The Dragon Nimbus Novels: Volume I: Volume I

knowledge of the old magic when he discovered the power generated by the dragons. There was too much danger from magicians using magic for their own gain rather than for the good of the kingdom.
    Only when the Commune could combine their magic against all others had magic become “safe.”
    Krej had found a way to break the Commune. If there was no magic to gather, they couldn’t combine against him. Doubts gnawed at him again. Suppose Lord Krej had only capitalized on the work of another traitor?
    Baamin would never know unless he mastered rogue magic and understood his own soul better. So he continued his cold lonely march around the city, weaving in and out of old alleys, through small houses and shops.
    The city sat in the middle of a vast network of power. Its ancient location commanded more than the head of the Bay. It commanded the beginning and the end of the magic. No wonder the University had been situated here. Those buildings were older, much older than the central keep of Palace Reveta Tristile, which boasted a fair number of secret passages and subterranean tunnels. More secrets might yet be hidden within the ancient halls and cellars of the University, like Nimbulan’s library.
    The courtyard between the University and the palace contained an outpouring of blue, so tightly wound together it appeared as a large column coming straight up from the center of the world. Here was where the kings were consecrated. Here was where the nimbus of dragons confirmed a man’s right to rule the kingdom and themselves.
    He’d never seen an entire nimbus of dragons gathered for such a ritual. He’d never seen a single live dragon—unless his dreams were more memory than imagination. There hadn’t been a need in the past ten generations for a dragon to consecrate a new king. The crown had passed easily from father to son in smooth order since the end of the Great Wars of Disruption. Was that why the dragons had begun slipping away from Coronnan? Because they weren’t needed anymore?
    But they were needed. Now more than ever. They needed to confirm Darville as rightful ruler and provide enough traditional magic to oust the usurping Krej. To control a rogue.
    Baamin envied Jaylor, who had touched Shayla, talked to her, seen her fly. He just hoped the boy had had time to give her that tiny vial of medicine. Just two drops of the ensorcelled water would increase her litters and speed the maturation of her young to insure a healthy nimbus once and for all.
    Jaylor had to find Shayla and break the magic hold over her.
    Until then, Baamin would make use of whatever magic he could find. It was his duty to protect the kingdom and its rightful rulers any way he could.
    Even if he discovered himself to be the villain of the piece.
    If only he could see a dragon, he could happily die.
     
    They are lost again. Such a simple trick. They are too stupid to learn that I am in control and will remain so. The journeyman is stronger than I thought. But he’ll never break the spell—even if he is smart enough to realize just how important the wolf is.
    My spies tell me all. They can do nothing less. The wolf is still a wolf. I am in control of Council and Commune.
    I don’t need the crown—though that token would be nice—for I have power. As long as I have my Tambootie, I need nothing more.
    The weakling Darcine will soon die. Without Darville the Council will have no choice but to follow me.
     
    “ S’murgh it!” Darville cursed behind the hand he used to wipe rain from his face. “The charcoal burner’s hut.” Three days of plowing through rain and mud and they were right back where they’d started. Three days of wandering in circles, sleeping under hedges and getting wetter and more miserable by the minute.
    At least Brevelan wasn’t really sick. The last time they were at this hut she had merely been suffering from exhaustion, physical and emotional.
    “Jaylor,” he grabbed his friend’s arm. “You’ve got to do something. Krej has enchanted the pathway.”
    “Like what?” Jaylor blinked back at him. He looked too innocent. Darville knew that look from their childhood years. Underneath the wide-eyed gullibility a plan was forming.
    “You could summon up some of your legendary magic and break the enchantment.” They didn’t have time for these games.
    “You could be less lumbird-brained and blaze a new path,” Brevelan accused.
    “The existing pathway is most direct, easier walking, and level!” he