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

brief touch, for the monk’s face was tired and more than usually grim. “It is all arranged,” he said. “We have two days. And because time is so short, every minute is precious. But first, before we go to work, let us give thanks to the Almighty for this moment when the four of us are at last together, and ask for His help in what lies ahead.”
    They bowed their heads while Brother Benedict gave a short prayer. Afterward he told Nysa to sit at the table, and ordered Merra to bring ink, quills, some pieces of vellum to write upon, and a candle. The candle was placed in the center of the table, and Brian and Merra were told to sit on one side and carefully record everything Nysa said.
    When all was ready, the monk glanced at Merra and ordered quietly, “Light the candle, my dear.”
    Merra reached across the table, passed a small hand over the candle, and snapped her fingers. A point of flame rose from the wick.
    Now Brother Benedict settled his sturdy bulk on a bench and faced Nysa across the table. “Look directly at the candle,” he told her. “Do not take your eyes from it or think of a thing.”
    Brian, watching curiously, wondered what would happen next. Was this how one was placed under a spell? Somehow he had expected something quite different.
    â€œYou are going to sleep,” Brother Benedict was saying softly to Nysa, his voice as soothing as Brian had ever heard it. “Your eyes are getting heavy. You cannot keep them open. You are going to sleep. Sleep … Sleep …”
    Nysa’s eyes were closed now. Her delicate body relaxed, and her breathing became slower and deeper. She began to fade, slowly.
    â€œYou are going beyond the candlelight,” Brother Benedict continued. “Into the world where Cerid went. When you reach it, call to Cerid, and she will come to you.”
    Nysa faded completely. Out of the corner of his eye Brian caught a glimpse of Merra’s taut face, her lower lip caught tightly between her teeth. They waited. The room became so quiet he could hear, high overhead, the vague movements of the great tree’s gnarled old limbs in the evening breeze.
    Suddenly from the empty chair across the table came a whisper of sound. All at once the invisible Nysa gave a little cry.
    â€œOh, Cerid! You are here!”

6
    Journey at Dawn
    B RIAN WAS SCARCELY ABLE TO BELIEVE WHAT followed. He heard only Nysa’s voice, but it was a suddenly gay and laughing sound as she talked rapidly to a sister she had not seen in years. That Cerid was with her, and speaking just as fast, he had no doubt; but nothing she said was audible.
    This curious meeting was interrupted by Brother Benedict. “The formula!” he said tersely. “Get it from her before your connection weakens. You haven’t much time!”
    As Nysa’s voice changed and became questioning, the monk turned his head and said quickly, “Have your quills ready, you two. Don’t miss a word—here it comes!”
    It came abruptly, fast. At least it seemed fast to Brian, for he had had no experience taking dictation, and it was only with the greatest difficulty that he was able to jot down the words and numbers before they escaped him. Several times Brother Benedict interrupted Nysa and called for a careful repeat. Then, as the swift seconds passed, it was evident that the connection between the sisters was weakening, for now it was Nysa who was asking for repeats, and who seemed to be finding it hard to distinguish Cerid’s words.
    â€œGet details on the sword!” Brother Benedict ordered abruptly, when Nysa’s voice died. “Where did she leave it? With whom? Get the location!”
    Nysa tried, but little of it seemed intelligible to Brian as he hurriedly wrote it down. Finally Nysa, whose voice seemed to be coming from a great distance, said unhappily, “It is over. Cerid is fading from me and I can no longer hear