The Dragon Nimbus Novels: Volume III: Volume III

into his pocket. Both sure signs that he knew more than he told. Yaala knew from experience he wouldn’t tell until he was ready.
    “This is all very interesting. But I need food and sleep before I can think any further.” Rollett yawned.
    Yaala heard his jaw crack as he repeated the yawn and scrunched up his eyes. He opened them again reluctantly.
    Suddenly he looked vulnerable and young. The last year in Hanassa had aged him beyond his twenty or so years. At first glance, she had thought him closer to thirty. But he couldn’t be that old and still a journeyman. Young men either progressed to master or left the University while still quite young.
    “Take what you need from the living cavern. There are pallets there, too. Don’t forget to drink,” Yaala reminded Rollett. She fell back into the attitude of authority. For years, the denizens of the pit had obeyed her without question. Her mother’s guards had respected her and feared the accidents she arranged for those who defied her. Yaala pushed aside the notion that she could be as ruthless as the late Kaalipha of Hanassa.
    “I need you healthy and strong when we go above,” she added to her orders to Rollett. Once we have deposed Piedro, I’ll do all I can to help you return to Coronnan. Hanassa needs Coronnan’s strength and resources to become truly independent again.”
    “Do what you can to fix those blasted machines, Yaala,” Rollett said over his shoulder as he stumbled toward the large living cavern. “I think I know how to make use of them. I’ll need your machines to end the tyranny of Piedro and the consort. They probably sabotaged the tunnel every time we came close to the exit.”
    “Yes.” Warmth began to glow in the pit of Yaala’s stomach. With the machines operating again, she could do anything. She could resume control of her life as long as she had the machines.
    She turned to speak to Powwell. Her words died in her open mouth as the wraith flew into the cavern, circling them again and again.
    I want my body back. I want it back now! He can’t have it. It’s mine! The wraith’s hysterical gibbering invaded Yaala’s mind, driving out all coherent thought.

Chapter 22
     
    Neighborhood temple near Palace Reveta Tristile, Coronnan City
     
    T rue to her word, Maia led Kinnsell to a small ventilation grate in an outside wall of the church. She tugged on the metal bars. They came loose with little effort.
    Kinnsell saw places where the hinges had been scraped clean of rust. She must have been planning her escape for some time.
    The young woman wriggled through the small opening with little effort. The sight of her enticing bottom squirming about made his blood pressure rise. He swallowed his desire and concentrated on following her.
    He had trouble getting his wide shoulders clear of the metal framework. The small opening pressed against his back and chest. He had to cough several times to relieve the pressure in his lungs. At last he squirmed free. A coughing fit made him stagger until he’d relieved the ache.
    His elegant brocade tunic suffered almost as much as his breathing. Well, he wouldn’t need it once he got back to his ship and resumed his heavy Varn costume. At least then he’d be warm. The layers and layers of thin veils insulated better than the fur lining of his bushie clothes.
    “Where is Televarn now?” Maia asked in a hushed whisper.
    “I’m not certain. He moves around a lot,” Kinnsell twisted the truth as he knew it only a little. Why did he feel uncomfortable lying to this woman? Making the truth fit his own needs had never bothered him before. “We’ll have to go to my ship and contact him from there.” The shadows grew long. He didn’t have a portable torch to light the way to his hiding place. They’d have to hole up somewhere tonight. Unless Maia could see in the dark like the bushie lord and half the population of this cursed planet.
    Wherever they spent the remainder of the night, Kinnsell intended to spend it in Maia’s arms. Her posture, her attitude, her very being promised him many exotic delights; things his wife had forgotten as soon as she said “I do.”
    “You will work a summons spell at your ship?” Maia’s eyes grew wide. “Then you are a Master Magician, too!”
    “Y . . . yes. What do you mean ‘too’? Who else do you know that is also a magician?”
    “Why, Televarn, of course.” She sucked on her cheeks and avoided his gaze.
    She was lying. Someone else very