"You don't need me this time, Stavin. Take the girls to the princess and turn them over to her." Barvil then held out his hand and said, "You won't need your helmet."
Stavin took off his helmet and gauntlets and gave them to Barvil, then took Amarna by the hand and nodded to the guard. The guard knocked twice and a man immediately opened the door. "Friend of Evandia Stavin Kel'Aniston craves a moment of her Highness's time," the guard announced and the door opened completely.
"Her Highness would be pleased to receive Friend Stavin in her study," the man said, motioning for Stavin to follow him. He crossed the room and stopped at an open door and said, "Friend Stavin and his charges are here, your Highness."
"Send them in, Arkan," a woman's voice said and the man stepped aside and bowed, motioning for Stavin to go into the room.
Princess Marina stood as Stavin entered and he stopped to kneel three paces away from her. The girls copied his actions. "Welcome back, Friend Stavin," she said as she looked behind him.
"I am pleased to see you again, Your Highness, though I am not pleased by the circumstances that have brought me here today," he said as he looked up at her.
"Rise and join me, Stavin. What circumstances are so unpleasant that they would make a visit to your friends unpleasant?" the princess asked with a touch of anger in her voice.
"Child thieves, Your Highness," Stavin said softly. "In particular, the theft of a Chosen child."
The red of rage suffused the princess's face. "Speak to me of this atrocity," she commanded in Old Tongue.
Stavin told the princess as much of the story as he knew, ending with, "We have two good clues as to where Amarna Zel'Hallan is from. The nuts she describes as growing near her home are known by the traders to grow in the mountains of Andaria, and Amarna says that her grandfather is DragonBlessed."
The princess was quiet for a moment, then looked at Amarna. "Is your grandfather Shovar of the Chosen Clan of Hallan?" she asked in old tongue.
"Do you know my grandfather?" Amarna asked, suddenly excited.
"I know of him," the princess replied. "He is a great man. We will return you to him as soon as we can." Turning to Stavin, she smiled. "You did right by bringing her here, Stavin. Shovar Zel'Hallan is known to us and we will see that she is returned to him. What of these others?"
Stavin looked at the other girls and said, "Orvini Bel'Hortal is from Kel'Arkan's Ford and Morinis Fel'Jaril is from Halafia,” he said and the girls bowed deeply when they were introduced.
"Halafia is in Andaria, and I don't recognize the name Kel'Arkan’s Ford. Could that scum have stolen all of those children in Andaria? Could he have really passed our borders with them?" The princess sat heavily on a sofa. "Gods Below, how could this happen?"
"I don't know, Your Highness," Stavin answered. "Master Trader Sahren found the children as soon as she checked the wagon. It could be that she just knew what to look for."
The princess looked at Stavin and pursed her lips. "Sahren Kel'Vandar. I had her investigated when she hired you last year. She is known to associate with some unsavory characters, and she's taking shameful advantage of you by only paying you half of what you save her," the princess said and was openly surprised by Stavin's grin and chuckle.
"I would say she's taking shameless advantage of my status, Your Highness, because I don't think she feels any shame," Stavin said. "To her, it's all a matter of trade."
The princess sat forward and looked him in the eye. She spoke softly as she asked, "Do you feel any shame, Stavin?"
Stavin started to say no, but then sighed and nodded. "Yes, Your Highness. I have no proof, but I think Trader Sahren accepted consignments of contraband from Madam Elain last year, and used my status to keep her wagons from being searched."
Princess Marina nodded as she sat back. "That is quite likely the truth, Stavin," she said as she looked into his eyes. "I suspected as much when I learned of her association with Elain. You see, Elain Fel'Carvin and her organization are known to us. It is a fact of life that anytime a large community of humans exists it will stratify, as our people did in the time of Luxand, and in any stratified system someone has to be on the bottom. However, even the bottom strata has someone on top. That is where people like Elain become an asset to the community. She and those like her keep the criminals under control. For that small service, we allow them to exist on the fringe of our society."
Stavin was very surprised by that revelation. "Couldn't you get rid of all the Elains?" he asked, then hastily added, "Your Highness."
"We could, but the results of such actions are usually counterproductive," she replied with a frown. "Criminals are like a legendary creature that grows two heads for every one you cut off. Eliminate Elain and the crime rate, especially murder and assault, would climb higher than a mountain. Someone would fill the void that she left and we might not know who it was for several moons."
Stavin thought for a moment, then said, "I asked Trader Sahren if she was carrying anything that the border guards shouldn't find, and she assured me that she is not caring anything that would besmirch my honor this time."
"This time," the princess echoed as she smiled at Stavin. "My chamberlain is trying to tell me that I am going to be late for another audience. I will see to it that the girls are returned to their homes." Orvini and Morinis exchanged excited looks. The traders had told them they were being sent to an orphanage.
Stavin said, "Thank you, Your Highness," and bowed, then turned to Amarna. "Princess Marina will see to your safety now. I wish you happiness in your future," he said and bowed to her before walking to the door and leaving them.
Barvil and the others were still surrounded by the Royal Guards when he returned. "The princess has taken custody of Amarna and the others, Sir. She even knows who Amarna's grandfather is because of the dragon association."
"Then our duty to those children is done. Let's go to Mary Death's Memorial, then I'll bring the others while you are on watch." Barvil looked at the guards and they escorted the valley warriors out of the palace without another word.
Mary Death's memorial was every bit as impressive as Stavin remembered, and he joined the others in the ritual introductions. It wasn't long before a familiar figure emerged from the shadows.
"Welcome back, Friend Stavin," Lady Ehrwan Zel'Fordan said as she smiled at him.
Stavin bowed deeply and replied, "Thank you, Lady Zel'Fordan."
She smiled at him, and the rest of the warriors, then looked him in the eye. "Your fame is growing, Friend Stavin. I hope that someday we might have the opportunity to sit and talk for a while. My cousins in Coravia are very interested in you."
Stavin bowed again. "I would be honored, Lady Zel'Fordan."
Chapter 8
STAVIN AND THE REST OF MARVAT'S hand were on watch when Trader Sahren came back from the city late that night. She saw Stavin and walked with him for a moment. "Did the king take custody of the girls?" she asked.
Stavin shook his head. "No, the king wasn't there. Princess Marina took them, and even knows who Amarna's grandfather is. She's going to see that the girls are returned home and find out how that scum managed to smuggle them past Evandia's border guards," he replied, looking up at her.
"Very good. Anything else?" Sahren asked and this time Stavin spoke without turning his head.
"She knows all about you and Elain."
"She knows all of what about me and Elain?" Sahren asked in a tense tone.
"She knows that Elain is one of the top criminals in Evandia and that you smuggle for her," Stavin said, still facing forward. "She told me some distasteful truths about our people, but I can see the truth in what she said."
"Anything else?" she asked and Stavin got the distinct impression that she really didn't want to know, but had to ask.
"The princess said only giving us half of what I save you is taking shameful advantage of my status," he replied, but now he turned his head to look at her and grinned. "I told her that you are far too shame
less to take shameful advantage of me."
Sahren chuckled and shook her head. "It may very well be that you are both right, but if you want to negotiate a new contract you have to do it at the beginning of next season. It's too late this year." She walked away toward her wagon while Stavin continued his watch.
The caravan headed north the next morning. They were on the road that led to Farindia and Trade Town, and Stavin remembered how excited he'd been last year at the prospect of making his first kill. It had been just under a year, but it may as well have been a lifetime.
After two days, the caravan turned on a road that would take them back to their planned route. Towns became more frequent as the land leveled out and became the plains that were Evandia's bread basket.
The city of Ormund was typical of the region. It was small by lowland standards, but that was because most of the residents lived half a day's travel away from the village on their farms. The caravan was greeted enthusiastically by just one of the townspeople.
"Welcome, traders, welcome," a large, prosperous looking man said as Trader Sahren guided her caravan into a field outside the city walls. "I am Mayor Fel'Comes. How long will you stay?"
"A day was all I had planned, Mayor Fel'Comes," Trader Sahren said as she directed the wagons into place.
"Oh, that won't do," the mayor replied. "That won't do at all. Most of our people live out in the countryside. We seldom get such large caravans through here." He held up one finger to catch Sahren's attention and said, "If you will agree to stay for two days, I'll send the town's messengers out with the news and get more of our people into town."
Trader Sahren thought for a moment, then sighed. "My schedule is shredded anyway, so why not?" She bowed her head to the mayor in acceptance. "We'll stay for two days."
"Excellent!" the mayor all but shouted as he clasped his hand in apparent glee. "Excuse me, I have some messengers to send on their way." The mayor hurried away as the traders set up their wagons. Barvil set his guards four and four, with Marvat, Farval and himself guarding during the busy daylight hours and the junior members of the group covering the rest.
Stavin and Karvik were paired with Vardik and Rolas. They had all been through guarding a caravan near a town before so there was little reason to talk. The one thing that Stavin thought was unusual was how quiet the townsfolk were. He had become use to boisterous, happy crowds, and the subdued, almost sad attitude of these people struck him as strange.
Stavin wasn't the only one to think something was wrong. Trader Sahren and her people were even more sensitive to the attitude of the crowd, and Sahren sought out Barvil well before dusk. "Barvil, there's something wrong here,” she said in a soft, tension-filled voice. “These people are acting like they're at a funeral." She kept her eyes moving, looking at the crowd rather than Barvil.
Barvil nodded his agreement. "They're afraid. It's like they're being watched and are afraid of drawing attention to themselves," Barvil said as he watched the people go by.
The night was quiet, but by the middle of the next day wagons and horses, and even one man riding a fat old ox, started arriving. These people were far less restrained and the area around the caravan became loud with laughter and shouted comments.
The traders had company that night as dozens of people camped by their wagons instead of heading home in the dark. There was the sound of singing and laughter from the country folk, but the town remained quiet and dark.
Stavin was off watch and stood, staring at the town. It was a puzzle that he wanted to solve, but he didn't have all the pieces yet. He heard someone walking up behind him and turned to find an old man two paces away.
"Your pardon, young Sir, but are you the Dragon Warrior? The one what was called a Friend of Evandia by the king?" he asked as he removed his hat.
"I am Friend Stavin, good Sir," Stavin replied with a slight bow.
"You be wary of this place, young friend," the old man said softly. "There's been something passing queer about Ormund since that Fel'Comes made hisself mayor. There's something what's keeping the folk hereabouts down." The old man cast a fearful glance at the town and then hurried away.
Stavin immediately reported to Barvil. "Sir, I just had a strange conversation with one of the locals," he said, then repeated the conversation when Barvil nodded.
Trader Sahren had listened as well and laid a hand on Barvil's shoulder when Stavin stopped speaking. "It makes sense now. We've been delayed to let someone prepare for us." She looked at the sky and shook her head. "If we had even one of the moons full I'd move on tonight, but it's too dark."
"What do you suspect?" Barvil asked.
"A bandit trying to turn into a legitimate businessman. Fel'Comes owns the village bakery and a butcher shop," Sahren explained, "but he seems to spend most of his time watching everyone else. I've been watching and I've seen him just about every span through the day."
Barvil looked at his men and said, "Prepare to move at first light. Night guards, stay especially alert. Everyone sleep in your armor. I know it's uncomfortable, but it's necessary." Turning to Trader Sahren, he bowed his head. "We'll be ready if he attacks."
Trader Sahren went to warn her people, and they prepared as well. While none of them carried a sword, all of them carried knives.
Stavin and his group were on rounds when a sudden wave of fatigue hit him and he all but collapsed against the wagons. He suddenly felt like he'd been awake for days, but fought it off and felt all right after a few moments. He blinked his eyes and shook his head to clear it of the sudden need to sleep that had almost overwhelmed him. He looked around, but he couldn't see Vardik ahead of him. Turning to look behind him, he couldn't see Rolas either. He felt himself slipping toward panic and darted in between the wagons to look for Karvik, but he was nowhere to be seen either. Then movement caught his eye and he started to shout, but the sound died in his throat. Those were not the figures of his comrades.
Moving silently and using the wagons as cover, he cautiously approached the four dark figures until he heard a voice. "I told you it would be worth the trip, my master," a man's voice said. "A caravan full of trade goods, and forty more people to serve us."
Stavin saw the tallest of the figures turn toward the speaker. "You have done well. You may drain ten of them for your service. The rest of them are mine."
"I thank you, my master," the figure said as he bowed. "I would choose the guards." He paused and rubbed his hands together. "Their life force is strong and their deaths will sustain me for several moons."
That final comment was enough for Stavin. He burst out from behind a wagon to charge the men, but as fast as he was, he wasn't as fast as the man called “Master.”
The dark figure raised a hand and pointed at Stavin, and a bright blue bolt of energy blasted out to strike Stavin solidly in the chest. Stavin's armor took the blow and deflected it harmlessly away, and he only felt a slight resistance, like a gust of wind. He was only three paces away when the figure pointed at him again. This bolt hit him like a hammer in the chest and stopped him in his tracks, but only for a moment. Then he surged forward; “Master” lost his ability to point when Stavin's Dragon's Tongue removed his hand. The bottom blade flicked out and removed his head before he could even scream.
The other three figures tried to attack Stavin as well, but they had even less luck than their master. Their attacks didn't even slow Stavin as he spun between them, using both blades of his Dragon's Tongue to end their lives.
Stavin looked at the four dead men and took the extra precaution of driving his Dragon's Tongue into each man's heart again and beheading the two he hadn't before leaving them to find his comrades.
Stavin found Karvik first. "Kar, wake up," he commanded in a harsh tone, but Karvik didn't show any signs of waking. Stavin knelt and knocked on Karvik's helmet with an armored knuckle and said, "Hey, we're on watch. Wake up," but still received no response. He fought back his building panic and shook him, but Karvik still didn't awaken. He fina
lly pulled Karvik's helmet off and splashed water from his flask into his friend's face and got a reaction.
Karvik's body spasmed, and he vomited violently, striking Stavin directly in the breast plate, then rolled over and held his head with both hands. "Oh, Gods," he moaned, "what happened to me?"
Stavin had stood and backed away, and was trying to wipe away Karvik's vomit without adding his own. "Magi," he managed to say through his clenched teeth. "Black Magi tried to take us," he finally said as he used the rest of the water in his flask to rinse his armor.
Karvik looked at Stavin with only one eye and asked, "What about you?"
Stavin shook his head. "I almost passed out, probably when everyone else did, but I was able to shake it off. I think the dragon's magic countered it. It certainly stopped the mage bolts when I attacked."
Karvik was sitting up now and looking around. "Where is--?"
"I don't know. Are you all right?"
"I've never had a hangover this bad, but I think I'll live," Karvik moaned. "I'm just not sure I want to."
"Stay where you are. I'll go find Vardik and Rolas, then I'll get your dad and the others." Stavin woke up his watch mates, and was careful to be well to the side when he did to avoid being vomited on again. Once they were all at least partially functional, he woke Barvil.
"Sir? Sir! Barvil, wake up!" he said loudly, then resorted to splashing water in Barvil's face.
Barvil awoke and roared in anger, swinging at Stavin and nearly breaking his hand on Stavin's breast plate. "Stavin, you little bastard!" he bellowed as he wiped water out in his eyes. "I'm going to--"
"Sir, we were attacked!" Stavin shouted as he dodged away. "A black mage cast a spell on us!"
What Stavin was saying finally penetrated Barvil's rage and he looked around. None of his men or the traders had reacted to the yelling. "How bad?" he finally asked.
"Four of them dead. No other casualties, Sir," Stavin reported as he snapped to attention.
Traders and Traitors (Stavin DragonBlessed Book 2) Page 6