The Dragon Nimbus Novels: Volume III: Volume III

staff in a sweeping circle, moving it so fast it blurred in the dim light. A challenging hum followed its rapid passage through the air. “But since you refused to live out your true destiny, I was forced to assume a human body and finish it for you. Now the dragons have sent me to make certain you do not leave here with the knowledge of the machines and how they work.”
    “You expect to fight me in that frail old body. I, at least had the good sense to choose someone young and strong.” Hanassa broke free of Yaala’s grip. She thrust Piedro aside as she marched to meet the old magician’s challenge.
    Yaala stumbled against Rollett. He steadied her with one hand around her waist, never dropping his confrontational stance before the Rover guards. The warmth of his hand and the gentle squeeze of his fingers gave her a sense of rightness.
    You did right not to kill. His thoughts came to her unbidden. Something lit deep in his eyes. Respect?
    Suddenly her previous attraction to Powwell faded. If she ever loved—truly loved—she would love a man like him: mature, decisive, experienced in the ways of the world. Someone to challenge her spirit and her intellect.
    “The wraith fights you for control of the body, Hanassa,” Lyman reminded his onetime twin. “This body is mine alone.” Lyman crouched in a fighting stance, his staff suddenly still. The artificial lights within the cavern highlighted his body in layers of purple-and-crystal light. The strange aura shaped itself into the outline of a dragon.
    Yaala shook her head to clear it of the confusing images. Rollett mimicked the motion.
    “Stargods preserve us!” Piedro crossed himself several times. He dropped his sword. It clattered against the rock in an ominous chiming.
    Hanassa launched Kalen’s body at Lyman with fingers arched into talons, teeth bared, and a snarl erupting from her wide mouth.
    Lyman blocked her attack with his staff. He swung it down and around, clipping Hanassa on the temple with one end.
    Hanassa staggered back. She stumbled against the rusting hulk of Old Bertha.
    Yaala winced as pieces of metal crumbled beneath the impact.
    “Get out of the cavern!” Lyman called. He pointed the staff at his opponent. A blast of blinding purple-white light shot forth from the staff with a deafening explosion. Hanassa flew backward, into a wall, slamming her head against the rough stones.
    Yaala grabbed for the tunnel walls to catch her balance as the magical attack shook the entire system of caves and tunnels. She missed the wall. Rollett caught her against his side. He wrapped one arm around her shoulders, steadying her—steadying them both.
    “We’ve got to get above ground,” he said quietly, almost calmly. “He’s filled with dragon magic and will stop at nothing to kill Hanassa, regardless of Kalen’s spirit.”
    “Kalen needs that body. I can’t let him kill my sister,” Powwell cried, dashing forward.
    Rollett and Yaala both grabbed their friend. Yaala caught only a handful of cloth near the neck of his tunic. Rollett had better luck, latching onto his arm.
    “Lyman will spare Kalen if he can. If anyone can,” Yaala soothed Powwell. “He’s a Communal Magician, he values life.”
    Another magical blast sent Hanassa reeling facedown into the pool of hot water. The tunnel shook. Rocks tumbled from the ceiling.
    “We have to save ourselves now!” Yaala dragged Powwell out from under the falling rock.
    “Kalen!” Powwell screamed. Tears streamed down his face. His tunic tore as he ripped out of Yaala’s grasp.
    “No, Powwell,” Rollett said. “I can’t let you do this.” He slammed his fist into the boy’s jaw.
    Yaala braced herself to catch Powwell as he fell backward into her arms.
    The next blast of magic knocked the ground from beneath her feet. They both fell. Rollett crashed on top of them followed by a tumble of rocks.
    She couldn’t breathe. Something hit her head. Starbursts blinded her. Blood clouded her vision.
    She fought for consciousness and lost the battle.

    Afternoon, the pit beneath the city of Hanassa
     
    Powwell struggled to push Rollett off his back. “Yaala, are you all right?” He shook his friend, trapped beneath him.
    He heard the Rovers tripping over each other in their mad dash to escape the wrath of Hanassa.
    Yaala moaned and rolled her head as if in pain. Then she fell silent.
    “Get off me, Rollett.” Powwell shoved upward with his elbow.
    Rollett groaned and rolled drunkenly to