The Dragon Nimbus Novels: Volume II

better chance of succeeding. Nimbulan should be here now to guide Quinnault and Katie through the coming ordeal.
    And prevent complex plots involving Rovers and traitors close to home. If anyone could ferret out the hidden motives and traps in the Varn’s offer, it was Nimbulan.
    His Senior Magician had a lot of explaining to do when he returned.
    He wouldn’t think about Nimbulan not returning from his dangerous quest.
    A blast of cool air from the open doors of the palace onto the Grand Courtyard sent lumbird bumps up Quinnault’s arms. Katie shivered slightly beside him. He patted her hand in reassurance, but couldn’t look at her. Not now. One look at her skeptical face and he’d drag her back inside the palace, away from the ordeal by dragon.
    Seven of the Twelve Lords awaited them, standing in a rough circle around the edges of the circular paving. None of their ladies had joined them. By their own choice or a decision of the Council? Quinnault didn’t like the implication that the women needed to be protected from this ceremony.
    Master magicians from the Commune filled in the spaces between the lords. Every man in the court looked grim and unforgiving. The walls and risers intended for this outdoor arena hadn’t been constructed yet. The dais, left over from Quinnault’s coronation last spring, stood in the exact center of the circle. Only Old Lyman stood at the foot of the dais.
    Quinnault looked up into the lightening sky for signs of a dragon. He wished he knew which one would answer the summons put out by the magicians last night. He’d prefer docile old Ruussen, the red-tipped male who viewed all humans as beloved children to be coddled and indulged with humor.
    “There is still time to change your mind, Your Grace,” Lyman said as Quinnault and Katie approached the dais. “The ambassador from SeLenicca is prepared to send messages of reconciliation to his king if you renounce this woman in favor of the princess of SeLenicca.”
    “I suppose he sent messages by magician last night, authorizing an invasion?” Quinnault stared at the top of the western wall, wondering how long a reprieve from invasion such a reconciliation would buy him.
    “Every magician was busy last night, sending messages through the glass to all interested parties. I intercepted a particularly interesting one aimed at a Bloodmage in Hanassa,” Lyman replied. The last statement was almost whispered.
    “Moncriith,” Quinnault said through clenched teeth. “I wonder who really rules in SeLenicca, King Lorriin or the Bloodmage? Is their drought so terrible they will engage a Bloodmage to win a few acres of grain from Coronnan?”
    “I fear it is so, Your Grace,” Lyman replied sadly. “Food is short all over Kardia Hodos. Our rain and the acres left fallow during the Great Wars of Disruption incite jealously and greed among those whose bellies are slack and whose children are dying of hunger.”
    “I feel for them. But I cannot feed the world. If they invade, I won’t be able to spare the men to plow the extra land to provide food for those in my own country let alone theirs.”
    Katie squeezed Quinnault’s arm, reminding him of the instant rapport they had shared. “I can give you a few new seeds that will multiply your yield per acre. But it will take time for those seeds to grow and produce enough more seeds to sow all your fields. The rest of my dowry must be enough to defend Coronnan for now,” she whispered.
    Quinnault looked out over the Bay, a sight that would be obscured when the palace and this courtyard were finished.
    “Use your FarSight, Lyman, and tell me what you see on those distant islands.” Quinnault pointed to the small dark specks that were just barely visible on the horizon.
    Lyman’s eyes crossed slightly as he took the regulation three breaths to trigger the spell. “I see a great many men on four small islands. They are very active, but I cannot tell what they do.”
    “Kinnsell and his crews,” Katie said. “They uphold their part of our bargain, Quinnault.”
    “And I must uphold mine. Summon the dragon, Lyman. Katie, my love. You must stand in the center of the dais, alone, and wait for your destiny.” His heart in his throat, Quinnault disengaged her small hand from his arm and stepped back into the circle of nobles and magicians who waited on the judgment of a dragon to determine their future queen.
     
    “Wait a moment. The gate will open soon. I can’t control it,”