Aela by Rosalind Hyson Read Free Book Online Page A

to rescue Aela from the Cave people.
    Back at the Cave Aela was thinking of her next move, once she realised Rom had been whisked away by Croan and his assistants. She raised the alarm, as she ran down the passageway crying out for help. Ardu and a number of warriors who had heard her cries, came running towards her. ‘Rom has been taken prisoner by Croan and his men. They went that way.’ cried Aela, ‘Be quick or Croan will get away with Rom. I will show you the passage they have taken.’
    Aela ran ahead of the group, looking back every now and then to make sure they were following her. Very soon it was plain to Ardu that the conspirators had disappeared altogether. ‘It is no use trying to follow them, They are too far ahead of us. We had better go back to report to Eena and plan our next move,’ ordered Ardu.
    Aela was very upset that Rom was not able to be rescued and reluctantly followed Ardu and his men back to the main cavern. There, Eena was impatiently standing, waiting for them to return. She was disappointed to learn that Croan had got away with the prisoner, under her very nose. ‘Why should Croan do this to me Ardu? He has always been faithful to me.’
    Ardu shook his head, ‘Who knows what riches he had been offered and by whom. He also tried to take Aela as well, but that failed.’
    â€˜It doesn’t mean that he won’t be back to try to snatch her a second time. We must guard her well,’ exclaimed Eena, shaking her head in disbelief.
    â€˜The best thing to do is to take a number of our fittest warriors to follow their tracks into the forest, to try to find out where they have taken Rom.’
    â€˜I want to go with you, Ardu and your men to help rescue him,’ pleaded Aela.
    Eena intervened, ‘No, that is not possible, I do not want to lose you as well. Guards, escort her to my chambers, where she will be safe for the time being.’
    Two guards stepped forward, taking up their positions on either side of Aela, saluted Eena, then led Aela away.
    â€˜I don’t see why I can’t go with Ardu. It is not fair to also imprison me as well,’ complained Aela as she was escorted away by the guards.
    â€˜You must act with speed Ardu. We have to get Rom back at once or our plans are ruined,’ urged Eena.
    Ardu nodded his head in agreement. ‘I will be away, in the blink of an eye of an eagle.’
    Ardu disappeared rapidly into the gloom of a side tunnel. His brisk footsteps echoing in the confined space. Eena let out a deep sigh, life generally never seemed to turn out as expected, no matter how things were carefully planned. She slowly walked to the back of the cavern and disappeared behind a tall rock into a secret passage. Suddenly Eena emerged into her chamber where Aela had been taken by the guards.
    Aela was sitting on a couch impatiently picking the material of her long skirt with her fingers. She rose as Eena suddenly appeared in front of her. ‘Let me go, Eena, I am no use to you and Ardu,’ urged Aela.
    â€˜You my dear, are very necessary to our plans, so stop asking me the impossible. I want you to meditate, then I shall take you into a trance to find out what has happened to Rom, where he has been taken to and if possible, who is behind this plot,’ commanded Eena. ‘Now sit down and we shall start the meditation.’
    Aela was asked by Eena to commence breathing slowly, to relax her arms, legs and then her body allowing her mind to become empty of thoughts about every day life, to lift her spiritual self to a higher level towards the white light. Aela began to feel she was flying like an eagle over the forest trees, she was free and weightless as she soared in the sky.
    Then images came to her of men pushing their way through the thick undergrowth of the forest. One of the men she recognised was Rom, being pulled along by one of the other men. Then she spied Croan at the front of the group, urging