The Coravian Conflict (Stavin DragonBlessed Book 5)

by Loren K. Jones

  Stavin nodded. “Very well, Mayor Zel’Wheldan. You and your councilors may go.” He made a motion toward the door, and the councilors didn’t need any further prompting.

  Mohriah followed him with her eyes, but didn’t say anything until they were gone. Looking at Stavin, she bowed.

  “Sorry about that, Prince Stavin, but his tone and posture made me think a show of strength was called for.”

  Stavin nodded. “Probably right. He seemed a little full of himself. I’d like to go back to the caravansary and browse some more. Shari?”

  “Absolutely,” she replied with a wide smile.

  It took less than a span for them to get ready, and soon they were walking through the caravans, looking but seldom buying, and ended up at the Zel’Vandar caravan.

  Rahlina saw them coming and bowed deeply. “Prince Stavin, Princess Sharindis, welcome to my caravan. I don’t think you know anyone except Endar.”

  Stavin smiled deeply. “I remember Endar and his cooking very fondly, Rahlina. Did you come up through Evandia?”

  “Yes, but we’ve been trading with House Zel’Bearal over there. They came down from Reynadia.”

  Shari followed the direction of Rahlina’s gaze and nudged Stavin. Looking back at Rahlina she said, “We’ll be back,” and started walking, ignoring Stavin’s laugh.

  The Zel’Bearal caravan was crowded, but that didn’t bother Shari or Stavin. They browsed the wagons, admiring objects and sometimes buying. Stavin, of course, did most of the bargaining.

  After four spans Shari called a laughing halt to their shopping. “We’ll need another wagon if we keep this up!”

  Stavin laughed in return. “We can buy one if we have to,” he replied.

  They returned to the Zel’Vandar caravan in a fine mood. It didn’t last. Senior Sergeant Kel’Harvan, the leader of Rahlina’s guards, was facing off against the five Kel’Portan guards.

  “...and I say you are in my territory. You pay coin, or you pay blood.”

  Stavin barked, “Royal guards, seize them!” and twenty of his guardsmen rushed forward. None of them had to be told who to seize.

  The five Kel’Portans suddenly found themselves facing thirty-one armed, armored, and very annoyed opponents who were not going to back down. All five drew their swords, but Stavin’s voice froze everyone in their tracks.

  “Sheath your swords, or I’ll have you executed for attacking the royal family!”

  All five of the men looked his way, and the leader snarled, “You little---” as he stepped toward Stavin. It was his last mistake.

  Rahlina Kel’Vandar’s sword darted into the joint between his breast and back plates, spitting his heart and lungs from the side. The four remaining men saw their leader die and held their hands out, letting their swords fall to the ground.

  Shari looked at Rahlina and bowed. “Well done, Sergeant Kel’Vandar. Guardsmen, bind those four. We’ll deliver them to the mayor for disposal.”

  “You can’t do that,” one of the men shouted. “Mayor Zel’Wheldan will never--”

  “He will if he values his own hide above yours,” Shari snapped back. “When King Teravan finds out you threatened us, and especially our children, the Kel’Portan Guards will be as unwelcome here as you are in Evandia.”

  All four of the survivors were shaking their heads, trying to deny Shari’s assertion, but everyone knew it was true.

  Stavin looked at Master Sergeant Zel’Halvis and nodded. She bowed then ordered, “Sergeant Zel’Fordan, take four men and deliver these fools to the mayor along with Prince Stavin’s complaint against them. Make sure he understands exactly what happened here.”

  Sergeant Zel’Fordan bowed and said, “Yes, Master Sergeant,” then pointed at the four closest guardsmen and led off. The guardsmen and their prisoners followed in his wake.

  The shrilling of whistles heralded the arrival of the city guards, moments too late. “Halt where you are!” the leader shouted. “Halt in the name of the king!”

  Everyone just stood where they were and waited.

  The city guardsmen strode up to the scene and demanded, “Who murdered this man?” as he pointed toward the body.

  Master Sergeant Zel’Halvis replied, “He wasn’t murdered. He was killed for threatening Prince Stavin.”

  “Ha! What would Prince Stavin be doing at the caravansary?”

  Stavin and Shari stepped forward carrying the twins. Shari said, “We were shopping and visiting old friends,” as she smiled at Rahlina. “That ass and his accomplices accosted us yesterday, and today we found them accosting our friends, demanding that they pay for passage through their territory. Now take that trash to the mayor with our complaint.”

  The city guardsmen exchanged glances, then the leader cautiously asked, “Who are you, Lady?”

  Shari drew herself up to her full height and replied, “I am Princess Sharindis Uralian Sarlis Ne’Aniston Zel’Andral of Evandia, formerly Queen Sharindis of Coravia.”

  The men looked stunned for a moment, then went to their knees. “Your forgiveness, Your Highness. We will tend to this matter immediately.” When Shari nodded, they stood and gathered up the body, then hurried away.

  Shari turned toward Stavin and sighed, “I’ve had enough of this town. Let’s go home.”

  Chapter 30

  THE ROYAL PARTY LEFT EARLY THE next morning with the Zel’Vandar caravan on their heels. They traveled together for three days until the road that led into Evandia was reached. Then they parted company, waving all the while.

  It took just one day to reach the border crossing. Captain Zel’Corval, with Stavin’s permission, didn’t cross into Evandia. He bowed deeply to Stavin as he said his farewell.

  “Warmaster Zel’Andral, it has been an honor and a pleasure to serve under your command.”

  Stavin bowed his head. “I appreciate your assistance, Captain. Please deliver this letter to Lord General Kel’Eshen when you get home.” With that, Captain Zel’Corval led his troopers back toward the south, to Fort Kel’Justat and their homes.

  Stavin crossed into Evandia once again, and felt as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. They stayed at the same inn that they had stayed in on their way down from Kel’Kavin, and the innkeeper was beside himself seeing that the royal family was properly taken care of.

  It took thirteen additional days to reach Twin Bridges, and Stavin felt a familiar tightness in his throat when he saw East Bridge in the distance. They were home at last.

  Shari was clearing her throat and wiping her eyes as well. “It’s so good to be home,” she whispered. “So good to be home.”

  The people of East Bridge saw them coming, and the word spread like wildfire: Stavin and his family were back. The road was soon lined with people from every Clan, craning their necks to see the hero who’d given up the power and wealth of the Coravian crown so he could come home to them.

  The procession made it to the palace at long last and they dismissed the Royal Guards. All except Karvik.

  The children were so tired after all the excitement that even Karlin had to be carried, and Karvik picked him up while Shari and Stavin carried the girls. No one made any move to approach them until they reached their suite.

  King Kalin was waiting for them, but held his peace until the children were in bed.

  Stavin and Shari found Kalin, Mark and Marina waiting for them when they emerged from their suite.

  King Kalin spoke first, softly asking, “Do you have any idea how much trouble you’ve caused?”

  Stavin glanced at Shari, then replied, “No, Your Majesty.”

  “Stavin,” Marina said in a low tone, “you caused a Crisis of the Monarchy. When you became King of Coravia, you were still in line for the Evandian crown. If something had happened--”

  “The Council is in an uproar. Still,” Kalin interrupted. “Several of them are demanding that I disinherit you since Terry has made you a scion of Zel’Darvin and placed you in line behind Ellie for the Coravian crow
n.”

  “He’s ahead of Ellie right now,” Marina pointed out in a sour tone. Turning toward Stavin, she continued. “Until she turns twenty, you are Crown Prince of Coravia.”

  “It wasn’t my fault!” Stavin almost cried. “King Teravan was too badly hurt, and Ellie wasn’t old enough.”

  Now Kalin grinned. “I know,” he replied in a humorous tone. “Terry sent me a full report on what was done and why. But tomorrow you are both going to have to renew your oaths to Evandia. I can’t force you to renounce your status in Coravia, and destabilizing the Coravian monarchy wouldn’t do any of us any good. But I suggest you pray to Lady Sahren and the Gods Above that Ellie and Terry both have long lives.”

  Stavin and Shari were both looking uncertain, and Kalin finally relented. “All things considered, sending you to Coravia when I did was probably a stroke of good fortune for the entire continent. No one else could or would have done what you did, and we’d be facing Lebawan’s fanatics along our entire border if you hadn’t.”

  Kalin turned and walked in a circle around them. “When we found out what had happened, I had a proclamation circulated reminding Lebawan’s priests and followers that Lady Sahren’s worship is the official religion of Evandia, and warning them that I will be much harsher in my handling of them if they try something here. It’s my understanding that the High Priest was already planning on expanding his power base with Zel’Draval on the Coravian throne.” Now Kalin’s expression turned nasty. “He took passage on a ship bound for Cornardia right after the word came that you had executed Zel’Draval.”

  Marina was smiling much more serenely. “It has also resulted in Lebawan’s priests losing a lot of followers. There aren’t many people who want to be associated with a religion that is openly opposed by the king.”

  Stavin nodded and looked at Shari. “It’s a good thing we gave it back.”

  “Indeed it is,” Kalin agreed. “Dealing with my younger cousin as King of Coravia was bad enough when he ascended to the throne. Dealing with my son? That would have been a real mess.”

  Stavin grinned and said, “I would have let you win an occasional agreement, Dad. After all, I have much more experience bargaining than you do.”

  Marina broke out laughing, pointing at the perplexed expression on her father’s face. “He’s got a point, Daddy.”

  * * *

  The entire court was present the next morning when Stavin and Shari led the children before the king. They stood together, with Karlin in the middle and the twins next to their parents.

  “King Kalin,” Stavin said in a strong, clear voice, “here before the collected Chosen of Evandia, we swear our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor to Evandia and the Zel’Andral Dynasty.”

  King Kalin stood and Princess Marina stood at his side. Prince Markal stood at Marina’s right, just behind her shoulder.

  The king replied, “Stavin, Sharindis, Karlin, Sahren, and Maren Zel’Andral, we accept your fealty and oath to Evandia and the Zel’Andral Dynasty.” Then he sat, and the children scrambled up the dais to climb into his lap.

  About the author

  A U. S. Navy veteran, Loren K. Jones served as a nuclear reactor operator on attack submarines for six years before his honorable discharge in 1986. Loren makes his living as an instrumentation and controls technician, and writes because the stories won’t leave him alone until he does.

  Bonus Story

  THE ROYAL FAMILY, INCLUDING DAHVIN, GLORA, and their children, gathered in the Royal Suite two moons after Stavin and Shari returned from Coravia.

  “All right, Daddy,” Marina said as soon as everyone was present, “tell us the story about you and Uncle Dahral when you first joined the Army. I don’t think anyone but Dahvin and I know it.”

  Kalin chuckled as he looked at his family. “Well, we didn’t make the best first-impression on the general.”

  Kalin Zel’Andral, Lieutenant

  By Loren K. Jones

  “YOU KNOW YOU’RE IN TROUBLE, DON’T YOU?” the general asked in a severe tone. He was standing in front of his big wooden desk as he faced the miscreants, his craggy face looking as hard as granite. Each of them was in the blue and maroon officers’ uniform of the Evandian Regular Army, as was he, though their uniforms were as-yet unadorned while he wore thirty-seven years’ worth of honors on his breast.

  The six young officers remained at attention as they answered, “Sir, yes, sir,” more or less in unison.

  One handsome young man with finely-chiseled features under light-brown hair stepped forward and bowed before saying, “Lord General Zel’Faran, the responsibility was mine.”

  Another young officer stepped forward and said, “Prince Kalin, no! Sir, I was...”

  “That’s enough!” the general snapped, glaring at all six of the young men. “Your loyalty to one another is admirable, so when we sort this out you will all be punished together.” He focused on another of the lieutenants and ordered, “Lieutenant Zel’Bordal, explain.”

  Fortan Zel’Bordal stiffened further and began his story. He was a pale young man, and appeared to be more of a scholar than a warrior. He already had that squint the bookish tended to acquire. “Sir, we were on our way to join your command three days ago when we happened upon a burned wagon. When we investigated, we found four bodies just out of sight of the road. The man’s hands and feet were burned, but the women,” he paused as his complexion paled even further. “Sir, the woman and two little girls had been raped before their throats were cut.”

  “And,” the general prompted in a hard, uncompromising tone.

  “Yes, sir. We could see the trail the bandits had left, so we decided to chase them down. It didn’t take long. They were just ten spans up the track. When we surrounded them, one man attacked us. Lieutenant Zel’Fordal killed him immediately. The rest surrendered as soon as their leader was dead. We bound their hands and led them back toward the road. We met Sheriff Kel’Verdan by the wagon and reported everything to him. Then, with his permission, we continued on to report for duty, sir.”

  The general gave all of them a scathing glare as his expression soured even further. “There are several problems with that story, Lieutenant Zel’Bordal. First, you are not yet sworn to the Army so, in spite of your uniforms, you are not yet officers. Second, while you will all one day have the rights of high and low justice, you do not yet have those rights.” He paused as several of the young men looked at Prince Kalin. “No, not even he has that right until he completes his two years of service and becomes Heir-in-fact. The third, and possibly most annoying thing, is that you risked depriving the Army of your service.”

  The general looked over at the colonel by the door and shook his head. “We have already discussed this incident with Lord General Zel’Fordan, and through him with His Majesty. Punishing you for your actions would send the wrong message to the Army in general, as well as to the young Chosen who will be following you in years to come.” His glare kept the lieutenants frozen.

  Now the colonel stepped forward and looked at the men. Like the general, he was an older man, though his hair had turned white as snow rather than gray. “I am Colonel Zel’Freedan, the general’s Chief of Staff.” He looked at the list in his hands as he continued. “Lieutenant Gerryan Zel’Patrin, you will report to Captain Zel’Ival of the 16th Cavalry. Lieutenant Vertan Zel’Nevek, you will report to Major Zel’Markan of the 32nd Infantry. Lieutenant Bartal Zel’Teran, you will report to Captain Zel’Lamal of the 20th Scouts. Lieutenant Fortan Zel’Bordal, you will report to Captain Zel’Kerval of the 6th Archers. Lieutenants Dahral Zel’Fordal and Kalin Zel’Andral, you will both report to Major Zel’Carvan of the 8th Raiders.”

  Now the general took over again as he stepped forward to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the colonel. “Very well, young lords. Kneel.” He waited until all six young men were kneeling and looking up at him expectantly before continuing. “Sword salute!” He waited until all six young men held their swords at salute in front of t
heir faces. “Do you swear on the sacred honor of your Clans to honorably complete two years of service in Evandia’s Army, excepting only injury or physical infirmity, to earn the right to own property and dispense justice in this kingdom?”

  As one they answered, “I do so swear.”

  The general nodded and said, “Stand Lieutenants. Affix your rank insignia and report to your commands. Dismissed.”

  All six newly minted lieutenants came to their feet and sheathed their swords, then snapped to attention before bowing and taking one step back. Only then did Dahral Zel’Fordal, being closest to the door, turn to lead the way out of the office.

  Colonel Zel’Freedan gave his general a sour look as the door closed. “I hope he’s no more spoiled than we’ve heard.”

  The general nodded. “I discussed that with General Zel’Fordan and King Ordan. That’s why I wanted him under Jeff. If he gets snippy, Jeff can show him the Evandian Sun. Being a Hero of the Kingdom counts when it was his father who awarded the medal.”

  “And the Zel’Fordal boy with him.”

  The general nodded. “And young Dahral at his side. I remember when young Ordan Zel’Andral and Severan Zel’Fordan served together at Fort Zel’Karal.” He turned and gave his chief-of-staff a pained grimace. “Let’s hope these two don’t get into as much trouble as they did.”

  * * *

  At the foot of the steps in front of the general’s office the young officers had come to a stop. Dahral Zel’Fordal said, “Prince Kalin, I...”

  Kalin shook his head. “I am no longer a prince, Lieutenant Zel’Fordal. That was set aside when I swore to the Army. We are equals here.” Kalin was looking at the ground and kicked at the dust in frustration as he shook his head. He pulled a lieutenant’s insignia from his pouch and carefully pinned it to the right breast of his uniform.