The Dragon Nimbus Novels: Volume I: Volume I

something she had to understand and control on her own.
    “Brevelan.” This time it was Darville who captured her shoulders. “Listen to him.”
    “The clearing chose you because your magic is strong.”
    Had he been reading her mind? Of course he had. After last night they had all three been communicating more with thoughts than words.
    “Your magic is your own. It was with you at birth. You came by it naturally. The clearing needs someone as strong as you. It doesn’t give you magic, it gives you the peace to explore and grow. Witchwomen of your caliber need the clearing for protection. Otherwise, you would have to face the prejudice and malice of villagers like these every day.”
    “It’s not their prejudice. They liked me and were learning to trust me until Old Thorm told them differently.”
    “Krej. Old Thorm is just one of his many disguises.”
    “Let’s move.” Darville thrust Mica onto Jaylor’s shoulder as he organized the packs. “If that’s the case, they’ll follow soon with torches and stones. We’ve got to be halfway to the capital before dawn.” He gathered Brevelan close in a brief hug of reassurance. “While Maevra was birthing, the barkeep was watching me. He had no smell.”
    “Krej must have given him magic armor. As well as instructions to sow distrust in the village.”
    Chills ran up Brevelan’s spine. How could her own sire, blood of her blood, flesh of her flesh, hate her so much?
    “No, he’s just incapable of caring for anything other than his power. It’s as addicting as the Tambootie,” Jaylor confided as he, too, hugged her close.
    She gathered them both to her side. “It will be a long journey.” She sought the eyes of both men. “We will be together constantly. I want you both to know I will tolerate no jealousy.” She tried to keep her voice stern, but the love she felt for them, and from them, lifted her mouth into a smile. “I will be owned by no man.”
    “Neither of us will do anything without your consent, Brevelan.” Jaylor looked to Darville for confirmation. The prince nodded his agreement.
    She loved them both, would cherish them both while she could. “I know that,” she replied. “And when this business is finished, we will each go to our separate destinies.”
    They nodded in solemn agreement even as they pulled her closer.

Chapter 26
     
    B aamin watched the rain wash the window shutters with a steady stream of cold water. The cobblestone courtyard of the University was totally deserted. Not so the market square. Everyone had a task, either preparing themselves or acquiring equipment and stores for the growing army. Increasingly heavy rains had to be ignored. Armies couldn’t wait for the elements.
    The shouts and clangs of mock battles deafened observers on the nearest mainland from dawn to dusk. Those not so occupied sought refuge from their numbing fear of invasion in prayer or charms. In living memory nothing had so threatened the peace of their mundane lives as the news of border raids that penetrated ever deeper into the provinces.
    Coronnan was going to war. Troops had been mustered from every station of life in all twelve provinces. No one was exempt. Training took place near the capital, and then massed troops marched somewhere to the west.
    Baamin sighed heavily. He was Senior Magician and king’s councillor. But no one had told him the location of army headquarters. He knew, of course. But he wasn’t supposed to know. He had been abandoned along with the king he had served well for so many years.
    No one else bothered to remember the king who lingered near death. Lord Krej was their leader now. He infused the populace with the energy and knowledge to save them all. Something the magicians hadn’t been able to do when crisis struck.
    Baamin’s own self-doubts heightened his lonely depression. Was he responsible for the terrible disasters that threatened his homeland? Or had he only dreamed those terrible moments in Shayla’s cave?
    “Aah . . . aah . . . aahchoo!” Seven students dived to protect feeble candle flames from the blast of the sneeze erupting from the eighth apprentice.
    Inside the University, the few remaining apprentices shivered and sniffled in the damp classrooms. Fuel had been rationed for Lord Krej’s grand defense of the kingdom.
    “How are we supposed to learn a summons if you blow out our candles!” one frowning boy complained as he wiped rheumy eyes with the back of his sleeve. Greasy tallow