The Dragon Nimbus Novels: Volume I: Volume I

dared.
    Long years of friendship and respect, as well as fear of the monster, stilled his desire to use magic.
    “My cousin, Krej, told me in a dream last night. He assured me Darville is safe. The dragons need him for a while. We are not in a position to question the dragons.” The king seemed once more a regal monarch instead of an ailing old man.
    “How does Krej know so much about dragons? He is not the keeper of their lore.”
    “You forget, he carries the same royal blood in his veins as I do!”
    “His mother is an outland princess, from SeLenicca with ties to Hanassa. Your mother, Your Grace, was a noble lady of Coronnan. The royal blood is purer in you.” Baamin took a step away from his king. He didn’t have to throw a truth spell to see an aura. But he did need space. The king’s colors fluctuated and shimmered in and out of visibility. Darcine was not in control of his own emotions, let alone the kingdom. His health and resolve came from somewhere else.
    “Does Lord Krej speak to you often in your dreams?”
    “Lately he comes to me almost every night.” The aura flared red with anger, then settled into a mild rainbow dominated by shades of green and red, the colors of Krej’s crest.
    “Lately?” Since dragon magic was on the wane and a rogue wandered Krej’s province freely. “What about before?” Baamin prodded.
    The king looked sharply at his magician. The aura flared once more, this time with the yellow of uncertainty. Clearly he had not thought about this often. “Ever since Krej was a teenager at the University he has advised me through my dreams. Never often. Just when I really needed his wisdom.”
    “Your Grace, with the prince gone, your cousin Krej is the next heir. He is ambitious. Can you trust him so completely?” Baamin offered in his mild way. He had learned long ago it was not wise to be aggressive with Darcine. He tended to resent the trait in others when he had so little aggression in his own soul.
    “Krej has only the welfare of the kingdom in his heart. He will do what is best. He tells me the truth.”
    “But perhaps not all of the truth.”
    “You defame a member of the royal family, magician.” The king’s back straightened indignantly. The aura faded, as if masked.
    Or armored.
    “I am sworn to defend the kingdom, Your Grace.” Baamin swallowed deeply. Who had armored the king’s aura? Was the monster eavesdropping on Baamin’s very thoughts? “Our best defense now lies with your son. I cannot order my journeymen home until the prince is returned.”
    “You speak of defense. The border will do that. You need only obey your king.” Darcine’s meager strength seemed to wane a little as the sun slid behind a fluffy cloud.
    “There are not enough dragons left to maintain the border.”
    “Explain,” the king demanded.
    “Shayla has bred. She is strong and healthy, so there is more magic this week than last. But she is the only breeding female left. There is just not enough magic left for us to hold the border inviolate. I have suspected this for a long time. But the change was so gradual that no one noticed until the border refused to stay in place.” Sadness weighed his eyelids down to near closing.
    So much good came from dragon magic, and not just the border. Now they would be left vulnerable to rogue magic as well as invading armies. Unless they took drastic diplomatic measures immediately. Was the marriage of Darville to the princess of Rossemeyer the answer?
    That action would cause a war with SeLenicca. But if no alliance was formed, Rossemeyer promised to invade. And if Coronnan stalled, the borders would be vulnerable to both countries.
    “Lord Krej has said nothing of the border to me.” Once more the king was alert and concerned. Just as he had been in his youth. “I cannot believe my cousin would not inform me of such a dire mishap.”
    “Rovers have been sighted at nearly all the border crossings.”
    “Rovers! Thieves and degenerates. Their women have no morals. The men will steal anything without compunction.” Outrage radiated from the king. “Have they stolen any babies yet?” He half rose, as if to commence battle with these menaces out of history.
    “Not yet.” Baamin hid his concern at Darcine’s agitation. The king wasn’t strong enough to withstand such strong emotional upsets. “The few dragons left to us are doing what they can to defend against the Rovers with their dragon-dreams.” But that could work