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

called softly.
    “Sharn!” exclaimed Endon. He ran to meet the pretty young woman who was slipping into the chapel. She was as richly robed as he, and her glossy hair was twisted high on her head. There were deep shadows under her eyes as if she had kept watch all night.
    She gasped and shrank back as she saw Jarred.
    “Do not be afraid, Sharn,” Endon said gently. “It is only Jarred.”
    “Jarred! You came!” she exclaimed, her tired face breaking into a relieved smile.
    “I did,” nodded Jarred. “And I will do what I can to help you fight the trouble that has come to our land. But we must act quickly. We must go at once to the tower, so that Endon can reclaim the Belt of Deltora.”
    Endon stared at him, white-faced. “Jarred, I — I cannot,” he stammered. “The Rule —”
    “Forget the Rule, Endon!” Jarred hissed, striding towards the door. “I told you this once and you would not listen to me. Do not make the mistake a second time. The Belt is Deltora’s only protection. The people depend upon you to guard it. And I think that it is in danger. Grave danger.”
    As Endon stood motionless, still hesitating, Sharn put her arm through his. “You are the king, Endon,” she said quietly. “Your duty to Deltora is far greater than your duty to obey the Rule. Let us go together to the tower.”
    And, at last, Endon nodded. “Very well,” he said. “We will go. Together.”

    They ran up the great stairs — past the first floor, the second, the third, and on towards the tower room. They took care to move quietly, but they saw no one. It was still very early, and though the cooks had begun to move around in the kitchens downstairs, few others in the palace were stirring.
    By the time they reached the last flight of stairs, Jarred had begun to think that all was going to be well. He climbed eagerly, with Endon and Sharn close behind him. He reached the top — then stopped abruptly.
    The tower room door was gaping open, its three gold locks broken. On the floor outside, the three guards lay dead where they had fallen, their swords still clutched in their hands.
    Jarred heard a sobbing gasp behind him. Then Endon ran past him into the tower room. There was a single, anguished cry. Then silence.
    Jarred’s heart seemed to turn over in his chest. Slowly he and Sharn followed the king.
    The small, round room was very still and a foul smell hung in the air. The sky outside the open windows was filled with angry red light as the newly risen sun glared through a smothering blanket of cloud. The glass case that sheltered the Belt of Deltora had been shattered into a thousand pieces.
    Endon was on his knees among the glittering fragments. The Belt — or what remained of it — lay on the floor in front of him. He picked it up. It hung limply between his hands — a tangled, useless chain of grey steel. Its medallions were torn and twisted. The seven gems were gone.

W ith a cry, Sharn hurried to her husband’s side, gently helping him to rise. He stood, swaying, the empty, ruined Belt clutched in his hands.
    Dull despair settled over Jarred. What he had feared had come to pass. The enemy had triumphed.
    There was a low, mocking laugh behind him. Prandine was standing in the doorway. In his long black robe he looked as tall and bony as ever, but it was as if a mask had fallen from his face. The grave, serious expression had gone. Now, greed and triumph lit his eyes and cruelty twisted his thin mouth.
    “So, Jarred, you have risen from the dead to try to interfere once more,” he snarled. “But you are too late. Soon, very soon, Deltora will bow beneath my Lord’s shadow.”
    Wild anger surged through Jarred. He lunged forward, his sword aimed at Prandine’s heart. In an instant, the sword burned white hot. He dropped it with a cry of agony, his hand seared and blistered.
    “You were a fool to come here,” spat Prandine. “If you had not, I would have gone on believing you safely dead. Now you are