Inspired by the picturesque Backbone Mountain in the Appalachians, this gathering of myths and fables creates its own imaginative world. Short stories that draw on Native American folklore and rich, Tolkien-style universes tell of the adventures of the Alyphanties—the little mountain people—who once lived in caves on the mountain. Each chapter follows a different character, including Malik, the north wind; Esseldorph, the storyteller; Bardof, the magical hunter; and Nephod, the flute player. Perfect for lovers of folk tales or fantasy and aimed at readers of all ages, this collection of new fairy tales invokes a time and place that is familiar, yet exists just beyond this world.