The Dragon Nimbus Novels: Volume I: Volume I

Rossemeyer’s mighty armies would be enough to conquer these people. But she also understood why her uncle wanted to gain possession of this moist, rich land. The high desert plateau that comprised most of Rossemeyer could never support all the people who lived there. Food was imported in large amounts. And the only commodities Rossemeyer produced in abundance for trade were the treacle beta and fierce mercenary warriors.
    Yet another market sprang up in front of her. She was very far from Palace Isle now. Activity around these booths had wound down to a more leisurely pace. People didn’t seem to be using coins for their purchases. From the shadow of a corner hut Rosie watched a woman trade a flusterhen for a length of cloth. A man exchanged a finely worked leather belt for some tools. Others merely bargained with words.
    Only the old woman at the opposite corner seemed to demand the little round pieces of metal. For each coin she would take her client’s hand and study the palm. Then she would make a pronouncement. More coins elicited a lengthier statement.
    Rosie wished she could hear what the ancient crone was saying. She was hungry enough to be willing to hold a man’s hand for the few coins necessary to purchase a meal. She stepped out of the shadows to better hear the woman’s words.
    “You look hungry, little lady,” a man’s voice hissed in her ear. “Hungry enough to eat a flusterhen raw. I know where you can get some dinner.” A large hand closed on Rosie’s shoulder. Fat fingers clutched her with surprising fierceness.
    Rosie looked up into the stranger’s florid face, bordered with an oddly trimmed beard. Curiosity warred with her need to avoid his touch.
    “There’s fresh-caught fish and boiled yampion root just across on the next island. I’ve got a boat to take you there, a nice big boat that won’t rock or tumble you into the river,” the man coaxed.
    Rosie’s stomach growled in response to the vision of the meal this man could offer her.
    As she opened her mouth to agree to go with him, new scents assaulted her nose. She smelled the sour ale on his breath and the pungent sweat of a liar. Enough to make her reconsider. Then she caught the acrid stench on his clothes. It was the same kind of odor she’d discovered on her sheets this morning. A man with the need on him.
     
    Where is she? I must find my princess before Simeon kidnaps her. He wants to put aside his queen and marry Rossemikka. But he can’t annul his marriage to Queen Miranda. She is the lawful heir to SeLenicca. He is merely her consort.
    Simeon’s ambitions grow too high and too fast. I don’t care that his grandmother was the first wife of Rossemikka’s father. All magicians were dealt a severe blow when good Queen Safflon was first exiled for witchcraft with her daughter Jaylene. Then, when she defended herself and her followers with a conjured plague, she was publicly tortured and executed.
    Poor Jaylene died heartbroken and impoverished when her father married Sousyam, the deceitful mouse, and sired Rossemikka and her brothers. Jaylene’s son, Simeon, was still an infant. Maman raised Simeon as one of her own, alongside my rival and myself.
    But Simeon must wait. He is not destined to rule the three kingdoms. Maman decided that, the coven agreed. The child Rosie produces and the child Miranda now carries will wed. And their children will rule the three kingdoms with the coven as their advisers. And I shall rule the coven.
    Simeon thinks to change the ruling of the coven by abducting Rosie back to SeLenicca. He doesn’t know what forces will fly out of control.
    SeLenicca was barren of magic until Simeon married Miranda. His magic must be artificially induced. Perhaps he uses the scrubby, less potent variety of Tambootie that grows there. In such an environment Rosie will revert to her natural form. Then there will be two cats and no princess.

Chapter 18
     
    “I f Baamin needs an old Rover woman to cure Jaylor, then we will find him one,” Brevelan whispered to Mica. She stroked the cat who hid in a produce basket slung on her arm. “We both know the Rovers cannot be trusted. But we must brave their curses to cure Jaylor of his warped and twisted magic.”
    The cat purred her agreement.
    Warped and twisted magic. Just like Brevelan’s father. Was this the legacy of using Krej to sever her bond with Shayla?
    Mica nudged Brevelan’s hand, distracting her from those depressing thoughts onto different