The Dragon Nimbus Novels: Volume II

experienced Televarn’s direct mind control during the season he lived with the clan.
    I heard a baby cry in the background of the vision, Nimbulan, Lyman said directly into Nimbulan’s mind. I knew instantly that the baby had pink skin and auburn hair. The same color hair as yours.
    “Maia has a baby? My baby?” Nimbulan whispered, praying that only Lyman heard his conjecture. The emotional blow almost sent Nimbulan staggering. A child of his own loins? Magicians rarely sired children. He’d given up hope of ever having a child of his own. He had to find Maia and claim his baby. He had to find Myri, his beloved wife.
    How? When? Which first?
    “You know the Rovers, Nimbulan.” Lyman cocked his head as if listening to something in the distance. But he didn’t take his eyes off of Nimbulan. “Did you see who you sought in the vision? Can you find these people again?” Mischief danced behind the old man’s eyes. His words had more than one meaning. Possibly many more than two.
    What was Lyman up to? Had he seen Maia or Myri in the vision? “Maia may have been the instrument of the delivery of the poison. But Televarn directed the assassination attempt, as he directs all within his sphere.” I will not have him in charge of my child’s welfare. I must find them. Now.
    Where was Maia? Was she truly involved in the assassination plot against the king?
    Where was the child? Why hadn’t Maia told him she carried his baby? She could have sought him out after he left the Rover clan, or sent him a message. She must know that he had survived Televarn’s knife.
    Think, s’murghit. He had to think clearly. Relying on information given him by others grated against his nerves. but all he could think about was Myri trapped within a bowl of red sandstone walls.
    “A search across the void would tell us for certain who tainted the cup, and where they hide,” Quinnault offered. He’d had some training as a magician and priest before becoming lord of his clan and then king. While he knew magic theory well, he had very little talent and knew nothing of dragon magic. Though the dragons had partially awakened the king’s telepathic powers, he shared them with none but the dragons.
    “No, Your Grace, we can no longer access the void. By law, we cannot use rogue methods even to serve our king,” Lyman replied. The old man clutched Nimbulan’s arm, offering him unspoken support and confidence; taking charge until Nimbulan sorted his thoughts and could speak without blurting out his true vision.
    Myri couldn’t be involved. Quinnault was her birth brother though they’d been separated when Myri was two. Somehow, Maia was involved. Maia, the mother of his child. Myri, the love of his life.
    His thoughts refused to settle on one idea.
    Later. We will discuss your vision later. Trust me to know that Televarn and his Rovers are your enemy in this and other matters, Lyman said into Nimbulan’s mind.
    Nimbulan forced his circling thoughts into some kind of order. Rovers had been banned from Coronnan, along with all magicians who could not or would not gather dragon magic. Myri had been among those forced to leave. Myri and her two adopted children, Kalen and Powwell. Why hadn’t he seen the children in the vision? Only Myri. Only the one he truly sought with his heart as well as his mind.
    Suddenly Nimbulan’s mind brightened. Myri was a healer; she would never harm anyone, especially not Quinnault. The king had been brother to the little girl Myrilandel. When the girl-child nearly died, Amethyst, the purple-tipped dragon had taken over the weakened body and healed it. The two personalities had fought for dominance and compromised on forgetfulness until Myri had grown into the knowledge of both her heritages. She would never harm her only living blood relative.
    I must go in search of Myrilandel. She is in terrible danger. I sensed it in the vision, now I know for sure, he whispered to Lyman telepathically—the only way he could be certain no one else overheard. Rollett was capable of eavesdropping, but he wouldn’t. The boy respected privacy too much. Gilby found telepathy difficult and relied on his other talents.
    I must add Maia to this quest, Nimbulan decided. He had to find her before Televarn tainted the baby’s upbringing.
    “The Rovers are a race not known for their forgiveness, or short memories,” Quinnault mused. “Guard Captain, send all available men to search for the assassin. Any Rover found within