“Lebawan and Sahren were both known to defer to Dandarshandrake. Would a real God defer to a dragon?”
Karvik let loose a deep sigh. “You know, Stave, sometimes you worry me.”
They both sat down at the table with Shari and the children. “What was it?”
“Lebawan’s priests dying in their own fashion.”
Sharindis shook her head, then looked away. “To die like that--it’s horrible, even for men like them.”
“True. But I can’t help thinking of all the innocent men, women, and children they killed like that. That’s why I didn’t stop it.”
Princess Ellissan whispered, “I keep thinking of Cal dying like that.”
Shari moved over and put an arm around Ellissan’s shoulders and pulled her head against her shoulder. “Try not to think about it. Remember the good times. Remember when you were happy.”
“I can’t. All I can think about is Cal dying because of that stupid little mole. About Mom dying because she gave birth to him. About that bastard and his ‘inspections’ when he was looking for flaws!” She surged to her feet and began pacing.
“He said I was perfect. A fitting queen for him. All I had to do was swear my faith to Lebawan.” She turned back to face Shari with her hands balled into fists at her side. Tears were running down her cheeks as she choked on her own words. “He wanted me to forswear every oath I took to Coravia, every oath I took to my father. He wanted me to legitimize his treason, to legitimize him! I told him I’d rather die.”
She walked back to face Stavin, her rage making her glare seem dangerous through her tears. “He said he’d see to my ‘education’ when he returned.”
Stavin shook his head slowly. “He isn’t going to return, Princess Ellissan. The only way he’ll come back to Moravad is to be dragged back in chains. And that’s only if I don’t just kill him as soon as I see him.”
The day settled down for a while after that. Then, after twelve spans, the lord mayor and his council arrived.
Lord Mayor Zel’Jarrel was escorted to Stavin’s side. The mayor was a white-haired elder, as were the six men and women arrayed behind him, and he looked down his nose at Stavin for a moment before saying, “You’re not my king.”
“Watch your tongue while you still have one, Lerval Zel’Jarrel,” Princess Ellissan snapped.
Zel’Jarrel and his councilors focused on her immediately. The mayor asked, “Princess Ellissan, why are--what have they done to force you to go along with this?”
“They rescued me, and my father, while you hid in your council chamber and agreed to support Zel’Draval so you could keep your positions!”
“Your Highness, no, we--”
“Prince Stavin arrived and freed us. Dad was in the dungeons, barely alive. Mom and Cal were dead! And Zel’Draval was keeping me to be his whore. When Prince Stavin and his people rescued us, Dad abdicated in favor of King Stavin so we would have a strong king to take Coravia back from Zel’Draval and Lebawan.”
“Your Highness, we didn’t--”
“Don’t tell me you didn’t know!” she screamed as she advanced on him with her arms held stiffly at her side, and her hands again balled into fists. “You didn’t want to know, because if you did you’d have to get off your lazy asses and do something! King Stavin should have all of you replaced!”
The councilors all turned fearful eyes toward Stavin. “Lords and Ladies of the City Council,” Stavin said in a remarkably controlled voice, “I do not intend to remove any of you from office. That would be counter-productive in this crisis. The reason I summoned you is too urgent to waste time finding your replacements.”
All seven members of the city council bowed deeply, then the lord mayor asked, “What can we do for you, P-King Stavin?”
“There are a lot of graves that need to be dug. Many of the lords resisted Lebawan’s priests, and were killed for their trouble. There are also a lot of Lebawan’s followers who need to be buried before they start to stink. We’re not taking prisoners.”
The lord mayor glanced over his shoulder, then bowed. “Yes, King Stavin.”
“Another pressing matter is going to be workmen to clean the palace. As nasty as some of the rooms are, you’ll probably want to send prisoners.” Stavin grimaced. “We’re going to be throwing out a lot of carpets. And on a related subject, I am calling upon each Chosen household in Moravad to send one servant to the palace to replace the ones Zel’Draval and his priests killed. And, my lords and ladies,” he continued as he sat forward, “those servants had better be good ones.”
Stavin sat back. “That will be all, for now at least. You know what needs to be done. You know what resources Moravad has to offer. See that the burials are expedited before the bodies start to bloat. Have the servants report here in the next two days. And rest assured, we rescued many lords and ladies from the dungeons who will be able to tell us if you don’t carry out my orders.” Stavin bowed his head and finally said, “You may go.”
The mayor and his council bowed deeply, then backed away two steps before turning and walking rapidly away.
“You should have dismissed all of them,” Princess Ellissan said as she frowned at Stavin.
“All in good time. I think your father, or you if the worst should happen, should deal with them. You are the ones they betrayed. Right now, I expect them to cooperate fully in an effort to keep me happy.”
By nightfall Avrin came out and announced, “The royal suite is ready, King Stavin.”
Stavin and Shari exchanged glances, then stood and headed for the palace. Princess Ellissan, Lady Saralee, and Lady Daynah followed.
The servants had done an excellent job of making the royal suite ready for royalty again. When they arrived, Stavin gave new orders. “Helva, see to Princess Ellissan. Delva, see to Lady Daynah and Lady Saralee. Avrin,” he waited for Avrin to face him, “I want you to see to King Teravan’s comfort.” Looking around, he spoke to all of them. “You five are the only servants I’ll allow to tend to the royal family. We don’t have a mage available to bind anyone else. I’ll be going out after Zel’Draval, and I suspect that Lady Saralee and Lady Daynah are going with me.” He looked over and received nods from both of them.
Looking at Sharindis he said, “I only want our guards around you. Warvin and Mohriah will be rebuilding the Royal Guard, but for as long as we’re here and I’m king, only the Evandian Royal Guards will be allowed to bear weapons near you.”
“As you wish, Stavi. Have you spoken to the Healers about bringing King Teravan up here?”
Stavin shook his head. “No. I wanted to make sure everything was ready first.”
Sharindis shook her head as she looked around. “I think we should wait until tomorrow. It’s been a long day for everyone.”
Chapter 15
THE NIGHT WAS QUIET EXCEPT FOR the comforting sounds of the men and women on watch. Morning arrived softly, and everyone got ready for the new day.
Sindal had already found a cook-cart and brought it to the suites. Everyone sat together, with the twins playing up to Princess Ellissan, being their most adorable.
“We’ll move your father back to his own bed this morning, and hope for some news about Zel’Draval,” Stavin said once they were comfortable.
“We are both coming with you, King Stavin,” Lady Daynah said in a no-nonsense tone. “We discussed Sara staying with Ellie, but Sara and I are both honor-bound to avenge the wrongs done to our clans.”
Stavin looked at her, then nodded. “I expected that. As soon as we receive information about him, we’ll be going. But it’s going to be rough. I’m not taking the carriage or wagons. We’ll buy food where we can and forage where we have to. I’ll also only be taking just about fifty of the cavalry with us. The rest are the new palace guards.”
“Do you think that will be enough men, Stavin?” Sharindis asked.
“It depends on how many followers Zel’Draval has.”
* * *
King Karvar Zel’Draval
read the message book and screamed, “No! I am the king of Coravia! It is Lebawan’s will! The Zel’Darvins are defective.”
The colonel who was holding the book bowed deeply. “As you say, Your Majesty, but the message was sent with the princess’ code. We didn’t leave much of a force in the palace to hold it.”
Zel’Draval turned and shouted at the colonel. “I am the rightful king of Coravia by Lebawan’s will and law! There was no need to leave anything but a token force to keep everyone out of the palace. How dare anyone defy the greatest God!”
The colonel bowed deeply to give himself a moment to think. “Your Majesty, the girl says that Prince Stavin of Evandia is behind it. He’s known to be a tricky little defective, base-born bastard. He and the girl may think they can rally the army behind him.” The colonel paused and shook his head slowly. “Begging your pardon, Your Majesty, but you should have tamed the little bitch before you left her there.”
King Karvar turned and backhanded the colonel across his face. “She was to be my queen. You will not speak of her in such terms.” The colonel backed away, bowing three times as men had bowed to the Emperor of Lux, then left the tent.
King Karvar turned and looked at his councilors. Senior Shear Priests and Inquisitors, they were the highest of his followers from the Kandalvad temple. “Well?”
Inquisitor Zel’Istav stepped forward and bowed, his purple robe swirling around his feet. “Your pardon, Your Majesty, but we did advise destroying the entire family.”
“I know,” King Karvar muttered. “I know you did, but I thought throwing him in the dungeon and keeping her for later would be sufficient. I am the rightful king of Coravia by Lebawan’s will. It is my destiny to bring Lebawan’s worship to the entire continent. And just what is that Evandian bastard doing in Moravad anyway?”
“Sticking his stunted little nose where it doesn’t belong,” Shear Priest Fel’Torvan muttered.
Another priest stepped forward and bowed. “He is their Minister of Trade, Your Majesty, and I heard rumors that there was supposed to be a Trade Mission visiting this spring. It could simply be a matter of bad timing.”
The man who had made himself king turned and said, “I thought we had people along the border to prevent any outside interference?” in a low, angry tone.
“We did indeed, Your Majesty,” Inquisitor Zel’Istav confirmed with another deep bow, “but they may have simply failed to intercept him. He was not expected, and we didn’t have enough people to cover every road from Evandia.”
“He is also known to travel as a Trader on occasion, Your Majesty. Caravans from that Trading House of his travel between the kingdoms on a regular basis. If he came across as a Trader, our people might not have even seen him,” another Inquisitor pointed out.
Karvar Zel’Draval shook his head slowly as he paced around his tent. “However he got here and whatever his purpose was, he cannot be allowed to usurp my throne. Get that book and colonel back in here. I will see to this personally.”
* * *
There were several messages waiting for Stavin and Ellissan in the message book the next morning.
The message from ‘King’ Zel’Draval was first.
To All Commands from His Majesty, King Karvar Zel’Draval: The message purporting to have come from Princess Ellissan is patently false. Teravan Zel’Darvin was judged defective and destroyed, as was his defective son and the defective woman who brought him into Lebawan’s realm. All commands are ordered to destroy their message books to stop the traitorous subversives who have the General of the Army’s message book from spreading their seditious lies.
For King Karvar Zel’Draval, Colonel Devari Zel’Vestan.
The message from the first of Coravia’s forts came next. From Fort Kel’Bartal: King Karvar Zel’Draval and his retinue passed through on his tour of ascension three days ago. He said King Teravan and Queen Rowena had been condemned and destroyed, along with their children. Please clarify your information and identity. Lord General Corlan Kel’Destar.
“Let me have that book,” Princess Ellissan demanded and Stavin meekly handed it over. She sounded mad.
To Fort Kel’Bartal: Lord General Cori, ten years ago you played horsie for me when you were posted to the palace. Zel’Draval murdered Mommy and Cal, and damn near killed Daddy too! Remember what you told me when you left? ‘Trust the Gods Above.’ It’s really me, and Zel’Draval really did these things. Stop him! Ellie.
She added her glyph and closed the book.
Turning toward Stavin, she smiled. “Colonel Cori was the leader of my daylight protection detail. He was sort of like an uncle to me, and he’ll know this message was from me and no one else.”
It was just a few breaths later that she received a reply. It began with a string of profanities, and ended with, I’m coming, my Princess. Cori.
More messages arrived moments later. They all had a common theme: We are mobilizing to Moravad.
Stavin shook his head. “Tell them all to go after Zel’Draval. Then come here after he’s been caught.”
Princess Ellissan did as she was asked, but the replies remained the same, with one exception. Lord General Zel’Avan replied, I will comply when my king tells me with his own lips that I must bow to the Evandian prince.
‘King’ Zel’Draval threw in his two sparks worth with the order, All commands are ordered to remain in their forts! This is an effort to draw Coravia’s defenses away from their proper place. Ignore all messages from the General of the Army’s message book. It is in the hands of traitors seeking to destroy Coravia.
Ellissan groused, “I should have just given the orders in my own name. But mentioning you makes every one of them think they have to come here first and see for themselves.”
Stavin growled in anger, but there was nothing he could do about it. Taking a deep breath, he ran through some mental exercises to calm down, then shook his head. “How long for the closest troops to reach us?”
“Two or three days, King Stavin.”
He shouted, “Damn them!” and again visibly calmed himself before continuing. “If we must, we must. The first thing to do is see to your father’s comfort.” He looked around. “Shall we go to the Healers?”
The entire royal family went out of the palace to where the Healers had set up. People bowed deeply to Stavin, watching him warily as he passed.
King Teravan’s bed was set up toward the back corner where he could be more easily guarded, and twenty Coravian cavalry troopers stood guard around him. Stavin went to his bedside and knelt.
“How are you this morning, King Teravan?” he asked in a soft tone.
“I live, King Stavin,” he answered in a barely audible voice. “I live, and I will live.”
Stavin smiled and bowed his head. “I am so very happy to hear that, Your Majesty. We’ve come to take you to your suite.”
“That is your suite now, King Stavin.”
Stavin shook his head. “No. It’s the royal suite, and my family has moved into the prince’s suite, but the king’s suite is still yours. We want to move you into your own bed. You’ll be more comfortable there.”
King Teravan patted Stavin’s hand. “No wonder Kalin speaks so highly of you.”
Stavin looked up and found three Healers watching him. “You heard?”
“We heard, King Stavin. It will not hurt to move him so long as we are careful.”
Stavin nodded and stood, then backed away a pace. Shari had summoned two hands of Royal Guardsmen as she passed, and now she motioned them forward.
“Carry King Teravan on the litter. We’ll transfer him to his bed when we get to the suite,” she commanded, and six of the men came forward, grasping the king’s litter and lifting on the command.
It was a long, slow walk to the royal suite, but that was because the men were taking great care not to jar the king. Stavin sent one man ahead to open the doors, and King Teravan was transferred to his bed without trouble.
Stavin waved Avrin forwar
d. “King Teravan, this is Avrin Fel’Nahla, my butler. Until we can secure the services of a trustworthy mage, only my servants will be allowed to tend to the royal family--both our families.”
“What of your needs, King Stavin?” King Teravan asked in a slightly stronger voice.
Stavin waved Karlin forward. “My son has graciously agreed to have his valet see to both of us until I leave.”
King Teravan looked closely at Stavin. “Where are you going, King Stavin?”
“I’m going after Zel’Draval and his followers. Only the king can pass judgment on a priest, even one like him. I don’t intend to waste the effort to bring him all the way back here just to execute him. When I find him, he’ll be killed like the traitor he is.”
King Teravan settled back into his pillows. “As you wish. It’s been a long time since Coravia has had a true warrior king.”
Karlin stepped forward and stopped by the king’s bedside. Reaching out, he took the old king’s hand in both of his and said, “King Teravan, can I call you Gran’pa Terry?”
The king looked startled, then a small, tender smile curved his lips. “I would be delighted. And what shall I call you?”
“Gran’pa Kalin calls me Karli.”
Stavin backed away as Karlin drew King Teravan out of his depression. He hadn’t told Karlin what to do. The boy had an instinctive grasp of what needed to be done, and did it without prompting. Stavin smiled and eased out of the room while Karlin charmed the king.
Stavin found General Zel’Astel talking to the guards. “...you have your instructions. Only the healers, the royal servants, or the royal family are to be allowed in the royal suite.”
All twenty men and women snapped, “Yes, sir.”
The general turned and bowed. “King Stavin, I understand that you will not be leaving for a few days. I consider that a good thing. I request permission to recruit new palace guards from the army units that are on their way here.”
The Coravian Conflict (Stavin DragonBlessed Book 5) Page 14
