Gods Above and Below

by Loren K. Jones

  Stavin carefully crossed his hands on his saddle horn. “I am Master Trader Stavin Zel’Andral, owner of House Kel’Aniston, member in good standing of the Kavadian Traders’ Guild, and a full member of the Aravad Trader’s Council. Try again.”

  The man’s mouth worked as if he’d eaten something sour, then he shook his head. “It’s no matter. I’m Senior Master Trader Varstan Bel’Morlan, leader of the Neravad Traders’ Guild Council. Your caravan will be inventoried and taxed five percent by order of the Guild.”

  Jaspan had walked forward and now stood beside Tru. Looking at the man he simply said, “No.”

  The old man screamed, “What do you mean no!?”

  Jaspan looked at him and replied, “Exactly what I said: no. No, we will not pay you five percent. Even at the border we only had to pay two and a half percent, and I’m pretty sure that didn’t make it to the guild coffers.”

  “You cannot defy the Guild!”

  “I am Kavadian Master Trader Jaspan Kel’Kaudell, of House Zel’Kaudell. You do know who the leader of my House is, don’t you?” Jaspan smiled evilly. “Uncle Perrit never has had much patience with your kind, Master Varstan.”

  “Then you’ll not pass! I have two hundred men at my command.”

  Jaspan looked up at Stavin, then back to Master Varstan. “How many of them are willing to fight the Blessed of Arandar?”

  Varstan screamed, “That’s a lie!”

  Rahlina’s voice came from behind Jaspan as she shouted, “I challenge you!”

  Jaspan and Stavin both looked behind them as Rahlina waddled forward. “Senior Master Trader Varstan Bel’Morlan, for the insult you’ve given my husband, I challenge you.”

  “You?” the trader sneered. “A pregnant bitch about to whelp?”

  “I am Master Trader Rahlina Ne’Vandar Kel’Kaudell.”

  Master Varstan looked her up and down, then said, “You are nothing. Even at my age I can kill you easily.”

  Rahlina smiled. Stavin, Jaspan, and Karvik exchanged worried glances: They all knew that expression.

  “There is one here who owes me a life. I call upon him to honor that debt as my champion.”

  “Name your champion then.”

  Rahlina smiled as she said, “Dragonblessed Senior Warmaster Prince Stavin Markan Karvan Do’Kalin Ne’Aniston Zel’Andral, former King of Coravia, Master of House Kel’Aniston, Blessed of Arandar the Bright.”

  Even the horses remained silent until Stavin said, “I am honor-bound to accept, but forbidden by my king’s command. I offer my brother-in-law to pay my debt.”

  Varik stepped forward and his voice rumbled as he replied, “I am honored to accept on behalf of my sister’s husband.”

  Now even the armored men at Master Varstan’s side looked worried. Varik was taller than most men, but hadn’t started to broaden at the shoulder like his father. Still, he was in the full armor of the Warriors of Kel’Kavin, and none of the men could see how young he really was.

  Master Varstan looked at him, then nodded. “You’re a swordsman, I see. As the challenged I choose the weapons.” Varik bowed so he continued. “I choose Dragon’s Tongues.”

  Varik didn’t laugh. He bowed and said, “Very well. I choose here and now to settle this dispute.”

  Master Varstan laughed and almost leapt from the back of his horse. “Ever handle a Dragon’s Tongue, boy? It’s not like a sword where power can bull through an opponent’s guard. With a Dragon’s Tongue, you have to have skill.”

  Stavin didn’t wait to be asked. He simply pulled his ‘Tongue from its sheath and handed it to Varik. “Clean it when you’re done.”

  “Wait, that’s not--”

  “Not what?” Rahlina demanded. “Stavin made his first kill with that ‘Tongue guarding my Nanna Sahren’s caravan. I made my first two kills with it saving Stavin’s life the next year. And Lieutenant Varik Kel’Horval of the Evandian Royal Guard made his first kill with it saving his sister and her family. Look at his shoulder, you old fool. He’s a Warrior of Kel’Kavin, and you’ll be his thirteenth kill.”

  One of the younger men at Master Varstan’s side stepped forward. “This has gone too far. Stop it. Stop it immediately or I’ll champion Senior Master Varstan.”

  Varik bowed and said, “If that is his wish.”

  The man drew his sword and stepped forward until Varik said, “Dragon’s Tongues. It was his choice.”

  The man froze in his tracks, then looked at Varik and said, “First blood, then.”

  Varik bowed, then stepped into the circle that five of their men had quickly drawn. The man faced him and they both bowed. Varik let the man move first, then spun Stavin’s Dragon’s Tongue underhanded, bringing his bottom blade up to take his opponent’s right hand off at mid-forearm.

  Varik stepped back and said, “First blood is drawn,” while his opponent screamed. He carefully cleaned the blood from Stavin’s weapon, then handed it back.

  “You’ve maimed me!” the man screamed.

  Varik nodded. “You should have let me face that old fool.”

  Master Varstan asked, “Do you realize who you just crippled? That’s Captain Mohral Kel’Deris of the Kel’Portan Guards.”

  Stavin went absolutely still. He said, “So this is where you ended up after Skykon,” in a near whisper.

  “I don’t know what you mean. I was already here when Skykon fell,” he gasped.

  Stavin growled, “So you say, but I despise all of you Kel’Portan Guards.” Turning his attention to the pasty-faced old man he said, “Now, Senior Master Varstan, take your followers back to your city, but rest assured that the Kavadian Master Council will hear of this, as will the Aravad Council.”

  “You--You are bound to obey the Guild!”

  “Yes, but you are not the Guild. You are just a grasping, conniving, power-poor old man with delusions of grandeur.”

  “You can’t insult me like that!”

  Varik sniggered. “He just did.”

  “I’ll--”

  “You’ll what?” Varik interrupted. “Challenge him? I’ll simply champion him again.”

  “I have two hundred men behind me!”

  Rahlina took one step forward and loudly said, “And if you attack Prince Stavin of Evandia, you’ll be at war with Evandia. If you attack Prince Stavin, the former king and current Heir of Coravia, you’ll be at war with Coravia. If you attack Prince Stavin, the Hero of Reynadia, you’ll be at war with Reynadia. If you attack Prince Stavin, the Blessed of Arandar, you’ll probably be at war with Luxandia as well.” She smiled, but it looked like a snarl. “And if you attack a member of the Aravad Trader’s Council, you’ll be at war with the Guild and Council.”

  Jaspan stepped over to his wife’s side and asked, “Are you men of Neravad that anxious to have every man’s hand turned against you?”

  Behind the lead delegation, men had already started returning to the city. Master Varstan was spitting and sputtering, but even he wasn’t fool enough to incur the wrath of five kingdoms and his own Master Council to collect taxes he wasn’t supposed to be collecting. Without a word, he turned, mounted his horse, and galloped away. All of his followers were close on his heels.

  Jaspan led his wife away. Stavin, Karvik, and their men remained standing in the road. Stavin turned and saw that Varik looked dejected and asked, “What’s wrong, Var?”

  Varik shook his head and muttered, “I could have gotten my star.” Stavin and Karvik’s howls of laughter chased the last of Master Varstan’s men into Neravad.

  * * *

  The caravan stopped and purchased supplies from the traders of Neravad, but no one entered the city. There was a caravansary, but Jaspan chose to camp out away from town rather than give the Neravad Council a single spark.

  As night fell, the people of Neravad left the city and surrounded the caravan. Karvik was getting ready to repulse and attack when a young woman came to the edge of the wagons and asked, “Will the Blessed of Arandar speak to us?”

>   Stavin put his hand on Karvik’s forearm and shook his head. “Let me deal with this. Stay ready, I know you will anyway, but let me address the crowd.”

  “Stave--”

  “I know, Kar. I’ll be careful. I think I’ll climb up on Jaspan’s wagon. That’ll let more people see and hear me.”

  Karvik put his head in his hands, then said, “Just wear your armor. You on top of a wagon usually ends badly.”

  Stavin laughed, then went to climb Jaspan’s wagon. He was wearing everything but his helmet, and the glow of Arandar’s blessing was clearly visible to everyone. Once Stavin came into view the crowd went silent and knelt.

  Stavin’s voice rang across the crowd. “Good people of Neravad, hear me. The Kavadian Traders’ Guild has entered into a treaty with the five kingdoms that border Kavadia. Those treaties provide for a five percent tax on caravans entering Kavadia, unless the caravan is Kavadian. Kavadian caravans are to be taxed two and a half percent.

  “The unpleasantness today was a misunderstanding of the purpose of the tax. Kavadia, under the guidance of the Traders’ Guild, is going to turn herself into a nation. That nation will deal with the bandits that have made Kavadia their home.”

  “Blessed One,” a voice shouted. “Are you going to lead us? Are you to be our king?”

  Stavin shook his head. “No. The Traders’ Guild Master Council will be your king and council. At least that’s the latest I heard.”

  “But what of you?” another voice shouted.

  “I am returning to my family in Evandia.”

  “But I heard you were going to establish Arandar’s worship in Kavadia,” a dark-haired girl at the front shouted. “I heard Arandar was going to drive out Lebawan and Sahren and all the others, and we were going to have to worship Him.”

  Stavin looked down at her and smiled. “That is not my purpose. If you wish to worship Arandar, or any of the Gods, you are free to do so. Even Lebawan. The choice to worship must be freely made.”

  “Is that it then?” a man’s voice shouted. “You’re just going to pass us by and take Arandar’s blessing to Evandia? What of us?”

  Stavin started to answer, but was suddenly flooded with that familiar feeling of tremendous power. His armor brightened until every face was illuminated, then his hand came up, and an echoing voice that wasn’t his own said, “Let the Light of Arandar the Bright shield you from evil, and let the love of the Gods Above fill your souls.”

  Everyone hid their faces, hundreds of people all around the caravan--all except nine people directly in front of Jaspan’s wagon. They gave one another a look, then vanished.

  Stavin felt the power of Arandar leave him, then he climbed down from the wagon and went to the fire. Kimber saw him coming and hid her face, but he simply sat down beside her. “Mistress Kimber, may I have some kava, please?”

  Kimber looked up at him and seemed relieved to find Stavin’s familiar smile. “At once, Prince Stavin.”

  Karvik, Jaspan, and Rahlina soon joined him. Karvik said, “I see Arandar decided to join the fun,” as he sat.

  “Stavi?” Rahlina asked in a timid, almost frightened tone.

  Stavin smiled up at her and said, “It’s just me, Rahli. Thank you, Kimber.” He paused and sipped his kava. “Arandar decided to let the others know he was watching.”

  “The others?” Jaspan asked in a tone that was even more timid than his wife had used.

  Stavin nodded his head. “All of Them were here. The ones asking the questions, trying to goad me on, were representations of the Gods Below.”

  “Doesn’t that go against your theory about how the Gods operate?” Rahlina asked, tilting her head to the side to look up into his eyes.

  “No. I mean it was Them in the flesh, not Them overshadowing people to control them. We know Ancient Vaskan worshiped the Gods, with Esho as their highest deity. We now know, thanks to that well where you left the bucket, that Ancient Vaskan extended at least that far east. We’re in Vaskan right now.” He paused to take another sip of his kava.

  “These lands were once the home of people who directly worshiped the Gods Below and Above. I think there’s an echo of that time still resonating in these lands and their people. And I think one or more of the Gods likes the idea of these people returning to their worship.”

  “Arandar?” Karvik asked.

  “No,” Stavin replied with a shake of his head. “No, I think it was Noka and Mariniva who were driving that little drama.” He shook his head. “I think Mariniva was that girl who came to the caravan and asked me to speak to them.”

  Karvik sighed, “She was really cute.”

  Varik was standing behind Karvik and said, “And blonde. I’d bet Noka looked like her twin with black hair.”

  Stavin looked over his shoulder and said, “I couldn’t see, but I think you’re right.”

  Rahlina’s voice was hushed as she asked, “You think the Gods, the real, ancient Gods Above and Below, were here? Really here, in the flesh?”

  Stavin nodded. “That’s what I think.”

  Jaspan whispered, “You’re so calm,” as he looked across the fire.

  Stavin shrugged, saying, “Arandar is always with me. I can feel Him every waking moment.”

  Jaspan shook his head slightly before replying, “Not you, Prince Stavin. Them,” he said, pointing at Karvik and Varik.

  Karvik chuckled and shook his head as he smiled. “Hang around Stave long enough and you’ll learn to take everything in stride. A god-storm on the coast. Amulets of the evilest one. Mariniva reminding you how far you are from home.” He grinned up at Varik and laughed.

  Varik sighed, “Oh, Gods. She almost made me--never mind.”

  “What happened?” Rahlina all but demanded.

  “I touched Mariniva’s Temple in Aniston, and She, well, She touched me back.”

  Rahlina looked closely at his expression, then said, “Oh. That must have been some touch.”

  Stavin smiled and added, “It didn’t help that Mariniva Zel’Aniston was there, and she’s an exceptionally attractive woman.”

  “And that priestess,” Karvik murmured in a dreamy tone.

  Stavin breathed a soft sigh and said, “Oh, yes. She was stunning, wasn’t she?”

  Rahlina snarled, “Men!” and then got up and walked away.

  Karvik looked around and asked, “What’d we say?”

  Chapter 33

  THE CARAVAN MADE PREPARATIONS TO LEAVE Neravad as soon as there was enough light to safely travel. Karvik had brought his team out to backup Varik’s team on the last watch, but nothing happened. They had all of the horses ready to move long before he went to wake Stavin.

  “The sky is starting to brighten, Stave,” he said as he went to one knee beside Stavin’s tent.

  Stavin answered, “Blagh,” as he pushed his tent-flap aside. “Early, aren’t you?”

  “No,” Karvik replied, holding a steaming cup of kava near Stavin’s nose. “Jaspan wants to be gone before Neravad wakes up.”

  Stavin crawled out on his elbows and said, “Probably a good idea.” He stood and armored up as well as he could, then took the cup from Karvik and sipped while Kar fastened his last buckles.

  Two junior guardsmen had struck Stavin’s tent before he’d taken his second sip. He watched them pack his gear and followed them when they went to the horses.

  Rahlina met him with a stuffed roll. “We got good sausages from the caravansary, so eat in the saddle. Jas thinks that grasping fool might try something else, and I don’t want another Valovad.”

  Stavin said, “Yes, Rahlina,” automatically, then went to Tru’s side. “Ready to go, girl?”

  Tru had her head up, watching the surroundings, as if she was looking for trouble. All the horses did. That above everything else bothered Stavin, so he mounted and rode her to the front of the caravan.

  “Jas, something has the horses spooked. I’m ordering my men to be extra alert, and you should do the same.”

  Jaspan gave
him a strange, silent look for a moment, then bowed. “The word has been passed, Prince Stavin.”

  Stavin nodded and said, “Good,” then rode off to find Karvik.

  Karvik saw him coming and said, “Everyone is on alert for trouble.”

  Stavin nodded, then looked over his shoulder. “Jaspan is acting strangely.”

  “He’s never seen you act like this, Stave.”

  Stavin gave him a puzzled look. “Act like what?”

  Karvik looked him over. Stavin was sitting forward in the saddle, back straight, and his Dragon’s Tongue was in his hand. Nodding once he said, “Like a Warmaster.”

  Stavin paused, then shrugged and said, “He’d better get used to it.”

  The wagons began to roll, and Stavin positioned himself next to Rahlina’s wagon. He noted that Varik was on her other side, then focused his attention outward. The land around them was still too dark to see any distance. Even so, he felt a threat. Someone or something was out there.

  The caravan picked up speed as the land brightened, and Stavin started to relax a little. Rahlina looked at him and asked, “Do you think we’re safe now?”

  Stavin nodded. “Yes, I think so. Why?”

  “I need you to take over for a bit. My back’s killing me.”

  Stavin brought Tru around and tied her reins to the back of the wagon, then agilely swung over and climbed into the seat.

  “Go on back and lie down, Rahli. Take your time.” Rahlina crawled into the back of the wagon. Varik looked at Stavin and they shared a silent shrug.

  The feeling of dread, of wrongness, faded as the day wore on. Rahlina stayed in the back of the wagon all day. She didn’t even come out to eat, silently accepting a stuffed roll then going back again.

  Stavin drove through the whole day. Karvik and Varik rode by his side, neither of them speaking, but both of them casting worried looks at the back of the wagon.

  Jaspan pulled into a prepared camping spot early that evening. The sun had spans left before it set, but Stavin had used hand-speak to tell Karvik what to do. While two traders saw to his team, Jaspan climbed into Rahlina’s wagon.