All that Glitters (Stavin DragonBlessed Book 1) (17 page)

Karvik came forward. "Stand still, Stave. This'll only take a moment." He pulled out a small pot of white paint and a narrow brush and quickly painted the first chevron on Stavin's shoulder. Before he could paint the second chevron, the paint from the first ran down and dripped to the ground.

"What is going on?" Barvil asked, angry that Karvik might be pulling a prank at a time like this. "Did you mix it right?"

"Yes, Sir," Karvik answered, looking at the paint. "I made it the same as I made mine in Twin Bridges. Look," he said, offering the pot to his father.

Barvil took the paint and stirred it, but it appeared to be the correct consistency. "Dav, come over here," he commanded, and Davel quickly went to his side. "Stand still. You're looking a little chipped and faded." Barvil renewed Davel's five stripes and the paint held exactly as it should.

"Stavin, let me try this," Barvil commanded, giving Karvik a stern glare. Barvil painted one stripe and waited. In just a few breaths the paint beaded up and ran off the golden armor, leaving Stavin's shoulder bare. "Gods Below, I should have guessed. It's the dragon scales. The paint won't stick to them."

"There's got to be a way, Sir," Kahndar said, stepping up and looking Stavin over carefully. "What about a piece of the armor from those men? I think—yes, that'll do. Dav, come with me." Kahndar led Davel off to Trader Sahren's wagon and returned in just a few moments.

Kahndar held a brightly shining piece of armor in his hand and he and Davel were both grinning. "This is about the right size to fit his biceps, Sir. It's an armguard. One of them was apparently an archer. Hold still, Stave," he commanded and Stavin let him wrap the long silver band around his upper arm.

"Move your arm, Stavin," Barvil commanded and Stavin ran through a series of exercises. The armguard stayed in place. "Very well. Kar, do the honors, please."

Karvik quickly painted Stavin's three stripes on the silver surface of the armguard and then stepped back. "Three stripes, Stave. I've got some catching up to do."

T
HE CARAVAN TRAVELED FOR THREE MORE
days before they reached the first toll bridge over the Zel'Horgan River. Barvil rode back to Stavin's side as soon as the bridge came into view.

"Join up with the first wagon and have your writ ready when we reach the bridge. Trader Sahren will tell you what to do."

"Yes, Sir," Stavin said with a deep bow and rode ahead to the side of Sahren's wagon. She waved him close and leaned toward him.

"Stavin, when we are about two dragon-lengths from the bridge I want you to ride ahead. Introduce yourself to the bridge guardians as Friend Stavin. Since you aren't well known yet, they should ask for your writ as proof of your status. Tell them anything they want to know about the caravan as far as the number of wagons, people, horses, and guards, but plead ignorance of our wares. That should be true enough. They'll tell you what our toll would have been, so pay attention. Half of it will go to your people."

Stavin nodded and said, "Yes, ma'am," then faced forward again. At the proper distance he rode forward and pulled up in front of the little house next to the bridge.

A wizened old man came out and stared up at him. "Well, aren't you a pretty sight?" he said in an age-roughened voice.

"I am Friend of Evandia Stavin Kel'Aniston," he said, pulling his writ from his pouch.

"Are you indeed? May I examine that document, young Friend Stavin?" Stavin handed over the writ and the old man quickly examined it, then returned it. "How many wagons do you have, Friend Stavin?" he asked.

"Twelve wagons," Stavin answered.

"And how many horsemen?" the man asked as he wrote in a large ledger.

"Eleven."

"Very well, Friend Stavin, your toll would have been seven silver crowns and one spark. I'll need your mark here for the record." He turned the ledger toward Stavin and looked surprised when Stavin wrote his name in Imperial Glyphs and added 'Friend of Evandia' in common script.

"Will there be anything else, Sir?" Stavin asked politely.

The old man shook his head. "No, Friend Stavin. Everything is in order. Good journey to you." With a wave of farewell he turned away and took his book while Stavin rode the short distance back to the approaching caravan. He rode close to Sahren's wagon and matched her pace.

Sahren smiled as he joined her. "Was there any problem, Friend Stavin?"

"No, ma'am," Stavin answered. "The toll would have been seven silver crowns and one copper spark," he added and she noted it down on a book that was lying open beside her on the bench.

"That's standard. Five sparks per wagon and one per rider. The led horses would have counted as well if we hadn't removed their saddles."

Stavin was silent as they crossed the bridge. Once everyone was across he rode back to Barvil. "Seven silver and one spark for the toll, Sir."

Barvil smiled as he nodded. "Good. That's an extra three silver and five sparks for our pay. Sahren said we are stopping to trade at Parvin's Hold. We should arrive before nightfall." He paused for a moment, then continued softly, "Stavin, remember not to let it be known how much coin you are carrying. Towns are much more dangerous than the road."

Stavin said, "Yes, Sir," and Barvil nodded once sharply before riding back up to the front of the caravan.

* * *

The town of Parvin's Hold was small by lowland standards, but was still over three times the size of Kavinston. The caravan arrived just at sundown and Trader Sahren had the wagons form a long arc instead of a closed protective circle as they had on other nights.

Stavin looked at the driver of the number two wagon, which changed daily, and asked, "Why aren't you circling the wagons as usual?"

The driver, a man named Kethlan, laughed and answered, "We're here to trade. This puts all of the wagons in a row so we can see and be seen. The sides open up and become our booths. Our mules and your horses will be tied in the back to keep them away from the townsfolk."

Stavin joined Karvik and began their daily chore of fetching water and seeing to the horses. Water came from a well in the middle of the field this time, and they took turns at the crank to pull the bucket up. By the time all the horses and men were seen to, the traders had their camp set and the evening meal was being served.

Barvil called his men together as soon as they had their food. "Most of you already know this, but it bears repeating, and this is the first time Stavin and Kar have been near a town with a caravan. We'll be pulling double guard duty while we're here. We're much more likely to have people sneaking around the wagons, and we don't want to kill anyone, even if we're provoked. We can't fight a whole town." He paused to look each man in the eye, especially his son and Stavin.

"Carry your weapons, but do your best not to use them. Let your hands and feet take care of any intruders unless they pull a weapon. Even then I'd prefer that you didn't kill if you have the option. Cordan, take Stavin. Lavin, Karvik. Horvan, you get Barin. That leaves Chandar and Ivalin. Davel, Kahndar and I will be guarding during the day. After we eat, I want Horvan and Chandar walking the line. Spread out but keep in sight of one another. Switch at mid night. All of you be careful. You men not on rounds get to sleep as soon as you can. These are going to be some long nights for you."

Stavin went to bed as soon as he finished eating and Karvik was right behind him. He lay down, but sleep refused to take him. He stared at the roof of their tent as his mind raced. He had real money in his pouch, and the prospect of going to town and visiting the shops to spend some of it was exciting. He didn't realize that he'd fallen asleep until Karvik shook his shoulder.

"Come on, Stave. That's the second time Chandar has called us. Get moving!" Karvik was already out of his bedroll and holding Stavin's armor for him.

"What?" Stavin asked groggily. "Oh, Gods Below, I slept through a call?"

"Two calls. Get up and out. Cordon and Lavin will be here soon."

Cordon and Lavin arrived just as Karvik was checking the last straps on Stavin's armor. Lavin slapped Karvik on the shoulder and asked, "Ready?"

"Ready," Karvik and Stavin both answered.

"Good," Cordon said softly. "Stave and I will cross over between six and seven. I'll turn left and leave Stave in place. Once I reach the end, he'll follow."

"Right," Lavin agreed. "We'll do the same on this side. That will space the four of us evenly around the caravan."

"Remember to try and keep one of us in sight at all times. If you lose sight of the man ahead at the turn, make sure you see the man behind you before you continue. And if you see something, for the love of the Gods Above, don't try to face it alone."

Stavin and Karvik nodded their understanding, and they split into two teams. Cordon led Stavin across the line of wagons and left him in place with Karvik opposite him. Once the two senior warriors began to turn around the end of the wagons, Stavin raised a hand to Karvik and they both started walking.

The night was quiet until the sky began to brighten. Birds of all kinds announced the dawn and noises started coming from the wagons. Lavin whistled at Stavin to get his attention, and when Stavin turned to face him, he held his hand out to keep him where he was. Cordon and Karvik were repeating the scene on the other side of the caravan.

The four young men stayed where they were as the caravan awoke to the new day. Barvil's horn called them back to their tents as the sun broke over the horizon.

Lavin and Cordon came to attention as they reported to Barvil, and Stavin and Karvik were at attention right behind them. "Nothing suspicious to report, Sir. It was a quiet night," Lavin said, and Cordon nodded his agreement.

"Very well. Eat, and then sleep if you can. It's going to be noisy today." Barvil clapped Cordon on the shoulder and walked away.

Stavin shook his head, then yawned. "I'm too tired to eat. I'm going straight to bed."

"First night is always the hardest," Lavin agreed. "I'm doing the same."

S
TAVIN WOKE UP WHEN A SHAFT
of bright light stabbed into his eyelid. He moved and the light left him alone, but it hit his eye once more as soon as he got comfortable again. Anger at being awakened sent a surge of adrenaline into his bloodstream, and he rolled up and onto his elbows to find the source of the irritating light. He was surprised to see a hole in the cloth that made up the door of the tent. It was small, no bigger than a dried pea, but it was letting in the light. Grumbling, he started to lie down again and looked over at Karvik. He was gone.

Stavin was confused, but not concerned. Nothing could have happen to Karvik that wouldn't have awakened him. He wanted to lie back down, but now nature was nagging his bladder and he decided to get up.

The sun was bright and well beyond the middle of the sky when his eyes finally adjusted enough to let him see. He found the privy, then the cook's fire. There was bread and over-strength kava available, and he had both in quantity before he walked to the wagons.

A sound that he had been hearing but hadn't identified resolved into the babble of hundreds of voices. The people of the town had turned the area in front of the wagons into an outdoor market, and a carnival atmosphere had everyone smiling. People milled about in the area in front of the wagons, talking, shouting, and comparing the goods they had purchased from the traders. Some noticed Stavin's golden mail and under-padding and grew silent in wonder, which drew the attention of others to him. The sound faded as people all around him turned to see what was coming and went silent in turn. Suddenly the sound redoubled as the best story of the day was made flesh.

Kahndar came over to Stavin with a big smile in his face. "One of the traders is an amateur bard and has been telling your story all day." He laughed as Stavin blushed. "The story gets better every time he tells it."

Stavin ducked his head in embarrassment. "Gods Below, could this get any worse?"

Kahndar laughed again. "At least he's just telling the story and not singing."

Stavin winced at that thought, then he smelled something heavenly. "What
is
that?" he asked as his nose turned into the breeze.

Kahndar sniffed and grinned. "It's some kind of local sausage with onions and green peppers. They serve it on a long loaf cut lengthwise."

Stavin's stomach growled and he took a step toward the smell. Kahndar joined him and they reach the food quickly. Stavin was confused because he didn't recognize the woman at the grill while it was obvious that she recognized Kahndar.

"Back for another, warrior?" she asked with a toothy grin.

"No," Kahndar said with a laugh. "My brother-in-law's nose led us here."

The woman smiled broadly at Stavin. "So you're the dragon warrior, are you? That storyteller has spun a good yarn about you. Even so, I've my own living to make. A pair of sparks will get you sausage and bread, same as your tall relation there."

Stavin looked up at Kahndar and grinned. "I'll stand you another if you want it."

Kahndar laughed and patted the plate armor over his stomach. "No, but thank you for the offer. Two was more than enough."

Stavin laughed and pulled two sparks out of this pouch. "One then, good madam," he said and handed over the coins.

The woman handed back a roll that was the size and shape of his forearm, with a thumb-thick sausage peeking out of both ends. Green peppers and onions that had been cooked until they were clear topped it, and Stavin immediately took a large bite. His eyes closed in ecstasy for a moment, then opened as the sausage bit back.

Kahndar laughed and put a hand on Stavin's shoulder to guide him to the next booth, which was serving beer. "Barman, a tall beer for my short friend. He's discovered the secret of your wife's sausages."

"Two sparks, warrior," the man said with a grin. He put a beer mug on the table, but didn't let go of it.

Stavin was struggling, trying to balance his pouch and his sausage, so Kahndar lent a hand. "Here, Stave, give me your pouch." Stavin handed the pouch over and Kahndar opened it. He froze when he looked inside, looked at Stavin, then back in the pouch.