Race to Solstice

**<u>Race to Solstice</u>** *A bold adventure through a fantasy land in winter* [[Begin]]

You wake early in the morning, packing your bags and walking through the town of Westhazel. Pete, the baker, another early riser, warns you of a snowstorm coming. You will have to be careful and keep an eye out for shelter on the way. You go to meet up with your companion. With whom did you approach the old woman last night? [[Bex]] [[Jemima]]

Runalong River passes through the mill, which grinds the almond flour for the town’s baked goods. If you are heading to a magic village, it might be a good idea to bring a gift from Westhazel! Unfortunately, all the almond flour was used at last night’s market. Your stomach grumbles as you think of pecan pasties. Luckily, the mill owner is your friend Bex’s father. *“Feel free to take some of the almonds we hadn’t ground yet.”*(if:$bex is true)[ Bex is embarrassed but hugs her father goodbye when she thinks you aren't looking.] [[Continue on your way]]

The trees look stark in the winter, though you can see the odd hazelnut still clinging to the branches. You could probably collect a bag full as a gift for the village of Solstice without being seen, or you could risk asking Jemima’s grumpy uncle if he has a bag you could take. [[Pick some yourself]] [[Ask for permission]]

It takes a while to collect enough nuts to fill the bag and you notice that Jemima's uncle is coming out to begin work. He spots you and you bolt, escaping as he yells angrily after you. You're sure to be in trouble when you return.(if:$bex is true)[ Bex laughs as she races ahead of you.](if:$jem is true)[ Jemima is quiet.] [[Continue on your way]]

You've only really seen Jemima's uncle angry at the local children for trying to steal from the orchard. When you approach him and ask politely, it seems he has no real issue with giving you a pre-filled bag full of hazelnuts. *"Good luck on your journey and be sure to tell me what that magic village is all about when you get back"*(if:$jem is true)[ Jemima chuckles at you for ever being scared of him in the first place.] [[Continue on your way]]

The man looks startled, he clearly did not see you until now. A panicked look in his eye, he brandishes a sword at you weakly. Seeing he is outnumbered, however, he lowers his weapon. *"Friends, I mean you no harm but go no further down this pass. Though I will die here today, at least I may serve as a warning to you so that you may escape the same fate."* [[Continue walking|Keep going]] [[Put him out of his misery]] [[Attempt to aid him]]

$companion looks on in horror as you wrestle the sword from the man's grasp and finish him off. *"It's kinder this way."* you think. He was sure to bleed out before long anyway, and this would spare him further suffering. Keeping hold of the sword, you continue on your way.(set:$sword to true) [[Keep going]]

You give the man some water from your flask but haven't the first idea about how to fix his injuries. Nevertheless, he seems to appreciate your efforts. Calmer now, he continues to speak. *"A little further down the road, you may notice a small burrow, a little like a rabbit's. **Do not approach it!** In fact, this is the burrow of a sickle-weasel, a wicked beast with razor claws!"* He sighs *"If I can't persuade you from your course, at least take my sword. I have no need of it any longer."* As you take the sword from the man's outstretched hand, he slumps over and breathes his final breath.(set:$sword to true) [[Keep going]]

It is getting later in the afternoon now and you are starting to feel hungry and cold. It has started to snow. You could eat some of the nuts you brought along, but they were supposed to be a gift for the town of Solstice. Luckily, you know how to make the most of the forest's offerings and look around for something you might be able to catch. You spot a small burrow, about the right size for a rabbit. Your stomach grumbles. [[Leave the burrow and eat some nuts]] [[Approach the burrow]]

Rather than take the risk, you decide to eat a few of the nuts and find shelter. After a quick snack, there are still plenty in the bag. You notice the snow is getting thicker. A blizzard must be on its way. [[Look for shelter]]

The sound of skittering in the burrow is unmistakeable, (if:$sword is false)[there's a bunny in there!](if:$sword is true)[there's something in there!] (if:$sword is true)[[[Drive your sword into the hole]]] [[Reach in and try to grab it]] [[Try get a look inside the burrow]] [[Leave|Leave the burrow and eat some nuts]]

You dart your hand into the hole with the lightning reflexes of a practised hunter. Seizing around something furry, you feel something sharp cut your hand and fling the creature out of the hole reflexively. There, slightly stunned on the ground is a sickle-weasel! It has the appearance of a large weasel with glinting, razor-sharp claws. You have only moment to react. (if:$sword is true)[[[Try to finish it with the sword]] ][[Find something to bash it with]] [[Run]]

Carefully, you put your face right up next to the burrow to see what you can see. You should have known better than to stick your head in a mysterious burrow. Before you have time to react, razor sharp claws latch onto your face, tearing deep into the skin. $companion manages to drag you away, but shudders as she sees what is left of your eyes. She manages to escort you back home to Westhazel, but you will never see again. **The end** [[Go back|Approach the burrow]]

The sickle-weasel has the appearance of a large weasel with glinting, razor-sharp claws. These claws are currently sinking into $companion's flesh. [[Slash at the sickle-weasel]] [[Flee]]

The sickle-weasel remains stunned just long enough for you both to make your escape. The snow is starting to get thicker and it seems a blizzard is approaching. [[Look for shelter]]

You manage to barely miss your companion's leg and slash the sickle-weasel's head clean off. Luckily, you were quick and neither of you have been badly hurt. Unfortunately, sickle-weasels aren't good eating. The snow is starting to get thicker and it seems a blizzard is approaching. [[Look for shelter]]

You rush on into the snow. $companion's cries grow quieter and soon stop altogether. You soon realise you are lost and have no hope of finding shelter as the blizzard sets in. Eventually, you settle into an uncomfortable sleep from which you never wake. **The end** [[Go back|Turn around]]

Huddled together for warmth and trudging through the increasingly deep snow, you and $companion come across a field, filled with strange shapes. As you get closer, one of the shapes lets out a sound... *"BAAAAAAAAAAAA"* Your relief is short lived as the sheep's cry is echoed by a blood curdling howl from the edge of the field. (if:$sword is true)[[[Raise sword]] ][[Look for something useful]] [[Run away]]

The branch of a fallen tree is nearby, but you are not close enough to reach it. (if:$jem is true)[Jemima sees you looking at the branch and grabs it. She lets out a shriek as she bashes the creature repeatedly, her shrieks turning to sobs.](if:$bex is true)[Bex must have had the same idea, as she grabs the branch and thwacks the creature, whooping as she does so.] The sickle-weasel is dead. The snow fall is getting thicker now. A blizzard approaches. [[Look for shelter]]

Bold, risk taking Bex is travelling beside you, grinning at the prospect of adventure and danger. (set:$companion to "Bex")(set:$bex to true) [[Head out by Runalong River]] [[Head out through the nut orchards]]

Kind, wide-eyed Jemima travels beside you. She smiles broadly at the idea of uncovering the mysteries of Solstice (set:$companion to "Jemima")(set:$jem to true) [[Head out by Runalong River]] [[Head out through the nut orchards]]

After a good few hours of travel, you come across a wounded man on the side of the road. He has deep gashes in his side and his breathing is shallow. [[Approach the man]] [[Pass him by|Keep going]]

Your sword seems to strike nothing but dirt. The skittering is getting further away. Suddenly, you hear a shriek behind you. It's $companion! *"Of course!"* you realise, *"Sickle-weasel burrows always have two entrances..."* [[Turn around]]

Before it recovers, you drive the sword through the creature's brittle skull. It twitches and then is still. Unfortunately, sickle-weasel isn't very good eating. The snow is starting to get thicker and it seems a blizzard is approaching. [[Look for shelter]]

Stumbling through the snow you find an old shepherd's crook against a crumbling wall. (if:$sword is true)[[[Raise sword]] ][[Attack with the crook]] [[Run away]] [[Attempt to herd the sheep away]]

It is hard work, but between you and $companion making loud noises and directing the sheep with the crook, you are able to keep the wolf at bay and herd the sheep up the hill to a cottage you can now start to make out through the snow. A figure approaches and ushers you and the sheep inside. [[Enter the cottage]]

The wolf's glowing yellow eyes are visible through the snow as it pounces on a sheep in the distance. Raising your sword, you charge! As you get closer you see two other wolves slightly further back. [[Continue the charge]] [[Back away slowly]]

Much longer out in the blizzard and you surely would have frozen to death, but in the cottage a small fire burns and a steaming bowl of stew is handed to you. You tuck in ravenously as the figure, a shepherd, speaks. *"My thanks for your aid out there, friends. Without you there, I am sure many more sheep would have been lost."* The shepherd allows the two of you to stay in his cottage overnight. With morning comes the rising sun and an end to the blizzard. $companion is optimistic that you will find the frozen lake where the town of Solstice is said to appear before the day's end. [[Head for the frozen lake]]

Surprised at your sudden movement, the first wolf is struck down before the others can even react. The swish of your sword leaves a spattered line of vivid blood on the snow. The two wolves in the background leave, judging you a formidable foe. Returning to $companion and the sheep, you see a cottage in the distance which the sheep now begin to walk towards. A figure approaches and ushers you and the sheep inside. [[Enter the cottage]]

You are backing slowly away, keeping eye contact with the central wolf. The wolves are still and watching you just as intently. Suddenly, $companion calls out your name and the trance is broken. The wolves pounce. You raise your sword just in time to slay one as the others tear you limb from limb. **The end** [[Go back|Raise sword]]

The wolves give chase, leaving the sheep behind. Stumbling across the slippery ground, you slide and fall. You are soon buried in snow. You drift in and out of consciousness until strong hands pull you up. It is $companion and another figure, who drag you towards a cottage in the distance. The wolves, at least, are gone. [[Enter the cottage]]

The wolf's glowing yellow eyes are visible through the snow as it pounces on a sheep in the distance. Raising your shepherd's crook, you charge! As you get closer you see two other wolves slightly further back. Seeing the feeble crook in your hands, the wolves make short work of tearing you limb from limb. **The end** [[Go back|Look for something useful]]

You make surprisingly good progress over the crisp new snow. It feels as though good spirits are watching over you. In the distance you see the frozen lake,a shimmering light as building start to materialise before your very eyes. (if:$jem is true)[Jemima's eyes brim with tears](if:$bex is true)[Bex's jaw drops in astonishment] as she take in the maginficent sight. (if:$bex is true)[[[Talk to Bex]] ](if:$jem is true)[[[Talk to Jemima]] ][[Go straight to Solstice]]

The vilage of Solstice is beautiful, with bright flags of all colours hanging across the streets and cheerful people greeting you both warmly. The buildings are tall, but welcoming and magnificent ice sculptures of fantastic creatures adorn window sills and street corners. Bag of nuts in hand, you make your way through the town to deliver your gift to the Winter King who resides in the tallest building of all. **The end**

As you turn to Jemima, she speaks to you. *"There's been so much danger and violence on this adventure, but I am glad that we're both here. I used to be scared of so many things, but with the two of us together it seems like we can overcome anything."* [[Lean in to kiss her]] [[Smile back]] [[Go straight to Solstice]]

Jemima's head darts back. *"Oh, I didn't mean... Um. I'm sorry!"* She runs off towards the frozen lake and Solstice. [[Follow her to Solstice|Go straight to Solstice]] [[Wallow in self pity]]

You both stand and smile at each other for a while until it starts to feel a little awkward. Jemima coughs and indicates you should probably be getting down the hill to the village. You nod. [[To Solstice|Go straight to Solstice]]

**Oh no you don't!** [[Get your butt to Solstice!|Go straight to Solstice]]

You turn to speak to Bex, but she's already sprinting down the slope towards the frozen lake. *"Last one there's a sickle-weasel!"* [[Attempt to win the race]] [[Slow and steady]]

You slip in the partly melted snow, crashing into Bex and sending both of you tumbling down the slope to arrive together at the foot of the frozen lake. A little bruised, you both laugh it off and help each other up to walk together into Solstice. [[Enter Solstice|Go straight to Solstice]]

Bex is extremely fast but notoriously clumsy. You watch her stumble and get a face full of snow as you pick your way carefully past her, laughing all the way. Bex soon catches up, though good-naturedly admits defeat as you approach Solstice. [[Enter Solstice|Go straight to Solstice]]