The Sword of Aradel Read Online Free PDF

noticed before.
    â€œNow let me see your sword,” she said.
    As he held it out, there was a shimmering in front of him, and a slender girl in a flowing dress that seemed to be made of petals took form. She might have been Merra’s older sister. But her eyes were gray instead of green, and there was no hint of mischief in them.
    â€œI—I see you!” he exclaimed.
    â€œI wanted you to,” she told him. “But I haven’t the power of Cerid, Merra’s mother. She could remain visible for days. With me it’s just minutes—but that should be enough to convince you I’m as real as anyone.”
    She took the sword, studied it curiously, then gave it back. “Beautiful!” she said softly. “It must have cost Albericus much gold, for it had to fool so many people.”
    Brian’s eyes widened. “You mean it’s not the true sword of Aradel?”
    â€œOf course not, or you might never have defeated Rupert. Or have you guessed that?”
    â€œI did wonder,” he admitted. “But what happened to the true sword?”
    â€œMerra’s mother hid it to keep Albericus from getting it. Now the time has come to find it.”
    Puzzled, Brian glanced from Merra to her aunt. “I don’t understand. If Merra’s mother hid it, why can’t she—”
    â€œCerid is no longer with us,” came the sad reply. “When her husband died, she renounced everything and went to join him. Only you and Merra, using your abilities and working together, can find the sword and bring it back.”
    â€œBut—but where is it hidden?”
    â€œIn the future,” Nysa said quietly.
    â€œThe future! ”
    â€œYes. She hid it a thousand years in the future.”
    Brian could only stare at her blankly. What she had told him made no sense whatever. Finally he managed to repeat, “A thousand years in the future?”
    â€œYes. Something like that. The exact number of years is unimportant. The sword will remain where she put it until you arrive to claim it. But let us not discuss it now. You are tired and hungry. Later, after you have had food and rest, we will talk it over and decide what to do.”
    They ate at a small table hidden in an alcove he had not noticed before. The place opened into a passageway that seemed to curve into the rocky hill behind the great tree. Brian wondered what mystery lay at the passageway’s other end, then forgot it as he helped himself to the generous slices of black bread and cheese. It was a simple meal, spliced out with wild greens and heaping bowls of Merra’s strawberries, but it was better than anything he had ever had at the abbey. Not that good food wasn’t served there, only that precious little of it ever reached the stable area.
    Presently, as the storm outside slackened, Nysa faded and vanished, then her voice was heard coming from the narrow stairway. “Merra, how is Grinder doing now?”
    Merra closed her eyes a moment, then suddenly burst out laughing. “Grinder is having the time of his life! He has a big pack with him; they’ve driven off the dogs, and now they’re after the men. Oh, it’s a terrible mess, what with the storm and the horses scared out of their wits, and the men soaked through and frightened. The only one not afraid is Albericus. He’s in a black fury!”
    â€œThat is nothing to laugh about,” Nysa’s voice reminded her. “If Albericus even suspected the Dryads were helping Brian, he would never rest till he had destroyed every tree in this grove.”
    â€œOh dear! Couldn’t we stop him somehow?”
    â€œI’m not sure. That creature has powers of his own.”
    â€œThe true sword would stop him!”
    â€œOf course,” said Nysa, her voice receding as she climbed the stairs. “And the sooner you two can find it, the better. I’m going up now to hunt for that formula.”
    Brian,