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

instead grabbed the handle of his rapier. Nearly nose to nose, he stared at Kitra.
    “Do you take me for a fool? You are no keeper of a Duke’s house!” he taunted.
    “And you are no noble gentleman. You care not for the beast’s welfare, but only the coin he will fetch!” she shot back.
    Neither budged. Kitra’s men hung back, but nervously watched and waited. Should they strike, should they wait for her command? For the moment, they would do nothing.
    The Warden’s guards did the same, all staring at the two opponents in the center of the room waiting for more threats, apologies, or an exchange of blades.
    Dox re-entered the tent, his right forearm heavily bandaged. He noticed the stalemate at the center of the room and rolled his eyes. Here we go again, he thought as he discreetly picked up his staff.
    Kitra and the Warden continued the stand-off. The only sound in the room was of the Minotaur’s heavy breathing. Then, all of a sudden, the Warden broke the silence, threw up his hands, and spoke. “Perhaps you’re right. Let’s start again.”
    The Warden removed his leather glove and offered his right hand to Kitra.
    Baffled by the sudden change of tactics, she did nothing but keep her grip on her weapon. She looked down and saw the Warden’s hand was still open, waiting for her to take it. Another moment passed before she relented.
    As Kitra shook the Warden’s hand he squeezed, and a sharp prick punctured her palm. She jerked back her hand as a droplet of blood oozed from her palm. “What treachery is this? Guards!” she yelled as she drew her bastard sword.
    Neither the Warden, nor his men, drew their weapons in response. Instead, he stood vulnerable and still.
    Kitra raised her blade to strike, but before she could, the Warden calmly spoke.
    “End me, if you wish, but you’ll soon join me in the afterlife.” He tucked the tip of a tiny needle back up into its hiding place within the leather bracer he wore on his wrist and forearm.
    The war maiden paused, still feeling pain pulsate through her hand and creep up her arm.
    “I told you the serpents were troublesome. Pumping through your blood is the venom of the rare, but very poisonous axe-headed sea serpent. I was trying to harvest his unique toxin, but he just wouldn’t give it up… as long as he lived anyway,” the Warden explained.
    “You fiend! I come to you in peace, offer you a fair sum, and this is how you bargain?” She groaned as the pain intensified.
    “Was that before or after you threatened to run me through?” he asked.
    Kitra dropped to her knees, but still held up her sword in defiance. The pain was becoming unbearable.
    “It’s a remarkable poison with some interesting side effects. Unfortunately, it’s terribly painful for the victim. Should they burn your body after you pass, the ashes will infect anyone nearby with an awful rash and an equally painful demise. So I wonder, Kitra, how will you get to the afterlife if no one performs your passing ceremony?” he asked sarcastically.
    Kitra groaned. Her muscles were starting to convulse as the poison coursed through her body. “What do you want?” she asked as she grimaced.
    “Simple. The answer to my question. What do you intend to do with the beast?” He knelt next to Kitra.
    The war maiden paused again, but only briefly. She nodded to one of her men. He produced a small journal and handed it to the Warden.
    The host unlatched the book and scanned through several pages. After comprehending what he had read, he gave the woman a surprised look. “Are you sure?” he asked.
    She nodded. “All the instructions are there. Follow them as described, and you’ll receive ten times the promised amount.”
    “That’ll do!” said the Warden with a smile as he snapped the book shut and tucked it into his tunic. When Kitra moaned again, he casually walked to the table and retrieved a mug full of liquid.
    “Antidote, but I caution you to drink it slowly,” he said as he offered