The Dragon Nimbus Novels: Volume III: Volume III

finder.”
    “But we don’t know the channels anymore!” Raanald stared at the vast expanse of water between himself and the port islands, at the oarsmen standing bewildered for lack of direction, at the rudder swinging idly awaiting a guiding hand.
    “Trust your Mopplewogger as you have for many generations.”
    Mopsie yipped and danced on his hind legs. He pranced over to the helmsman. He barked once, quick and sharp.
    “That means starboard. You have to go to starboard to get off the bar,” Bessel reminded Raanald.
    “I know what the dog means. But that ain’t a Mopplewogger, and you broke my machine.”
    “Mopsie is a better Mopplewogger than you’ll ever know.”
    “Don’t tell me my business, Magician,” Raanald spat the last word. “I’m a senior member of the Guild of Bay Pilots.” He ran the last few steps to where Bessel stood by the railing. He swung the oar with all his might.
    Bessel ducked backward. Raanald’s blow landed on the railing, splintering the old wood.
    Raanald raised the oar again. Bessel braced himself against the damaged railing. The deck shifted under his feet. His balance twisted.
    The club clipped his temple.
    Starbursts filled his vision. He fell. The railing gave way.
    For a moment the weightless sensation of flying cleared his mind.
    Then the cold dark waters of the bay closed over his head.
    They’ll tell everyone I’m dead, he thought as he shucked his boots and formal robe beneath the waves.
    Let them believe I’m dead. I have nothing and no one to mourn me.
    Above him Mopsie splashed into the water, barking frantically. His cries and whines took on a note of desperation.
    Down here, pup. I’m hiding. Meet me ashore. We’ll be together. I have you to live for. We are both free now. Free of our pasts and those who judged us. Our destinies are our own to shape and control.

Chapter 48
     
    Late afternoon, streets of Coronnan City
     
    ‘ W e need to stall Scarface until Bessel finishes his chore,’ Katie whispered to Quinnault.
    He nodded curtly in acknowledgment. His gaze remained upon the five magicians facing him across the street.
    “I will deal only with Master Aaddler,” he announced. “Since he challenges my authority, he must face me directly.”
    The magicians looked to each other in a moment of confusion.
    Katie caught a drift of their stray thoughts.
    Scarface said there would be no resistance.
    How do we keep the king and his troops away from the island until dawn?
    The dragon magic wanes. The dragons have deserted us! Stargods forgive me. The youngest of the magicians went down on his knees, crossing himself repeatedly.
    Katie resisted the urge to mimic the gesture. Instead, she watched the shimmer of green power that connected the magicians fade and break apart.
    “What breaks our connection to Scarface?” the senior among the magicians asked aloud.
    “Nimbulan’s people said that even when the dragons deserted Coronnan last year, they had access to some dragon magic for a while,” one of his fellows replied.
    Sensing confusion and weakness among the magicians, the crowd surged forward, pushing Quinnault and Katie to within a few yards of the opposition.
    “Fools! Who gave you permission to drop the barrier spell?” Scarface stalked up behind his magicians. “Link up. Protect University Isle from this mob.” His face twisted in anger. The white scar across his brow turned livid, pulsing red.
    “Give it up, Master Aaddler,” Quinnault called. “You have no authority to arrest me or anyone —ever. ”
    “You can’t stop me,” Scarface glared at his king.
    “Would you care to argue that with my supporters?”
    Scarface stared at the dozens, maybe a hundred people, behind the king and queen. They raised their makeshift weapons, shaking them in direct challenge.
    “Come,” Scarface called to his five compatriots. “We will begin now rather than wait for dawn.” He and his magicians backed down the street toward their island.
    The crowd became noisy, demanding the end of the Commune’s power. They pressed Katie and Quinnault from behind.
    “Now what do we do?” Katie asked, fighting to stay afoot. She clung to Quinnault’s arm. The dozen armed guards did their best to keep the crowd away.
    (Start a fire elsewhere,) a dragon answered out of nowhere.
    Shayla circled the crowd low enough for all to see. Then she rose above the city, widening her circle. A moment later she opened her mouth, letting loose a roar followed by a