The Dragon Nimbus Novels: Volume II

the length of one wall. In front of the dais rested a rectangular stone of dressed granite. It stood about as high as a tall man’s waist. Powwell had the impression of an altar, except . . . except a sturdy metal spike was jammed into the rock of each of the four corners. Manacles dangled from each of the stakes.
    An altar all right.
    But the benevolent Stargods had never been worshiped here. This had to be a temple to Simurgh, the ancient demon who demanded blood sacrifice. Powwell had seen descriptions of similar underground temples during the moons he studied at the School for Magicians.
    That hideous religion had been outlawed in all of the Three Kingdoms almost a thousand years ago. The temples to Simurgh had been destroyed and filled with rubble. But not here. Where were they?
    “What pretty prizes have you brought me this time, Televarn?” an oily feminine voice asked from the center of the dais. No one had been there a moment ago.
    A tall woman with white-blond hair and almost colorless skin, similar to Myri’s, stood at the exact center of the raised stage. Another tapestry, this one of a remarkably lifelike, rippling waterfall hung behind her. Not a thread on the wall covering fluttered to indicate recent movement. The woman wore a simple gown of glittering sapphire blue. Diamonds glinted in her nearly colorless hair, picking up the yellow of the uncanny light and the blue of her gown. She seemed to sparkle all over, sort of like a dragon standing in direct sunlight.
    Powwell couldn’t tell how old or young she was because of the odd light. She flicked her very long, talonlike fingers in an elegant gesture. The hideous altar groaned and slowly descended into the floor until it became another paving stone. With another gesture the woman sent the stakes into hiding as well.
    No wonder the Stargods hadn’t been able to find and destroy this altar!
    “Yaassima!” Televarn opened his eyes wide in feigned innocence. “I did not expect you to be in residence today.”
    She smiled with a slight twist of one corner of her mouth.
    Powwell didn’t like the menace that remained in her eyes.
    “Tell me about your prizes. I see you have found a relative of mine.” The woman glided forward to the edge of the dais. A dozen black-clad guards appeared on the platform behind her. Each man wore at least three weapons. Four of them carried strange metal wands that appeared to be hollow.
    The same kind of wand Televarn had used to open the gate.
    “Bring the woman closer,” Yaassima ordered.
    “My petty hostages are not worthy of the attention of the Kaalipha of Hanassa.” Televarn eased toward the doorway on the opposite side of the room. He dragged Myri’s rope behind him. She had no choice but to follow.
    Her eyes flickered slightly. Her hands moved instinctively to rub at her belly. She must be nearly awake.
    Powwell sensed movement in the stretched skin that protected the baby. He hoped the unborn child merely kicked and this was not a portent of early labor. The baby wasn’t due for another moon.
    So far, Kalen had made no sign that her mind stirred beneath whatever spell Televarn had placed upon her.
    “Nonsense, Televarn. Obviously you have found another descendant of dragons, one I did not know about. Who are you, child?” Yaassima seemed to float down the two steps to the main floor. Her sparkling gown hid all traces of her feet. She stopped directly in front of Myri. The guards followed her.
    Powwell watched as awareness returned to Myri’s eyes. She darted glances all around her, opening and closing her mouth in silent protest. Her shoulders hunched and she bent her spine as if protecting her belly—or withstanding a pain.
    “She’s just a simple witchwoman from the hills,” Televarn replied.
    “Is the child yours, Televarn?” Yaassima placed her hand familiarly on Myri’s bulging belly.
    Myri hunched again. Her hands fluttered and clutched again. She groaned slightly.
    Danger screamed from the last remnant of Powwell’s magical senses. He struggled within his bonds. He had to get Myri home. Now. Before the baby came. Nimbulan needed him to take care of Myri and the baby.
    No one paid any attention to him. All eyes seemed glued to the Kaalipha.
    “No, the child is not his. I would never allow him to father a child of mine,” Myri spat. “Release us immediately. I will have retribution from him for this outrage.” She gritted her teeth and held back yet another groan.
    “Such