All that Glitters (Stavin DragonBlessed Book 1) (4 page)

"But Dorvi is," Stavin said softly as he stared at his lap.

"True, but think about this instead. You, baby brother, are now the
head
of a household, not the youngest boy. Several of the highest-ranking girls who wouldn't have given you a second look a week ago will say yes today if you ask. Orana Kel'Davin would. She's a year younger than you, she's the highest-ranking girl of age right now, and she's being picky because she's the Chief Elder's granddaughter."

"And Kar would knife me in my sleep if I did," Stavin said gloomily. "She's being picky because she and Kar have an arrangement. Kar was just waiting for Warmaster Kel'Horval to pass him before he asked. Changed status or no, Kar will ask for Orana. He might have to wait until our first season in the lowlands is done and he's won his own honor, but she'll wait for him and say yes when we return."

Sorandis was rapidly looking back and forth between her brother and their stunned parents. "Since when?"

"Since last spring," Stavin answered, finally looking up into her eyes. "I didn't get to go with the expedition last spring because of my size, and Kar and I ended up in the same final class. He was actually trying to help me with Dorvina. He wants her married off so she'll move away." He paused to smile sourly. "I should have known. Anyway, he told me what he and Orana have arranged."

"That arrangement won't matter anymore if I know Sharvan Kel'Davin," Karlit said thoughtfully. "He won't let his daughter marry a servant, no matter who he was yesterday."

"Very well then," Marinis said primly, changing the subject. "So you won't court Orana for the sake of Karvik's friendship. There
are
other girls. Have you considered Sharindis Kel'Horval?"

"Shari?"
Stavin almost shouted in shock. "She can hardly see! She spends all of her time with her books or—"

"—Or with Master Scribe Kel'Zorgan, who
you
want to be apprenticed to, working in the scribe's office in the town hall," Sorandis pointed out. "Her eyes aren't getting better, but they aren't getting worse either. She won't pass bad eyes to her children. After all, the fall from that horse wasn't her fault. She's two years older than you and she's resigned to being an old maid."

"And she's one of
your
oldest friends," Stavin pointed out suspiciously.

"And someone
we
would have suggested earlier," their mother interjected, "if you hadn't been so obsessed with Dorvina."

That stopped Stavin in his tracks. "You really think Sharindis would be a good wife for me?" he asked softly, looking back and forth between his parents and his sister.

"We do," Karlit said as Marinis and Sorandis nodded.

Sorandis grinned and nudged his leg with a toe under the table. "There's also this to consider; she likes you. You are the only boy in town who shares her interest in the scribe's art. And there's one other thing that I have to point out, in fairness; Shari needs someone to look after her, and you suddenly have servants to do that. No other young man has that going for him."

"She's almost helpless," Stavin muttered stubbornly.

Sorandis looked at him sideways. "Have you ever seen her with that staff she uses as a walking stick? Gods Above, her father is the
Warmaster
. I've seen her embarrass warrior students with Dragon's Tongues. Her father has taught her to use every sense, and she does. She sees shadows enough to know where they are, and she hears the rest." Sorandis suddenly chuckled. "Gods Above help you in the dark, little brother."

"I haven't spoken to her father yet," Stavin stubbornly maintained.

"But you're thinking about it instead of obsessing over Dorvina," his father said matter-of-factly.

* * *

Stavin returned to the Kel'Carin house and stopped at the door, his hand automatically reaching for the knocker. He paused before he touched it, took a deep breath to bolster his nerve, and reached for the latch instead. He opened the door and stepped resolutely inside.

Zahrinis was striding toward the door and stopped in her tracks when she saw him. "I saw you coming and was going to let you in, Stave—Master Stavin."

Stavin shrugged one shoulder. "I guess I'm not the only one who's going to have to get used to me living here. Where's your father?"

Zahrinis tossed a glance over her shoulder. "Upstairs. He and Mom are making plans."

Stavin nodded and started toward the stairs, saying, "Thank you, Zahri."

"Stavi," Zahrinis said in a small voice, "you aren't going to be mean about Dorvi, are you?"

Stavin stopped and looked her in the eye, then shook his head. "No. No, I'm not going to be mean. I just had a long talk with my parents about Dorvi. I've been given a lot to think about, and I need to talk with your parents before I make a decision."

"Thank you, Stave—
Master
Stavin."

"That sounds so strange," Stavin muttered to himself as he once again headed up the stairs. He found Barvil and Sahrena in what had been the guest's bedroom. "Barvil, Sahrena, may I have a few moments of your time?" he asked cautiously.

"Of course, Master Stavin," Barvil said and they both turned to face him.

Stavin couldn't hide his grimace at their instant obedience. "Sahrena, how well do you know Nahrana Kel'Horval?"

Sahrena considered him carefully for a moment before she answered. "Quite well, Master Stavin. We have both been on the town's Defense Planning Council for several years."

Stavin nodded and looked at Barvil. "I know that you and the Warmaster are close friends and allies in the Council of Elders, Barvil," Stavin said, then reddened in embarrassment at reminding the man how far he had fallen today. "Sorry. Anyway, it's good that you both know them so well because—what do you think of me asking Warmaster Kel'Horval for Sharindis to be my wife?" he finished in a rush, then held his breath.

Barvil and Sahrena shared a glance, then Sahrena stepped forward and put a hand on Stavin's shoulder. "Are you seriously considering her, or do you just want to know what we think?" she asked, then added, "Master Stavin," almost as an afterthought.

"Sora said, well, Sora said that Shari likes me."

"And you are asking us why, Master Stavin? It isn't our place to advise you on such things. You are the master of this house." Barvil spoke softly, but he was completely serious.

"I know," Stavin almost cried, "but I don't
know!
I don't feel it. If I ask for Shari, she will become Mistress of the house when Kar and I go to the lowlands with the other caravan guards. I guess what I'm asking is how you feel about it. If I was at home—but I'm home here now—she'd be mistress, but she has to be cared for—"

"I understand, Master Stavin," Sahrena said gently, smiling softly for the first time. "You are concerned about taking Sharindis from her family and placing her in a position where her lack of sight would place her at our mercy. Don't trouble yourself, Master Stavin. Shari is my Goddaughter. I would care for her as my own, mistress or child." Evidently seeing the confusion on Stavin's face, she went on to explain, "I was far closer to Charvil than Nahrana. We are of an age, and were all but inseparable when we were little, but we knew each other far too well to marry when our turn came. If you are truly serious, I can think of no other girl I would rather have as mistress here."

Barvil was staring at his wife. "Nineteen years, and still you have secrets." He turned his attention to Stavin and bowed. "You should wear that armor, Master Stavin." He gave a wry grin. "Charvil is going to want to inspect it anyway, and it does look impressive."

Stavin automatically bobbed his head and said, "Yes, Sir."

Barvil managed not to roll his eyes as he motioned toward the door. "After you, Master Stavin."

S
TAVIN AND
B
ARVIL LEFT THE HOUSE
a short time later. There were curious stares now, and Stavin felt very self-conscious, but no one approached them as they made their way to the center of town. There stood the ancient fortress that was the last-bastion defensive position in case of attack and that also served as the town hall and academy. The school where all of the children learned to read, write, and figure was under the control of the Master Scribe. The training grounds where boys became warriors were also there, under the constant gaze of the Warmaster.

Charvil Kel'Horval saw them enter and immediately left his pupils under the supervision of an assistant. "Well, this is convenient, Stavin. I was going to stop by this evening and ask for a closer look at your new armor."

Stavin came to attention and froze as the Warmaster inspected his armor in minute detail, checking the straps and the fit of the plate. He fingered the mail appreciatively, and hummed a little when he checked the helmet.

"Magnificent. Absolutely magnificent. You say it's made of dragon scale? If what I've heard is true, only magic or time can scratch dragon scales. Allow me to check your weapon," he commanded. Obediently Stavin raised the Dragon's Tongue and presented it to the Warmaster on his open palms with his head bowed.

Charvil took the weapon and stepped back, then ran through a series of moves that tested the weapon in every way possible, ending with a lightning-fast strike at a wooden post. The dragon-wrought edge sheared cleanly through the two-hand thick tree trunk. The Warmaster stared at the piece of post in awe for a moment, then studied the weapon in his hands. He returned it to Stavin's upturned hands with a deep nod. "It is superior to any weapon I have ever used."

Stavin looked at his weapon with pride, then the sound of a cleared throat from behind him reminded him of why they were there. Dropping to his knees, he placed his forehead against the ground, but carefully kept his weapon in his hands.

"Charvil Kel'Horval," Stavin said loudly so there could be no confusion about what he was doing. "I petition you for Sharindis, your daughter, to be my wife." He was fully aware that all activity on the practice grounds had stopped the moment he went to his knees.

Charvil looked down at the boy kneeling in front of him, then up at the man standing behind the boy. Barvil grinned and shrugged, then looked down at Stavin to get Charvil's attention back where it belonged.

Remembering his duty, Charvil continued the ritual. "Stavin Kel'Aniston, why do you choose my daughter?"

Stavin again spoke loudly. "I choose Sharindis for love. I choose Sharindis for life. I choose Sharindis for the mother of my children."

Charvil thought for a moment, then departed from the ritual. "Do your mother and father know about this?"

"They do, Warmaster," Stavin answered without looking up.

"Very well. Stavin Kel'Aniston, you have proven yourself to be a courageous and honorable young man." To his credit, he didn't glance at Barvil. "I grant you Sharindis, my daughter, for love, for life, and for the mother of your children."

Stavin quickly scrambled to his feet and bowed deeply. "I thank you, Warmaster."

Charvil chuckled. "I suppose I should be thanking you, Stavin. I'm curious, though. You've never shown any real interest in Shari before. Why did you decide to ask for her now?"

Stavin looked down and sighed. "Sora. Dorvi can never be mine, and with my mind clear of my obsession, Sora pointed out what I think I've known all along. Shari and I are cut from the same cloth, if not the same pattern. Once I could see her clearly, I saw someone who can probably tolerate me and my books." He looked up at Charvil's puzzled expression and smiled sheepishly.

"With your permission, Master Stavin?" Barvil asked, and at Stavin's nod, said to his cousin, "We've talked about this over beer often enough, Char. Shari isn't going to be able to run a household and manage children by herself. Master Stavin, through the agency of my bull-headed pride, has a household where Shari will have the help she needs. When Master Stavin completes his five summers in the lowlands, he will be free to follow his scholarly bent. By taking Shari to wife, Stavin is setting up a household where he will have someone who understands him far better than if he had succeeded in his desire for Dorvi."

Charvil gave Barvil a quizzical look and said, "You aren't his father, Bar. Besides, I already said yes."

Barvil looked chagrined. "It seems that the children aren't the only ones who have some adjusting to do." Turning to Stavin, he bowed deeply. "My apologies if I have overstepped myself, Master Stavin."

Stavin was caught off-guard, but recovered quickly. "You meant well, Barvil. There is nothing to apologize for." Turning to the Warmaster, Stavin bowed again. "I ask you to come with me to your daughter so that she may hear this news from your lips."

"As is proper," Charvil agreed, then added, "and prudent. Shari doesn't always take surprises very well."

The three men walked the short distance to the town hall archive. Sharindis was in a corner of the scribe's office where the window provided bright sunlight for most of the day. She was using a large magnifying crystal to let her read the parchment she was copying.

Raising her head at the sound of the door opening, she could see three shadows by the door in the overall gloom of the room. "May I help you?" she asked courteously.

"Shari, Stavin Kel'Aniston has petitioned for you to be his wife," Charvil said. "I have granted his petition."

Sharindis looked at the three shadows and focused her attention on the short one. "So, your first choice said no, and now you turn to me, the poor second? Or am I even that far up your list?" she asked sarcastically.

Stavin looked at the floor and cleared his throat. "Shari, I beg your forgiveness for my inattention and obtuseness. I had considered no other women to be my wife while I was pursuing Dorvina. My obsession was such that no other woman registered on my consciousness, but now I see that you have always been there, always at the edge of my perception." He took a deep breath and said, "I give you right of refusal without reservation."

Sharindis' gaze stayed on the short figure between the two tall ones. "And if I should refuse you, who then will you ask?"