The Dragon Nimbus Novels: Volume III: Volume III

things!” a Rover woman howled at Rejiia in protest, louder than the ghost of Ackerly had. She launched herself at Rejiia’s back, fingers arched to claws and teeth exposed to bite.
    Rejiia flicked her wrist and her assailant landed on her back in the middle of the compound. Rejiia continued her disorderly search.
    “Murderer!” Maija screamed. She dove after Rejiia. “You murdered Lanciar for no reason.” The two women rolled out of the bardo, the Rover clinging to Rejiia’s back, fingernails raking the fine, white skin of Rejiia’s neck and face.
    “But he’s not dead,” Vareena said quietly. Beneath her fingertips, the pulse on Lanciar’s neck pounded in a regular rhythm. Surely Maija had felt the same life sign.
    Lanciar opened his eyes a crack. “Wha . . . what?” he croaked.
    “Hush. I’m trying to sort this out,” Vareena whispered.
    Then Jack, Marcus, and Robb joined the attack on Rejiia. First one, then the other aimed their staffs at the woman.
    “Get off me!” Rejiia fought Maija with one hand while her other plucked at something invisible that seemed to be encircling her.
    If only the brawling Rovers would be quiet, she could figure out more of the complex relationships in this strange group. For a moment she understood Marcus’ disgust with the entire situation. She wanted little more than to leave the mess and let these people sort it out themselves as best they could.
    “You cannot bind me,” Rejiia proclaimed. “I lead the coven. My magic is stronger than yours.” She bucked backward, much as a plow steed rejects a rider. Maija sprang free of her victim, a sly smile on her face.
    Jack directed Marcus and Robb with his staff. The three men circled Rejiia three times, each chanting something slightly different in a language Vareena did not understand. She was only aware of the fact that they did not speak in unison.
    “Three different spells to break, each with a different solution,” Maija told her. “Even Rejiia will have a hard time getting out of their bindings.”
    With each circle, Rejiia’s movements became more restrained. Her hands and arms pressed tightly against her sides, immobile. Only her mouth remained free and she spewed invective on every head.
    “Oh, shut up,” Vareena finally exclaimed. “I’m sick and tired of all this noise and chaos in my monastery.”
    “ Your monastery? My dear young woman, this entire province belongs to me and only me!” Lord Laislac said. He puffed out his chest and attempted to look down his nose.
    “At the moment, milord, you, your lady, and your daughter are all ghosts trapped within these walls. I have inherited the responsibility for this place and the ghosts it holds. Therefore, you belong to me at the moment, and I said, ‘Shut up!’ ”
    Stunned silence followed her words. One by one the Rover brawls stilled. The combatants dusted themselves off and offered a hand up to the people they had been fighting only moments before. Only the pregnant girl continued to tussle for possession of a coin-laden scarf.
    “That goes for you, too.” Vareena shoved herself between the two women. The energy barrier that separated her from the ghosts forced the last combatants apart. The scarf tore and both women moved to attack Vareena. They bounced off her into the arms of their families, waiting to receive them.
    “Now, Robb, see that Rejiia is locked in one of the towers,” Vareena ordered. “Please.”
    “One of the lesser towers, I think.” Robb grinned back at her, still anchoring Rejiia with magic from his staff.
    “Jack, you and Marcus go to his room and do whatever it is you have to do. Zolltarn, see that your people find places to settle. Lord Laislac, I suggest you do the same for your party. And as for you, Ackerly, you’d better stay in the library where you belong.”
    Surprisingly, everyone obeyed her.
    Satisfaction nestled comfortably on her shoulders.
    “You can’t have the big room,” the pregnant girl said imperiously to Zolltarn. “I carry the heir to all of Coronnan. Therefore I am entitled to the biggest room with the private facilities.”
    Zolltarn snarled at her. The expression carried almost as much weight as his smile.
    The girl backed away from him, but she did not bow her head or lower her eyes.
    “You, Lady whoever you are, can have the scriptorium above the south wing all to yourself. I’ll stand guard at the foot of the stairs if necessary to keep you there and out of mischief.” Vareena