The Sword of Aradel by Alexander Key Read Free Book Online Page A

her to carry.”
    Reverently he buckled it about his waist, as high as he could, and found he was just tall enough to keep the golden tip from dragging on the floor. The new sword fitted into it easily.
    â€œThe scabbard has a power of its own,” Nysa went on. “It comes from the jewels. Draw the sword, and you will see what I mean.”
    Brian’s hand went to the hilt. The moment his fingers touched it, the sword, in spite of its length and weight, seemed to leap from the scabbard as if propelled by a spring. He was even more astounded when he raised it, for it had entirely lost its feeling of heaviness.
    â€œHave no fear of it,” Nysa said. “The lighter it seems to the hand, the harder the blade will strike.” She turned to Merra. “Take him into the hill and show him how we travel by formula. And do be watchful!”
    Merra called to Tancred, and with the nightingale on her shoulder she led the way into the curving passage beyond the little alcove. It soon widened into a broad cavelike room with a smooth stone floor. The floor was covered with large circles drawn with chalk. These were more than an arrow’s length across, and each was filled with a design made of different geometric figures. Numbers and symbols filled the spaces between the circle and the enclosed design.
    â€œThese are departure points,” said Merra, indicating the circles. “Each one will take you to a different place. From here you can go to the abbey, the village, Celadon, and any of the main towns and castles of Aradel.” She pointed to a circle enclosing a hexagon. “If we stand in the center of that one, and repeat the right formula, it will take us to another circle in the top of the little tower at Rondelaine.”
    â€œHow do we get back?”
    â€œWe’ll stand in the circle in the tower, I’ll say the formula in reverse, and we’ll land in the larger circle over yonder.”
    â€œI see.” He frowned at the large circle, then stared at a much bigger one in the corner beyond it. It was the largest of all, containing circles within circles, and an intricate design of triangles in the center. “What’s that big one for?”
    Merra bit her lip, and said almost in a whisper, “It is the one we will use when we leave to find the true sword.”
    At the thought, a little shiver of uneasiness went up his spine. He was still wondering what trials the fates had in store for them when she drew him into the circle with the hexagon. He was ordered to stand back to back with her and and clasp her hands tightly.
    â€œDon’t dare let go,” she cautioned. “It could break the power that holds us, and only heaven knows what would happen then. Now, ready?”
    â€œReady.”
    â€œThen close your eyes and don’t open them till I tell you to.”
    Dutifully he closed his eyes, and she began a curious chant that started with numbers and finished with a rhyme:
    â€œBy all my right, and power bright,
    Transport us to that highest height
    Where Cerid fled when all were slain,
    That dreadful day at Rondelaine.”
    At the final word he felt a sudden giddiness, as if he were whirling and flying apart, then abruptly he seemed to come down hard on his heels. Instinctively he opened his eyes. It was several seconds before she told him he could do so, and he was in time to glimpse the inside of their landing place as if it were made of things transparent and not fully formed. Then he heard Merra’s voice, and the heavy masonry solidified and he saw they were in the center of a small covered tower. The thick wall was slitted all around for the convenience of archers. Directly in front of him a narrow stairway twisted downward.
    Brian had had a secret fear that the tower would be occupied when they arrived. It was, but only by dozens of nesting sparrows that flew off in sudden alarm, chirping loudly. The sparrows worried him.
    He said to Merra,