The Dragon Nimbus Novels: Volume III: Volume III

of the Commune. Both you and Bessel had best watch yourselves.” Scarface stalked out without even bowing to his queen. “I refuse Bessel permission to leave his sanctuary. If he flees my authority, he announces to one and all his guilt in the matter of Ambassador Jorghe-Rosse’s death. If he steps outside of Myrilandel’s home, he is fugitive,” he added as he disappeared through the doorway.
    “Is there any way I can have that man demoted to the scullery?” Katie asked.
    “Not without a major mutiny within the Commune,” Nimbulan replied with a smile that more closely resembled a grimace. His skin looked too pale, almost clammy. She knew from experience he’d never admit to pain.
    “I don’t know what has gotten into Scarface. He used to be so pleasant to work with,” she said rather than acknowledge infirmity in stalwart Nimbulan.
    “Responsibility weighs heavily on Scarface’s shoulders. Guilt, too, I guess. His past is full of contradictions.”
    “Enough of that man, Nimbulan. I need your journeyman on this mission.”
    “Does this have something to do with the dragon dream you had Shayla impose upon us last autumn?”
    “Yes, it does.” How much more did she dare reveal to him? Telling him her father’s plans for bringing Kardia Hodos into the Terran Empire felt very much like betrayal of her family. But her family as a whole would not accept Kinnsell’s actions. Surely her brothers could see through their father’s plans and intervene?
    And after that? Though her heart ached to hold Liam Francis, Sean Michael, and Jamie Patrick close against her heart one more time, she knew she had to give them up.
    She had come to Kardia Hodos hoping for safety from the plague. She had found love and friendship beyond her hopes.
    She couldn’t help but smile at her love for Quinnault which grew daily beyond her wildest expectation.
    “Scarface has sent all of the magicians who came to the Commune as my friends into retirement. My journeymen and apprentices have been dispatched on meaningless quests and never returned. Now he condemns Bessel without trial for an offense that Scarface himself is guilty of.” Nimbulan bowed his head sadly.
    “What?”
    “Yes.” Nimbulan nodded. “I don’t know how or why, but Scarface was in deep communion with rogue magic at the time of the storm. He couldn’t have sensed Bessel’s tapping a ley line otherwise. And there was something strange about that storm. . . .”
    “Could Scarface have manipulated the storm for reasons we cannot guess?”
    “Possibly. He wants to exile or execute Bessel without a trial, but that seems very out of character considering the story he just told us. Something strange is going on here. We must watch him very carefully.” Nimbulan paused while he looked out the window. “I presume you need a magician as bodyguard on this quest of yours?”
    “Yes.”
    “Bessel is threatened by both the Commune and Rossemeyer. I will defy Scarface and send the boy with you. But he is not a strong magician. You need someone else as well.”
    “Someone I trust, and I no longer trust anyone under Scarface’s influence.”
    “Myrilandel does not use her magic often, but she is strong when she needs to be. With the diplomatic immunity you granted her, she may use her solitary magic to protect you.”
    “I couldn’t take her away from you, Nimbulan.”
    “Then I must go with you as well. Amaranth is old enough to be left with some trusted friends. The cheese maker in our market square has many children of her own and always welcomes Amaranth into her household. How long will we be gone?”
    “I don’t know. A few hours, perhaps a day or two.” Her father wouldn’t have parked his shuttle very far from the capital. He didn’t enjoy walking and hated riding steeds.
    “Is your husband in agreement with your plan? And what of your young daughter, Queen Maarie Kaathliin?”
    “My husband will agree when he learns you will join us. I just wish he could come, too. I need his strength and clear sight where my emotions might get the better of me.” One of them had to stay with Marilell, to protect her from Kinnsell or whoever threatened her.
    “Now is not a good time for Quinnault to be absent from the capital. Leave the expedition with me. I will make the arrangements and see to it that Scarface gives Bessel permission to leave the city. Do you know which direction we will travel?”
    “We head south, I think.”
    “Just what are we