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

bowed his head and backed away. Once he returned to his father’s side, he looked up. To his amazement, he and the wolf pup were nearly nose to nose. The pup had completely ignored the gift and followed Adolphus.
    The chief’s son sat still as the pup first sniffed him, nudged him with his snout, and then put one paw on his thigh. The pup looked at him again without fear or hesitation. Adolphus looked back into the wolf’s eyes and then smiled. A name had come to him, and he was about to speak, but before he could utter it, the pup gave him a big, slobbery lick right across his nose and mouth.
    Adolphus laughed as the pup continued to lick the boy.
    “Ok, ok, I will give you a name. You are Magnus, the Shade Wolf, son of Ataris, protector of Thornmount… and my friend,” said Adolphus as he ducked and dodged more wet kisses from the wolf pup.
    Incredible, the boy has a gift, thought the chief as he admired his son’s reactions.
    “Magnus. An interesting name, one I have never heard. Tell me young Draghone, what does it mean?” asked Ataris as he, too, watched with admiration.
    The boy giggled and laughed until Magnus finally plopped next to him as if they had known each other for many seasons.
    “It means bold one.” Adolphus said as he stroked the wolf pup’s black coat.
    The pup yawned and stretched.
    Thayne grinned and then spoke. “Magnus, the bold one.”
    “Well done. A fine choice and a worthy name for any Shade Wolf, even if he is the runt,” said Ataris. “You seem to know more about being a wolf than he does.”
    It was a perfect moment until a series of loud barks echoed through the cave. Ataris’ ears instantly perked up. It was no ordinary bark, but a warning. He sprung to his feet as the pups ran to the safety of their mother.
    “What is it?” asked Draghone.
    “Danger,” the wolf responded before sprinting out of the cave.
    “Corsar, what it is it?” Ataris demanded when he sighted his scout. He watched as the rest of the pack ran in circles and barking.
    “The Ghast have returned!” Corsar said.
    “The Ghast Gorillas? Are you sure?” asked the barbarian chief.
    “Yes. One of our patrols went missing several days ago. I sent others to find him. They only returned with this,” said Corsar.
    Another wolf trotted up to Ataris and dropped a tuft of gorilla hide from his mouth.
    “Where?” asked Ataris.
    “North of the River of Ash. Not far from our Southern border and…”
    Before Corsar could finish the sentence, Thayne interrupted. “…near my village.” His tone changed from curiosity to determination. “I’m sorry, my friend, but my visit must…”
    “Go, see to your family, Draghone. I will send Corsar with you and a few others. They will speed any word to me. Your people will not fight the Ghast alone,” the wolf leader said. .
    “What’s going on, Father?” asked Adolphus.
    “We’re leaving.”
    Thayne gave Ataris a quick nod, doused the torch in the dirt and ran toward the tunnel. The other barbarians followed at a brisk pace. Adolphus ran too, but before he entered the rock tunnel, he turned to look at the Shade Wolves.
    Standing at the mouth of the cave was Magnus, barking in objection to his new friend’s sudden departure.

 
    CHAPTER 7
     
    How boring, Korwin thought as he strolled down the streets of the City of Cordale. No magic, no style, nothing interesting at all, he mentally complained as he observed his surroundings. This was the capital city for the territory, nearly half the continent of Southern Illyia, and to the Storm Elf it was a complete disappointment.
    The buildings appeared to be constructed of simple bricks, stones, and mortar. Quaint, he thought. A few had wooden accents, and others had some chiseled markings and decorations, but for the most part the city was a collection of basic medieval-styled shelters. No imagination whatsoever, he scoffed.
    Korwin stuck out his hand and drug his fingers along one of the building walls as he