choose your own adventure, episode 3

KNIGHT SWORD, EPISODE 3

You race from your bedroom, breathing hard, intended to find your father and warn him about the Raven at the door.

Fortunately, there’s no need.

Jerome of Mordiun is a short man with a pot belly, thinning gray hair, and shrewd eyes. In his left hand he holds a sheathed longsword, which astonishes you – your father hates weapons. In his right hand he holds a rune-carved staff of polished wood, which astonishes you even more. You had no idea that your father was a wizard, but only wizards can use staffs like that.

“Rosalyn, you’re awake, thank the High God,” says Jerome.

Again you hear the Raven pound on the front door, his voice booming through the house.

“Surrender yourself, Jerome of Moridun!” booms the Raven. “The house is surrounded. You cannot escape!”

“I don’t understand,” you say, “what is happening? Why…”

“Caius!” says Jerome.

Your father’s footman appears. Caius is a solid man in his late forties, his hair close-cropped, his face grim. He has the build of a former soldier, though he has never once talked about his past.

“Caught like rats in a trap,” says Caius.

Jerome shakes his head. “Not yet. Listen to me. There’s a tunnel in the cellar, behind the shelves. It opens up in the crypt of the ruined church of the High God. Get out of the city and go to Curtwall’s farm – he’ll know what to do next.”

You know the name. Curtwall is one of your father’s friends, and he lives on a farm about eight miles northwest of Moridun.

“Are you sure about this?” says Caius.

Your father nods, and the two men shake hands.

“Rosalyn, take this,” says Jerome.

He pushes the sheathed longsword into your hands. It is wholly unremarkable.

“Keep that with you,” says Jerome. “It’s important. Don’t give it to the Ravens or their Blood Queen.” You blink – the Blood Queen is what the rebels call the High Queen. “Don’t ever give it to them. Promise me that, Rosalyn.”

“But…”

“Promise me,” he says. You’ve never seen him look urgent.

“I…I promise,” you say.

“I love you,” says Jerome, kissing your forehead. “Remember that. Whatever happens, remember that.” He steps back, facing the front door, and lifts his staff. “Now go. Go right…”

The front door explodes open.

The door is massive, two inches of iron-banded oak, yet the Raven opened it with a single massive punch. The black-armored shape strides through the ruined door, sword in hand. You can see into the Raven’s cowl. The face within is gaunt and pale, with eyes the color of sulfur.

“Ulmoch,” says Jerome. “You’ve looked better.”

The Raven stops, a delighted, feral grin spreading over his face.

“You,” says Ulmoch. “The little rat of a priest! After all these years. I’m going to enjoy this a great…”

Jerome shouts a spell, and the front hallway explodes in flames, the heat washing over your face.

“Run!” he shouts, and Caius’s hand closes about your shoulder. “Run!”

The cellar door is in the kitchen, and Caius steers you in that direction. Yet even as you take your first step, you hear the smash of breaking glass.

Someone has broken the windows in the kitchen. Ulmoch’s orcish soldiers, no doubt.

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