Traders and Traitors (Stavin DragonBlessed Book 2)

by Loren K. Jones

  Stavin and the valet sorted the clothing by what came close to fitting and what Stavin wouldn't be caught dead wearing. It took a while, and by the time they had a set of clothes that would fit and were acceptable to Stavin in style and color, the valet was shaking his head. "That is an extremely conservative style for the palace, Friend Stavin."

  "I'm from a Warrior clan, not a Chosen clan. This is the finest set of clothing I've ever worn."

  The valet cocked his head to the side, then helped get Stavin into his under padding and the rich clothing over that. He nodded in satisfaction as the clothes settled into place, then reached up and fiddled with Stavin's collar. "I need--ah, that will do." He went to the pile of discarded clothing and returned with a ribbon of blue silk. "Your golden clothing is showing at the collar. We'll just tie this around your neck to close your collar and we'll be through. It'll also add a little color to your outfit. Really, you are going to look like a hen pheasant compared to the rest of the young men, but, as you say, you're not of a Chosen clan. Given the king's marked favor toward you, you may set a fashion trend."

  Stavin gave him a pained look. "If any of my people see me dressed like this, I'm never going to hear the end of it."

  The valet chuckled. "We're a bit early, but I can guide you to the banquet hall now if you'd like."

  Stavin nodded. "Whatever you think is best, Sir."

  The valet led him out of the suite and through half the palace again, though they took a different direction from the one Stavin had come. The valet walked up to a man in an elaborate tabard and said, "Friend of Evandia Stavin Kel'Aniston is here as a guest of the king."

  The man bowed deeply to Stavin, as did both of the Palace Guardsmen who stood next to the door. Without a word the man turned away and opened the door, stopping in the middle of the doorway. He banged his staff on the floor three times and announced, "The king's guest, Friend of Evandia Stavin Kel'Aniston," in a loud voice, then stepped to the side and bowed deeply.

  "On your way, Friend Stavin," the valet said. "I'll watch for you when you're ready to leave and meet you here to guide you back to your rooms."

  Stavin took a deep breath and walked into the room, only to be dazzled by the riotous mix of colors as the people in the room all turned to stare at him. He fought down the sudden panic that almost made him dash back out the door and walked forward into the crowd.

  A woman was making her way toward him and it took a moment for him to recognize Lady Ehrwan, the keeper of Mary Death's memorial. "Friend Stavin, please join me," she said with a smile, and Stavin gratefully complied.

  "Thank you, Lady Zel'Fordan," he replied with a slight bow as he followed her toward a group of young nobles. He had to admit to himself that the valet was correct: he looked positively drab next to the nobles, while they looked like a flock of peacocks.

  Lady Zel'Fordan stopped and said, "My friends, I present our king's savior, Stavin, of the Farindian house of Kel'Aniston." Stavin bowed as the gathered nobles nodded their heads deeply.

  Stavin managed to say, "I am pleased to meet you all," in a firm, even tone, even though he was terribly nervous.

  "Relax, Friend Stavin," one of the young men said. "Given your most recent accomplishment, no one is going to find fault with you tonight. Tomorrow will be a completely different story, but tonight you're safe."

  "Ahlvan is quite right, Friend Stavin. And I assure you that you are among friends here," another man said. "I'm Dahvin Zel'Fordal, the youngest of my father's sons. We, the six of us, know the true story of what happened in the king's council chamber today. I understand that the Bard Laureate has already made a song of it and will sing it tonight for the edification of the court." He smiled at the look on Stavin's face. "He's really very good, you know. He'll properly honor your accomplishments."

  Stavin gave the nobles all a slightly panicked look and asked, "He's going to sing? About me?"

  "Friend Stavin," one of the young women said, "I understand from Marina that if you hadn't acted as quickly and decisively as you did, the king would have been injured and possibly killed by that traitor. As it was, the alarm that was given and the total lack of confusion that followed you saving the king saved Marina as well. A woman that I'll not call a lady was poised to plunge a dagger into her back as soon as the call went out that the king was dead. She took her own life before she could be captured and questioned, but there is no doubt that this was an elaborate and far-reaching plot to slaughter the royal family and place someone else on the throne."

  "Who would do that, Lady? And why?" Stavin asked, looking at all of the nobles. "King Kalin is a good king. Evandia is prospering. Who would want to supplant him?"

  "Someone who wants the power of the crown at his own fingertips," the third young man said. "There are people, Friend Stavin, to whom power is the be-all and end-all of their existence. To them, a minor thing like committing treason and murder would be no bar to their ambitions."

  Lady Zel'Fordan took the young man's arm and smiled up into his face for an instant, then turned to Stavin and looked him in the eye. "Friend Stavin, this is my betrothed, Sarvan Zel'Andral." She smiled at Stavin's surprised expression when he heard the name. "He is the king's nephew. If King Kalin and Princess Marina were both dead, he would be next in line to the throne, and probably would have died today as well if you hadn't acted as you did."

  "We are probably all on that list, Ehrwan," the woman who had spoken so familiarly about the princess said. "Friend Stavin, I am Carissan Zel'Fordal. Dahvin, Ehrwan, and Marina are my cousins. So is Sarvan, though a little more distantly. My betrothed," she indicated the man who had first spoken, "Ahlvan Zel'Naris. I think the only person who hasn't been properly introduced is Glora Zel'Bordal." She indicated the shyest of the women, the only one who hadn't voiced an opinion as of yet. "She and Dahvin aren't betrothed yet, but they are so besotted with one another that they might as well be."

  The subjects of her comment both blushed, but they were smiling about it. "You two were worse, Cari," Lady Glora said as her smile deepened.

  "Perhaps, but it's you we're talking about now," she replied, drawing a chuckle from the rest of the group.

  "Friend Stavin," Lord Dahvin said to get Stavin's attention, "I would be pleased to have you at my side tonight. Sarvan and I can keep you protected between us. It's an unfortunate game in the palace to trick a newcomer into doing something that could lead to a duel. The idea is to force that person to back down and lose face rather than to actually fight, though there are a few fools I'd enjoy watching you defeat in the circle. It wouldn't be good for the kingdom, though, so let's avoid it."

  "Thank you, Lord Zel'Fordal," Stavin said as he considered the implications of that revelation.

  The sound of a bell came from the front of the room and everyone began moving toward the tables that were arranged along the sides. The young lords led Stavin to a seat at the head table and took up positions on either side of him while the other four members of their group arranged themselves to their sides. They all remained standing until King Kalin and Princess Marina made their appearance.

  "My noble lords and ladies," the king began, speaking in a normal tone that forced everyone to be silent so they could hear him, "I called for this celebration in honor of Friend of Evandia Stavin Kel'Aniston." He paused and motioned toward where Stavin was standing. "Most of you know at least part of this tale, but none of you know all of it. Indeed, it will probably be quite some time before the full extent of this conspiracy is revealed." The king looked around the room and nodded in satisfaction. He had everyone's undivided attention.

  "What we know so far is that Lord Jarvik Zel'Candan, his daughter Veralis, and his son Walan all came to the palace today to do murder upon me and my heirs. Jarvik came to me to once again voice his dissatisfaction at my handling of the Andarian incidents. When he came into my presence, he drew a knife and attacked me." There was a murmur of surprise throughout the room as the rumor was confirmed. "Veralis was poised to kill
Marina in the general confusion after my death, but ended up killing herself instead to avoid being questioned. Walan was ready to murder my nephew Sarvan to eliminate our line completely. He failed, however, in his attempt to commit suicide and has been questioned by our Truth Seer." The king stopped speaking as the room as the gathered nobles reacted to the king's announcement. The bell rang again, drawing everyone's attention back to the king.

  "We have Friend Stavin to thank for foiling this plot. He reacted with remarkable speed when Jarvik attacked me, and killed the traitor with a well-placed elbow strike to the throat. He has not requested anything of me in return other than to be allowed to continue in his duty to his people. However, there is one reward that he can and shall receive. Lord General Zel'Kordil, you know your duty." The king sat and a man in the full regalia of the General of the Royal Guard stepped forward.

  "Indeed, my liege, I know my duty, and take great pleasure in it tonight," the general said as he bowed to the king. Turning, he faced Stavin and said, "Friend Stavin, please join me." Stavin hurried around the table to face the general, automatically snapping to attention.

  "Friend Stavin, the Royal Guard exists to prevent anyone from threatening the royal family. It sometimes happens, however, that even our best efforts are defeated. In those instances, we depend on the bravery and fighting skills of our men and women to save our charges. It is our tradition to confer an officer's commission on any guardsman who discharges that duty. While you may not be wearing our uniform, you are a scion of the Farindian Royal Guards, and therefore eligible." The general looked past Stavin and nodded. Two Royal Guards colonels walked forward with the short officer's cape of the Evandian Royal Guards held between them, and stopped behind Stavin. "In accordance with the highest traditions of the Royal Guard, this day you saved the king from an assassin. I am therefore very pleased to confer upon you the rank of Lieutenant in the Evandian Royal Guard."

  The colonels set the cape on Stavin's shoulders and hooked the clasp, then stepped back and came to attention beside him. Stavin fell back on his parade-ground training and bowed very deeply to the general.

  He managed to say, "I am deeply honored, Lord General Zel'Kordil," as polite clapping in the room gave way to loud applause.

  Chapter 22

  FIVE ROYAL GUARDSMEN RODE INTO THE Zel'Vandar caravan and were met by Barvil and Rahlina. "I am seeking the commander of your guards," the leading guardsman said, facing Barvil. "Is that you, Sir?"

  "It is," Barvil agreed, bowing slightly.

  "We have come to inform you that Friend Stavin will be staying in the palace for a short time. He killed an assassin--"

  "He what!?" Rahlina squeaked, stepping forward and grasping Barvil's arm as she looked at the guardsman.

  "The king's interview with Friend Stavin was interrupted by the arrival of a lord who the king needed to meet with," the guardsman replied. "Friend Stavin was still in the room when Lord Zel'Candan drew a knife and attacked the king. He--"

  "He wasn't hurt, was he?" Rahlina again interrupted.

  The guardsman gave her a nasty glare before continuing. "Friend Stavin got the assassin away from the king and then killed him with an elbow strike to the throat. Neither the king nor Friend Stavin were injured."

  Barvil was giving Rahlina a curious look, then turned his attention to the guardsman. "How long will Friend Stavin be in the palace?"

  "I don't know for sure, but I'd expect at least tonight and tomorrow. Depending on what the general and king decide, it may be longer."

  Rahlina looked at the guardsman and said, "Stavin is our Master Trader. He's supposed to be here all the time. We've had trouble about this before."

  The guardsman nodded. "We've heard the rumors. Word is that Lord Zel'Corvis has already sent a message to the Traders’ Guild that Friend Stavin is going to be staying in the palace. I doubt that you'll hear anything more about it."

  "Your pardon, but who is Lord Zel'Corvis?" Barvil asked.

  "Lord Minister over Trade," the guardsman replied with a grin. "The Guild doesn't dare risk making him angry, and he doesn't dare risk making the king angry. It's one of those positions that are given or taken away at the king's whim."

  Barvil bowed deeply, and Rahlina joined him a heartbeat later. Barvil straightened and said, "Thank you for informing us."

  "It was our pleasure, Sir," the guardsman said, then grinned. "Friend Stavin is surprisingly deadly for such a young man. He did our job for us far faster than I would have thought possible."

  "You should try fighting him," Barvil replied with a similar grin.

  "No, thank you," the guardsman replied as the rest chuckled. "We heard about Zel'Marran. I don't think I need any more humility right now." The guardsmen all bowed to Barvil, and he and Rahlina returned it, then they tied their horses to the fence and began browsing among the wagons.

  Barvil looked down at Rahlina and let loose a chuckle. "It would appear that Stavin is making even more of a name for himself."

  Rahlina shook her head slowly. "Yes, he is. I wonder how long we'll be here?"

  * * *

  "You handled that quite well, Friend Stavin," Lord Sarvan said as Stavin returned to his seat.

  "Indeed," Lady Ehrwan agreed. "I was just barely able to see your fingers twitching to indicate how nervous you were. It is unusual for anyone who is not a member of a Chosen clan to be elevated to the Royal Guard. I can only think of three Warriors in the entire battalion, and you are one of them."

  "Four," Lord Dahvin corrected. "We had three up until now." He saw Stavin's curious look and smiled. "I also hold the rank of lieutenant in the Royal Guard, Friend Stavin. The Royal Guard is usually made up of younger sons or exceptional daughters from Chosen clans, with a few exceptional men or women from Warrior clans. As a matter of fact, two of the Warriors in our midst are women assigned to guard Princess Marina."

  "You'll have to take him to the barracks tomorrow and introduce him around, Dahvin," Lord Sarvan said, smiling at Stavin. "You're not recognizable without your armor, and the commanders at least are going to want to meet you."

  Lord Ahlvan chuckled. "I'd expect the whole garrison is going to want to meet him, Sarvan. I hope you have a healthy tolerance for alcohol, Friend Stavin. There are twenty men who owe you a beer right now."

  "Your pardon, Lord Zel'Naris, but what do you mean?" Stavin asked as he looked at the young lords and ladies around him.

  "The twenty members of the king's protective detail each owe you a beer for doing their job--and for saving their lives, as well as that of the king," Lord Ahlvan replied, his earlier mirth subsiding. "If Jarvik Zel'Candan had killed King Kalin, the guardsmen around him would have been executed for failing in their duty. The twenty men and women around Princess Marina, and Sarvan's ten keepers would have suffered a similar fate if the other assassins had succeeded."

  Stavin's head whipped around to stare at Lord Dahvin, and the young lord smiled sadly as he nodded. "It's true, Stavin, though most of them, us, would have taken our own lives. I wasn't on duty today, but I'm usually one of Sarvan's keepers. I would have lost a lot of good friends, though."

  "Then I am very pleased that I was there, Lord Zel'Fordal."

  "So am I," Lady Glora said, and there was a special gleam in her eyes as she looked at Lord Dahvin.

  The sound of a bell came from their left and everyone shifted their attention. Stavin saw a man in an elegant blue robe standing in front of the king's seat. He was older, with a silky white fringe of hair around his bald head, but his face was cherubic and his eyes seemed to gleam as he looked around.

  "Bard Laureate Fel'Coumo," Lord Sarvan whispered into Stavin's ear.

  As the room quieted, the bard began to sing. Stavin felt his face heat in embarrassment as the song developed. He wouldn't call his audience with the king the easy banter of friends. He didn't remember anything about a steely resolve to save the king at any cost. He never said, stand fast or die. The whole action had taken less than ten breaths to ac
complish, but the bard was stretching it out into more than a span. The only thing he got right, as far as Stavin was concerned, was his comment to the king of, that's what friends are for. Even that was elaborated and stretched all out of proportion.

  The bard indicated that his song was finished by bowing deeply to the king. The room immediately erupted in loud applause, and the bard took a moment to smile and bow to the nobles, accepting their adulation as his due.

  If there had been a sharp knife at hand, Stavin would have cut his own throat. As things were, he sat between the lords, hunching his shoulders in embarrassment, and trying to look inconspicuous. The attempt was in vain. His choice of clothing made him stand out in the colorful crowd.

  Lord Sarvan saw his blush and had to laugh. "Don't worry, Friend Stavin. No one has ever actually died of embarrassment."

  "Perhaps not, Lord Zel'Andral, but it doesn't stop me from wishing I could," Stavin answered. All of the lords and ladies around him laughed at that admission.

  Servants began bringing a sumptuous feast into the room, distracting everyone. Smells wafted through the room, bringing smiles of appreciation from the nobles as some of the palace's signature dishes were recognized.

  Stavin watched with interest as serving carts were brought to the table and the servants bowed deeply before speaking to Lord Sarvan. "What is your preference, Lord Zel'Andral?" the lead server asked.

  Lord Sarvan smiled and indicated Stavin. "Friend Stavin is the guest of honor. I think you should begin with him."

  The man immediately shifted his attention to Stavin, bowing very low. "I beg your pardon, Friend Stavin. What is your preference?"

  Stavin opened his mouth to speak, but he didn't know what to say. He was rescued by Lady Ehrwan. "I recommend the pheasant, Friend Stavin. And the cooks do wonders with the vegetable medley."

  Stavin was ready to kneel and worship at her feet as he turned and said, "Thank you, Lady Zel'Fordan." Turning back to the server, he nodded. "That shall be fine." The man nodded and placed a plate in front of Stavin that was heaped with sliced meat, assorted steamed vegetables, and what appeared to be thinly sliced white tubers.