The Dragon Nimbus Novels: Volume III: Volume III

found out what Jack planned to do tonight.
    He shuddered every time he thought about this morning’s adventures in the market square. Fear of magic grew by the day. The dye merchant wasn’t the only innocent to be accused and judged upon the spot. Stoning had become a favorite form of execution. It required no preparation and could be carried out before palace guards could interfere. That the Gnuls had grown so bold as to accuse Jack while he wore a guard’s uniform told him how strong the Gnuls had grown.
    King Darville and Queen Mikka kept bodyguards close to them all the time now. Jack and Sergeant Fred pulled the duty more often than others. Fred was an accepted presence and trusted by king and council alike. Jack was new and unknown to the council, but the king and queen relied upon his magical talent for their safety as well as secret communication with Jaylor and the Commune of Magicians.
    “She must marry the boy. He’s responsible for this—this outrage!” Lord Laislac screamed within the king’s study.
    Any mention of marriage piqued Jack’s interest.
    “The boy is not responsible for his own actions,” Lord Andrall replied mildly. “My son was born with only half his wits and never found the rest. For him to marry anyone would be a mockery of the Stargods.”
    “Well, he certainly managed to become a man long enough to sire a child on my daughter. My daughter who was a virgin when she came to your household for fosterage after her mother died,” Laislac sneered this time. But his agitation showed through his wavering voice.
    Jack leaned a little closer to the door. He’d been very young and frightened when news hit the capital that Lord Andrall’s son, first cousin to then Prince Darville, had been born damaged. The court went into mourning for the beloved lord and his lady, sister to Darville’s father, King Darcine.
    Jack had rejoiced because at last there was someone more stupid than him. Upon the few occasions the childlike young man came to court, Jack had grown to love and honor him as the Stargods commanded. Few people realized how much love, patience, and truth they could learn from the special people marked by the Stargods.
    “But I don’t want to marry him, P’pa. He’s repulsive! He’s ugly. And he smells.” That must be Ariiell, she of the whining voice.
    Jack had seen her around court a couple of times, frail, pale, and uninteresting. No personality to go with the fair prettiness.
    “Well, you certainly found him attractive enough once to take him into your bed,” Andrall replied mildly.
    “You don’t understand! ’Twas but a game. A teasing game, and I . . . he lost control.” A long pause followed her slip of the tongue. “He’s strong. He overpowered me. I had no choice.” She babbled on, trying to make excuses for herself.
    Jack doubted that Andrall’s son had been much more than a passive participant. He knew the young man too well. But he also knew how often his own patience had been taxed by Katrina, and he had his full wits. Mardall didn’t have the reasoning power and emotional control of an adult.
    “Gentlemen, ladies. I do not believe a forced marriage is the answer to this dilemma,” Darville said in a soothing tone. “Surely a retreat into the country for a year or so, a discreet adoption by a childless couple of good family would serve all of us and no scandal need accompany either party.”
    “ ’Twould serve you, Your Grace. You would not have to acknowledge your cousin’s child as your heir,” Laislac replied, sarcasm dripping from every word. “Since you can’t manage to get the queen pregnant yourself.” The insult brought a painful silence.
    Jack suddenly turned his full attention to every breath within the room. Lady Ariiell sought to make her child legitimate with a hasty marriage to Darville’s only blood heir—discounting the exiled Rejiia and her equally exiled sisters. Should Darville die heirless, then Laislac was the logical choice as regent for his young grandson as monarch. Kings had been killed for less.
    This made Jack’s errand doubly important. He knew how to stabilize Queen Mikka’s body so she could carry a child to full term and give the country an unquestioned heir.
    “I would welcome the stability a legitimate heir would bring to Coronnan,” Darville replied. Jack could almost see him pacing back and forth behind his massive desk like a wolf stalking his territory. The king rarely sat still and then only