Trail of Bones: A Young Adult Fantasy Novel by Chris Salisbury

Author:Chris Salisbury [Salisbury, Chris]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: General Fiction
ISBN: 1483917002
Amazon: B00BR4M1XW
Publisher: Seer Stone Media
Published: 2013-03-02T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 15

“What do you need?” asked Elbane Draghone as he sat upon his throne. “Anything in my lands is yours if it will help me turn Cordale to ashes!” He slammed his fist down on the armrest.

Korwin, deep in thought, was trying to figure out the very question the barbarian king had presented. “Thank you, mighty king. Some of what I need is here, but I’m afraid the remainder is in the lands to the South.”

Servants entered, assembled a table before the king, and exited. A few moments later they returned with armfuls of drink and assorted edibles. A few more return trips filled every square inch of the board.

I could feed an army of elves with that! thought Korwin as he looked on with astonishment. Of course, barbarians have such appetites, as they have equal lust for battle. All I have to do is channel it in the right direction. That I can do!

The elf watched as the barbarian king tore into the meal before him. Korwin had seen the Krape Lords on Ohsmar, essentially cousins to the dragon but flightless, eat with more decorum and manners than what he was witnessing now. Savages, all of them. But if plan to rule this backwards world, I’ll need a few savages.

Juice, meat, bones, and grease, all seemed to explode from the mouth of Elbane Draghone. “You!” the king shouted at one of the servants. “This is overcooked. Come back with more or I will have you on a spit!”

“Go on,” the king mumbled with a mouthful of venison. The elf swallowed as his stomach turned. He looked beyond the savage and continued his pitch.

“I can’t travel the lands of Cordale without… complications. And I can only assume a band of barbarians would encounter the same. How can one enter the lands of the South without raising suspicion?” he asked.

The king halted his voracious consumption for a moment while he looked up. A half-chewed piece of meat hung from the corner of the barbarian’s mouth. Korwin could see the barbarian’s mind working. The elf knew this was not a time to speak, so he waited for the king to connect his thoughts.

Elbane first looked at the wooden rafters, then around his throne room. His glances focused on the many trophies standing, stuffed, or mounted on the walls surrounding him. Perhaps there was an answer in sight, and it was there before the two of them.

The king sat straighter as a broad smile crossed his face. “A tournament. That is the answer you seek, Wizard.”

“My apologies, Sire. Please, explain?” requested Korwin.

The huge man stood from his throne. “In Illyia each city hosts a tournament. From Draghone to Cordale and beyond. Safe passage is granted to the participants and spectators traveling to attend the spectacle. To harm any during such an event would bring the heaviest of punishment; even Gundir Cordale would uphold that!”

“Excellent. I will accompany some of your champions as we travel to these tournaments. You are as wise as you are strong, mighty King,” said the elf as he layered on the compliments.

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