The Dragon Nimbus Novels: Volume II

time they left, Rollett would know much more about the people in this wineshop than Nimbulan could have found out in days of conversation.
    Five pairs of eyes glared at him with anger and distaste. The owners of those eyes all wore the uniform loose black robes and turbans of Rossemeyerian mercenaries. Dangerous men to offend.
    He shrugged and held up his hand to order his own drink and one for Rollett, though he knew his journeyman wouldn’t drink it until he had finished observing.
    After several long moments of silence, Nimbulan raised his eyes from his cup of rancid wine to confront his equally silent companions. “Where does one find a woman in this town?” he asked.
    The man across from him smiled so that the scar running temple to temple across the bridge of his nose whitened. His eyelids didn’t shift. “Depends on what kind of woman you want,” he replied.
    “The Kaalipha keeps the best ones in the palace for her private guards. Our sponsor has a few for his men. Lots of hiring right now. You interested in hiring on?” asked the fair-skinned teenager to Nimbulan’s left. His skin wasn’t dark enough for him to be a native of Rossemeyer.
    Nimbulan schooled his face to keep from betraying his questions.
    “How’s your sponsor pay?” This was the most information Nimbulan had been able to glean from a night of drinking in every shop in Hanassa.
    “One Rosse a day during downtime. Two while on campaign. A share in the loot if we win,” Scarface answered. “And free access to his women. They aren’t the youngest or the prettiest, but they’re all pros and you don’t have to tip unless you really want to.” He grinned again, revealing several gaps in his teeth.
    “What’s he hiring for?” Nimbulan asked.
    “Big invasion of Coronnan from SeLenicca. Every sponsor in Hanassa is looking for experienced men. Your robes and turbans mark you as veterans.”
    Nimbulan nodded. “I’ll think about it.”
    “You want to look at the women first?” The teenager laughed and slapped Nimbulan’s back.
    “I like blondes myself,” Nimbulan said.
    Everyone in the room stilled.
    Nimbulan’s heart beat loudly within his chest. What had he said wrong? Rollett shifted his body closer to Nimbulan, so that their backs touched and no one obstructed their peripheral vision.
    “Only true blondes in the city are the Kaalipha and her heir,” the teenager whispered. He hadn’t removed his hand from Nimbulan’s back. “Don’t talk about them, and don’t ask to see them. Kaalipha Yaassima sells all blonde captives within a day.”
    Nimbulan’s skin crawled. How else would one describe Myrilandel’s almost colorless hair other than blond? One of the two women had to be his wife. The vision had shown Myri to be in Hanassa. What was she doing in the palace, the Kaalipha’s designated heir? He believed she had been kidnapped by Televarn.
    Reluctant babble broke out across the room as the drinkers recovered from Nimbulan’s stated preference. He knew the Kaalipha was respected, almost revered, she had the power of life and death over all within Hanassa and dispensed her favors liberally, with conditions. He hadn’t known the depth of fear she inflicted upon her people.
    “We need the work. Blondes or no blondes in the brothel.” Nimbulan decided to change the subject. Maybe he could work his way back to Myri and the Kaalipha later.
    “You got into Hanassa, you can’t be a spy for Coronnan. Spies get murdered in the entrance tunnel. Our captain needs men willing to commit for a year. His Majesty of SeLenicca put out a call for every mercenary company that’s willing. Paying well, I hear. No questions asked. Seems there’s to be no restraint on looting and slaves when he wins the war.” Scarface’s mouth twitched as if savoring a fine delicacy. He placed his hand on the teenager’s shoulder. Indirectly, he was in contact with Nimbulan.
    Magicians did that to read a stranger’s mind. Was he overly suspicious or were these men magicians in disguise? That would account for the pale skin.
    Nimbulan gulped back a retort. He had to get back to Coronnan fast. Quinnault needed this information to mount a defense. What had the new king done to precipitate an invasion? Nimbulan had only been gone a few days.
    He couldn’t leave Hanassa without Myri and Powwell and Kalen. He had to find Maia and her baby, too.
    “Moncriith’s coming!” a man shouted from the doorway.
    Several drinkers scrambled out the