Deltora Quest #1: The Forests of Silence Read Online Free PDF Page A

like a sleeping animal.
    Jarred forced his way through the undergrowth to the rock. He saw that at one end, where the bear’s nose rested on its paws, the grass grew less strongly than it did anywhere else. Why would that be? Unless …
    “Time to wake up, old bear,” Jarred muttered aloud. He ran to the place, threw himself to his knees, and began pulling at the weak grass. It came away easily, and as he scrabbled in the earth beneath it Jarred realized with a wave of relief that he had been right. There was only a thin layer of soil here. Beneath it was a large, round metal plate.
    It took only moments for his powerful hands to uncover the plate completely and pull it aside. A dark hole was revealed. Its walls were lined with stone. In wonder, Jarred realized that he had found the entrance to a tunnel.
    Scurry, mouse,
    Into your house …
    He knew what he must do. He lay flat on his stomach and wriggled into the hole, pulling himself forward on his elbows until the space broadened and his way became easier.
    So now the mouse is in the mouse hole, he thought grimly, as he crawled along in the darkness. Let us hope that no cat is waiting at the other end.
    For a short time the tunnel sloped downwards, then it became more level and Jarred realized that he was moving through the center of the hill. The air was still, the walls around him were ancient stone, and the blackness was complete. He crawled on, losing all track of time.
    At last the tunnel ended in a set of steep stone steps that led upwards. His heart thudding, Jarred began to climb blindly. He had to feel his way — up, up, one step at a time. Then, without warning, the top of his head hit hard stone. With a shock he realized that the way above was blocked. He could go no further.
    Hot panic flared in him. Had this been a trap after all? Were guards even now creeping through the tunnel after him, knowing that they would find him cowering here, without hope of escape?
    Then, through the confusion of his thoughts, he remembered.
    Lift the lid,
    Be glad you did.
    The panic died. Jarred stretched up his arms, pushed firmly, and felt the stone above his head move. He pushed harder, then staggered and nearly fell as with a grating sound the stone moved smoothly aside.
    He climbed the last few steps and crawled out of blackness into soft, flickering light.
    “Who are you?” barked a deep, angry voice.
    A tall, shimmering figure was looming over him. Jarred blinked up at it. After being so long in darkness, his eyes were watering, dazzled by the light. “My name is Jarred,” he cried. “Stay back!”
    He scrambled to his feet, blindly feeling for his sword.
    Then, suddenly, with a rustle of rich silk and the clinking of golden ornaments, the figure was falling to its knees before him.
    “Oh, Jarred, how could I not have known you?” the voice cried. “For the sake of our old friendship, I beg you to forgive the past. You are the only one I can trust. Please help us!”
    And only then did Jarred realize that the man at his feet was Endon.

W ith a shaky laugh, Jarred bent to raise the kneeling king. “Endon! I did not know you, either! Get up, for mercy’s sake!”
    As he stared, his eyes slowly adjusting to the light, he thought that it was no wonder he had not recognized his old friend.
    The slim, solemn boy he had left behind him seven years ago had become a man. Endon had grown as tall and broad-shouldered as Jarred himself. His stiff robes and high collar were encrusted with tiny gems that glittered in the light. His eyes were outlined with black and his eyelids colored blue, in the palace fashion. His long hair and beard were plaited and twined with gold. He smelt of perfume and spices. To Jarred, who had been so long away from the palace and its ways, he made a strange, awesome picture.
    Jarred realized that Endon was staring at him, too, and suddenly he became aware of his workman’s clothes, his thick boots, his rough beard, and untidy hair. He felt