All that Glitters (Stavin DragonBlessed Book 1) (38 page)

"Do any of you have any idea how he managed such a feat?" the elder asked, leaning forward.

Chandar cleared his throat. "Sir, Stavin was able to kill so many men because so many men were trying to kill him. That's why all of us got so many kills."

Elder Kel'Landis sat back and gestured for the three men to return to their places. "Stavin, it would appear that your armor is a luck charm, though for good or bad is a matter of interpretation. I'm satisfied."

One by one the four other elders announced their satisfaction, with the Chief Elder going last. "Stavin Kel'Aniston, the Council of Elders agrees with your commander and grants you the right to wear a star on your shoulder, and claim the title of Warleader Sixth of Kel'Kavin."

Stavin bowed deeply to the Elders, then spoke. "Sirs, I would like to do something formally now that our kill-counts have been confirmed."

"And that would be?" Chief Elder Kel'Davin asked.

Stavin smiled and turned to Barvil. "Barvil Kel'Carin, face me, please." When Barvil had stepped out and turned to face him, Stavin continued. "A year ago, you became my servant and all that you possessed became mine. We've been ignoring it all summer by my order, and especially since you made your hundred-and-first kill, but this must be said. With the return of your honor, I formally return everything to you, in the presence of the Elders Council."

Barvil bowed deeply to Stavin. "You have proven yourself to be an extraordinary young man, Stavin. With my honor, I accept and thank you for the return of my household." He paused to smile wryly. "Another season in the lowlands with you and I'll be taking Charvil's place." He grinned at the suddenly surprised-looking Warmaster. "I wonder if he and I will be taking turns taking you on your expeditions?"

"I wonder how long it will be before he surpasses both of us?" Charvil asked.

"No, Sirs," Stavin said with more than a hint of humor in his voice. "I'm after Master Kel'Zorgan's chair, not yours."

* * *

Karvik waited until after the Council had accepted his status and, perhaps more importantly, the honor of his family had been formally restored before he approached Orana.

He felt his pulse begin to race as soon as he saw her home, but he remained cautious. He was far more afraid of Orana than he had been of any of the men he'd faced in battle. After all, the worst they could have done was kill him.

Karvik was still wearing his armor when he walked up to Sharvan Kel'Davin's house and knocked on the door. Orana opened it before his second knock. "Hello, Kar. It's good to see you." She looked at his shoulder and her smile outshone the sun.

Karvik caught his breath at the sight. "Orana, I was looking for your father, unless I'm too late. I wouldn't blame you. I was a servant, and you—you are you, and—"

"I have my honor as well, Karvik. My promise was given and I haven't changed my mind," Orana said as she took his hand and led him into the house.

Sharvan Kel'Davin looked up as an armored figure came through the doorway of his library and stopped. It took him a moment to realize what was going on, but his disobedient daughter's presence was a good clue. "Yes, Karvik?"

Karvik knelt and placed his forehead against the floor. "Sharvan Kel'Davin, I ask for your daughter, Orana, to be my wife."

Sharvan looked at the grinning imp in the doorway and a year of frustration suddenly made sense. "Why do you choose my daughter?" he asked.

"I choose Orana for love. I choose Orana for life. I choose Orana for the mother of my children," Karvik replied.

"What is going on here?" Rohana Kel'Davin asked. "Don't tell me that you are considering allowing a servant to wed my daughter?"

"Oh, be quiet, Rohana," Sharvan snapped. "Look at his shoulder and you'll see that—"

"I don't care! His family is still in servitude to—"

"My father's honor has been restored by the Council," Karvik said in a respectful tone without raising his head. "His fourth star is confirmed."

"Your father needed nineteen kills for his fourth star," Rohana snapped. "That's almost impossible for a single season."

Karvik stood and turned so that Rohana could see the four red stripes on his shoulder. "I have twenty-three kills this season."

"Barvil said I had a surprise coming. What other surprises do you have in store for us?" Sharvan asked while his wife scowled at him.

Karvik spent few moments detailing the honors that the others in his group had received, saving Stavin for last. "And Stavin came home with thirty kills and his first star, as well as being honored by the King and Princess of Evandia as a Friend of Evandia. Our group earned a total of eight hundred and fifty-one silver crowns for Kel'Kavin, as well as full purses for each of us."

Orana stepped up to Karvik's side and looked at her parents. "Daddy?"

Sharvan looked at his wife, then turned back to Karvik. "Karvik Kel'Carin, I grant you Orana for love, for life, and for the mother of your children." He stopped talking because there was no way Karvik could hear him with Orana holding his head like that.

"I won't release your dowry," Rohana snarled.

"Mom!"
Orana almost shouted, but Karvik just laughed.

"We don't need it. Even with everything I bought, I still have over twenty gold crowns. None of us came back with less than that except Kahndar, and that was only because of the seven-crown silver platter he bought for Varis."

"How did you—?" Rohana asked, looking into his eyes.

"Most of that was from some pirates," Karvik said, then went on to detail the incident. "Trader Sahren was also very generous after Stave and I saved her life. I would have given her back her gold, but she said to keep it."

Rohana drew her lips into a tight, angry line, then turned and stomped away. Sharvan looked at the empty space where she had been standing and took a deep breath. "I'm going to be hearing about this for years." Turning back to Karvik and Orana, he smiled. "You could have told me, Ori. I would have kept your secret. You're not done yet."

Karvik nodded and turned so that he faced Orana squarely. "I greet you, my wife, and give to you my name, and with my name, all that I possess—which is a lot more than it was last winter."

Orana giggled. "I receive from you your name, and return my father's name to him. Mom will relent in a day or two and give you my dowry. It's mostly things for our household."

Sharvan patted both of their shoulders. "You two have always made a beautiful couple. You're right about your mother, Ori. Especially after she talks it over with Sahrena. Now go on, you two. Barvil and Sahrena are probably waiting for you."

When Sharvan opened the door to let them out they found not only Barvil and Sahrena waiting, but half the town as well. The crowd of well-wishers cheered and escorted Karvik and Orana to the Kel'Carins' house amid shouts of congratulations.

* * *

Harner spent three days mourning his big brother, Cordon. It was a blow that Cordon had died and the Runt had returned, and especially that the Runt's star had been confirmed by the council.

Harner spent every moment he could denouncing the Council's decision. "There's no way that little runt killed anyone. He couldn't have," he raged at his father.

"There is ample evidence that he did, Harner. I've spoken to Lavin about what happened," Jorvan said as he held his crying wife. "Cordon befriended Stavin on the expedition. Don't dishonor his memory this way."

"The Runt is the one who dishonors my brother's memory! He has no right to wear that star. I'll bet Ivalin was killed because he wouldn't—"

"Silence!"
Coriannis shouted. She looked at her youngest child with tears streaming down her face. "If you can't honor your brother's memory, then get out!"

Harner backed away from his parents and fled, seeking his friends. They knew the truth about the Runt. They understood.

On the fourth day Harner went to approach Barvil about Dorvina. He walked up to the Kel'Carins' door and knocked. For a change the door didn't open before his third knock. Instead, he was left waiting on the porch long enough that he almost knocked again. Then Sahrena opened the door and stared at him.

"Yes, Harner?"

"I've come to speak to Barvil about Dorvi," Harner said, looking at Sahrena expectantly.

Sahrena didn't move. "You may find that your opinions have damaged your suit, Harner," she said in a cool tone.

"I don't understand," Harner said as he took a step back from the look in her eyes.

"You have called my husband a liar by claiming that Stavin's kill-count was exaggerated. You have called him a liar in front of the whole town by swearing by the Gods Above that 'The Runt' couldn't have killed even one man." Sahrena stood with her arms crossed as she glared at Harner.

"It's the truth!" Harner all but shouted. "The Runt is too small to face a real warrior."

"And exactly what would you know about real warriors?" Barvil asked from behind Sahrena's shoulder.

"I know the Runt isn't one!" Harner snapped, his hands balling into fists.

"For a boy who didn't even join the expedition, you certainly have a strong opinion about those who did. Leave my house now and never return," Barvil snapped. "If you were anything but an untried boy, I'd have you in the circle for a lesson in manners."

"I've come for Dorvi," Harner said, glaring past Sahrena into Barvil's eyes. "You can't deny me my chosen wife."

Barvil laughed. "Fool. Do you think you're the only one interested in Dorvina? Franik Kel'Coris has already unofficially approached me. He earned two stripes this season. Darak Kel'Markat has also been testing the winds. He earned three stripes. Why would I give my daughter to a boy when there are men who want her? Men who
have
proven themselves in battle, and not boys who snuck around behind my back while the others were away."

"You can't—" Harner began, but was cut short by the one person he had been counting on to be on his side.

"It's over, Harner," Dorvina said from behind her father. "You accused my father of being dishonorable in front of the whole town. Even if he forgave you, I will not. You are refused, even though you haven't asked yet. Now go away before I ask my true suitors to remove you."

Harner stood still for a moment, then turned and walked away with his whole body screaming at him to fight, but knowing in his heart that he would only dishonor himself further.

* * *

Only one group remained to follow Barvil and his men into Kel'Kavin. When that group arrived, the Elders called a town meeting.

"My friends," Chief Elder Kel'Davin said as he faced almost all of the valley's residents. "We gather to mourn the loss of our young men in the service of our community. This has been a bad year. Of the one hundred and ten men who went out, only ninety-six returned. Two veterans, one fifth-year, three fourth-year, three third-year, two second-year, and three first-year men were lost in the lowlands. This is not the greatest loss we have ever suffered, but it is great nonetheless." Chief Elder Kel'Davin stepped back to let Elder Kel'Landis take his place.

"It is the fate of our warriors sometimes to die in the service of their people, and we honor the memory of all who sacrificed their lives so that their people might continue. The names of the fallen have been added to the rolls of our honored dead, to be read in the ancient ritual at Mid Winter." Elder Kel'Landis stepped back and let Chief Elder Kel'Davin once again address the crowd.

"It is the custom of our ancestors to reward the group of warriors who provided us with the most gold with gold of their own. This year that honor belongs to the group led by Barvil Kel'Carin." He paused as polite applause was offered to the winners. "Barvil, lead your men before us," the Chief Elder commanded and Barvil walked forward with his eight men behind him.

"We are at your command, Chief Elder," he said, coming to attention.

Sorval looked down at Barvil, and smiled slightly. "I wonder how long it will be before it is you who commands, Barvil? Only five kills separate you from Charvil's score. Back to the task at hand. In accordance with custom, each of your men is awarded one gold crown. Step forward now and receive your due." The Chief Elder gestured to where nine gold crowns glinted in the sun.

Barvil stepped forward, but his hands remained at his sides. "I give my award to the fallen," he said loudly, then returned to his men's side.

One by one the rest of his men followed his example, with Karvik going last. "Chief Elder, it is the wish of my family," he fought not to grin because his 'family' in this case was the Chief Elder's granddaughter, "that my award also go to the fallen," he said loudly.

All five Elders stood together to face Barvil's men. "It is unusual for a warrior to refuse a reward he has so clearly earned. However, it is well known among the community that you all returned with sufficient gold to see to your families' needs for years to come, and your generosity to the families of the fallen is accepted and appreciated."

Barvil's men bowed deeply, and then stepped forward as one. When they stepped back, the nine gold crowns had been supplemented by five more, and no one but the watching Elders would ever know who had placed them there. Barvil spoke for his men. "Let each family receive the same, for each family's loss was the same."

* * *

The snows soon closed the gap into Kel'Kavin, sealing Kavinston in the valley and the rest of the world out. This was the quiet time for the people, the time when families settled in to await the spring sun.

Stavin and Sharindis were comfortable in his father's house as the winter progressed. Stavin was relieved to be back in the old, familiar role of the youngest boy and took up his chores with gusto. Sharindis learned her way around the house and took great joy in aiding her mother-in-law in the kitchen.

In accordance with his request, Stavin was apprenticed to Master Scribe Kel'Zorgan, and every day after his chores were done he walked Sharindis to the scribe's office, then went to work among the stacks of records and books at his master's direction.

The ancient book of Inatat was a private project, but Master Kel'Zorgan set Stavin the task of copying the damaged manuscript in his evenings. Each day during their light mid day meal, Master Kel'Zorgan translated the glyphs as well as he could, and both Sharindis and Stavin wrote down the translation in the common tongue. All three of them learned by doing, and soon they could all read the ancient glyphs fluently.