Story Arc #1: The Castle of Shadows
The Archway to the Right
A chapter of a ‘choose your own’ story.
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You flee.
However, you underestimate how rapidly Master L’Roche can move, even in his armor. He tries to block your path, then slashes out with his sword. Somehow you parry the attack, but your mace is knocked from your hand.
You twist past the knight, and keep going.
You glance over the shoulder to see whether Jade and her lackeys are coming for you. But then, as you make it to the entrance on the right, you find yourself falling…
…and falling…
Fortunately, your fall turns into a slide, and you realize that you are in a sloping passageway. At least you aren’t speeding up, but you can’t stop yourself from sliding deeper into the bowels of the mountain.
Wonderful.
Finally, you land with a thump on a pile of furs within a round room lit by a single torch. You groan, feeling at the multiple bumps and bruises that you have sustained. Tentatively, you stand up. Nothing is actually broken. You can move.
It’s going to be ok.
Now you can find a way out, and get home safely. Perhaps you can leave the madness of the adventure behind once and for all?
You then look towards the one entrance of the room, only to see four goblins with axes coming through.
“Good,” one of the says in your own language.
“Fresh meat,” says another.
And they all laugh.
Soon you find yourself in a very large and deserted barred cell. Despite the mythic nature of much of what you have seen, the goblins jailers clearly have access to modern technology — the padlocks like like they come from a good hardware store, and there are even security cameras in the corridors. The guards speak mainly in their own language, but there is no doubt in your own mind — your stay here will be short, and will end when they are ready to cook and eat you.
You have just about given up hope when you notice a boy in a ragged prison outfit in the corner, sitting in the shadows — you had previously thought you were alone. He is slim, with a youthful face.
“Hey kid,” you say, hurrying over. “Any idea how we can get out of here? I think I’ve had enough of goblins. Perhaps questing for the Sword of Light was too much for an archeologist like me. I just wanna go home.”
“So you’re a scientist? A doctor of philosophy?” says the kid, standing his eyes widening.
You nod, as the kid moves closer.
At first you assume that he can’t be more than about fifteen years old. But then you hear something that causes you to rethink your assumptions:
“I was tricked into coming here, but I can find a way out. I am Titania, the Princess of the Fairies of the Summer Court, and my brother Oberon lured me here.”
“You’re a fairy?” you say skeptically, realizing that despite the boyish features and short hair, you are actually speaking to a woman.
She nods. “Magic, and all the rest of it. What’s more, I’ll be 21 tomorrow, and ready to take the throne of my people.”
You gape.
She takes a step closer. “You know, I thought that Oberon had pranked me by saying that I’d meet a special guest today for the Summer Courts,” however, now I’m not so sure. Perhaps you’re the guest.”
“Umm…. and what exactly do you mean by ‘Summer Courts’?” you ask, trying to figure out if this is a good development or not.
“You’ll soon see. If you come with me.”
“I….”
“Well, what do you say?” Titania demands. “Do you want to get out of here? I’ don’t plan on waiting any longer and becoming luncheon meat for these goblins!”
What do you say?
- No thanks — I’ll find my own way out (click here).
- All right then… let’s try this your way (click here).
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