Dragon Bones

Book Description
Ward of Hurog has tried all his life to convince people he is just a simple, harmless fool...And it's worked. But now, to regain his kingdom, he must ride into war-and convince them otherwise.

"Patricia Brigg's novels...are clever, engaging [and] fast-moving." (Romantic Science Fiction & Fantasy)


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Most everyone thinks Ward of Hurog is a simple-minded fool-and that's just fine by him. But few people know that his foolishness is (very convincingly) feigned. And that it's all that's saved him from death at the hands of his abusive father-who's always seen Ward as a bitter rival for power. When his father dies, Ward becomes the new lord of Hurog.until a nobleman declares that he is too dim-witted to rule. Ward knows he cannot play the fool any longer. To regain his kingdom, he must prove himself worthy-and quickly. Riding into a war that's heating up on the border, Ward is sure he's on the fast track to glory. But soon his mission takes a deadly serious turn. For he has seen a pile of magical dragon bones hidden deep beneath Hurog Keep. They are Hurog's most precious, powerful treasure-and Ward is certain his enemies will kill to possess them.


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Being the son of a jealous lord has not been easy for Wardwick. After nearly being beaten to death at a young age, he feigns being as mentally dim as he is large. This serves him well until he is 18, then it backfires when his foul-tempered father is killed after being tossed from his horse. His relatives feel he is too dim to rule Hurog Keep and they plan to ship him off to a mental institution. However, while rescuing his mute sister from the tunnels under the castle, Wardwick makes two discoveries. The first is the skeleton of a dragon, chained in place, acting as both protection and curse for the Keep. The other is Oreg, enchanted son of a long-dead wizard bound body and soul to the castle, his obedience tied to a platinum ring now magically transferred to Ward upon the death of his father. With Oreg's help, Ward escapes with his sister, a runaway mage, and a few trusted servants, planning to become a war hero, correctly figuring that the local population doesn't have to believe he's smart, just brave. They begin to successfully eradicate the bandits who have been raiding nearby villages, but the more time Ward spends in the countryside defending the peasants, the more he suspects there is a pattern behind the attacks. At one village, he discovers the inhabitants all ritually slain and a legendary stone rumored to be a spellbound dragon missing. He abruptly realizes that what is being stolen is not just ordinary treasure, but anything containing magic�but it's too late. The traitor in his band has already sprung the trap and Ward must use every bit of bravery, cleverness and small magic he has to stop the mages from getting to the ultimate power source�the chained dragon bones underHurog Keep. A wonderful adventure tale written with charm, intelligence and excellent plot twists that keep the reader off guard. Ward is a skilled fighter, but uses patience, compassion and humor to win alliances. He's touched by the dragon's curse as well, as obsessed with owning Hurog Keep as his father ever was but willing to sacrifice himself to do what's right for the people he's sworn to protect. An excellent read for everyone. KLIATT Codes: JSA�Recommended for junior and senior high school students, advanced students, and adults. 2002, Berkley, Ace, 295p.,


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