The Dragon Nimbus Novels: Volume II

Nimbulan’s hand. A giant fishnet of eldritch power wove around and around Moncriith, containing his magic within the web. The pulses of red energy ceased. The heaviness left Powwell.
    He stood straighter with no effort.
    “You can’t do that! Kardia magic cannot defeat blood magic,” Moncriith protested.
    “We have found a new magic that allows us to combine our powers to overcome any one magician, no matter what source of power he uses to fuel an inborn talent,” Nimbulan explained.
    “You’ll never get magicians to cooperate. This battle isn’t over yet, Nimbulan.”
    “Leave now, Moncriith. Go back to Lord Kammeryl d’Astrismos and tell him that if he goes to war this summer or any summer, he will face the combined might of many magicians and many lords.” Nimbulan flipped his wrist and wiggled his fingers in a walking motion. The web of magic pulled Moncriith back toward the door. Wind and rain pelted the Bloodmage as he grasped the doorjamb to keep from being dragged outside.
    “You haven’t seen the last of me yet. Any of you. I’ll be back with an army and the Lord d’Astrismos. You’ll all die for your sin of sheltering this witchwoman. She’s a demon, I tell you. She plays with evil. Repent now, and follow the path of the Stargods,” Moncriith bellowed so loudly Powwell wanted to put his hands over his ears. The
    Bloodmage’s knuckles turned white where he clung to the edge of the doorway. His feet kept pulling him outside.
    “If the path of the Stargods means following your sick hatred, I’ll take Simurgh any day.” A grizzled old man crossed his wrists and flapped his hands. The waving of his hands imitated the ancient winged god who demanded human sacrifice. His crossed wrists warded against the return of that particular demon.
    “Get out of our village and don’t come back.” The stout woman raised her fist as if she intended to plant it in the Bloodmage’s jaw. “Myrilandel is our witchwoman, one of us. She belongs to us, and we’ll take care of her. Go meddle in someone else’s business, Moncriith.”
    “You’ll regret this. All of you.” Moncriith turned and exited slowly, as if his dignity and honor hadn’t been questioned.
    Chewed up and spat out, Powwell thought. We’ll have to deal with him again. I hope there are more of us then and we know what we’re doing with this dragon magic.
     
    “Thank you. Thank you all,” Myrilandel said shakily. Tears streamed down her face. “I was sure you would join Moncriith in throwing me to the flames. The last village where I lived turned against me and my guardian. They burned Magretha while Moncriith laughed. I ran away, but Magretha was too old and ill to get very far. I watched her burn from a distance and couldn’t do anything to save her. I truly tried, but I wasn’t strong enough to fight Moncriith and the village turned against me. Forgive me for doubting you.” She stumbled into Karry’s open arms, weeping uncontrollably. All of the fear and strain of the past poured of her in a flood.
    “ ’Tis we who must thank you, Myri. You saved five good men. Men who will live to fish again, live to provide for their families and the village. Now enough of that blubbering. Time to get some hot soup into you.” Karry escorted her to the padded chair by the fire.
    Myri looked back to Nimbulan, needing to draw him into the loving warmth of the village. She saw hot brightness in Powwell’s eyes. Kalen clung to the boy’s hand again. Her chin trembled a little uncertainly.
    Nimbulan stood slightly apart from the crowd. He nodded to her then turned to Powwell and Kalen. Myri felt a slight tug on the silvery cord that bound her to Nimbulan with love now, as well as healing. She needed to fold herself within his arms again but knew that would come later. For now she needed to form a new connection with the villagers who had sheltered her all winter and now welcomed her as one of their own.
    When the voices had whispered of betrayal, they must have meant Televarn stabbing Nimbulan. These people would never turn on her.
    “Where is Televarn?” she asked Karry in a whisper. “I know he was here.”
    “Left in a hurry after we told him he wasn’t welcome and we wouldn’t tell him where you were. I think he went to Hanassa. Good place for thieves like him.” Karry spat toward the fire.
    “Thank you, Karry. You have saved me from him as well as Moncriith. I am glad to call this place home.”
    (You have work elsewhere,