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

cascaded down until they almost touched the floor. Stained glass windows lined near the top of the walls were illuminated in an array of colors. Rows of onlookers, nobles, and other citizens of importance, filled the chamber leaving a path down the middle for Korwin to approach.
    Up a long series of broad, stone steps, adorned with black and gold cloth runners, sat King Gundir Cordale atop his gold plated throne. Korwin had never seen him before and had no idea what to expect. Gundir was average height and build for a human in his mid-forties. His face, however, made him look much older than his years would indicate.
    The ruler’s face was lined with deep wrinkles, as if his forehead and cheeks had been chiseled from a hard stone. His nose was long and pointed, as was his chin. A thin black chinstrap beard was trimmed neatly and his shoulder-length hair was styled and pulled back behind his ears to showcase his golden, bejeweled crown. But it was the king’s eyes, which bothered Korwin the most. They were small, beady, and dark more like a devious rodent than the ruler of a kingdom. The king’s eyes and the look in them reminded the elf… of himself.
    “That’s close enough,” barked a guard as he lowered his spear, preventing Korwin from proceeding any farther.
    Korwin halted and gave his best royal bow. “Great King, I am Korwin Widestep, a humble Storm Elf from Eastern Ohsmar,” he said as he stood to address the king properly.
    Gundir did not respond; he simply stared with his beady eyes down at the visitor. He shifted in his throne, most of his weight on one side as he leaned against the right portion of his large seat.
    “I thank you for so graciously granting me an audience on this fine and glorious day…” Korwin began, but was interrupted before completing his sentence.
    “An elf? On Illyia? How did you gain passage to my realm? Any such request requires my approval, and I do not recall hearing your name?” asked Gundir as he squinted at Korwin.
    The elf gulped, thinking quickly. He had been so focused on his magic, he had not considered explaining how he had arrived on Illyia in the first place. He cleared his throat.
    “Your majesty, I have been on Illyia for some time. I accompanied Headmaster Zed from the Ohsmar Academy of Magic. During his last visit to your kingdom I humbly requested to tarry a while longer to study some of the creatures on your amazing world. I was under the impression such approvals had long been granted,” he said as he gave another deep bow.
    The king’s wrinkled brow furrowed. He grumbled a few words to an attendant but Korwin could not make out the words.
    “Very well. What is it you wish to show me?” the king asked as he redirected his stare back to the Storm Elf.
    Korwin relaxed a little. “Of course, your majesty.” He removed his backpack, and pulled out few items: a scroll, an amulet, and other trinkets.
    “Surely a kingdom as grand as yours has enemies, those wishing to seize such splendor for themselves. And mighty King, while your walls are strong, may I inquire, how can you defend your people against magic like this?” The elf waved his arms and released a cloud of ash and powder. He whispered a few words in his native tongue, and the mist materialized into a large bird of prey.
    The crowd ‘oohed’ and ‘ahhed’ at the sight of the magical being. The king, however, gave no reaction whatsoever. He just blankly watched.
    The raptor of smoke and ash let out a loud shriek as it spread its wispy wings and soared around the room. It swooped down and buzzed the crowd. Women screamed, a few guards stood at the ready, and two monks ducked for cover and dashed toward the exits. Still, the king did nothing.
    The bird circled at the top of the room until Korwin whispered more elfin words. The creature shrieked again and flew directly into one of the stained glass windows but instead of breaking through it, the bird exploded, returning to ash and powder. As it