Traders and Traitors (Stavin DragonBlessed Book 2)

by Loren K. Jones

  "Dragon Watch?" Stavin asked, looking up at Lieutenant Zel'Fordal.

  "Our watch sections are called Dragon, Draiger, Ocellen, Bear, Condor, and Snow Cat, Lieutenant Kel'Aniston. I suspect that's why His Majesty was so amused by the idea of sending them with you."

  Stavin didn't say anything, but he was having to work hard to suppress his laughter as they headed toward the stables. They were met as soon as they entered the stables. "Saddle Lieutenant Kel'Aniston's horse," Lieutenant Zel'Fordal ordered, and two grooms immediately moved to obey him.

  "Wow," Stavin murmured.

  "What?"

  "I haven't had someone saddle my horse for me since I was ten. It's part of our training to always take care of our own mounts."

  "Not in the royal stables," Lieutenant Zel'Fordal said, and turned his attention toward the stalls.

  The grooms were leading Stavin's horse forward, and she looked like they had spent spans currying her. The groom handed Stavin her reins with a deep bow, stepping back as Stavin automatically checked her tack. He froze when he saw her saddle blanket. Seemingly of its own volition, his hand came up and felt the fabric. The plain wool blanket that all of the Kel'Kavin warriors used had been replaced by the deep blue and red blanket of the Evandian Royal Guard. Stavin looked up at Lieutenant Zel'Fordal and he knew that his smile said more than words ever could.

  Lieutenant Zel'Fordal smiled in return, then said, "I'd suggest walking her back to the caravan, Stavin. The watch section will be marching behind you and Captain Zel'Tarlin."

  Stavin smiled and nodded. "Thank you for all of your help, Dahvin."

  "My pleasure, Stavin."

  Stavin slid his Dragon's Tongue into the sheath beside his saddle and then joined Lord Dahvin as he led the way back to the drill field. Several members of Dragon Watch were already there and they formed into ranks facing the two lieutenants.

  Captain Zel'Tarlin soon joined them. They waited for the entire watch section to form up before he turned to Stavin and said, "We are ready, Lieutenant Kel'Aniston."

  Stavin bowed and said, "Thank you, Sir." He turned and walked his horse toward the palace gate. Captain Zel'Tarlin and Lieutenant Zel'Fordal led the fifty members of Dragon Watch behind him.

  Chapter 23

  SHARINDIS AWOKE IN THE MIDDLE OF the night to a horrible sensation. She was wet, as if she'd lost control of her bladder. She was embarrassed more than anything, but then a tearing pain gripped her across the stomach and she knew what was happening. When the pain eased she raised her voice and called out, "Mom!"

  Marinis slammed the door open just a moment later, the lantern in her hand illuminating the dark stain on the bed. "Are you in labor?" she asked as she set the lamp on the table and sat next to Sharindis.

  "I think so. I think--I'm sorry about the bed. I didn't know it would happen like--Oh, there it is again!" she grunted as a contraction gripped her like a vice.

  Marinis looked over her shoulder and said, "Karlit, go get Barban and Nahrana."

  Karlit was gone long enough for six more contractions to grip Sharindis. He led Shari's mother and Barban Kel'Kaffrey, the village midwife, up to Shari's room.

  Barb immediately shooed Karlit out of the room. "You'll be of no use until the babe is born. Off with you." She closed the door firmly, and walked over to the bed. "Now, let's see how you're doing, shall we?" She knelt beside Shari's bed and quickly examined her. "You've just barely begun, Shari. Marinis, we're going to need clean linens and cleaner water. If you'd put a large kettle on to boil, then see about making us all some kava, that would be very helpful."

  Marinis caressed Sharindis' forehead. "We've all been through this before, Shari. It'll take a while, but you'll be fine." She left the room and headed down stairs.

  "Is everything all right?" Karlit asked. Charvil was sitting with him, sipping kava.

  "Yes, Shari's doing fine. Barb wants some kava and boiled water."

  "Does she need anything else?" Karlit and Charvil both asked, making Marinis laugh.

  "Sora gave birth to little Noral just twenty days ago, and you act like you've never done this before. Just leave the birthing rituals to the midwife and mothers, and everything will be fine. You're both fathers. You should know this."

  Both men looked chagrined, and Marinis went to the kitchen. She prepared the things Barb would need, making extra kava and preparing a tray of bread, sausage and cheese. Then she went upstairs and joined in the hardest part of the birthing process for the helpers: waiting.

  Sharindis was in labor the rest of the night and most of the day. Karlit did his best to keep Charvil's mind occupied, but the occasional scream from the second floor eventually proved to be more than he could stand. Both men left the house and went somewhere else.

  "I swear, I'd rather suffer the pain myself than listen to my child scream and not be able to do anything about it," Charvil muttered as they walked toward the town hall.

  "I know. Oh, how I know," Karlit agreed. "Remember, I have three older girls, and Sora just gave birth. This is my fifth time through this, and I'll tell you what." He looked up at Charvil and slapped his shoulder. "It never gets any easier."

  Charvil snarled, "Oh, you're a lot of help," then turned toward the practice grounds.

  They returned to the house near mid day to find Mikal Kel'Kaffrey waiting for them. "I was just about to go looking for you. Barb came down a few moments ago. Congratulations, gentlemen, you have a grandson."

  Both men shared a happy grin, and headed for the stairs. Karlit knocked, then slowly opened the door. "Can we come in?" he asked, peeking toward the bed.

  "Yes, come in," Barb answered. She met the men with the baby in her arms. "Gentlemen, I would like you to meet your grandson, Karlin Kel'Aniston."

  * * *

  There was a commotion in the city of East Bridge that was spreading outward from the bridge, reaching the caravansary at last like the sighing of the surf. Hundreds of people could be seen gathering along the main thoroughfare, and all of them were looking toward the bridge in anticipation of something special.

  The people in the caravansary were no exception to the rule, and soon even the traders were straining to see what was coming. The cheers started slowly with the people nearest the bridge, but soon they burst out all along the road. Someone or something very special was coming.

  Barvil looked up the road and finally saw a group of men coming toward them. Soon he could see the leaders, and sunlight glinted off the golden armor of the man in the very front.

  "Oh, Gods Below, what did he do?" he asked no one in particular. No one answered, because not even Karvik could begin to guess what Stavin had done this time.

  Stavin eventually reached the caravansary gate and turned to face Captain Zel'Tarlin and Lieutenant Zel'Fordal and snapped to attention. "Gentlemen, thank you for the escort. Lieutenant Zel'Fordal, I look forward to my next visit to Twin Bridges."

  "And I. Fare well, Lieutenant Kel'Aniston," Lieutenant Zel'Fordal said, then stepped forward and clasped forearms with Stavin like an equal.

  "Dragon Watch!" Captain Zel'Tarlin snapped, "Render honors forward!" As one the entire watch section, fifty-one members of Chosen clans from all over Evandia bowed deeply to Stavin. Stavin returned the bow, then stood at attention as they executed a parade-ground perfect about-face en-masse, and the two officers walked past them to lead the way back to the palace.

  "What in the hells was that all about?" Karvik asked as soon as the guardsmen started marching.

  "An excellent question," Barvil said, looking at Stavin. "And what are you wearing?"

  Stavin snapped to attention automatically. "Sir, as a reward for saving the king I was made a lieutenant in the Evandian Royal Guard," he explained.

  "And the parade?" Marvat asked.

  "The king ordered the watch section that was supposed to have kept the assassins away yesterday to escort me out of the city. He seemed to find it amusing that it was the Dragon Watch."

  Several of the warr
iors chuckled at Stavin's explanation. Then Rahlina shouldered her way forward to face Stavin. "Are you all right, Stavin?" she asked.

  "Yes."

  "Are you ready to go?"

  "Yes. Is the caravan?"

  Rahlina smiled and nodded. "Just as soon as we can pack up and hitch the teams--and we get our Master Trader to put his vest back on to lead us out."

  Stavin smiled sheepishly and nodded, then said, "Yes, Ma'am."

  Rahlina and the traders began packing, and Stavin spent the time detailing the events in the palace to Barvil and the rest of the warriors. When he got to the end, Barvil nodded.

  "You are correct, Stavin," Barvil said as Stavin looked up at him. "The second assassin isn't going to count toward your second star."

  Stavin shrugged. "Then my count stands at forty-four. Look at this, Sir," he said, drawing the long knife and handing it, hilt-first, to Barvil.

  "Damn," was all Barvil said for a moment as he examined the big knife. "There must be four or five gold crowns worth of gold and jewels on this thing."

  "Hell of a trophy," Farval said as he leaned forward to look at it.

  "That's about all it's good for," Stavin agreed.

  "Oh, you could use it," Barvil said, tapping the blade with his finger. "This is a Solgar Steel blade. See the proof mark? The fancy trinkets aside, the blade alone would cost about five gold crowns. It's as good as any sword our smith can make."

  All of the warriors took a turn checking the knife before Barvil said, "Pack up and prepare to move." Then they quickly rolled their gear and saddled their horses. Stavin carefully folded his cape and stowed it in his saddlebags, and the big knife with it. Then he put on his vest and jogged up to join Rahlina on the lead wagon.

  "I was concerned that we were going to be staying here for a while," she said as he sat beside her. "Trade was brisk yesterday, but today has been slow. I don't know what a third day would have been like."

  "Well, we're heading to Kavadia now. We should be in Aravad in fifteen or sixteen days."

  Chapter 24

  "THEY ARE HEADED NORTH EAST," A man said in a darkened room, somewhere in Twin Bridges.

  "Excellent," a different man said.

  "Indeed," the first voice agreed. "Our revenge against the interloper will be easier with them on the road."

  "I only regret that we can't see his death personally," a third voice said.

  "I will be satisfied just knowing he is dead," the first man said.

  * * *

  The road network in Evandia only provided a few routes from Twin Bridges to the Kavadian border. From East Bridge, the road led to the city of Nasan after just three days. It was a good-sized modern town that more than twenty thousand souls called home, but Rahlina only kept them there for a day to trade. Being so close to Twin Bridges gave the people there easy access to the capital and its markets.

  Rahlina shook her head and a sour expression twisted her face as she walked over to Stavin. "We had more customers in East Bridge. We should probably move on first thing in the morning."

  Stavin nodded his agreement. "Pass the word to everyone, then. We'll get out before they come to collect the caravansary fees."

  The traders did as instructed, and Stavin informed Barvil of their plans. Barvil simply nodded and said, "We'll have to switch off in the early morning to let the second set of night guards get some rest. Do you feel up to joining Farval for the last eight spans?"

  "Yes, Sir!" Stavin answered with a wide grin.

  Barvil chuckled and shook his head. "I've never seen anyone so anxious to get on guard duty."

  Stavin smiled and stepped closer to Barvil, then spoke softly so that only he could hear. "I've never felt so useless, Sir."

  "We all have our duties, Stavin," Barvil replied just as softly. "If you think it's bad now, just wait ‘til you lead your first expedition."

  Stavin heaved a huge sigh and went to his tent. Karvik was already there, but he wasn't asleep. "You're back early," he commented as Stavin stripped off his plate armor.

  "We're leaving early, and I'm joining Far on the last watch."

  "Good. You need to do something once in a while."

  "I do all I'm allowed," Stavin snapped hotly, then stopped when he heard Karvik sniggering. "You'd better be glad I like you so much."

  "You'd better be glad that the king likes you so much. I asked Dad about that commission in the Royal Guard. Do you realize that you're the first person from Kel'Kavin to serve in the Royal Guard of any kingdom since the last of our ancestors were sent to the valley over two hundred years ago?"

  "I know. It was one of the history lessons that really made an impression on me." And made me wish I could be the first.

  Karvik grunted and laid down, turning away from Stavin. "You'd better get to sleep. It's been a while since you pulled a night watch."

  Stavin rolled over and closed his eyes. Sometime later, he awoke briefly as Karvik left for his watch. Then it was his turn. "Stavin! Stave, wake up," Karvik whispered harshly.

  Stavin rolled up onto his elbows and blinked owlishly at Karvik. "Already?"

  "Slide out and I'll help you with your armor," Karvik whispered.

  Stavin did as he was told and Karvik helped him buckle in. "Come to the cook fire. There's strong kava and some bread and cheese waiting."

  Stavin went to the fire for a quick morning meal as Karvik jogged to catch up with his watch mates. Farval was already there and he handed Stavin a mug of kava when he walked up. He said, "Eat quick, Stave," as he took a bite of his food. "We've got to let the others get a little rest before we ride out in the morning." Stavin just nodded as he stuffed bread and cheese into his mouth and washed it down with kava. Years of living with his big brothers had left their mark on him, and he was done eating before Farval. Farval chuckled and shook his head, but didn't say anything as he led Stavin to the wagons.

  Farval looked Stavin in the eyes while they waited for the guards to make their last round. "Stay alert. There's only two of us, so we've got to watch more closely. If something happens, yell before you attack."

  "I've done this once or twice before, Far," Stavin answered as he watched Karvik walking toward them.

  "And I'm the one who'll get Barvil's teeth-marks on my butt if anything goes wrong, so I'll remind you as often as I think is necessary."

  Stavin nodded and said, "Yes, Sergeant Kel'Dorval."

  "Continue Karvik's route. I'll cross over and take Marvat's place," Farval said, patting Stavin's shoulder and giving him a push.

  Stavin walked beside Karvik for long enough to hear him say, "Nothing happening," then Karvik headed for their tent.

  Stavin walked at the measured pace all of the warriors used, and seldom saw Farval. He slowed his pace once in a while to watch for Farval to round the end of the caravan behind him, then hurried to regain his spacing. Dawn came slowly, and dark clouds heralded a storm blowing in from the east.

  Barvil waved Stavin over as he came into view, and Stavin gratefully accepted a mug of kava. "Kar already packed your gear. Go join Rahlina for the ride out."

  Stavin bowed deeply, then went and got his horse and gear. He was yawning hugely, and Karvik laughed when he saw. "Early morning, Stave?"

  Stavin glared at him for a moment, then smiled. "Laugh all you want, but remember this; I'm sitting next to Rahlina on the wagon seat, so if I fall asleep it won't make much difference. You have to worry about falling out of your saddle."

  Karvik's expression soured, and he led his horse over to his position. They all ate together, then Rahlina addressed her people, trader and warrior alike.

  "We're looking at a storm before mid day. If it gets bad, I want to stop and circle the wagons. Rig your tarps before we go so we'll be able to get the animals under cover in a hurry." She looked around at the caravan to ensure everyone was listening before she continued. "Warriors should tie your horses with our teams and get into the wagon you're riding with. This looks like a bad storm."

 
Barvil spoke to the warriors next. "You all know the drill. If the storm turns bad, cover your mounts and help with the teams. It's early for an ice storm, but it's possible, so be prepared for the worst." He looked at the sky and shook his head as he walked to his horse.

  The caravan left Nasan a span later, riding into the reddened sunrise. The day held cloudy but dry until well into the evening. The first fat drops of rain spattered the ground just a few spans before sundown. Stavin was riding beside Rahlina's wagon and looked at her with a questioning expression.

  "Do you think it's late enough to stop for the night, Stavin?"

  "Yes. Do you?"

  Rahlina nodded. "Let's get everyone settled and inside before we get soaked." She turned her wagon into a clearing just a few moments later and circled. All of the wagons followed her example and the warriors quickly joined the traders as they stretched tarps out to make shelters for the animals. Once the horses and mules were seen to, the warriors joined the traders in the snug interiors of the wagons. By then the rain was falling in bands, driving at the caravan one moment, then easing, only to drive in again moments later.

  Stavin was in the lead wagon with Rahlina and Endar. "This sure beats weathering the storm in our tents," he said as he snuggled down to wait. "I remember last year when I spent the big storm with Keth--" Stavin's voice cut off as pain stabbed through his heart.

  Rahlina spoke in a gentle tone. "Uncle Keth liked you, Stavin. He considered you a true friend."

  Stavin looked into Rahlina's eyes and took a deep breath, then let it out slowly. "I miss him. I only knew him for a year, but I miss him every day."

  Rahlina smiled sadly and leaned back. "You're in good company, then. Did I ever tell you that Uncle Keth was the master of my first caravan?" she asked. When Stavin shook his head, she smiled and continued. "I was so excited. The Kel'Vandars are the only ones who can become Master Traders, so I knew I was going to be a master one day. Fel'Vandars and Bel'Vandars man the wagons, but only a Kel'Vandar can lead a caravan as a Master Trader. I was going to be the youngest person to ever get my vest." She smiled and shook her head as she laughed. "The conceit of youth. My brother got his vest last season. My little brother. You're younger than he is, though. That ought to make him scream." She smiled viciously, and Stavin joined Endar as he laughed at her.