“Yes,” Shari answered, “but not until tomorrow. We are planning to stay for three days.”
* * *
The next morning, Stavin and Karvik didn’t hesitate to take Shari and the children to the caravansary and bazaar. The servants came along as well. They had each received a gold crown every ten days while serving King Teravan and Princess Ellissan, as well as an extra two sparks a day for mentoring the new royal servants.
The Royal Guards weren’t hesitant either. King Teravan had issued four moons of pay to each of them for their service to Coravia, and Stavin had passed the word that anything they bought could be put in the baggage wagons for the trip back to Twin Bridges.
Ahram’s Holding’s location, four days from the border crossing city of Fort Zel’Narlis, made it the major destocking and restocking point for caravans traveling through this portion of Coravia. Stavin remembered their first visit fondly.
“We were too busy on our first visit to buy much of anything,” he said loudly enough to be heard over the din of the traders and locals. “The Zel’Vandar caravan restocked in just one day.”
Shari shouted back, “If we have to take an extra day, I won’t object. I’ve never seen anything like this.” She was smiling and looking around in every direction.
Stavin laughed as they walked into the crowd. It wasn’t long, however, before they were recognized. The noise subsided as men, women, and children backed away and bowed deeply as they passed.
Stavin returned the bows at first, then just smiled and waved. Once the shock wore off the noise returned, but an island of relative quiet still traveled with them.
The children were oblivious to everything except the extraordinary experience of going to a real caravansary. Shari cried out in delight when she saw a cloth merchant and led the way across the crowd.
The merchant saw them coming and smiled in greeting. Then he realized who they were and dropped to his knees, bowing deeply as he said, “Your Highness, I am honored beyond my poor ability to express that you have chosen to patronize my humble stall.”
Shari said, “Stand, good Master Trader. You have some wonderful cloth.”
The man slowly stood, glancing at Stavin and the Royal Guards, then bowed deeply to Shari. “Thank you, Your Highness. What has caught your discerning eye?”
Shari ran a finger across a bolt of red silk that was interwoven with a shimmer of gold. “This is magnificent,” she almost whispered.
“Ah, Your Highness, that silk is from far Cornardia, across the eastern sea. They are truly extraordinary weavers in that far away land.”
“Yes, they are,” she agreed. “What kingly ransom have you placed on this cloth?” She smiled at him, and he seemed to melt.
“From you, Princess Sharindis, I will take no profit. This cloth cost me two and six for the bolt. I ask no more.”
Shari looked at Stavin and raised an eyebrow. Stavin tilted his head to the side, then nodded. “About right,” was all he would say.
Shari pulled her pouch from the belly of her bodice and laid out two gold Coravian crowns, and six silver. Then she smiled and placed a seventh silver crown with the rest. “In any Trade, good Master Trader, both sides should profit. Bundle the cloth carefully. It’s still a long way to Twin Bridges.”
The cloth merchant bowed deeply, then gathered the coins before wrapping the bolt of silk in a span of sturdy white wool. He bowed again as he laid the bundle in front of Shari. “It has truly been an honor to serve you, Princess Sharindis.”
Shari smiled slightly and nodded, then picked up her purchase and led the way deeper into the bazaar.
The royal party meandered through the bazaar and caravansary. Stavin and Shari bought a few items here and there, concentrating on small gifts for their extended family.
The children picked out small gifts for their friends--and sweets. Honeyed nuts of several varieties as well as a wide assortment of other confections were available, but their purchases were limited by their parents, which was a thoroughly unfair situation as far as they were concerned.
The guards weren’t limiting themselves, though they only let one or two of their number be distracted at any one time. They had been in the caravansary for five spans before Karvik tapped Stavin’s shoulder and said, “Company.”
Stavin followed the direction of Karvik’s gaze and his jaws clenched: A hand of armed and armored men were rudely pushing their way through the crowd toward them. Even from a distance Stavin recognized the badges of the Kel’Portan Guards.
Karvik and five guardsmen stepped forward, forming a wall of steel and flesh between their prince and the Kel’Portan Guardsmen.
“That’s close enough,” Karvik said loudly.
“Stand aside, boy,” the leader said in a contemptuous tone as he continued to advance.
Karvik’s sword hissed against his scabbard as he drew it. Beside him and behind him, every guard instantly copied his action. In the space between one breath and the next forty swords gleamed in the sun.
Karvik glared at the now uncertain Kel’Portan guardsmen. “That is close enough,” he repeated.
“You have no authority here, Evandian,” the leader said, but he didn’t sound quite so sure of himself.
“I have all the authority I need.”
The leader looked around, then back at Karvik. He shouted, “Do you know who I am?” as he hooked a thumb toward his badge.
“I know what you are, Kel’Portan,” Karvik answered. “I’ve killed enough of you.”
“Who are you? No effeminate Evandian can stand against a Kel’Portan Guard.”
Karvik took a step forward and loudly replied, “I am Major Karvik Kel’Carin of the Evandian Royal Guard, Warleader Third of Kel’Kavin.”
Now the Kel’Portans all looked nervous. “You still have no authority in Coravia,” the leader muttered.
Karvik grinned. “Prince Stavin is next in line to the Coravian crown until Princess Ellissan reaches her majority. He gives me all the authority I need.”
Now Stavin pushed his way to the front. “King Kalin outlawed the Kel’Portan Guards in Evandia after you aided the traitors in the Skykon Trade Town. I wonder what it would take to get King Teravan to outlaw you in Coravia?”
The leader started to say something in return, but the other four grabbed him and hurried away as the crowd parted to give them an avenue of escape.
Karvik chuckled and said, “I guess they didn’t like the idea.”
Stavin laughed back, “Guess not.”
* * *
Stavin and Shari spent the rest of the day shopping. They had returned to the inn for a quiet evening before someone else approached.
A tall young woman walked boldly up to the Royal Guards and said, “I would like to speak to Prince Stavin.”
“Would you indeed?” one of the men asked. “Who should we say is calling?” he continued with a grin.
“Master Trader Rahlina Kel’Vandar of the Zel’Vandar Trading House.”
“Rahlina!” a voice shouted from inside the inn and a large figure rushed out and grabbed her in a tight hug for a moment before setting her down and stepping back. “It’s so good to see you again!”
Rahlina looked up at the tall young man and her obvious wonder grew as she finally recognized him. “Karvik?”
“Hi, Rahlina,” Karvik replied with a stupid grin. “What are you doing here?”
Rahlina laughed. “We’re on the way home, Kar. We arrived this morning and heard Prince Stavin was in town, so I came over to pay my respects.”
Karvik grinned even wider and said, “Come in. Stave is going to be delighted to see you, and I know Shari has wanted to meet you for years.”
Rahlina let Karvik lead her into the common room, then to a private dining room. Stavin looked up when the door opened, then stood up so quickly his chair almost tipped over backwards, shouting “Rahlina!” as he ran over to hug her.
Rahlina couldn’t bow or kneel, so she just kissed him on the forehead
and said, “It’s wonderful to see you again, Prince Stavin.”
“This is Shari,” Stavin said as he pulled her over to the table.
Shari had stood as soon as she realized who Rahlina was. “I am pleased to meet you at last, Rahlina. I owe you for Stavin’s life.”
Rahlina smiled and shook her head. “There is no debt, Princess Sharindis. Stavin had saved me and every member of our caravan more than once. It was my honor and duty to aid him when I could.”
Karvik was still by the door and said, “Look at her arm, Stave.”
Stavin did and chuckled. The armguard they had given her almost seven years ago now held a red stripe and four white. “Been busy, I see,” he chuckled.
Rahlina grinned as she replied, “I requested and have received weapons training from the Council Enforcers every winter since that year, Prince Stavin. Our guards have objected a few times, but most of them know the story of that caravan and accept my rank among them.”
Shari chuckled. “They better. Come, sit down and have a drink with us.”
Rahlina bowed, then accepted the seat at Shari’s right. Shari said, “Rahlina Kel’Vandar, these are our children, Karlin, Sahren, and Mahren.” Rahlina bowed deeply to the children, then gave Stavin a questioning glance.
Stavin nodded. “Yes, Sahry is named for your nanna.”
Rahlina looked at the twins and smiled deeply. “Princess Sahren, it pleases me greatly that you share my Nanna Sahren’s name. She was a great woman, and I loved her very much.”
Sahren giggled. “Daddy said your Nanna Sahren was a nurturer just like Lady Sahren.”
“Yes, she was,” Stavin agreed. “She and Kethlan were why I decided to study Trade and become a trader.”
“And save us all in the process,” Rahlina added.
“That was duty,” Stavin replied. “I didn’t really become a Trader until after Valovad, when you started lecturing me.”
Shari giggled. “Stavi thought he was done with being a student. Then you started teaching him things he’d never considered important before, and he was right back at the beginning. He spent a lot of time studying Trade that winter so he could honorably earn Third Master’s pay with the caravans the next summer. Then he wasn’t summoned for the expedition.” She smiled at Stavin as she continued. “He made up for it, though. Dad took eight veterans with them to Kahrant’s Pass and Stavin got our spring supplies for half the price we’d been paying. Then they went to Evandia and got in the middle of the conspiracy against King Kalin.”
Rahlina nodded. “I heard the story he told Uncle Ahlic.” Turning to Stavin, she bowed her head and grinned. “I tried to see you when you passed through on your way to Evandia, but between Uncle Ahlic and the needs of my caravan, I just couldn’t find the time. And now, with the Favored Trader status you arranged, we spend a lot more time in Evandia.”
“Expect to spend more time in Coravia as well,” Stavin said as his grin widened.
Rahlina asked, “What did you do?” in almost exactly the same tone Shari habitually used, and Stavin and Shari both burst out laughing.
Over the next three spans Stavin and Shari brought Rahlina up to date on the happenings in Coravia since their arrival.
Rahlina sat in stunned silence for a moment, then whispered, “King Stavin,” in a soft tone. “But wait a moment,” she continued in a stronger voice, “they charged me the full five percent crossing into Coravia.”
Stavin chuckled, and said, “It won’t go into effect until Mid-Winter. By then, all of the border crossings will have the official list of the Aravad Traders’ Council so no one else takes advantage of it.”
Rahlina bowed in her seat, then stood and bowed again. “Prince Stavin, it has been wonderful to see you again, and to meet you and your children, Princess Sharindis, but I must return to my caravan.”
Stavin stood and walked Rahlina to the door. “It’s been a pleasure to see you as well, Rahlina. If you stop in Twin Bridges, please come by and say hello.”
Rahlina bowed again in the doorway. “I look forward to it, Prince Stavin.” Then she was gone, and Stavin turned back toward Shari.
“It was good to see her again. She seems to be doing well.”
“Yes,” Shari agreed, “and I finally got to meet her. You used to say her name in your dreams, Stavi. It was only the fact that they were obviously nightmares that kept you from getting bopped on the nose.”
Stavin threw his head back and laughed, crowing, “You should have told her that!”
Chapter 29
THE NEXT DAY, JUST AFTER THEY had finished eating their morning meal, the innkeeper led a tall, elegantly dressed older woman to their table and bowed. “Your Highnesses, please allow me to present Lady Resala Zel’Sorvan, Lady of Zel’Sorvan, owner of the Zel’Sorvan winery.” He stepped back as he bowed toward their table.
Lady Zel’Sorvan stepped forward and bowed as Stavin and Shari stood to greet her. “I am honored to meet you, Prince Stavin and Princess Sharindis. Charrel tells me that you and Princess Marina like my wine. I have two cases of assorted wines that I would like to present to you for your service to Coravia. Lebawan’s priest in this area seized a warehouse full of wine by condemning the poor souls who owned the warehouse.” She paused and shook her head. “I got most of my wine back, but I had known the Fel’Tarstan family for years.”
Stavin bowed his head deeply. “If you would, please send that information to Moravad. If those priests aren’t already under arrest, they soon will be.”
“They are, Prince Stavin,” she replied with a vicious grin. “My son is a major in the army, and he led the raid on Lebawan’s temple himself. The Priest Inquisitor who was in charge of that temple got a little banged up during his arrest, but he was alive when he left for trial in Moravad.”
Stavin bowed to hide his grin. “That is good to know, Lady Resala. Will you join us?” he asked as he waved toward the table.
She shook her head. “Forgive me, Prince Stavin, but I just stopped by to deliver the wine and my thanks in person. I really must be going.”
Stavin bowed slightly. “Then accept our thanks for your welcome and your wine. And for the news that Lebawan’s followers have been properly dealt with.”
The lady bowed deeply, then turned and left the inn. It wasn’t long, though, before someone else came to see them.
The innkeeper led seven elegantly dressed people toward the royal family, only to be stopped by Master Sergeant Zel’Halvis. “That’s close enough. State your business.”
“Stand aside,” the man in the lead commanded.
Master Sergeant Zel’Halvis reacted to his tone and drew her sword, holding it horizontally in front of her. Behind her, three guardswomen and seven guardsmen followed her lead.
“I said, that’s close enough.”
The man looked confused, then snarled, “You low-born bitch, I’ll--”
He didn’t get to finish his threat. Mohriah stepped forward and backhanded him off his feet, then stood over him with the point of her sword at his throat as he stared up at her from the floor.
“I am the Lady of Zel’Halvis, Master Sergeant of the Evandian Royal Guard, and Colonel of the Coravian Royal Guard. You will address me with respect or face me in the circle.”
The man was swallowing convulsively and staring in wide-eyed terror at the brightly gleaming length of razor-sharp steel in the woman’s hand. He babbled, “I-I-I am Mayor Bennett Zel’Wheldan. You can’t do this to me!”
Mohriah looked down at him and asked, “Are you the Lord of Zel’Wheldan?”
“N-No.”
“Then you will address me with respect,” Mohriah said in a low, intense tone, “or face the consequences.”
The mayor looked past her in desperation, but the glares from the royal family told him he wasn’t going to receive any help from that direction. He finally swallowed the last of his fear and indignation and bowed his head toward the sword.
“I offer apologies for my intemperate choice o
f words, Lady Zel’Halvis.”
Mohriah stepped back and sheathed her sword. “Stand,” she commanded, then watched as he slowly climbed his feet. Turning away, she bowed.
“Prince Stavin, Mayor Zel’Wheldan desires an audience.”
Stavin nodded. “Allow the lord mayor and his council through, Master Sergeant Zel’Halvis.”
Mohriah bowed, then stepped aside to allow the men and women to pass, but a subtle hand signal caused a guardsman to join on each of them while Mohriah and her women moved to stand directly behind Stavin and Shari.
The lord mayor glanced around, then looked at Stavin. “Prince Stavin, this is intolerable.”
“What is that, Mayor Zel’Wheldan?” Shari asked.
“Your guards, Princess Sharindis,” he answered. “They act as if we’re a threat to you. I’ll not be treated like this in my own town.”
Stavin looked at him and shrugged. “The door is right behind you.”
The lord mayor blinked in surprise. “W-What?”
Stavin rose to his feet slowly. “Watch your manners with me, or I’ll let Lady Zel’Halvis take you out and remind you who you are addressing.”
The mayor looked even more confused. “Your Highness--”
“Exactly,” Stavin interrupted.
The mayor looked confused for a moment, then realized what he’d done and bowed deeply. “I beg your forgiveness, Your Highness, for my lack of deference. I’m somewhat shaken by your guard’s attack.”
“Lady Zel’Halvis was acting per her orders, not attacking you. It would be in your best interest to remember that the Royal Guards only answer to the royal family. As for your insult to her, it would also be good for you to know that the Zel’Halvis family is in the Evandian royal line. True, she’s about thirteenth in line to the throne, but she is in line.”
The mayor swallowed hard, then turned and bowed to Mohriah before turning back toward Stavin again and bowing.
“Prince Stavin, perhaps it would be best for us to leave. I seem to have made a bad first impression. Just let me say that we are honored by your visit, and offer our assistance in anything you might need.” He bowed deeply again, as did the councilors beside him.
The Coravian Conflict (Stavin DragonBlessed Book 5) Page 25
