The Coravian Conflict (Stavin DragonBlessed Book 5)

by Loren K. Jones

  GENERAL KEL’ESHEN HADN’T NEEDED TO GIVE any orders. His second in command had heard it all and arranged a force of two hundred men. Those men were waiting behind them as the general turned away from the inn.

  “To the Cutter’s temple!” he shouted.

  The sound that came back from the troops made the short hairs on the back of Karvik’s neck stand up. Major Zel’Astel was similarly affected. “Someone is very unpopular,” the major muttered. Karvik simply nodded.

  It was a long walk to the temple of Lebawan, long enough to for Karvik to get nervous. “This is bad,” he whispered to the major. “They sound like an angry mob.” Major Zel’Astel nodded his agreement.

  The temple of the god Lebawan was old and impressive, dating back to imperial times. The facade was adorned with Lebawan’s Shears in a circle of gold. Around it were depictions of the finest human forms, rendered with superior skill and exquisite care.

  “Lebawan’s perfect specimens,” Karvik muttered.

  “Karvar Zel’Draval!” General Kel’Eshen shouted. “Come out of there, Priest of the Cutter.”

  A man emerged from the temple, but his simple red robe gave notice that he was not the high priest. He was, however, arrogant enough to be one. “Who are you to speak that way to the high priest of the greatest of the gods!?” he demanded.

  The general waved his men forward with the command, “Bring that fool down here,” and ten of the troops rushed up to drag the startled priest to their commander.

  “Stop this! You can’t do this to me! I am a priest of the great god Lebawan!” the priest shouted all the way until he was thrown roughly to the ground at General Kel’Eshan’s feet.

  “Where is Karvar Zel’Draval?” he demanded in an angry growl.

  “High Priest Zel’Draval has gone to Moravad,” he replied as he looked up at the men around him, “but when he returns, all of you will be condemned!”

  The general looked at his men and snapped, “Imprison this fool in the fort guardhouse,” he snared.

  “You can’t!” the priest shouted. “You can’t imprison a priest for following the commands of his God!”

  “I can when those commands involve treason,” the general snarled in reply as he glared at the priest.

  “T-Treason?” the priest asked, suddenly not so sure of himself. He looked at the troops and seemed about to panic.

  The general just stared at him, then waved toward the fort and commanded, “Take him away.”

  Major Zel’Astel stepped forward. “General, we will report these events to Prince Stavin.”

  “Thank you, Major. When are you planning to continue on to Moravad?”

  The Major looked at Karvik for an answer. Karvik shrugged. “Tomorrow, probably. Stavin hadn’t planned on staying this long.”

  The general was glaring at Karvik as he said, “Just because his highness isn’t here is no reason to be disrespectful, Major.”

  “Sir?” Karvik asked as his head tilted to the side.

  “Let it go, General,” Major Zel’Astel said in a resigned tone. “Major Kel’Carin and Prince Stavin are closer than most brothers. Except they don’t fight as much as my brothers and I do.”

  “Prince Stavin and I were friends in Kavinston. We were greenlings together on our first expedition to the lowlands, Sir,” Karvik said with a grin. “I won a silver crown from him because I made my first kill before he did.”

  “You--Of course.” The general shook his head slowly. “I should have known.”

  “Sir?” Karvik asked again.

  “You were promoted to keep you at the prince’s side. You are really too young to be a major, no offense intended.”

  Karvik looked at Major Zel’Astel, then started laughing. The major laughed as well. “General Kel’Eshen,” Major Zel’Astel said, “Major Kel’Carin was promoted because he’s almost as dangerous as Prince Stavin. Those two hollowed stars on his shoulder are there because he has more than sixty combat kills.”

  Karvik looked at the major and said, “Sixty and six, Major,” with a slight bow. Turning back to the general, he bowed deeply. “Major Zel’Astel is the commander of this expedition because of my lack of experience, Sir, but my rank is no more than I have earned.”

  The general seemed stunned by that revelation, but “Remarkable,” was all he said. Major Zel’Astel and Karvik both bowed as the general turned and walked away.

  “Back to the inn, Major?” Karvik asked.

  “Yes. I’m sure Prince Stavin is going to want to know what has happened as soon as we can get there.”

  It was nearing mid day by the time they reached the inn. Major Zel’Astel slowed his pace so it was Karvik who reached the inn first.

  * * *

  Stavin, as was his right, had reorganized the Royal Guards as soon as the general led his force away.

  “Master Sergeant Zel’Halvis,” he’d said as soon as he was sure his family was all right, “post half of your women here around our table. I don’t want anyone who isn’t one of our people near Shari and the kids. I want half of the force on watch around the perimeter of the room, and the other half resting. You’ll be on turn and turnabout until we leave.”

  “As you command, Prince Stavin,” she replied with a bow.

  Stavin walked over and looked at Sindal’s nose. “Broken?” he asked. She nodded mutely, and Stavin looked at the innkeeper’s wife. “Get a Healer. The best this city has to offer.”

  The woman looked apprehensive, then bowed and hurried away. Stavin looked at his maids and said, “Helva, I’d like a beer and something to eat. Take a guardsman with you.” He paused as she bowed and turned away, then motioned to the guardsman closest to her. As they left, Stavin turned his attention to Delva.

  “Take two guardsmen up to the suite and fetch Sindal some clean clothes. After the Healer is through with her she’s going to need to change.” Delva bowed and started away with two of the guardsmen automatically following on her heels.

  Stavin looked around and shook his head, then went to the table and deposited each of the girls in a chair before taking the seat at Shari’s side. Taking her hand, he kissed her palm. “I’m so glad I left my Dragon’s Tongue here.”

  “So am I,” Shari agreed, running one finger down the haft of the weapon as a fond smile curved her lips. She still had it at her side with the bottom blade dug into the wood of the floor. “It made all the difference, but I want my own.”

  “Huh?”

  “I want my own Dragon’s Tongue.” She turned so that she was staring directly into Stavin’s eyes.

  Stavin chose his words carefully. “Shari, I don’t think--” She cut him off with a raised hand as soon as he started.

  “No, Stavin. If you hadn’t left yours behind--I want my own weapon, Stavin. One cut to my size that I have been practicing with. You need yours. I need mine.”

  Stavin took a deep breath, then nodded as he let it go. “You’re right, of course. Private Kel’Farin, step over here a moment.”

  “How may I be of service, Warmaster Zel’Andral?”

  “Oh, don’t pretend you weren’t listening, Elissa,” Shari said in a sour tone. “I know you far too well for that.”

  Elissa Kel’Farin grinned at her childhood friend and asked, “How can I help you, Shari?”

  Stavin answered, “You’re about Shari’s size, Elissa. I’m writing a note to Colonel Zel’Garval at Fort Zel’Keldan requesting a Dragon’s Tongue cut to your measure.”

  “So no one but us knows she’s armed, Warmaster?”

  “That’s the idea, anyway,” Shari answered.

  Stavin looked over and said, “Master Sergeant Zel’Halvis, send four men with her. I want this to look as much like we’re just picking up a replacement weapon as we can manage.”

  “Yes, Your Highness,” she replied. “Private Kel’Farin, leave your sword here. They’ll have fewer questions if you’re not armed.”

  Elissa bowed and said, “Yes, Master Sergeant.” She slipped her baldr
ic over her head and handed it to another of the guardswomen, then took the note from Stavin and bowed again. She and her escort left the inn immediately.

  “Stavin,” Shari said in a soft tone, “I’m worried about this. What could the priests of the Cutter want with us?”

  Stavin shook his head. “I can’t imagine, Shari. We’ll have to ask their high priest when General Kel’Eshen brings him here.”

  It was just a short time later that the innkeeper’s wife returned with a tall woman at her side. The guardswomen stopped both of them before they could reach the royal family.

  “That’s close enough,” Master Sergeant Zel’Halvis said as she held a hand out to stop them.

  “Stand aside!” the Healer commanded.

  “No,” the Lady of Zel’Halvis replied. “You can treat Mistress Sindal over there.” She pointed to the next table.

  “Now see here,” the Healer began, but Stavin cut her off.

  “Don’t even try,” he said without standing. “The Evandian Royal Guards don’t obey anyone but their officers or the Royal Family.” And sometimes not us, either, he continued silently.

  The woman glared at him for an instant, then bowed. “Very well,” she said as she turned away. “Who am I to treat?”

  Sindal had already stood and now she stepped forward. The Healer looked at her for a moment, then shook her head. “Sit here,” she commanded softly as she put her hands on the back of a chair.

  Sindal did as instructed, and the Healer hummed as she assessed the damage. “A simple break. Here,” she said as she touched Sindal’s forehead, “now I won’t have to listen to you scream.” Without another word, she grabbed Sindal’s nose and twisted. The sound of cracking cartilage was loud in the common room for an instant, then the Healer stepped back.

  “Good,” the Healer said. “Now your nose is straight, and it will be completely healed in a day or two.” Turning to Stavin, she bowed slightly. “That will be two gold crowns.”

  “Two gold!” Master Sergeant Zel’Halvis demanded loudly. “For that?”

  “Two gold for the inconvenience of being dragged across town to treat a miserable servant,” the Healer snapped.

  Master Sergeant Zel’Halvis glared at the woman and said, “Watch your tone with me.”

  The Healer sneered and said, “With you? A lowly guard?”

  Sharindis snapped to her feet and walked between the guardswomen. She grasped the Healer by the shoulder and spun her around. The Healer’s expression was one of shock warring with anger, but the innkeeper’s wife had informed her who had sent the summons.

  “If you don’t watch what you say,” Shari snarled in a low, angry tone, “I’ll let Lady Master Sergeant Zel’Halvis take you out to the circle.”

  The Healer looked stunned. “Lady Master Sergeant?” she asked in a disbelieving tone.

  “That is correct,” the Lady of Zel’Halvis said, drawing the Healer’s attention away from Sharindis.

  “I beg your forgiveness,” the Healer finally said, bowing to Sharindis and again to Master Sergeant Zel’Halvis.

  Shari said, “Very well,” then held out two gold crowns. The Healer looked confused for a moment, then took just one of them with a bow. She didn’t say anything else as she backed away two steps, then turned and walked rapidly to the door.

  Shari turned to look at Sindal and hummed, then said, “That looks better, but you still look like a raccoon.”

  Sindal laughed, then winced. “Please don’t make me laugh, Princess Shari.”

  “It’s comforting to know that you still can laugh,” Shari said as she returned to her seat.

  “Yes, it is,” Stavin agreed. He finished his beer, then looked wistfully at the mug.

  “Not till the mid day meal,” Shari said when she saw him. “It isn’t that long to wait.”

  Stavin nodded, then looked at Sindal again. “Why don’t you go change, Sindal? We won’t need you for a while.”

  Sindal stood and bowed, then she and Delva went to the first-floor necessary. Helva looked after them for an instant, then turned her attention back to the table.

  “With your permission, Princess Sharindis, I’ll go to the kitchen and check on the mid day meal.” Shari nodded so she stood and bowed, then turned toward the kitchen. Stavin gestured with two fingers and two of the guardsmen followed her.

  With both maids gone, the twins came around the table and climbed into Stavin’s lap. Stavin cuddled both of them for a moment before Shari took Sahren.

  “We can leave on schedule tomorrow, Stavi,” she said as she took her seat. “I’d like to show my back to this town.”

  Stavin nodded. “I’d like to show my horse’s backside to this town.”

  Karlin and the twins started giggling, and Stavin smiled as the last of the tension drained from Shari’s shoulders. He looked around and saw the guards grinning as well.

  Good, he thought. Everyone needs to calm down before something worse happens.

  Helva returned and bowed. “The mid day meal is ready if you are hungry, Your Highnesses,” she announced.

  “What do they have, Helva?” Shari asked.

  “They prepared roast duck, mutton stew, roast elk, and a very nice vegetable soup.”

  “Very nice?” Stavin asked with a grin as the guards chuckled.

  She grinned back and said, “I had to sample it to make sure it was fit to eat, Prince Stavin.”

  The guardsman to her left smiled at his prince and said, “The cook was almost begging for her approval.”

  Stavin chuckled and shook his head. “Very well. Roast elk for me.”

  “I’ll have the soup,” Shari said, “and so will the girls.”

  “I want roast elk, too,” Karlin said, looking at his parents.

  Helva bowed and said, “Yes, Your Highnesses,” then turned away. The guardsmen automatically went with her.

  Sindal and Delva returned moments later. Stavin looked at Delva and said, “Your sister is bringing the mid day meal. You should go help. How is your nose, Sindal?”

  “Better, Prince Stavin. Thank you for getting the Healer.”

  Stavin smiled and bowed his head slightly. “You are part of our entourage, Sindal. It is no more than you deserve.” Sindal bowed and turned away, going to the kitchen to help with the food.

  The food was very good, and all five of them were well satisfied by the meal. Stavin looked up to find Master Sergeant Zel’Halvis watching him. “You should dismiss your people to eat, Master Sergeant.”

  She bowed and said, “Yes, Prince Stavin,” then began selecting half her force and sending them to eat. That didn’t mean they left. Sharindis had insisted that they stay out in the common room of the inn, so the guards took seats at the tables around the royal family.

  The second set of guards was almost finished eating when Karvik and Major Zel’Astel arrived. Karvik went straight to Stavin’s side and bowed.

  “The high priest was gone, supposedly to Moravad.”

  Stavin sighed and shook his head slowly. “We’ll catch up with him there. Did you learn anything useful?”

  Karvik nodded. “Lebawan, and by extension His high priest, isn’t very popular with the troops. For a moment, I thought they were going to storm the temple.”

  Stavin looked at Shari and shook his head. “What could they have been trying to do?”

  * * *

  High Priest Karvar Zel’Draval was blissfully unaware of the happenings behind him in Kandalvad. He had been on the road for seven days, traveling leisurely toward Moravad and spreading the glory of Lebawan as he went.

  “This town is filled with defectives,” he muttered in a contemptuous tone. “Look at them! Not a single specimen of humanity that Lebawan can allow to exist.”

  “Shall we begin, oh Most Perfect?” a Priest Inquisitor asked, and his high priest simply nodded. The Inquisitor raised his hand and motioned toward the town and a hundred men rushed forward. Mostly Shear Priests and commoners devoted to Lebawan, they entered ev
ery building, forcing people out of their homes and shops to stand in the town square.

  “You filthy defectives are going to be honored by the inspection and judgment of the Most Perfect High Priest Karvar Zel’Draval, Eye of Lebawan, Cutter of the Defective.”

  A man stepped forward and shouted, “We don’t follow Lebawan here! You don’t have any right to inspect or judge us!” One of the Shear Priests stepped forward and gutted the man with a quick slice from the badge of his office.

  “Lebawan is the only true god, you unworthy defective,” the priest shouted as he looked into the dying man’s eyes.

  The people of the town started screaming, but the Priests of Lebawan had a sufficient force to contain them. High Priest Zel’Draval watched as the people were brought before him one-by-one, stripped to the skin for his inspection, and then either herded to one side to re-dress themselves, or dragged naked to the growing group of the condemned.

  It took two full days to properly inspect them all. They were all so filthy. In the end seventeen were judged of sufficient purity to be allowed to live: fifty-three were set to be destroyed.

  The defective men were bound to a fence close together as the priests and their more fortunate kinfolk collected stones. Then the stoning began, and the priests forced the pure among the townsfolk to cast the first stones.

  High Priest Zel’Draval frowned when he noticed that two of the men he’d allowed to live were taking very accurate aim at the heads of the condemned, and throwing very hard as well.

  “Bring those two to me,” he commanded as he pointed at the men, and four Priest Inquisitors grabbed each of them, throwing them to the ground at his feet. “You two are casting stones too hard, and aiming at the heads of the condemned!” he bellowed. “They are to be made to suffer for bringing their defects into Lebawan’s realm.”

  “They are our families,” one of them said in a tear-choked voice. “We can’t stop you, but we can grand some mercy to our own.”

  High Priest Zel’Draval looked down at them and said, “It is obvious that your defect lies in your mind. Tie him with the rest!”

  The second man chose that moment to act. Surging to his feet, he reached for Karvar Zel’Draval’s throat. He wasn’t fast enough. One of the Inquisitors drove the silver shears of his office into the man’s back, severing his spine.