High Priest Zel’Draval simply shook his head. “How unfortunate. Now his soul will not be purified for his next incarnation. Carry on.”
The stoning took all day to end the defective men’s lives, then the priests turned on the women. “Punish them for bringing defectives into Lebawan’s realm,” the High Priest commanded, then stood and watched as each filthy woman was properly punished for her misdeeds.
Chapter 8
THERE WERE NO ANSWERS TO STAVIN and Shari’s questions that day. The next morning, as they prepared to leave, General Kel’Eshen met them on the porch.
“Prince Stavin, I thought I might bulk up your escort a little. I think you remember Captain Rahllan Zel’Corval from yesterday.” He paused as Stavin nodded to the captain. “He and the one hundred men and women of the Second Company of the Eighteenth Cavalry will be joining you, if you have no objections. After yesterday, I’d feel better if you had a larger force around you.”
Stavin bowed and said, “Thank you, General Kel’Eshen. I think Shari and I will both feel better as well.”
Captain Zel’Corval stepped forward and bowed to Stavin, then addressed Karvik. “Major, I have been instructed to place this force under your command.”
“Very well, Captain. Place twenty-five of your men ahead of us and the rest behind. I see you have several supply wagons. We’ll keep them and the baggage wagons in the very back.” Karvik glanced at Major Zel’Astel and got a nod of approval.
Major Zel’Astel turned to Shari and said, “I really must insist that you and the children stay in the carriage, Your Highness. Prince Stavin is well protected by his armor, but I’d prefer he ride in the carriage as well.” He looked at Stavin and shrugged. “Not that even King Kalin could get him to do it.”
Stavin grinned. “Well, maybe Kalin could manage it.”
“Not likely,” Shari muttered as she took a step toward the carriage. The servants brought the children and soon all of them were comfortably arranged for the trip.
Stavin nodded to Karvik, and the reinforced expedition was soon back on the road to Moravad. They traveled without incident for two days. Early on the third day, that changed.
* * *
The sunrise cast a bloody red glow over the scene at the mine, making it seem even more grisly than it was. That was significant in light of the brutality of the slaughter.
Circling carrion birds had caught Stavin’s attention, and he’d sent a strong patrol of Royal Guards and Coravian cavalry to investigate. Now he stood on a slight rise, looking down on the killing ground.
Karvik and Captain Zel’Corval walked up to him and came to attention. “Prince Stavin, you should return to the road,” the captain said as he bowed slightly. “You shouldn’t see what was done down there.”
“Kar?” Stavin asked.
“I have to agree, but for different reasons. There are thirty bodies down there, tied to the fences, and it’s bad.” Karvik held up a pair of archaic copper shears. “It was the followers of the Cutter.”
“Damn them!” Stavin exclaimed. “Damn them to Eshokanal’s hell!” Turning to Captain Zel’Corval he asked, “Why? Why would they slaughter everyone like that?”
The captain shook off the shock of hearing a prince mention the Evilest One by name, then slowly shook his head. “I don’t know for certain. It may be that they just refused to obey the priest. There is, however, another possibility.”
“That is?” Stavin asked in a low tone, as if he was afraid of the answer.
“They may have been Ehv’Ah,” the captain said in an equally low tone.
Stavin and Karvik exchanged a long glance. “What difference does that make? Dandarshandrake declared the Ehv’Ah and Le’Ah to be a natural part of our people more than a thousand years ago.” Stavin said in a puzzled tone. “Lady Sahren embraces them as the natural result of overpopulation, as the natural way to reduce the birth rate.”
The captain nodded. “But the followers of Lebawan consider them defective because they don’t breed to make more worshippers for Lebawan’s Priests to control. There weren’t any women down there at all, Prince Stavin. The laws of Coravia forbid the priests of Lebawan the right to judge anyone but their own followers, but there have been rumors of renegades doing things like this, trying to terrorize everyone into obeying them.”
Stavin growled deep in his throat. “Let me get my hands on them and we’ll see how they like being judged.”
Karvik put a restraining hand on his prince’s shoulder. “This isn’t Evandia, Stave.”
Stavin closed his eyes and took several deep breaths to calm himself before saying, “No, it isn’t. You’re right, Kar. But I intend to have some strong words with the king and his minister of justice when we get to Moravad. For now, though,” he paused and looked the captain in the eye, “I think we should honor these men, at least to the extent of giving them a proper burial.”
The captain bowed deeply. “Thank you, Prince Stavin. I would still prefer that you return to the carriage.”
Stavin nodded. “My guardsmen will assist in the burial detail. We’ll bring the whole force up to that clearing,” he pointed to a spot about fifty paces away, “and post guards around the carriage.”
Karvik was nodding. “That’s acceptable to me. Major?”
Major Zel’Astel had walked up behind Stavin in time to hear the conversation. Now he nodded as he said, “Yes, Major. I think that will be sufficient.”
Stavin rode back to the carriage and dismounted. Shari saw his face and asked, “What was it?” in a worried tone.
Stavin told her in a barely audible tone so the children wouldn’t hear. “We’re bringing the whole force up the road a bit so we can free up more men for the burial detail.”
Shari nodded, then climbed into the carriage. Stavin and Karvik led the way to the clearing, and set guards. Then most of the force went to the mine.
Stavin looked around and shook his head. This was a beautiful area, but now it was tainted by the evil deeds of the Cutter’s followers. When he looked back toward his people he found Shari with her brand-new Dragon’s Tongue in her hands, standing beside the carriage as the children walked around her.
Stavin stepped over to his family and nodded his approval. “Stay close to the carriage, kids. No one wander off. And if you have to relieve yourself, two servants and five guards go with you.”
Karlin looked grim when he heard that. He was old enough to resent being treated like a child, but he was also old enough to realize that something really bad must have happened if his father was sending five guards and two butlers with him to the bushes.
“What happened, Dad?” he asked in a soft voice.
Stavin looked at Karlin and took a deep breath. “All of the men at the mine were killed, Karlin. That’s as much as you need to know.”
“You’re scared, Daddy,” Sahren whined. “You’re scaring me.”
“And me,” Mahren agreed.
Stavin nodded slowly. “Yes, I’m scared. It was the followers of Lebawan, like the bad men in the suite. They killed a lot of men who hadn’t done anything wrong.”
Karlin looked at his parents, then climbed up on the carriage and dug out his staff. As was traditional in Kavinston, he had started receiving training with the staff when he turned five. After more than a year, he was as skilled as any of his cousins in Kel’Kavin.
Shari frowned but didn’t object. She understood the urge to have a weapon in her hands all too well. She looked Stavin in the eyes, then nodded her approval.
Stavin just smiled. Like his wife, he understood Karlin well enough to know it wasn’t worth the fight to get him to put the staff down. Besides, with a hundred and sixty-some guards and cavalry around them, it would take a very foolish foe to attack them.
Looking at his son, Stavin said, “Stay by your mother and watch her back. Remember what Grandpa Charvil said about war-partners.”
Karlin brought his staff to salute and snapped, “Yes, Warmaster.” Stavin bowed
his head slightly and managed not to grin.
Master Sergeant Zel’Halvis walked over the rise that hid the mine with a look of murderous fury on her face as tears streamed down her cheeks. Stavin and Shari exchanged a look, then Stavin walked over to her.
“Mohriah?”
“They were just men living their lives as the Gods decreed--” She paused as a sob shook her frame. “They were just men, and the Cutter’s followers slaughtered them all.”
Stavin nodded. “I know, Mohriah. I know.”
She shook her head and whispered, “You don’t know, Prince Stavin.”
Stavin reached up and touched her right ear, startling her. “I think I do,” he murmured.
“Then you understand why I want to find the evil son-of-a-goat who did this and butcher him the way he butchered those poor souls.”
“I understand all too well, Mohriah. Now take a deep breath and calm down a little. I need you focused on protecting Shari the children.”
The Master Sergeant took a deep breath and blew it out slowly. “Yes, Prince Stavin. My apologies. It’s just--I feel so useless.”
Stavin nodded. “I know the feeling. You’re not, though. You’re needed here, watching the kids. Just keep your people sharp.” She bowed deeply, then began circulating among the guards and troopers who were surrounding the carriage and wagons.
It took till mid day to bury all thirty of the miners. Stavin ordered the cavalry cooks to prepare the mid day meal, and sent everyone to eat when they returned from the mine.
Karvik and Captain Zel’Corval were the last to return. “We buried them off to the side, and marked the graves as well as we could.”
Stavin nodded. “Eat, then we’ll move on. We should inform Lord--Whose lands are these? I don’t remember a sign.”
“These lands belong to the Lord of Zel’Coy,” the captain replied.
“Zel’Coy again,” Shari murmured. “Maybe I’ll finally get to see that pretty captain.” Stavin rolled his eyes but didn’t say anything.
It took two spans to get everyone ready to move. When they returned to the main road, Stavin gestured for Karvik to join him.
“I want more guards around the carriage now,” he said as he looked around.
Karvik nodded. “Agreed. I’d like you in the carriage as well, Stave.”
“I don’t think--”
“Stave,” Karvik interrupted, “I know what you’re going to say, and you’re wrong. It is necessary, if for no other reason than to reassure the kids. They need you in there a lot more than we need you out here.”
Stavin shook his head, trying to find a way to counter Karvik’s point, but finally sighed and nodded. “You’re right, Kar. I’ll join Shari and see what trouble the girls are getting into.”
The whole procession stopped for a moment and Stavin climbed into the carriage, but his Dragon’s Tongue was slid into a recess in the roof where he could get to it in a hurry if he needed it.
The twins were cuddling in their maids’ laps. While they hadn’t been told what had happened, they were acutely aware of how quiet and serious everyone was. Stavin looked at them and smiled.
“Everything is all right, Darlings. We’re just going to stop and see Lord Zel’Coy. These are his lands.”
Sahren asked, “Is Lord Zel’Coy one of the bad men?” in a barely audible voice.
“No, sweetheart, I don’t think so. Not many major lords are. Zel’Coy is an ancient and noble name, and they are neighbors of the Zel’Karyns. You remember why that’s important, don’t you?”
Mahren nodded. “Because the whole Zel’Karyn Clan is Dragon Blessed.”
Sahren nodded as she eased her grip on Helva. “And Mary Death was a Zel’Karyn before she became a Zel’Fordan. Aunt Glora told us the story.”
“And Mary Death’s sister was a Zel’Coy. Mommy told me that,” Karlin added.
“All of you are correct,” Stavin said with a smile. “I don’t think anyone with a history as long and honorable as the Lord of Zel’Coy would let a priest of the Cutter tell him what to do.”
Chapter 9
THE ROAD WOUND THROUGH LOW HILLS and forest, but showed that someone was maintaining it. Both of the bridges they crossed were in excellent condition, and the verges of the road had been cleared back ten paces. Wildflowers grew in abundance, making a bright, colorful border to the odd Imperial Road surface.
It took until the middle of the next day, and a detour deep into the hills, to reach the Zel’Coy estate. Captain Zel’Corval led the carriage to the front of the manor and had it stop right at the stairs. An alarmed-looking middle-aged man in elegant clothes came out in response to the arrival of an Army patrol, and stopped in his tracks when he saw the Evandian Royal Crest on the carriage door.
Captain Zel’Corval announced, “Lord Fralik Zel’Coy, I am pleased to introduce His Highness, Dragon Blessed Senior Warmaster Prince Stavin Markan Karvan Do’Kalin Ne’Aniston Zel’Andral of Evandia, his wife, Princess Sharindis Uralian Sarlis Ne’Aniston Zel’Andral, and their children, Prince Karlin, Princess Sahren, and Princess Mahren.”
Stavin and Shari had already stepped down from the carriage, and bowed to the Lord of Zel’Coy as he bowed to them.
“Lord Zel’Coy,” Stavin began, “we are pleased to meet you. However, we bring sad news.”
Lord Fralik bowed again and said, “I am honored to meet you, Prince Stavin and Princess Sharindis, for any reason. Please be welcome in my home.” He bowed deeply and swept his arm toward the door.
Stavin and Shari gathered their children and followed the lord into the manor. He led them to an elegant sitting room where they were met by the Lady of Zel’Coy. Stavin was immediately struck by her resemblance to Marina. Tall and blonde, he could see where Saralee Zel’Coy got her looks from.
“Prince Stavin, Princess Sharindis, I am pleased to present my wife, Lady Senarah.”
The lady bowed, as did Stavin and Shari. “I am honored that you chose to stop and visit us, Your Highnesses.”
Shari bowed her head and replied, “We are pleased to meet you both. Many years ago, Stavin encountered a Lieutenant Zel’Coy. Is she a member of your household?”
Saralee Zel’Coy entered the room and said, “I am right behind you, Princess Sharindis.”
Shari turned to find a tall blonde woman. She paused for a moment as she looked at the woman, then said, “Stavin understated your beauty, Captain.”
Saralee stepped closer as a puzzled expression crossed her exquisite features. “You can see now, Princess Sharindis?”
Shari bowed her head. “My sight was restored three years ago. I didn’t believe Stavin when he said you’re prettier than Princess Marina.”
Saralee had the grace to blush at the compliment. “You are too kind, Princess.”
Shari shook her head. “No, I’m not.” Turning back to Lord Fralik, she bowed her head. “Lord Fralik, yesterday we passed a mine near the edge of your lands.”
Lord Fralik nodded. “My son Alden’s project.”
Stavin shook his head. “That makes our news even worse. We were drawn to the mine by carrion birds. Everyone had been killed by the followers of Lebawan.”
Lady Senarah let loose a long keen of grief as her legs failed her, and she collapsed at her husband’s side as he went to his knees. Saralee brushed past Stavin to reach her parents.
“There’s no proof he was there--” she began, but her father silenced her.
“He was, and you know it!” Lord Fralik cried out as he sobbed. “He left just three days ago. He was there!”
Saralee looked up at Stavin and Shari as tears trickled down her cheeks, and spoke in a tear-choked voice. “Alden is my little brother, the youngest of us. What happened?”
“We don’t know why they were attacked,” Stavin said in a soft tone. “All we know is that there were thirty of them.”
Saralee bowed her head and cried for a moment. “That wasn’t all of them. Aldie had forty of his friends working there. We can hope--
”
Her father looked at her and shouted, “There is no hope! He wouldn’t have fled! He wouldn’t have let anyone chase him off his own land!”
Saralee nodded and more tears ran down her cheeks as she finally whispered, “Not even to save himself.”
Stavin nodded, then looked around to find a group of servants at the door, waiting with expressions of grief on their faces. He nodded, then looked at the grieving family. As one the group came forward and helped their masters from the floor and out of the room.
One man stayed behind and addressed Stavin. He looked as miserable as the rest, but kept himself in check as he bowed. “I am Geordan Fel’Coy, Lord Fralik’s majordomo. I had the maids set a suite to rights for you as soon as you arrived. If you will follow me, I’ll lead you to it.”
Stavin nodded and they followed Geordan to a well-appointed suite. Avrin was already there, overseeing the rest of their servants.
Stavin patted Geordan’s shoulder and said, “You may go. I think your masters are more in need of your services than we are.”
Geordan bowed deeply, then backed away, closing the door as he went. Avrin stepped forward and bowed. “Sindal went to arrange something for the mid day meal, Prince Stavin.”
Stavin nodded. “Don’t unpack much, Avrin. We’ll be leaving early.”
“Yes, Prince Stavin.”
Shari turned the girls over to their maids, and Rahlf took Karlin aside as well. The grim atmosphere and tension around them was influencing their mood, making them cling and cuddle for comfort even if they didn’t understand why.
Sindal returned after about two spans with a tray of finger-foods. She set the tray down, then turned to face Shari. “Princess Sharindis, the news you brought has the entire estate upset. The young man was well-loved by the servants as well as his family.”
Sharindis nodded. “Then we’ll leave them alone as much as we can. Rahlf, go find Major Kel’Carin and bring him back with you.” Stavin looked at her, so she explained. “I want Kar and the rest to leave the Zel’Coys alone. We have plenty of stores, so let’s not burden them with taking care of us in their grief.”
The Coravian Conflict (Stavin DragonBlessed Book 5) Page 8