Story Arc #1: The Castle of Shadows
Leaving the Castle of Shadows
A chapter of a ‘choose your own’ story.
This is a collaborative web-novel. You might want to start the story at the beginning, here, or go back to the previous chapter: “The villagers attack”, or “Facing the Knight”.
And please check out this article to find out how you can to contribute to this and other ‘choose your own’ stories in this publication!
You decide that you’ve heard enough. Jade has picked an evil and power-hungry path, and while the villagers might not be your favorite people in the world, they basically have the right of the matter.
Besides, it would be best for the Sword of Light to stay hidden here in the Castle of Shadows, where it will never attract the attention of the world.
Jade’s example is enough to show you that the temptation it brings is just too dangerous.
Ignoring Balorg for the moment, you advance towards Jade, just as your former partner aims a blow at her sister’s face. Zyra ducks, but falls back against the wall. The knight with the axe moves in… but you slam your mace down onto the top of his head. He crumples to the ground.
You’re two for two against the knights!
Jade now looks around, wide eyed, and the distraction is enough for Zyra to kick out at her sister’s knees. Jade falls to the ground at your feet with a groan, her weapon flying from her hand, and the last of her goblin servants scatter towards the arched doorway at the right, fleeing for their lives.
The only remaining goblin in the throne-room is Balorg, who is still staring down at the sword, transfixed.
“It’s so beautiful,” he murmurs, a string of drool hanging from his lower lip. “So precious.”
“Yes,” says Zyra sharply, pushing the sword back into the box and closing the lid. “And it has a mind of its own. This thing is far too dangerous for Jade or the goblins. It will have to go back into the shrine of Lugh.”
“Where is that?”, you ask.
She nods towards the back of the throne-room. “Right here in the Castle of Shadows, behind the throne. The ancient witches of this area enchanted the shrine to keep the sword safe.”
You watch on, fascinated, as Zyra and her family from the village round the throne and place the sword carefully in what looks like a glass cylinder. It’s too ancient to be glass, however. Could it really be magic?
The sword then hangs there, as if suspended in midair.
A part of you wishes you could have taken a photo, drawn a sketch, anything. If you tell other archaeologists now, they’ll never believe you.
But that was the choice you made.
Zyra turns to you. “Thank you, stranger. Now, we must be going. My people keep a close eye on the Castle of Shadows, and you should return to your work.”
“Mmm,” you say, nodding first. “Well, that was quite something. Anyone fancy going for a beer?”
That evening, you sit in a bar near the foot of the mountains — the very place where you last spoke to Jade before setting off on your recent adventure.
This time, you are with her sister Zyra, and two others from the mountain village. Even Balorg is here, a hood covering his goblin features. He was persuaded to wash in a mountain stream, and so his stench is a lot less than before.
All the same, you avoid sitting beside him in the bar.
“Are you sure the Sword of Light will be safe?” you ask.
Zyra nods confidently. “Jade’s servants are dangerous, but few in number. Besides, now that we have handed her to the police, their plan has been thwarted. We can all relax.”
“Right.”
You know Jade of old; she’s resourceful. But perhaps that is a problem for another time.
And now Zyra surprises you with a suggestion. “You know, you’ve really surprised me,” she says, and Balorg nods.
“How so?”
“Well, think about it. You found the Castle of Shadows, escaped threats from Jade and her minions several times, and even took out some knights in single combat.”
You shrug, and then take another swig of your beer. “I guess that is a pretty good run, if you put it like that!”
She leans closer, then pulls a small red stone out of her pocket, and places it on the table between you.”
“Perhaps you want to go and take a well-earned rest now,” she says. “That would be understandable. Go on vacation, whatever! But there’s a bigger picture you should know about. Something…”
She leaves it hanging.
You look at the mysterious stone, which sparkles with a peculiar energy. “Like what, exactly?”
Now it is Balorg that answers:
“That is one of the druid stones of old. It has been enchanted with a portal to the realm of Pendown. It was once a paradise, but has been spoiled by corrupt lords, dragons, and monsters. It’s very much in need of a hero.”
You take another swig of your beer, gazing at the mesmerising jewel. “You intend to go there?”
Zyra nods. “Traveling to Pendown is part of our ancient and sacred duty.”
“Well,” you reply, leaning back in your chair, “have fun, I guess.”
“We could really use your help,” says Balorg, his huge eyes fixed on yours.
You glance from Zyra to the goblin, to the stone, and then back to Zyra.
What do you do?
- Sure, I’ll join your noble quest…
- I’ll pass. This has been more than enough danger and excitement for me!
Folks, this is the last ‘true’ chapter I’ll publish of the Castle of Shadows arc. A real milestone for my own writing on Medium!
True, there are a small number of loose ends (e.g. doors 0 and 1!), but my thought is that these can be resolved by other writers in any way — perhaps by launching into brand new stories.
That certainly applies to the choices above. Hint, hint, Jonathon Sawyer and Linden Schneider! And other writers, feel free to add further options.
I’ve had a blast writing this tale, and I hope that if you made it all the way from The Cave to this point, you enjoyed it too.
Want to write your own story? Come join us at Choose Your Own Adventure–Collaboration to contribute. And consider checking out some of my other fiction below. Thanks!!