All that Glitters (Stavin DragonBlessed Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page B

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