Turning to face her guards, Queen Sharindis commanded, “Draft some workmen and have every one of these cells cleansed. I don’t want so much as a moldy piece of straw left in a corner.”
General Zel’Astel bowed deeply as he said, “As you command, Queen Sharindis,” then watched as she walked away and disappeared up the stairs. To his men he said, “You heard the queen. Two of you see to it. The rest get back on watch.”
* * *
Fort Zel’Candil sat in Arandar’s light with a small town built close to its walls. Scouts had been deployed when news of the atrocity at Fort Zel’Karyn was delivered, and now every person near the fort was safely within its walls. So were their livestock and provisions.
King Zel’Draval rode boldly up to the gates, expecting them to open immediately. When they didn’t, a man in the blue robes of a Priest Inquisitor Rode forward and shouted, “Open the gates for your king!”
A voice shouted back, “Our good King Teravan is in Moravad. His successor, King Stavin, is coming behind you. You’ll not be admitted to carry out your treason here, Priest!”
“How dare you defy me!” Zel’Draval screamed as he pushed his way forward. “I am your king! I am your rightful king by Lebawan’s will! Teravan Zel’Darvin was destroyed as a defective! Open these gates. You are defective if you believe the lies being spread by the traitors in Moravad! Open the gates or I’ll have my men open them over your bodies!”
Now more laughter drifted down from the top of the walls. King Karvar turned and screamed, “Attack! Attack! Take these defectives for stoning!”
The soldiers and civilians of Zel’Draval’s force charged forward, but raggedly. With no general to guide them, and only a few officers of any rank, they came as a mass of men, screaming what they thought were war-cries and waving swords over their heads.
Archers on the walls sent volley after volley of arrows down into the unprotected ranks of the traitors. Hundreds of arrows fell among the charging traitors, scything them down like ripe grain. Men and horses screamed as their flesh was pierced. A few officers in armor managed to reach the base of the walls, but there they were met with molten lead and boiling oil poured from the battlements. Their screams rang across the pathetic battlefield.
Zel’Draval and his priests backed away in shock and disbelief as their mastery of Coravia was defied. But they didn’t back away far enough. A bugle sounded, and the archers shifted their aim farther back. As the ranks of his men withered around him, King Karvar Zel’Draval and his senior supporters fled in terror.
* * *
Stavin’s force had been traveling for six days before they received a message from Fort Zel’Candil.
“King Teravan, King Stavin, the traitor Zel’Draval and his followers arrived and demanded entrance near mid day today. When he was refused, he ordered his followers to attack. We slaughtered four hundred and ten men before Zel’Draval and his closest followers fled. I have ordered my cavalry, raiders, and scouts after them with orders to capture them if possible. With respect, Lord General Alval Zel’Grovan.”
Stavin didn’t need to call for a map. Lady General Zel’Pardin had it rolled out by the time Stavin had finished reading the message.
“He’s still seven or eight days ahead of us,” Stavin grumbled.
“With just a quarter of his troops,” Karvik pointed out.
“More like a third or more. If our numbers are right he has about three hundred and fifty troops behind him.”
Karvik looked at him and shook his head. “They’re not all soldiers, Stave. A lot of them are his followers and priests. I’d bet it was only troops that he sent against Fort Zel’Candil.”
“And we have more than twice his number behind us, all troops,” Lady Saralee pointed out. “We can also add a few hundred more along the way.”
“True,” Stavin agreed, “but it’s not us I’m worried about. Most of the towns he’s headed for are small, isolated communities. Three hundred and fifty soldiers and priests against a town that might have three hundred and fifty people total, almost all commoners, would be a slaughter.”
Everyone in the command tent exchanged glances, but no one contradicted him. It was an unfortunate truth in every war that the common people were the most vulnerable. An honorable commander, fighting in accordance with the Code of the Warrior, was one thing: a madman like Zel’Draval was something else entirely.
Stavin had Lord General Kel’Destar issue orders to all commands with his message book. “From King Stavin: Protect the people of Coravia from Zel’Draval and his followers.”
It was another seven days before word of Zel’Draval’s rampage was relayed to Stavin.
“From Lady General Zel’Neran to King Stavin. The town of Erlin Ford has been destroyed. One survivor reached us moments ago. Zel’Draval has left Coravia and entered Kavadia. By my orders and on my authority, the force from Fort Zel’Candil has been instructed to stop and help any survivors at Erlin Ford. This is in accordance with our treaty with what passes for a government in Kavadia.
Lady General Vallen Zel’Neran.”
Stavin sat with his head in his hands for a moment before commanding, “Reply to the lady general. Have her take her entire force to Erlin Ford. Tell her we’re--how far away are we?”
“Six days, King Stavin,” General Kel’Destar replied.
“Tell her we’ll be there in six days. Have her bring supplies for an extended campaign in Kavadia.”
“King Stavin,” Lady General Zel’Pardin said in a soft tone, “Coravia has a treaty with the Kavadian Traders’ Guild forbidding our military from entering Kavadia.”
Stavin was quiet as he considered his options. I can’t let him get away with this. He’s a traitor and murderer. And he sent those men after Shari and the kids. I can’t let this go. I can’t let him go. If only there was a way for me to enter Kavadia as someone other than King Stavin of Coravia. If only—A grin pulled at his lips as a stray thought intruded. That’d work. He turned to face his officers and spoke in a soft, unyielding tone. “We are going into Kavadia. If Zel’Draval thinks he’s safe north of the border, he’s is in for a rude surprise.” It was obvious that the generals wanted to object, but they kept their peace. Karvik didn’t.
“Are you insane?” he whispered. “You’re violating a treaty you have no business violating.”
Stavin just looked at Karvik for a moment, then an evil grin spread his lips into a grimace that no one would mistake for a smile. “No, I’m not. You’ll see.”
“What are you talking about?”
Now Stavin’s face took on an even more evil twist as he chuckled. “You’ll see.”
Karvik shook his head slowly. “Gods Above protect Coravia.”
Stavin just laughed in reply. And the edge of madness in that laugh made Karvik shiver.
* * *
It took just five days to reach Erlin Ford. Destroyed was an insufficient description for what Zel’Draval had done. Not even one building remained standing. Scattered ashes sat in stone foundations, and among too many of those ashes were the charred bones of Erlin Ford’s people.
Lady General Zel’Neran met them as soon as they arrived. “We’ve located just twenty-one survivors from the three hundred and thirty-nine people the census listed for Erlin Ford. There may be more who managed to flee and kept on running, but we don’t have much hope of that. According to the survivors, ‘King’ Zel’Draval arrived with his army and started inspecting the people. When a few objected, he condemned the whole town and ordered it cleansed.” She paused to clear her throat. “He killed them all. Even the babies. Then he put them in the buildings along with all of their firewood and burned the town.”
Stavin bowed his head, and closed his eyes for a moment as he took several deep breaths. No king worthy of the title does things like this. No king. Then he stepped forward and said, “Very well, General Zel’Neran. In the morning, we’re invading Kavadia to get him back. And don’t bother quoting the treaty. Even without this,�
� he waved his hand at the burned buildings, “the murder of Queen Rowena would warrant it.”
Lady General Zel’Neran looked to her peers for support, but a slight shake of Lady General Zel’Pardin’s head silenced her. Instead she bowed and said, “Yes, King Stavin.”
The morning sun found them in the saddle and it was well before mid day when they reached the remains of Fallen Leaf. Like Erlin Ford, it had been completely destroyed.
Stavin remained silent as he looked at the bodies in the ashes, but those near him heard a low growl of anger that no human throat should have been able to produce. Karvik was the only one who knew why: Scribe Stavin was staring at the remains of the town hall and archive. Without a word, Stavin turned his horse toward the road north.
* * *
Queen Sharindis had tears in her eyes as she read Stavin’s message to the Ministers. “--They are all dead, Shari. We are going to continue the chase if it leads all the way to Rey on the Glimmer.”
Sharindis closed the book and wiped a tear from her eye. “Zel’Draval has gone to Kavadia, like the bandit king he is.”
Stardis Zel’Gestan stood and shook her head. “You must recall him, Queen Sharindis. He is violating our treaty with Kavadia. His actions could cause a war along the entire Kavadian Border.”
Sharindis was shaking her head slowly as she replied, “No. I don’t think Lady Sahren herself could turn him around, and I won’t even try. We knew people in those towns.”
“He murdered my daughter!” the Minister of the Interior almost shouted. “But so many more will die if Kavadia declares war on us. Even for Milla, even for justice for my daughter, I cannot support this decision.”
“Then don’t. We don’t want blind obedience. We want Ministers, people who will argue what is right against what we want. But I know Stavin. He’s a lot of things, but foremost among them he’s clever. He knows about the treaty, so if he’s entering Kavadia, he’s found a way around it.”
“But what could that be?” Princess Ellissan asked.
Queen Sharindis shook her head sadly. “I can’t even begin to imagine.”
Chapter 20
THE KAVADIAN TOWN OF FEL’HADAK WAS still in flames when Stavin’s army arrived. Karvik rode Chana around in front of Stavin to keep him back as Captain Zel’Corval led the troops forward at the gallop.
“There isn’t anything we can do here, Stave,” Karvik almost shouted.
Stavin looked at Karvik, and seemed to collapse. “Why? What did they do to deserve this?”
“Nothing. Stave, no one deserves this kind of treatment.”
Stavin dismounted and went to his knees. Karvik was instantly beside him, as were the generals. Stavin bent forward as sobs of grief wracked his frame. He kept saying, “Amarna. I’m so sorry.” He was repeating it over and over again as he cried. Only Karvik knew why, but he remained mute as Stavin’s grief and guilt tore him apart.
Captain Zel’Corval returned to the commanders and stopped when he saw Stavin on his knees. Lady General Zel’Pardin looked at him and nodded, so he began his report.
“King Stavin, my men caught ten priests trying to escape. They claim to have been left behind to finish punishing these people. They claim,” now he paused and shook his head, “they claim Zel’Draval ordered them to dispose of all the defectives here. He went ahead, and these men were thoroughly punishing every “defective” they could find.” Now he took a deep breath as if steeling himself for combat and said, “They torched the town when they saw us coming.”
Stavin made a sound like an animal in pain and collapsed forward for a moment, but before Karvik could even drop to his knees beside him, he rose to his feet with his arms spread wide and screamed at the sky in rage. And behind that scream was a more horrifying sound: a growl that no human could ignore. A growl that made their neck hairs stand on end and made them want to run. The horses fought the troopers who were holding their bridles, seeking to flee the growl of a dragon.
Karvik grabbed Stavin by both shoulders and forced him around to face him.
“Stavin! Stavin, stop it! Don’t lose control!”
“I want them dead, Kar,” he said, his voice still backed by that growl. “I want all of them dead.”
Captain Zel’Corval was looking at his king with wide eyes as he said, “They are, Your Majesty. My men—My men killed them as soon as they saw and heard what they had done. I didn’t even try to stop them.”
Lady General Zel’Pardin looked at him and snapped, “That was out of line, Captain.”
Stavin whispered, “No. No, that was more merciful than I would have been.”
“King Stavin, they were priests following--”
“No, General Zel’Pardin. They weren’t. Lebawan never decreed things like this. He never decreed slaughter. Lebawan and Sahren were allies, not enemies. They both worked toward the same goal. But not like this. Not by slaughtering everyone who didn’t obey the priests.”
“King Stavin?”
“These are criminals using the name of Lebawan to justify their crimes. Nothing more. Nothing less.” Stavin looked at all three generals and shook his head. “We have to stop them. We can’t let them turn Coravia or Kavadia into Lebawan’s Hell.”
Chapter 21
IT TOOK SEVEN MORE DAYS TO catch up with Zel’Draval at Aravad, the ancient capital of Kavadia. A huge force was gathered south of the city, far more than Zel’Draval had entered Kavadia with, and Stavin smiled when he saw them. The Aravad Traders’ Council and Kavadian Traders’ Guild had added their enforcers to the men of the Coravian traitors, swelling their ranks to more than a thousand men.
Stavin looked at Karvik and smiled, and that expression made Karvik shiver. “Let me ride forward alone, Kar,” he said softly. “This is where I was hoping he’d stop.”
“Why?”
“Because this is Aravad, and in Aravad I’m not King Stavin of Coravia or even Prince Stavin of Evandia. In Aravad, I am Master Trader Stavin Zel’Andral, owner of the Kel’Aniston Trading House, and a full member of the Aravad Traders’ Council.”
Karvik’s eyes went round with understanding. He whispered, “You sneaky little bastard.”
Stavin laughed loudly and said, “Yup,” as he rode forward.
A man rode forward to meet Stavin, but stopped short with a confused expression on his face when he saw that Stavin had put on his Master Trader’s vest over his armor. The man asked, “What is going on?”
Stavin smiled and bowed his head. “I am Master Trader Stavin of House Kel’Aniston. I would like to speak with the council concerning some people who have committed offenses against me and my interests.”
The man backed his horse a step before regaining control. “You have brought a Coravian army onto Kavadian soil in defiance of our treaty.”
Stavin smiled slightly. “As a member of the Council, I have the right to bring an armed force with me in pursuance of those I seek. That they are Coravian troops is irrelevant. They are under my command, so there is no treaty violation.”
The man bowed in the saddle. “Lord Zel’Kaudell and the council will have to rule on this. Follow me, Master Stavin.” The man turned his horse around and led Stavin back toward the Aravad.
A voice started shouting as soon as they started riding. “Kill him! Kill that defective traitor!”
Stavin looked at his guide and the man explained. “He claims you usurped his throne with the aid of traitorous generals, and has promised Trade concessions in exchange for the Council’s aid in retaking his crown.”
Stavin shook his head but didn’t say anything. His guide led him through the force to a pavilion in the rear. Dismounting, Stavin removed his helmet and gauntlets and handed them to the man who was holding his reins.
A familiar face met him as he turned around. “Prince Stavin, this is a shock,” Lord Ahlic said as he bowed.
“Greetings, Lord Ahlic. It’s unfortunate that I had to return to Aravad this way. It wasn’t my choice.”
A commotio
n off to the left announced the arrival of ‘King’ Zel’Draval. “Seize him! Seize that traitor!” he shouted, but no one moved. Finally, a Coravian Army colonel tried to force his way forward, only to be blocked by the swords of ten Aravad Council Enforcers.
Lord Ahlic looked at the priest and said, “Master Stavin is a member of our Council. If you attempt to attack him again, you will be cut down.”
There was silence as Stavin followed Ahlic into the pavilion. Stavin found himself facing the full ruling council and bowed.
“Greetings, Councilors. I am here seeking redress of wrongs committed against me and my interests by one Karvar Zel’Draval and his followers.”
Lord Perrit stood and nodded. “What charges do you lay against Karvar Zel’Draval?”
“I accuse Karvar Zel’Draval of the murder of two members of my family.”
Another councilor stood and bowed. “Master Stavin, who did High Priest Zel’Draval murder?”
“My cousins, Queen Rowena and Prince Caldan of Coravia.”
The councilor tilted his head to the side. “It is our understanding that they were judged defective and executed in accordance with Lebawan’s Law.”
Stavin shook his head. “Coravian law states that only the worshipers of Lebawan can be judged by His priests. Since no one in the royal family was a worshiper of Lebawan, the priest had no right to examine or condemn them. Therefore, it was nothing less than treason and murder.” Stavin looked around and spoke again after a moment. “There is something else that we, as the ruling body in this portion of Kavadia, must also address.”
“And what is that, Master Stavin?” Lord Perrit asked.
“The murder of Kavadian civilians in the towns of Fallen Leaf and Fel’Hadak.” He went on to describe what Zel’Draval and his followers had done there and in Erlin Ford. “These crimes are a separate matter from the crimes that brought me before you today.”
The Coravian Conflict (Stavin DragonBlessed Book 5) Page 18
