Farindian Summer (Stavin DragonBlessed Book 4) Read online

  Stavin immediately said, “Yes, sir,” drawing a grin from his father in law.

  Charvil shook his head at Stavin. “You’ve really got to work on that, Stavin. It’s not appropriate for a prince to be calling everyone ‘sir’ all the time, and you outrank everyone as a Senior Warmaster as well.”

  Stavin shook his head and shrugged as a sheepish grin crossed his lips. “It’s habit, Charvil. I do it automatically.”

  Charvil and Karlit both nodded, but it was Karlit who answered. “You have to think about everything you say for a while, Stavin. It’s like learning Old Tongue: You have to concentrate on what you’re saying.”

  *

  The winter deepened, and Stavin and Shari spent most of their time on the ancient Book of Inatat. The book was as much a hero’s tale as a history, so it appealed to both of them, and they completed the copy and translation well before the thaw. The end did leave them curious, though.

  In the thirty-sixth year of Inatat’s reign, assassins broke into the palace. Inatat fought against them, but was overcome in the end. Inatat died as he had lived, with a sword in his hand.

  “And that’s the end of it,” Stavin said as he sat back and rubbed his eyes. “There isn’t even any of the flowery praise that the beginning of the book had. He just died and that was that.”

  “Maybe the scribes were busy writing the Book of Charat and didn’t think Inatat would mind a quick ending,” Shari suggested. “Or Charat might have ordered them to close it up and begin his book.”

  “Could be,” Stavin agreed. “Now we need Lord General Zel’Enred to find Charat’s tomb so we can find out what happened next.”

  Shari giggled. “Oh, now wouldn’t that be fun? Are you up to working on the translation text, or have you had enough of the ancient glyphs for one day?”

  “I’m tired,” Stavin said as he stretched. “I think I’d just like to hold the girls for a while and relax.”

  Shari nodded and put her crystal away. “Sounds like a good idea to me.”

  The girls were asleep, and Stavin smiled at Sallin and motioned for her to stay where she was. Karlin was awake, though, and immediately ran to be picked up. Stavin held his son and nuzzled his hair, making him laugh.

  “Shh, you’ll wake the girls,” Sharindis scolded softly.

  Stavin smiled and carried Karlin to the sitting room. “Well, Karli, what have you been doing today?”

  “Blocks,” Karlin replied.

  “Do you like playing with your blocks?” Shari asked.

  Karlin had already learned that he had to speak to his mother. Simply nodding didn’t work with her, though he really didn’t understand why. “Yes.”

  “Yes what, sweetheart?” Shari prompted.

  Karlin concentrated for a moment, then said, “Yes, blocks fun.”

  “Very good,” Stavin said as he hugged the boy. “Very good, Karli. Yes, blocks are fun. What have you been building with them?”

  Karlin squirmed loose and went to the side of the room and pointed. Stavin had led Shari behind him, so he described what he saw. “He built a square fortress with a gate and crenellations around the top.”

  Shari giggled. “He’s starting young, isn’t he?”

  Stavin chuckled a little. “No, he’s about on schedule. We’ve been reading that picture book about the fort, and he loves the pictures. He’s just creating what he likes.”

  “Boys.” Shari sighed.

  “Don’t tell me Var didn’t like forts when he was little.”

  “Oh, he did,” Shari acknowledged. “He had Kahn’s little lead Warriors, and spent spans playing with them. He had company, though. We need to see if we can find Karli some playmates near his own age.”

  Stavin agreed. “He used to play with Jelat, Kissa, and Laral at mom and dad’s house. I don’t see why his cousins can’t come up and play once in a while. Even the Council can’t object to that.”

  Shari answered in a bitter tone. “The Council can object to anything, but your dad was right. We don’t have to listen to them anymore.”

  “Within reason,” Stavin temporized.

  Farlit’s three children joined Karlin at playtime the next day, and it was immediately apparent that he’d missed his friends since they had been forced to move up to the suite. Shari and Sallin watched them at play while they tended the twins. The toddlers got loud a few times, but Shari didn’t mind. The loud laughter of the children was a welcome change to the normal silence of the fortress.

  Once the pattern of his cousins joining Karlin at playtime was established, others joined in as well. Kahn brought his children up to play. Bahrandik and Stavin’s sisters soon joined in as well. Sora always brought her two children, two-year-old Noral and six-moon-old Delian, up to join the fun. Delian was still nursing, and Sora was once again playing wet-nurse to Shari and Stavin’s babies.

  “I’ll tell you, Shari, it’s a relief to feed the twins once in a while. Delian doesn’t always eat enough and my boobs get sore.”

  Shari giggled. “It’s a relief to have you with us, Sora. I worry about them getting enough. I don’t always produce enough to satisfy both of them.”

  “It’s too bad I can’t go with you to Twin Bridges.”

  Shari froze for a moment, then asked, “Why not?”

  “Why not what?”

  Shari turned toward Sora’s voice and asked, “Why can’t you go with us? You and Noral and Delian. You’re Stavin’s sister, and my best friend. Why can’t you go with us to Twin Bridges?”

  “What would Aric say?” Sora asked, trying not to get too excited.

  Shari giggled. “If Stavin requested him as one of our guards, what could he say?”

  “What indeed?” Sorandis murmured in a thoughtful tone as she mulled over the idea. “But let me bring up the idea first so he doesn’t get caught off guard.”

  Chapter 4

  THE THAW ARRIVED AT LAST, AND the hunters escaped from the valley in search of fresh meat as soon as they could. The training ground was the scene of even more intense training, and testing as well. Charvil, as the official Warmaster of the Academy, was testing each of the young men who were going out on the expedition, and the first group he tested was, as normal, the final year group. Stavin and Karvik had switched to sword and ax against the boys’ Dragon’s Tongues after mid winter. Now they faced a true Sword Master.

  Charvil faced the boys and suppressed a grin. His son was right in the center of the first row. He chose another boy to test first. “Karvil, in the circle,” he commanded, and the boy walked forward without any trace of nervousness. “You have to score at least one killing blow before I score my third, Karvil. Begin.”

  Karvil’s Dragon’s Tongue snaked out, but Charvil blocked the blow easily. His sword arced in high, but Karvil blocked it and struck at Charvil’s legs. Charvil dodged and swung at Karvil’s arm, but the boy ducked inside his reach and the upper blade of his Dragon’s tongue rang off Charvil’s breast plate.

  Charvil roared and struck toward Karvil’s breast, but the boy batted the sword aside and went for the gut. Charvil turned aside and jammed his shoulder into the boy’s chest, knocking him back and leaving an opening for him to drive his sword into Karvil’s chest.

  Karvil snarled and went low, using his speed against Charvil’s muscle, and brought his Dragon’s Tongue around in an upward arc that contacted the back of Charvil’s knee in a move that would hamstring an opponent with his lower blade, then his upper blade used the energy of the rebound to slice across Charvil’s throat.

  Charvil brought his sword up under Karvil’s guard and sliced into the boy’s armpit, and Karvil let go of his Dragon’s Tongue with that hand. He didn’t, however, step out of the circle in defeat. He used the Dragon’s Tongue one-handed and struck Charvil on the right thigh. When the blade slid between the Warmaster’s legs, he collapsed into Charvil’s reach and pushed.

  Charvil looked up at Karvil in shock from where he was sitting in the sand. The blade of the boy’s Dragon�
��s Tongue was resting against the mail at his throat. A chuckle bubbled up from deep in his chest as he shook his head. “You’ve been paying close attention to Stavin, I see. You pass, Karvil.”

  Karvil stepped back and snapped to attention with his Dragon’s Tongue at salute. “Yes, sir!”

  Charvil climbed to his feet and looked around. Barvil walked forward then and said, “Varik, in the circle.” When Varik had joined him, he explained, “You can’t be tested by your own father, Var. Besides, he looks like he needs a rest after that fight. Begin.”

  Varik was using the shortened Dragon’s Tongue that Stavin had given him, and attacked immediately. While he didn’t match Karvil’s score against Charvil, he did get in two killing blows before Barvil got his third.

  The two Warmasters took turns testing the other seventeen boys. All of them proved that they were ready for the expedition. Only one made just one score against Barvil. The rest managed at least two. Three of the boys managed three scores, winning their matches. That drew everyone’s attention.

  Charvil and Barvil stood shoulder-to-shoulder as they faced the boys. “All of you are passed to the expedition,” Charvil said as he looked at the grinning boys. “You have proven the value of Prince Stavin and Warleader Karvik’s teaching. That is the first time I have ever been beaten by someone who hasn’t been on at least one expedition.” He darted a glance at Stavin. “As far as I know, it’s the first time for Warmaster Kel’Carin as well.”

  “Indeed it was, and it was something of a shock,” Barvil said as he looked at the boys. “The four of you who won your matches will be joining me on Prince Stavin’s guard detail when we go to Twin Bridges.” He paused as the shock and excitement of his announcement broke through the discipline of the young men. “That’s enough of that. Prince Stavin has also requested Varik, for reasons we are all aware of. Since I only intend to take three teams with me, one more of you will be chosen for that honor. Who it is will be decided by Warmaster Kel’Horval and myself based on what we see of your performance between now and when we leave.” He stepped back and Charvil bellowed, “Dismissed.”

  Stavin and Karvik had been standing to the side, but now they came forward and joined the Warmasters. “They did better than I thought they would,” Karvik said to his father as he stopped by his side.

  “I’m very happy with them,” Stavin added. “Especially Karvil. He’s been working harder than most.”

  “He has a reason,” Karvik said, then sniggered. “Are you going to say yes when he asks for Salli?”

  Stavin grinned as he laughed, then said, “Shari would beat me senseless if I didn’t.”

  Karvik chuckled his friend’s comment before adding, “Wouldn’t take much of a beating.”

  “Shut up, Kar,” Stavin said with a laugh, then continued. “That’s another reason I’m glad he’s coming with us. And that he did so well. I’ve spoken to his parents and they don’t object to Salli—not too much, anyway.”

  Charvil grinned. “I heard about that. What does she think?”

  “She thinks he’s, “Oh! So handsome!” and can’t understand why he would be attracted to her.”

  “Why not?” Karvik asked as a puzzled frown crossed his expression.

  Stavin thought for a moment, then shrugged. “Sallin isn’t that pretty, and she—”

  “Who says she’s not pretty?” Barvil demanded with what sounded like real anger.

  Stavin suddenly looked unsure of himself. “Um, me?”

  Karvik smacked him on the back of the head. “You have not told her she’s not pretty, have you? Even you aren’t that thick-witted.”

  Stavin cringed. Karvik sounded like he was madder than his father. “No, but I don’t think she’s pretty. Do you?”

  Karvik looked at the elders for a moment, then sighed and shook his head. “Stavin, she’s not pretty. She is attractive, though. More attractive now than when you brought her back with you. She’s the type that gets better with age.”

  Stavin shook his head and shrugged. “I don’t see it.”

  Karvik rolled his eyes. “You always did aim high and miss what was right at your feet. Or maybe you’re just too close. Stavin, Shari is pretty. Even I can admit that Dorvi is pretty, looking at least. But in a year or three, Sallin will be beautiful.”

  “He’s right, Stavin,” Charvil said as he looked down at his son-in-law. “The girl is aging well. Have you and Shari decided if you’ll give her a dowry? It won’t matter to Karvil, but his mother is going to be put out of she comes to him empty-handed.”

  Stavin nodded. “I asked Henley to make a dower chest for her when we first brought her back. And I brought back all those comforters and furs from the Trading Houses. She’s well set, including ten silver crowns. That was Shari’s idea.”

  All three of the other men chuckled at that admission. Charvil asked, “Does she know?”

  “Nope.”

  “When will you tell her?” Karvik asked.

  “We decided to wait until Karvil actually asks. He thinks he’s just getting her.”

  “He’d be satisfied with just her,” Charvil commented. “You should have seen his eyes at the bathing pools summer before last. If there wasn’t so much steam they would have dried out.”

  “And speaking of eyes in the bathing pool,” Barvil said as he grinned at Charvil.

  “He’ll see you tomorrow, if not tonight,” Charvil said with a laugh. “He was just waiting to pass before he asked.”

  Karvik and Stavin shared a look and a grin. Varik’s infatuation with Karvik’s little sister, Zahrinis, had been a joke between them for years. The fact that she seemed to be just as stuck on him only made it funnier.

  Stavin had barely made it back up to the royal suite before there was a knock at the door. Sallin answered it, and Stavin didn’t have to turn around to know who it was. The exultant tone in her voice when she announced, “Prince Stavin, there is someone here to see you,” was quite enough.

  Stavin found Karvil waiting in the entryway with a pensive look on his face, still in full armor. He seemed nervous, and Stavin reflected that he had every right to be. From his own experience, he wouldn’t have respected the boy if he wasn’t. He walked over to face the boy and asked, “Yes, Karvil, what can I do for you?”

  Karvil stepped forward and went to his knees. He immediately bent forward and placed his forehead against the slate tiles of the entryway. “Prince Stavin Zel’Andral, I petition you for Sallin, your servant, to be my wife,” he said in a firm, clear voice that reflected none of his outward nervousness.

  Stavin waited three blinks before asking, “Karvil Kel’Dessar, why do you choose Sallin?”

  “I choose Sallin for love. I choose Sallin for life. I choose Sallin for the mother of my children.”

  Stavin smiled at Sallin and fought back the temptation to laugh at her expression. She looked so incredibly happy. Her eyes were glittering with tears, but her smile threatened to split her face. “Karvil Kel’Dessar, I grant you Sallin for love. I grant you Sallin for life. I grant you Sallin for the mother of your children.”

  Karvil scrambled to his feet, and his grin was as wide as his face. He turned to Sallin and bowed slightly, then said, “I greet you, wife, and give to you my name, and with my name, all that I possess.”

  Sallin’s voice was choked with tears as she replied, “I greet you, husband, and receive from you your name, returning my master’s name to him. I have no dowry—”

  “Yes, you do,” Sharindis said from the side of the room. She came forward with her staff just a hair’s breadth from the floor and stopped next to Stavin. “Salli, we set aside a dowry for you as soon as you came home with Stavin. We knew some young man would want you as his wife, and wouldn’t see you go empty-handed to your marriage.”

  Stavin took over. “There is a proper dower trunk filled with comforters, blankets, and assorted goods for your household, as well as ten silver crowns. Karvil!”

  “Sir!”

  “We
need to retain Sallin until we can secure another servant. Since you’ve managed to earn a spot on our honor guard and will be going with us to Twin Bridges, we’d like to take her with us. Do you have any objections to that?”

  “Sir, no, Sir!”

  Stavin chucked again. “I didn’t think you would. Sallin, go with your husband and meet his family. We’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “But, Prince Stavin, what about—?”

  “Shh, don’t worry about us,” Sharindis said as she smiled tenderly. “I think we can manage a night or two without you. Now go on. You have a new family to care for.”

  Sallin was crying when Karvil finally took her into his arms and kissed her. They stayed that way for a long time, then he gently led her out of the royal suite, neither taking their eyes off the other.

  Varik, Karvik, and every boy from their year-group were waiting outside the fortress, and it was Varik who led the cheer honoring the young couple.

  Chapter 5

  THE EXPEDITION LEFT KEL’KAVIN SEVENTEEN DAYS after Karvil had petitioned Stavin for Sallin. As expected, Varik had petitioned Barvil for Zahrinis before the evening meal after he had passed, and had been granted his chosen wife. Stavin and Shari had been among their well-wishers, and Kahndar had led the cheer for his little brother.

  This was a larger than normal expedition. The usual hundred and ten caravan guards were supplemented by thirty-three hand-picked men for Stavin and Sharindis’ honor guard, and Warmaster Kel’Carin had done the picking. He was also their leader.

  Stavin’s wagon was going to be near the front of the column, and he was driving it himself. Shari, Karlin, Sahren, Mahren, Sora, Noral, Delian, and Sallin were all in the wagon, and Stavin reflected that his father and Henley had done a magnificent job outfitting it. Even with all the children on board, it was still comfortable.

  Chief Elder Kel’Kaffrey addressed the expedition when they were assembled. “Men, and you are all men on this day,” he began, using the standard speech, “it is your duty to go out and earn the gold that will support your families through the year. Though we are now part of the Evandian Royal Guard, His Majesty King Kalin has approved of us continuing our tradition of sending our young men into the lowlands as caravan guards. He is of the opinion that it is excellent training. In addition, thirty-four of you are going with Prince Stavin to Twin Bridges.” He paused as he looked at the group around Stavin’s wagon. “We have never seen such fierce competition among the veterans for slots on an expedition, and Prince Stavin is properly honored by the men around him. Warmaster Kel’Carin, I charge you to take them out and bring them back again.”