The general looked pensive as he asked, “So the story of you slaying a dragon?”
Stavin snorted and covered his mouth until he regained control of himself. “Oh, Gods Above, that’s funny.”
Karvik spoke while Stavin laughed. “The creature was a draiger, not a dragon.”
“You actually killed a draiger, Prince Stavin?” the colonel asked in a husky tone.
“No, she was killed by her own Goddess. You see--” Stavin told the whole story as the army officers crowded close. The innkeeper and her staff kept everyone well supplied with food and beverages, and incidentally got the story at the same time.
“---so with Rey on the Glimmer and the kingdom safe, we begged permission from King Alred to leave. He threw in the ‘Hero of Reynadia’ at the end because I was refusing everything else he was offering.”
“You are a truly remarkable young man, Prince Stavin,” a woman’s voice said from behind several of the officers.
The men stepped aside and General Zel’Fordan said, “Prince Stavin, allow me to present Lady Mayor--”
“--Morvana Zel’Devran,” Stavin completed as he stood and bowed. “It’s a pleasure to see you again, Lady Zel’Devran.” He bowed again to the mayor and she bowed in return.
“Prince Stavin, I arrived at the part of your story just after Arandar the Bright blessed you. Did I miss anything exciting?”
Stavin shook his head and replied, “No, Lady Morvana, just a minor attack by the priests of Lebawan.”
“Oh, good,” she said as she poked Colonel Zel’Kerlan’s shoulder with one finger. “You’re in my seat, Jef.”
The colonel stood and held the chair for the lady mayor. “Thank you. Now, Prince Stavin, what other remarkable feats have you accomplished this year?”
Stavin took his time telling the rest of the story, with a little help from Karvik and Varik. He ended it with, “--and so we are home at last.”
The lady mayor was nodding her head sagely. “You have lived up to the wildest hopes and dreams of our good king and princess, Prince Stavin. Now it’s time for me to retire. I thank you for your story,” she said as he bowed her head deeply, “and extend the welcome of the city council. Delinda,” she said to catch the innkeeper’s attention, “the bill comes to me.” The innkeeper bowed deeply but didn’t reply.
“Jef, help me up,” she commanded and the colonel immediately did her bidding. Seeing the puzzled look on Stavin’s face she said, “He’s my nephew.”
Stavin smiled and bowed his head as the lady mayor turned away. General Zel’Fordan bowed as well. “Allow me to extend our welcome as well. My garrison is at your disposal.” He smiled, then turned away and led his men out of the inn.
Chapter 36
STAVIN LED HIS MEN OUT OF Kolovad the next morning. He again set a fast pace as they rode toward home. It still took seven days to reach Twin Bridges. They rode through the city of East Bridge, and over the East Bridge into Twin Bridges as the guardsmen and people of the area went to their knees.
Stavin looked at Karvik and said, “They know.”
Karvik laughed and replied, “Of course they know.”
The ride to the palace was a long one. Everywhere they looked, people were falling to their knees and occasionally bowing until their foreheads touched the ground.
Stavin just ignored them for the most part. He led his men into the palace and around to the stables. Stablemen came out immediately and started taking the horses--then dropped to the ground when they realized who was there.
Stavin hugged Tru’s neck, then headed for the palace door. Dahvin Zel’Fordal met him there.
“Stave, what did you do?” he asked in an exasperated tone.
Stavin laughed and replied, “Just the usual, Dahv. Where are Shari and the kids?”
“Shari is with Marina in her suite. Most of the people are in court with everyone else. Uncle Kal is waiting for your report.”
Stavin shook his head, then started walking. “So which rumor am I in the most trouble over?”
“That you seized a town and took the women as sex-slaves.”
Stavin looked up at his tall friend and said, “Oh, be serious. You know that one is a lie.”
“How about you killing a dragon?”
“Stupid minstrels.”
Dahvin laughed. “You killed all the high priests and installed your Chosen lords as the ultimate religious authority in Reynadia.”
“I only killed three priests, and that was in Zel’Kassel when the priests of Lebawan attacked me.”
Dahvin stopped and grabbed Stavin’s shoulder. “That really happened?”
“Yes.” Stavin started walking again. “I would have stayed out of it if they hadn’t had a mage.”
Dahvin continued. “You refused the Reynadian crown?”
“Wasn’t even offered.”
“You fathered a child--”
“No! Though a young girl did offer me her virginity on the way up to Rey on the Glimmer. Var turned her away before I even heard about it.”
Dahvin laughed. “How about that you went single-handed against the forces of darkness in the ancient temple complex at Rey?”
“That one’s true,” Karvik rumbled. “Stubborn ass.”
Dahvin looked at Karvik and asked, “Why didn’t you stop him?”
“You try to stop him, Dahv. Add in Arandar’s influence on top of his natural tendencies and he’s even more unreasonable.”
“Hey!”
“Stow it, Stave. King Kalin would be within his rights to dismiss me from the guard and send me home in disgrace.”
Stavin grinned. “He knows I’d go with you.”
“Where?”
“Darvin’s Port in Coravia. The Zel’Darvin family still owns most of it, and I am a scion of the Zel’Darvin family.”
Dahvin said, “Did I mention King Teravan and Princess Ellissan are here? He’s not too happy about your latest exploits either.”
Stavin looked at Karvik and said, “Shut up, Kar.” Karvik stopped laughing long enough to point a shaking finger at Stavin, then collapsed against the wall.
Dahvin put a hand on Stavin’s shoulder and pushed him toward the court. “There are a lot of people waiting to yell at you, Stave. Especially Shari.”
The doors of the court stood open and Dahvin marched Stavin through without pausing. Inside, filling all but a narrow aisle down the center of the room, were the Chosen lords and ladies of Evandia, dressed in a riot of colors that dazzled the eyes of Stavin and his men after the drab, natural colors of the continent in winter.
Stavin walked the length of the room, though he was aware that Dahvin had stopped Karvik and the rest just inside the doors. Stavin walked to the base of the dais and went to one knee, but kept his head up.
“King Kalin,” he began in a clear, strong voice that carried through the room, “I have returned from a successful Trade Mission to Coravia, Luxandia, Reynadia, and Kavadia. We are in agreement as far as Fair Trade and Taxes, in accordance with the instructions I received before I left in the spring.”
“Indeed,” King Kalin replied. “You are also in violation of your instructions not to engage in any combat.”
Stavin bowed deeply. “Your Majesty, I refrained from all but the most dire of circumstances. I only engaged in combat when I and my abilities were the only hope.”
“What of the dragon in Reynadia?” Princess Ellissan asked.
Stavin looked at her and shook his head. “The creature was a draiger, not a dragon, Princess Ellissan. And I didn’t kill her. Her Goddess did.” He smiled and bowed his head to the princess. “Even filled with Arandar’s presence I’m not foolish enough to attack even a baby dragon.”
“Are you sure about that?” King Teravan asked.
Stavin bowed deeply. “Yes, Your Majesty, I am certain. I may occasionally play the fool, but nobody is that foolish.”
King Kalin sat forward and shook his head. “We can’t send you anywhere, can we?”
; Stavin looked up at his adoptive father and shook his head. “I guess not, Your Majesty. And begging your pardon, where is the rest of the family?”
“In Marina’s suite. She’s been in labor all day.”
Stavin blurted, “What!” as he stood and stepped toward the dais.
King Kalin laughed, as did King Teravan. “You didn’t think this was just for you, did you?” King Kalin asked as he waved a hand at the crowd. “We only heard you were back two spans ago.”
Princess Ellissan shook her head and commanded, “Go get cleaned up, Stavi. You are not touching your new niece smelling like that.”
Stavin looked at her, then ran up the steps of the dais and clasped her in a tight embrace. “Smelling like what?”
Princess Ellissan was leaning back, away from Stavin, and her hands were out to the sides like she wanted to push him back, but was afraid to touch him. “Like a horse’s ass, you horrible horse’s ass!”
Stavin let go and ran to his suite, laughing all the way.
* * *
Avrin spent nine spans on Stavin before he was satisfied with his charge’s appearance. The clothes he’d left behind still fit, but Stavin had the gold-on-gold outfit from Aniston retrieved and spruced up for the occasion. Once Avrin would let him out of the suite, he went to Mark and Mary’s suite. He was met at the door by Dahvin.
“Sorry. Uncle Kal made me do it.”
Stavin shook his head as he muttered, “His sense of humor will be the death of me yet.”
Dahvin chuckled. “All of the young princes and princesses are in the royal nursery with Sahrena. Karvik’s brood is there as well. That woman is amazing.”
“Shari?”
“And Sora are in with Marina. So is Glora.”
“So what are we going to do?”
“Join the rest of the family worrying about things we cannot change.” Dahvin led the way back to the court, but by the royal entrance this time. He found his kings engaged in a game of flip-stones while the expectant father watched, chewing on a fingernail.
King Kalin didn’t look up as he said, “Find a seat, Stavin. The midwife says it’ll be a while.”
He said, “Yes, sir,” then went to Markal’s side. “How are you, Mark?”
“I’ve been through this before. I know I’ve been through this before, so why do I feel like I’ve never been through this before?”
Stavin didn’t laugh. He remembered the birth of the twins far too well. “She’ll be fine. They’ll be fine. You need to settle down and try to rest. Mary is going to need you soon.”
Markal nodded and sat in his throne. He muttered, “I feel so useless.”
Stavin patted his shoulder and walked over to the kings. “With your permission, Your Majesty, I would like to tell the court the truth about this summer.”
“Go ahead, Stavin,” King Kalin said without looking away from the game. “I’d like to hear it as well.” Stavin walked to the edge of the dais and the room went silent with expectation.
“My noble lords and ladies, this is the truth about my trade mission to the other kingdoms.” He told the story straight with no omissions or exaggerations.
It took seven spans of nearly continuous talking to tell it all. “And that is the truth, no matter what lies you’ve heard from the minstrels.”
The room erupted in shouted questions, but Stavin just bowed and turned away. He found Princess Ellissan sitting in Marina’s throne, gazing at him in rapt attention.
“So, Stavin, why is it that while you were on your way home from Rey, the Reynadian Ambassador came to us with a proposal of marriage from Prince Daran on the day after the twentieth anniversary of my birth?”
“You’ll like him and the Reynadian Royal Family, Ellie. He’s less than a year older than you, and, if the maids are to be trusted, he’s cute.”
“We’ll see. I asked him to come visit next summer. If we agree to a betrothal, you’ll have to come and relinquish your place as my heir.”
“Speaking of which,” King Teravan said, “Ellie is now officially my heir. You’re no longer next in line to the throne.”
Stavin turned and bowed. “Yes, Your Majesty. You’ll pardon my saying it, but, thank the Gods Above.”
* * *
Princess Rhohanna was born just after the mid night bells rang through the city. Kalin led the extended royal family to the Princess’s Suite. Markal held his daughter and presented her to her family.
“King Kalin, King Teravan, I am proud to present Princess Rhohanna Carissa Keranis Zel’Andral of Evandia.”
Stavin waited his turn, but didn’t take the baby from Ellissan’s arms. That feeling was upon him again, and he laid just one finger on her forehead as someone spoke through him to say, “Let the Light of Arandar the Bright shield this child from evil, and let the love of the Gods Above fill her soul.”
Kalin said, “I thought you weren’t going to do that?”
Stavin shook his head. “I didn’t.”
“We just saw you do it, Stavin,” King Teravan said as he glared down at Stavin.
“It was my finger and voice, but I was not in control. Princess Rho was just blessed by Arandar Himself.”
Both kings looked stunned, and Kalin said, “Stavin?”
“I don’t think it’s like what he did to me. I think the greatest of the Gods Above just marked Rhohanna as one of his own.”
Three days later Stavin took his escort to the temple road and walked into the ancient Temple of Arandar the Bright. Karvik and Shari were with him, and he stopped just inside the entrance.
“Gods Be--”
Shari clapped her hand across his mouth. “Don’t you dare, Stavi. Not in here.”
Stavin nodded and she let go. “You’re right, but look at this place! It’ll take twenty workmen all winter to repair all this damage.”
“Good thing you’re rich,” Karvik murmured.
Stavin had to chuckle. “Yes, it’s a good thing I’m rich.”
They turned around and found the street behind them filled with people. The royal guards immediately formed a wall of flesh and steel to protect Stavin and Shari. At first Stavin was concerned, but then he saw a familiar face in the front.
“Let me through,” he instructed, pushing between his guards to reach the crowd. When he reached the woman he nodded and said, “Madam Elain, how may I help you?”
Elain Fel’Carvin the Sixteenth went to her knees and the entire crowd followed her example. “Prince Stavin, my mother knew and valued you as a friend. It is I and my followers who wish to help you.”
Stavin nodded and said, “Please stand, Madam Elain.” He raised his voice and said, “All of you stand. Let Arandar’s light touch your faces.”
Turning his attention back to Elain he said, “Madam Elain, I am in need of honest workmen to repair Arandar’s temple, and the temples of the other Gods as well.”
Madam Elain had a startled expression on her face as she looked over her shoulder at the far side of the street. “Even them, Prince Stavin?”
Stavin smiled, but it was Shari who answered. “Elain, it is Stavin’s belief that all ten Gods influence all of us. To deny any of them is to deny our own natures.”
Stavin nodded and added, “We’re not going to over-do-it on those temples, though.”
“As you wish, Prince Stavin,” Madam Elain said with just a hint of humor in her eyes.
“I will pay a fair wage to the workers and craftsmen,” Stavin said in a voice loud enough to be heard down the road. Looking at Elain, he smiled. “And for you as well. I know you run this part of the city.”
Madam Elain drew herself up to her full height and bowed. “I’ll not personally take a spark from you, Prince Stavin. You are the only royal who has ever treated us with any respect. You and your lovely wife.” She paused and smiled at Shari.
“If you will give me a time, I will bring the leaders of six good work crews to speak to you and bargain on a price that will be fair for all involved.”
Stavin bowed his head slightly. “The day after tomorrow is the next day the Council doesn’t meet. Have them assess what the job will entail, then bring them to the palace at mid morning. Then I’ll show you what I’ve learned about bargaining.” Madame Elain bowed deeply, as did everyone on the street, then she led them away.
“Prince Stavin,” one of the guardsmen murmured, “you know that woman?”
“Her mother and I were friends,” Stavin replied without looking, “and her daughter has complete control of the Kel’Aniston Trading House in Evandia.”
Turning to look up at the man, he tilted his head to the side. “Without Madam Elain’s help, her mother, not that one, I wouldn’t have been there to save King Kalin that first time. And it was the elder Madam Elain who warned me about that attack on the palace.”
Turning to grin up at Karvik he quipped, “You know, in their own way, the Fel’Carvins are as loyal to Evandia as anyone.”
“Oh, Gods Above, Stave!” Karvik laughed. “Don’t let her hear you say that!”
* * *
King Kalin called his council to order and stood to speak before anyone could say anything. Stavin and Shari were back in their seats as Minister of Trade and Assistant, and he stared at them in silence for a moment, then shook his head.
“The first order of business is Trade. Late yesterday Prince Stavin came to me and requested permission to resign as Minister of Trade.” There was a sound of shocked negation from several of the Ministers, but several others were nodding in satisfaction.
King Kalin let them react for a moment before continuing. “I have agreed to his request. The latest change in Stavin’s fate has caused far too much turmoil. Therefore, as of tomorrow, Master Trader Zel’Kardym will be taking his place.”
“Your Majesty, what will Prince Stavin be doing instead?”
“That will be up to him,” the king replied with a smile for his son. “Given his record of accomplishments, I’m sure he’ll find something to keep himself busy.”
Stavin stood and bowed to the king. “Your Majesty, Shari and I thank you. Arandar’s blessing has become an impediment to my ability to negotiate. Everyone keeps collapsing and just agreeing to anything I propose. That is not good for Trade, and it’s not good for Evandia.”
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