Gods Above and Below (Stavin DragonBlessed Book 6)

by Loren K. Jones

  The court fell silent almost instantly. Then the king and queen stood, forcing everyone to stand with them. “We welcome Prince Stavin,” King Alred said as he looked around, “and honor the Blessed of Arandar.” Then he and Queen Alantana went to both knees and bowed their heads. Everyone else in the court was forced to do the same, though Stavin was certain that many of the lords and ladies would have rather spit in his face than honor Arandar.

  Stavin walked the length of the room and bowed deeply once he reached the dais. “I thank you for your greeting, King Alred and Queen Alantana, and I am honored. Rise now and let the Light of Arandar the Bright shield you from evil, and let the love of the Gods Above fill your souls.”

  The sound of more than a hundred people sighing, some in reverence, others in exasperation, swept through the room as the king and queen returned to their thrones.

  King Alred raised one finger and ten men and women came forward, stopping to bow to the king and queen, then again to Stavin.

  King Alred spoke once everyone was standing again. “Prince Stavin, in acknowledgment of your status as the Blessed of Arandar, the high priests and priestesses of the Gods Above and the Gods Below have joined us. The first is the High Priest of Arandar, Thanal Zel’Mestan,” the king paused as an elderly man stepped forward to bow. He shot a quick glance at the dais, then stepped back.

  Stavin returned the bow with a deep bow of his own, but didn’t say anything.

  The king shifted his attention to the other side of the group. “Of equal importance is the High Priest of Eshokanal, Meral Zel’Ravel.”

  To the obvious surprise of many people, the king included, Stavin bowed to Eshokanal’s high priest as deeply as he had to Arandar’s.

  The introductions continued in the same pattern. The king introduced the High Priestess of Sahrana, Barinda Zel’Corvan, the High Priestess of Ravashanal, Helana Zel’Cordan, the High Priest of Alankarah, Naral Zel’Coopran, the High Priest of Omalaha, Gregan Zel’Winten, the High Priestess of Mariniva, Amelie Zel’Restan, the High Priestess of Nokavala, Carissan Zel’Asten, the High Priestess of Ordendershandaram, Arenan Zel’Havenlock, and finally the High Priest of Kaysandershandaram, Nestor Zel’Keranal.

  Stavin returned every bow just as deeply as the first. When the introductions were done, Stavin addressed the group. “I am pleased to meet you all. My time in Rey is limited, and there are many people and tasks that absolutely must command my attention. For that reason, I would prefer to meet with you all as a group rather than individually. Be aware, however, that there are many things I do not know about my blessing and Arandar’s plans for the future.”

  Thanal Zel’Mestan took half a step forward and said, “That is unacceptable. You must be available to us for rigorous testing and questioning as to your fitness to claim Arandar’s blessing.”

  Stavin shook his head. “No. If you wish to question Arandar’s decision, I suggest you do so in your own temple. I will set aside a short time to meet with all of you and discuss the implications of my blessing and what I’ve learned and surmised about the Gods Above and Below, but it will not be more than twelve spans.”

  “This is intolerable!” the high priest shouted, then turned toward the dais and pointed one hand at Stavin as he snapped, “Your majesties, I demand this man be delivered to the Temple of Arandar at once.”

  Queen Alantana leaned forward and snapped back, “No. Prince Stavin is an honored visitor, a scion of Evandia’s Zel’Andral dynasty, a scion of Coravia’s Zel’Darvin dynasty, and the current heir to the throne of Coravia. Now get back in your place, Thanal, before I have you escorted out of the palace.”

  “Tana?”

  “You will address me as Queen Alantana or Your Majesty, or you’ll be begging forgiveness from the dungeon.”

  Thanal Zel’Mestan, High Priest of Arandar the Bright, bowed to his cousin before silently returning to his place. The expression on his face was a mixture of surprise warring with tightly suppressed anger.

  The assorted priests and priestesses bowed together and filed out of the court. Queen Alantana had left them no other recourse. Stavin met the eye of each of them, but didn’t feel anything odd. Not even from Eshokanal and Ravashanal’s priests.

  The king spoke, breaking Stavin’s concentration. “Our apologies, Prince Stavin.”

  Stavin bowed deeply. “I took no offense, King Alred.”

  “You are a remarkably tolerant man, Prince Stavin. Tonight, we will be having a banquet in your honor. For the rest of today, I invite you to join my council for the purpose of discussing Trade.”

  Stavin bowed deeply before answering, “I would be honored, King Alred.”

  A well-dressed man came to Stavin’s side and bowed. “Prince Stavin, I am Minister of Trade Kaster Brandan Forsin Zel’Nardat,” he said as he smiled down at him. “I would be honored to escort you to the council chamber.”

  Stavin bowed his head and took a step. “Thank you, Minister Zel’Nardat. We shouldn’t keep the king waiting.”

  Minister Zel’Nardat nodded as he turned to keep pace with Stavin. “Indeed, Prince Stavin.”

  The walk was a short one, and Stavin was nodding as they walked. “This palace is almost identical to the Luxandian palace.”

  “Indeed, Prince Stavin. As you probably know, Reynadia was the first province added to the empire. Emperor Caldan Zel’Lepernal ordered an exact replica of his palace in Lux built here.” He chuckled and grinned at Stavin. “Supposedly it was so he’d never get lost sneaking off to his mistresses’ quarters when he was drunk.”

  Stavin grinned and chuckled in return. “I’ve heard similar stories concerning the other palaces. Every palace I’ve visited has had similar layouts.”

  “I’ve only been to Lux,” Zel’Nardat commented. “Perhaps I’ll have the chance to visit you in Twin Bridges if we come to an arrangement on Trade.”

  “I hope that is possible,” Stavin agreed with a smile just as they reached the council chamber doors.

  Stavin looked over his shoulder and said, “Major Kel’Carin, post your men.”

  Karvik replied, “Yes, Your Highness,” and pointed to both sides of the hall. His men split off and took up guard positions to protect their prince, facing the Reynadian Royal Guards who were posted to protect their king and queen.

  The council chamber was almost exactly the same as the one in Twin Bridges, the only difference being in the furnishings. Where King Kalin kept his Council Chamber furnishings plain and utilitarian, King Alred had chosen elaborate furniture that looked Cornardian in design. Stavin automatically moved to the chair closest to the door, the one exactly opposite the king’s chair. He remained standing as the Ministers of the King’s Council sorted themselves out.

  King Alred and Queen Alantana entered the room and Stavin bowed with the rest of the council. The king sat first, then the queen. At the king’s nod, Stavin took his seat. Only after Stavin was seated did the king signal his ministers to take their seats.

  King Alred nodded to Stavin before saying, “If you would care to begin, Prince Stavin.”

  Stavin stood and bowed to the king before speaking. “King Alred, Queen Alantana, honored ministers, I am pleased and honored to address you today. There is very little trade between our kingdoms, and that is a situation we, King Kalin as well as the Evandian Traders’ Guild, would like to remedy. The greatest impediment to Trade is the distance, which we can do nothing about. Nearly as great are the taxes each of us charge the others’ Traders. That we can address.” Stavin paused to look at the ministers, then returned his attention to the king.

  “King Kalin proposes, and the Evandian Traders’ Guild endorses, a reduction of the tax to one half of its current five percent. As a member of the Aravad Traders’ Council, I am aware of your Favored Traders agreement with them. I was the one who proposed a similar arrangement between Evandia and the Aravad Traders’ Council.” He paused again and looked Minister Zel’Nardat in the eye for an instant.

  Minister of
Trade Zel’Nardat stood and Stavin sat to relinquish the floor to him. “Prince Stavin, the agreement between Reynadia and Aravad is very limited. The greatest impediment to Trade isn’t the distance so much as Kavadia itself, and the southern kingdoms between us. The taxes in Coravia and Luxandia combine to a total of ten percent. Kavadia, while there is no tax on Trade, is the haunt of bandits and thieves the likes of which no other kingdom holds.”

  Stavin stood and nodded. “All true. However, now that we are all thinking along the same lines, I have a second proposal. The Aravad Traders’ Council and the Kavadian Traders’ Guild have reached an agreement to encourage Trade. What they are proposing is that they hire mercenaries, or build an army of Guild Guardsmen, and clean out those bandits.” He looked around and noted the looks of surprise on the ministers’ faces.

  “The Kavadian Traders are, in essence, proposing that they become a real government, with all of the attendant rights and responsibilities of the king and council in their hands. They would turn Kavadia back into a--well, kingdom isn’t the right word, is it? I suppose they’ll think of something to call themselves. Anyway, they would return some semblance of order to the former kingdom.”

  “What’s the catch?” Queen Alantana asked without standing.

  Stavin bowed to the queen before replying, “They are going to start taxing Trade.”

  “What!” one of the ministers snapped as he stood. “Kavadia has never taxed Trade!”

  Stavin stood calmly until the man sat. “The Kingdom of Kavadia did. When the Empire fragmented and everyone went their own way, Kavadia, like Reynadia and the other kingdoms, established a five percent tax on goods entering their territory. It was only after their kingdom fell apart two hundred and twenty-seven years later that the kingdom’s tax went away, only to be replaced by local warlords and bandit kings demanding tribute.”

  “Are you Evandia’s Minister of Trade or Kavadia’s?” a woman asked in a jovial tone, only to be silenced by the king.

  “Shut your fool mouth, Lynnis!”

  The woman looked at the king with wide eyes, then said, “But, King Al-”

  “Shut up, Lynnis!” Queen Alantana snapped, her eyes blazing in fury. “You will not embarrass us today!”

  King Alred stood and faced Stavin. “Our apologies, Prince Stavin. My Minister of Culture sometimes forgets her manners.”

  Stavin bowed and replied, “I take no offense, King Alred.” Turning slightly, he bowed his head to the woman. “I am Evandia’s Minister of Trade, as well as a Master Trader in Evandia, Kavadia, Coravia, Luxandia, and now in Reynadia. Evandia has already agreed to these proposals with Kavadia, and Coravia is considering them. As Evandia’s Minister of Trade, it is my duty to make proposals that will benefit my kingdom. If they also benefit other kingdoms, or whatever Kavadia eventually decides to call itself, then that is an added bonus.”

  Stavin smiled as he looked around the room. “An added bonus for all of us would be security. Reynadia is second only to Coravia in the size of its border with Kavadia. Evandia’s border with Kavadia is only about one third of Reynadia’s.”

  An older man stood and waited for Stavin to sit before speaking. “Prince Stavin, I am Lord General Glan Zel’Pestra. Aside from the Traders controlling their own roads for a change, what benefit is there? Much of the border is wilderness.” The general sat and Stavin stood to answer.

  “Lord General Zel’Pestra, that is a question I cannot answer. The Kavadian Traders’ Guild has instituted a new policy that might work: All goods must have a valid bill of sale to be sold in Kavadia. What we have seen in the west has been a lot of bandits being captured and put out of business when they’ve tried to sell their stolen goods.”

  The general nodded, but he appeared to be lost in thought. Stavin waited patiently until the general looked him in the eye again.

  “We would have to maintain the border forts for quite some time, but eventually we’d be able to scale them back.” Turning to the king, he bowed his head deeply. “While I can see the Traders’ Guild being inconvenienced by this, the rest of Reynadia, and especially the Kavadian border area, will benefit immensely.”

  The king nodded as he looked around, but not all of the ministers seemed to like the idea. None of them were incautious enough to openly disagree with something the king approved of, but the blank expressions some of them wore were just as eloquent.

  Queen Alantana stood and the general immediately yielded to her. “Prince Stavin,” she began with a tender smile, “now that the business of Trade has been discussed, I would like to open the discussion to your ascension as the Blessed of Arandar.”

  Stavin stood and bowed to the queen, then said, “I am at your service, Your Majesty.”

  The discussion was a familiar one. Stavin told the story as it really happened, and politely corrected the misconceptions that were based on minstrels’ tales.

  He answered every question he was asked, though several of the ministers refused to accept “I don’t know” as an answer until the king said, “The Gods keep their own council, and it is not for mortal man to question their motives.”

  That well-known quote, one so old that its origins were lost to the mists of time, ended the discussion. That, plus the angry glare the king was directing at several of his ministers.

  Stavin managed not to grin as he looked around. Glad he’s not looking at me like that. He reminds me of Barvil on the practice ground.

  Chapter 18

  A KNOCK AT THE DOOR WAS answered, and a servant took one step into the room and bowed. “My Lord King, as you instructed, the mid day meal is prepared and awaits your pleasure.”

  “Good,” the king said as he clapped his hands, “I’m hungry.” The king stood and everyone stood with him, waiting in their places until he and the queen had walked around the room to the door.

  Queen Alantana smiled and said, “Walk with us, Prince Stavin.” Stavin bowed deeply, then stepped forward to walk at the queen’s right hand.

  King Alred spoke without looking at Stavin. “My staff had a few words with your guardsmen, Stavin, and my cooks have made an effort to fix your favorite dishes.”

  Stavin replied, “Thank you, Your Majesty,” without breaking stride, not bothering to tell the king that his favorite dishes were anything he didn’t have to cook himself. His guardsmen had probably just given the servants their own favorites, knowing that Stavin would eat just about anything.

  The dining hall was as ornate as any Stavin had seen. The roof beams were bare, and had been ornately carved to depict scenes from Reynadia’s history. The walls, the height of three normal rooms, were decorated with frescoes and reliefs. The dining hall was dominated by a raised platform with a single long table that stretched across the room. The lower portion of the room was filled with ten long tables surrounded by ornately carved and luxuriously padded chairs.

  Queen Alantana noticed Stavin’s intense scanning of the room and smiled. She whispered, “You seem impressed, Stavin.”

  “I am, Your Majesty,” Stavin whispered back. “I’ve never seen a dining hall that was anywhere near this impressive, not even in the Imperial Palace of Luxand.”

  “That, my young friend, is exactly why my ancestors had this built,” King Alred whispered.

  The room was already full of far more than a hundred people, and they all fell silent when a herald banged his staff on the floor.

  “Their Majesties King Alred and Queen Alantana thank you for joining them, and ask that you greet their guest, His Royal Highness, Dragon Blessed Senior Warmaster Prince Stavin Markan Karvan Do’Kalin Ne’Aniston Zel’Andral of Evandia, Heir of Coravia, former King of Coravia, Blessed of Arandar the Bright, Minister of Trade for Evandia, and Master of the Kel’Aniston Trading House.”

  Almost as one everyone in the room bowed deeply. Stavin bowed slightly in return, then followed the king to the table.

  “On my right, please, Stavin,” King Alred murmured. “Jer and Kira will move down a seat.”
<
br />   Stavin acknowledged the request with a bow, and looked at the table. The king’s seat was obvious and the seat beside it was empty. Prince Jerlan was already in the next seat, and he winked at Stavin then glanced at the empty chair. Stavin couldn’t help grinning back.

  Once everyone was in place, King Alred addressed the crowd. “We are honored by the presence of the Blessed of Arandar, Prince Stavin of Evandia. He will be with us for just a short time, but he has assured us that he will make what time he may available to speak to those who desire an audience.” With that he took his seat, with Queen Alantana just a heartbeat behind him.

  Orlan came forward and seated Stavin as the senior servants seated everyone else. Stavin was hyperaware of everything in the room, and he felt the familiar, warm and comforting presence of Arandar. There was another presence as well, one he could not identify but made his stomach flutter all the same. Fear, like he’d felt facing Barvil when he asked for Dorvina the first time, brought his shoulders forward. His eyes darted around the room until he saw a woman staring at him. Her face was beautiful, and her body everything a man could desire, but her eyes repelled him.

  Stavin felt his lips form the words, “I know you,” though no sound accompanied the motion. The woman looked startled for an instant, then looked away.

  Stavin felt the fear dissipate all at once and a wry smile twisted his lips.

  “Lovely, isn’t she?”

  Stavin whipped his head around to find Prince Jerlan grinning at him. “I beg your pardon, Prince Jerlan?”

  “Lady Servallan,” the prince replied with a grin. “I saw you two lock eyes. She’s from the western mountains. Word is that she’s unattached.” The prince’s grin was suggestive, but Stavin shook his head.

  “I am attached.”

  “No one would know.”

  Stavin shook his head. “I would know. That’s enough.”

  Now Prince Jerlan’s expression became puzzled. “Are you telling me that you haven’t availed yourself of a willing young companion this entire trip?”