The Andarian Affair

by Jones, Loren K.

  Corinne nodded. “So we trade them. In most cases an enclosed wagon is three times as expensive as an open cargo wagon that’s twice as large.”

  “Don’t forget the teams,” Charvil prompted.

  Stavin nodded his agreement. “Corinne, I’d like you to dispose of all the enclosed wagons except one. Keep the master’s wagon. Buy or trade for twenty large cargo wagons. Keep them here until I send for them.” He let loose a gusty sigh. “I’ll have to hire drivers as well. That reminds me. What progress have you made on the warehouse and house in Zel’Mortlan?”

  She smiled. “There’ll be a letter waiting for you in Twin Bridges. You must have just missed it. The gist of it is I was able to buy both cheaper than it would have been to build new. The warehouse is being repaired right now. The house is small, just enough to accommodate a family of ten or so. I’m having signs painted for both of them, using the House Kel’Aniston device.”

  Stavin smiled at Charvil. “That will do. That will do just fine.”

  Chapter 20

  VARKAL AND FARLIT REPORTED TO THE Elders’ Council as soon as they returned to Kavinston. “Chief Elder Kel’Kaffrey, we had trouble with the Traders in Trade Town.”

  “What kind of trouble?” Chief Elder Kel’Kaffrey asked.

  “A delegation from the Traders who run the place confronted us, demanding to know who our Master Trader was. We explained that we were just purchasing a single wagon load of supplies for our own use, but they were reluctant to grant us that privilege.” Varkal’s expression turned rueful. “We convinced them to allow our purchase, but it took the threat of taking all our business to Aravad to make our point.”

  The Elders shared looks all around, then Chief Elder Kel’Kaffrey glared at Varkal. “You do not have that kind of authority, Warleader Kel’Chamlin.”

  “Yes, Chief Elder,” Varkal said as he came to attention. “They didn’t take me up in it in any case, Sir. In fact, they were nearly panicked by the notion. Apparently, only sending four groups to Trade Town this year resulted in some difficulties for the Traders.”

  “That is not our concern,” the Chief Elder said as he continued to glare at Varkal.

  “Your pardon, Chief Elder,” Farlit said, waiting for Mikal’s nod before continuing, “but Stavin may be able to aid us in avoiding further trouble of this nature.”

  “As Master Trader Stavin, I take it?” Chief Elder Kel’Kaffrey asked. At Farlit’s nod, he sighed. “I don’t want to limit the boy to supply runs. He’s proven himself to be better than that.”

  “That’s not what I mean, Sir,” Farlit said, drawing the attention back to himself. “Stavin could sponsor others to the Traders’ Guild.”

  “And take more of our men away from their duties and occupations?” Elder Kel’Naril asked as he frowned angrily.

  Farlit looked at him and a crooked smile twisted his lips. “Elder, nothing says a Master Trader has to be a man.”

  Barvil let loose a loud bark of laughter, drawing everyone’s attention to his end of the table. “No, they don’t. Sahren and Rahlina prove that.”

  Chief Elder Kel’Kaffrey sighed. “Indeed. We can discuss it with Stavin during the winter. Very well, Warleaders. Return to your duties.” Once the two men had gone, Mikal turned and looked at his colleagues, especially Barvil.

  “Your protégé has started something monumental, Barvil. It may be that his Trading House will be just the beginning.” He sat back and rubbed his temples. “I’ve been hearing rumblings about exporting some of our goods. We’ve always just seen to our own needs, following the traditions of the Royal Guard as far as being self-sufficient, except for food. The idea that Stavin, of all people, could go so far outside the boundaries we imposed on ourselves is so far out of the realm of possibilities that I never, and indeed I think no one else, ever would have considered it.”

  “Mikal,” Barvil said as a smile crossed his face, “no one ever expected Stavin to be much of anything. Gods Above and Below know I never did.” He shook his head slowly for a moment. “However, he’s proven himself to be far more than most men could strive to be--and he’s only on his third expedition.”

  “I have to wonder what he’s going to do this year?” Elder Kel’Vardil said.

  “Not much. Charvil will see to that,” Elder Kel’Caval replied.

  “I wouldn’t be so sure,” Barvil said as he looked at each of his colleagues. “I certainly tried to keep him out of trouble, and look how that turned out.”

  There was a general consensus of laughter and nodding as the Elders’ Council considered just how unsuccessful Barvil had been.

  Chapter 21

  CHARVIL LED THE WAY OUT OF Valovad the next morning. Stavin was right beside him, but he was studying a parchment while his horse matched pace with Charvil’s. They again made good time, and reached Twin Bridges after dark the fourth day.

  Grooms took their horses as soon as they rode into the stables of the royal guard, and they made their way to their rooms. Charvil reached his room first and said good night, and Stavin continued on to the room he shared with Dahvin.

  Dahvin looked up when Stavin came in, and stood up quickly. “Stavin, how long have you been back?”

  “We just got here. Why?”

  “Trouble. Real trouble.”

  “Marina?” Dahvin nodded and Stavin treated him to a demonstration of how many curse words he knew. “I have to clean up.” He had bathed and gotten dressed by the time a guard came for him.

  “Friend Stavin, the king summons you,” the private said, and Stavin walked straight to him.

  “Let’s not keep His Majesty waiting,” he said as he passed the guard. He led the way straight to the Royal Suite, and the guards at the door announced him before he reached them. The door opened and he was passed straight through without stopping.

  Stavin went to the king and knelt. “Your Majesty has summoned me?”

  The king looked down and replied, “Indeed I have, Friend Stavin. The rest of you leave us,” the king commanded while Stavin remained on his knee, and it wasn’t until they were alone that the king spoke again. “I want the truth, boy. What is between you and Marina?” he demanded in an angry tone.

  Stavin remained on his knee with his head bent. “Your Majesty, Princess Marina has been very kind to me. She apparently feels some affection for me, which I return in full measure, but we are both aware of our positions. While I was sick, she kissed me once on the cheek. Last year, she hugged me after I stopped Lord Zel’Candan. That is the most intimate contact we have had. I have my honor, and I would not shame myself by going outside the bonds of my marriage even for someone as beautiful as Princess Marina. She is aware of that. She has also said, in her own words, that you would never approve of me. We are both aware of that. I don’t know what has been said to make you suspicious, but I assure you, on my life, there is no truth to any rumor you may have heard.”

  The king strode around the room, kicking at the floor and anything else that got in his way. He finally made his way back to Stavin and stopped. “There are rumors that Marina has been taking you to her bed.”

  Now Stavin looked up into the king’s eyes. “That has not happened, Your Majesty, and will not happen. It would be dishonorable.”

  “That’s what Marina said as well, but there are nobles who are claiming that it’s true and want you executed and your people expelled from Evandia.”

  Stavin was quiet for a moment, then said, “Your Majesty, you have called me friend, and I honor that friendship in full. I would never betray a friend’s trust in that manner, even if there were no other considerations.”

  The king walked away for a moment, then came back and stopped. “Stand up, Stavin,” he commanded in a soft tone. When Stavin was standing and looking up at him, he laid a hand on his own chest. “I call you friend, Stavin, and I believe you. Dahvin and Sarvan backed you as well, but I wanted to hear it from your own lips. Tomorrow, though, you must come before me in front of the full court and face
the charges that have been brought against you and Marina.”

  Stavin answered in the only way he could. “We are innocent, Your Majesty. I fear no charges.”

  The king nodded and escorted Stavin to the door. Once he had opened it, the king said, “Sleep well, Stavin. We’ll set these rumors to rest in the morning.”

  Once the door closed the guards looked at him. The lieutenant shook his head and said, “Well, he didn’t send you to the dungeon, so I guess you can return to your room. I wouldn’t want to be in your place tomorrow, though.”

  Stavin looked at the lieutenant with angry, hooded eyes. “Worry about whoever has been spreading these rumors,” he all but snarled. “When I find them, they’ll face me in the circle.” Stavin smiled thinly as he looked at the guards around him. “Would any of you like to be in their place?” There was a unanimous shaking of heads, and Stavin walked away, back to his room.

  “And?” Dahvin asked as soon as he closed the door.

  “You’ve heard the rumors and you know the truth. I face the king before the court tomorrow.”

  “Stavin, I do know the truth. Marina is infatuated with you. Uncle Kal knows it as well.”

  “Perhaps so, but King Kalin believes me when I say I’d never dishonor the princess or myself. Someone is in for a big surprise tomorrow.”

  Stavin and Dahvin dressed in their high court finery and went to the court room right after the morning meal the next day. The room was filled with nobles of every level, all there to watch their princess and a barbarian face charges of treason.

  King Kalin sat on his throne, but the throne at his side was empty. Two Royal Guards majors grasped Stavin by the arms as soon as he appeared, and he didn’t resist as they led him before the king and pushed him to his knees. As soon as Stavin was in place, two old women brought Princess Marina out and pushed her to her knees at his side. Stavin glanced at her, then stared straight ahead again. Wow, she looks mad.

  King Kalin looked down and waited a moment before speaking. “Stavin Kel’Aniston, called Friend of Evandia, you are accused of committing treason by engaging in unseemly conduct with Her Royal Highness, Crown Princess Marina. How do you plead?”

  Stavin looked up and replied in a strong, clear voice, “Your Majesty, I plead innocent to these charges. I have not, nor would I ever, dishonor the princess or myself in that fashion.” There was a murmur of shocked voices as the nobles reacted, then they quieted.

  The king looked at his daughter and said, “Marina Zel’Andral, Crown Princess of Evandia, you are accused of treason for consorting in an inappropriate fashion with a man not your husband. How do you plead?”

  “Your Majesty, I plead innocent of these charges. I have not betrayed my duty to the kingdom,” Princess Marina replied. “I am still a virgin, untouched by any man.”

  The king looked at his councilors. “Lord Zel’Sartan?”

  The King’s Truth Seer stepped forward and bowed. “They speak the truth.”

  There was the sound of many people whispering as the king nodded. “It would seem that the palace rumormongers have held sway long enough. Princess Marina and Friend Stavin are absolved of these charges.”

  An older lord stepped forward from the crowd and faced the dais. He bowed to the king before saying, “Your Majesty, there is ample evidence that these charges are true. With all due respect to Lord Zel’Sartan’s abilities, it is patently evident that this outland barbarian has dishonored Evandia and the princess.”

  Lord Zel’Sartan looked at the lord who as he was speaking and shook his head as he said, “That is not the truth.” There was a sudden inrush of breath as the King’s Truth Seer accused a lord of lying to the king in open court. That was treason. It was also unusual for a Truth Seer to examine anyone but the accused, but the king had given his orders long before the court was assembled.

  A young man stepped forward now and braced himself as if expecting a fight. He spoke in a tone that told everyone how angry he was as he all but shouted, “That low-born cur has dishonored our princess and deserves to be executed.”

  Stavin rose to his feet and turned in one fluid motion. He snarled, “That is a lie,” as he faced the young lord, and the room immediately fell silent. There could only be one response to that.

  “I challenge you, cur, for the insult you’ve dealt me.”

  “When and where?” Stavin asked, still in an angry tone that all but echoed in the room.

  “Here and now,” the young lord snapped. He swung the cane in his hand and the outside of it clattered across the room to Stavin’s feet. The portion that remained in his hand was an arm-long, brightly polished sword, that glittered in the lamp light of the court. It was a thin, narrow blade that could only be called a sword because of its length.

  Stavin looked at the weapon in the young lord’s hand and snorted. Loudly. He covered his mouth as he fought to control his mirth, and finally asked, “What in the hells is that?” in an amused squeak as he pointed a wavering finger at the young lord’s weapon.

  “It’s your death, cur,” the young lord snarled.

  One of the guardsmen held out a sword to Stavin, but he waved it away. “No, that’s all right,” he gasped between chortles. He bent over and picked up the discarded outer sheath of the sword cane. Looking at the young lord, he finally recognized him. “Lord Varil, I had no idea you were a jester. That’s the funniest thing I’ve ever seen.”

  “Prepare to die, barbarian,” Lord Varil snapped. He took three steps toward Stavin and attacked, but Stavin was ready.

  The fine mahogany cane swatted the thin blade aside, then crashed into the back of the young lord’s hand, breaking bones as it drove the sword to the floor. Stavin struck the fool’s head four times before Lord Varil could even scream. The first strike fell across the top of his head. The second landed on his left ear. The third hit his right ear and the fourth hit the bridge of his nose, breaking it with a loud crunch that dropped the young fool to the floor. He was writhing in pain, clutching his face as he finally managed to cry out, and two of his friends stepped forward together. As one they unsheathed similar swords, but they never got a chance to attack Stavin.

  Captain Zel’Astel and Captain Zel’Tarlin rushed past Stavin with bared swords to face the young lords. Captain Zel’Astel snapped, “Drop those swords or die.” The two young lords were suddenly facing real swords, in the hands of real swordsmen, and obeyed immediately.

  “Bring them before the king,” General Zel’Kordil ordered and a dozen more guardsmen rushed forward to grab all three of the young men.

  The guards forced the young lords to their knees facing the king. Princess Marina angrily shook off the hands of the two old women and stalked up the stairs to her father. He nodded toward her throne and she took her place, standing at her father’s side with her hands clenched into fists. Now she looked even angrier than before.

  The princess’s voice rang across the room as she looked down at the young lords. “You three fools are accused of treason for bringing weapons into the presence of the king. You don’t need to answer these charges. The entire court saw your crime.”

  “But Marina,” one of them began, and the armored fist of Captain Zel’Tarlin crashed down on his head, driving him to the floor as well as silencing him.

  “Show respect, prisoner,” the captain snarled as he raised his fist again. The young fool cowered on the floor, refusing to even try to get up to his knees again.

  “Your Majesty,” a voice said from the side of the room, and an elegantly dressed lord stepped forward. “Your Majesty, you can’t really believe that my son is a traitor. True, he’s taken to carrying a sword-cane, but many young men have done so as well. With the unrest in the kingdom, extraordinary measures are required, but it was not treason.”

  The king looked at the lord and nodded. “Lord Zel’Havar, your son and his friends are known to carry these canes about the city. They even have a right to do so.” Now the king’s expression turned ominous. “They do
not, however, have a right to bring weapons into the presence of the royal family. They do not have the right to issue a challenge in open court and turn the court room into a challenge circle. They do not have the right to bare blades in the presence of the royal family.” The king’s face became a mask of rage as he finally shouted, “They do not have a right to commit treason.”

  Lord Zel’Havar looked down at his son, then up at the king. “King Kalin, I beg you for the life of my son.”

  The king shook his head slowly. “Your son’s life was forfeit the moment he drew a weapon in my daughter’s presence. It is unfortunate that Friend Stavin chose not to simply kill him. Varil and his friends shall face their fate as all traitors do, on their knees with a cord around their necks.”

  There were gasps all through the court and another man stepped forward. “Your Majesty, please let them keep their honor by taking their own lives.”

  “No,” King Kalin replied as he shifted his gaze. “I have allowed this to continue far too long. It is time for you, all of you, to remember who is King of Evandia. This treachery ends now. Stavin, come here,” he commanded and Stavin all but ran up the steps, going to one knee a step below the king. “Stand up and face me,” he commanded and Stavin immediately obeyed. The king reached back and cut a cord from the braided bell-rope beside his throne and handed it to Stavin. “Execute those traitors.”

  Stavin took the cord and a deep breath, then bowed deeply and turned away from the king. He walked resolutely down to face the three young lords where they were kneeling. Looking at the guardsmen he said, “Hold them.” When the young lords were restrained with their arms firmly held behind them, Stavin tied loops of the cord around their necks. They began to cry and beg the king for forgiveness as Stavin worked, but there was no response from the dais.

  Once all three men were fitted with cords, Stavin looked up at the king for some sign that he’d changed his mind. Seeing none, he jerked the loops tight. Each of the men choked and struggled as they fought for breath. Their arms were held to keep them from clawing the loops loose until they collapsed on the floor. They continued to twitch and writhe on the floor for what seemed to be a long time.