Trail of Bones: A Young Adult Fantasy Novel (5 page)

CHAPTER 4

A tall, thin man stood in the center of the receiving area of the largest tent. It was not a big room or lavish, but it was adequately furnished. A few simple chairs, a wooden table, a couple of chests, and rug of woven fern fronds ran towards the tent door. It was the best he could do to accommodate visitors while separating them from his rare and valuable collection.

The Warden, as he was often called, was an odd fellow in almost every respect. Everything about him just seemed a bit different. His silver, goatee beard was neatly trimmed, but the long hairs from his chin were braided and bound with a thin leather strap. He wore earrings in each ear, but only simple gold hoops, nothing too fancy. Instead of a hat or cap, he wore a leather bandana tied at the back, with the knot under his long, ponytail.

His attire was as unique as the rest of him. Everything he wore was custom-made to exactly fit his shape and stature. He laced his tunic half-way up, leaving the top open to expose his defined muscles and ample chest hair. The rest of his garb was all leather. Bracers and gloves, trousers lined with pockets, and a pair of tall boots laced up to his knees. Around his waist he wore a leather utility belt featuring more pouches. A rapier sword with a thin long blade hung on one hip and a small dagger on the other. He looked like a pirate, lion tamer, and adventurer all wrapped into one distinctive package.

“Hurry up, Dox, they’re almost here!” the Warden said.

The Minotaur hustled through a side entrance carrying several mugs and bottles in each of his large hands. “Sorry, Master, the cubs are getting restless. I think the female will wake soon,” Dox said as he put the mugs on the table.

“Good. Easier to fetch a higher price when they put on show. I hate it when they just lie there. It’s not good for business,” he said confidently smiling.

A moment later, the sound of a half-dozen horses could be heard coming to a stop. The clang of metal followed along with the echo of several muffled conversations just outside the main entrance to the tent.

Up until this point the Warden seemed completely at ease, but now he was on edge.
You never know what will come through that door. Assassin, brigand, competitor…customer? You’ve been in this business a long time, old man. You’ve been in it because you’re the best and because you know how to handle a blade,
he thought.

He motioned to Dox, and four more armed guards entered the tent.
Just in case the negotiations become a bit more than interesting,
thought the Warden. He stood and waited, placing his hand on his hip, conveniently positioned just above the handle of his sword.

The tent flaps opened and ushered in wind, rain, and six men at arms. They were covered in mud up to their waists. One by one, they removed their heavy cloaks and handed them to Dox, who waited with open arms.

Each visitor was a male human, clad in silver and crimson plate armor. A symbol of two fists was expertly crafted into the shoulder guard of each man. As intimidating as the plate armor was, the long broadswords each man carried on his hip sent an even stronger message.

So much for casual conversation,
thought the Warden as he looked over the group.

The last member of the company removed the cloak and revealed long auburn hair of a beautiful woman. Like her companions, however, she, too, wore matching plate armor, though customized for her female form. She carried a slightly smaller bastard sword, but it was still a very lethal weapon. The woman moved to the front of the group as her male attendants stood by, ready for action.

“I come seeking a most unique prize. Are you the owner of this?” she said in a firm, but pleasant tone. The war maiden took a piece of parchment from one of the soldiers and placed it on the wooden table.

The parchment read:

Captured just north of Badek. Female Giant Panther. Cubs expected by winter. Offspring to highest bidder.

~ Your humble servant

“Perhaps, but who, from the blessed lands of Cordale wants to know?” said the Warden.

“My superior; I come on his behalf. He gave me the parchment and instructed that I should seek you out. This is all you need know,” answered the woman.

“A long way to travel, from Cordale to the ranges of Badek. And into disputed territory, no less. Passing through the borderlands is dangerous task in this age. Though I hear Draghone and his barbarian horde are far to the north. But then again, I may be misinformed. Such whisperings are rarely accurate” said the Warden.

The woman slammed a small pouch of coins onto the table. Two platinum coins tumbled out and rolled onto the table until wobbling to a stop. “I did not travel through sun and storm on some useless errand or whim. Do you have the beasts or not?” she asked, her eyes flooded with intensity.

The Warden tried not to reveal his excitement at seeing the highly valuable coins in front of him. He paused, then leaned over, picked up the two coins, and examined them. After a moment he placed both back inside the pouch and handed it back to the woman. “Excellent. Business it is then. But first I require your name, and then I will show you your prize.”

The woman hesitated. “I am Kitra, eldest daughter and keeper of the house of Duke Rowan of Cordale. And what is your name… humble servant?” she asked, her voice dripping in sarcasm.

“Well met, my lady. My apologies, but I have no name. No given name, but I am called by many. Captor. Predator. Master of the Hunt. But for this transaction, I am a simple game warden. You may call me the Warden for short. Will that be sufficient?” he asked in a well-rehearsed manner.

Kitra was annoyed, but let it pass. “No, but it will do for now.”

“Very well. Perhaps some refreshment and a dry cloth before we conduct our business?” he asked.

She nodded.

Dox handed Kitra a cloth and distributed more to each of the company. The Minotaur waited as they wiped the mud and filth from their faces, necks and hands as best they could. He retrieved the soiled towels while another attendant poured ale into the mugs. Dox handed everyone mugs, including the Warden.

“To the panther,” Kitra said while holding up her mug.

“The first of its kind to be captured alive… and the first to bear young while in captivity,” added the Warden, holding up his own mug.

“To the panther,” said the soldiers in unison, and then each took a deep swig of the ale.

The Warden took one sip and placed his mug onto the table. He walked to the side entrance of the tent and waited as Kitra and her companions finished their drinks.
Great. Royalty,
he thought.
They have more coin than any in all the land, yet they bargain as if they have none. I may be able to put an end to her and her armed escorts, but sooner or later the Duke would come looking. And he would be leading more than a half-dozen men. Yes, I would be hunted by an army. Better do this the hard way, old man, with your wits.

A few moments passed and the ale took effect. The color in the traveler’s faces returned, and they all felt a great deal better. Even Kitra’s cautious and sour mood lightened somewhat. But that did not negate the fact that they were still heavily armed and wearing full armor.

With one hand the Warden held open the flap to the tent and gestured for them to enter the side chamber with the other. Kitra, however, stopped before ducking inside the next room.

“Your reputation is impressive, but the panther has no equal on Illyia. How did you manage the beast’s capture when all others have failed?” Kitra asked.

A broad smile spread across the Warden’s face. “Easy. There was only one possible way… the cat was betrayed.”

The war maiden expected some tall tale, a lengthy explanation of bravery and skill. She was surprised by the Warden’s short and truthful answer. “By whom?” she asked.

“Her mate,” he said heartlessly. With the question answered, he ushered Kitra and the rest of her company into the holding tent. Dox followed and closed the flap behind them.

Dox hurried to the front of the group and led the entourage through the spacious tent. They walked between crates, boxes, and other containers stacked as high as the tent ceiling would allow.

Kitra said nothing as she followed the Minotaur. She was too busy taking mental notes of everything she saw. The group passed a number of large glass jars, each containing a floating corpse, organ, or other body parts from a variety of animals and creatures. Next they passed several large crates stuffed with straw filled with what appeared to be eggs, massive eggs of various sizes and colors. The Warden’s collection was impressive and became more exotic with every step they took deeper into the tent.

Suddenly, the war maiden froze as she saw the large, thick body of a giant serpent lying against the far wall of the tent. Her hand shot to her sword handle, but before she could draw the weapon another hand gripped her forearm and stayed her attack.

“Not to worry, my lady, this one’s passing was more than a week ago. The giant serpents are a troublesome race, that’s for sure,” said the Warden as he released his grip on Kitra’s arm. “Right through here,” he said as he motioned to the back of the tent.

A low roar seized everyone’s attention as they closed in on a large, metal cage. The enclosure was huge, some twenty paces long and at least ten paces high and wide. Two more roars accompanied the first, but those were not quite as loud or intimidating.

The beast-man lit a few more lanterns to produce improved lighting for better inspection of the captured specimens. He retrieved his staff and stood only a few paces from the door to the cage.

The rest of the group, however, remained at a safer distance as they stared in amazement.

The female panther was awake now and she slowly paced inside the steel cage. Kelor was still sitting near the cage door, maintaining his self-imposed role of guardian. Meanwhile, Keon and Kai followed their mother, copying her route as they walked behind her.

“Incredible,” Kitra exclaimed as she took a step closer. “I’ve never seen one this close before.”

“Very few have. And if that person does, it is usually… a moment before their demise,” said the captor with a smile.

Kitra couldn’t help it, her curiosity and fascination with the beasts was overwhelming. “She’s bigger than I imagined. The cubs, too.”

“I very nearly lost her when she bore the cubs. But these cats recover quickly. Within a few days, she was back to full strength, and she nearly tore the cage in half. I have no choice but to keep her drugged while my men construct a more suitable compound to hold her,” explained the Warden.

Another loud roar from the female panther shot through the tent. Most of the group took a step back, except Kitra. The loud complaint from the beast only added to her enthusiasm.

The Warden gestured to Dox. The Minotaur ran to another area and returned carrying a hind quarter of a corgan. The beast-man pulled a large key from a ring on his belt and inserted it into the padlock.

“Dox, wait! Half that portion. We don’t want our new pets too strong, at least not yet.”

Everyone watched as Dox did as he was told and cleaved a large chunk of meat from the cow-like leg.

The Warden turned to Kitra. “They’re a very willful race. Stubborn and ill- tempered. But like most wild beasts - control their food, and you control their will.”

Dox took a deep breath. He removed the padlock and handed it to the Warden. He retrieved his staff, dug his hooves into the ground, and then pried open the cage door.

Kelor hissed as he coiled, ready to pounce. His mother did the same until the corgan leg flew into the cage. The instinct to attack quickly succumbed to the need to eat. The female snared the leg with her powerful jaws and drug the food as far away from the cage door as she could. The cubs followed and carefully nibbled at the meat in between their mother’s bites. Dox slammed the cage door shut, but stood ready with his staff just in case.

“Now, which one would you like?” asked the Warden.

Kitra, feeling a bit safer since the large cats were occupied, stepped up to the cage and placed her hands on the bars. “They all look the same. What can you tell me about them? Their behaviors; are they all as fierce as I imagine them to be?” she asked.

The Warden stood beside her as they both watched the panthers devour the meat. “So far. Though the one with the white socks, the last born of the three, seems a bit more…agreeable, I guess you could say.”

“Very well. May I take a closer look? I want to make sure he’s healthy. I… my superior requires a strong and capable cat to warrant such a substantial investment,” said Kitra, refusing to take her eyes from the captured beasts.

“But of course,” responded the Warden. He gave Dox a glance but said nothing.

The Minotaur grunted in dissatisfaction as he reopened the cage. He moved in as silently as he could, making sure his large hooves did not scuff the ground and disturb the panthers. He placed his staff on the ground and then reached over and pulled at Kai’s hind leg. The cub did not notice until it was too late, and Dox held him securely by one leg with one hand and the skin of his neck with the other. The servant lifted the 400 pound cub from the ground with ease and turned to hold it up to Kitra who still stood outside of the cage.