Beast Quest #3: Cypher the Mountain Giant Read Online Free

sweat. “It will take all night to clear this.”
    “The house could collapse before then!” Tom said desperately. He thought hard. There had to be some other way.
    Tom remembered something he had learned in his uncle’s blacksmith shop: Everything has a breaking point. One day, his uncle had demonstrated this by shattering a sheet of metal with the soft tap of a hammer. His uncle explained that it was just a matter of finding a point of weakness, and then applying pressure to it.
    Tom studied the largest boulder closely. He didn’t know what he was looking for until he saw it — a small line near the bottom. It wasn’t a crack. It was a line where two different layers of rock met.
    Tom pulled his sword out of its scabbard and held it up in front of him. Crouching down, he cocked his sword back, keeping his eyes focused on this small line. With all his strength, Tom swung the sword, striking just to the left of the crack. The impact sent painful vibrations up his arms, but nothing happened to the rock. Tom took aim again and swung the sword even harder.
    This time, it hit the mark. There was a sharp cracking sound and the rock crumbled into pieces. Tom could hear gasps of shock from the men behind him.
    “What is that sword made of?” someone asked.
    “Never mind that,” said Tom, examining the next boulder for its weak spot. “We should clear this rubble.”
    Griffin and the others scrambled to drag away the smaller pieces of rock. Tom kept bringing his sword down in ringing blows against the massive boulders. The muscles in his arms were soontrembling with the effort, but he couldn’t stop. Not while people were still trapped in the house.
    With a surge of hope, Tom saw the door to the house slowly being revealed. He fell to his knees and used his bare hands to dig away the last of the rubble. The door creaked open. Randall, Michael, and Edward staggered out.
    Belco smiled at Tom. “I don’t know where you learned to use a sword so well, but that was quick thinking, my young friend.” He clapped his hands. “Let’s get our new guests to the town hall with everyone else. Come along.”
    “Thanks, but we’ll have to join you later,” Tom called, hanging back from the crowd with Elenna. “We can’t lose any more time,” he added in a low voice. “We must find Cypher and stop him before he can cause another rockslide — or kill someone.”
    She nodded. “Let’s go.”
    “Hey,” said Randall, who was standing with Michael and Edward. Tom and Elenna whirledaround — they hadn’t heard them approach. He paused. “Not everyone would help to save a thief. Thank you. Are you sure you don’t want to take shelter in the town hall?”
    “I’m sure,” Tom said, with an uneasy glance toward the mountains.
    Michael stepped forward. “Are you headed up there?” he asked, alarmed.
    Tom nodded solemnly.
    The third man, Edward, had been silent so far. But he now looked closely at Tom. “You know, we may be thieves,” he said, “but you learn things wandering through the empty side of town.”
    Tom and Elenna exchanged a glance. “Cypher,” Tom whispered.
    “Yes,” said Randall. “It wasn’t always this way — - the legends say he protects us! But not now.”
    “If the giant is what you’re after, boy, I’d turn around!” Michael said.
    Tom shook his head. “I won’t give up,” he said.
    Edward turned to Tom and Elenna. “If you’re set on it, the legends say he lives on a plain called the Place of the Eagles.” He paused, thinking. “All the short routes have been blocked. But the main trail will still take you there. It splits in five directions — always take the right. Then an hour’s hike will bring you to the plain. That is where you’ll find the Beast.”
    “Thank you,” said Tom.
    Tom and Elenna climbed astride Storm. With a snort, the horse cantered away, steam puffing from his nostrils. Tom was both afraid and excited as they set off on the winding trail. Looking up at