The Coravian Conflict (Stavin DragonBlessed Book 5)

by Loren K. Jones

  Stavin was unabashedly looking around, noting details he remembered from Marydyth Ne’Karyn Zel’Fordan’s journals.

  Shari chuckled and pointed across the room toward a large fitted-stone hearth. It was easily four spans wide, and extended up to the roof rafters. Sometime in the past, the stones had been arranged to depict a heavily-built winged figure that could pass for a dragon.

  “I bet that’s the fireplace she described. It matches, though even her description pales against the reality.”

  “Indeed,” Lord Rahndahl said. “For more than two thousand seven hundred years the Heirs of Zel’Karyn have received the diadem standing on that hearth. Most of the time, at least. Some, like my father, received it elsewhere because of extenuating circumstances.”

  “And according to Marydyth’s journal, her brother received the diadem at an inn in Twin Bridges just before she married Carlstan Zel’Fordan,” Shari added.

  “Absolutely correct, Princess Sharindis,” Lord Geoffran said. “You seem to have made quite a study of our famous ancestor.”

  Shari bowed slightly to the young man. “The Zel’Andral line claims Marydyth Ne’Karyn Zel’Fordan among their ancestors through her daughter Corvana. The Zel’Andral family has made extensive genealogical studies of their family dating all the way back to the founding of Lux, many years before the arrival of Dandarshandrake.”

  “Really?” Lord Geoffran said in an excited tone. “I didn’t know Zel’Andral went back that far.”

  His father interrupted. “You should have paid more attention to your tutors, Geoff. I certainly paid them enough. Most of the royal families date from the time before Lux. The Clan of Darvin ruled a small fishing village called Darvin’s Port. It’s still around, and lies about twenty day’s travel south of Lux, just inside the Coravian border. When Dandarshandrake came to Lux, they, like all of the rich Chosen clans, adopted the Zel prefix and started calling themselves Zel’Darvin: the Chosen Clan of Darvin.”

  Stavin was nodding. “Zel’Andral was from right outside Lux. They owned, or claimed they owned, about two thousand dragons of prime farmland. The farm was called Andral, which meant something like ‘rich land’ back then. Like Zel’Darvin and Darvin’s Port, Zel’Andral and all the associated clans originated there on that farm. According to the old maps and deeds, it was about where the Weaver’s Quarter is now.”

  Lady Brendis interrupted. “Come to the table, please. The evening meal is ready.” Everyone bowed slightly and immediately headed for the table. Stavin was impressed. The table was made of time-darkened oak, and looked like a large tree had been cut length-wise to make it. Try as he might, Stavin couldn’t see any discontinuity in the wood grain anywhere.

  Stavin sat at Lord Rahndahl’s right hand, and Karlin was at Stavin’s right. Lady Brendis had maneuvered Shari to the seat at her right hand, and Sahren and Mahren were next. True to her word, Lady Daynah took the seat next to Mahren. Lady Saralee took the seat opposite Shari. The rest of the Zel’Karyn family sorted themselves out, but no one ended up in their normal seats.

  The Zel’Karyn cooks did a wonderful job considering the short notice they had received of the extra guests. The conversation was kept light, with Lord Rahndahl discussing hunting and fishing with Stavin and Karlin while the ladies discussed the current fashions in Twin Bridges.

  After the meal, the children were sent to bed while the grownups retired to the library, including Lady Daynah and Lady Alysan, but not young Lord Geoffran. He hadn’t done his two years in the army yet. He accepted the exclusion with good, if not enthusiastic, grace.

  “Prince Stavin,” Lord Rahndahl began, “while we have a long history of being Dragonblessed as a clan, none of us has ever really seen a dragon up close. Please, tell us what it was like.”

  Stavin didn’t sigh like he normally did when someone asked for that story. These people had every reason to be curious about the dragon. “I assume you know the basic story. Seems like everyone does. Facing the dragon was the most terrifying thing I’ve ever done. Her breath was like standing over the smith’s forge, and the smell! No latrine pit ever smelled that bad. None of the stories mention that, but if the heat hadn’t been enough to burn the hairs out of my nose, the smell would have done it.” Stavin smiled as he shook his head. His arms came out as wide as he could reach as he continued. “The dragon’s voice was as vast as a thunderstorm, though how she managed to speak at all has always puzzled me. I didn’t see her lips move. Not like ours do. When she told me to pick up the scales, she didn’t mention how hot they would be. It was a good thing I had good sheep-skin mittens on. She was--not mean, but definitely abrupt with me. I was not a welcome guest in her cave. I was an intruder, plain and simple, and I still don’t know why she didn’t kill me.”

  Lord Rahndahl was looking puzzled as he asked, “You say ‘her’ and ‘she’ as if you are certain the dragon was female. Why is that?”

  Sharindis snorted as she covered her mouth. “You mean you haven’t heard that one?” she asked in a voice that squeaked in amusement.

  Stavin was shaking his head again. “I have no proof, but I’m certain that the dragon on the mountain is a female. When we took Trade Town, I let the dragon magic fully take me. For a short time I felt as powerful as a dragon, but I felt something else as well.” He shook his head and grinned.

  “By the time Karvik convinced me to put the sword down, I knew that the dragon was beyond a doubt female.” Shari giggled again and Stavin smiled as he shook his head. “It was a distinctly disturbing feeling.”

  Lord Rahndahl exchanged glances with his wife and children. “We’ve never heard anything like that before. The stories about you tend to be much more heroic.”

  Stavin nodded. “Minstrels!” he said in an exasperated tone. “Do you know the story about me killing an Ocellen?”

  “I’ve heard it,” Lord Rahndahl admitted with a nod.

  “Lord Rahndahl, I’ve never even seen a live Ocellen. Not even from a distance. While the dragon magic of my armor, along with the near-impervious nature of dragon scales, might protect me from an Ocellen’s magic and claws, why would I hunt an intelligent being for sport? That would be like hunting a person for sport. Another minstrel’s lie is that I hunt for sport at all. I hunt for meat, certainly, but I’ve always eaten what I killed.” Stavin shook his head slowly.

  “I never even met that minstrel until the story had been circulating for a year.” Now Stavin’s expression turned wry. “He was telling it in a tavern in East Bridge when I walked in. I challenged his ‘facts’ and he swore by his mother’s honor that he’d been there, right alongside me.”

  Shari was giggling uncontrollably by then. “When Stavi told him who he was, the fool ran for the back door! He even forgot his hat full of coins.”

  Stavin was nodding. “I told the tavern keeper to keep the hat and coins,” Stavin continued, “but I keep hearing that stupid story just about everywhere I go.”

  Now it was Lady Saralee’s turn to laugh. “I’ve heard similar stories about how we first met, and I know who spread them. One of my troopers fancied herself a bard and she went to great lengths to make her reputation by ruining mine. Did you hear that I ordered you off that wagon and demanded that you kneel before me?”

  Shari giggled again. “I have. I pointed out to the feather-head that you did no such thing. And she had the audacity to swear she’d heard it from one of your superior officers.”

  Lady Daynah’s eyes widened as she grinned at her cousin. “I’ll bet I know who that was.”

  “So do I,” Lady Saralee growled. “He certainly made an effort to destroy my career.” Stavin gave her a curious look, and she shrugged.

  “My major, Larrad Zel’Hestel. He asked me to marry him, and I said no. After that my evaluations went in the latrine, and I ended up resigning my commission on my eighth-year anniversary.”

  “That’s despicable,” Shari said in a disgusted tone.

  Lady Saralee nodded. “I protested, but he’
s better connected than I am. His first-cousin is Queen Rowena.”

  Stavin shook his head sadly. “Sometimes family patronage gets abused.”

  “An unfortunate commentary on the honor of some of our officers, sad to say.” Lady Brendis sighed. “I spoke to Rowena about it, but he’s her family and she feels a need to shield him from his actions.”

  Stavin shook his head sadly. “We’ve seen the same things in Evandia. Why won’t some men accept ‘no’ gracefully?”

  Sharindis grinned and said, “Dorvina,” then laughed when Stavin cringed. “You didn’t accept ‘no’ very gracefully, Stavin.”

  “No, I suppose I didn’t,” he admitted. “But at least I tried to improve myself to win her favor.”

  Sharindis looked at the curious faces around them and explained. “Stavin was obsessed with Dorvina Kel’Carin. She was one of the prettiest girls in his age group, and he faced Warleader Second Barvil Kel’Carin to ask for her twice, but was denied both times. So, after he was rejected the second time, he went to the dragon’s cave alone because no one would go with him, to snatch a bit of gold and prove his courage to Barvil. But Barvil and his family ended up as Stavin’s servants instead--and he still couldn’t have her!” She laughed and gave her husband an affectionate smile. “He asked my father for me just a few spans later.”

  Lady Saralee was looking at Stavin with wide eyes as her hand came up in a hesitant gesture. “Wait a moment. You had a family of Kel’Karyns as your servants?” she asked.

  Stavin recognized the cause of her confused surprise immediately and shook his head. “Different spelling. C A R I N. One of Karvik’s ancestors tried to prove they were related to Mary Death, but only proved beyond a doubt that they weren’t.”

  “Wait, wait, wait,” Lady Saralee demanded as both hands came up to her chest level. “Karvik Kel’Carin, the commander of your Royal Guards?”

  “Karvik Kel’Carin, my best friend,” Stavin replied with a grin. “It was so awkward having him as my servant.”

  Sharindis nodded. “And Sahrena Kel’Carin is my Godmother. I never did manage to give her an order. I asked for everything very politely.”

  “I hate to break the mood,” Lord Rahndahl said as he looked around, “but there is something serious we must discuss, Prince Stavin.” The lord was somber as he brought everyone back to the trouble they faced.

  Stavin nodded. “The Priests of the Cutter.”

  “Yes. There’s been a resurgence of Lebawan’s worship lately due to the troubles we’re facing. People are looking for easy answers and someone to blame for their troubles. Unfortunately, those are the kind of people who turn to Lebawan, and then turn on their neighbors.”

  Stavin was shaking his head as his jaws clenched. “But why do they have to turn on the weak and helpless?”

  “Because they are weak and helpless,” Lady Brendis said softly. “The honorless always do.”

  Stavin looked at Sharindis and smirked. “Not all the ‘weak and helpless’ are weak or helpless, are they, darling?”

  “Did I miss something?” Lord Rahndahl asked.

  Sharindis nodded. “The reason Captain Zel’Corval and his troops are with us is that three of the Cutter’s followers attacked us in Kandalvad. They thought we were helpless: Just women and children and servants. Fortunately, Stavin left his Dragon’s Tongue behind when he went to the fort to show off. I used it to kill them instead of them killing us.”

  “You killed them, Princess?” Lady Brendis asked in a surprised tone.

  Sharindis smiled and bowed her head. “All girls of our people receive the same training as the boys until we are ten. In addition, my father is a Warmaster and was the Warmaster of the Academy in Kavinston until Warmaster Kel’Carin took over. He ensured that I was as proficient with my walking staff as his boys were with their Dragon’s Tongues.”

  “Even though she couldn’t see her opponents,” Stavin added.

  Lady Daynah turned her head toward Stavin, then snapped back toward Shari. “That’s what I was missing! The early stories referred to the Blind Princess Sharindis.”

  “My sight was restored about three years ago, just after the Farindian Annexation,” Shari explained. “Since then I’ve worked out once every ten days with the Royal Guards, and with Stavi on occasion.”

  Lord Rahndahl chuckled. “I’ll bet they were horribly surprised. Not many of the people they judge are able to fight back.”

  “No, they can’t,” Lady Brendis said softly. “People like Alden and his friends.”

  Everyone quieted down at the reminder of why they were there. “Whoever the priest leading that group is, he is going to face the king for his actions,” Lord Rahndahl said in a soft, angry tone.

  Lady Brendis excused herself then, and Lord Rahndahl went with her. Shari nodded her head to the younger ladies. “We should all get to bed early. Tomorrow is going to come all too soon.” With a bow, she led Stavin to their suite.

  * * *

  Shari and Stavin cuddled close that night so they could speak without disturbing anyone else.

  “Shari, I don’t like taking you and the kids into danger like this. It really isn’t that important for us to continue to Moravad.”

  “Yes and no, Stavi,” Shari replied. “The Trade Mission isn’t that important, but someone needs to go to King Teravan and tell him how bad this really is. Someone who isn’t going to be dismissed as having an agenda of their own. Stavi, we may not be in Evandia, but these are good people. People that need protection from that priest.”

  “And his followers. It isn’t just him. His followers are the ones murdering people. He’s just the leader. Gods Below, Shari, we weren’t that far behind him. If we hadn’t stayed the extra day in Kandalvad so I could show off, we might have been able to stop the slaughter at the mine.”

  “No, Stavi. From your description and what Kar told me, we were three days behind them. Staying didn’t make a difference. But we can make a difference in Moravad. And we can’t let them think they chased us off. We can’t let the followers of the Cutter think they chased off the Evandian Royal Family. We can’t let anyone think they are that powerful.”

  * * *

  The expedition moved on early the next morning. Karvik rode close to Stavin’s side as soon as they reached the road.

  “The troops and Guards are all ready to fight, Stave. The servants Lord Zel’Karyn sent out to see to our needs talked about Alden Zel’Coy a lot. He was a very kind and polite young man, and was very popular among the servants.”

  Stavin nodded, but kept his head up and his eyes in motion. “We got the same impression inside. It would take an insane fool to attack a party like ours, but--”

  “But we’re talking about the followers of Lebawan,” Karvik completed Stavin’s thought. “I’ve already given orders for double guards until we get to Moravad. If I could, I’d turn us around and go home.”

  Stavin nodded. “I hate to admit it, but so would I. Shari and I discussed it last night. The Trade Mission isn’t that important, but we can’t allow anyone to think we let Lebawan’s followers chase us away. And honestly, I want that priest. I don’t know if he’s the one who sent those men after Shari and the kids, but I don’t know that he isn’t.”

  Karvik gave Stavin a very serious look. “If it gets that far, you stay back with Shari and the kids.”

  “Do you really think Lebawan’s followers are a threat to me?” Stavin demanded in an aggressive tone.

  “No, I just want you to leave a few for me to kill.” Karvik grinned. “You’ve already gotten your fourth star and hollowed them out as well. Give me a chance to catch up.”

  Stavin’s anger cooled as fast as it had flared up, and his laughter echoed off the hills.

  Chapter 11

  THE EXPEDITION CONTINUED TOWARD MORAVAD AT the wagon’s pace. Two days later they encountered a town that appeared to be deserted. No people were visible in the streets. Stray farm animals wandered around, foraging for food. Captain Zel�
�Corval sent twenty troopers forward to investigate. They returned three spans later with one young man. He was obviously terrified of the troops, and fell to his knees as he faced the captain, clasping his trembling hands. His eyes were wide open, and though he was easily twenty years old, he looked like a child begging not to be punished.

  His voice quavered as he said, “They came at us like a pack of mad dogs, Lord Captain. They just fell on us and we couldn’t resist them. That priest, that Lord Zel’Draval, the Most Perfect High Priest.” He paused and spit on the ground as if the words had left a foul taste in his mouth. “He condemned almost everyone. I was sparred, but,” he paused again to wipe away the tears that were streaming down his face, “but he made us stone our families. He made us kill our kin.” Now the man bowed as low as he could, but not in respect. He was just crying so hard he couldn’t stay upright.

  Stavin stayed back until he heard the story. Then he started growling deep in his chest in a manner that made everyone step back in worry.

  It took six more days to reach Moravad, the capital city of Coravia. Along the way, they saw more evidence of the priest’s rampage through the kingdom. Every village had lost at least one person to the Cutter’s culling. A few had lost whole families. Another had lost nearly everyone. And every revelation caused the troops, Evandian and Coravian, to become more determined to stop the Cutter’s priests.

  Moravad was magnificent. Tall buildings could be seen from thirty dragons away, standing above the trees. When the outskirts of the city came into view they could see that the walls had been maintained, but showed an attention to detail that impressed Stavin.

  Shari was just as impressed. “I remember reading about the walls of Moravad. They are supposed to remind everyone that, oh how did they put it?” She frowned in concentration for a moment, then smiled. “Only through strength can there be peace, for there will always be those who see peacefulness as weakness.”

  Stavin nodded. “I remember that from the Coravian History text in Kavinston, but Dandarshandrake said it first about Lux. I’d say they have made a very good show of strength. But where is everybody?”