Gods Above and Below

by Loren K. Jones

  He asked, “Are you all right, darling?” as he caressed her hair.

  Rahlina nodded. “Just tired, and my back hurts.”

  Jaspan moved closer and gave her a hug. “I’m going to ask Prince Stavin to take the lead in the morning. I want to be back here with you.”

  Rahlina shifted, then grumbled, “I don’t want to give birth in here.”

  “Say the word and we’ll stop.”

  Rahlina shook her head. “No, I want to go home, Jas. Ask Lissa to come ride with me. She’s the closest we have to a midwife.”

  “I already did,” he whispered as he kissed her forehead.

  Stavin and Karvik were waiting outside the wagon when Jaspan climbed out. Karvik asked, “How is she?”

  “She’s not ready yet, but she’s close. Master Stavin,” he turned and bowed, “would you take lead in the morning?”

  Stavin bowed slightly as he replied, “I would be honored.”

  The night was quiet, and the dawn showed them a clear, cloudless sky. Kimber prepared the morning meal, but everyone was watching Rahlina’s wagon.

  Jaspan finally climbed out and came to the fire. At Stavin’s questioning glance he shook his head, collected two meals, then returned to the wagon.

  Stavin spoke softly as he ordered, “Prepare to roll. Kar, you take Rahlina’s wagon. Have Private Kel’Hastan drive. Var, you take the off side. If she goes into labor, we stop and circle the wagons around her.”

  The guardsmen all bowed, and a breath later so did all the traders. Stavin looked around, then went to get Tru.

  “Sorry, girl, no ride today. We’re going to take the lead, though. I know how much you like that.” She shook her mane and blew at him, then let him tie her reins to Jaspan’s wagon.

  Karvik rode to his side and said, “We’re ready to roll.”

  Stavin climbed into the seat and said, “Pass the word quietly, Kar. Let’s roll.” He flicked the reins and Jaspan’s mules started walking. Behind them, all the wagons fell into line, and the guards took their places.

  Grovet Fel’Vanis took his place by the lead wagon and bowed in the saddle to Stavin. He gave Stavin an intense look, shook his head, then faced front without saying a word.

  Stavin set an easy pace. He didn’t want to jar Rahlina any more than he had to. The day passed quietly with Kimber cooking behind him, and the road stretching out in front.

  The sun was already down when they reached a camp site. Stavin cast a worried glance at Rahlina’s wagon, then saw to the business of tending the caravan.

  Late in the night a scream rolled over the caravan. Everyone was instantly awake, and most of them were armed. Royal Guard, Caravan Guard, or Trader, everyone at least had a knife ready to defend their caravan. Moments later another scream sounded, and every eye was drawn to Rahlina’s wagon.

  Stavin saw Jaspan sitting on the wagon seat and walked over. Placing a hand on the seat he gave it a little shake to get Jaspan’s attention.

  “You should come away from there, Jaspan.”

  Jaspan was obviously torn between wanting to stay at Rahlina’s side and knowing Stavin was right. He finally climbed down and let Stavin lead him to the watch fire.

  Stavin and Karvik bracketed Jaspan and made him sit down. A pot of hideously strong kava was over the fire, and Stavin poured for all three of them. If Jaspan thought there was anything odd about a prince pouring him kava, he didn’t mention it.

  Another scream drew their attention and Jaspan started to rise, but both Stavin and Karvik held him down.

  Karvik said, “You have to let the women see to this themselves, Jas. Wives tend to say unfortunate things to and about their husbands while giving birth.”

  Stavin picked up where Karvik left off. “Just let the midwife take care of her.”

  Jaspan was turning his cup around and around in his hand, and as the night wore on Stavin closed his eyes. He silently prayed, “Kind Alankarah, Beautiful Mariniva, I beseech you: Please bring Rahlina through this.”

  The sun rose with no sign of the baby. Stavin decided, without consulting Jaspan, to remain where they were. There was some grumbling from the traders, but Stavin just glared at those individuals until they closed their mouths and walked away.

  It was just past mid day when Kelina Kel’Kaudell finally howled at the indignity of birth, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

  * * *

  Stavin retained control of the caravan. There was no reason to take Jaspan away from his wife and child. The town of Jerras Bridge came into view early the third day. Kimber had finally warmed to Stavin enough to say, “Be careful here, Master Stavin. They’ll charge you too much for the crossing if you’re not on your guard.”

  Stavin bowed his head to her and said, “Thank you.” He kept the caravan going until they were stopped at the bridge.

  “Stop there, if you will, good master trader. How many wagons and riders do you have?”

  “Twelve wagons and forty-one riders.”

  “That’s a lot of guards for such a small caravan. You haulin’ something good?”

  Stavin smiled. “Only eight are caravan guards. The rest are a bunch of Evandians going home.”

  The man nodded. “What House are you from?”

  Stavin pointed at the glyph on the side of the wagon. “Zel’Kaudell, from Aravad.”

  “And the Evandians? Is that meddling prince among them?”

  Stavin chuckled. “He is.”

  “Very well, you know the toll: a silver for each wagon, and two sparks per rider.”

  Kimber whispered, “One spark per rider.”

  “Here now,” Stavin said loudly, “what kind of fool do you take me for? I may be young, but I’ve got my vest. One spark per rider is the going rate.”

  The toll keeper gave Stavin a stubborn look, then shrugged. “You pay what I tell you to pay or you can swim the river.”

  Karvik and Varik rode up on opposite sides of the wagon. Karvik asked, “Is there a problem, Warmaster Zel’Andral?”

  “No, Warleader Kel’Carin, just a dispute over the amount of the toll.”

  The toll keeper was staring wide-eyed at Stavin as his mouth eased open, then took a step back. “You’re him! You’re him, aren’t you!? You’re the Dragonblessed, that prince!” He didn’t wait any longer. Turning, he took off at a dead run along the river’s edge.

  Stavin, Karvik, and Varik laughed uproariously until a prosperous-looking woman walked up and bowed. “Prince Stavin, I am Cedar Fel’Berrystan. I own the Strutting Cock Inn. Can we persuade you to stay the night?”

  Stavin shook his head. “It’s much too early to stop, and we’re in a hurry to get home. That toll collector of yours is going to cause a problem if he keeps that up.”

  The innkeeper bowed deeply. “Unfortunately true, Prince Stavin. That fool Chardin has been trying to cheat people all year. The toll is a silver per wagon and a spark per rider.”

  Stavin laughed, then handed down a handful of coins. “I was prepared for that. Good day, Innkeeper Fel’Berrystan.” The innkeeper bowed and backed away, and Stavin flicked his reins to get the mules moving again.

  The bridge wasn’t that long, and the caravan was soon traveling up the road again. Stavin kept them going until they reached a good camping spot near dark.

  The first thing Stavin did once the caravan was parked was check on Rahlina. Jaspan was on the wagon seat, looking around.

  Stavin whispered, “How are they?”

  “Sleeping. At last,” he whispered back.

  Stavin grinned and waved him down. They walked over to the fire and Kimber handed him a cup of kava.

  “You just have a seat, Master Jas, and I’ll have your food ready soon. How is the baby?”

  “As beautiful as her mother and as difficult as her father.”

  Kimber joined everyone in laughing at Jaspan’s comment, then turned back to her duties. Stavin watched her go, then turned back to Jaspan.

  “You owe her a silver crown. She warned me
that the toll keeper a way back was going to try and cheat me.”

  “Jerras Bridge?” Jaspan asked. When Stavin nodded, he continued. “There was trouble with him on the way out as well. I had to get their mayor involved.”

  Stavin laughed and told the story. “Once he realized who I was he started running and didn’t stop.”

  “I would have as well,” Jaspan said as he sipped his kava. “You have quite a reputation, Prince Stavin.”

  Stavin just laughed.

  Chapter 34

  THE CARAVAN SPENT THE NIGHT QUIETLY, and moved on in the morning. Kelina was ten days old before her father felt comfortable enough to take over the caravan again.

  “Thank you, Master Stavin. You’ve proven yourself to be a true friend.”

  “My pleasure, Master Jaspan.”

  It took another nineteen days to reach Aravad, and by then the ground was blanketed with a cubit of snow. Karvik looked at it and shook his head.

  “If the gap isn’t closed by now, it will be by the time we get to Kel’Kavin. Sorry, Stave, but we can’t risk going up there.”

  Stavin grumbled but eventually nodded. “So we continue to Twin Bridges after I speak to the Council.”

  They stayed with the caravan all the way to the Zel’Kaudell compound. Once Rahlina was inside, Stavin veered off, leading his men to the Rowan Tree Inn.

  “Prince Stavin, it’s wonderful to see you again,” Innkeeper Bel’Jeffrin said as he came out to the porch. “I’ll send Varan and Seldar out to help with the horses.”

  Stavin nodded and guided Tru around the inn. Tru knew these stables from Stavin’s many trips to Aravad, and soon she was standing in a stall, placidly munching hay and grain. Stavin let the inn’s boys see to the pack animals while he took his own bags inside.

  Terrel Bel’Jeffrin met him as he came through the door. “It’s late in the year, Prince Stavin. May I ask what brings you up to Aravad in the snow?”

  “Going home, Terrel. We’ve been in Reynadia and the lower kingdoms all year negotiating treaties.”

  Terrel bowed deeply. “I’ve heard some of the announcements. I understand there is going to be a new tax on goods entering Kavadia.”

  “That’s the treaty,” Stavin agreed.

  Terrel bowed deeply again. “I heard some wild stories about you as well, Prince Stavin. A minstrel was in here claiming that you are the Blessed of Arandar now, on top of everything else.”

  Stavin sighed. “True. All too true, Terrel.”

  Terrel stepped back and went to his knees, bowing until his forehead touched the floorboards. “Blessed One, you honor us.”

  Stavin made a rude sound and said, “Oh, would you please get up? You know me better than that.”

  Terrel climbed to his feet, then bowed again. “Will your usual suite be sufficient, Prince Stavin?”

  Stavin nodded and said, “Yes, and no more displays like that. It’s embarrassing.”

  “As you command, Prince Stavin.”

  The Rowan Tree was large enough to house Stavin’s party in comfort, and nearly empty at this time of year. Stavin said, “Terrel, don’t double up my men if you don’t have to. They’ve been sharing rooms for most of this trip. Plan on us being here for six days.”

  Terrel’s eyes lit at the mention of a full house at this time of year, then he bowed and said, “As you wish, Prince Stavin.”

  Karvik was at Stavin’s shoulder and asked, “Why?”

  “I think I’m going to be very busy with the Trader’s Council and Guild for at least five days, and maybe a sixth as well. I’m only going to need one team at a time, and I want the men to have a little privacy.”

  Karvik chuckled. “You too?”

  “I’m never alone, Kar. I feel Arandar’s presence even more acutely here for some reason. Besides, you know me. The moment my head hits a pillow I’m gone.”

  Karvik chuckled then walked away. Terrel had Stavin’s suite ready in moments, and Stavin went up to bathe. He’d soaked a few saddle-sores into submission by the time Karvik joined him.

  “Everything’s arranged, Stave. Terrel said that food fit for a prince would be ready soon.”

  Stavin shook his head and asked, “Oh, Gods Above, what is he fixing now?”

  It turned out that Terrel was fixing something that he knew Stavin really did like: venison stew. Hard-crusted sourdough rolls, sweet butter, and the best beer in Aravad completed the meal, and Stavin could hardly wait for Karvik to give the nod.

  “Oh, Terrel, this is truly magnificent,” Stavin managed to say between bites.

  “Excellent,” Karvik agreed. “You’d make the cooks in the Reynadian palace jealous.”

  “And their brewer,” Varik said as he sipped his beer. “Reynadian beer is too thin. This is real beer.”

  Terrel bowed deeply, then saw to the rest of their men. Stavin grinned at Karvik. “He knows me so well.”

  “We’ve been here often enough. When do you think the Traders are going to summon you?”

  Stavin shook his head. “Tomorrow at the earliest. They’re going to want to question Jaspan first, and maybe Rahlina as well. They both know the story well enough to fill in the council on what really happened rather than what some minstrel or bard made up.”

  Karvik chuckled and ordered two more beers. When Varik looked at him he said, “You take the watch at mid night, Var. No fuzzy or aching heads for you or your men.”

  Varik bowed slightly, then looked at his mug. Shaking his head he downed it in one gulp, then stood and said, “Good night until mid night.”

  “Good night, Var,” Stavin said as Varik walked away. Turning to Karvik he asked, “And what about you?”

  “We’re going to the council with you, if you go, and we both know how late in the day they convene. This is my last one anyway.”

  Stavin nodded and sipped his beer, but his eyes were continuously scanning the room. “I don’t know what it is, Kar, but I feel like something is watching me.”

  “Someone nearby?” Karvik asked.

  “I don’t know if it’s a someone or something. I just feel like--I feel like Charvil is watching me. Like the Warmaster is judging me.”

  Karvik looked closely at Stavin, then shook his head. “Let me know if it gets worse.”

  Stavin went up to his suite and shucked himself out of his mail, but kept his under padding on. It wasn’t that he thought it would be necessary; the room was just cold.

  Stavin’s sleep was troubled by dreams of the past. Vaskan at its height spread out before him. Great warrior kings led their people in conquest after conquest. Stavin twisted in his sleep, fearing something he couldn’t name. Finally, the dream took on a familiar feel. He was the king, the emperor, and the Gods Below commanded him to sacrifice--

  Stavin sat bolt upright in his bed, shouting, “No!”

  Varik burst into the room, sword in one hand and a lamp in the other. He demanded, “What’s wrong?” Before Stavin found his voice Karvik bulled his way into the room and demanded the same thing.

  Stavin finally caught his breath and said, “It was Him again. The Evilest One. It was the same old dream from when I was carrying those thrice damned amulets.”

  Varik asked, “Stave, how can he touch you now with Arandar’s blessing?”

  Stavin shook his head. “I don’t know, Var. I just don’t know.”

  Karvik patted his shoulder and said, “Go back to sleep if you can, Stave. It’s still about twelve spans ‘til first light.”

  Stavin made himself lay down, but he couldn’t close his eyes. Something in Aravad was triggering those same old feelings of dread. Those same old feelings of being pursued, hunted, driven into a trap.

  He finally gave up and climbed out of bed. He squirmed back into his mail, then pulled on a set of fine clothes. He’d lost enough weight on the trip across Kavadia that they fit snugly but not too tightly.

  Varik was startled when he opened the door. “Are you all right?”

  “Yes, I’m fine. I jus
t have to get up. Come on down to the common room and have a cup of kava with me.”

  Varik walked down the stairs beside Stavin and they took a seat at a table. Another of the guards brought both of them kava, and Stavin thanked the man before taking a sip.

  “For the last few days the feel of the Gods has been getting stronger. It’s like Rey, with the temples. I am very aware of every one of them.”

  “What can we do about it?”

  “Nothing.” Stavin sighed. “Not one damn thing.”

  They were still sitting there when Terrel came out of the kitchen. “Oh, Prince Stavin, you’re up early. What can I fix for you?”

  “Eggs, ham, and fried tubers with onions.”

  Terrel laughed. “One Prince Stavin Special coming right up.”

  Varik said, “Two.”

  “Three,” Karvik added from the stairs. “And kava. Lots of kava.”

  Terrel chuckled and bowed to Karvik as he said, “Of course, Major Kel’Carin. Of course.”

  Karvik sat down and asked, “How long have you been up?”

  Stavin shrugged. “Six, maybe eight spans. You?”

  “Never went back to sleep. I kept thinking about our second expedition, and those amulets.”

  Stavin nodded and sipped his kava. “Same here.”

  Terrel returned with fresh kava, and for a wonder Karvik didn’t test it. “Go ahead, Stave. It isn’t as if you haven’t already been drinking it all night.”

  Stavin chuckled as he picked up his cup. “While we’re here I want to go out to the warehouse and check in with Landon and the rest.”

  Karvik nodded. “And see who the elders sent down for the winter?”

  Stavin nodded. “That too.”

  Their morning meal arrived soon after, and Stavin sat back as Karvik tested it. Terrel was standing at Stavin’s side, but he was relaxed. Karvik took a small bite of everything on the plate, then nodded and pushed it over to Stavin.

  All three of them ate without speaking, and soon the rest of their men joined them. Sergeant Zel’Fordan’s team took the watch, and Varik sent his men to bed.

  “You too, Var,” Karvik said when Varik looked like he was going to stay.

  Varik just nodded and stood up. “Good night to you both.” With that he turned away and went up the stairs.