The Invisible Tower by Nils Johnson-Shelton Read Free Book Online Page B

we’re going to have lots of capital- A adventures!”
    Artie felt like they’d already had a capital- A adventure and wasn’t so sure he wanted another.
    Dazed, Artie shuffled up a few stairs before turning back. “Hey, Tom, thanks for taking care of those things back there.”
    â€œDon’t mention it, lad. Someone’s got to look after you. Off you go now!”
    Back in the shop Merlin was talking to a couple of kids a little younger than Artie. A grown-up behind them thumbed through a graphic novel. Artie was suddenly conscious of the sword. Merlin broke away from his customers midsentence, turned to Artie, and said under his breath, “Don’t worry, they can’t see it. Look in the video monitors.” Artie looked and, sure enough, there was no sign of Cleomede. Then Merlin piped up and said, “Children, you are very lucky. This young man has proven himself worthy of one of my rarest possessions! He has won the Golden Controller!”
    â€œNo way!” exclaimed the boy, expressing immediate admiration for Artie.
    â€œI thought no one could get that!” said the girl, sounding more disappointed than impressed.
    â€œNot no one, child, just not any one. Artie is this young man’s name, and he is quite special. Go on, Artie, help yourself. Take the controller, but come back tomorrow when the tournament is over. We have some unfinished business to attend to.”
    Artie went to the case, which had been opened since he’d gone on his surrealistic adventure, and picked up the controller. It was a lot heavier than he expected. He put it in a bag that Merlin held open for him, and headed toward the exit.
    â€œI called a taxi for you,” Merlin shouted. “And remember tomorrow, sire!”
    Sire . That would take some getting used to.
    Artie climbed into the yellow Cincinnati Checker cab idling in front of the shop and found himself back at the hotel in five minutes. He was so out of it that as he was getting out, he didn’t hear the young driver exclaim, “I’ll be seeing you around, kid!”
    Artie threw Cleomede over his shoulder as inconspicuously as he could. No one said a thing about it or paid him any special attention.
    He had an invisible sword? Really?
    He walked through the lobby, got into a full elevator, and no one stared. He passed a cleaning lady in the hallway outside his room, and all she said was, “Hello there.”
    He had an invisible sword. Really.
    He let himself into the room. Kay and Kynder were resting on the beds. When he walked in, Kynder propped himself on his elbows and said, “There you are. I was just beginning to worry.”
    He didn’t notice the sword at all. “Nothing to worry about!” Artie said uneasily. “Here. Check it out, Kay.” Artie removed the controller from the bag and held it out.
    She took it without taking her eyes off her brother. Kynder didn’t seem to notice, though, and he said, “Well, that looks really cool, Kay. I think it’ll work great for the tourney, don’t you?”
    â€œUh, yeah, should be fine,” she said.
    â€œGreat,” Kynder blurted, “I’m going to grab a shower.”
    â€œCool,” Kay said.
    Kynder went into the bathroom and closed the door. Artie didn’t move.
    Kay asked, “ What is that? ”
    Artie said weakly, “That’s your stupid controller.”
    â€œI can see that, Slick, but I mean that .” She pointed directly at him and said in a desperate whisper, “ The sword! ”
    â€œWhat sword?”
    â€œUh, the medieval-looking broadsword hanging over your shoulder!”
    â€œYou can see it?”
    â€œOf course I can.”
    â€œNo one else can. Kynder can’t. The cabbie couldn’t. No one else can see it!”
    â€œBull.”
    â€œNot bull. Look, I’ll take it off and lean it against the wall over here, and wait and see if Kynder says