Aela Read Online Free PDF

giant bear.
    Reading the messages, he realised that Aela had fled through the forest with the bear chasing her. Grimly, Rom followed the tracks hoping he would be in time to rescue Aela, before the bear caught up with her. He briefly paused at the ditch where Aela fell and was about to run on, when a piece of bright blue material caught his eye, lying on the ground. Rom immediately recognised this as part of Aela’s dress, so he bent down to pick up the remnant. At this level, his eye was drawn to a crack in a large rock. He noticed that the ground around the entrance had been disturbed, so Rom moved forward to take a closer look. At the same time he called out Aela’s name. To his amazement he heard Aela’s voice say, ‘Rom, Rom I am inside the rock.’
    Rom bent down on all fours, peering through the crack, then he squeezed through. To his amazement he was in a large underground cave and he could hear water trickling down the wall nearest to him. Whilst his eyes were adjusting to the semi-gloom, he saw Aela leaning against the back wall of the cave. Aela sprang to her feet with delight, they both laughingly fell into each other’s arms.
    â€˜Oh Rom, I am so glad to see you. What a terrible night I have had.’ Aela then breathlessly recounted her ordeal with the bear as she devoured the fish Rom gave her.
    â€˜We must press on with the quest for the Sacred Sword,’ stated Rom.
    â€˜I don’t want to be chased by any more bears,’ wailed Aela.
    â€˜Suit yourself, but I am continuing with my quest. You Aela can go home if you want to,’ Rom steadfastly replied.
    Aela realised that she was having no effect on Rom, and looked up, seeing an opening in the cave ceiling with a shaft of sunlight streaming through. ‘Let us go that way Rom.’
    Without saying a word, Rom began to climb up the wall towards the aperture. Not to be left behind, Aela scrambled behind him and they soon reached the opening. They crawled out into the bright sunlight and immediately in front of them they saw a wide spaced well-used pathway. In the distance they could see the large mountain that Ette had pointed out to them. Without saying a word to each other Aela and Rom commenced walking side by side towards the mountain for the rest of the day.
    They turned round a blind corner only to see a large entrance to a cave. Curiosity getting the better of them they walked towards the entrance. Once inside they observed there were many torches and lamps lit along the walls of the huge cavern and there were groups of people with heads bowed talking in soft whispers and glancing towards a raised platform, as if waiting for someone to appear at any moment. Then a hush descended on the crowd, with all eyes fixed on the spot. There was a roll of drums coming from the back of the cave and a tall figure wearing a multi-coloured long swirling garment and an eagle mask appeared on the rock.
    The figure held up its right hand, ‘Hail my people! I have an important message for you all. A great warrior has come amongst us, who will vanquish our enemies and bring peace and prosperity to you. By the time of the next full moon he will be revealed to us.’
    With a loud beating of drums, the prophet turned on its heels and disappeared. There was an audible gasp from the crowd, then they began to speak excitedly amongst each other. Aela and Rom were totally absorbed in watching the scene before them, when a small, swarthy complexioned man materialised at their side.
    â€˜My name is Croan. Come with me at once. Eena wants to see you immediately.’
    Two men appeared holding their spears at the ready just in case Aela and Rom refused to obey. They were quickly led through a side passage to a smaller ante chamber lit up by many lamps. There in the centre stood a tall woman, still in her rainbow coloured garment minus the mask.
    â€˜Come my friends. Let me have a closer look at you. Welcome to my domain My name is