Traders and Traitors (Stavin DragonBlessed Book 2)

by Loren K. Jones

  Valin bowed and said, "Yes, my lord," then knelt beside Stavin as Barvil led the rest of the people away. "As if I needed his orders," Valin snarled under his breath as soon as he was alone with Stavin and Karvik.

  "He was hit in the back with a fire-arrow. His mail stopped it, but it looks like he got a broken rib anyway," Karvik said as the healer put his hands on Stavin.

  "Very well. Let's see now--This is strange. Something is blocking me," Valin said as he sat back.

  Karvik groaned. "I should have thought of that. It's his armor: it blocks magic."

  "Then we must remove it," Valin said, looking at Karvik.

  Karvik said, "Sorry, Stave," and pulled Stavin's arms straight out over his head. Stavin cried out once, then fainted. With Stavin unconscious, Karvik got Valin to help him removed Stavin's mail and under padding.

  Stavin awoke when Valin put his hands over the enormous bruise in the center of his back and pressed. Valin said, "Only one broken rib. No damage to his lungs. I'll wrap it with a splinting spell, then give him some Bone Heal to speed up his recovery."

  Karvik said, "Thank you, Master Valin."

  "Adept, though I take no offense. I should have introduced myself," Valin said, smiling at Karvik.

  Stavin said, "Thank you, Adept Valin."

  "You are welcome, Friend Stavin. Now I'll see what I can do for the rest of your friends." Adept Valin stood and walked over to where the traders were seeing to their wounded.

  "Help me get dressed, Kar. I can still barely move," Stavin said as he tried to get his under-padding over his shoulders.

  "There's a bruise the size of your head right in the middle of your back," Karvik said as he helped Stavin. "Let's both armor up and join the others on watch."

  Stavin nodded, and both of them strapped on the rest of their armor, then walked together to the perimeter of the caravan and reported to Barvil.

  "Reporting for duty, Sir," Stavin said as they came to attention.

  "What's your condition, Stavin?" Barvil asked, examining him closely.

  "Fit for duty, Sir," Stavin snapped, looking Barvil in the eye.

  Karvik looked his father in the eye as well and said, "He's badly bruised and really stiff, Sir. He's going to be slow." He ignored the sputter of outrage from Stavin.

  "That won't matter with what you two will be doing. Stavin, you will be joining Lord Zel'Elindar in your capacity as a Friend of Evandia in dealing with whoever they catch of our attackers. The rest of us don't really matter, but your status makes this attack a capital crime. Kar, you're going along to watch his back. Both of you, be careful. The traders lost ten people, including Sahren. You will be their representatives as well, so pay attention and be prepared to tell everyone what you see and hear. Understood?"

  "Understood, Sir," Stavin and Karvik both snapped, then turned away.

  "You didn't have to tell your dad about my back," Stavin snarled as they walked away.

  "Yes, I did, Warleader Fifth Kel'Aniston. Besides, I'd rather have you mad at me for telling him than him mad at me for not."

  "Why is that?"

  Karvik grinned. "You can't make me do chores."

  Stavin froze for a moment, then grinned at Karvik. "Good point."

  Lord Zel'Elindar turned to face Stavin as he and Karvik walked up. "Are you fully healed, Friend Stavin?" he asked politely.

  "No, Sir," Stavin answered as he bowed, "but I am healed enough to deal with the cowardly scum who attacked us."

  Lord Zel'Elindar bowed his head slightly and turned to a man in the uniform of the city guard. "General Kel'Arvil, what progress have you made?"

  "I am waiting for my lieutenants to report back, Lord Zel'Elindar. I only know of one person who has been caught, and we are not certain that he was involved," the general replied.

  "If I may, General Kel'Arvil, we have an idea about who may have been responsible for this attack," Stavin said and continued when the general nodded. "Last season we had trouble with a merchant named Ahran Fel'Hadar. He attempted to steal a valuable consignment from Master Trader Sahren, but failed. The next day he tried again with twenty-eight men. They all died at our hands, but they killed two of my companions as well as two of the traders."

  "We know of Ahran Fel'Hadar. His status was--neutralized--late in the winter," the general said in a cautious tone. "Why do you suspect him?"

  "Master Trader Sahren was hit by three arrows. This was not a random attack, nor was it for profit. Someone wanted revenge against Master Sahren, and the only person we know of in this city who would have a grudge against her is this Fel'Hadar coward," Stavin explained.

  The general was nodding slowly by the time Stavin finished. "You have a good point, Friend Stavin." He paused and raised his hand slightly and a young lieutenant rushed to his side. "Tell our men to capture Ahran Fel'Hadar and anyone who is with him. Have them brought here." The lieutenant bowed and hurried away.

  Lord Zel'Elindar was looking at Stavin and Karvik with a curious expression on his face. "Friend Stavin, last year you carried but a single red stripe, yet now you wear a hollowed star. Your companion also wears a star. May I ask how you've achieved such rapid advancement?"

  "We had a very active season, Lord Zel'Elindar," Stavin replied with a bow.

  "I would be most interested in hearing about it while we wait," Lord Zel'Elindar said and received nods of agreement from everyone around them.

  Stavin and Karvik took turns telling the tale of their entire first season, and all of the lords and ladies seemed properly impressed by their accomplishments. General Kel'Arvil was openly amazed.

  "You claim forty-three victories in just a year and a half, Friend Stavin? That's a body-count that few warriors could claim even in times of open warfare between the kingdoms. And you, young man," he said, turning his attention on Karvik, "claim thirty-one victories. Have you let your companions claim any?"

  Stavin and Karvik both grinned widely. Karvik looked the general in the eye as he replied, "Yes, Sir. My father claimed nineteen kills last season and his fourth star. He now claims the title of Warmaster, and is only a few kills short of surpassing Warmaster Kel'Horval's record and taking over the academy."

  The general was quiet as he considered the two young men in front of him. "That is a remarkable achievement. Tell me, how long will it be before you two achieve as much?"

  Stavin snorted in amusement, then reddened with embarrassment. "Forgive me, Sir. I meant no disrespect. Warmaster Kel'Horval has one hundred and five kills to his name. Warmaster Kel'Carin, our leader and Karvik's father, has one hundred and four. We both have a long way to go before we match their achievements."

  "Every year can't be like this, Sir," Karvik added.

  "No, I suppose not, young man," the general agreed. "If nothing else, the sight of that golden armor will eventually start frightening the bandits away." He grinned and there was a scattering of laughter from the nobles.

  The discussion turned to other topics, most of which made little or no sense to Stavin or Karvik. The sun was half way over the horizon when a dozen city guardsmen brought five men to face the general.

  "Sir, we captured Ahran Fel'Hadar and these men with three bows and a dozen pitch-coated arrows," the lieutenant in charge reported.

  Lord Zel'Elindar looked at the thief and clenched his teeth. "Ahran Fel'Hadar, did you really think you could get away with setting a fire in the caravansary and risking the entire city?"

  "Lord Mayor Zel'Elindar, I set no fire," Ahran said as his followers nodded.

  "He is lying," a young woman said as she stepped forward. "I am Verronis Zel'Mahar, Truth Seer for Barren's Bridge. Ahran Fel'Hadar, did you order the attack on the caravan last night?" she asked.

  "No."

  "That is a lie. Did you shoot any fire-arrows at the caravan or Master Trader Sahren?"

  "No! I swear!"

  "That is a lie. Did you intend to murder Trader Sahren Kel'Vandar?"

  "No! No, please believe me," Ahran begged, but
the Truth Seer shook her head.

  "That is also a lie. Lord Zel'Elindar, this man is a liar and a murderer. He deliberately set fire to the caravan and murdered Master Trader Sahren," Lady Verronis said as she stepped back and turned away.

  "And what of these others?" Lord Zel'Elindar asked.

  "They will have to wait. I am too tired right now to question the rest of them," Lady Verronis said as she continued to walk away. "I am returning to my home to rest. After mid day I will See what the others have to tell us."

  Lord Zel'Elindar turned to the nobles around him. "I call for a vote of the Barren's Bridge City Council. Does anyone doubt the guilt of Ahran Fel'Hadar?" All of the nobles shook their heads no. Lord Zel'Elindar nodded. "It is unanimous, then."

  "Ahran Fel'Hadar," Lord Zel'Elindar said as he turned to face the murderer, "you are accused and convicted of attacking Friend of Evandia Stavin Kel'Aniston. You are accused and convicted of murdering Master Trader Sahren Kel'Vandar. You are accused and convicted of intentionally setting a fire that could have spread to the rest of the city, endangering countless lives. Each of these crimes carries the penalty of death by beheading. You will be taken to the block and immediately executed. General, see to it."

  “No!” Ahran screamed. “No! You can't! You can't.”

  The general signaled his men, and a now weeping Ahran and his men were hauled away. Lord Zel'Elindar turned to face Stavin once again. "Justice is done. We'll see to the rest of them later. I trust that you are satisfied by these proceedings, Friend Stavin?"

  Stavin bowed deeply. "Justice may be done, but my desire for revenge is far from satisfied."

  "No, I suppose it wouldn't be," Lord Zel'Elindar replied, stepping forward to place a friendly hand on Stavin's shoulder. "Don't let a desire for revenge eat at you, Friend Stavin. Be satisfied with the knowledge that the headsman will end his life in less than a span."

  Stavin bowed his acceptance. "I will inform the traders and my comrades of these proceedings." Stavin bowed deeply once more to the Lord Mayor, and again to the gathered nobles, then he and Karvik turned and walked away.

  "I thought you were going to insist on beheading him yourself, Stave," Karvik said as soon as they were away from the nobles.

  "I was," Stavin answered, "but my back hurts so bad I can hardly move my arms."

  Karvik nodded and his mouth twitched like he was about to laugh, but he contained himself. "You know what the Warmaster says, Stave."

  Stavin looked at him and they said it together. "Stupidity should be painful." Karvik laughed while Stavin shook his head. "This is a lesson I'll never forget."

  Stavin and Karvik found Barvil standing beside Rahlina. "Sir, the attackers have been found, and Ahran Fel'Hadar is on his way to the executioner," Stavin reported as he and Karvik came to attention.

  Barvil looked at Stavin and asked, "Did they catch any of the others?"

  "Yes, Sir," Karvik answered. "Four other men were captured with him, but the Truth Seer was too tired to question them all." He continued with a brief description of the events.

  Rahlina looked at Stavin and bowed her head. "We are in your debt, Stavin."

  "No," Stavin replied. "It was my honor and privilege to see the murderers of my friends brought to justice."

  One of the traders came and stood beside Rahlina silently until she looked at him. Then he simply said, "We are ready."

  Rahlina turned to Barvil and Stavin. "Join us in honoring our family."

  The cemetery that the traders were allowed to use was a short walk from the caravansary. The warriors stood to the side and Stavin felt his breath catch in his throat when he saw the blanket-wrapped forms on the ground. There were ten of them, and while he couldn't tell most of them apart, there was only one member of the caravan who was as small as the second body. It was seeing Kethlan laid out with the rest that broke the last of his resistance, and tears streamed down his face as Sahren, Kethlan, Angeleese, Damlan and six other members of their family were returned to the land.

  Chapter 17

  THE CARAVAN REMAINED IN BARREN'S BRIDGE for two more days before moving on. What little there was that was salvageable from the burned wagons was distributed among the closest kin of the deceased, and the rest was hauled away.

  It was late the second day when General Kel'Arvil came to the caravansary and asked for Stavin. When Stavin, Barvil, and Rahlina joined him, he gave them his news. "The four men who were with Fel'Hadar are dead. They wouldn't give us any other names, and Lady Verronis believes that there were no others involved."

  Stavin spoke for all of them when he said, "Thank you, Sir. It means a lot that you came out here to tell us yourself rather than just sending a message." The general bowed and left without another word, and Rahlina made her decision.

  "It's past time we showed this city our backs." Raising her voice, she got everyone's attention as she walked to the center of the caravan. "Listen up, Zel'Vandar! We roll at dawn. Nanny Sahren--Nanny Sahren was planning to continue south to the bridge at Valovad. I intend to continue on that route unless someone can give me a good reason not to."

  The morning sun found the caravan already on the road. Sharvit was in a wagon because of the amount of damage that the flaming arrow had done to his shoulder. Adept Valin had said it would be five days before he would be fully healed. Many of the traders wore bandages as well. Everyone was somber and quiet as they resumed their journey.

  Rahlina followed Sahren's pattern of stopping to trade at every large town, and at small towns as well if it was near nightfall. There was only one incident where the warriors were needed, and Aldric got his second kill when a sneak-thief tried to use a sword.

  The city of Valovad wasn't the largest city that Stavin had ever seen, nor the richest, but it was by far the strangest. The city architecture was all spires and towers growing out of small, squat buildings. Stavin wished he could ask Kethlan about it, and felt a stab of renewed grief as he realized yet another facet of his loss.

  Valovad boasted two caravansaries, one on either side of the river, and Rahlina decided to stop at each of them for a day. By Sahren's original timetable they were six days early, so there was plenty of time.

  Valovad boasted one of the largest bazaars in this portion of Evandia, and Barvil gave his men permission to visit the shops. "The whole hand goes or no one does," he ordered flatly, and everyone was glad that Sharvit was back on duty.

  Barvil joined Marvat's hand as they strolled through the bazaar. They all had plenty of gold in their pouches, but none of them were buying anything until Stavin saw a spice merchant. "Sir, spices," he said under his breath, but he was clearly excited.

  "Very well, Stavin, go ahead. Everyone else, keep your eyes open. I don't want any surprises."

  Stavin went into the spice merchant's building and was met by a rotund man wearing the vest of a Master Trader and a strange little red hat. "Ah, young lord, welcome. Welcome indeed," the spice merchant said as he came to Stavin's side. "What can I provide for such a magnificent young man?"

  Stavin pulled a slip of parchment from his pouch. "I need these spices."

  The merchant scanned the parchment and nodded. "I have an abundance of each of these spices, young lord. How much of each are you seeking?"

  "An Imperial Fist of each," Stavin replied, "except the makanin. Two fists of that." Stavin saw the light of avarice in the merchant's eyes. An Imperial Fist was the weight of a fist-sized bag of salt, and few people could afford that quantity of spices. To make matters better, from the merchant's point of view at least, those who could afford it didn't tend to be very good at bargaining.

  The merchant brought out large, sealed jars of each spice and placed them on the table. He then brought out a balance and, without being asked, handed Stavin a set of weights. "You will see, young lord, that the seal of His Majesty's Lord of Trade is intact. These weights were examined just this spring."

  Stavin nodded and then did something that obviously surprised the merchant. He pla
ced the largest weight on one side of the scale and used the rest of the weights to balance it out. "Very well. I'm satisfied by the accuracy of your weights," Stavin said, and sent a prayer of thanks to Kethlan's spirit.

  The merchant cleared his throat and gave Stavin a piercing look before continuing. He picked up the jar containing Varin's Tears and said, "For an Imperial Fist I would usually charge four gold crowns, but for you, Lord, I will reduce my price to just three." He smiled broadly, but Stavin didn't.

  Stavin took a step back and brought his hand up to his chest. "Three! Do I look like I'm made of gold? Don't answer that! I wouldn't dream of paying more than a crown a fist."

  "One! Young lord, you wear a fortune on your back yet you'd cheat me of my just due? Varin's Tears don't grow in Evandia. They are imported at great cost from the far reaches of the southern isles, often at the peril of the ships that bring them. Two and five silver. I could take a slight loss for such a magnificent warrior," the merchant said with a sorrowful expression.

  Stavin didn't take it. He bargained hard, playing the game the way Kethlan had taught him. Look at his eyes, not his hands, lad. Listen to his tone, not his words.

  Stavin and the merchant played the same game for the other nine spices, and in the end he laid out twelve gold and six silver crowns, lamenting his loss even louder than the merchant. A larger bag was produced to hold the eleven smaller bags of spices, and the merchant bowed deeply to Stavin.

  "You are a remarkably talented trader, young lord, and I wish you well."

  Stavin laughed. "I feel as if I have been robbed, good Sir. You got the better of me. One day I may return and we'll try again. Maybe I'll really get a bargain then." He was chuckling as he walked out of the building to rejoin his comrades.

  "You took long enough," Marvat said in a sour tone.

  "Just playing the game, Mar," Stavin answered with a hearty laugh. "Just playing the game." He smiled softly as he thought of Kethlan's lessons. The wily old trader had taught him so much.

  The hand continued around the bazaar and soon they had all joined the game, bargaining for various items and enjoying themselves. Barvil called an end to the game far too soon. "It's time to return to the caravansary and take the watch," he said as he draped a bag of assorted beads over his shoulder.