The Invisible Tower by Nils Johnson-Shelton Page A

turned to Artie and asked under her breath, “He doesn’t mind that you’re playing with this thing?”
    â€œUh, no.” Artie said lamely.
    â€œYeah,” Kay tried to explain, “it’s kinda like he doesn’t even see it. I think he’s in denial or something.”
    Artie went to get some lemonade. He wasn’t sure how he felt about this development. How could Qwon see the sword? Why could she see it? Was Qwon supposed to be one of his new knights of the Round Table? He wasn’t sure he wanted that. He really liked Qwon and didn’t want to feel like he was putting her in any kind of trouble.
    Then again, she did appear to know how to use a sword, which was pretty cool.
    Qwon shrugged and jammed Cleomede back into the ground. She went to grab some lemonade and asked innocently, “So where’d you get it, then?”
    Artie and Kay looked at each other and then back at their friend. “Online?” Kay said pathetically.
    â€œHa! As if.”
    Artie said, “No, that’s where we got it. You wouldn’t believe how many people are selling swords online!”
    â€œReally?” Qwon downed her drink as she considered what he said. “I don’t believe you. That thing looks special, you know?”
    â€œYeah, we got lucky,” Artie tried to explain.
    â€œWhatever, Artie. If you just let me take a few more hacks with it, I wouldn’t care if you told me it fell into your hands out of a rainbow.”
    Artie smiled. He pulled the sword from the ground, took it by the blade, and presented it pommel first to Qwon. She grabbed it, stepped back, and gave it a few rips through the air.
    Artie swore that he’d never seen her smile so big.

10
ON MEETING THE VORPAL BUNNY AND VICTOR X. LANCE
    They spent the rest of the afternoon hanging out, drinking lemonade, teasing Kynder, and acting like normal kids on summer vacation.
    If kids playing with a medieval magical sword could be called normal.
    Qwon left shortly before dinner. The Kingfishers ate and turned in early. They had a big day ahead of them.
    The ride to Peebles the next morning was pretty boring, except for the weather. It was like the sky was schizophrenic: it alternated between bright sun and ominous storm clouds that looked as though they were about to unleash a cascade of fierce, earth-cracking lightning.
    But the lightning never came.
    They arrived at Serpent Mound State Memorial after lunchtime. They parked and got out their picnic stuff. Artie slung Cleomede over his shoulder, and they searched for a place to eat. The weather had decided to stay nice, and by the time they dug into their sandwiches, it was a steamy summertime afternoon.
    The plan, arranged between Artie, Merlin, and Thumb on the Otherworld message boards, was to rendezvous at five o’clock in the woods just north of Serpent Mound’s head. Merlin had assured Artie that Kynder would be sleeping on account of being full and happy—but also on account of a little magic.
    Right on cue, at precisely four forty-five, Kynder said, “Guys, I’m pooped. Do you think it’d be okay if I conked out for a few minutes?”
    Kay, unable to contain her anticipation, said excitedly, “Oh sure, Kynder!”
    Kynder gave her a sidelong glare and, for a brief moment, seemed to be completely aware of what was going on. Then his face softened and he smiled. Artie thought he looked like an amnesiac who’d remembered and then forgotten his own name. It made both Artie and Kay a little sad—they wanted their old Kynder back as soon as possible.
    Kynder settled against a tree and said, “Great. Thanks, guys. Just fifteen minutes or so, all right?”
    â€œYou got it, Kynder,” Artie answered.
    â€œYeah, don’t worry about us. We’ll stay out of trouble!” added Kay, knowing she was definitely lying.
    Kynder closed his eyes and instantly fell asleep.
    Artie grabbed Cleomede, and