It resembled a large doorway. Engraved in the surface were symbols. Pagorian writing. As he moved closer, he could see an arch etched into the rock and a centerline carved from the floor to the midpoint of the arch.
There, in the middle, was a circular design carved into the rock. Right where a knob would be if it were indeed a door. He stretched out a hand, running his fingers over the area. Inside the circle was a series of bumps and designs.
This is where the bracelet must fit. The key. A key, indeed.
“The bracelet, Robby. Put it here.”
Robby stepped forward and tentatively placed the bracelet into the wall. It was a perfect fit. Robby stepped hastily back when the bracelet suddenly began to glow brilliant blue.
The ground rumbled then began to shake, and to Ridge’s utter amazement, the rock split into two distinct doors and slowly opened.
“Take the key back, Robby,” Ridge directed.
When Robby had pocketed the bracelet, Ridge moved through the entrance, bearing India with him. Robby and the earl followed close behind.
They stepped into a larger cavern, and Ridge gave his surroundings a cursory glance. The room was bathed in light from several holes in the ceiling. Water dripped down the walls, pooling in small puddles on the floor. At the far corner the wall jutted outward, forming a point. On either side of the point were two pathways.
He walked forward, his gaze swinging from side to side, but no other exit existed save for the two he approached. He looked down at India, his chest tightening in fear. She had been unconscious for so long. It didn’t bode well, what with the amount of blood she had lost.
He stroked her hair and kissed the top of her head. “Please wake, India. I need your help,” he whispered.
“Which should we take?” Robby asked as he came to stand at Ridge’s side.
Ridge looked at his father, arching his eyebrow in question. The earl flushed.
“I don’t remember, son. It’s been so long ago, and in truth, I’ve tried to forget everything to do with the city.”
Ridge turned his attention back to the two paths. The exit to the left was wide and seemingly well lit. They would have no problem walking upright unless it narrowed down the line. The path to the right was decidedly narrower, but neither looked overly threatening. Nor did either stand out as the one to take.
Did they lead to the same result?
“Let’s try the one on the left,” Robby spoke up. “If we aren’t successful, we can always double back and try the other.”
The earl frowned. “I don’t think that’s wise. I remember my father commenting on the wisdom of choosing the right path.”
Ridge closed his eyes and tried to think.
Look to the north, to the great peaks of Orion.In the cradle of the moon lies the doorway.The way is broad that leads to destruction.
India’s translation of the bracelet’s inscription replayed in his mind. It was a road map to the city. They had deciphered the first clues. And now all that was left was the last.The way is broad that leads to destruction.
It sparked a remembrance. His childhood Sundays in church, sitting on the pew beside his mother, listening to old Reverend Applegate spew fire and brimstone from the pulpit. According to him, they were all doomed to hell, and his fondest scripture to quote...narrow is the way which leadeth unto life and few there be that find it.
And if he wasn’t mistaken, the preceding verse went something likeand broad is the way that leadeth to destruction.
But was he willing to put all his faith and India’s life into a simple Bible verse? He didn’t have a choice.
“We take the one on the right,” he announced.
To his surprise, neither Robby nor his father disagreed.
“I’ll go first,” the earl said grimly.
He shoved past Ridge and entered the pathway.
“I’ll guard your back,” Robby said with a grin.
Ridge ducked into the pathway, mindful of the precious bundle he carried. Though not well lit, the curving trail offered more light than their original jaunt into the mountain.
