The Dragon Nimbus Novels: Volume I: Volume I

so and left her for you to find. They took her, and they erased all trace of her presence so we couldn’t follow. Krej needs her alive. I don’t know why yet, but I assure you, Mikka is alive.”
    Darville only shook his head in denial. “I love her, Jaylor.”
    “I know.” Jaylor turned away. Friends needed comfort in times of trouble. Kings needed privacy. Which was Darville at this moment?
    The bubble of armor in the corner turned slightly opaque. A good sign. If that was Brevelan hiding in there, she was listening, possibly feeling Darville’s grief. The healer in Brevelan would need to reach out and comfort Darville.
    Jaylor sighed inwardly. His wife was responding to Darville’s grief, but not to his loving need to protect her.
    Footsteps pounding in the corridor diverted Jaylor’s attention.
    “Jaylor! What is the meaning of this unprecedented summons?” Scrawny stood in the doorway. Blue-robed magicians stood behind him, along with gray-robed healers and red-clad priests. All University-trained, all responding to the rallying cry.
    “Member of the Commune, Guardians of Coronnan,” Jaylor announced in his most authoritative voice. “Queen Rossemikka has been kidnapped. My wife, the Lady Brevelan, has been threatened.”
    “How in the hell did you manage to transport yourself and a mundane?” Scrawny seemed more interested in the magic than the current crisis.
    Jaylor narrowed his eyes to really look at the man he had revered throughout his years as apprentice and journeyman. He was assigned to the court of Lord Andrall and had always, always supported king and Commune. The image of an exceedingly tall, gaunt man kept sliding out of his field of vision. His aura was nonexistent. A truth spell was inappropriate at the moment. Mistrust welled up in Jaylor.
    “Krej!” Yaakke snorted in disgust, as he shouldered his way past the masters in the doorway, Zolltarn right behind him. “The room is thick with the smell of his magic. And someone else, too. Someone . . .” he sniffed again. “Someone related to him.”
    “What about Lord Krej?” Scrawny focused his accusatory tone on the boy.
    “Was it Lord Krej who kidnapped Mikka?” Darville asked the boy.
    “Seems likely. He’s been in here throwing magic.”
    “Then my cousin has committed the ultimate treason, he has kidnapped the queen,” Darville said. “I proclaim him outlaw.”
    “Will his troops follow him or you?” Slippy’s question was more a sigh than a query. “I fear civil war will follow this action. We’ve tried everything to avoid it.”
    “Will you honor your vows to the Commune, Fraandlor?” Jaylor stepped between Slippy and Darville. The magician had been assigned to Krej’s court for a decade or more. By using his formal name, Jaylor made his question a formal issue.
    Slippy’s honest. Yaakke’s thoughts came into Jaylor’s head. Watch out for Scrawny.
    An echo from the bubble of armor confirmed Yaakke’s opinion. Jaylor forced himself not to turn and face the space where he knew Brevelan must be hiding. If there were still traitors in their midst, he needed to protect her at all costs.
    “Gentlemen,” he addressed the Commune. “Please escort His Grace back to the Council Chamber. Protect him with your lives. And take that slimy bolt of magic with you. Find its signature and see if any of you can trace it. That may be our best clue to finding the queen. We are solitary magicians now, rather than communal. But with teamwork, we can persevere.” Jaylor turned aside to his apprentice. “Go with them, Yaakke. Report anything amiss to me. And I mean anything out of the ordinary.”
    “But, sir, Master Baamin needs me. I can’t leave him for long.”
    “Let him rest for a few hours.”
    The boy looked defiant.
    Jaylor clamped a hand on his shoulder, tightening his fingers until they dug deeply enough to insure the boy’s attention. “I mean it, Yaakke. This is important. Stay with His Grace.”
    “And where will you be, Master Jaylor?” Scrawny accused. “As Senior Magician and adviser to the king, your place is in Council.”
    “There may still be clues here. When I have examined them and made certain no harm came to my wife and son, I will join you.”
    “Preposterous!” Scrawny protested. “Women have no place in the University. And magicians have no business taking a wife. An occasional mistress maybe, but not a wife!”
    “Just shut up, you bloody bastard. Just shut up!” Yaakke was near to