All that Glitters (Stavin DragonBlessed Book 1) (19 page)

The crowd finally dispersed as the night got late and Barvil gave his final instructions to Stavin and the other night guards. "If there's going to be trouble, I would expect it tonight." He looked Stavin in the eye. "There has already been one incident." He looked at the others and let a sardonic smile twist his lips. "Stavin just earned his first red stripe. Remember that you are only responsible for the traders and their wagons. What goes on out there," he waved his hand to where many of the town's merchants had left booths set up, "is none of our concern."

"Yes, Sir," four voices snapped and Barvil waved them on their way while he headed for his tent.

Karvik turned to Stavin as his father walked away. "What in the name of all the Gods is going on? More kills? It's only been four days since the
first
one!"

Stavin looked at the ground and kicked at the dirt before looking up into Karvik's eyes. "Four men tried to rob Trader Sahren. One tried to stab me in the crotch with this," he pulled the big knife from behind his back, "but just got my breastplate instead. I gutted him and slashed his throat. I sliced the spines of the other two from behind. Trader Sahren killed the last one."

Cordon and Lavin looked at one another, then at Stavin. "Stave," Cordon began, "you've earned your red stripe and sergeant's rank in what has to be record time."

Lavin picked up on that theme. "Even the Warmaster started slower than that. My dad was his year-mate third time out, when he earned his. What are you trying to do?"

Stavin shook his head, then tried to shrug. "I'm not
trying
to do anything except go home with my hide and honor intact. Those men tonight were honorless slugs who tried to rob and kill our employer. All I did was what honor demanded. I couldn't have done anything else."

"No, you couldn't have," Karvik agreed. "Not honorably."

Cordon slapped Karvik's shoulder. "Right you are. Now we've got rounds to walk. Same as last night, but we'll vary things a bit. Once in awhile Lavin or I will whistle. When we do, cross over and keep going the same direction. That will reverse our rotation and vary our timing."

Cordon took Stavin behind the wagons and had him lead off. "Slow walk. Keep your eyes moving and your head up."

Stavin said, "Yes, Sir," and began walking, watching the darkness beyond the wagons. He reached the end and circled around, spotting Lavin's broad back halfway down the line.

The night remained quiet until dawn awakened the birds. That awakened the caravan, and Barvil signaled the guards to come in. Once everyone was gathered around the fire with their breakfasts, he stood in front of them.

"Stavin Kel'Aniston, on this, your first expedition to lowlands, you have made your sixth kill. You killed one man by gutting him, then cutting his throat with your Dragon's Tongue. The other two died when you cut their spines. You may add two more white chevrons to your armor and paint your top chevron red. You may also claim the title of sergeant, though you may not exercise the authority of that title until your fourth expedition." He paused and made sure Stavin was focusing on him before he continued. "It's unusual for a man to be put in this position, but you don't have the experience to take your place as a leader. You do understand that, don't you?"

Stavin stood and came to attention before he answered. "Yes, Sir, I do."

"Good. Experience is far more important than stripes in determining a leader. It's just so unusual for a man to be put in this position that we seldom have a reason to not acknowledge his rank. Now get to bed before you nod off and get egg on your nose."

* * *

Stavin awoke before Karvik this time and squirmed quietly out of the tent. It was earlier than he had expected, barely mid day, and he put on his armor as well as he could by himself, then picked up the armband that held his stripes. Someone had already painted his new honors on it, and he carried it toward the front of the wagons.

Ivalin stepped out from behind a wagon and confronted him. "You won't get away with this, Runt. I don't know how you got Elder Kel'Carin to award you those stripes, but none of us believe you earned them."

"I did earn them, Ivalin. I earned them the same way you earned yours."

"Liar," Ivalin snarled, and spit at Stavin's feet. "How come none of us saw the bodies? How come none of us heard any commotion? You can't kill three men and not have anyone notice it."

"We were behind Trader Sahren's wagon. The crowd hid the noise. Their friends took the bodies because they didn't want the authorities to know about it. Ask Trader Sahren if you don't believe me." Stavin glowered at Ivalin. "And if you ever call me a liar again I'll have you in the circle, with Dragon Tongues."

Davel walked up and stopped Ivalin's reply. "Stave, you're up early. Kahndar and I took care of your stripes. Let's get you buckled up." He stepped forward and started tightening Stavin's armor while Ivalin stomped off. "Watch him, Stave. He's a year older—"

"—He's half a year younger," Stavin said, interrupting Davel. "The Warmaster held me back last year. Ivalin and I were in classes together for ten years."

"Maybe I should say he's more experienced. He's also jealous of anyone who earns more honors than he does."

Stavin nodded his agreement as Davel strapped on his armband. "He's just going to have to choke it down then. If he impugns my honor again, he'll face me, and I've always been able to take him one-on-one."

Davel raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything else. There was really nothing he could say. They walked together out into the crowd, then went their separate ways.

Stavin began to notice something odd as he walked. A group of children was following him, staying about a horse-length behind him. It wasn't long before older children, mostly teenage girls, began to trail him as well. After a while, he turned suddenly and asked, "What do you want?"

One buxom lass of about sixteen winked and said, "Your baby."

Stavin was glad he was wearing his helmet so she couldn't see him blush. "I-I'm married, young miss."

The older girls all giggled, and then the same girl spoke again. "What she doesn't know won't hurt her."

Stavin shook his head. "I still couldn't, not and retain my honor."

The girl shared a smile with her friends, then said, "Your loss, golden warrior," and walked away with her friends in tow. The little children remained and Stavin did his best to ignore them.

T
HE CROWD WAS THICKER ON THE
second night and Stavin was relieved to be placed behind the wagons, away from the curious stares of the children and more than a few rude adults. He kept his mind alert by thinking of what Shari would say when he presented her with ten gold crowns.

A shout and several moving shadows drew his attention down the line to where another of the young warriors was posted. Something was happening and he desperately wanted to run down there to see what it was, but he couldn't desert his post. Not without orders. He couldn't see more than shadows until two figures stumbled into view. One had a sword and the other had a Dragon's Tongue.

Stavin's fingers went to his mouth and he whistled as loudly as he could, trying to summon aid.

Six more figures burst out from between the wagons and looked around. The fighting figures were in the open now, and Stavin recognized Barin's stocky form. All six of the others descended on the fight and ended it immediately. All of the people came together and then went between the wagons.

Stavin looked around and found Ivalin staring at him from three wagons away. He raised his hand, but Ivalin just turned away. The night wore on, and finally Cordon came for him.

"What was that fight earlier?" Stavin immediately asked.

"Barin caught a man under one of the wagons. When he confronted him, the intruder drew a sword and attacked. Barin said he wasn't very good. He claims that he wasn't doing anything, but the villagers know him as a petty thief and don't believe him."

"Is Barin all right? I signaled as soon as I saw the weapons."

Cordon laughed. "There isn't so much as a scratch on his armor. That fool of a thief couldn't use a sword. Barin was just playing with him."

Stavin laughed and began walking his round. The night passed quickly, but it was still a long time before dawn when Davel and Kahndar came to meet them.

"We're pulling out in the morning. Get some sleep and be ready to break camp at dawn," Davel said, pointing back towards their tents.

Sunrise had everyone moving and Stavin was relieved to be traveling again. He'd had a vivid dream where Shari and the buxom girl had changed places, and he felt guilty for having betrayed his wife, even if only in a dream.

* * *

The caravan rolled on, and Stavin's status saved the traders tolls at two more bridges before they stopped again, this time in a city called Barrens Bridge. This was a large city that over fifty thousand souls called home. It was located on the banks of the Zel'Kaman River, and was the major inland shipping port for this portion of Evandia. Where the mighty Zel'Horgan was a fast, wild river in a deep gorge, the Zel'Kaman was wide and placid, providing a barge route deep into the continent.

At the bridge over the Zel'Kaman, Stavin saved both tax and toll for the traders totaling twelve silver crowns. What he didn't find out until much later was that he also saved them from having their wagons searched and inventoried to determine the tax. He agreed with what Trader Sahren said they were carrying, and none of the officials at the bridge dared question his honesty.

Near the bridge was an area outside of the town proper that served as the caravansary and livestock market, and Trader Sahren had her wagons form a circle this time. They parked and unhitched their mules, then all of the animals, including the warriors' horses, were put in a fenced enclosure.

Trader Sahren came over to the area where the warriors were setting up their tents and indicated that she wanted to talk to both Barvil and Stavin. "When I was renting the paddock for our animals, I mentioned the extra horses to the manager. He's passing the word around among the livestock traders, and I'd expect to have a buyer or two stop by soon. You may, if you wish, deal with them yourselves, or you can let me handle it. I'll charge you five percent, but I think I can get a better deal for you."

Stavin looked at Barvil, then took half a step back, leaving the decision in Barvil's more experienced hands. "We thank you, Sahren," Barvil replied with a bow, "and accept your offer. I don't think I can talk fast enough to keep up with these lowland merchants."

Trader Sahren smiled. "I thought you would." She glanced at the tents and nodded. "It's best to stay out here. If you take your men into town, be careful. You're likely to run into the same sort of trouble here as in Twin Bridges as far as Stavin's armor is concerned."

Barvil looked at Stavin, and Stavin's mood turned sour. "I understand, Sir," he mumbled.

"Everything comes at a price, Stavin, even a dragon's gift. I'll see to it that you don't miss out completely." Barvil smiled at the sudden gleam in Stavin's eyes. "I'm sure there will be an opportunity for you to go into town for a least a little while."

Stavin nodded and smiled as he said, "Thank you, Sir."

Barvil split his men into hands and posted five at a time in a walking circle around the caravan, and divided the day into four watches. The hands alternated so they didn't get worn out.

Stavin was in Kahndar's hand with Lavin, Horvan, and Barin. That suited him just fine. Ivalin hadn't said a single friendly word to him since the incident during their first night on the road. Karvik said it was because 'Stavin the Runt,' as Ivalin usually called him, had surpassed him and he was jealous. Stavin was secretly pleased by that idea. He and Ivalin had been friends until Stavin had stopped growing. Then, as the other boys had grown taller, Ivalin had turned against him and started taunting him with the others.

Kahndar led and the others filed behind him in order of experience. That was per the proper etiquette of their people, but it also put Kahndar in a position to watch Stavin's back.

Before the warriors had made two full circles, the center of the caravan was filled with people. Most of them were local merchants come to see what wares, and possible competition, the traders had brought. Trader Sahren had positioned the wagons with a large gap between her wagon and the last wagon, and it was to that gap that most of the people made their way.

Stavin walked at the measured pace that every warrior was taught, and, as always, observed every person he saw, and everyone who saw him paused to look at his golden armor. It was an uncomfortable situation, because such stares had always meant trouble for him in the past.

The watch had changed hands and Stavin was keeping an eye on the crowd as he ate, when Trader Sahren brought an elegantly dressed man to see him. "Friend Stavin," Sahren began, warning Stavin and the others that something unusual was happening, "this is Lord Jallin Zel'Elindar. He is Lord Mayor of Barrens Bridge."

The lord looked Stavin up and down curiously. "So you're the one that all the fuss is about. I would like to see your writ. There has been no formal proclamation from the king concerning you."

Stavin had stood as soon as Sahren introduced the lord, and now handed over his writ with a deep bow, and the lord examined it closely. "It seems to be genuine. All of the seals and signatures are in the right places. Trader Sahren claims that your armor is made of dragon scales. How did you convince his majesty that this was true?"

Barvil had come to Stavin's side and answered first. "King Kalin had a Truth Seer present when Friend Stavin told of his encounter with the dragon, Lord Zel'Elindar. Princess Marina also used a piece of dragon-spelled ruby to verify that Friend Stavin's armor had been made by a dragon."

Lord Zel'Elindar looked at Barvil and tilted his head to the side. He looked Barvil over closely and his eyes stopped when they reached Barvil's shoulder. "Three stars? I understood that Elders never left the valley."