The Dragon Nimbus Novels: Volume I: Volume I

reached for the right words. “A special link between a king and his dragons. The royals are aware from birth, but only the anointed and consecrated king is bound so tightly his very life is affected by the health of nimbus. I’ve never had the ‘why’ explained.”
    They both shivered. Shayla was encased in glass. What had that done to the king?
    They had no way of knowing what was transpiring in Coronnan City. Jaylor had had no contact with Baamin since the night in Shayla’s cave.
    “So that’s why your father has always been sickly,” she stated flatly.
    “Ten and twelve years ago several villages, not just the one here, went dragon hunting,” Darville explained. “I was twelve the first time. Too young to lead the Council.”
    Mica came in from her scout of the clearing. She butted her head into Darville’s ankle. He stooped to pick her up. With the purring cat on his shoulder, he continued his narrative. His words took on the cadence of the cat’s purr. The rhythm drifted over Brevelan like a soothing song.
    “Over the centuries, people have forgotten the wondrous things dragons did for the kingdom during the Great Wars of Disruption. Nimbulan lured the dragons to Coronnan—they were mostly very young dragons seeking nests of their own. I don’t know how he gained their loyalty, but they went into battle for him, found a lord worthy of the crown, ended the long years of civil war.”
    “Why kill them? I really can’t understand why our people went so far out of their way to murder such wondrous creatures.”
    “Not everyone can see the beauty, the majesty, the magic in our dragons. They have forgotten why we owe the dragons a debt of gratitude. Some know only that they raid cow pastures and scoop boatloads of fish out of the bay. The original pact with the dragons guaranteed them hunting rights and tithes of livestock. In normal years there is more than enough for both people and dragons. But in bad years, when people are living on the edge, just barely surviving, they look for a cause. Some found the dragons’ natural feeding habits a good reason for their own failure.” They both shivered at the implications.
    The magic umbilical tugged from Jaylor’s end. Some portion of him was aware of the conversation. He had something to add.
    “Jaylor thinks Lord Krej deliberately impoverished his province to foster that notion. The Equinox Pylons have gone undecorated for over a dozen years.” She felt lighter, less tired. Jaylor wasn’t actively trying to escape his ties to Coronnan. He was interested. He would return.
    But when?
    Darville whirled about, his shaggy blond mane flying in agitation. “Krej can’t undermine the welfare of his own people! He took oaths when he assumed the lordship.”
    “Men can break oaths, can never mean to keep them even when swearing.” Like a husband who vows to cherish a new wife and then abuses her.
    “I have to remember my ‘wonderful’ cousin is really a traitor, capable of anything. Last year, when Jaylor was engrossed in his exams, I was very lonely. Krej became a constant companion. I thought he was a friend, too.” He sighed. Mica butted her head against his chin in sympathy.
    Brevelan felt his loneliness. It became her own. She reached a tentative hand to touch his cheek. The contact sent tingles through her body. She was reminded of the times Jaylor had kissed her. She needn’t fear a man’s touch, only certain men’s. She spread her hand to cup his face. He leaned into the caress and kissed her palm.
    “We’ll work it out, Brevelan. But you must rest, even if you don’t sleep.” Gently he guided her shoulders back onto the bed. A deep warmth and contentment engulfed her.
    She closed her eyes for just a second. The thin strands of copper, silver, and glass that held Jaylor to Coronnan dissolved.

Chapter 24
     
    Q uiet drifting. Light and shadow. Heat from the sun, cool from the moon. He slid upward until the colors and patterns of Coronnan melted together. A copper thread dangled from his hand.
    He caught a purple updraft, found a dragon playing there. He grabbed hold of a silvery green wing and allowed the creature to guide him through the pink air.
    Upward they soared. Blue wind rushed past them. The yellow-red-green-yellow sun came closer. Their speed slowed as they reached the ultimate height. They hovered a moment, cherishing the wild sense of life pumping through each of them. Their hearts beat as one, and the wind harmonized by