The servers began bringing out dishes and Lady Sahrana motioned to the table. “Join us, Major.”
Karvik looked startled for a moment, then bowed deeply and took the seat beside Lady Mariniva.
“Major,” Lady Mariniva said as she picked up her wine, “you seem to have taken today’s events remarkably well.”
Karvik grinned and glanced at Stavin. “After eleven years at Prince Stavin’s side, I’ve come to expect things like today, Lady Mariniva.”
“How so?” her father asked.
“When he first took up the sword of Zel’Hallan it was like seeing Arandar rise on the wrong side of the world. I thought he’d turned himself into a torch.” He gave Stavin a sour look. “It was a year later that we found out how close he’d come.” Karvik told the story of how Sallah Zel’Janvis had stolen Stavin’s gauntlet and the sword, and how he’d died in agony, and saw both Lord Arandar and Lady Mariniva’s faces drain of color. “When I saw Stavin light up today I was half afraid I was going to watch him burn.”
“And yet you didn’t try to interfere,” Lady Sahrana said softly.
Karvik shook his head. “No, Lady Sahrana. I knew there was nothing I could do to save him from a God. But I’ve also come to trust Stavin’s fate. If he was going to be taken like that, I don’t think it would it be by one of the Gods Above.”
“And I have already faced two of the Gods Below and survived.”
“Two?” Lady Sahrana asked.
“Yes, the Evilest One and the God of Storms.” Stavin grimaced at that memory. “I avoid the coast during that season now.”
“I’ve never had the misfortune of experiencing one of the God Storms, but I hear it is quite terrifying,” Lord Arandar commented.
Stavin and Karvik took turns telling that story. “The village was all but washed away by the storm, but a year later they had rebuilt. I looked into the tax records after I moved to the palace.” He smiled and shrugged. “The Minister of Trade has access to all kinds of information.”
Chapter 6
THE TALK AROUND THE TABLE TURNED to the doings in and around Aniston. As the Lady of Zel’Aniston, Lady Sahrana was mayor and council, and Lord Arandar was her assistant.
Stavin found himself impressed by the depth of their knowledge of the area. “You seem to be aware of just about everything that goes on here,” he commented.
“We must be,” Lord Arandar explained. “All of Aniston, including a distance of five hundred dragons around the valley, is our land.”
“Directly yours, Lord Arandar?” Karvik asked. “You aren’t just Lord of the area?”
“No, Major. Every bit of it belongs to us.”
“That’s a truly impressive holding,” Stavin said as he sat back. “I can’t think of any holding in Evandia that large except the Crown holdings north of Twin Bridges. The Royal Family maintains ownership of the peninsula for about a thousand dragons north of the wall. But I think the actual area may be less than you hold, because the peninsula is wedge-shaped.” He paused and shook his head. “Kalin rents out the land to farmers who keep most of their crops. They pay a tenth-part of their harvest as rent.”
“We’ve acquired more land over the years by buying out our neighbors,” Lady Sahrana said, then giggled. “Or marrying them in, in a few instances.”
“And you’ve managed to keep it all. But what do the younger children inherit?” Stavin asked.
“We tend to produce a large percentage of people who are talented in business, design, the arts, and, of course, trade.” Lady Sahrana smiled at Stavin’s surprised expression. “You are hardly unique in the family, Prince Stavin. There is a Zel’Aniston Trading House that has been in operation for more than eight hundred years.”
Stavin looked stunned. “There is?” he asked.
“Indeed,” Lord Arandar confirmed. “It’s not a large House. Not nearly as large as your House Kel’Aniston, but it’s large enough to handle all our needs and a bit more. We all use House Zel’Aniston to ship our goods. They make money, we save money, and it all stays in the family.”
Stavin chuckled. “I was going to ask about expanding House Kel’Aniston into these lands, but I think I’ll wait.”
Turning toward Lady Sahrana, Stavin bowed his head and asked, “Did Lady Sovana say what she wanted, Lady Sahrana?”
“She wants you to return to Zel’Kassel with her. I get the impression she’s afraid that Del’Horse fool might have chased you away--or that I might have stolen you away and a good deal of her prestige with you. I told you she is a cousin of yours, and I think she was planning on using that relationship to enhance her own reputation.”
“And I am sure,” Lady Mariniva added, “that she was going to do everything in her power to get you to stay much longer than you intended.”
Stavin shook his head. “Wouldn’t have worked. As I said when we arrived, I had originally planned on ten days in Zel’Kassel, and was able to add two days to visit here because I allowed thirty days to get to Rey, and that is only supposed to be a twenty-two-day trip.”
“And we always plan on two days’ delay,” Karvik continued, “so we would have left after fourteen days no matter what. There aren’t many ways she could stop us without starting a war with Evandia, and probably Coravia as well, given his position there.”
“And King Alred would have had her executed for doing it,” Lady Mariniva stated, “but she still would have tried something. If she could get you to keep the king waiting, it would prove her importance.”
Stavin’s mouth twisted into a sour grimace. “There’s always one.”
The next morning, a little earlier than intended, Lady Mayor Sovana Railan Ordana Ne’Aniston Zel’Tessel of Zel’Kassel and her council approached Lady Sahrana and asked, “Will you let us see Prince Stavin now, Sahra?”
Lady Sahrana smiled and said, “Prince Stavin is waiting for you in the library, Sovie,” then turned to lead the way.
Whatever Lady Sovana had been expecting, she wasn’t expecting what she found. Karvik and his team were lined up behind Stavin in full dress kit. Worse was what Stavin had chosen to wear.
Stavin was wearing a bright golden silk shirt and black pants, which was enough to set the visitors ill at ease after the story of Stavin’s visit to Arandar’s temple, but it was what he was wearing on his head that caused the most reaction.
When Stavin had been Princess Marina’s heir, King Kalin had commissioned a special coronet for him, and Stavin had brought it along to wear on formal occasions. Golden dragon-wings wrapped around Stavin’s head, and centered above his brow, picked out in diamond and ruby, were the four hollowed stars of a Senior Warmaster.
“Greetings, Mayor Zel’Tessel. Cousin Sahrana has kindly allowed me to borrow her library for our meetings. Please be seated.” Stavin sat before the mayor or any of her counselors had reached their seats, which drew a few scowls of disapproval.
“Prince Stavin,” the mayor began, “I had hoped to hold these meetings in the City Council Chambers where we would have any relevant documentation close at hand.”
Stavin gave her a bored look. “I can hardly be blamed for your lack of preparation, Mayor Zel’Tessel. Cousin Sahrana has made me welcome on her estate and I have chosen to stay here for the duration of my visit. I am far more comfortable here than I have been at any of the royal inns we’ve visited. Add in that the Royal Oak was severely damaged by the fire and I have no reason to return to Zel’Kassel except to visit the museum.”
Stavin didn’t miss the tightening of the skin around the mayor’s eyes and mouth. “In addition,” he continued, “there is the matter of the temples of the Gods Above to consider. My brother-in-law is making a study of all five temples here, and I have chosen to indulge him.”
The mayor took a deep breath and said, “Cousin Stavin, please--” but Stavin interrupted her with a raised finger.
“I have not given you permission to address me in that manner, Mayor Zel’Tessel. Do not do so again.”
&nb
sp; The mayor bowed her head deeply and said, “I beg your forgiveness, Prince Stavin.” At his nod, she continued. “Prince Stavin, it was our hope that we could negotiate an agreement--”
Again, Stavin’s raised finger stopped her. “Any official negotiations must be held with the King’s Ministers.”
The mayor swallowed her outrage at being interrupted again, and from the expression on her face, it must have been excessively bitter. “Prince Stavin, the negotiations I am speaking of were to be a private matter between our Traders Guild and your House Kel’Aniston.”
“Oh, that,” Stavin said with a dismissive gesture. “House Kel’Aniston will not be competing with House Zel’Aniston. I may establish something up in Rey, but for this portion of Reynadia I don’t see it as being sufficiently profitable.” Now three others, two men and a woman, wore bitter expressions.
“I will probably be returning to Zel’Kassel to visit the museum on our way out, but it will be for less than a day. Given the revelations that came with my visit to Arandar’s temple, my original reason for going to the museum seems petty.”
Stavin turned his attention to Master Scribe Fel’Dansel and bowed in his seat. “I was going to try and verify that all of your artifacts were in fact made by a dragon, but it really doesn’t matter anymore.”
Master Fel’Dansel gave Stavin an arch look and asked, “How so, Prince Stavin?”
Stavin shook his head and looked down, like he was ashamed. “I was going to try and prove that some of your artifacts were not made by Dandarshandrake, but that seems so terribly petty now. It was a mean-spirited thing to do, and I apologize to you, scribe to scribe, for even considering it.”
Master Fel’Dansel was all but glaring at Stavin for a moment, but quickly mastered her reaction. “Prince Stavin, scribe to scribe, you would have failed. It’s been done before.” She paused to smile at him briefly. “Several hundred years ago a young woman wore a ruby ring into the museum. The stone had been cut from an artifact, and the whole place lit up.”
Stavin gave her a self-deprecating smile and bowed his head. “We will get to see it all when I wear my armor into the exhibits.”
Now an older man stood and bowed. “Prince Stavin,” he began, and his voice was so deep it made Stavin sit up straighter in surprise, “I am Master Trader Maldan Fel’Kasten. If you will allow it, I would like to revisit the subject of trade and House Kel’Aniston.” He ignored the furious glares of the rest of the council.
Stavin nodded and said, “Very well.”
The trader bowed before speaking again. “Prince Stavin, House Zel’Aniston, while it is a substantial House, is not large enough to handle all the commerce in the area. I personally trade in manufactured goods, but the price House Zel’Aniston charges to haul my goods up to Rey and the northern cities are ruinous. They claim, and I don’t dispute, that such long-distance trips tie up their wagons so they are not available for the local trade they depend on. I, and several others here,” he paused to glance at his colleagues, “had hoped you would expand your House into the area to ease our burden.”
Stavin shook his head. “I will speak to the leaders of House Zel’Aniston. Perhaps we can reach an agreement concerning long-distance trade. But only if they agree.”
The trader sat and another man immediately stood. “Prince Stavin, I am Orlan Zel’Yorval, Zel’Kassel’s counselor of the arts. We would like to hear the story of how you came by your golden armor.”
Now Stavin heaved a bored sigh. “That story has been written down and widely disseminated. I’m sure you can find a copy of it if you wish.”
The counselor gave Stavin a mulish look and said, “We would like to hear it from you.”
Stavin slowly rose to his feet and said, “I am not a traveling storyteller or minstrel available to entertain you at your command,” in an angry tone. “This meeting is over.” Stavin finished by turning away and started walking toward the door in silence.
“Now just one moment,” Counselor Zel’Yorval said as he took a step toward Stavin. He didn’t finish his complaint. The hiss of ten swords being drawn at once caused everyone except Stavin and Karvik to freeze. Stavin kept walking out of the room and Karvik went with him.
One tall young guardsman spoke to the startled counsel. “I am Eldick Dahval Orvalan Zel’Karyn, Heir of Zel’Karyn. If any you advance on my prince like that again, I’ll split your heart.” With that the guardsmen sheathed their swords and filed out of the library.
“Sovie,” Lady Sahrana said as she stood to leave, “take your people and your schemes and go home. Your unbroken ass just spoiled whatever plans you had involving Prince Stavin.” Then she left as well, leaving Aran to escort the counselors out of her home.
Lady Sahrana found Stavin in the dining room, helping himself to a cup of kava. “Exactly as you predicted, Lady Sahrana.”
“Sovie and her council are much too used to being in charge of everyone, Prince Stavin. Even the lords and ladies of Zel’Kassel who take precedence over them have learned to let them have their way. Those who don’t soon find themselves on the wrong side of council decisions that carry the force of law.”
“How so, Lady Sahrana?” Eldick asked, then blushed when everyone turned toward him.
Lady Sahrana gave him a patient look. “You are much too highly born to be ignorant of such realities, young man. A council like theirs has the power to force traders out of business, forbid activities, and, most seriously, seize or force the sale of property for the ‘public good’ under laws of eminent domain. They have done so in the past. House Zel’Aniston lost their warehouse in Zel’Kassel because they wouldn’t ship for Fel’Kasten at the same price they ship for the family.”
Stavin looked puzzled and asked, “So why do they want me to expand into this area?”
“Because, Master Trader Stavin,” Lady Sahrana said sadly, “if your House has a base in Zel’Kassel, as they want, they can set your prices, even if it causes you a loss.”
“That ends that idea,” Stavin muttered.
“Oh, I wouldn’t go that far,” Lady Sahrana said with a chuckle. “There actually is a need, and I’m sure Sindal would be delighted to have House Kel’Aniston associated with House Zel’Aniston. That arrogant ass was right about why she doesn’t like shipping goods long distances.”
“Sindal?” Stavin asked as his head tilted in thought. “Tall redhead, a little older than I am?”
Lady Sahrana smiled. “That’s her. She inherited control of the trading house from her brother when he was killed fighting a fire in their grain storage. In the three years since then she’s done very well for herself and her House.”
Stavin bowed slightly. “We’ll arrange a meeting in a day or two. For the rest of today, I would like to finish visiting the temples.”
Lady Sahrana bowed and said, “Of course. But after the mid day meal. Dahnise was fixing something special for the council, and I’d hate to disappoint her by not having you here.”
“Of course,” Stavin agreed with a smile.
It was just three spans later that Aran informed them that the meal was ready. Stavin joined Lady Sahrana and her family at the table as the food was being placed on the sideboard.
The cook who had brought Stavin the fish stew came out of the kitchen with a perplexed expression on her face. “Lady?” she asked as she looked around at the empty table.
Stavin spoke before Lady Sahrana could. “My apologies, Dahnise, but the counselors insulted me and I sent them away. I didn’t know you had gone to so much trouble on their behalf.”
Dahnise hurried to Stavin’s side and went to both knees with her head bowed. “You need not apologize to me, Blessed One. I am but a servant.”
“You are a master of your craft, and worthy of both courtesy and respect from those you serve.” Stavin replied, then smiled as she finally looked up at him.
“Thank you, Blessed One.” She stood and bowed deeply before turning and bowing to Lady Sahrana.
Lady Sahra
na gave Stavin a deep smile, then said, “Servers, you may begin.”
The meal was exceptionally good, even by palace standards. “This is delicious,” Stavin commented as he ate, making Lady Sahrana chuckle.
“Sovana once compared Dahnise to the cook in a workman’s eatery. Since then she never fails to get back some of her own by serving truly exquisite meals whenever Sovana comes out here--and refusing, ever so politely, to provide the recipes.”
“It’s a shame she fixed so much when so few of us are eating it,” Stavin said with a sigh.
Lady Mariniva shook her head. “No, Prince Stavin. Not really. Our staff eats the same food we do, and so do your guardsmen. Anything left over after they get through is taken to a shelter run by the priests of Alankarah the Kind to help feed the poor. Like your Lady Sahren, Alankarah sees to the welfare of the poor and helpless.”
Stavin smiled across at her and bowed his head deeply. “Then I think I should stop now. Truthfully, if I eat much more I won’t be able to walk.”
“As lightly built as you are, I’m surprised by how much you can put away,” Lord Arandar commented with a hint of humor.
Stavin shook his head sorrowfully. “I have to be careful of that, Lord Arandar. My armor can’t be let out. If I gain weight I have to wear it tight.”
His comment drew chuckles from around the table, and Lady Sahrana said, “If you are ready, Prince Stavin, I would be pleased to guide you to the rest of the temples now.”
Stavin stood and bowed, and the others joined him. Varik’s team had relieved Karvik’s team, but there was no way Karvik was going to miss this. Stavin saw and said, “Anyone who wants to come is welcome.” The rest of the guardsmen who had been waiting just out of sight immediately came forward.
Lady Sahrana led them the same direction as before, and Stavin felt that same sense of power and warmth as they passed Arandar the Bright’s temple.
The next temple was one fifth of the way around the lake, and the procession gained people as they realized what Stavin was doing.
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