“Inform Prince Stavin that a proclamation making impersonating him a crime punishable by death is being drafted. As for the town of Rendan, you will personally escort our people back and give any aid they need.”
“By my hand and in my name,
Alred Dahlgren Faran Zel’Broldan, King of Reynadia.”
“And Vic, I know that fool brother of yours is somehow involved.”
Stavin looked at the general and grinned. “King Alred knows you?”
The general sighed. “I was his captain when he first came to the Army.”
Stavin chuckled. “General, we would appreciate the hospitality of your fort for the night. That bastard spread a lot of bad feelings.”
“Indeed, Warmaster. My mess and barracks are open to you.” He looked behind Stavin and raised an eyebrow.
“The leader of my escort, Major Karvik Kel’Carin, and his second, Lieutenant Varik Kel’Horval.”
The general looked past them to the young lieutenant by the door. “Inform Colonel Kel’Nevran that we are having honored guests. And tell my brother and his friends to return to their inn. We’ll escort them back to Rendan tomorrow.”
The lieutenant bowed and said, “Sir, yes, sir,” then turned and left the room.
The general stood and bowed deeply. “Warmaster, it will take some time to arrange a room suitable for you to stay in.”
Stavin chuckled. “So long as there’s a bed that’s fairly flat and reasonably soft, it will be fine, General Zel’Horvak. I’m a Warrior of Kel’Kavin: I don’t need anything fancy.”
The general looked unsure as he said, “Warmaster, you are a prince.”
Stavin smiled and said, “General, I’ve been sleeping on the ground for the last five nights. Trust me: so long as it’s flat and doesn’t have any rocks in it, any bed will do.”
The general bowed again. “As you wish, Warmaster. Is there anything else I can provide you?”
“We’ll tend to our own horses, thank you, but afterward I need a bath.”
“Yes,” Karvik agreed, “we all do, General Zel’Horvak.”
“You tend your own mount?” the general asked in a husky tone.
“It is the tradition of the Warriors of Kel’Kavin, General, to see to our horses first and only then to tend to our own needs,” Varik supplied. “Warmaster Zel’Andral also chose, gentled, and trained his horse so they may act as one in the field. We all do. That is the Kel’Kavin tradition.”
The general fixed a withering glare on Varik. “You speak out of turn, young man. And how is it that a Kel’Horval became a lieutenant so young?”
Stavin said, “By saving the life of Princess Sharindis, Prince Karlin, Princess Sahren and Princess Mahren by direct action.”
Karvik continued, “Any Royal Guard who, by his direct action, saves a member of the royal family is promoted to lieutenant. Prince Stavin earned his commission saving King Kalin from an assassin.”
“And you, Major?” the general asked.
Karvik bowed his head. “I had achieved the rank of Warleader Third before becoming part of the Evandian Royal Guard. It was judged that Major was the closest equivalent rank.”
“I’ve heard your name before, Major Kel’Carin. Usually in association with Stavin Dragonblessed.” The general looked at Stavin.
“There was only one year when Karvik wasn’t by my side, General.”
The general bowed. “I will escort you to your horses and give the appropriate orders. Warmaster?” he said as he bowed again toward the door.
Stavin led the way out and returned to Tru’s side, gentling her nose for a moment before following the general to the stables. It only took a moment to tend their mounts, and Stavin allowed the general to order the stable hands to tend to the pack horses. Once the horses were seen to, the general led all of them to the fort bath house.
“Warmaster,” he said with a bow, “I leave you to your bath while I make arrangements for the rest of your stay. And have a word with my brother.”
Stavin bowed and said, “Thank you, General.” With that the general left and Stavin headed for a tub. He said, “Everyone bathe quickly. I still don’t feel very safe here.”
Karvik agreed. “Last ten men stay dressed and armed until relieved. Everyone armors up and stands ready once you’re clean. I’d prefer to avoid killing anyone, so use your fists and feet if you can.”
Stavin and Karvik were the first to finish, and both of them obeyed their own orders. They relieved two of the guards and joined the men guarding the door. Most of the men had finished bathing before the door burst open and four men rushed through shouting, “You bastards!”
Karvik met them with his sheathed sword and dropped two of them to the floor while the other guards used their armored fists. Two of the guardsmen grabbed Stavin under his arms, lifted him from the floor, and hauled him back behind the tubs.
Just a breath behind the attackers came a dozen Reynadian soldiers. “Prince Stavin, Blessed One, are you all right?” the only officer bellowed.
“I am,” Stavin replied as he shook off the guardsmen. “Who are they and how in the five hells did they get in here?”
The officer bowed and explained, “They are from Rendan. General Zel’Horvak called all of the survivors here to announce that you’d killed the impostor, but some of them were sure you were the man who wronged them and wanted revenge.”
General Zel’Horvak shoved his way forward only to run into a wall of flesh named Varik Kel’Horval. “That’s close enough, General.”
“Stand aside!” the general snapped, but Varik held his ground.
“With all the respect due to your rank, Lord General Zel’Horvak, no.”
“Prince Stavin!”
Stavin walked forward, but stopped a full pace behind Varik. “Lord General Zel’Horvak,” he began in a soft voice, “I was just attacked in your fort. Decide what you will tell his Majesty when you beg his forgiveness.”
The general’s face went pale. “I beg your forgiveness, Warmaster.” He bowed deeply and remained that way until Stavin spoke.
“Very well, General, I’ll forgive you. Now you may deal with those men,” he waved at the ground with a dismissive gesture, “while my men finish bathing.”
It was obvious that the general was not used to taking orders, but he bowed and said, “Yes, Warmaster,” as Stavin walked away.
The general glared at Varik and snarled, “You overstepped yourself, Lieutenant.”
Varik bowed and said, “When it comes to my brother-in-law’s safety, I fear no man more than I fear my sister. She’s really mean.” He nodded toward the men on the ground. “I think you know that he doesn’t want you to kill them, Sir. Just keep them locked away until we leave in the morning.”
“Brother-in-law? Your sister? So the members of the royal family you saved are members of your own family as well.”
Varik bowed. “They are, Lord General Zel’Horvak. Are you familiar with the song about Blind Princess Shari and the Assassins?”
“I am.”
“That was the incident in question.” He smiled proudly. “Prince Stavin allowed me to use his Dragon’s Tongue that season and the next. I killed one man with Prince Stavin’s Dragon’s Tongue, while Shari killed two men with her walking staff.”
“While blind? That really happened?”
“I told you sir, she’s mean. And dangerous. Prince Stavin’s big sister Sorandis killed the fourth man with a tea service.”
The general whispered, “Gods Above.”
Varik grinned and bowed. “The only people the men of Kavinston fear are the women of Kavinston.” With that he bowed again, then turned away and waited for his turn to bathe with the last of the guardsmen. Behind him, the general was directing his men to haul away the attackers.
Stavin and his men were given the entire top floor of the officer’s quarters. Karvik split the men into just two reinforced teams, and had everyone sleep in their armor. Still, it was many spans before first light
when Stavin got up and joined his men.
“Prince Stavin,” one of the Chosen guardsmen asked, “what are you doing up so early?”
“Bad dreams. I’ll be glad to show my back to this place.”
The man nodded and resumed his watch while Stavin wandered around the rooms. His men were either asleep or on watch, except one. Eldick Zel’Karyn was standing at a window, looking at the eastern sky.
“In a hurry to get home, Eldick?” Stavin asked softly.
“No, sir, just in a hurry to get out of here.”
“You know the saying about watched pots, Eldick. Aren’t you supposed to be asleep?”
Eldick shook his head. “Couldn’t, Prince Stavin. Kept waking up thinking someone was attacking us. I never thought we’d be attacked inside a fort.”
Stavin nodded and patted the younger man’s shoulder, then moved on. It seemed just moments later that word was passed to all the men: first light. Everyone got up and saw to their needs, then got dressed. Only when every man was fully armored and armed did Karvik give the order, “Head outside.” They made quite a racket as they pounded down the wooden stairs, but after the events of the previous day they didn’t care.
Someone had been watching them because Lord General Zel’Horvak and his officers were waiting outside. “Warmaster Zel’Andral, I wish you’d stay another day. There is so much we’d like to ask you.”
Stavin shook his head minimally. “No, General, we need to be on our way.” Just then a shaft of sunlight slipped between two buildings and illuminated Stavin. All around them men fell to their knees as if Stavin was Arandar the Bright Himself.
Raising his right hand, Stavin said, “Let the Light of Arandar the Bright shield you from evil, and let the love of the Gods Above fill your souls.” Then he mounted Tru and led the way out the gate. The city was barely even stirring as they made their escape from a fort and town they had never even learned the name of.
Stavin led the way out of the town in a pensive mood. General Zel’Horvak had done his best, but there were still rumors circulating about the ‘Blessed One’ raping young girls and confiscating towns. He didn’t realize that he was pushing Tru so hard until Karvik asked, “Are we in a hurry?”
Stavin looked at him and nodded. “I want to put Reynadia behind us, Kar. The truth will eventually make it as far as the rumors, but the rumors have gone farther faster.”
Karvik nodded. “Unfortunately, we’re supposed to have another ten days of travel before we reach the Kavadian border.”
Stavin was looking down the road as he said, “Let’s see if we can trim a little off that.”
Chapter 29
THREE DAYS LATER THEY PASSED THROUGH a town, and found that the rumors had made it there first. Doors slammed and shutters were bolted as soon as they were recognized. Stavin hardly slowed down. There didn’t seem to be any reason to.
The same greeting awaited them at two more towns, but the last town before the border was another fort. Stavin decided to stop because he really didn’t have much choice: They were out of food for themselves and their horses.
Fort Zel’Borandil was typical for an army town. The road ran straight past the gates of the fort, but they had been in town for two spans before they reached them. Stavin led his men straight into the compound, and reined Tru to a stop as men of every rank scrambled to their stations.
A young-looking general came out of his office still fastening the buttons of his blouse. A harried-looking young lieutenant was right behind him with a baldric and sword. The general somehow managed to be fully dressed by the time he reached Stavin.
“Blessed One, welcome to Fort Zel’Borandil. I am Lord General Dothan Zel’Alamar.”
Stavin bowed his head. “I am pleased to meet you, General. We won’t impose on you for very long.”
The general seemed startled for an instant, then said, “It’s no imposition, Blessed One.”
Stavin bowed his head again. “Thank you. Could you direct me to an honest Trading House?”
“Blessed One?”
“We need supplies for our horses and ourselves.”
The general bowed deeply. “My storekeepers will see to your re-supply, Blessed One.”
Stavin shook his head. “Thank you, general, but I would prefer to leave your supplies alone. I’ll bargain with a local house for our supplies.”
The general took a breath to argue, but the lieutenant behind him whispered something that made the general simply nod. “As you wish, Blessed One. My supply officer will escort you to the Merchants’ Quarter.”
A young female lieutenant came forward and bowed. “I am Lieutenant Zephara Kel’Borandil. If you will please follow me, I’ll escort you to the Traders’ Guild compound.”
Stavin shared a glance with Karvik, then looked back at the lieutenant and nodded. She bowed and turned away, and started walking. Stavin nudged Tru with his knees and she followed the lieutenant out of the gates.
Lieutenant Kel’Borandil walked halfway across the town before leading Stavin and his men into what amounted to a secondary fort. High palisade walls of thick timbers surrounded a large complex of trading houses, and armed men in no discernible uniform patrolled the tops of those walls.
Lieutenant Kel’Borandil led Stavin to a large building with the bundled sheaves of the Grain Merchants over the door. Several Master Traders rushed out as the lieutenant stopped.
“Zephara, is there a problem?” the trader in the lead asked.
She bowed and replied, “No, Uncle Ahlvar, no problem. I am pleased to introduce the Blessed of Arandar the Bright, Prince Stavin Zel’Andral of Evandia. He is in need of supplies for his journey home.”
All three men transferred their attention to Stavin, then went to their knees. “Are you truly the Blessed One?” one of the men asked.
Stavin bowed in the saddle. “I am. And you?”
The lieutenant bowed and said, “Blessed One, this is my Uncle Vander, my Uncle Tanden, and my Uncle Ahlvar, all of Clan and House Zel’Borandil.”
Karvik kneed his horsed forward and stopped beside Stavin. “Is the fort named for a member of your Clan, lords?”
All three men exchanged glances before Ahlvar answered. “The fort is named Zel’Borandil because this is the Borandil estate. Clan Zel’Borandil settled here in the early days of the Empire of Luxand, and we’ve been here, guarding Reynadia’s border since then.”
Karvik bowed in the saddle. “Thank you, lord. I appreciate the information.”
Lord Ahlvar returned his attention to Stavin. “How may we serve you, Blessed One?”
Stavin had pulled his vest out of his saddlebag and now he put it on. “We are in need of supplies. Fifty bags of grain, a ten-weight of dried meat, five of cheese, five of kava beans,” he paused and flashed a grin at Karvik, “and an assortment of fruit preserves, three jars of each kind you have.” Then Stavin smiled and bowed his head slightly. “Who will I be bargaining with?”
The traders looked confused. Lord Ahlvar said, “Blessed One, Prince Stavin, you are the Hero of Reynadia. All of this is yours for the asking.”
Stavin shook his head. “While I appreciate what King Alred and the royal family did for me, I pay my own freight.”
“Blessed One,” the lieutenant said in a barely audible tone, “let us give you this. It is our honor.”
Karvik looked at Stavin and nodded. “It’s their honor to be of service to the Hero of Reynadia. You know that. You’d feel the same if the situation was reversed.”
Stavin bowed deeply to the traders. “If you feel that my bargaining and paying for my supplies would be an offense to your honor, then I will accept the supplies and give you my thanks.”
All three Traders looked relieved, as did the lieutenant. She said, “Thank you, Blessed One,” as she bowed.
The Traders had their men bring the grain and other goods from the warehouses. It turned out that the Zel’Borandil Trading House dealt in all kinds of goods. Less than a span after they arri
ved all the pack horses were loaded, and Stavin bowed to the Master Traders.
“I offer you my gratitude for your assistance.” He paused and raised his hand. “Let the Light of Arandar the Bright shield you from evil, and let the love of the Gods Above fill your souls.”
The traders, master and laborer alike, fell to their knees and bowed their heads as Stavin led his men out of the trader’s compound.
It took another full day to reach the Kavadian border and, as expected, there was a border station on the Reynadian side. What wasn’t expected was the border station and guards on the Kavadian side. Stavin rode to the border crossing slowly as men and women bowed or went to their knees as soon as they saw him.
At the border, there was a simple pivot arm across the road that marked the crossing. Five armed men in what appeared to be Traders’ Guild Guards uniforms stood shoulder-to-shoulder across the road.
The man in the center announced, “There is a five percent tax on all goods entering Kavadia by order of the Kavadian Traders’ Guild Master Council.”
Stavin heaved a massive sigh and muttered, “Serves me right.” Reaching back, he pulled out his vest and shrugged it into place. Riding forward he said, “I am Master Trader Stavin of the Kavadian House of Kel’Aniston. We are only carrying supplies for ourselves and our animals. We have no trade goods.”
The guards were looking uncomfortable. The leader asked, “You’re him, aren’t you? The Dragonblessed? The Blessed of Arandar?”
Stavin nodded as he said, “I am. I am also the one who negotiated the treaty between Reynadia, Kavadia, Luxandia, Coravia, and Evandia establishing these crossing stations.”
“Yes, sir. We know that. Your tax will be two and a half percent.”
Stavin was chuckling as he nudged Tru forward. The guards were watching the horses closely as they passed. The lead guard came to Tru’s side and bowed.
“Master Stavin, we estimate the value of your goods at three gold and six silver crowns.”
“I told you they are not trade goods. They are just our supplies.”
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