All five of the ministers shared a glance, then just sat in the nearest chairs. Shari nodded to each of them, then focused her attention on Marydyth Kel’Martal.
“Justice, the first thing we are going to need is a ruling on Zel’Draval’s inspecting and condemning men and women who are not followers of Lebawan, especially the royal family.”
“I can answer that without any research, Your Majesty,” she replied, looking Sharindis in the eye as she spoke. “The only people the priests of Lebawan are allowed to examine are their followers. That’s been the law since Coravia was still a province of the Empire.”
Sharindis was nodding. “As we were first informed. Are we in agreement that Karvar Zel’Draval was acting illegally when he examined and condemned Prince Caldan, and through him Queen Rowena and King Teravan?” Every head nodded, and Sharindis wrote on a piece of parchment at her side. “A proclamation to that effect is to be sent throughout the kingdom. We’ve been told that Zel’Draval sent out a proclamation naming himself king. This one is going to require the seal and signature of all of us.”
Minister Kel’Martal asked, “What if Prince--I mean King Stavin fails?”
Sharindis shook her head slowly. “I find that idea extremely unlikely. Stavin has already met and joined with a second force, commanded by Lady General Zel’Pardin. He is also accompanied by the Heir of Zel’Karyn, with the sword Sang Del Dracl at her side.”
“Will he be taking up Sang Del Dracl?” Lady Annalisa asked.
Sharindis shook her head again. “No. Aside from not knowing how Dandarshandrake’s magic might interact with that of the dragon on the mountain, there is also the curse on Sang Del Dracl that only a member of the Zel’Karyn family can hold it to consider. Marydyth Zel’Karyn described watching two men slowly die while their bodies turned to crystal when they grabbed it. Stavin won’t risk dying like that.”
“Forgot about that,” Lady Annalisa muttered.
“We haven’t. Stavin’s hope, and mine as well, is that we will be able to turn the entire army against Zel’Draval and present him with such overwhelming opposition that he’ll surrender. What we want to avoid as much as possible is Coravians killing Coravians. A civil war with the kingdom in the balance wouldn’t do any of us any good.”
All of the ministers nodded, so Sharindis changed the subject. “Lord Halnan, Trade has been disrupted and needs to be reestablished. Do what you think needs to be done, within reason, to get the Traders’ Guild moving again.”
“Yes, Queen Sharindis. Once I find out where my office is, I’ll summon the Traders’ Guild Master Council for a meeting.”
“Whatever it takes, within reason,” Queen Sharindis reiterated, then, turning her attention to Lady Annalisa, she nodded once.
“Transportation, Trade needs you active as well. Our roads and waterways absolutely must be kept up. You, and the rest of you as well, will be allowed to appoint two assistants of your choice. After we adjourn, consider who you want. I encourage all of you to consider members of lesser clans as well as Chosen candidates. You and Lord Merral must have known many qualified people at the King’s Academy.”
Lady Annalisa stood and bowed. “Yes, Queen Sharindis.”
“Lady Stardis,” Shari said as she shifted her attention, “you are going to be very busy for a while. Zel’Draval proclaiming himself king must have caused a lot of confusion and unrest in the kingdom. You and Lady Marydyth are going to have to work together to quell the priests of Lebawan and restore order throughout the kingdom.”
“Trade,” Princess Ellissan said softly, “the reason King Stavin and Queen Sharindis came to Moravad was because we need to arrange shipments of grain and other food stuffs from the other kingdoms.” She looked at Shari and tilted her head to the side. “We still need that. The harvest was poor last fall, and we’re running short. People are eating the seed that they should have planted.”
Shari thought for a moment, then nodded. Looking at the Minister of Trade, she said, “Have our Traders’ Guild contact the Evandia and Luxandian Traders’ Guilds. And ask the Gold Merchants to come visit me. I have a message to send.” She smiled at Ellissan. “I can order Kel’Aniston to start shipping immediately.”
* * *
The famous Fort Zel’Karyn, named in honor of Hero of Coravia Lady Marydyth Zel’Karyn, stood on a wide plain. Stavin had the generals send their scouts forward to announce their arrival, but in just a few moments several of the troopers rode back at a gallop.
“General Zel’Pardin!” the closest rider shouted. “It’s a slaughter!”
Stavin signaled a halt, and waited for the lieutenant to stop.
Lady General Zel’Pardin looked the man in the eye and simply said, “Report.”
“The gates are open, and there are hundreds of bodies inside. The rest of the troops are investigating the fort, but we thought you should be informed immediately, Ma’am.”
The general turned toward Stavin and asked, “Your orders, King Stavin?”
“We continue to the fort and see what we and the Magi can find out.” He looked down at his saddle horn and whispered, “I’m afraid I know what we’re going to find.”
Both generals bowed and began issuing orders. When they neared the walls, Stavin ordered, “We camp out here. Double the sentries, and let me know when we’re ready to enter the fort.”
Both generals bowed again as they said, “Yes, King Stavin,” then began detailing their troopers.
Karvik stood beside Stavin and said, “You shouldn’t go in there, Stave.”
Stavin shook his head. “I have to, Kar. I caused this.”
“No, Zel’Draval caused this,” Kar replied as a sad expression clouded his face. “You just have to fix it.”
“I should have just found out where he was without telling anyone why. Then we could have intercepted him and taken him without all of this.” He gestured toward the gates of the fort. “This is going to turn into a full-on civil war if we don’t find a way to stop him soon.”
Lord General Kel’Destar walked over and bowed deeply. “King Stavin, there are more than six hundred bodies in there. Lord General Zel’Testal and most of his officers are there, and,” the general paused to clench his teeth briefly, “the bodies of the officers’ families are also there.”
Stavin shuddered and stared at the ground. “Gods Below,” he finally whispered. “Organize a burial party, General. See what the fort compliment was so we can determine how many followers he has now.”
“Yes, King Stavin,” the general said as he turned away.
The news was grim: Fort Zel’Karyn had lost nine hundred and thirty troops and nineteen civilians, and had contributed two hundred and fifteen troops to Zel’Draval’s forces. The worst news was that every female who was supposed to be at the fort was dead.
Lady Daynah shook her head when that was announced, then turned toward Stavin and said, “Lebawan considers women warriors defective. Women are just supposed to tend the hearth and home and be available for sex anytime the men want it.”
Stavin looked at her and then shifted his gaze to the gates of the fort. “I’m tempted to outlaw the worship of Lebawan, and make outlaws of His priests.”
Lady Saralee shook her head. “King Teravan might just go along with that, King Stavin, but it wouldn’t be a good idea. Even if Lebawan’s followers only comprise ten or eleven percent of the population, outlawing them would turn this into a religious war.”
“It already is, Sara,” Lady Daynah snapped. “He’s killing anyone who doesn’t worship Lebawan.”
Stavin sat in silence for a few moments, then turned to the generals. “We have to let King Teravan know what has happened, and the rest of Coravia as well. Use your message books and inform all commands. It won’t stop Zel’Draval and his followers, but it might stop any other commands from being slaughtered. Don’t say anything about outlawing Lebawan’s worship. Not yet, at least. Not unless we find out that this has happened again.”
* *
*
Princess Ellissan sat on the side of her father’s bed as she read the message and reply. “Zel’Draval wrote this in reply: All commands are to ignore any and all messages from the condemned generals Zel’Pardin and Kel’Destar. Only the defective have been condemned, in accordance with Lebawan’s will. I and only I am the King of Coravia. King Karvar Bertal Nordam Zel’Draval, High Priest of Lebawan.”
King Teravan had tears in his eyes as he said, “Give me the book and a quill, Ellie.”
“You’re too weak, Daddy,” she protested, but he pushed her off the bed.
“It was my weakness that allowed this, Ellie. My weakness that pulled Stavin in to do what I couldn’t. But this, at least, I can do.”
Princess Ellissan brought her father the message book and his quill and ink. Holding the inkwell close to him, she read over his shoulder.
“To All Commands: Generals, Colonels, and all Coravian Army troops, the code is Sho Hava Cam. By this code, you are assured that I am in truth your king, Teravan Beltan Harval Zel’Darvin, and it is by my will alone that Dragonblessed Senior Warmaster Prince Stavin Zel’Andral claims the title and right of King of Coravia. The priest Karvar Zel’Draval and all of his followers are traitorous outlaws, and should be arrested immediately. My friends, don’t let the accursed followers of the Cutter destroy our kingdom. By my hand and in my name, Terry.”
He added his glyph and closed the book. The flash was red this time in response to the king’s emergency code. Only the king and the mage who had spelled the books knew the king’s code, and the king’s live hand had to have applied it. It couldn’t be counterfeited.
Princess Ellissan looked at her father and grinned. “No one else would ever call you ‘Terry’ in the message book, Dad. They’ll know it’s really you as soon as they read that.”
Zel’Draval’s reply was received moments later.
“The Zel’Darvin line is defective! They are condemned! Anyone who believes these messages is defective and condemned! Do you understand? You are condemned if you believe these lies!”
Immediately afterward came replies from Coravia’s generals. Though they were worded differently, they all said the same thing: We will obey King Teravan, and by his order, King Stavin.
* * *
Stavin nodded in satisfaction as the messages poured in. When all thirty-eight of Coravia’s remaining forts had replied, Stavin turned to General Zel’Pardin and asked, “Would you send out a general request for the last known location and direction of travel of Zel’Draval’s force?”
The general replied with a bow, then turned to her orderly. While she was sending the message, Lady Daynah stepped to Stavin’s side.
Bowing, she said, “I know we have no real rights in this matter, King Stavin, but Sara and I would like permission to execute Zel’Draval ourselves.”
Stavin thought for a moment, then nodded. “If we can take him alive, he’s yours.” Turning to look up at her, he shook his head. “Don’t be disappointed if it doesn’t satisfy you, though. Revenge seldom does.”
“We know,” she murmured, “but it’s not just revenge for Nelistal and Alden. He started his crimes on Zel’Coy lands, and continued into Zel’Karyn. By Right of Justice, under the Code of the Chosen, we claim the right of the first wronged to punish the wrongdoer.”
Stavin tilted his head to the side a little. “That might be stretching the Code a little, but all right. It’d be a shame to sully Sang Del Dracl with his blood though.”
Daynah’s smile was tight, bitter, and distinctly evil as she said, “I have a spare boot lace that will serve the purpose admirably.” Stavin began laughing as she walked away and Karvik walked up to his side.
“What was that all about?”
“Daynah and Saralee want to strangle Zel’Draval. I said they could if we can take him alive.” Karvik rolled his eyes, then walked away.
The message with Zel’Draval’s location arrived after nightfall.
“The traitor Zel’Draval is traveling north on the Zel’Terran Road, just east of Fort Zel’Evenst. He has seven hundred and sixty followers. And he no longer has a message book. Colonel Devari Zel’Vestan.”
Stavin and Karvik exchanged a grin. “King Teravan’s message convinced at least one of them that Zel’Draval has no right to the crown,” Karvik observed.
“Yes, but how many did he convince to desert with him?” Stavin murmured back.
Lady General Zel’Pardin stepped forward with a map. “He is a long way ahead of us, but we can cut across on the Kel’Justan Road and intercept him.” She ran her finger along a line on the map. “So long as he keeps going north.”
Stavin and Karvik looked at the map together. Karvik muttered, “He’s heading for Kavadia.”
“Or he’s going to turn west on the border road,” Stavin countered.
“With that message from King Teravan he’s going to be the one who gets slaughtered at the next fort they reach.” Karvik grinned down at Stavin.
Stavin grinned up at Karvik as he said, “Yes he is.”
Chapter 19
QUEEN SHARINDIS CONVENED THE KING’S COUNCIL and stood as soon as everyone was seated. Each Minister had brought along their two assistants, but they remained standing behind the ministers’ chairs.
Sharindis bowed her head before she addressed the ministers. “Some of you are aware of this already, so bear with me. King Teravan--yes, I’ll continue calling him that until Stavin abdicates, so stop looking at me like that,” she snapped at the ministers.
“As I was saying, King Teravan used the message book and most of his remaining strength to personally inform all commands that he is alive, if not well, and used his personal emergency code to prove it. Not even Princess Ellissan knew or could use that code. In response, every command has sworn to obey King Teravan, and through him, King Stavin.”
The queen placed both hands on the table and bowed her head for a moment before continuing. “The king made the decision to send that message after we found out that Zel’Draval had slaughtered everyone at Fort Zel’Karyn who wouldn’t swear to Lebawan, including the wives and children of the senior officers. They also slaughtered every woman in uniform.”
Lady Stardis snapped to her feet and asked, “All of them?” as her trembling hand came up to her mouth.
“That is the information we received.”
The lady’s legs buckled and she fell into her chair. She whispered the name “Milla” and began to cry.
Sharindis closed her eyes against the pain in the lady’s voice. “This news, along with King Teravan’s message, was enough for the commanders of Coravia’s forts. Our army has his location and direction of travel now. They are making all speed to intercept him, but if he tries to take another fort they may be saved the effort.” Sharindis smiled wickedly. “Zel’Draval no longer has a message book, so he can’t read our messages. He doesn’t know that we know his location, course, and speed.”
“Queen Sharindis,” Lady Marydyth said as she stood, “what is King Stavin planning to do with him once he has Zel’Draval?”
“Kill him. There is no point in bringing him back here for trial. That’s only if they capture him alive. I personally think that unlikely.”
The Minister of Justice shook her head. “He cannot order the execution of a priest without a trial, Queen Sharindis. The traitors who support him, yes, of course, but all of the priests must be openly tried.”
Sharindis shook her head. “I will inform him tonight, but I know my husband. It’s going to be an effort to convince him to bring any of them back here alive.”
With that Shari dismissed the council. Discussing Zel’Draval’s fate had made her think of another condemned priest.
Shari approached General Zel’Astel immediately and asked, “Warvin, do you know which cell Stavin bound that priest in? The one where Queen Rowena was murdered?”
General Zel’Astel bowed deeply before saying, “I do, Your Majesty.”
“Take me down ther
e. There is something I have to see to.”
“Your Majesty, I don’t think that is a good idea.”
Shari bowed her head and closed her eyes, but her mind was made up. “You’re probably right, but it’s necessary anyway. I understand Stavin’s reasoning, but--we aren’t them, and I won’t stoop to their level.”
General Zel’Astel bowed his head in agreement, then led the way. Colonel Zel’Halvis and twenty guards followed on their heels.
The door to the dungeons was closed, but not bolted. No one had found the time or a blacksmith to fix the damage Stavin had done to the bolts. The air grew more fetid and disturbing as they descended.
The door to the cell was still closed and bolted, but there was no lock. Shari slid the bolt back herself and pushed the door open.
The pitiful wretch on the bed was barely alive, and turned his eyes toward her as he begged, “Water. For the love of Lebawan, water,” in a harsh, barely audible croak.
Shari recoiled from the sight and stench. The man was still tied, but he’d struggled against the ropes until his flesh was torn, and now festering wounds circled each wrist and ankle.
“He has received water every day, Queen Sharindis,” General Zel’Astel said from her side. “And food, though little of it. We’re not monsters. We wouldn’t leave him to starve or die of thirst like they did to the Chosen.”
Shari took a step forward and he again begged, “Have mercy. We only followed Lebawan’s commands.”
Shari shook her head slowly. “Lebawan never commanded the atrocities that you and your fellows have committed. Only men are intentionally cruel.” She stepped forward and stopped beside the bed. “I will not forgive what you have done, but neither will I condone what is being done here.” She pulled a long knife from its sheath at her waist and said, “Mercy is yours,” then slid the knife between his ribs and into his heart.
The Coravian Conflict (Stavin DragonBlessed Book 5) Page 17
