it. She decided to change the subject. “The first person I’m going to introduce you to is my master, Master Scribe Arlen Kel’Zorgan. He’s also my uncle. Mom’s big brother. We’re all family here.”

  “Master Stavin explained some of that, Mistress. He said you’re going to be the next Master Scribe.”

  Sharindis sighed. “I hope so, Sallin, but the reality is that the Master Scribe has to be able to see. I don’t see well enough. Stavin, once he finishes his fifth expedition, is the more likely choice. But we’re together,” she said with a tender smile, “so we’ll both be doing the job.”

  They had been walking as they talked and had reached the fortress. Sharindis confidently led Sallin up to the Archive and to the office. “Master Kel’Zorgan, are you here?” she asked.

  “Yes, Shari,” he answered as he looked around. “Who is that?”

  “Master Scribe Arlen Kel’Zorgan, this is Sallin Bel’Bartem. Stavin brought her home to help me with Karlin.”

  Master Kel’Zorgan smiled and walked to the door. “Ah, I heard something about that. Welcome, young lady. Show her around on your way to class, Shari. Make sure you explain everything to her. Off you go, now.” He turned away and Sharindis turned and walked out of his office.

  “He acts absentminded sometimes, but it’s just an act,” Sharindis said as she led Sallin down the hall. “We have the fifth-year students for history first. You might not get much out of it, but pay attention anyway.”

  Sharindis entered the classroom to the accompaniment of the chatter of her students, but the room went completely silent when Sallin came in behind her. “I see that you’ve all noticed Sallin. She’s here to help me with Karlin.” There was a soft ‘aww’ from the girls. Sharindis usually let her female students help with the baby. “We were discussing the foundation of the Kingdom of Farindia after the fall of Luxand. Rahnda, you begin.”

  A girl stood and began reciting the lesson. “In the seventeenth year of the rule of Emperor Calvis Zel’Gamma, the great dragon Dandarshandrake left Luxand on his centennial journey. When he didn’t return after five years, the people of Luxand began to fragment. The empire fragmented as well, and each of the imperial provinces split off, becoming the seven kingdoms.”

  “Very good, Rahnda,” Sharindis said with a broad smile for the girl. “You may sit down. Dahran, name the seven provinces.”

  A boy stood and began confidently with, “Farindia, Kavadia, Evandia, Andaria, Coravia, Luxandia, ah,” he slowed down and there were whispers from around him as he tentatively said, “Reynadia?” He collapsed into his chair as the children around him laughed.

  “Correct, Dahran. Now, Sahranis, name the first royal family of Farindia.”

  The lesson continued for five spans as the children recited what they had learned about their past. Sharindis dismissed them in preparation for the next class, and they left the room quietly. Shari had a habit of assigning extra lessons if they woke Karlin.

  Sallin carried the sleeping baby to the front of the room and said, “Mistress Shari, where are all of those places the children were talking about? The only other kingdom I know of is Andaria.”

  Sharindis smiled as curiosity brought Sallin out of her shell. “Look at the wall at the back of the room. See the map?”

  “The big drawing?” Sallin asked.

  “Yes, the big drawing. Farindia is in gold. Andaria is in purple. Kavadia is in red. Evandia is in green. Coravia is in blue. Luxandia is in pink. Reynadia is in brown.”

  Sallin was shaking her head. “But that shows Farindia as being small.”

  “It is, Sallin, but only in comparison to the rest of the Brondian Continent. The Empire of Luxand, which is also referred to as the Luxandian Empire or Empire of Lux, covered six-tenths of the Brondian Continent.”

  Sallin walked to the back of the room and studied the map. “I always thought Farindia was the whole world.”

  “For many people, it is,” Master Kel’Zorgan said as he came into the room. “For our people, who travel around a great deal and interact with people from all over the continent, it is just home.”

  “Yes, Master Kel’Zorgan,” Sallin said, turning to bow to the Master Scribe.

  A new group of children was coming into the classroom, but this time it was the youngest group. They chattered and laughed, and in the instance of a pair of young girls, chased one another around the room. Shari brought them to order quickly, but not quickly enough. Karlin awoke with a wail that made all of the children cringe.

  “Take your seats,” Sharindis commanded and everyone scampered to their seats. “Since you can’t begin the day quietly, we’ll begin the day with mathematics.” There was a general sound of sorrow throughout the room, but for a wonder Karlin had already quieted down. “Let us begin with reciting the addition tables. One plus one equals two.” The whole room joined her as she continued. “Two plus two equals four.” She continued with the basic rote lesson and was not surprised when a more mature voice joined in.

  The day continued that way. Five spans and the children changed. As the day ended, Sharindis called Sallin up to her side. “You did well today, Sallin.”

  “Is every day like that, Mistress Shari?” Sallin asked.

  Sharindis nodded as she answered. “Yes, pretty much. We have five year groups, and each group gets five spans a day. The rest of the day they work for their parents or the community. The boys all get between six and twelve spans of weapons practice as well. We lose the boys at age ten. The first group we had is in their last year.”

  “Why, Mistress?”

  “Something else we inherited from Luxand. Age ten is when we ascend from the estate of Child to that of Youth. For the boys, that is when they begin spending all day at weapons practice under the Warmaster. We keep the girls for four or five more years, teaching them how to allocate provisions for their families. For all of them at this time of year, there is plowing and other work preparing the soil for our crops. Each family contributes labor to the community.”

  “Am I to do that, Mistress?”

  Sharindis chuckled
and said, “No. Our contribution is House Kel’Aniston shipping the community supplies. And my teaching. Let’s go home now.”

  Chapter 6

  THE WAGONS LEFT TRADE TOWN ON schedule, and headed south. Hellin had purchased extra food to accommodate the warriors, and the first night she cooked made all of them very happy. She had learned to cook at her mother’s side in the inn, and she fed them very well. Like Sallin’s, Hellin’s recipes were all quick and easy—for an experienced cook like her. For the men of the expedition, they were excellent.

  The trip to Twin Bridges had taken Stavin’s first caravan fifty-two days to reach the great northern wall, but Hellin’s wagons moved much faster. Just forty-three days later they rumbled through the Common’s Gate and down toward Elain’s.

  Hellin led them down a different street to a warehouse. “We’re going to be unloading for a while. Why don’t you go to the inn and get comfortable? I’ll be along shortly to report to mother and arrange your payment.”

  Charvil nodded and looked around. Hellin caught his attention again. “Down that alley,” she said as she pointed. “Friend Stavin should recognize the yard.”

  Charvil looked at Stavin and nodded, so Stavin led them down the alley. It was just a hundred paces before he turned into the stable yard of Elain’s. Stavin looked over his shoulder toward the back of the inn and smiled. He said, “We should be met in a moment, Sir.”

  True to his prediction, Avid bustled out of the back door just a few breaths later. “Welcome, warriors. Welcome indeed. You’re in need of lodgings?” he asked. As usual, he barely waited for Charvil’s nod before continuing. “Good. Good. If your leader will come with me, I’ll introduce you to the mistress.”

  Charvil was chuckling as he followed Avid, leaving Stavin to see to his horse.

  Inside the inn, Madam Elain greeted him warmly. “Welcome, warrior. I am Madam Elain Fel’Carvin the Fifteenth. You’re--goodness, another Warmaster? Is Warmaster Barvil with you as well?”

  Charvil chuckled. “No, we traded places this year, Madam Elain. I am Warmaster Charvil Kel’Horval.” He paused to bow deeply. “We escorted your daughter and her shipment of silk down from Trade Town.”

  “Wonderful,” Madam Elain exclaimed, clapping her hands in delight. “Are there eleven of you?”

  “Just ten,” Charvil said with a slight bow. “All but one man are veterans.”

  “Indeed?” she asked suspiciously.

  Charvil finally burst out laughing. “We figure nine veterans can keep Stavin out of trouble.”

  At the mention of Stavin’s name, Madam Elain giggled. “I don’t think so, but it’s worth a try. So, Friend Stavin is with you as well?”

  “He is,” Charvil said with a nod. “He signed for Hellin’s taxes at the border. After he pays his respects to King Kalin and visits some friends, we’re going south to Valovad to see to his holdings.”

  The back door opened and the warriors filed in, with Stavin in the rear, as usual. “Welcome, warriors. Friend Stavin, it is good to see you again. What is your desire?”

  Everyone looked at Stavin, so he stepped forward and bowed slightly. “I need to clean up and go to the palace, Madam Elain.”

  Madam Elain nodded. “Of course. You know where the bathing room is. Warmaster Kel’Horval, how many rooms will you need?”

  “Five, I think. We should only be here a day or two.”

  She bowed and signaled Avid. “Fifteen through nineteen, Avid.”

  Avid bowed deeply. “This way, please, Warriors,” he said, bowing and then heading toward the stairs.

  At the top of the stairs, Charvil said, “Stavin, with me. The rest of you, sort yourselves out.”

  “Sir?” Stavin asked, puzzled.

  “I’m going with you to the palace, Stavin. We’ll get cleaned up, then go see the king.”

  “But why do you want to share a room with me, Sir?”

  Charvil chuckled. “Because unless I miss my guess, you’ll be staying in the palace and I’ll have the room to myself.”

  There was some chuckling from the rest of the men, then they split up. Stavin led Charvil to the bathing room and they cleaned up, then they retrieved their horses. The ride to the palace was much nicer than the usual walk.

  Stavin was wearing his Royal Guards cape, and led the way around to the stables. Two grooms met them and took control of their horses immediately. “We’ll go see Lord General Zel’Kordil first, Sir. He’ll know when I can go report to the king.”

  Stavin led Charvil through the guards’ barracks to the general’s office. He stopped and knocked twice, then stepped back. When the door opened, he said, “Lieutenant Stavin Kel’Aniston reports to Lord General Zel’Kordil as ordered, Sir.”

  The major gave Stavin a wide-eyed glance, then turned away. The door opened all the way almost immediately. “Enter, Lieutenant Kel’Aniston.”

  Stavin walked to the general’s desk and came to attention. “Sir, I have returned to Twin Bridges and am reporting as ordered.”

  “I see that, Lieutenant. Who is that with you?”

  “Sir, please allow me to introduce my father-in-law, Warmaster Charvil Kel’Horval.”

  The general actually stood and came to attention as he faced Charvil across his desk. “Warmaster Kel’Horval, welcome to Twin Bridges. I have never met anyone who has achieved your status.”

  “I am pleased to meet you, General,” Charvil said, bowing deeply.

  The general shifted his attention back to Stavin. “His Majesty is in council right now, Lieutenant. Her Highness is there as well. How much of the current situation are you aware of?”

  “Sir?”

  “I’ll take that as none,” the general said. “Sit, please, and I’ll bring you up to date.” Stavin and Charvil sat as instructed, and Lord General Zel’Kordil began speaking. He detailed the unrest on the Andarian border, the talk of war among the councilors, and ended with the death of Lord General Zel’Fordal.

  “General Zel’Fordal is dead?” Stavin asked in a stunned whisper.

  “He is,” Lord General Zel’Kordil confirmed. “I understand that he was quite fond of you, Lieutenant.”

  “Dahvin--I mean Lieutenant Zel’Fordal. How is he?”

  “Lieutenant Zel’Fordal is dealing with his father’s death as well as can be expected. He’s being watched, of course, but he’s taken some comfort in the fact that his father died in the line of duty, intercepting the poisoned message that was meant for the king.”

  Stavin stood and came to attention. “Sir, I would like--”

  “I thought you would,” the general interrupted. “Go find him. He’s on duty watching over Lord Sarvan. Just ask and you’ll get directions. Warmaster Kel’Horval, if you wouldn’t mind, I’d like to keep you with me for a time. I would value your input as far as some of my men are concerned.”

  “Sir, I can come find you later, if you wouldn’t mind,” Stavin said, looking at Charvil with just a hint of pleading in his expression.

  “Very well, Stavin.” Turning to the general, he bowed his head. “General, I am at your disposal.”

  Stavin left Charvil with the general and walked straight to the door that led to the palace proper. It took him less than a span to be directed to the palace garden. There he found Dahvin and nine other Royal Guardsmen hovering a discreet distance behind Sarvan Zel’Andral and Ehrwan Zel’Fordan.

  Stavin paused for a moment. Dahvin looked peaceful, as if he had come to terms with his father’s death.

  Sarvan saw him first and smiled broadly. “Friend Stavin, welcome back to Twin Bridges.”

  All of the others turned to face Stavin and he quickly went to one knee. “Lord Sarvan, I am pleased to see you again. And you, Lady Ehrwan.”

  “Hello, Friend Stavin,” Lady Ehrwan said as she smiled and nodded her head deeply.

  Stavin stood and turned his attention toward Dahvin Zel’Fordal and bowed. “Lord Dahvin, I just heard about your father. Please accept my deepest and most sincere condolenc
es.”

  “Thank you, Stavin,” Lord Dahvin said as he bowed his head.

  Lord Sarvan looked at the rest of the guards and said, “Gentlemen, we would appreciate a little privacy.” All the guards except Dahvin and Stavin walked a short distance away. “Stavin, how much have you been told?” he asked in a hushed tone, looking into Stavin’s eyes.

  “General Zel’Kordil said that General Zel’Fordal intercepted a poisoned message that was meant for King Kalin, Sir.”

  “True,” Lord Sarvan said, “as far as it goes. The message was brought by an Evandian Army messenger, and was supposedly from an Evandian Army major. What is suspected is that some Andarian agents have infiltrated our forces and are posing as Evandian regulars.”

  “There have been a number of border skirmishes between our forces and Andarian bandits,” Lady Ehrwan put in. “Except they are too well disciplined to be plain bandits.”

  Stavin said, “Gods Below,” in a breathy whisper.

  “Our feelings exactly, Stavin,” Lord Dahvin said, but Stavin shook his head violently.

  “No, Dahvin. Not that,” Stavin said as he shook his head, then remembered where he was and who he was speaking to. “Your forgiveness, Lord Zel’Fordal.”

  Dahvin smiled slightly. “Sarvan and Ehrwan know I asked you to drop my titles when we are alone, Stavin. Now what are you talking about?”

  Stavin studied the ground as he spoke. “Last year we encountered bandits up near the border. Only they weren’t just bandits: They were Evandian Army troops. They had crossed into Andaria and press-ganged a bunch of men to act as bandits, then attacked our caravan. We managed to question one of the wounded men, and he told us about it, though we thought they were Andarian troops to begin with. Only a few of the wounded had survived that long. They had killed or taken the rest. Later, at Fort Zel’Erins, we encountered wounded troops who refused to allow us to see their commanding officer. Two days later we were attacked again, but this time we were ready. We killed all twenty of them, and I recognized the sergeant who had turned us away from Fort Zel’Erins. Up the road a bit we found a caravan that they had attacked earlier. They had killed all of the press-ganged men once the attack was complete.”