The Dragon Nimbus Novels: Volume III: Volume III

distortion around a hot flame.
    “Move the next load of dirt to the latrine pit,” Rollett ordered his work crew.
    The guards looked at their hands. Two masons shouldered them aside, carrying buckets of fresh mortar. Other men followed with shovels and picks ready to attack the blockage.
    The Rover guards moved outside and took up assigned posts but did not interfere with the work.
    “Rumor has it that Piedro has a new supply of grain and dried fruit. Maybe a load of hams as well,” a worker whispered to Rollett as he passed.
    Rollett nodded slightly in acknowledgment. Every dark of the moon he heard the same rumor. Always the darkest night of the cycle.
    “Tonight,” he whispered to the next man who passed him.
    “Three hours after midnight,” the man mouthed, careful not to let any of Piedro’s spies hear.
    A presence behind Rollett prickled his senses. He reached over his shoulder and grabbed the first informant by the ear and wrestled him into an armlock.
    “Stargods, how do you do that?” the prisoner gasped as he relaxed within the punishing grip.
    “Never sneak up on a magician,” Rollett warned. “Next time I might kill you with a thought before I check to see if you are friend or foe.” Rollett grinned and relaxed his pressure on the man’s windpipe enough to let him breath. But not enough to let him go.
    “Yeah. Well you’d better be double careful tonight,” the informant said, rubbing his throat. “I also heard Piedro started the rumor of new supplies in order to trap you. He’s afraid to arrest and execute you, but if you died in honest battle stealing from him . . .”
    “I’ll remember that.” Rollett released the man. Then he shuddered inwardly, keeping all traces of revulsion from his face. He’d spent too many years at Nimbulan’s side learning that peace, honor, and justice must bind a society together. Violence came too easy for him these days.
    “You’ll make a good Kaaliph, Rollett,” the mason said under his breath. “But you aren’t ruthless enough to keep the job. You’ll need the consort to help.”
    “Want to make a bet on that?” Rollett slammed the man up against the stone buttress, holding him a foot off the ground by the throat with one hand.
    The mason’s face began to pulse purple.
    Rollett eased his grip enough for the man’s feet to touch ground.
    “No bets, Rollett,” the mason gasped.
    “Remember what happens to people who defy me. Now get to work.”
    He stalked out of the tunnel, disgusted with himself and with life in Hanassa.

Chapter 9
     
    Midmorning, Palace Reveta Tristile, Coronnan City
     
    “B e safe, my love,” Queen Maarie Kaathliin whispered as she leaned out the nursery window. She pressed her fingertips to her lips and blew a gentle kiss.
    In the courtyard below, Quinnault looked up and smiled. He grabbed at the empty air as if catching the kiss. Then he opened his fist against his cheek, planting the caress where it belonged. With a jaunty wave he mounted Buan, his favorite stallion, and rode out the main gate of the palace courtyard.
    The waiting company of royal soldiers leaped to their mounts and followed at a canter. They planned to escort a sledge caravan of foodstuffs and firewood to the beleaguered province of Lord Balthazaan. Thrice before, the much-needed supplies had been ambushed by well-organized outlaws and never seen again. The last had happened but days ago. The outlaws should not be quite so greedy for these supplies.
    But Katie knew her husband chafed for the chance to confront and punish those thieves.
    Quinnault might become lost in the wordstorms of politicians, but when action was called for, he responded readily with a worthy plan.
    If only they could find the source of the disquiet in the capital city, she knew he’d form a good plan and act upon it. But vandals tore apart the scaffolding on new buildings, painted anti-foreign slogans on walls, and set fire to pungent offal in the doorways of foreign merchants and ran, leaving no clue to their identity.
    Quinnault’s dream of justice and peace in Coronnan faded with every act of sabotage.
    Rumors gave the troublemakers a dozen different identities and motives. No one presented solid evidence.
    The most frequent rumors claimed that the vandals as well as the outlaws attacking caravans were Rovers seeking revenge against Quinnault and the Commune for their exile from Coronnan along with all of the magicians who could not or would not gather dragon