Read Trail of Bones: A Young Adult Fantasy Novel for Free Online

If I ever get out of this cage, he’ll see what I can do, he thought. The panther cub looked back at his family, his two brothers and his mother all asleep now. Try as he might, he couldn’t settle down. He lay still and stared at the cage door. Danger is coming, I can feel it.

 
    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