Escape From Riddler's Pass by Amy Green Page A

abandoned.”
    â€œThen let’s try,” Silas said, grasping the ring.
    The first pull yielded nothing. “It’s locked,” Silas groaned, his face twisted in frustration.
    â€œNo,” Rae said, shaking her head, “I saw the ground move. Try again.”
    This time, Silas used both hands, his muscles straining to pull the door open. Something in the ground seemed to give way, and a thick square of turf and moss pulled away. Jesse could now see that the slab was attached to a wooden panel that opened to reveal a black gash in the ground.
    They surrounded the hole, looking into it. “How do we get down?” Jesse wondered out loud. “I hope not by jumping.”
    In response, Rae reached into the hole and pulled up the first few rungs of a rope ladder. “We climb.”
    â€œI’m still not sure this is a good idea,” Jesse said. “Noa spoke of traps and pitfalls. You and Silas are armed only with small daggers. Maybe we should go to a town nearby and get more supplies.”
    â€œThe nearest town is almost a day’s travel away,” Silas said. “I cannot—will not—wait that long.”
    Jesse sighed, knowing any further arguments would be useless. I liked the old Silas better.
    Silas stared into the hole. “I’ll give those Rebellion cowards their just punishment.”
    â€œAnd rescue Parvel,” Jesse reminded him.
    â€œOf course,” Silas said, as if that was something so obvious he hadn’t felt the need to mention it. He pointed to the pit. “Now, come on.”
    Knowing he wouldn’t be able to climb while holding his staff, Jesse dropped it into the hole. A split second later, it hit the ground with a dull thud.
    â€œDo you want to announce our presence?” Silas demanded, grabbing Jesse by the shoulders and shaking him. “What if someone heard?”
    â€œI’m sorry,” was all Jesse could manage. “I didn’t think.”
    Silas never looked away. “Well, start thinking. No one will ruin this mission. Understand?”
    â€œSilas,” Rae warned.
    He glanced at her, then released his grip on Jesse’s shoulders, looking a little ashamed.
    â€œWell, let’s go,” Rae said, staring at the hole. “No turning back now. After all, Jesse, you have to get your stick back.”
    â€œAfter you, Silas,” Jesse offered generously. I don’t care if they think I’m a coward; I will not be the first to descend into the pit .
    Silas shook his head. “I’ll replace the door,” he said. “It’s too heavy for either of you.”
    That earned him a glare from Rae, who led the way into the hole.
    Jesse was squarely in the middle. Not a bad place to be , he mused as he stepped onto the rope ladder. Rae can catch me if I fall. Silas can pull me to the surface if the rope ladder breaks.
    But the rope did not break, though Silas tested it with his quick, jerking movements. “Slow down,” Jesse muttered, as one of Silas’ hurried steps swung the rope ladder forward, nearly bashing his nose into the wall.
    Jesse frowned as he jumped down from the rope ladder. Another tunnel . This time, though, they were surrounded by hard-packed dirt instead of stone. So that’s why my staff didn’t clatter when it hit the ground .
    Jesse began feeling around for his staff, when suddenly a glow pushed away the dark. Jesse glanced over to see that Silas had the Rebellion stone out again. Jesse took advantage of the light to find his staff, then caught up with Silas and Rae.
    Soon, the dirt ended, and the walls of the tunnel turned to stone. “We’re inside the mountain,” Rae said, almost in awe, as they stepped into a large cavern.
    But Silas was no longer listening to her. He was staring at the far end of the cavern.
    Jesse followed his gaze, and his jaw dropped open.
    It was a wall of glowing stones like the one in Noa’s house, only