Gods Above and Below Read online

  Gods Above and Below

  By Loren K. Jones

  Twilight Times Books

  Kingsport Tennessee

  Gods Above and Below

  This is a work of fiction. All concepts, characters and events portrayed in this book are used fictitiously and any resemblance to real people or events is purely coincidental.

  Copyright © 2017 by Loren K. Jones. Expanded and revised from a previous electronic edition published by e-Quill Publishing, Brisbane, Australia 2010 with title “Gods Above and Below.”

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, except brief extracts for the purpose of review, without the permission of the publisher and copyright owner.

  Twilight Times Books

  P O Box 3340

  Kingsport, TN 37664

  www.twilighttimesbooks.com/

  Revised Electronic Edition: October 2017. Author’s preferred version.

  Published in the United States of America

  Prelude

  REY ON THE GLIMMER, CAPITOL OF the Kingdom of Reynadia, was a city living in fear: Someone was killing innocents. Children, young adults, the weak of mind: Anyone who had never intentionally committed an evil act was in danger.

  The streets that had once been brightly lit were now dark. The markets and docks that had once been busy all day and night were deserted. No one ventured out at night anymore. Not even the thieves dared the darkness in these uncertain times. But the city’s caution was in vain: no one was safe, not even in their own beds.

  * * *

  Carandin awoke with a shriek of terror. Her mind screamed, This isn’t my room! as she looked around in desperation. This place was dark and dank, and smelled of blood, fear, and dung. She scrambled to her feet and wedged herself into a corner as her eyes desperately searched the shadows. “Who--Who’s there?” she asked in a trembling voice.

  “I am called Servallan,” a soft, feminine voice replied.

  “What do you want?” Carandin asked in a little girl’s tiny voice. There was a laugh from the darkness in reply to her question that set her neck hairs on end.

  “I have what I want,” the voice answered in a silky purr. “I have you.”

  “I’m no use to you,” Carandin whined. “I’m not a virgin.”

  Now the voice laughed loudly, sending a shiver of fear down Carandin’s spine. “The value of virginity in human sacrifices is so terribly overstated. It’s the purity of the soul, not the body, that is important.”

  Now a shadow moved and a woman came into view. She was tall and elegantly dressed in the latest Chosen society fashions. She was well proportioned, with everything in perfect symmetry. Her features were so perfect she appeared to be a living sculpture. But her apparent perfection was marred by her eyes: they were dull, dead black orbs, like darkened pits in her face. It was her eyes that frightened Carandin the most.

  “What are you!?” Carandin shouted as terror gripped her heart.

  “I, little one?” the woman asked in a silky purr as a vulpine smile curved her lips. Her head tilted to the side as she bent her surprisingly long neck forward. “I am something your short-lived species has forgotten to fear. But no matter. I’ll remind you.” Her expression changed, and the only sound after that was Carandin’s screams.

  Chapter 1

  THE MORNING SUNLIGHT SLANTED THROUGH THE inn window, falling on Prince Stavin’s leg as it illuminated the common room. “Going to be another hot day,” he commented.

  Karvik grunted his agreement around a mouthful of sausage. When courtesy allowed, he replied, “Been too hot for too long.”

  A soft sound drew their attention to the servant who was waiting patiently by the wall. “Yes?” Stavin asked. His expression was open and friendly, as it usually was, so the girl stepped forward and bowed.

  “Your pardon, Prince Stavin, but the spring is barely begun. Come high summer we’ll be longing for days like this.”

  Stavin sighed and shook his head slowly as he turned back toward Karvik. “It’s going to be a long, hot summer.”

  All around them the other thirty-two members of Stavin’s Royal Guard were similarly dismayed. Lieutenant Varik Kel’Horval, the youngest of the group as well as being Stavin’s brother-in-law, dared to grin at his prince.

  “At least we’re not on the coast, Prince Stavin. Can you imagine this heat and that humidity?”

  Stavin and Karvik exchanged a sour glance before Stavin replied, “Yes, I can. You have egg on your chin, Var.” Varik’s cheeks and ears reddened in embarrassment as he grabbed a napkin to tend to himself while his table-mates chuckled at his expense.

  Stavin said, “It shouldn’t take us more than another moon to reach Rey,” as he turned back toward Karvik. “We’ve gone as far south as we have to. I think we’ll skip the detour to Zel’Kassel.”

  Karvik nodded his agreement. “That will save us some time as well as getting us back up into the mountains where it’s cooler.”

  There was little other conversation as the group finished their morning meal. When the entire group was finished, Stavin led the way out of the inn. Their horses were already saddled and waiting, so they mounted and rode away at a trot.

  “So, Stave, exactly what was the point of telling that girl where we’re going?” Karvik asked as soon as they were out of town.

  “Because she was being paid to listen to our plans, Kar,” Stavin replied. “Let her earn some extra silver. I have no intention of missing the museum at Zel’Kassel.”

  Karvik shook his head slowly. “You know, Stave, you’re getting paranoid. Not every attentive servant is a spy. I think she was just hoping for a crown or two, and maybe a royal romp in bed.”

  Stavin silently glared at his best friend for a moment, then sighed. “You may be right, Kar, but I’d rather be careful.”

  “You’d rather be sneaky, even if there’s no need,” Karvik quipped with a grin. “Life in the palace is too tame for you.”

  Stavin’s expression once again turned rueful. “Maybe so,” he admitted.

  The expedition continued southwest across the Kingdom of Luxandia and into the Kingdom of Reynadia. Stavin, in his capacity as Evandia’s Minister of Trade, was reaffirming the treaties that tied Evandia to the kingdoms of Coravia, Luxandia, Reynadia, Andaria, and the City-States of Kavadia. He was also seeing the world he only knew from books as only a prince or trader could. Traveling long distance was too expensive for almost anyone else.

  The trip had begun early in the spring, and was going to take a full year. King Kalin had suggested it both as a trade mission and as a way for the rest of the royal families to meet the famous Stavin Dragonblessed.

  Stavin had to admit that he would want to meet someone who had inspired as many songs, stories, and outrageous lies as he had.

  He’d accomplished his primary mission in Coravia, as well as renewing his friendship and family ties with King Teravan and Princess Ellissan, and in Luxandia as well. The Ministers of Trade of both kingdoms were very anxious to ensure their Traders’ Guilds were obeying the letter and spirit of the agreements between their kingdoms.

  His secondary mission was personal: he was expanding House Kel’Aniston into the other kingdoms. Soon his would be the largest trading House in the lands that had once been the Empire of Luxand.

  The trip to Zel’Kassel was a family mission. The Royal Reynadian Museum there was supposed to house more than one hundred dragon artifacts made by Dandarshandrake during the twenty-seven hundred years he had guided the people of Luxand to greatness. Stavin was, if allowed, going to prove or disprove their authenticity.

  It took
another twenty-seven days to reach the southern Reynadian port city of Zel’Kassel. It was old, dating to just before the fall of the empire. Now, after more than five hundred years, nearly three hundred thousand souls called it home.

  Karvik looked out over the city from the hill they had just topped and murmured, “Impressive.”

  Stavin was the only one close enough to hear him, and murmured back, “Yup,” just as softly.

  Behind them, the assorted Royal Guardsmen, Warrior and Chosen alike, spoke in hushed tones as they discussed the wonder before them. Zel’Kassel, unlike most modern cities, had grown out, not up. Open spaces could be seen throughout the city, as if every building had its own park. It was quite a change from the crowded, cheek-n-jowl existence in most cities.

  The road they were traveling on widened and the surface changed from packed dirt to some material that only the Imperial Architects had known how to make. The road was wide enough that three wagons could have driven down it side-by-side.

  An elaborate arch spanned the road and a brace of guardsmen stepped out to meet them. “Welcome, travelers,” the apparent leader of the guards said as he bowed. “Are you from Evandia?”

  Karvik answered, “Yes. We are escorting Prince Stavin Dragonblessed to your fine city and museum.”

  All the city guardsmen came to attention and then went to one knee. Only the leader kept his head up as he said, “Welcome to Zel’Kassel, Prince Stavin. The Royal Oak Inn is ten dragons straight ahead.”

  Stavin said, “Thank you, Guardsman,” as he passed. The guard and his subordinates stood as soon as Stavin was past them and stayed at attention as the rest of the party filed by.

  The Royal Oak turned out to be a very large inn, though it had followed the example of the rest of the city and remained low, just a long single story that spread more than a dragon across the front. A welcoming committee was assembled on the porch, and an elegantly-dressed woman stepped forward as soon as Stavin stopped.

  She bowed deeply and said, “Prince Stavin, I am Sovana Zel’Tessel, Lady Mayor of Zel’Kassel.” She paused and again bowed deeply to acknowledge Stavin’s bowed head before continuing. “We are pleased to welcome you to our fine city. With me are the members of our City Council and the Masters of our craft guilds, as well as the full council of our Traders’ Guild. Also, in honor of your scholarly achievements, the Curator of the Royal Reynadian Museum and the Head Master of Zel’Kassel’s campus of the Royal Reynadian Academy have joined us.” Each of the people on the porch had bowed deeply when they were introduced, and Stavin had nodded to each of them.

  Stavin smiled as he said, “I am pleased to meet all of you. While I am here I plan to meet with your council, and with the Traders’ Guild as well as the Craft guilds. I will also be visiting your museum. Your collection of dragon-made artifacts is legendary.” He paused to chuckle. “King Kalin visited when he was a child and can describe most of the artifacts from memory.”

  An elderly woman stepped forward and bowed deeply. “I was but an apprentice scribe when your father and his parents visited, Prince Stavin. I am Corian Fel’Dansel, Master Scribe and Curator of the Museum.” She smiled and chuckled at Stavin. “Your good father had to be retrieved from several of the exhibits.”

  Stavin smiled in return as his guardsmen chuckled. “So he told me. I promise to be better behaved.”

  A new man had joined the greeting party and stepped forward to bow deeply. “Prince Stavin, your suite is ready if you’d care to send in your servants.”

  Stavin shook his head and replied, “No servants this trip. Just show us to the stables and we’ll come in once the horses are seen to.” He ignored the shocked expressions on the greeting party’s faces and the chuckles of his guardsmen as he followed the innkeeper around the building.

  Karvik was right beside his prince and said, “I don’t care what you say, Stave. That never gets old.”

  Stavin laughed out loud as he dismounted, then, contrary to proper behavior, saw to his own horse. The guardsmen ignored the shocked look on the innkeeper’s face except for a few who chuckled at his expense.

  Stavin took an extra moment to give his horse some personal attention. She was a creamy-tan mare, and he’d named her Tru after his beloved first horse. Like the original, he’d gentled and trained Tru himself. Princess Marina, his adopted big sister, had thrown a fit when he’d announced his intention, but King Kalin had simply said, “Go ahead, Stavin.” That had earned him a hard look from his daughter, but she’d held her peace afterward.

  Karvik was standing by the stall door when he was through. “I sent Var and his team inside. He’s arranging for us to eat before the Chosen mob you.”

  Stavin rolled his eyes and said, “Thank you. I have a feeling it’s going to be another long night.”

  The inn was crowded with more people than it could comfortably hold, and the faces of dozens of splendidly garbed men and women could be seen looking through the windows, straining to see the famous Stavin Dragonblessed.

  Stavin muttered, “Gods Below,” as soon as he saw the crowd of people surging toward him, but Varik and his men formed a protective wall to keep even the most insistent of the Chosen at bay. Shouts of “Dragonblessed!” mixed with “Prince Stavin!” as the lords and ladies tried to get his attention.

  Stavin ignored them all, keeping his eyes front until he reached his table. Then he turned toward the crowd and spoke loudly as he said, “Lords and Ladies of Zel’Kassel, I am pleased to visit your fine city. It is not possible for me to meet with everyone, and certainly not all at once, but we have ten days to arrange as many interviews as possible. For the moment, however, I would appreciate a little time to eat and get cleaned up. We’ve been on the road for eight days since the last town, and I don’t want to offend anyone.” He gave the crowd his best boyish grin, then sat down.

  The press of bodies against the royal guards eased and Karvik brought two senior sergeants to join them at the table. Stavin and Karvik had made it a point to share meals with all of their men in turn. Even Varik, the second in command of the guards, only joined them when his turn came up.

  An older woman stepped forward as soon as they were seated, bowed deeply, and then asked, “What can I bring you to drink, Prince Stavin?”

  Stavin replied, “Beer,” then glanced around before adding, “for all of us.”

  The woman bowed again and backed away as she said, “I will return in a moment, Prince Stavin,” as she passed the guards.

  “Good servant,” the sergeant at Stavin’s left commented.

  “Royal inn,” the other sergeant replied. “I’ll bet she’s the innkeeper’s wife.”

  Karvik spoke softly as he said, “You know the drill. As soon as she sets the glasses down, switch across. Prince Stavin drinks last.”

  Both men answered, “Yes, Sir.”

  The woman returned with tall crystal glasses of dark amber beer. She set her tray down, then set a glass down in front of each of them. “Here you are, Prince Stavin. Our finest beer.”

  Stavin smiled as he said, “Thank you,” but made no move to touch his glass. Then, as the woman watched with a puzzled expression, the guards swapped the glasses around and all three of them sipped, but Stavin still didn’t touch his glass. After a moment Karvik traded his glass for Stavin’s.

  Stavin chuckled at the woman’s offended expression and explained, “My father’s orders. They’ve done that at every stop this trip.”

  The woman bowed and backed away. Once she was gone Karvik took a long drink of his beer and said, “Go ahead, Stave.”

  Stavin took an experimental sip and raised his eyebrows in surprise. “Good beer.”

  “Very good,” the guardsman at Stavin’s left replied.

  Karvik caught Varik’s eye and waved him over. “Var, take three men to the kitchen and bring our meals, then you and your team eat as well.”

  Varik snapped to attention and said, “Yes, sir,” before turning toward the kitchen. Varik and his men re
turned just a few moments later with the plates. All four of them were grinning widely, and Varik chuckled when he sat Stavin’s plate down. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen an innkeeper that insulted before.”

  Stavin shrugged. “I don’t know why. If we’d brought along our own servants they would have done the same thing.” Stavin turned his attention to Karvik. “Any good?”

  “Very,” he replied around a bite of meat. “It’s mutton, but it’s spiced very close to Mom’s recipe.”

  Stavin needed no other encouragement and immediately took a bite from Karvik’s bowl. His eyes closed with pleasure as he savored the stew. “This is so good.”

  Around them the eleven members of Varik’s team were enjoying bowls of the same stew as their prince. They ate quickly, then allowed the next team to eat, keeping nineteen guardsmen on watch at all times.

  Stavin dawdled until all of his guardsmen had eaten, then stood up and nodded to the innkeeper. The man rushed over to his side, and Stavin said, “Lead us to the Royal Suite. I’d like to bathe before I meet with the Chosen.”

  “Of course, Prince Stavin,” he said with a bow. “This way if you please.”

  Stavin and Karvik followed the man to the royal suite and Stavin nodded his approval to the innkeeper. “This will do nicely,” he commented when he saw the size of the suite. “Which is the bathing room?”

  The innkeeper bowed and indicated the door to Stavin’s left. “Through that door, Prince Stavin. Shall I send Rose or Lila to assist you?”

  Stavin gave the man a lopsided grin as he replied, “I can bathe myself. Been doing it for more than a year now.”

  Karvik didn’t hesitate to laugh at the man’s expression as he bowed and left. “You know, Stave, Shari didn’t really tell me to watch you.”

  Stavin laughed. “I know, and she didn’t tell Var either. She didn’t need to. Unbuckle my plate and I’ll get yours.”