The Dragon Nimbus Novels: Volume II

. . .
    “Kalen,” he sobbed.
    The hot wind followed him, a sure signal that the gate closed behind him. Cool green caressed his eyes while a fresh breeze smelling of Tambootie ruffled his hair.

Chapter 30
     
    N imbulan shook his head and blinked his eyes several times. The Kardia didn’t boil and move beneath his feet. Fresh green grass, trees, and blue skies replaced the sense-destroying landscape of the gray tunnels beneath Hanassa. Cool air caressed his face. Air that smelled of life and dragons. Instinctively he gathered dragon magic. Like taking a deep gulp of air after holding his breath underwater for a long, long time. How many days ago had he nearly drowned in Televarn’s Water spell? Two? Three? It seemed a lifetime. How long ago since he’d filled himself full of dragon magic without fear of depletion?
    “We’re free of Hanassa,” he said. “But I don’t know where we are.”
    He let Powwell collapse against the ground, stunned and crying over the loss of Kalen. The boy needed some time alone. Nimbulan turned his back to give Powwell privacy while he checked his companions and indulged in his own grief over Rollett. If only he’d thought to keep his journeyman close beside him . . . If only he’d tried a little harder to reach the boy.
    A journeyman must travel alone to complete his quest.
    Can you hear me, Rollett? he broadcast the message far and wide in all directions. He could focus it better if he knew where he was.
    Nothing responded to his call. S’murghit, Rollett, answer me!
    Still nothing.
    He decided to concentrate on those he could help and guide. He trusted Rollett in many things. He’d just have to trust him to take care of himself. But he ached to return for the boy. Young man. He’s a man now. On his own.
    The dragongate remained firmly closed.
    Yaala plopped down beside Powwell, not intruding on his grief, just there if he needed her. A valuable friend. Maybe more, in time.
    Rollett had been a valuable friend as well as student and assistant. Almost more a son than Powwell whom he and Myri had adopted but he’d never had the chance to get to know.
    Myri stood beside Nimbulan, a small smile spreading across her face. “I’m free!” she whispered, as if she couldn’t quite believe it. “My baby is safe.”
    Nimbulan reached over and brought her tight against his side, where she belonged. She snuggled into him, filling the emptiness he’d lived with for too long. He lowered his head to kiss her once more. He’d never get enough of her. He pushed aside thoughts of Rollett, so he could appreciate the warmth of his wife.
    Amaranth fretted once more and Myri lifted her from the sling onto her shoulder. “I think she’s hungry. It has been a long night.”
    “It has indeed,” Nimbulan replied. The first glow of false dawn shimmered on the frosty hilltops. A bird chirped a sleepy query to the sun. At least it wasn’t raining or snowing. “I’m hungry, too. We need to find food and shelter. Warm clothes. S’murghit, where are we?”
    “Uh, would you care to greet our host?” Scarface stammered through clenched teeth.
    Nimbulan looked ahead of them to the emerging outline of a nearly transparent dragon. The growing light reflected off of wing veins and spinal horns in an iridescent display of all color/no color.
    “Good morning, Shayla,” he greeted the only female dragon in the nimbus. “I have rescued Myrilandel. I hope this restores the Covenant between humans and dragons. Can you tell us where we are, perhaps take us back to Coronnan City?”
    The dragon dipped her head.
    “She returns your greeting,” Myri said. She cocked her head as if listening intently. “She wants to meet the baby. She doesn’t say anything about where we are or taking us away.” Myri separated herself from Nimbulan’s embrace and walked over to the crouching beast.
    Shayla stretched her neck to peer at the infant clutched in Myri’s arms.
    “Do you trust that monster with your child?” Scarface took a step forward, alarm radiating from his body. He clenched and flexed his fingers as if ready to launch a defensive spell.
    “Of course I trust her. No dragon would deliberately hurt a human, especially children. They adore children.”
    “If you say so.” Scarface’s expression betrayed his inborn fear as well as his attempts to master it. “Damn cold out here. We need help.”
    Maia didn’t look reassured at all. She backed up until she stood within the arched shadow cast