We approach the little town along a track running through the fields. A large stream marks the edges of the settlement so that visitors are funelled into it across a [[bridge->Bridge]].
(set:$gotKey to false)
(set:$gotPass to false)
(set:$bridge to false)
(set:$backpack to true)
(set: $forge to false)
(set:$egg to false)We pause on the bridge. On the bank beyond there are two clusters of buildings. At the centre of one is a watchtower - that must be the [[barracks->Barracks]] where the guards are quartered.To the right, is an [[inn->Inn]] with lodgings for travellers and a sign with a unicorn hanging above the door. Between them runs a [[road->Road]], leading further into the village. There's also a little track on the far side which leads down to the stream and [[under the bridge->Under The Bridge]]. As you approach the gate to the barracks, one of the guards comes out to meet you.
'Travellers?' he says.
'Yes,' we reply.
'You'll need a pass,' he says, disappearing into a room just inside the walls. He returns with a piece of paper and we take it. 'It's good for three days.'
We turn and [[return to the bridge->Bridge]].
(set:$gotPass to true)These are good lodgings. We ask for a room and have something to eat before we [[explore the town->Bridge]].
(if: $bridge is true)[We decide to leave our backpacks here. We've been carrying them for days.] (set: $backpack to false)To the left of the road and beyond the barracks is the blacksmith's [[forge->Forge]]. To the right are two large and impressive houses - probably the homes of prosperous merchants. The door of [[one house->First House]] is ajar. The [[other one->Second House]] is locked up and forbidding.
There's also [[a little lane->Lane]] running between the two houses.
Or perhaps we should go [[back to the bridge->Bridge]]?The craftsmen are busy inside the forge. We stand at the door and watch them. Right beside the door is a full-size statue of a blacksmith with a hammer in one hand and in the other ... nothing. Back to the [[road->Road]]? (if: $egg is true)[No! Once again, on impulse, we put the egg [[into the statue's empty hand->Castle]].]
(set: $forge to true)It's tempting to put your head around the door and look inside. [[Yes, let's do it->Inside First House]] or [[no, I don't think so->Road]].There is something compelling about the dark and forbidding house. One wants to approach the door and try the handle. That doesn't accomplish anything. There is a large iron lock holding the door shut. We turn back to the [[road->Road]].
(if: $gotKey is true and $backpack is true)[Oh, but we've got a key haven't we? [[Why not try it in the lock?->Try Key]]]In the hallway is a full-size statue of a blacksmith with a hammer in one hand and in the other ... what? Something that looks like an egg. (if: $forge is true)[The statue looks just like the one beside the entrance to the forge.] On impulse we take the egg and carry it with us. (set:$egg to true) We leave the house and return to the [[road->Road]]. From the lane you can see what lies beyond the houses - a busy market place with lots of stalls and right on the other side a rather grand building that looks like a place of worship. Shall we walk into the [[market place->Market Place]] or [[go back to the main road->Road]]?As we enter the market place, a guard approaches us - we recognise him from his uniform. 'Pass?' he says.
(if: $gotPass is true)[We pull the pass out, he inspects it carefully, and then waves us on](else:)[We haven't got a pass. 'No pass?' he says. 'Didn't you report to the barracks as you entered the town? So back we go [[to the lane->Lane]]]The stream is very clear and we can see the pebbles that make up its bed. But something else catches the eye. A dark shape lying among the stones. What can it be? We reach into the water and pull out a key - large, black, and really quite heavy. Into the backpack it goes.
Time to [[climb back up the bank->Bridge]], perhaps?
(set:$gotKey to true)
(set: $bridge to true)The lock turns and the door slowly opens. What can we see inside?Amidst a strange display of thunder and lightning,
we suddenly find ourselves transported
to somewhere entirely different!
It looks like the courtyard of a castle.