The Dragon Nimbus Novels: Volume I: Volume I

to invasion.” He sat again, not on a rock, but on the ground, crouched. His head tilted and one foot came up to scratch. But his body no longer twisted in that manner.
    His face and neck flamed in embarrassment.
    “What am I, magician, a man, or a wolf?”
    “You are a man now. You were a wolf for many moons. Some of those instincts linger. It may take a few weeks to forget.” Jaylor looked into the fire, hoping to find some solutions in its green flames.
    “I can’t wait that long!”
    “There is nothing more I can do. You alone must overcome those . . . memories.” What else could he call them?
    “But I don’t remember being a wolf, other than those last few minutes before you restored me.”
    “Nevertheless, you were a wolf. Brevelan cared for you in that guise all winter.”
    “Brevelan?” He turned toward her, eyes wide. He started to lean against her leg, as he used to. “Brevelan. I do know you. You wouldn’t let me hunt near you.” He reached for her hand. His long fingers stroked the palm.
    “Aye” she whispered in reply. But she didn’t try to pull her hand away.
    “Will you care for me again? Will you come with me to Coronnan City? I need you to guide me until I am fully me again.” Darville kissed the back of her hand, as he would the hand of any court lady.
    “No,” Jaylor found himself answering instead. “I need her with me. I have to restore Shayla. She will be one very angry dragon when she comes out of the spell. Brevelan is the only one she trusts. Only Brevelan can keep Shayla from flaming the entire kingdom in revenge for the actions of your cousin.” Mica butted her head against his hand in agreement.
    “Then I must go with you, too. Without Shayla the male dragons will desert the kingdom. They must honor their bonds to me and stay.” As he had many times in past months, Darville curved his jaws around Brevelan’s delicate wrist in wolf greeting.
     
    I have my beautiful dragon. She is crystal and light. Sunshine will refract from her into a million rainbows. The false Stargods could not produce a miracle so beautiful as my dragon.
    Only Simurgh has the power to change my dragon into glass.
    I have used all of my Tambootie. I must have more to get me back to the capital before the Council knows I have been gone.
    The illusion of my visage on the body of young Lord Marnak cannot last much longer. If the boy wishes to consummate his marriage to my Rejiia, he will follow my orders and retire from court. Disaster will follow if his pockmarked face emerges through my illusion.
    These mountains are full of my trees of magic. In the village there is one who owes me his soul. He will face the dangers and gather the leaves willingly.
    With a fresh supply, this headache will leave me once and for all. I will have the strength to finish what has been ordained by Simurgh. I have my dragon.
     
    So, now she knew for sure. Krej, her natural father, hadn’t hired a rogue magician. He was the rogue. She’d know his evil laugh anywhere. Brevelan pondered yesterday’s events while she busied herself with preparations for the journey back down the mountain.
    Jaylor already suspected her true parentage. Had he seen through the monster mask as well?
    If he hadn’t, she dare not speak that truth. Jaylor might believe her, but no one else would. She was Krej’s bastard, accused of witchcraft, and a runaway from justice. To accuse a member of the Council of rogue magic promised dire consequences for herself.
    She must keep her own counsel.
    Did Jaylor remember Krej’s comments? He had given no indication that he had heard the magician accuse them of being lovers. If he had heard, he hadn’t acted upon it. Most men she knew would have taken Krej’s assumption as permission from a father to proceed.
    She shook her head and roused herself from her thoughts. The day beckoned with a myriad of tasks.
    Brevelan watched Darville draw lines in the dirt. His stick described the great arc of the bay. At its apex he inscribed a small circle, Coronnan City. Radiating outward from the capital, the boundaries of the twelve provinces took form. Then he added the mountains that nearly encircled the kingdom. At the southeastern corner he marked a large X.
    “Crude, but accurate enough for our purposes.” Jaylor examined the drawing. The sparkle in his eyes denoted the return of his good humor. He was still a little pale, and tight lines formed beside his mouth. But his muscles were firm, and his