It was a short walk to the street that held the clothes sellers and Rahlina was pausing to look, but never buy, as she walked through the district. She inspected each stall carefully and listened to the merchants as they praised their goods, but she seldom said anything. At the end of the street she turned to Stavin and asked, "How much are you willing to part with?"
Stavin thought for a moment, then shrugged and said, "I'd prefer to spend less than a gold crown on each of them, but I have more if needed."
The look Rahlina gave him was so comical that all five warriors had to laugh. "Laugh all you want," Rahlina said in a stunned tone, "but you could get three or four full sets of clothes for these girls for about two silver crowns each. Gods Below, no wonder Nanny Sahren sent me with you."
Stavin grimaced and shrugged again. "It's why I asked for help, Rahlina. Our mothers, sisters, and wives make everything we wear from whole cloth. The only clothes that any of us get that aren't newly made are handed down from our brothers."
"And the more brothers you have, the worse they are," Aldric said in a sour tone. He was the fifth of six brothers.
"Very well," Rahlina replied with a sharp nod, as if she'd reached a decision. "I'd say look fierce, but I can't imagine you five being any more terrifying than you are right now." She smiled at the armed and armored figures around her and then started back up the row.
Rahlina walked to the closest vendor and looked at a pair of trousers that appeared to be Orvini's size. "Ah, fine lady, a wise choice," the clothes vendor said as she stepped forward. "Your child will look wonderful in those trousers."
Rahlina gave her a piercing glare. "They are terribly worn at the knee and crotch. She might be able to wear them long enough to outgrow them, but I'm not sure." Rahlina gave the fabric a healthy tug. "I might give you three sparks for them."
The vendor wailed as if Rahlina had stomped on her foot. "Three sparks? Three! What do you take me for?"
The challenge had been issued, and the haggling went on at a pace that left the warriors confused, but thoroughly impressed. Stavin had listened to Kethlan many times and didn't think the wily old trader could have done any better.
Rahlina continued the same pattern at each stall. As soon as a bargain was struck, Stavin would hand his purse to Rahlina and she completed the transaction. After the eighth purchase Rahlina said, "Your purse is getting light, Stavin. There might be enough for one more dress, but no more than that."
Stavin nodded and said, "I have more." Turning toward his comrades he said, "Watch my back, please," as he handed his Dragon's Tongue and right gauntlet to Aldric. He wormed his right hand into his armor and pulled out a second purse. "Kethlan told me to never keep all my gold in one purse. So far we've been using the one I took off that bastard in Kavadia." He transferred five silver crowns to the other purse and then put both of them away.
Rahlina shook her head slowly and said, "Uncle Keth must really like you, Stavin. Very well. I remember three more good outfits from our walk through the stalls." She looked at the girls and smiled. So far she had bought three outfits each for Orvini and Morinis, but only two for Amarna. "I think our Chosen child needs more than the others, so I'll concentrate on her size now."
Rahlina bargained hard at the rest of the stalls and provided Amarna with two more outfits and one very nice dress. At Stavin's questioning glance she explained, "She has to have something special to wear when she goes before the king. Besides, it's big enough that she can wear it for a while before she outgrows it."
On the walk back to the caravan, Stavin steered the group to a stall where a child was stirring a cauldron of honeyed nuts. He spent a silver crown to buy each of them a cone full, even a surprised but happy Rahlina.
"I remember honey nuts at harvest fair," Amarna said. "The nuts were different, though. They were shaped like these, but didn't have the dry taste after they were gone."
"What did she say, Stave?" Marvat asked. "I only understood sweet nuts and harvest fair."
Stavin translated what Amarna had said and Rahlina hummed. "That might be a clue about where she's from. Ask her if the outside of the shells was smooth or bumpy." Stavin did as he was asked and Amarna and said, "Smooth."
Rahlina nodded when he translated what Amarna had said. "The outside of these nuts is bumpy. They look like little brains. However, there is another nut that looks much the same on the inside but is as smooth as a river rock on the outside. They grow in the mountains of Andaria."
They returned to the caravan and told Trader Sahren and Barvil what they had learned. "The mountains of Andaria, is it?" Trader Sahren mused. "The mountains that were on our original track until we detoured south to Twin Bridges? Why do the Gods hate me?"
Barvil laughed. "They don't hate you, Sahren. They simply love playing with you. You're like a favorite toy to them." He ducked her not-so-playful swing even though he was in armor.
"We're too far off our track now. We'll continue to Twin Bridges and deliver her to the king and that will be the end of it. The taxes going into Andaria would be ruinous anyway. They want ten percent, not five like Evandia and Coravia."
The next morning, Stavin received a summons. The same lieutenant as the day before arrived at the caravan and said, "Friend Stavin, Lord Mayor Zel'Devran would like to speak to you, if it would be convenient."
Stavin looked at Barvil and Sahren. "You'd better go, Stavin," Sahren said with a deep sigh. "We'll continue trading until you return. But try not to be too long."
Stavin bowed, then Barvil said, "Sergeant Kel'Sangran, take your hand with him."
The lieutenant said, "That is not allowed."
"Then I don't go," Stavin replied in a low tone. "I am too new to these lands to travel your city alone."
The lieutenant snarled, "You should learn your place," as he stared down into Stavin's eyes.
"I know my place," Stavin replied. "I am Warleader Sixth Stavin Kel'Aniston, Friend of Evandia. We are headed to Twin Bridges right now. If you attempt to force this issue, I will complain to the king about it."
The lieutenant cast an angry glance at Barvil, then nodded and said, "Follow me," as he turned away. The hand formed up behind Stavin as he walked a pace behind the lieutenant.
They marched half way across the city to a large building. The lieutenant led the way in past guards that glared at the Warriors, but made no move to stop them.
The lieutenant led them to a guarded door and said, "I have brought Friend Stavin at the Lord Mayor's request," to the right hand guard.
The guard looked past the lieutenant and Stavin, then shook his head and knocked on the door. It opened and he announced, "Friend of Evandia Stavin is here to see Lord Mayor Zel'Devran." There was a moment's pause, then he waved Stavin through. The Warriors stopped outside the room and posted themselves against the walls.
Lord Mayor Starval Zel'Devran stood as Stavin entered his office. "Friend Stavin, welcome to Kolovad. What brings you to our fair city?"
Stavin bowed, then simply replied, "Child thieves, Lord Mayor Zel'Devran."
The lord mayor was predictably shocked, as were the five other people in the room. "Child thieves? In Kolovad?"
Stavin shook his head, "No, Lord Mayor. Forgive me if I gave that impression. We encountered child thieves just across the border in Kavadia and rescued the children, then disposed of the trash. One of the children is from Clan Zel'Hallan in Andaria. We are going to Twin Bridges to turn her over to the king."
"We will offer thanks to the Gods Above for your rescue of them," the only woman in the room said.
The lord mayor bowed and said, "Friend Stavin, please allow me to introduce my wife, Morvana."
Stavin bowed deeply to the lady but didn't say anything.
Lady Morvana said, "Friend Stavin, it is a rare treat to meet someone as distinguished as you. Could we prevail upon you to stay as our guest for a few days?"
Stavin shook his head, but he was smiling apologetically while he did it. "Your forgiveness, Lady
Morvana, but we must make all speed to Twin Bridges. My employer is taking a long detour in order to deliver the children to the king."
"Your employer?" one of the other men asked.
"Master Trader Sahren Kel'Vandar, of the Kavadian House of Zel'Vandar."
"Why are you acting as a caravan guard, Friend Stavin?" yet another man asked.
"It is my duty to my people," Stavin replied gravely. "It would be dishonorable to do otherwise."
"We know of the Warriors of Kel'Kavin, Friend Stavin," Lord Mayor Zel'Devran said as he looked around. "You and your people are quite famous." He looked around again and his gaze stopped for a moment on his wife, before looking at Stavin again. "Thank you for coming to speak to us, Friend Stavin. We wish you well on your honorable journey." He looked toward the door and a servant opened it.
Stavin bowed deeply as he replied, "I am honored to have met you all," before turning toward the door and marching out.
They were outside the building before Marvat asked, "What was that all about, Stavin?"
"The lord mayor wanted to host me for a few days. He probably wants to hear that damn story."
The lieutenant cleared his throat and led the way back to the caravansary. When they arrived, Stavin explained to Barvil and Sahren what had happened.
Barvil nodded. "He was trying to enhance his reputation by having you around, Stavin. And you're right: he probably wanted to hear your story again, straight from you." There was laughter at Stavin's expense for a moment, then the traders began packing to move. There hadn't been much trade this morning.
The caravan continued on before mid day, leaving the shapeless sacks that the girls had been wearing smoldering in the fire pit. The girls were all much happier in their new clothes and sat on the benches of the wagons they had been placed with, smiling as the world passed by.
Chapter 7
FOUR CARGO WAGONS AND HALF A dozen guards made their way up the track to the opening in the wall of the Kel'Kavin crater and were stopped by the men who were on guard duty at the ancient fort. "That's far enough," the leader said, and the wagons all stopped.
"I've a message from a young man named Stavin Kel'Aniston," the lead driver said, holding up the slip of parchment.
As luck would have it, Kahndar was one of the men on guard and he walked forward to take the message. "What did Stave do now?" he wondered aloud. He scanned the slip of parchment and let loose a bark of laughter. "He's sent Shari and his sister some extra supplies. The other pregnant women are supposed to get extra rations as well."
One of the elder guardsmen snarled, "That's the Council's job, not his."
"He's a new father, and he's worried about his wife and child. You weren't much better when Garlin was pregnant with little Bordan," one of the other men said with a laugh.
The man had to laugh and nod. Waving toward the valley he said, "Kahn, take them into town. He's your brother-in-law. The guards will have to wait out here."
"Why?" one of them demanded.
"Because we don't allow armed strangers into the valley," Kahndar replied.
"Think the four of you could stop us?" the guard asked in a belligerent tone.
Kahndar looked him in the eye as he replied, "Easily. You can leave your weapons out here, and come help unload the wagons if you wish."
All six guards shook their heads as the leader said, "We get paid to guard the wagons, not heft the load. We'll wait at the tavern."
"There are no taverns in the valley," Kahndar said as he smiled apologetically.
"None?" the man asked incredulously.
"Not a one. We don't need any." All of the guards looked stunned by that revelation, and Kahndar turned away with a shrug.
Kahndar climbed up next to the lead driver and said, "Straight ahead. We'll get you unloaded and on your way back as soon as we can."
"We'd prefer to stay the night, if we can," the driver replied. "It's been a long trip."
"Unfortunately, we don't have a place for you. There is no inn or anyplace else for you to stay."
The people of Kavinston came out to see the unusual sight of supply wagons rolling into town so early in the spring. Kahndar didn't, however, guide them to the community store. He led them instead to Karlit Kel'Aniston's house.
Marinis came out and stared for a moment, then looked at Kahndar. She asked, "What's this?" as she waved toward the wagons.
Kahndar laughed as he handed her Stavin's note. "Just Stavin being Stavin. Since this is specifically for Shari and Sora, and any other pregnant women, I thought I'd bring it here instead of supply."
Marinis shook her head slowly. "That boy--"
"Indeed," Karlit said from beside her. "How much did he send?"
"Fifty bags each of wheat, rye, barley, and beans," the lead driver said from his wagon, interrupting them.
Sharindis arrived just then and said, "I know I'm eating a lot, but that's ridiculous."
"He's your husband, Sis," Kahndar said with a laugh. "Karlit, where do you want it stacked?"
Karlit led the way and a line of men, wagon drivers and valley warriors alike, quickly carried the sacks of food into the house. The front room was soon full, and more sacks ended up being stacked in the kitchen and under the stairs. Soon there were two hundred sacks of grain and beans filling the house.
The lead driver turned to Karlit and held out a piece of parchment. "Your pardon Sir, but would you sign for the receiving the load? We need to be getting on our way. According to our escort, there's no inn here."
Karlit nodded and signed the parchment. "He's telling you the truth. Thank you, gentlemen. Kahndar will escort you back to the gap."
The wagons were soon rumbling away, and Karlit turned to hear Sharindis cursing behind him. "How am I supposed to find my way around all of this?!"
Karlit laughed. "You won't have to for very long, Shari. Word's already being passed to families with pregnant women to come collect the extra supplies."
Shari struggled to the stairs and went up to her room while Karlit and Marinis started handing out the grain. Sora's husband was on his fourth expedition, but her father-in-law was one of the first to arrive.
"That boy of yours has a good heart, Karlit. How much goes to each family with a pregnant woman?"
"As far as I know, there are only thirty pregnant women in the valley. I guess a bag of each, and then I'll turn the rest over to the Council," Karlit said as he looked around his home.
The grain was soon parceled out, and the next morning Karlit approached the Elder's Council with the remainder. "Elders, I have honored my son's wishes, and now deliver to the community store eighty sacks of assorted grains for the good of everyone."
Elder Kel'Landis scowled at Karlit as he stood. "You should have delivered all of it to us immediately, Karlit," he all but snarled.
"That was not Stavin's wish, Elder Kel'Landis. He bought those supplies with his own coin to provide for his wife and sister, and added enough to ensure that every pregnant woman received extra. That was a personal purchase, not a community acquisition."
Elder Kel'Kaffrey scowled at Elder Kel'Landis. "You benefited from Stavin's generosity. Your granddaughter is one of the pregnant women who received extra supplies. What's put a burr under your saddle this time?"
"It should have been our decision and duty to parcel out the supplies. Our traditions give the Council control of the stores."
"And we'll have control of the community stores when they arrive," Elder Kel'Kaffrey snapped.
"Mikal is correct," Chief Elder Kel'Davin said as he looked at Elder Kel'Landis. "Our order for supplies from Kahrant's Pass should be here in ten days or so, but Karlit's offer to the stores is quite generous and most welcome under the circumstances. It gives us the extra needed to keep everyone fed, as well as the rest of it taking some of the strain off the remaining stores."
Elder Kel'Landis snapped to his feet, all but knocking his chair over in his anger. "Feeding the people of the valley is the job of the Elder's C
ouncil, not a boy on his second expedition. He's overstepped himself yet again, and you just want to ignore it. So be it." He reached up and stripped the tabard of the Elder's Council off his shoulders. "Do as you like, but do it without me." He threw the tabard on the table and stamped away, leaving Karlit and the Elders staring after him as he went through the door.
* * *
The caravan made two more stops at small towns in the ten days it took them to reach Twin Bridges, but they were just routine. Then, on the tenth day, they came in sight of Twin Bridges' massive wall.
Twin Bridges was as magnificent as Stavin remembered, and he smiled broadly at the stunned expressions of the warriors who had never been there before. As soon as the caravan was settled, Barvil called his men together.
"Farval, take first watch. I would be very surprised if anyone was stupid enough to bother Sahren here, but I've been surprised before. Marvat, you and the rest of your hand get cleaned up and be ready to accompany Stavin and I to the palace with the girls."
"It isn't fair," Karvik said as soon as the orders were given.
"What isn't fair?" Barvil asked.
"Twice in a row, Stavin is going to the palace without me. It just isn't fair," Karvik said, but his eyes were laughing.
"Such is the fate of mortal men," Barvil said with a grin. "Now get on watch." Karvik joined Farval's hand as they filed away and Barvil went to get the girls.
The walk to the palace was a long one, but that gave the guards at the Common's Gate time to send word ahead. Ten Royal Guardsmen met them at the entrance of the palace.
"Welcome back, Friend Stavin. Our instructions are to take you to Princess Marina in her study. Please follow us," the leader of the guards said, then turned to lead the way. His men fell in beside the valley warriors as they marched by. They stopped by a door and the leader of the escort turned to Stavin and said, "Your pardon, Friend Stavin, but you--"
"--Cannot bring weapons near the princess," Stavin completed for him. "I understand completely." Stavin gave his Dragon's Tongue to Aldric and his knives to Marvat. He looked at Barvil, but only received a grin in answer to his unasked question.
Traders and Traitors (Stavin DragonBlessed Book 2) Page 5