All that Glitters (Stavin DragonBlessed Book 1) (20 page)

Barvil bowed deeply. "You understood correctly, Lord Zel'Elindar. It was necessary for me to put aside my position for a time and join this expedition."

Lord Zel'Elindar gave Barvil and intensely curious look, but turned away when he didn't elaborate. Looking at Stavin again, he bowed slightly. "We are pleased to have such a distinguished visitor as you in our city. How long will you be with us?"

Stavin had no idea, so he looked at Trader Sahren. "We will be leaving in the morning, Lord Zel'Elindar," she said.

The lord said, "How unfortunate," but his body language said he was relieved. "Good journey to you, Friend Stavin." With that he turned and walked away.

"That was odd," Barin said as he watched the lord walk away.

"No, not really," Sahren said. "He was hoping that Stavin's writ was a fake so he could search the wagons and possibly seize Stavin's armor for himself. Even if he couldn't do anything but display it, it would still be very valuable. As for our goods, he could seize everything and turn a fine profit while we rotted in his jail." Sahren watched as Stavin's expression went from stunned to angry. "It happens at least once every trip, Stavin. Some greedy lord tries to find a way to rob us. Your weapons can't protect us from every bandit."

Stavin finally found his voice and protested, "That would be the most dishonorable—"

"Stavin," Barvil said sharply, "I told you that not everyone is honorable down here in the lowlands."

Barin stepped up to Stavin's side. "I didn't see anything like that last year, Sir, and I was with four different caravans."

Barvil smiled and slapped Barin on the shoulder. "If it hadn't been right in front of you this time, you might not have noticed. The more highly placed the thief, the more circumspect he has to be."

T
HE DAY CONTINUED WITHOUT ANY MORE
excitement. Stavin was once again on watch when Barvil came and matched pace with him. He was smirking and seemed to be on the verge of laughing out loud.

"Sahren just sold those horses," Barvil finally said, "along with their tack. I knew she was good, but I've rarely seen anyone outmaneuver a horse trader like that." Now he laughed outright. "For the five horses and tack, she got us five hundred and ten silver crowns."

Stavin stumbled in shock but recovered quickly. "Five hundred and ten silver?"

Barvil continued to smirk. "Exactly. I gave her twenty-six silver crowns for her commission. It's a little more than five percent, but not much. That left four hundred eighty-four. You get three-fourths. That, my young Master Stavin, is three hundred sixty-three silver crowns to you. Or, more accurately, thirty-six gold, and three silver crowns." He handed a heavy bag to Stavin with a grin.

"Gods Above. Gods Above and Below! That's more than our pay coming down to Twin Bridges. I didn't think—Those horses weren't worth more than seventy-five silver crowns each, even with their gear. How did she do it?"

Barvil laughed again. "She found two horse traders who didn't like one another and played them off against each other. They ran the price up until one suddenly withdrew, leaving the other with the highest offer."

Stavin grinned and put the bag of coins inside his armor. He had already done more and earned more than most warriors did in five seasons. He surreptitiously reached up and touched the arm guard on his left shoulder.

Barvil saw this and said, "Always remember that, Stavin." He smiled when Stavin looked at him. "I saw you touch your stripes. Always remember that your success came at a terrible price to someone else. And always remember that it could be you who pays that price one day."

Stavin said, "Yes, Sir," and Barvil went back between the wagons while he continued his round. It was near mid night when the watch changed hands again, and he was able to lie down and really think about what the gold in his pouch meant.

Every spark he carried was a reminder of a fight, a battle of strength, will, or cunning. They were also a reminder of death. The trader in Twin Bridges had started a series of events that could just as easily have resulted in Stavin's death. A stray thought made him whisper in the darkness. "Gods Above grant me honor, strength, and courage. Let this gold go to my wife."

The sound of loud voices awakened Stavin and he slithered out of his tent with his Dragon's Tongue in his hands. There was activity all around him and he relaxed as he recognized the sounds of the traders getting ready to move.

Kahndar saw him and walked over with a grim expression on his face. "Loud today, aren't they?" he asked, waving at the traders. "Armor up and strike your tent." He waited for Stavin to swing his back and breast plates into position, and tightened the buckles for him. "Davel took Kar and the rest to get our horses. Get everything stowed, then come eat. I don't know why, but the traders seem to be in a hurry."

By the time Stavin had finished with the tent and bedrolls he had to agree with Kahndar's assessment of the situation. For some reason the traders, who were normally happy and joking in the morning, were grim and focused on completing their tasks as quickly as possible.

Stavin joined the others at breakfast. Barvil looked serious, and said nothing until Davel arrived with the remaining men.

"Trader Sahren warned me that we will probably be attacked soon after we leave. She had a consignment from Madam Elain for a merchant here. He tried to cheat her, like the men Stavin killed, but there was no violence. Yet. She expects trouble later, once we are away from the city. I want both hands tight on opposite sides of the caravan."

Stavin and Karvik exchanged glances, then joined the others at their horses. Barvil addressed them again as soon as everyone was mounted.

"The goods that the merchant is after are in Trader Sahren's wagon, so that's where I expect the most trouble. Davel, Kahndar, move forward. Everyone else shift back one position. You have your assignments. Prepare to move out."

The wagons were rolling just moments later, and the warriors took their positions. Trader Sahren set a faster-than-normal pace to begin with, but slowed as the morning wore on. Mid day had come and gone and the mood of the traders seemed to be improving when a woman's scream echoed up the road.

Stavin turned in his saddle in time to see Lavin ride between the wagons, his sword already in his hand. Only years of discipline kept Stavin from joining him, but he knew his duty. There was no guarantee that the bandits would only attack one side of the caravan.

More screams, mingled with the shouts of many men, had Stavin shaking with the desire to join in, but Kahndar still rode ahead of him, scanning the area continuously.

When Barvil's horn finally sounded, Stavin cut between the wagons and looked around. Barvil, Davel, and Karvik were fighting a group of men near the front of the caravan, with Kahndar attacking the bandits from the rear, so he turned toward the back of the line. He rode hard toward the center of the fight, through bodies that were lying all around, though dead or dying he couldn't tell.

Four of the valley warriors were bunched together, fighting twice their number of bandits, and Stavin turned Tru toward them. He tumbled from the saddle and let the reins dangle as soon as he was close. His attack from the rear took the bandits by surprise, and one fell immediately when Stavin slashed the back of his neck. A second man turned toward Stavin and caught the return blow on his sword.

Stavin twisted his Dragon's Tongue in a corkscrew move that brought his opponent's sword dangerously close to his armor, but also made it possible to thrust forward into the man's shoulder. When the man pulled back, Stavin spun his Dragon's Tongue under the bandit's guard and cut him from crotch to shoulder. A final thrust split the man's heart, and Stavin turned back toward his comrades.

Stavin's distraction had let the four others deal with the six remaining bandits while he dealt with his man. Now they all turned toward the front of the caravan, but there was no sign of a fight up there. As the adrenaline rush faded, the moans and cries of the wounded penetrated Stavin's awareness. Then another voice reached his numbed mind.

"C
ORDON WENT DOWN.
S
O DID
I
VALIN
. Find them," Lavin commanded and all of the warriors began searching the tumble of bodies for their friends.

Barin shouted, "Here's Ivalin!" and Stavin rushed over to his side. Ivalin was lying on his back with a sword through his breastplate. He was still alive, and spoke in a whisper when Barin knelt at his side.

"Tell Ardana I fell in battle. Tell her I died with honor. Oh, Gods, Barin! I wanted to go home." He cried silently for a moment, then pink foam began to speckle his lips. "I got two, Barin. Tell Elder Kel'Carin I got two." Then he seemed to relax and let go of one final breath.

Barin stood and staggered back a pace. "Goodbye, good friend," he whispered, then looked at Stavin, and then past him. "The others found Cordon."

Stavin turned to look, then led the way to where the other three warriors stood looking down. Cordon had fallen with three crossbow bolts through his chest. There were no other marks on his body and his sword was still in his scabbard.

"Check for wounded bandits," Lavin ordered. Everyone turned away and began searching once again. Three bandits were found alive among the fifteen bodies. Lavin had them dragged to the side of the road and watched as one died just as Barvil rode up.

"Status?" he demanded, and all five of the warriors snapped to attention.

"Two dead, Sir," Lavin announced in a muffled voice. "Fifteen bandits, two survivors."

Barvil was silent for a moment. "We had the leaders up front. I don't see a reason to prolong this. Dispatch them. Catch your horses first, then begin a search for their camp. Sahren is willing to stop here for the night. She wants some time alone with the leaders." He paused and closed his eyes briefly. "I'll send Davel and Kahndar back for Cordon and Ivalin."

All of the warriors snapped, "Yes, Sir," and Lavin led them into the trees at the edge of the road. They didn't have to walk far. A wagon with a pair of draft horses was just beyond the trees, and two riding horses were tethered close by.

"It looks like they brought the help out in the wagon and the leaders rode. Lowlanders!" Lavin said scornfully and spit. "Stavin, Barin, check the wagon. Chandar, Horvan, see to the riding horses. Throw anything you see on the ground into the wagon." Lavin was looking around carefully. "I want to get back to the caravan as soon as we can."

There was little for the men to find and they quickly returned to the road. There they took on the repugnant task of stripping the dead, and figuring out which kills each of them could claim. In the end the count was Ivalin two, Stavin two, Barin two, Chandar three, Lavin three, and Horvan three. They laid the bodies out near the bushes and headed toward the traders' camp. Lavin reported to Barvil as soon as they arrived.

"Sir, we have four horses and a wagon. Arms for fifteen, but little armor. Coins totaling fifty silver crowns already divided to the victors." He detailed the kill count and Barvil nodded.

"Twelve up front, with considerably more coin. Davel got four, Kar four, and Kahndar two. My two are just wounded. Sahren has them." He looked over to where a pile of weapons was carelessly thrown on the ground. "Knives and swords and no armor. I don't know what they expected to face, but it wasn't warriors."

A wail of anguish from one of the wagons drew everyone's attention. "Two of the traders were also killed," Barvil continued. "Davel and Kahndar are digging graves for Ivalin and Cordon. Barin, Lavin, go take over. The rest of you set up our camp." Barvil walked away and Karvik hurried over to Stavin's side.

"Four, Stave! I got four!" he said excitedly. "They fought stupid, like they didn't expect us to fight back."

Stavin nodded and grabbed their tent. "They weren't armored, and they weren't armed very well either. One of the men I fought was fair with his sword, but not beyond a second-year swordsman."

"How many?" Karvik asked without turning around.

"What?" Stavin asked.

"How many did you get this time?"

"Two. It was eight to four when I got there, and I cut the spine of one to get their attention. The second, I gutted and split his heart."

"My first two went down with a quick left-right stab. They hardly even defended themselves. The third was an ax-man. He shaved my Tongue's shaft, but lost his throat." Karvik paused and grinned sheepishly. "The fourth was almost an accident. He was backing away from Kahndar, and I drove a point through his back and heart as I was disengaging from another one that Davel killed."

"It all happens so fast," Stavin said with an amazed shake of his head. He looked over to where Lavin and Barin were digging. "Cordon never had a chance. Ivalin fought well, but died anyway." They had been working as they spoke and finished their tent just moments later.

"Let's set up Barin's tent," Karvik suggested.

Stavin looked at him for a few heartbeats, then walked over to Barin's horse. "He and Ivalin weren't very close, but it's still going to be hard for him to adjust. I wonder if your dad is going to put him with Lavin?"

"Maybe, but even if he does it won't be tonight."

Barvil called all of his men to the graves soon after the tents were set up. Horvan and Chandar had followed Stavin and Karvik's lead and set up Lavin's tent when they were done with their own. When everyone was assembled, Barvil spoke.

"It is our duty to fight and, if needs be, die in the service of our people. Cordon and Ivalin died as warriors. That is how they shall be remembered among the honored dead of our people. Cordon could lay claim to five kills in his four expeditions. Ivalin could lay claim to three kills in his two expeditions. Place them in their graves." All eight of the remaining warriors worked together to lay their comrades gently in their graves, still wearing their armor, and with their weapons in their hands. When they were done, Barvil spoke again.

"Karvik, Stavin, fill in the graves halfway. The rest of us will gather stones." He turned away with the others as Stavin and Karvik grabbed the shovels. As the two junior warriors worked, the rest brought rocks and stones from around the area and built two equal piles. When the graves were half-full, Kahndar and Davel climbed down and began placing stones carefully to form a rough pavement to protect the fallen. When they were done, everyone finished filling the graves and tamped the ground hard, trying to erase any sign of the graves to keep them safe.