The Dragon Nimbus Novels: Volume III: Volume III

“Why was he running loose on the docks eager to follow anyone home?”
    Not just anyone! They all looked at him strangely, their thoughts as clear in Bessel’s mind as if they had shouted them aloud.
    “If you don’t know why you’ve been claimed by a Mopplewogger, then you aren’t ready to partner one,” Leauman stated. He abruptly ended the conversation by reaching for one of the fish spitted above the flames. The sweet meat nearly fell from the bones. He cupped a hand beneath it, to keep the flesh from dropping into the flames. Gently he blew on it to cool it, then fed a morsel to his dog before eating himself.
    The other two fishermen did the same. Only then did Bessel take his own fish. Mopsie sat up, brushing his tail rapidly in the mud. By this time his fur was more black than white. Like the others, Bessel fed the dog first, recognizing the importance of a familiar in his life.
    Mopsie had found him when he most needed a friend and defender. Could the dog sense the future? Maybe he just sensed emotions and recognized in Bessel similar needs to his own.
    These men and their dogs had welcomed him, fed him, and offered the warmth of their fire; more consideration than Scarface and the Commune of Magicians had offered one of their own.
    “If Raanald had kept his dog on board the barge, then he wouldn’t have relied on the confused readings of the depth finder. If he had listened to a dog, he probably would have avoided grounding on the sandbar, Jorghe-Rosse wouldn’t have fallen into the bay, I wouldn’t have had to resort to rogue magic to rescue him, and I’d still be a part of the Commune,” Bessel sorted the chain of events out loud, no longer caring who heard and who didn’t.
    “But if it had happened that way, you wouldn’t have needed Mopsie and he wouldn’t have found you,” Leauman added.
    “I think all of Coronnan needs to know more about the bay fishermen and their dogs,” Bessel said. Surely one of the many books in the library discussed the unique relationship.
    Probably one of the books Scarface had locked away.
    “No one but us needed to know before this,” Aguiir said.
    “But we never had to choose between faithful dogs and machines before,” Bessel added. “We never had the Commune declare certain knowledge forbidden to everyone, including magicians, before.” Without that knowledge, the plague could come to Coronnan and they’d have no defense against it.
    “I’ve got to go back and save those books. We can’t afford to let Scarface lock them away forever.”
    “Someone chased you and Mopsie into the river, boy. Whatever you’re running from is still waiting for you in the city,” Leauman warned.
    “I know. I have to accept that risk. The books are more important. Protecting Coronnan from men like Scarface and Raanald is more important. If I’d had time to investigate invisibility spells, this would be a lot easier.”

    Noon, shuttle clearing off the Great South Road
     
    “Stop, Master Kinnsell, the dragon can’t hurt you,” Maia called.
    Kinnsell slowed his steps as he moved away from the shuttle. He looked all around him very carefully before coming to a complete stop.
    His lungs burned from his sudden burst of speed. He dragged in air, trying desperately not to cough. Cold sweat beaded on his skin and his knees shook so badly that he almost couldn’t stand.
    “It’s only a little dragon. It won’t hurt you,” Maia reassured him again.
    Rational thought began to filter back into his brain. “It looked mighty big and dangerous to me.” Kinnsell felt his forehead. Perhaps his coughing bouts had induced a temporary fever. He had to have imagined the beast sitting atop his shuttle. Dragons did not exist.
    “Certainly, dragons look dangerous,” Maia laughed. “But they are oath-bound to protect humans. That is part of their covenant with the magicians.”
    Then Maia had seen the beast, too. Had one of Katie’s companions left a post-hypnotic suggestion on them so they’d stay away from the shuttle?
    Kinnsell relaxed a little, content with his logical explanation for the sight of the silver-and-red monster with fiery breath. He turned back toward the clearing.
    “You’re right, Maia. The dragon can’t hurt us.” It didn’t exist. “But it might tell my daughter that you and I escaped, so perhaps we’d best begin our journey.” He held out his arms to escort her back to the shuttle.
    Fortunately the draconic illusion had disappeared by the