The Council of Bone

By Tyler Earp

Charley Ashe is a normal enough boy, or so he thinks. After he is attacked by a large, black dog, his world is flipped upside down.
With his parents acting weird and odd things happening all around him, Charley is skeptical. So, along with his three best friends, he is determined to find out what exactly is going on. This leads to a meeting with a dubious Sorcerer and a hero from a different time.
When he finally unravels what is going on, and that not only he but his closest friends must travel to Undermire, a world very different from their own. He is tasked with saving Undermire from the Wilting and also from a dark force that is always on the verge of finding him.
What is most chilling of all, though, is the dark prophecy saying that he will become the very thing that he must try to save Undermire from.

'In the land mired in misery and hate,
The one of two will be born who may slay the eldest one.
Descended of ash, he will deal in fate.
To cut away the ancient sickness, Ash will battle Bone.
Can the hero save his light
or be doomed to fall to darkness?'

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tyler Earp
• Release date: Apr 30, 2016
• ISBN: 9781311900272

Tyler Earp

Tyler Earp is an avid reader with a big imagination and even bigger dreams. His biggest dream was to write a book. Well, he's accomplished that. Now his biggest dream is to influence some young reader to love reading as much as he does. Another reason Tyler likes to write is that he gets to talk in the third-person, and not get called insane for it.Some of his biggest influences come from writers like J.K. Rowling, Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson. He enjoys chess, taking long walks and playing video games. He grew up during the Harry Potter boom and dares you to challenge him on anything Potter!Fun facts:He has read the Webster's Dictionary for the fun of it.He has a small cat he calls Mouse JR.His favorite weird food combination is chocolate milk and pretzels.

Book preview

To my Uncle Chuck. He made it possible.

Secondly, to the friends who never doubted

I would make it this far. Because I sure did.

Thank You

Pronunciation

Names

Bamard- Bahm ▪ Ahrd

Bramly- Brohm ▪ LEE

Hiberon- HIGH ▪ ber ▪ rohn

Jaelyn- Jay ▪ lynn

Maxima- Max ▪ uh ▪ mah

Rafe- RAYF (Rhymes with safe)

Renwick- REHN ▪ wihk

Races

Barghest- BAHR ▪ guest

Cait- Kate

Salan- Sah ▪ lahn

Sidhe- SHEE (Pronounced like she)

Volen- Vohl ▪ EEN

Contents

Acknowledgments

Pronunciation

One: The Dog and His Boy

Two: Mere Coincidence

Three: Talking to Squirrels

Four: Something Fishy

Five: A Dark Shadow

Six: A Heated Conversation

Seven: The Road to Undermire

Eight: The Value of a Soul

Nine: Right, Wrong, and Donkey Farts

Ten: The Brotherhood

Eleven: Speaking of Power

Twelve: Harsh Lessons

Thirteen: The Seven Paths

Fourteen: The Tests

Fifteen: Heroic Acts

Sixteen: Villainous Intent

Seventeen: A Trade

Eighteen: A Biting Flame

Nineteen: The Forgotten Ones

Twenty: Rock and a Hard Place

Twenty-One: The Awakening

Twenty-Two: A Hero Falls

Twenty-Three: Fall Into Darkness

Book Two

One: Look-A-Like

About the Author

Connect with Me

The Dog and His Boy

One is always on the edge of heroism or villainy. It is just a matter of which way you leap.

- Dramitus Fithen

Charley Ashe didn't like heroes.

In fact, he hated them. He hated that they always won in the end. They always got the girl and saved the planet from being taken over by alien overlords. He sighed as he put down the latest edition of Tales of Another Hero. And yet, Abe has me hooked.

Charley looked around and saw that he was the only one in the store. A splatter of water fell onto the cover. He shook his hair out, sending a cascade of droplets everywhere. His mostly wet hair framing his face in long bronzed curls in their dampness even after drying it in the hot sun.

At the end of the school day, someone had pulled it, sending the students fleeing from the building like water- logged rats, covering themselves with their bags.

Because it was the last day of school, and the principal hadn't been able to nail the culprit, they had been released early. I guess something good came out of it.

The man behind the counter leaned forward onto his arms and growled, Watch where you're getting that! If you ruin them, you'll pay for them. And if you're going to read them, you better buy one. This is a store, not a library.

Sorry. Charley plunged his hands into his pockets and was able to dig up enough together to pay for the comic, leaving him with a whole seventeen cents. Not nearly enough for the bus fare.

Guess I get to walk… great. He shouldered his bag and started down the street.

With the sun beating down on his shoulders he made it to the park beside the three-story apartment that Charley called home.

He'd always loved that park. A little pond sat at the center, surrounded by a collection of swings and play equipment. Bushes lined the sidewalk as sentries. But in the summer heat, the plants and grass were all wilted.

Charley stopped when he heard a crack, sharp like a firecracker. He whipped around and saw something sitting beneath a clump of bushes.

Kneeling down, he saw a large black dog. It stared back at him with human eyes that seemed to look through him. Open scratches ran across its nose. It jumped to its feet and then moved from under the bush and slowly advanced on him.

Good dog, Charley said, taking a slow step back. It curled its upper lip and growled deep inside its throat.

Oh great…

Charley backed away, trying to keep his distance. Good dog, he said again.

The dog lunged. Charley whirled around and sprinted toward the safety of his apartment complex. His jeans flapped against the pavement, nearly tripping him up. Growling sounded from behind him. An instant later, large paws pushed him down with the force of sledgehammers, smashing him to the cement.

He attempted to push it off, but couldn't move its large bulk. Its mouth opened to show a row of large yellowed teeth. A deep light flickered in the dog's eyes and a jolt spread from the center of Charley into his fingertips.

Charley felt a sudden intense feeling of happiness as the tingling reached his hands before fading away. Whimpering, the dog leaped off of Charley and galloped down the street. Charley lay there, huffing, for a second.

Picking himself up, Charley felt a sharp pain in his stomach. He looked down and saw the large tear the dog had left in his shirt, and forgot all about the odd moment on the ground.

Pushing open the front door to his apartment, Charley didn't see anyone. Ninja mode: activated. He raised himself up on tip-toes to move without sound, but, of course, made more noise in the process.

Charley walked around the corner to the kitchen and saw his mom had her back turned, slicing up bananas and putting them into a blender.

Trying to be as quiet as he could, he made for the hallway to his room. He made it to the entrance of the hallway when he heard a sound from behind him. Hem.

Charley froze. Crud…

Hi, Mom. He turned to see her holding her hands on her hips, one hand still holding the knife, nostrils flaring, looking very much the casual furious overlord– or was that overlady?

What happened to you, Charley? She asked in a near whisper, appraising his disheveled appearance. Was it another fight? It was Victor again, wasn't it? How many times do I have to tell you to stay away from him? What have I told you about violence?

No, I swear, it wasn't a fight. I got jumped by a dog, Charley said as he pulled up his shirt, grimacing in the act, to show her the large bruise on his ribs. Not like she'll even believe me. I almost don't believe me...

Don't make up stories. Wait until I tell your father, she said. Charley let out an audible sigh. She pulled down a first aid kit from a cabinet and retrieved the gauze and disinfectant spray. This is the last straw.

Mom, I swear, it wasn't Victor. It really was a big black dog. I've never seen one like it. It had scars all over its nose, and it even looked like it was still bleeding. I've never seen eyes like that. They almost looked… human.

His mother froze, her hands inches from his side with the spray in hand. She looked up at him, a new urgency in her voice, and asked, Are you telling me the truth? How big was it, Charley?

He looked back at her, surprised at her sudden change in attitude. Really big. Bigger than Mrs. Brzezinski’s Great Dane. Easy. Why?

Almost like a large black wolf? She asked, ignoring his question. She continued to attempt wrapping his waist, though she did almost mechanically. He didn't even try to fight back. He'd gone down that road enough times.

Yeah, it did. How do you know that? Charley asked her.

At that moment, the front door opened and his mother flinched at the sound of the squeaking. His father had promised for months now that he would oil the hinges as the landlord and his assistants never seemed to be around to do it themselves.

He walked into the kitchen, toting a large sack. Hefting the bag in front of him for them to see, he said, You'll never believe it. I found this fresh produce place that has the best tomatoes. He smiled at the two of them and placed the sack on the counter before turning back to them.

What happened? he asked, unsure of the situation, tensing as he sensed the mood.

His mother responded before Charley could. Charley was attacked by a dog, she said, shooting messages to him with her eyes that plainly said, 'we need to talk.' Charley rolled his eyes. Parents think they're so sneaky. Seriously, what's going on?

His mom avoided looking at him. Nothing, Charley. I'm just worried that there is a dog like that. I've been hearing about something similar on the news lately.

She turned back to Charley and finished wrapping him with unnecessary gauze. As she finished, there was a knock on the door, and both his mother and father froze to the spot. Charley looked at both of them, narrowing his eyes at them, before going to answer it. What's wrong with them? It's like they've seen a ghost, or something.

Behind him, his parents had followed him to the door. They stopped at the couch and his dad gripped the arm of it. Charley pulled open the door and caught a flash of long red hair before he was pulled into a hug. Ouch! My side! Stop squeezing so much, Nina, he said as he pulled her from him.

Oh, Charley, did I hurt you? I'm sorry, she said, anxiety in her eyes.

She stepped back and Charley saw his cousins Riley and Aberthol, whom everyone called Abe, were behind her.

Both of them were making faces. Abe looked bored while Riley also appeared concerned.. So was it you? Abe asked. Did you pull the alarm?

Charley shook his head at Abe. Are you crazy! He turned his gaze back to Nina. No, you didn't hurt me. It's just my side… Well, come in, he said, smiling at them.

Actually, we were hoping that you would come with us to the tree fort, Riley muttered.

Even though all four of them were teenagers, they still loved sitting in the old tree fort in the park next to his house for hours. Even when it was hot, they would sit up there all day, his mom bringing them snacks. Though it was old and creaky in places, it was sound and smelled like baked chestnuts in the summer.

He turned to his parents and saw the relief on their faces.

Can I? I'll make sure I’m careful climbing.

Charley saw his mom was close to saying no. Please, please, please, Charley thought to himself. Mostly because he wanted to share the news with the others while keeping his parents out of earshot.

She folded when she looked at his dad, who nodded. "I suppose if it's only for a little while. I want you back inside before it's dark.

You should also change shirts first, she continued. That one is filthy, and it has a rip now. And if you see that dog again, I want all of you to come in right away. I'm calling the pound so they can have someone out looking for it.

The other three looked at Charley, noticing the dog odor and dirty smudges on both his shirt and pants. Abe mouthed 'dog?' at him. He shook his head and motioned with his hands towards the door. The three of them walked to the door while he went to his room to change.

When got to his room Charley knew what he had to do. He hadn't done it in years, but he knew that if he knelt by the air ducts he could listen to what was being said in almost every room.

Charley always felt a little guilty about it, but he knew his parents would never tell him something when they didn't want him to know.

His parents spoke and he almost didn't catch what was being said. …going to make it, his father said.

I just can't believe they sent a Barghest to scout out Charley. Do you think it was Rafe?

There was silence for a few moments and then his father's deep drone sounded out. You know what they want. They want Charley. We knew this day would come, Shyla. It might be time that we start considering listening. Charley is old enough now.

His mom gasped. But, what about Charley? He's only thirteen! He doesn't know anything about who he is. Who we are.

Maybe it's time he knew. He's old enough to make that decision. Soon we won't have a choice at all. It was always his destiny to go back. We knew it was going to happen eventually.

Their voices started to fade, and then he heard nothing.

What's a Barghest? Riley asked. Is it that dog that attacked you? And who would be after you, Charley?

After changing his shirt, he had rushed from the house, wincing occasionally. Climbing the ladder to the tree house also hadn't made his top fifty things to do, but he almost hadn't noticed the pain over his excitement to tell the others the news. He knew they would never forgive him if he didn't share it with them.

I don't know. But my parents are hiding something big, and I want to know what it is.

A look came into Riley's eyes. He usually wasn't one to take the lead. But anytime it came to a mystery, he was the first one on the case.. Then we need to find some answers… and the best place for that is-

At the library, the other three sang in perfect harmony.

Riley looked at them, his eyes widening. Abe rolled his eyes. You would live at the library if you could.

Why can't we just use your computer, Charley? Nina asked.

Charley shook his head. Bad idea. My parents are super-paranoid about computer usage. They watch everything.

She sighed. The library it is then.

* * *

Rafe didn't like lookout details.

In fact, he hated them. His was a noble blood that deserved better than to sit in wait for a kid. Even if that kid can change everything, he thought to himself begrudgingly. I'm not a babysitter, after all.

Rafe had been sitting in that park for what had felt like hours. He'd wanted so desperately to move. To do… something other than sit in that same spot. But what his master commanded, he must obey. So he sat– and waited.

He looked up at the sun to see the passage of time and noticed that the sun was now dropping down toward the horizon though it wouldn't be dusk for hours still. That was when he heard the crunch of the dry gravel laid out on the pathway. Showtime.

He lowered his head and peeked toward the sound and recognized the boy as his target. He's barely large enough to be a snack. Oh, well. He'd learned long before then that looks could be deceiving, especially where he was from. He blinked, and when he reopened them, he saw not the boy anymore, but an indistinct nimbus of color.

At first, he noticed almost none of the colors he would expect. No reds or blues from the heat and exhaustion or even golds and silvers to mark his mental state. Just a blank gray that disturbed Rafe. As he looked at him closer, leaning in a little, he saw that all the everyday colors were blocking what he was looking for.

Not realizing that he had been noticed, he blinked once more and saw the boy was looking at him. He told himself what he did next was to test the boy's strength and speed, but was really just out of boredom. Running at full tilt, he jumped at the retreating boy and bared him to the ground.

He knew his master would forgive him for the small indiscretion– he hoped. It wasn't like the boy would realize what he really was.

Not yet at least.

* * *

A gnarled hand appeared from the left side of the chair and motioned for him to approach. Come here, Rafe. Give your report. None of that growling and barking. Take your human form. Barghest hurts my head, what with all those pitches and body language, an airy voice whispered, so thin a gentle breeze might have masked it.

The first pop is always the worst, he reminded himself. He'd always hated the change, but he knew it was a vital part of proving his humanity remained intact.

With a grinding wave of pain, he felt his lupine bones being manipulated. A feeling of spiders crawling