The Andarian Affair

by Jones, Loren K.

  Lady Ehrwan’s funeral was the next morning. She was buried in her family cemetery, and only her friends and family attended. Stavin was there, in full armor, as he honored her memory. Her ceremony was longer than Stoval’s, but he couldn’t hear it. All he could hear was an echo of her laughter. All he could see was a shadow of her smile. And all he could feel was a knot of grief that threatened to stop his heart. He didn’t try to stop the tears that trickled down his cheeks, and he never broke stance.

  Lord Zel’Fordan was in no better shape, but he caught Stavin before he walked away. “Ward Stavin, my daughter thought highly of you. Now I must ask something of you on her behalf.”

  “If it is within my power, Lord Zel’Fordan, I shall do it.”

  “Avenge her!” the old lord said as he grasped Stavin by both shoulders. “I’m too old, and I have no sons left. Avenge my daughter.”

  Stavin looked up into his eyes and said, “A hundred times over, Lord Zel’Fordan. A hundred times over.”

  Lord Zel’Fordan nodded and turned away, his own emotions tearing him apart. Stavin watched him for a moment, then turned to join Dahvin and the rest of their friends.

  “What did Lord Chaldin want, Stavin?” Lady Glora asked as he stopped beside Dahvin.

  “Revenge.”

  “And you’ll provide it for him?” she asked. When he nodded she said, “Good.”

  “Now comes the hard part,” Stavin said as he started walking.

  “The hard part?” Dahvin asked.

  “Getting the king’s permission to join the Army.”

  * * *

  The king said, “No,” as soon as Stavin asked. “Absolutely not.”

  “King Kalin, I have sworn to avenge Lady Ehrwan,” Stavin continued, looking the king in the eye. “I have to--”

  “No, Stavin,” the king interrupted. “Your martial prowess aside, you’re a Ward of the Crown and a Lieutenant in the Royal Guard. Your place is here in the palace.”

  “But, Your Majesty, I swore--”

  “No, Stavin, and that is final,” the king said, leaning forward slightly to look Stavin in the eye. “Stavin, you’re much more than just another young man in uniform. You’re a Hero of Evandia.” The king let his expression soften. “You’re a hero several times over, as a matter of fact. By rights you should have been promoted to major by now. I understand that Charvil was somewhat--forceful--in his objection to that idea when it was brought up.”

  Stavin nodded as he studied the floor. “He told me, Your Majesty.”

  “Stavin,” Princess Marina said, drawing his attention, “Evandia needs its heroes. I know I charged you with avenging Ehrwan. The Gods Above know how much I’d like to see you behead every one of the traitors and Andarians responsible for her death, but daddy is right. You are much too important to Evandia, to us, to risk your life needlessly.”

  Stavin took a deep breath, then let it out slowly. “Yes, Your Highness.”

  “I mean it, Stavi,” she said, and grinned at his reaction to the use of the diminutive. “You be good or I’ll tell Shari.”

  Stavin took a step back and looked at the king. “Your Majesty, that’s not fair.”

  The king smiled and shook his head. “You’re a member of the royal household, Stavin. She gets to tease you if she wants. But be careful about teasing her back. She’s mean.”

  “She is indeed,” Sarvan said as he came out of his room. Since the attack he and Stavin had been sharing the Prince’s Suite. “Stavin, I’ve been listening in. I know how much you cared for Ehrwan.” He paused and took several deep breaths before continuing. “But Marina and Uncle Kal are right. You’re needed here for many reasons, not the least of which is you’re a one-man guard squad.” He looked at Stavin’s shoulder and shook his head. “What did Dahvin say you got, eighteen of them?”

  Stavin frowned as he nodded. Charvil had reluctantly allowed him to paint his third star on his shoulder. “That’s the advantage of being alone, Sarvan: when everyone is an enemy you don’t have to be careful who you kill.”

  “And that attitude is why you’re needed here,” the king said, drawing Stavin’s attention back to himself.

  Stavin took a deep breath and nodded. “With your permission, Your Majesty, I should go talk to Charvil. And Lord Zel’Fordan as well.”

  “He’ll understand, Stavin,” Sarvan said as Stavin turned and left the royal suite. Once the door closed, he looked at his uncle. “I wish you could have let him go.”

  “I know, Sarvan,” the king said as he shook his head slowly, “but you know the reasons why I couldn’t as well as I do.”

  Sarvan nodded and carefully lowered himself into a chair. “I know, Uncle Kal, but Stavin is going to be hard to convince.”

  “At least he unbent enough to let me tease him,” Marina pointed out.

  The king nodded and said, “And he was actually getting the nerve up to argue with me. There may be hope for that boy yet.”

  Chapter 31

  STAVIN MADE HIS WAY ACROSS THE city to the residence of the Zel’Fordan family. It was an elegant, ancient manor house from the early days of Evandia, when space in Twin Bridges wasn’t so hard to come by. Three stories tall, the stonework was carved with exquisite care to show the Zel’Fordan Family Crest. But that crest was draped in black now.

  Stavin was still in armor, though he wasn’t carrying his Dragon’s Tongue, and the servant who answered the door was openly shocked to see him.

  “M-May I be of service, Lord?” the man asked, recovering his manners and bowing deeply.

  Stavin sighed and nodded. “Would you please ask Lord Zel’Fordan if he will see me for a moment?”

  The man stepped back and allowed Stavin to come into the house. “If you’ll allow me your name, I will ask Lord Chaldin if he will see you.”

  Stavin smiled slightly. It was nice to finally find someone who didn’t recognize him. “I am Stavin Kel’Aniston.”

  The servant paled and bowed very deeply. “Ward Stavin, I will announce you at once.” He turned and hurried away while Stavin sighed in frustration. Why can’t I just be me for a little while? He was back in just moments. “Lord Chaldin will see you now, Ward Stavin.”

  Stavin walked forward and followed the man to a library. Lord Chaldin was there with six young lords, and Stavin automatically bowed deeply as soon as he entered the room.

  “Come in, Ward Stavin,” Lord Zel’Fordan said, and Stavin walked over to face him.

  Stavin looked up into the elderly lord’s face, then bowed his head in shame and said, “Lord Zel’Fordan, I regret that I must tell you that I cannot avenge your daughter.”

  Lord Zel’Fordan took a step back as a shocked expression crossed his face. “You swore.”

  “Yes, Lord Zel’Fordan,” Stavin said as his head fell and he took a deep breath, “but the king refuses to let me join the Army. He--” Stavin had to stop and swallow his own outrage at the king’s actions, “He refuses to release me from the Royal Guard. He’s of the opinion that I’m more valuable here as a symbol than there as a warrior.”

  “That’s got to stick in your craw,” one of the other men said, and Stavin turned to face him.

  “It does, Lord,” he replied with a deep bow.

  Lord Zel’Fordan clenched his teeth in anger as he turned away from Stavin. “I suppose I must accept that. Kalin took control of your life when he made you his ward, and there isn’t a lot you or anyone else can do about it.”

  One of the other lords said, “Not so long as he’s king.”

  “Shut up, Eldin,” Lord Zel’Fordan snapped. “One disloyal word from you and I’ll toss the lot of you out on your ears.”

  The lord who had spoken bowed deeply. “My apologies, Lord Chaldin. That came out wrong.” He turned to face Stavin and said, “What I meant, Ward Stavin, is that you are caught in a situation that is not of your making, but you can’t escape it any more than you could escape the Zel’Horgan in flood. As King Kalin’s ward, you are as bound to him as S
arvan is.”

  “You need to stop talking, Eldin,” another of the lords said, “before you dig yourself a grave.”

  “Indeed,” the lord who had made the comment about the king’s decision sticking in Stavin’s craw said. “Ward Stavin, I’m Gavlin Zel’Fordal, Dahvin’s eldest brother.” He bowed slightly in answer to Stavin’s deep bow. “I understand all too well how hard it is to be restricted to the rear when you want to be in the front. But I can see King Kalin’s point as well. Minstrels and even full Bards are singing your praises across Evandia. You’re much too valuable a symbol to risk.”

  Stavin looked at him and sighed. His voice had a bitter undertone as he said, “I understand, Lord Zel’Fordal, but it doesn’t stop me from wanting to carve a path through the entire Andarian Army to find out who is responsible for this war. Evandian traitors are part of it, but someone on the other side is involved as well.”

  Lord Zel’Fordal nodded and a slight smile curved his lips. “In anyone else I would consider that posturing, but with you, Ward Stavin, it’s a frightening possibility. But I’ll remind you of this point: You’re valuable as a Royal Guard as well as a symbol.” He nodded toward Stavin’s left shoulder. “Three stars say a lot about you, but mostly they tell me that you’ve got to be the single deadliest person I’ve ever met. What is your actual count?”

  “Eighty-five, Sir,” Stavin answered in a soft voice.

  “And how many did you kill the night the king was attacked?” another young lord asked.

  “Eighteen.”

  “And therein lies the real reason Kalin won’t release you, Ward Stavin,” Lord Zel’Fordan said as he looked Stavin straight in the eye. “You’re too deadly to not have you protecting him--and Marina.”

  “I suspect Marina is the one he’s more worried about,” Lord Zel’Fordal said with a slight smile. “Let me walk with you back to the palace, Ward Stavin. I want to visit Dahvin and the rest of the family before I go back to Fort Zel’Cordav.”

  Stavin bowed automatically. “Of course, Lord Zel’Fordal.”

  Lord Zel’Fordal turned to his host and bowed. “Lord Chaldin, once again, please accept my deepest sympathies for your loss.” He exchanged bows with the other lords, then he motioned Stavin toward the door. Once they were outside he gave Stavin a sideways look. “Don’t let Eldin’s comments bother you, Ward Stavin. He’s loyal to Uncle Kal. He’s just an idiot.”

  Stavin snorted, then recovered himself and said, “Your pardon, Lord Zel’Fordal.”

  “It’s all right, Ward Stavin. And don’t worry about avenging Ehrwan. Everyone in that room was in love with her at one time or another, including me. And all of us are serving officers. That’s why we were there, to see if Lord Chaldin needed a hand. He’s alone now, you know. Ehrwan was his last surviving child.”

  “I didn’t know that, Lord Zel’Fordal,” Stavin replied.

  “That was one reason he, and really, all of us, were so happy when she married Sarvan. Once Mary finally decides to marry and have a child, Sarvan was going to change his name to Zel’Fordan to continue the line. Now it’ll be up to one of the cousins to do it.”

  Stavin shook his head slowly. “I didn’t know any of that, Lord Zel’Fordal.”

  “Call me Gavlin,” Lord Zel’Fordal said with a grin. “You outrank me, after all.”

  “Lord?”

  Lord Zel’Fordal chuckled and tapped Stavin’s shoulder. “I’m only a major, Ward Stavin.”

  Stavin squirmed a little. “And I’m really only a lieutenant, Lord Zel’Fordal. At least until I finish my fifth expedition.”

  Lord Zel’Fordal raised an eyebrow at that. “That’s surprising.”

  Stavin sighed and shook his head as he explained. “It’s a matter of experience, Sir. Most men don’t earn a star until their seventh or eighth expedition. It took Charvil till his sixth, and he was the youngest man to ever earn a star.”

  “Until you,” Lord Zel’Fordal pointed out.

  “And Karvik,” Stavin replied. “He earned his last summer. But that’s part of the problem. Kar and I have earned our stars too early. We don’t have the leadership experience to rightfully use them. Next year I could act as co-leader with another veteran, but I couldn’t do it alone.”

  “It’s often a mistake to promote a young man too quickly,” Lord Zel’Fordal quoted the Code of the Warrior. “We’re taught that as well.”

  “That’s why Charvil blocked them when the king and general wanted to make me a major in the Royal Guard. He thinks it would go to my head.”

  “I hadn’t heard that,” Lord Zel’Fordal said as he looked sideways at Stavin.

  “It was just yesterday, Lord Zel’Fordal.”

  They didn’t speak any more until they reached the palace. “Lord Major Zel’Fordal is my guest,” Stavin said as they approached the gate, and the palace guards snapped to attention. They passed through into the palace and Stavin led them to the royal suite.

  “Stavin, what the hells--?” Dahvin began as soon as he saw them. “Your detail came back here in a near panic because you gave them the slip.”

  “I didn’t give them the slip, Dahvin,” Stavin explained patiently. “I just didn’t go looking for them before I left the palace. I had to go apologize to Lord Zel’Fordan for having to break my oath.”

  “The king is furious,” Dahvin replied, then looked at his brother and a smile lit his face. “Hello, Gav. When did you get here?”

  “This morning. I stopped in to see Lord Chaldin first.”

  Dahvin looked at Stavin and shook his head. “You’d better go in and get yelled at, Stavin. He’s not getting any less angry.”

  Stavin nodded and went to the door. A guard opened it for him and he walked in to the royal suite to find the king and princess both pacing.

  “Stavin, what the hells are you doing?” Princess Marina all but yelled.

  “You are not to leave this suite without your guards, Stavin,” the king continued. “Gods Below, boy, don’t you realize how dangerous it is for you out there?”

  Stavin looked at the king, then bowed deeply. “Yes, Your Majesty. But you must realize just how dangerous it is for anyone out there who confronts me.”

  The king froze in mid-rant. “What was that, Stavin?”

  “Your Majesty, I was and still am in full armor. That includes two real knives and this silly thing.” He patted the big knife on his hip. “And in the mood I’m in right now, Your Majesty, those four guardsmen would have just gotten in the way.”

  “Stavin,” the princess said in a soft voice, “what do you mean?”

  “Princess Marina, I just had to break my oath to avenge Ehrwan. Do you have any idea how hard that was for me?” He took a deep breath and turned to the king. “Do you realize what that means, Your Majesty?” he asked as a sob almost choked him. He had to swallow hard as the king stared at him.

  “I think I do, Stavin,” the king said as he studied Stavin closely. “I didn’t, but I’m beginning to see why you’re so upset. Honor above all else. That’s how Charvil phrased it. That’s what’s bothering you, isn’t it?”

  Stavin was on the verge of tears as he whispered, “I’m forsworn, Your Majesty.”

  “No, Stavin,” Princess Marina said as she crossed the few steps between them and put a hand on his shoulder. “No, you are not forsworn. Not every oath can be honored. Some conflict with others, and must be set aside. There is no dishonor in that.”

  “That’s not how I feel, Your Highness. I feel dishonored. Excuse me.” He turned and walked toward the room he was sharing with Sarvan as his shoulders began to shake. He wanted to be alone. He didn’t want the anyone to see him cry.

  I wish I was home. I wish I was with Shari. I wish I could just go to my room and hide my shame.

  Chapter 32

  STAVIN LEFT THE ROYAL SUITE SPANS before sunrise. He let his four guardsmen form up around him, but he didn’t pay any attention to them. He walked slowly, his mind elsewhere, until he reached the door
to the Guards Barracks. Passing through, he went to Charvil’s room and knocked on the door.

  Charvil opened the door and looked out at the guardsmen, then down at Stavin. “Yes, Stavin?”

  “Sir, I need to talk to you in private,” Stavin said, then went into the room when Charvil nodded. Charvil’s glare stopped the guardsmen outside, then he closed the door.

  “What’s troubling you, Stavin?”

  “It’s about Ehrwan.”

  Charvil nodded. “And?”

  Stavin took a deep breath, then began detailing what had happened. He spoke uninterrupted until he finished the story, then took another deep breath and hung his head in shame. “I’m forsworn, Sir. No matter what the king or princess say, I’m forsworn.”

  Charvil was staring at him in silence. “You are correct, Stavin, but only in your own heart.” He paused as Stavin’s head snapped up.

  “What am I to do, Sir?”

  Charvil shrugged. “There’s not much you can do, Stavin, except continue on with the knowledge that you gave your word and broke it. Of course,” Charvil grinned, “we’re only going to be in Twin Bridges for another moon. Once we’re on the road home--”

  Stavin began grinning as well. “I’m not taking those Guardsmen home with me.”

  “No, you’re not,” Charvil agreed. Then he slapped Stavin’s shoulder. “Now straighten up. I’ve already told the general that we’ll be leaving in twenty-three days. Your new wagons should be here by then. Once we’re out of Twin Bridges, well, out of Evandia at least, King Kalin’s commands are no longer valid.”

  Stavin drew a deep breath and bowed to the Warmaster. “Yes, Sir.”

  * * *

  Lord General Zel’Rantal was given command of the armies of Evandia, and he led his troops in a wild run to get around and in front of the Andarians. The fact that he’d had to execute fifty of his own men for siding with the Andarians had left him with a burning hatred of Evandia’s northern neighbors.

  Nine southern commands had also executed forced marches, pushing their men as hard as they could to get between the Andarians and Twin Bridges. It took most of a moon to get an effective force in position, but when the two armies clashed the Evandians were fielding more than sixty-three thousand troops.