The Andarian Affair

by Jones, Loren K.

  Stavin hunched his shoulders. “It all worked out, Marina. Well, not all of it.” He laid his hand on the sword that still swung at his side. “Shovar wasn’t supposed to die.”

  “Is that the Zel’Hallan sword?” King Kalin asked.

  “Yes, Your Majesty.”

  “I heard that something remarkable happens when you touch it,” the king said, looking at Stavin’s hand resting on the hilt.

  “Yes, Your Majesty. When I have my gauntlets on, the dragon magic reacts and surrounds me in power.”

  King Kalin’s eyebrows drew together. “I’d like to see that.”

  Stavin bowed slightly and went to the door. A servant opened it and he motioned Barvil though. “You were right, Sir. I need my gauntlets.” Barvil handed over the gloves, and Stavin put them on. Then he drew the dragon blade and the power wreathed him once again.

  Stavin looked at King Kalin and smiled. “There’s more to it than just the light, Your Majesty. While I’m like this I don’t feel hunger or thirst, or any fatigue. My speed and strength are enhanced, as well as being able to shout louder than anything.” He paused as the king and councilors nodded. “I also pushed a man back without touching him in Andaria. I didn’t mean to. I just raised my hand and he flew backwards into a wall.” He sheathed the sword and the glow vanished.

  Marina was looking at him strangely. “We’ve touched dragon gifts together before, but they never did that. I wonder why?”

  Stavin shrugged. “What did you touch to what?”

  She looked at him for a moment, and then said, “We touched the fist on my staff to Ehrwan’s sword.”

  Stavin nodded. “They were both made by Dandarshandrake’s magic. These weren’t.”

  “That makes sense,” King Kalin agreed. “What is that you’re carrying?”

  Stavin looked down, then looked back at the king and blushed. “I almost forgot, Your Majesty. It’s from King Jallat about Farindia.” He looked at Marina and asked, “Did you discuss the annexation with your father, Princess Marina?”

  King Kalin and Princess Marina said, “Yes,” at the same time.

  “I’m in favor of the idea in principle,” King Kalin continued.

  “I proposed the border where your council suggested, Stavin,” Princess Marina continued. Stavin’s expression made her look at him more intensely. “What did you do?” she demanded in a soft, suspicious tone.

  Stavin smiled a little and said, “I took some liberties with that,” he admitted, then explained. He finished by saying, “I wanted to have some room to haggle, but King Jallat took my first bid without making a counter offer.”

  Dahvin had arrived while they were talking, and said, “Still thinking like a Trader, aren’t you?” he asked as he looked at Stavin. Stavin shrugged helplessly, and Dahvin continued. “Glora told you that we do not haggle.”

  “What did you propose to Jallat?” King Kalin asked.

  “I proposed placing the border bit farther north, Your Majesty. The Kahrant River across to Haltar on the Andarian border.”

  King Kalin pursed his lips, then looked at a servant. “Bring me some maps of that area,” he commanded. Turning back to Stavin, he said, “Open the message tubes and let’s see what Jallat says.”

  Stavin did as instructed, and laid the messages out on the table. King Kalin read them, then passed them on to Princess Marina. When they were done, the king sat back and stared at Stavin. “You seem to have impressed him, Stavin. He says he’s willing to divide Farindia as you suggested. He also says he’s sorry for attacking us, and assures me that he will find all of the traitors in his court.”

  “It is too late in the year to finalize this,” Princess Marina said as she looked at her father, “but in the spring we’ll have to start sending messages and envoys to Deralvad.”

  The king nodded. “And so ends the war with Andaria. You did that, Stavin,” he said as he once again looked Stavin in the eye. “What reward would be appropriate for a hero of your stature?”

  Stavin blushed deeply. “Your Majesty, I have my reward. Killing those two would-be assassins gave me one hundred and twenty-six combat kills.” He turned and looked at Barvil. Barvil held out the armguard that held Stavin’s honors and he took it, putting it on and turning to show the king and council.

  For the first time in the history of Kel’Kavin, a man wore the four hollowed stars of a Senior Warmaster.

  Chapter 51

  STAVIN SPENT TEN DAYS IN TWIN Bridges. Once the festivities in the palace were done, he took a contingent of guards to the home of Lord Chaldin Zel’Fordan. The black of mourning was gone, but there was still an air of sadness about the manor that was palpable outside. The house felt sad to Stavin.

  The servant who opened the door recognized him and immediately went to his knees. “Prince Stavin, how may I be of service?” he asked as he studied the ground.

  “Ask Lord Chaldin if he has a moment to see me,” Stavin said in a soft tone, and the servant scurried away to obey him.

  Lord Chaldin himself came to the door. “Prince Stavin, to what do I owe this honor?”

  Stavin bowed deeply before speaking. “Lord Zel’Fordan, I came to tell you that I was able to avenge Ehrwan in Andaria. The lords who helped arrange the treachery here were caught, tried, and executed by King Jallat.”

  Lord Zel’Fordan took a deep breath and bowed his head. “Thank you. Thank you so very much, Prince Stavin. Kalin was able to find the last of the traitors here during the winter, and executed them as well. Ehrwan’s spirit can rest easy now.” He turned away and went back into his house, and Stavin didn’t try to follow. It was obvious from his expression that Lord Chaldin needed some time alone.

  “Back to the palace, I suppose,” Stavin said to his guards, and they formed up around him as he walked through the streets. He was satisfied that his honor was clean now, and he was ready to go home.

  Stavin approached King Kalin on the eleventh day. “Your Majesty, I would like to go home now.”

  “Your home is here now, Stavin,” King Kalin replied, putting down the parchment he was reading.

  Stavin shook his head. “No, Your Majesty. My home is in Evandia, but my heart is in Kel’Kavin. I want to go home to my wife and son.”

  King Kalin sighed. “I suspected as much. There may come a time when you will all have to move down here.”

  “Yes, Your Majesty, but for now,” Stavin paused and bit his lips, “for now, I need to go.”

  King Kalin finally nodded. “Very well, Stavin. I’ll expect you to make the trip down here each summer. And I expect you to bring Shari and Karlin as well. It seems that I have a grandson, and I want to see him.”

  Stavin grinned as he looked up at the king. “Yes, Your Majesty.”

  The three hundred and thirty men of Stavin’s guard rode out of Twin Bridges early the next day, headed to Aravad. Stavin still had a duty to Kavinston, and he was going to fulfill it.

  The trip was uneventful. No one was crazy enough to confront a contingent of warriors that large. They arrived in Aravad, and Stavin went to House Zel’Vandar immediately.

  The servant who led him to Lord Ahlic’s study was a nervous wreck as he announced, “His Highness, Prince Stavin Zel’Andral of Evandia.”

  Lord Ahlic staggered to his feet, spilling his drink and almost tripping himself. “Prince Stavin?” he asked as he stared wide-eyed at his guest.

  Stavin bowed his head. “Lord Ahlic. As you can no doubt guess, there have been some changes since I was here in the spring.”

  Lord Ahlic nodded as he continued to stare. “Some changes indeed,” he finally said. “We heard about your routing of the Andarian Army, but this is a shocking bit of news.”

  Stavin smiled and shrugged one shoulder. “It took me two days to come to terms with it,” he admitted.

  “I can imagine,” Lord Ahlic said as he finally crossed the room. He went to one knee briefly, and then looked closely at Stavin’s face. “You look tired.”

  “I am,
Lord Ahlic. There have been a lot of long nights lately. So much of the future that I had planned has been changed that I sometimes wonder if it’s all real.” He paused and shook his head. “I am going to have to hire some Masters for the caravans, and I was hoping House Zel’Vandar could make some recommendations. King Kalin was somewhat--forceful--in expressing his opposition to me leading a caravan myself.”

  That admission made Lord Ahlic laugh. “Oh, I imagine so, Prince Stavin. I imagine so. Please, make yourself comfortable.” He looked at the servant and said, “Bring his Highness a drink. Would you care for wine, beer, or Panther Sweat, Prince Stavin?”

  Stavin smiled and shook his head as he smiled. “Beer, please,” he said, and the servant vanished through a doorway.

  Lord Ahlic returned to his seat, turning it to face Stavin. “If you haven’t made other arrangements, I would be pleased to host you while you are here.”

  Stavin bowed his head. “Thank you, Lord Ahlic.”

  Lord Ahlic smiled. “Our pleasure. Now, as to the masters you are going to need, I know of several good men and women who don’t have their own caravans or Houses. Unfortunately, I can’t let you have Rahlina.” He smiled at Stavin’s sudden interest. “She’s got Sahren’s old caravan, and she’s doing very well with it.”

  “That’s good to know,” Stavin said as a soft, fond smiled crossed his lips.

  “That having been said,” Lord Ahlic continued, “we do have three older Masters who are tired of the road and want to settle down. One of them is Landon, Sahren’s brother. The other two, I don’t believe you’ve met. I’ll arrange for you to meet with them tomorrow.”

  Stavin bowed his head, and then smiled as the servant returned with his beer. He took along drink and sighed. “That’s good. Thank you.”

  Lord Ahlic smiled and bowed slightly. “How many men do you have with you?”

  “Three hundred and thirty,” Stavin replied and saw the shock on Lord Ahlic’s face. “Barvil is detailing them out to inns. Not many of them will be staying with me. Oh, and twenty-nine of them are the men we lost to Andaria at the start of the war. At least we got them back.” Stavin smiled and sipped his beer again. “You should have gotten your caravans back as well.”

  Lord Ahlic nodded. “We didn’t have anyone there, but several other houses did. Most have returned, though their profits were mighty slim.”

  Stavin yawned widely and shook his head. “Forgive me, Lord Ahlic. I didn’t realize how tired I was.”

  Lord Ahlic looked over his shoulder and raised one finger. A servant came forward immediately. “Have a suite prepared for Prince Stavin. He’ll be staying the night.”

  “At once, my lord,” the man replied and hurried away.

  “We’ll have you a bed in just a few moments, Prince Stavin. Now, if you would, tell me how you became a prince.”

  * * *

  Stavin met with six Master Traders the next day. Landon Kel’Vandar he knew and accepted right away. Elissa Kel’Vandar, an older woman who reminded Stavin of Sahren so much he almost called her by the wrong name, was another. The third and fourth were two young women; Ashleigh Kel’Kaudell, and her sister, Abi. The Kel’Kaudell sisters were going to use the wagons through the summer months under the Kel’Aniston name, running cargoes through Kavadia and the lower kingdoms. Landon and Elissa would deliver the Kavinston supplies in the spring and fall, and Landon accepted the job of managing House Kel’Aniston in Kavadia. For fifteen percent of the profit.

  “That just about does it,” Stavin said as he finalized the contract with Landon.

  “Indeed it does, Prince Stavin,” Lord Ahlic agreed. “Landon, see to it that the Kavinston shipment is ready to go by,” he looked at Stavin and asked, “tomorrow?”

  Stavin nodded. “That will be fine. All of the wagons are already here. I need to take all of the Masters to the Gold Merchants and have your names added to the Kel’Aniston account.”

  “If I may make a suggestion,” Lord Ahlic said and waited for Stavin’s nod before continuing, “make a separate account for the Kavadian branch of Kel’Aniston. That way, there will be no confusion concerning your manager in Evandia.”

  Stavin took Lord Ahlic’s advice and established the account that evening. Landon and Elissa bargained among the grain merchants and butchers, and were ready with twelve hundred bags of grain and two wagons loaded with assorted meats and cheeses. Barvil paid for the thousand bags of the Kavinston supplies, and Stavin paid for the rest.

  Stavin led the caravan out of Aravad early in the morning, and they traveled to Kel’Kavin at an easy pace. Fifteen days later they were driving through the gap, and Stavin felt the muscles in his back begin to relax. He was finally home.

  Unloading was the usual madness, but Stavin left it to the Elders and the men of Kavinston. He went to find his family, and was directed home instead of the archive.

  Stavin entered his house and looked around. “Shari? Sallin?” he called out, and received an immediate answer.

  “In the library,” Sharindis called, and he hurried to greet her.

  Stavin walked in and froze in the doorway. Sharindis was reclining across the loveseat. Charvil and Nahrana were there, as were Karlit and Marinis. “What’s going on?” he asked as he looked around.

  “Healer Kel’Kadus wants me to stay out of the Archive,” Sharindis explained. “He says the girls are placing too much of a strain on my back.”

  “Girls?” Stavin asked in a puzzled tone.

  Sharindis moved the blanket off her lap, showing Stavin her bulging belly. “Girls.”

  Stavin’s vision narrowed and blood roared in his ears. “Girls?” Then the room went dark.

  Karlit walked over and looked down at his youngest son as he grinned. “He fainted again.”

  End of Book Three

  The adventures of Stavin Kel'Aniston will continue in

  Farindian Summer

  About the author

  A U. S. Navy veteran, Loren K. Jones served as a nuclear reactor operator on attack submarines for six years before his honorable discharge in 1986. Loren makes his living as an instrumentation and controls technician, and writes because the stories won’t leave him alone until he does.