Barvil was standing next to Marvat and Aldric's bodies, while Rolas stood beside them with a bandage on his arm. Marvat had been hit by a crossbow bolt, but had died from a sword thrust to the throat. Aldric had died from a sword thrust that had cut through his armor and into his chest.
"We have one prisoner, Sir," Farval said as he and Sharvit dragged a man over and dropped him beside Marvat's feet.
Barvil looked down at the wounded man and just glared silently for a moment before asking, "What were you after?"
The man looked up defiantly. "Ain't telling you nothin'," he whispered.
Barvil knelt and looked him in the eye. "You can die easy or hard. It's up to you."
"Ain't telling you nothin'," the man whispered again.
Barvil's eyes narrowed and he grabbed the man by the throat, but it was too late. He was already spitting up blood and choking, and in just a few moments he was dead. Barvil began searching the body, and soon sat back with a leather patch in his hand. "Kel'Portan Guards," he whispered. "Who would send them after this caravan?"
"Someone who wanted Stavin dead," Farval answered. Barvil's head snapped around to stare at him. "The second man I fought had me down, but abandoned me to attack Stave."
"Stavin," Barvil snapped, looking around until he spotted Stavin's golden armor. "How many?"
"Four, Sir," Stavin answered.
"I got two. Who else?" Barvil asked as he looked around.
"I got one," Farval answered.
"One for me," Sharvit added.
"One for me as well," Orkahn said.
"And me," Tavan said as he stepped forward.
"A ten-man team from the Kel'Portan Guards would have cost around a hundred gold crowns," Barvil mused. "They were committing treason by attacking Stavin, and knew it."
"The plot against the king?" Stavin asked.
"Almost certainly," Barvil agreed.
Rahlina walked up then and looked at the bodies on the ground. "Two more gone," she whispered. "None of my family were injured."
Stavin nodded and said, "That's good, Rahlina. We need to honor Marvat and Aldric before we continue on."
Barvil looked at his men and sighed. "Far, Tavan, start digging. Everyone else, start gathering stones." The warriors all moved to follow Barvil's orders, and so did a number of the traders. The graves were dug and Marvat and Aldric laid in them before Barvil spoke again.
"It is sometimes the fate of our warriors to die in the service of our people. Sergeant Marvat Kel'Sangran had eleven kills in his five expeditions. Aldric Kel'Ranat had two kills on his first expedition. They shall both be remembered among our honored dead. Sharvit, Orkahn, begin filling the graves." Everyone stood silently as the graves were filled halfway, then the stones that had been gathered were carefully placed, and the graves filled the rest of the way.
The bodies of the attackers had been stripped of the war booty and dumped in the bushes, and the caravan was preparing to move on again when the sound of running horses could be heard coming from ahead. Everyone braced for another attack, but it turned out to be a detachment of Evandian Army troops.
"Halt where you are!" the lieutenant in charge shouted as he pulled his horse to a stop. "You are under arrest!"
Stavin stepped forward and looked up at the mounted lieutenant. "Why are we under arrest?" he asked.
"For banditry," the lieutenant snarled.
"We're not bandits," Stavin snapped back at him. "We were attacked by bandits."
"A likely story," the lieutenant sneered. "One of the survivors caught up to us and told us how you'd attacked his caravan."
"This caravan belongs to the Kavadian house of Zel'Vandar. I am Master Trader--"
"I don't care what you call yourself, you're bandits. I should hang you all here and now."
Stavin looked up at the lieutenant, and his anger got the better of his sense. "I am Stavin, of the Farindian house of Kel'Aniston, named Friend of Evandia by King Kalin last summer, and Lieutenant of the Royal Guards less than a moon ago," he snarled. "You will dismount and show me the proper respect or I'll have you court-martialed."
"You-You-You can't be Friend Stavin," the lieutenant stammered.
Rahlina came forward with Stavin's Royal Guards cape in her hands, and Stavin stripped out of his Trader's Vest, revealing his golden armor fully. Rahlina took his vest while Barvil helped him fasten the cape.
"Troop, dismount!" Stavin snapped loudly. The senior men at the front obeyed, and the rest followed their lead. "Where is the man who claims we attacked his caravan?"
The lieutenant dismounted and looked at Stavin. "He rode on toward Kolovad. He said he was afraid for his life."
"He should be," Stavin said on a low, angry tone. "He is a member of the Kel'Portan Guards, and committed treason by attacking me. Now he's used you to delay us. Congratulations, Lieutenant. You've aided and abetted the escape of a traitor."
The lieutenant was swallowing nervously and looking around at his men, but none of them showed any willingness to come to his defense. He finally sighed and looked at the ground as Stavin continued to glare at him.
"How far are we from Kolovad?" Rahlina asked.
A sergeant looked at his officer before replying, "Half a day."
Stavin looked at Rahlina and bowed his head slightly. "We should go." Turning back to the lieutenant, he said, "I am going to need to send a message to Twin Bridges as soon as we arrive. Where is your garrison?"
"We have a small detachment on the south side of the city, Lieutenant Kel'Aniston," the lieutenant replied without looking up at Stavin.
"Very well. As soon as we get the caravan situated at the caravansary, I'll need you to escort me to your commander. I'll also need a good Healer as soon as we arrive." The lieutenant looked at him curiously. "One of my companions was seriously injured in the attack, and two more were killed."
"Yes, Lieutenant Kel'Aniston."
An older man wearing the stripes of a senior sergeant stepped forward then and addressed the lieutenant. "With all due respect, Sir, we could send a man ahead to get the Healer and have him meet us at the caravansary."
The lieutenant looked at the sergeant and nodded vigorously. "Yes, do that," he ordered.
The sergeant turned and looked at a corporal, made a gesture with his hand, and then turned back to face Stavin. Behind him, the corporal was mounting on the run and galloping off to the north. "There is a Master Healer who keeps shop near the south gate, Lieutenant Kel'Aniston. He'll be there waiting when we arrive."
Stavin nodded his approval. "Very well. I suggest we be on our way, then. Unless there is something else, Lieutenant?"
"No, Lieutenant Kel'Aniston," the lieutenant replied, hastily mounting his horse to lead the way to Kolovad.
Chapter 27
THE RIDE TO KOLOVAD TOOK THE rest of the day for the caravan, and they arrived near sundown to find the corporal and a man in elaborate Healer's robes waiting for them. Behind them waited a hundred soldiers. Stavin rode forward and spoke to the Healer. "I have a seriously injured man in the fifth wagon. He was hit in the chest by two crossbow bolts."
"And payment?" the Healer asked.
"I pay. Or do you doubt me as well?"
The Healer swallowed and stepped back, bowing deeply. "I trust you, Friend Stavin."
An Evandian Army colonel interrupted any further discussion. "Who are you?" he demanded.
Stavin sat straight in his saddle and replied, "I am Stavin Kel'Aniston, Friend of Evandia, Lieutenant in the Evandian Royal Guards, and Warleader Fifth of Kel'Kavin."
The colonel stared at him for a moment, then bowed his head slightly. "What happened out there, Lieutenant Kel'Aniston?"
"We were attacked by ten members of the Kel'Portan Guards. Two of my companions were killed, and two more injured." Stavin glanced at the young lieutenant. "An eleventh attacker escaped and sent your patrol to confront us. The lieutenant might be able to recognize him."
"Were you injured?" the colonel asked as
he examined Stavin.
Stavin shook his head. "No, but not for a lack of trying. Four men died trying to kill me, but they couldn't penetrate the dragon scale of my armor."
The colonel nodded again. "The corporal said you needed to send a message to Twin Bridges. What is it?"
"I'll write it out--"
"You'll tell me, and I'll decide if it's worth dispatching one of my messengers."
Stavin took a deep breath, then bowed his head. "Very well, Colonel. To Lord General Zel'Kordil, Royal Guards, from Lieutenant Stavin Kel'Aniston. Sir, our caravan was attacked by ten Kel'Portan Guards. I was specifically targeted, and I believe this attack may be a continuation of the attacks in the palace. It is my belief that the assassin in my suite may have been one of them. I respectfully suggest that the Royal Guard might want to investigate the Kel'Portan Guards and their possible involvement with the Zel'Candan family. With all due respect, Lieutenant Stavin Kel'Aniston, Friend of Evandia."
The colonel's face had gone pale and he was swallowing nervously. "You think the Kel'Portan Guards are involved in the plot against the king?" he asked.
Stavin bowed his head deeply. "I can think of no other reason for them to be after me, Sir."
"Gods Below." The colonel sighed and nodded slowly. "Your message will be sent immediately, Lieutenant Kel'Aniston. Where will you be?"
Stavin looked back at the caravan, then at the colonel. "Here, with my caravan."
"Very well. Good day, Lieutenant." With that the colonel turned and walked away, and the troops filed away behind him.
A well-dressed man was standing beside Rahlina when Stavin turned around. Rahlina inclined her head slightly and said, "Master Trader Stavin, this is Wallan Bel'Hordat, manager of the caravansary."
Stavin nodded deeply. "Is there a problem?"
"Ah, well, you see, you really should be wearing your Master Trader's vest," the man said, watching Stavin carefully.
"It's hardly appropriate under a Royal Guards’ cape, don't you think?" Stavin asked.
The man shook his head. "No, Friend Stavin. But, for your caravan--"
"I understand. Just a moment." Stavin took off his cape and traded Rahlina for his vest. He shrugged the vest into place, then looked the man in the eye and asked, "There. Are you satisfied now?"
"Yes, Master Trader. Your fees are five silver crowns a day," the man replied with a slight bow. Stavin reached into his armor and pulled out a pouch. He fished out five silver crowns and tossed them to the man.
"One day. Is there anything else?" The man simply bowed deeply in answer and hurried away.
There was a commotion near the fifth wagon, and Stavin and Rahlina all but ran to see what the trouble was. The Healer was climbing down, and Barvil asked, "How's Karvik?"
"The young man is out of danger, but he shouldn't be moved for three or four days. Even then, he's going to need a lot of rest for most of a moon. He came very close to dying. Now, Friend Stavin, as to the fee." He stepped over to Stavin and looked down at him. "This was a major endeavor. I must ask for five gold crowns in payment."
Stavin simply nodded and pulled the coins from his pouch. "Here." The Healer looked surprised that Stavin had simply paid, but wisely kept his mouth shut. He hurried off, quickly vanishing into the crowd.
Stavin turned to the trader and bowed his head. "I would like to keep Kar in your wagon."
"He's welcome, Stavin," the man said. "We owe him, and all of you, a lot more than a comfortable spot to recover."
Barvil looked at Stavin, then climbed up and disappeared into the wagon. Stavin scrambled up behind him and saw him brush the hair out of Karvik's eyes. "The Healer said you'll be all right, son," Barvil said as he looked at Karvik's bandaged chest.
Karvik was awake and nodded. "He told me."
Stavin backed down from the wagon, embarrassed by what he'd seen. There had been tears in Barvil's eyes, and he looked like he was about to break down. When Farval looked at him, he just shook his head. "Give them some time," was all he said.
Farval took charge while Barvil was occupied and set the guards around the caravan. The traders were busying themselves plying their trade, and all of the warriors watched as the people wandered from wagon to wagon.
Stavin was walking around the caravan with the others, and whispers followed him everywhere he went. He ignored them for the most part. It was nothing new. He was walking toward Rahlina's wagon when something hit him in the back, driving him to the ground.
Stavin was struggling to get to his feet when a huge weight landed on his back, driving him flat once again. A man's voice said, "Time to die, boy," and his head was pulled back. He saw a knife blade glint in the sun, then disappear from view. He felt pressure against the mail on his throat, but the blade couldn't penetrate the dragon scale. Before he could try a second time, the man's weight was gone from Stavin's back and a new sound made itself clear: the roar of an angry mob.
Shouts and screams of, "He attacked Friend Stavin!" mixed with calls of, "Kill the traitor!" Stavin looked over to where a man was being pummeled by more than a dozen men and women. He was fighting desperately, but even with knife and sword in hand he was overwhelmed.
A rock in the hand of a middle-aged woman crashed down on his head and he fell to the ground like a pole-axed pig. The mob continued to kick and beat him until Barvil bellowed, "Enough!" Then the people backed away, but not without a few parting kicks and punches. The man was unconscious and bleeding profusely, but alive.
Barvil looked around, caught Farval's eye, and pointed at Stavin. "Far, check Stavin and make sure he's in one piece. Sharvit, take Tavan and go find one of those soldiers. I think we have a prisoner for the colonel."
Stavin was sitting up when Farval walked over to him. "Are you hurt, Stavin?" he asked, and Stavin shook his head.
"No, but it was a near thing," Stavin replied as he rubbed the mail on his throat. "He almost got me."
Farval gave him a hand up, and they walked over to where Barvil was examining the traitor. "He's one of the Kel'Portan Guards," Barvil said, holding up a leather patch. "I think we have the one that got away."
Sharvit and Tavan returned moments later with four soldiers. "Sir, two more soldiers went to get their officers," Sharvit said as he came to a stop beside Barvil.
Barvil stood and nodded, looking down at the unconscious man. "I hope the colonel can find a mage to break the spell on him. Otherwise he'll probably die as soon as he realizes he's been captured."
No one had anything else to say until the colonel and lieutenant arrived. The colonel walked over and looked down into Stavin's eyes as he asked, "What happened, Lieutenant Kel'Aniston?" Stavin gave a quick report of what little he knew. When he was done, the colonel shook his head slowly. Turning to his subordinate, he said, "Get a litter and have this man taken to our infirmary. I'll contact Adept Venaris and get her over there as soon as possible. Hopefully she can break the suicide spell. If not, she may be able to spell him asleep until he can be taken to Twin Bridges. I'd hate to lose him. He's our only source of information right now."
The lieutenant snapped to attention and said, "Yes, Sir," then turned and pointed at four troopers. A litter was quickly improvised and the man put on it.
The colonel looked back at Stavin and said, "I'll send word if we learn anything."
Stavin bowed deeply and replied, "Thank you, Sir."
The colonel turned and walked away, and everyone else returned to their interrupted lives. Stavin again began strolling around the caravan, but something was nagging at the back of his mind. He'd seen something strange, but he couldn't remember what it was.
Shaking off the feeling, Stavin went about his duties as the master trader. Once everything settled down, he sought out Barvil. "Sir? I know I have to stay with the caravan, but the rest of our men don't. There isn't another bazaar on our route."
Barvil chuckled. "I was thinking of that as well, Stavin. I don't want to get that far away from Karvik right now, but if you
think you and I can handle the guard duty for a while, I'll let the others go."
Stavin smiled and nodded. "I think the two of us should be enough. Especially after the way the crowd reacted to me being attacked."
Chapter 28
"THAT WAS TOTALLY UNEXPECTED," A MAN said as he and his colleagues sat at a table in an up-scale tavern outside the caravansary. "The boy has made plenty of enemies, but I didn't think he'd be attacked in broad daylight."
"The reaction of the crowd is what worries me," a second man said as he sipped his beer. "That was out of character for commoners."
"Maybe so, maybe not," the third man said, leaning forward with his elbows on the table. "The little bastard is a folk hero right now for saving the king. I'd imagine that every one of those common slugs will be bragging about how he saved the life of our precious Friend Stavin, even if all they did was kick the man once he was down."
"We will have to be far more circumspect," the first man said in a near whisper. "Being torn limb-from-limb by an angry mob is not how I see myself dying."
* * *
Farval led the rest of the warriors to the bazaar while Stavin and Barvil watched. "Did you give Far a list of things you wanted?" Barvil asked.
Stavin shook his head. "Sharvit. Farval has enough on his mind right now. I gave him one of my purses as well."
Barvil smiled and shrugged. "I gave my list to Far. Let's get on watch." The two men walked around the wagons, their expressions carefully neutral as they surveyed the crowd. The crowd, however, had a completely different reaction to Stavin.
Where Stavin had been watched curiously just about every place they had gone before, now the crowd was openly friendly toward him. People smiled broadly and gave him courteous bows as he passed. Older men smiled and came to attention, remembering their Army training no matter how long ago they had served. And under it all was an air of possessive pride, as if Stavin were one of their own.
Traders and Traitors (Stavin DragonBlessed Book 2) Page 23