Gods Above and Below

by Loren K. Jones

  Karvik looked at Stavin and nodded toward his plate. “Done?”

  “Yep. Let’s get the horses and ride over. It’s a long way on foot.”

  Karvik nodded and led the way out of the inn, then turned around and came right back inside. “Gods Above, it’s cold out there.”

  Stavin was nodding. “I felt it. So, how about staying inside until Arandar warms things up a little?”

  Karvik said, “Good idea,” as his men nodded their agreement.

  Stavin returned to the same table and sat down. He grabbed his cup and sipped, but the kava had already cooled. He looked around, but none of the servants was in the room so he just got up and freshened his cup himself. Karvik was right beside him.

  Karvik muttered, “At least the kava is hot.” Stavin chuckled and led the way back to their table.

  Stavin took the time to go up and change into his full armor, then rejoined his men. They remained in the common room until Arandar had been up for five spans before braving the outdoors again. It was still cold, but not as bad.

  Stavin took a moment to check on all the horses. Someone had moved all the pack horses into the stable center aisle. They seemed to be fine, so he went to Tru’s stall.

  “Ready to go out for a bit, girl?” he asked. She shook her mane at him in answer and he laughed. He saddled her, then looked around. The ten men of Karvik’s team were also saddling their horses.

  When everyone was ready, Stavin nodded to Karvik. Karvik bowed his head slightly and said, “Form up and move out.” The man closest to the stable doors opened them and stood aside to let the others lead their horses past him, then closed the door behind him.

  Karvik commanded, “Mount up,” and once everyone was mounted, “At your convenience, Prince Stavin.” Stavin led the way with Karvik beside him. They both knew the way, so there was no need to speak.

  Aravad in winter was a new experience for all of them. The city was still active. No city as large as Aravad ever completely stopped, no matter what the weather. People who were going about their normal lives hardly paid any attention to the group of riders passing by until they saw Stavin’s golden armor. Then the whispers began.

  “The Blessed One,” was the most common comment. Some people knelt, but others turned and hurried away.

  Karvik said, “I don’t like that.” Stavin nodded, but didn’t say anything. He really didn’t need to.

  They reached the House Kel’Aniston compound and rode straight to the stable. They had barely managed to dismount before ten men came out of the building.

  One man went straight to Stavin and wrapped him in a bear hug, then lifted him from the ground. “It’s about time you got back, Stave. We were getting worried.”

  “Kahn? What are you doing here?”

  “My turn, Stave. Where’s Var?”

  Stavin pointed back the way they had come. “Sleeping back at the Rowan Tree. He had last watch.”

  “I’ll see him tonight. Now you, little brother-in-law, have some explaining to do. What in the five hells is this rumor that you have been blessed by Arandar the Bright?”

  Stavin shook his head. “It’s not just a rumor, Kahn,” Stavin replied as he stripped Tru of her tack. He turned her loose in the paddock and turned back to Kahndar.

  Stavin started walking and Kahndar joined him. Stavin said, “I’ll tell everyone the story inside. It’s too cold out here.”

  Inside the enormous building, they all went up to the top floor. It turned out that Kahn and the others had brought their whole families with them, and Stavin spent two spans being mobbed by his nieces and nephews and their friends.

  Kahndar clapped his hands and said, “Let him up. He has a story to tell.” Everyone calmed down and Stavin began his story.

  At the end he said, “So that’s all of it. I don’t know exactly why Arandar blessed me, but that’s nothing new.”

  “Stave,” Kahndar whispered, “what are you going to do now?”

  Stavin answered in a soft tone, “Go home. I’m going home to Shari and the kids. Anything else will just happen as it happens.”

  One of the other warriors asked, “But what of Arandar’s temple? Are you going to make the worship of Arandar the official religion of Evandia?”

  Stavin shook his head and smiled. “No. I don’t know exactly what He wants, but it’s not that.”

  “Then what will you do?” Varis, Kahndar’s wife, asked.

  “Go back to just being me.”

  Kahndar chuckled. “That would be enough for any man.”

  It wasn’t until their third day in Aravad that the Trader’s Council sent Ahlic Zel’Vandar to very politely invite Stavin to join them.

  “Prince Stavin, this newest transformation of yours has the entire city buzzing. The people from the Zel’Kaudell caravan have been getting roaring drunk telling your story in every inn, tavern, and ale house in the city.”

  Stavin laughed. “Let them. Let them profit a little from this tale. I don’t mind anymore.”

  “You’ve changed that much?”

  Stavin grinned as he bowed slightly. “Yes. That was one of the few things Arandar made clear: He wanted me to stop being so angry all the time. The hurt that made me so touchy about--well, about everything, I guess, is gone. Now, if the traders want to tell my story and maybe make a spark or two, so be it. At least they aren’t minstrels or bards who’ve never even met me.”

  Lord Ahlic bowed, but he was smiling broadly. “I am glad you’ve come to terms with your fame, Prince Stavin. Will you join me and the council?”

  Stavin nodded and stood, as did Lord Ahlic. Varik’s team was on so he and his men formed up as well. Lord Ahlic gave them a questioning look, then shrugged and led the way.

  The walk wasn’t that long, and by now just about everyone in Aravad knew Stavin was there, and the story of his latest exploits. People bowed or knelt as he passed, and there were even a few who followed him. Varik kept everyone at a safe distance, but wasn’t rude about it.

  The ancient palace of the Kings of Kavadia was the home of the Aravad Trader’s Council. Only a few of Varik’s team had been there before, and they thoroughly enjoyed the reaction of the rest.

  Varik posted his men outside the council chamber, but followed Stavin into the room. At Stavin’s puzzled look he simply said, “Orders.” Stavin shrugged, then took the seat that had been left vacant for him.

  “Prince Stavin,” Lord Perrit began as soon as everyone was seated, “we welcome you once again to the council. What title should we use to properly honor you?”

  Stavin stood and bowed. “Prince or Master, as you have in the past, Lord Perrit.”

  “If that is your wish, we will honor it. I have heard from young Jaspan that your negotiations with the kingdoms were successful.”

  Stavin nodded. “They were indeed, Lord Perrit. Coravia, Luxandia, and Reynadia have all agreed to a five percent tax both ways between Kavadia and their kingdoms.” He smiled as the councilors started murmuring. “In addition, the members of the Aravad Trader’s Council have favored trader status that lowers the tax to two and a half percent. Kavadian Traders returning from the other kingdoms will only have to pay half.”

  A woman to Stavin’s left stood and bowed. “How were you able to get that concession, Prince Stavin? We’ve been trying for many, many years with no success.”

  Stavin grinned and shrugged one shoulder. “Coravia and Luxandia were easy. The argument that you, and the Guild, would be able to use the tax money to pay for guardsmen to patrol the border regions and cut down on the bandits was enough. In Reynadia you already had the two and a half percent as Favored Traders. There were other considerations as far as the rest of the tax proposal went. King Alred didn’t want me distracted, so he simply accepted everything I had proposed.”

  “You could have gotten us more concessions. A better deal,” a man down the right-hand side of the table grumbled.

  Stavin shook his head. “No, I couldn’t. Not honorably.” The man
looked like he was about to say something else when Lord Ahlic stepped in.

  “Nestan, don’t be an ass,” he snarled.

  “He could have done better by us!” Lord Nestan Zel’Tobran nearly shouted.

  Lord Ahlic leaned forward and replied in a low, tightly controlled tone, “He’s not our Minister of Trade, you fool. Prince Stavin did us a favor by bringing the issue up at all.”

  Lord Zel’Tobran’s mouth opened as if to argue, but snapped shut on whatever he was about to say as he looked around. Every eye in the room was on him, and few of the expressions were friendly. Some were bordering on rage. He shook his head angrily, then sat back and glowered at everyone.

  Lord Perrit looked around the room, then focused on Stavin again. “Prince Stavin, I’d like to digress. Will you tell us the story of your blessing by Arandar? I’ve heard it from Jaspan and Rahlina, but I’ve also heard different versions from other members of their caravan.”

  Stavin bowed his head and began his tale once again. “In southern Reynadia we encountered the town and estate of Aniston. Lady Sahrana--” He told the story in detail, not omitting anything.

  “--so her own goddess destroyed her. I wasn’t going to do the bidding of the Gods Below.”

  “You could have made yourself a king!” one of the younger men blurted out.

  Stavin laughed. “I’ve been a king. Didn’t like it.”

  “Prince Stavin,” Lord Zel’Kaudell said as he stood to glare around the room, “is a member of this council, but he is also a prince of Evandia, and holds royal status in Coravia as well. You will all remember that, and comport yourselves accordingly.”

  Turning to Stavin he bowed deeply. “Please accept my apology on behalf of the council, Prince Stavin.” Stavin bowed his head, so Lord Perrit continued. “Given the nature of your latest change of status, I have to ask how it will change your involvement in Trade?”

  Now Stavin shrugged. “I honestly don’t know, Lord Perrit. A lot will depend on King Kalin’s reaction to the news. He is a fairly devout follower of Lady Sahren, and how he’ll react to me being blessed by Arandar is anybody’s guess.”

  A small woman that Stavin thought he should recognize asked, “Don’t you think he already knows?”

  Stavin shook his head. “I don’t know. I wanted to send him a message from Rey, but I couldn’t get to the Gold Merchants Chapter House. The crowds were unruly, and the commander of my guards was very forceful in his objections to my taking that risk.”

  Lord Ahlic looked at Varik and asked, “How forceful were you?”

  Varik bowed before replying, “I am not the commander, Lord Zel’Vandar. That’s Major Kel’Carin.”

  Lord Ahlic gave Varik an intense look. “I’ve met Karvik Kel’Carin several times. What did he do?”

  “He threatened to sit on Prince Stavin.”

  Stavin looked sideways at Varik and said, “Yeah, and you offered to help.”

  Varik shrugged. “Shari said to do whatever it took to keep you safe.”

  Stavin shook his head. “Just because I have to do everything she says doesn’t mean you have to.”

  “Oh, yes it does,” Varik replied as he moved to look down at Stavin. “You might have married her, but she knows secrets about me.”

  Stavin smiled slyly. “Not all of it is secret anymore, Var.”

  Lord Ahlic said, “Your pardon, Prince Stavin, but who--?” he indicated Varik with one hand.

  “My brother-in-law. Shari’s little brother.”

  Lord Ahlic chuckled. “The princess does have a somewhat forceful personality.”

  “She’s mean, Lord Ahlic. She’s just plain mean.”

  Lord Ahlic chuckled. “I have found her charming the few times we’ve met. But I’ll grant you have a different, more intimate view of her than I do. The Gods Above know my little sister and I have had our share of battles.”

  Stavin nodded as Varik bowed. Stavin said, “Honored Councilors, I will be continuing on to Evandia in two more days. I will make myself available if you have any more questions concerning trade or the treaties. For now, if you will excuse me, I have issues with my House that require my attention.” He stood and bowed slightly, and all the councilors stood and returned the bow deeply.

  Stavin left the council chamber with Varik at his side. “That was abrupt, Stave. What’s going on?”

  “I’m not sure. It’s just that the feeling of being watched got a lot stronger. Whoever it is took more interest when that woman asked about Kalin’s reaction.”

  “So what are you going to do now?”

  Stavin grinned up at Varik. “What I said. There actually is something I need to do for House Kel’Aniston. I thought of it when I finally recognized that tiny woman.”

  “You recognized her?”

  “Yes. She’s a Grain Merchant. I bought part of our spring supplies from her before we went against the Andarian Army.” He laughed. “That seems so long ago. I’m going to designate Landon, or whoever is running House Kel’Aniston, as my Council Representative. That way I’ll have a voice without having to come up here.”

  “Isn’t that something for the council to decide?”

  Stavin shook his head. “No, I need a magistrate. This has to be legally binding. I essentially have to give over full control and authority for the Kavadian branch of Kel’Aniston to my manager.”

  “That’s putting a lot of faith in him.”

  Stavin shrugged. “I think it’s well placed. Besides, I already did the same thing for Corrine and all the others.”

  Stavin led Varik out of the ancient palace and then toward the west. “Magistrates here are an odd lot. They have authority outside the control of the Traders’ Guild. They’re one of the few groups in Kavadia that do.”

  “There always has to be an outsider to say ‘No’ to the king.”

  Stavin nodded and said, “Essentially.” They continued on with Varik’s team in a double file behind them.

  The building that held the Aravadian Magistrates wasn’t impressive. It was old and in disrepair, and Varik placed a hand on Stavin’s shoulder to stop him.

  “This can’t be right,” he murmured in a suspicious tone.

  Stavin shook his head and replied, “Unfortunately, this is a symptom of the low level of respect that Kavadians have for their magistrates.”

  Varik shook his head but didn’t say anything. The entire group entered the building and found an elderly woman sitting behind a desk. She looked up and froze as her eyes widened.

  “Prince Stavin. I heard you were back in town.”

  Stavin grinned. “Greeting, Melanis. I need to see one of the magistrates.”

  The woman bowed her head, then backed away from her desk. She did not, however, stand. She rolled back in a chair that had a set of wheels on it. Once she passed through a door, Varik turned to Stavin.

  “Did you see that?”

  Stavin smiled. “Yes, I saw. The Healers say they can’t do anything for her back. Some things are beyond even the Healer Adepts. That chair lets her continue her work and support herself.”

  “So you know her? No, never mind, she knew you on sight and didn’t fall to her knees.”

  Stavin smiled up at Varik as he replied, “Ahlic brought me here years ago when I established House Kel’Aniston and introduced us. She’s originally from House Fel’Vandar. She manages the magistrates’ schedule.”

  “But--”

  Stavin shook his head. “Her back is broken, not her mind. Be careful, Var. Her wit is sharper than your sword.”

  Melanis returned and said, “Magistrate Zel’Morvan will see you now, Prince Stavin.”

  Stavin bowed, then led Varik to the back. “Just you, Var. Everyone else remain here.” Varik glanced over his shoulder, but didn’t have to give the order. All of the guardsmen had already moved toward the walls.

  The back of the building looked better than the front. The walls were still obviously old, but someone had at least cleaned them. Stavin walked into an
open door and stopped.

  “Greetings, Magistrate Zel’Morvan.”

  The man standing behind the desk bowed deeply. “It is a pleasure to see you again, Prince Stavin. How may I be of service?”

  Stavin bowed his head. “Magistrate Zel’Morvan, I am seeking to make the manager of House Kel’Aniston my representative on the Council.”

  “That is a standard practice, Prince Stavin. I have the appropriate document--hmm, I thought I had it--Ah, there it is,” he finally said as he pulled a rolled parchment from a cubby and flattened it out. “All I need is your representative’s name and your signature.”

  Stavin turned the document around toward himself and filled in Landon’s name, then signed and sealed the document. “There we are,” he said as he turned it back around.

  The magistrate signed his name and title, then sealed over his signature and Stavin’s. “There we are, Prince Stavin. That will be two gold crowns.”

  Varik blurted, “Two!”

  Stavin put a hand on Varik’s arm to calm him down. “That’s about what I expected.”

  “But two gold crowns for a piece of parchment?”

  “Yep. Magistrate Zel’Morvan, thank you for your time.”

  The magistrate bowed as Stavin turned away and left the room. All of the guards joined on them as they walked out into the street.

  Varik looked down at Stavin and frowned. “Stave, that’s ridiculous.”

  “You should try a magistrate in Twin Bridges. This,” he held up the parchment, “would have cost twice as much there.”

  Varik asked, “Really?” in a stunned tone.

  “Really. That’s one of the many reasons they say you can buy justice in Evandia. And everywhere else for that matter. Only people who can afford a magistrate go to them. The poor, or even the not-so-wealthy hesitate to approach magistrates just about everywhere. It’s seldom worth what they charge. Remember the story of the five crowns worth of gold and silver I got in Twin Bridges my first visit?”

  Varik nodded as his eyebrows drew down. “Yes, vaguely.”

  Stavin grinned. “That was only half of what the magistrate charged those two traders. He kept the other five gold crowns.”