All that Glitters (Stavin DragonBlessed Book 1) (31 page)

Stavin went to the back of the wagon and shifted the tarp. "These four boxes contain the gold, good sirs," he said, stepping aside.

The younger of the two merchants nodded. "You will understand that we must verify the count, Friend Stavin." At Stavin's nod, the man opened the boxes and began his count. He finished quickly as a crowd gathered around the caravan. "As you said, fifteen thousand gold crowns," the man said as he raised his hand. Two burly men came out and started taking the boxes one by one into the building. Stavin, Sahren, and Barvil joined the gold merchants as they followed the last box.

"We will open your account, Friend Stavin, and the necessary information will be sent to our associates, including those in Farindia," the elder of the two gold merchants said. "Do you know where else you are headed?"

Stavin looked Sahren, then back to the gold merchant, "We are traveling to Aravad, in Kavadia. That will be the closest city where there is a Chapter House of your guild."

"There is another, Friend Stavin," Barvil said. "Kahrant's Pass in Farindia is where the town keeps its account. I sent our first pay to them from Twin Bridges."

Stavin looked at Barvil, then back to the gold merchant and asked, "Can the information to be sent to both places?"

"It will be sent to all of our Chapter Houses, Friend Stavin," the merchant said. "Is there anyone other than yourself who is to have access to this account?"

"Yes. My wife, Sharindis Kel'Aniston, and also Barvil and Sahrena Kel'Carin. I think that's enough." Stavin turned to Barvil. "If I fall, you will know what has happened and what to do, Sir. We'll tell Karvik as well."

"A wise precaution, Friend Stavin," the gold merchant said, then turned a ledger book toward him. "I need your signature to complete the account."

Stavin signed his name and titles and then let loose a long sigh. "That's a relief. Now I'll be able to sleep knowing it's all safe."

Barvil and Sahren guided Stavin back outside and signaled everyone to prepare to move. The now-all-but-empty warriors' wagon was directed to the end of the line and the caravan headed for the bridge and the eastern half of the kingdom.

* * *

Trader Sahren continued her pattern of stopping to trade at almost every large town, and often at smaller villages as well. Stavin noticed that the traders were selling more than buying again, but this time he knew the reasons. He and the other warriors were buying more as well, taking advantage of the wagon to haul their goods. Stavin found himself the subject of even more intense curiosity for the first three stops after leaving Zigamarad, and several nobles and town officials approached him at each stop.

In the misnamed town of Prosperity, the mayor set the pattern. "Good day, Friend Stavin," the mayor said, bowing deeply. "Welcome to Prosperity. I am Loathan Kel'Ardan, mayor and magistrate of our lovely little town."

"I am pleased to meet you, Mayor Kel'Ardan," Stavin replied.

"I'll come right to the point, Friend Stavin," the mayor said, obviously changing what he had intended to say. "We have a project to build a grist mill on the river, but lack the capital. It is our understanding that you recently came into a large sum of money, and we were wondering if you would care to invest in our venture?"

Stavin looked at the mayor for a moment, then shook his head. "All of my gold is on deposit with the Gold Merchants. I have only a handful of silver with me. I'm sorry, but I cannot invest in your project."

The mayor was silent for a moment. "The Gold Merchants. I should have known. Good day, Friend Stavin." With that the mayor turned and walked away without a backward glance.

Stavin stood and stared after the mayor until he became aware that someone was standing by his shoulder. Turning, he quickly bowed to Trader Sahren. "I wonder what that was about?" he asked as he glanced over his shoulder.

"He was scouting us for an ambush. He wanted to know if you still had the gold with you. This is why I insisted that you use the Gold Merchants." Sahren smiled and patted his armored shoulder. "You know that not all bandits live in the wilderness."

The caravan traveled unmolested for ten days and everyone was in high spirits as Mid Summer's Day was reached. By chance more than design they were in the city of Hardavad, another old Imperial city, on the banks of the Zel'Fadak River.

The caravan was parked in the caravansary on the outskirts of the city, and Sahren had formed their open circle for trade. Davel and Kahndar again received permission from Barvil to take their hands to the other caravans and the bazaar. Barvil joined Kahndar's hand and laughed at the expression on the young warriors' faces.

"You didn't think I was going to miss the bazaar, did you? I went with Davel in Zigamarad, so it's your turn," he explained with a grin. "Don't worry, I won't spoil your fun."

The hand formed around Barvil and he led the way. "It's been five years since the last time I was in this part of Evandia, but I remember this as being one of the better bazaars. Just keep your eyes open and a hand on your pouch."

* * *

Mid Summer's Day was a day of rest for all of the people of Kavinston. Once the livestock was seen to almost everyone walked or rode to the thermal springs and lake. Sharindis walked with her staff tapping the ground and her free hand on Sahrena's arm. The path was old and worn smooth by generations of valley inhabitants and they made the journey without Sharindis tripping on anything.

The springs and lake were the last gasp of the valley's volcanic past. The thermal springs themselves were hot enough to cook meat in, but snowmelt from the valley's sides and peaks mixed in just a few dragon-lengths away to make hot, but tolerable, pools for swimming.

Shari joined her family and frolicked in the hot water. It felt so good to be able to spend as much time as she wanted in the water and not have to hurry to let someone else use the bathing tub.

Sahrena, Dorvina, and Zahrinis joined the Kel'Horval family, and they all laughed and played for half the day. Shared public baths had been one of Luxand's most civilized customs, and they had continued in Kavinston to the point of everyone swimming naked in the hot pools.

Sahrena, Charvil, and Nahrana were together off to the side and Sahrena grinned at her oldest friends. "Looks like Varik is growing up."

"Huh?" Charvil grunted as he looked at her, frowning.

"Look at him," Sahrena said, jerking her head toward the boy. "He can't keep his eyes off the girls."

Nahrana chuckled as Charvil took a deep breath and groaned, "Here we go again."

"I remember how you were, Char, so don't use that tone about your son," Sahrena laughed, and Nahrana joined in.

"I remember as well. You
will
have a talk with him when we get home. I'll ask Arlen for his list." She turned toward Sahrena and grinned. "You know, Zahri will be on his list."

"I know. She's not interested yet, though. Thank the Gods Above. Dorvina is—Oh, no she's
not
!" she suddenly snarled as she spotted her recalcitrant daughter. Dorvina and Harner were off alone together and were close enough to touch, which was not only a violation of the customs surrounding the hot pools but a violation of the bans against contact between unmarried couples. Sahrena launched herself across the pool at the young couple and Charvil and Nahrana were right behind her.

"Dorvina Elise Kel'Carin," she snapped, "get away from that boy immediately."

"Mother, we weren't—"

"Madam Kel'Carin, I was just—"

"Harner," Charvil snapped from behind Sahrena's shoulder, "move back. Now."

Harner looked at the expression on the Warmaster's face and stumbled back, falling and going under the water in his haste to get away from the man's rage. "Warmaster, I didn't—"

"Lock it closed, Harner," Jorvan Kel'Chamlin snapped as he joined them. "I warned you to watch your behavior around Dorvina, and now I see this. Get home. Your day is done."

"Dad, I didn't—"

Crack!
The sound of Jorvan's slap across Harner's face rang across the suddenly silent pool. "Get. Your. Butt. Home," Jorvan snarled, and Harner backed away with one hand on his cheek.

When Harner finally turned and fled back toward town, Jorvan turned to Charvil and bowed. "I ask that I be allowed to discipline him without the Elders' involvement."

Zahrinis had brought Sharindis over to the group by then, so she answered. "Harner has been warned, Jorvan. Now you must deal with him before it becomes necessary to involve the Elders."

Jorvan looked at the young woman and bowed his head. "As you wish, Shari. He won't have much time for Dorvina from now on." He turned and splashed away as the whole group rounded on Dorvina.

"You won't have much time for him, either," Sahrena said in a harsh voice. "If your father was here—"

"If he was here, Harner and I would already be married," Dorvina snapped.

Charvil shook his head. "I doubt that. Bar wouldn't approve of anyone dishonorable enough to do the things we've seen Harner do."

"Harner has never done anything dishonorable!"

"He has," both Charvil and Nahrana said at the same time. Charvil continued. "You seem to have forgotten that Harner and his friends have been bullies for years, targeting Stavin and other small boys.
That
is a dishonorable thing to do."

"The Runt—"

Crack!
Sahrena's slap was harder than Jorvan's, and Dorvina fell backwards in the water. Sahrena waded forward and pulled Dorvina to the surface by the hair. Her other hand clamped down on Dorvina's throat as she held the girl's head just barely above the surface. "If you dishonor our family, I'll drown you myself," she snarled in a barely-audible growl. "Keep your stupid mouth shut or you'll spend the rest of your
life
as a servant." Dorvina could only whimper in reply, and Sahrena pushed her head down under the water again before letting her go.

Sahrena turned and faced her mistress. "Mistress Shari, please forgive us." She stood with her hands clasped tightly in front of her, and her head bowed as far as she could without kneeling.

Sharindis swallowed the rage she was feeling at hearing the contempt in Dorvina's voice when she called Stavin
“The Runt”
and nodded. "Dorvina is your problem. Deal with her as you see fit. But deal with her. Mom, I'd like to go home now."

Nahrana took Sharindis by the arm and led her to the edge of the pool. "Here are your clothes, Shari. I know Dorvina's words hurt. She's as bad as Harner and his friends."

"I hate her," Sharindis whispered.

"Don't. Don't ever let hate take you. Come along, I'll lead you to your house—"

"I want to go home, Mom. Really home, not the Kel'Carin's house." There were tears in Sharindis' eyes as she turned to her mother, her voice trembling with heartache as she said, "I don't want to go back there."

Nahrana and Charvil helped Shari get dressed and then they walked away together. Behind them, Sahrena fumed in impotent rage. She turned on her eldest child and snarled, "Home. Now."

T
HE FIVE MEN STROLLED THROUGH THE
bazaar and it wasn't long before Kahndar spotted something he wanted. A silversmith was hammering a pattern into a platter as they approached and looked up with a smile when the warriors stopped. "Is there something that interests you, brave warriors?" the man asked, waving to the items displayed on the wall behind him.

Kahndar pointed to an ornate serving platter. "I would like to examine that beautiful platter."

The silversmith bowed deeply to Kahndar. "You have a good eye for fine craftsmanship, good Sir," he said as he retrieved the platter. "This is one of my most prized pieces."

Kahndar examined the platter carefully, feeling the weight of the metal and tapping the back with a knuckle in search of thin spots. "It is truly a wonderful piece. What princely ransom have you placed on it?" he asked, handing the platter back to the silversmith.

"A very reasonable one for such a fine platter. Only thirteen gold crowns." The merchant smiled broadly, but Kahndar didn't.

"Thirteen gold! For that? If it were made of gold rather than silver that might be reasonable, but it isn't. Five gold crowns. Not a spark more." Kahndar crossed his arms and waited for the merchant's wail of grief.

The merchant laughed instead. "I thought you a warrior, but you're not but a traveling jester. Come, make me laugh some more," he said with a grin. "Five gold crowns wouldn't buy the raw silver in that piece. For the amusement you've given me, I'll reduce it to twelve gold."

Now Kahndar laughed, but it was a harsh, humorless bark. "Hah! And what would make me consider such a price any more than I would consider the first? Six gold crowns, perhaps."

"Perhaps not," the silversmith said. "I'm not addled in my wits, young warrior, nor desperate to sell. Off with you if you have nothing more amusing to say."

Kahndar looked at the man and simply turned away without a word. As he rejoined the group the silversmith jeered at his back. "I knew you weren't serious. No barbarian mercenary carries that much gold."

Five helmets turned toward him and Stavin stepped forward. Kahndar said, "Stave, don't," but Stavin continued to walk toward the stall. Stopping at the edge of the awning, Stavin removed his helmet.

"I am Friend of Evandia Stavin Kel'Aniston. My comrades and I are not barbarians. If we were, you'd be dead for the insult you have given my brother-in-law. As for gold, I'm sure you've heard of our dealings in Zigamarad. It seems that everyone has. Know this, you foolish lout—my brother-in-law has enough gold at his disposal to buy every piece you have. He won't, though. Some other silversmith will fulfill his desires." Stavin put his helmet back on and turned on his heel to rejoin the warriors as the silversmith began stammering apologies at their backs.

They had traveled only a dozen or so paces before Barvil's amusement won out and he began chortling. "Ah, Stavin, you've learned the first rule of the verbal knife-fighting: if you stab a man in the gut, be sure to twist the knife."