Cold Iron

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<img src="images/H.png" align="left"/>e’s a farmhand from her no-name village, pock-faced and thin as a rail. He provided the cart and mares. The smith made the cage. [img[images/Arrow1.png][Back]]

<img src="images/Y.png" align="left"/>ou heft the pouch of coins in your scarred hand. You tie it to your belt, next to the worn hilt of your father’s sword. Tracing the scored cross on the pommel, the crack leather of the hilt You can almost smell the blood, feel the dry wind on your weathered face. It is not so different now, as it was in the holy land -- A heretic bound for hell. The coins clink as you tie the knot. You look up. She stares at you with large blue eyes, through the iron bars. Inside the cage, her face is flushed from her tears. Her long blonde hair tumbles in front of her gaze as the cart lurches on the rutted road. You're glad you're walking alongside, with that fool cart-driver boy at the reigns. The ''[[sellswords]]'' clang their spears against the iron bars and laugh.

<img src="images/T.png" align="left"/>he squashed nose man thrust a rough hand through bars and grabs her. She pulls aware, tearing her peasant's dress. Her grabs her face and she bites his hand. He curses, and puts his spear to heaving breast. The old ''[[priest]]'' tells them to relent. He says to leave her judgement to God. They are to deliver her to the bishop’s pyre untouched if they wish to be paid. ''[[I speak to the priest.]]'' ''[[I speak to the girl.]]''

<img src="images/Y.png" align="left"/>ou grab the shaft of the spear and push it aside. Your hardened gaze meet his one good eye. The ''[[old priest]]'' tells him to settle himself. He says to leave her judgement to God. They are to deliver her to the bishop’s pyre untouched if they wish to be paid. ''[[I speak to the priest.]]'' ''[[I speak to the girl.]]''

<img src="images/H.png" align="left"/>e’s an old man of the cloth. A wooden cross hangs from his neck. [img[images/Arrow2.png][I keep to myself.]]

<img src="images/H.png" align="left"/>e says not to meet her eyes, lest she put a charm upon you. Though she appears innocent, she is a consort of demons. The people of her village say she poisoned cattle and crops. They say she runs naked through wood with wolves And feasts on the flesh of men. ''[[I speak to the girl.]]'' ''[[I remain silent.]]''

<img src="images/S.png" align="left"/>he wipes tears from her blue eyes and stares pleadingly at you. Her pales hands grasp the beaten iron bars of her cage. She sobs that she is not what they say Nor did she did she perform such acts Nor harm a soul. She falls to the floor and begs you to believe her. ''[[I comfort her.]]'' ''[[I speak to the priest.]]'' ''[[I remain silent.]]''

<img src="images/H.png" align="left"/>e’s an old man of the cloth. A wooden cross hangs from his neck. [img[images/Arrow2.png][I intercede.]]

<img src="images/Y.png" align="left"/>ou heft the pouch of coins in your scarred hand. You tie it to your belt, next to the worn hilt of your father’s sword. Tracing the scored cross on the pommel, the crack leather of the hilt You can almost smell the blood, feel the dry wind on your weathered face. It is not so different now, as it was in the holy land -- A heretic bound for hell. The coins clink as you tie the knot. You look up. She stares at you with large blue eyes, through the iron bars. Inside the cage, her face is flushed from her tears. Her long blonde hair tumbles in front of her gaze as the cart lurches on the rutted road. You're glad you're walking alongside, with that fool cart-driver boy at the reigns. The sellswords clang their spears against the iron bars and laugh. The one-eyed sellsword strikes at her with his spear but, between the gridded bars of the cage. The shaft strikes her face. A slow trickle of blood runs from the corner of her lips. She stares back with anger, her eyes dark as slate. ''[[I keep to myself.]]'' ''[[I intercede.]]''

<img src="images/T.png" align="left"/>hey’re an ugly pair of brutes, one bald with a squashed nose, the other one-eyed and greasy haired -- mercenaries from the village, little better than bandits. Your father would hang men like them if he found them on his land. [img[images/Arrow2.png][Back2]]

<img src="images/Y.png" align="left"/>ou walk alongside the cart and its cage, your boots soft upon the damp earth. Fingers of fog slip between the wet dark trunks of old trees. Not a word passes between the company as you walk the forest road. Somewhere, in the distance, a wolf howls, high and long. ''[[I walk.]]''

<img src="images/Y.png" align="left"/>ou tell her you believe her. You tell her the bishops trial will be fair. Though she knows this a lie she thanks you and calls you kind. ''[[I walk.]]''

<img src="images/H.png" align="left"/>ere a dark old oak marks a fork in the road. From its branches hangs a rusted iron cage. Your approach disturbes a raven, that caws and beats its wings. Suspended inside is a decayed corpses. Its skeletal arms and legs hang between the bars. Its lips are rotted away in an unending grin beneath the sunken holes of its eyes. ''[[I walk on.]]''

<img src="images/Y.png" align="left"/>ou camp for the night a little further down the road. The sellsword have lit a small fire. The cart is left just off the path, the horses hobbled. You can see she is shivering in the cold iron of the cage. Her breath escapes her chattering teeth in white wisps. ''[[I hand her my cloak.]]'' ''[[I lower my gaze.]]''

<img src="images/Y.png" align="left"/>ou unfasten your worn cloak and extend your hand through the bars. She cautiously extends a hand. Her cold fingers brush your hand as she takes the cloth. ''[[I return to the fire.]]''

<img src="images/Y.png" align="left"/>ou avert your eyes. It would be a small mercy if she froze here tonight. ''[[I return to the fire.]]''

<img src="images/T.png" align="left"/>he mercenaries are roasting small game the cart boy has caught. The priest rubs his boney hands in the hopes the coals will dispel the chill of age. You stare at the flames and imagine her burning. A soft hand touches your face Tracing the scars. You look up. Her blue eyes look back at you. She closes them as she leans in close. ''[[I kiss her.]]'' ''[[I push her away.]]''

<img src="images/H.png" align="left"/>er lips are warm and soft against your own. She kisses you slowly, deeply. She bites your lip. Hard. You taste blood. She pulls away And opens her golden wolven eyes. ''[[I cry out.]]''

<img src="images/Y.png" align="left"/>ou reach out to push her away. Your hand strikes her face. She turns away, her hair veils her gaze. A slow trickle of blood runs from the corner of her lips. She turns back to you. And opens her golden wolven eyes. ''[[I cry out.]]''

<img src="images/Y.png" align="left"/>our eyes snap open. Your hand instinctively at the hilt of your sword. The fire has died low to heap of smoldering coals Somewhere nearby, a man lets out another muffled cry. ''[[I draw my sword.]]''

<img src="images/Y.png" align="left"/>ou see them in the shadows. The priest crawls towards you, trailing blood upon the earth. Behind him stands the cart boy, A dagger in his fist. He dives upon the priest, raising the blade I hear the girl scream from her cage. ''[[I swing my sword.]]'' ''[[I tackle him.]]''

<img src="images/Y.png" align="left"/>ou bring your sword down upon him. A gash open from his shoulder to his heart. You pull the blade from his broken body. The girl lets out a cry. ''[[I tend to the priest.]]'' ''[[I question the girl.]]''

<img src="images/Y.png" align="left"/>ou charge the boy and ram him with your shoulder. He stumbled back and you are on him. You try and wrest the dagger from his grip A sickening line of red opens on your forearm. He leaps at you and you together fall. You roll on the wet leaves and earth. You pant, as you struggle to roll him off you. He is limp, impaled upon your blade. You draw the steel from his chest. The girl lets out a cry. ''[[I tend to the priest.]]'' ''[[I question the girl.]]''

<img src="images/Y.png" align="left"/>he priest is dying. His voice gurgles in his throat and he coughs blood. He tells you the boy tried to take it from him. He says the boy was possessed. He presses something into your hand, closing your fingers around it. His final words come with pain. She must burn. He lies still. You open your hand to reveal an iron key. ''[[I question the girl.]]'' <<if visited("I question the girl.") % 1 is 0>>\''[[I bury the bodies.]]''<<endif>>\

<img src="images/Y.png" align="left"/>ou ask the girl if she knew him. She sobs. She says they were from the same village. And that he had loved her. ''[[I tend to the priest.]]'' <<if visited("I tend to the priest.") % 1 is 0>>\''[[I bury the bodies.]]''<<endif>>\

<img src="images/Y.png" align="left"/>ou stack stones over each corpse. You do not sleep again that night. You thread the key on a cord and tie it round your neck. Grey morning breaks. You take the horses reins. Behind you, in the cage on the cart, The girl cries softly. Tatters of mist spread between the dark pines. You urge the horses on, down the narrow road. You ride for the better part of the day The sellswords walking beside you. A fog rolls in, thick and white. ''[[I ride onwards.]]''

<img src="images/Y.png" align="left"/>ou come to a dark oak at a fork in the road. From its branches hangs a rusted iron cage. Suspended inside is a decayed corpses. Its skeletal arms and legs hang between the bars. Its lips are rotted away in an unending grin A raven picks its sunken sockets. It cocks it head and croaks She must burn. ''[[I ride on.]]''

<img src="images/Y.png" align="left"/>ou pass a pair of stacked stone cairns by the roadside. One of the mercenaries confirms your thought. You’ve been here before. To your side is a small fire pit, the ashes long cold. The one-eyed sellsword asks you for the key. He says he saw the priest give it to you. His companion at your other side says it is her doing. He claims this place is cursed. They tell you it is not worth the pay, Let us take her in the stead of coin -- Then string her from a tree. ''[[I give him the key.]]'' ''[[I do not give him the key.]]''

<img src="images/Y.png" align="left"/>ou reach up to your neck and pull the key from the leather cord. You hold out your hand to the mercenary. His one good eye darts between your hand and the young girl in the cage. You uncurl your fingers. In the palm of your hand is a bloodstained wooden cross. You recognize it, it was the priests. He curses at me and his companion laughs and laughs. Darkness falls. ''[[I camp by the graves.]]''

<img src="images/Y.png" align="left"/>ou tuck the iron key beneath your tunic. The mercenary curses you. He says they'd have let you have her first Hes seen the way you look at her. His companion laughs and laughs. Darkness falls. ''[[I camp by the graves.]]''

<img src="images/Y.png" align="left"/>ou walk through the darkened wood. Mist eddies around your legs in silver coils. Somewhere, you hear a woman's voice, High and pure, she sings to you. ''[[I go towards the voice.]]'' ''[[I do not go towards the voice.]]''

<img src="images/Y.png" align="left"/>ou follow her voice. You can not make out words but you know she sings for you. You quest through the fog, parting it with your hands like water. Whites shapes form and swirl and dissipate. You walk for an age, through darkness and mist. The white curtain parts and she stands before you, Her bare skin pale vapors around you. Though she does not speak, her song lingers in the mist. Her blue eyes meet yours. She extends a hand towards you. ''[[I take her hand.]]'' ''[[I do not take her hand.]]''

<img src="images/Y.png" align="left"/>ou hesitate. Your head reels. You turn, slowly, as if fast in mud, To go back from whence you came. A hand tugs your own, You look over your shoulder, and you see her, pale as the mist. Her eyes are not blue, but a hunter’s gold She tugs your hand, gently, as if imploring you to follow. You pull away. She smiles at you then, wide Impossibly wide, Her face split by a canine grin. You pull your hand, but she is stronger still. She brings it up to her yawning mouth. You curl your fingers to keep them from her maw. ''[[I scream.|Wake up]]''

<img src="images/Y.png" align="left"/>ou reach out with your scarred hand. She bows her head as she takes it in her own. She draws you towards her, and looks up with golden hunter’s eyes. She smiles wide, impossibly wide, her face split by a canine grin. Slowly, with impossible strength, she brings your hand towards her yawning mouth. ''[[I pull away.|Wake up]]''

<img src="images/Y.png" align="left"/>he looks at you eyes wide and imploring. You hesitate. She lowers her gaze. You take one step back, away from her. Slowly, she looks up at you with with golden hunter’s eyes. She smiles wide, impossibly wide, her face split by a canine grin. She takes a step towards you, Then another. Each faster than the last. ''[[I run.|Wake up]]''

<img src="images/Y.png" align="left"/>ou feel sick, your blood pulses in your temples. Your heart pounds in your chest as you open your eyes. You see her through the bars of the cage, pressed into the furthest corner like a scared animal. You look down. Your hand is on the key. The key is in the lock, Not yet turned. Behind you, you hear a creaking sound, of ropes in the high wind. You pull the key from the lock as you look. From the bare branches on either side of the road they hang. Their faces are bloated, his one eye bulges white. Their boots point aimlessly in the chill breeze. In the roadway around your berth , and the wagon, and the hanged men are the pawprints of a wolf. ''[[I go alone.]]''

<img src="images/T.png" align="left"/>he horses paw the ground nervously as a distant wolf howls. You take the reigns and coax the horses forward. The cart clatters deeper into the dark wood. You plunge into the fog. <<if visitedTags("cloak")>>\ You shiver in the forest’s chill, Your breath mists white as the fog around you. You look back over your shoulder at the girl in the cage. She holds your cloak about her bare shoulders And asks if you are warm. <<endif>>\ <<if visitedTags("wound")>>\ You feel a twinge in your arm. You look down at where the cart boy slashed you. The cloth you wrapped it in is soaked through. You unwind the soiled cloth. Beneath, the wed wound seems to writhe You pull your flesh apart and in the gapping channel You see white maggots writhe. <<endif>>\ A raven alights on the dark bough above thee road. It croaks at you, she must burn. You shake your head and look again. But there is no raven. The cart boy sits upon the bough, his face pale Damp earth clings to his sunken flesh. He croaks that she must burn. You look again and he is gone. The bough creaks in the wind Like a hangman’s rope. ''[[I urge the horses on.]]''

<img src="images/Y.png" align="left"/>ou crack the reigns and urge the horses on. Their hooves pound against the dry earth of the roadway. Dead leaves dust billow as they charge blindly through the fog. Dark trees streak past as the cart clatters madly behind. The cart lurches. You hear the shattering of timber. The road rises to meet you as you are torn from the cart. You push yourself up on bloody hand and knees. The cart lies shattered in the roadway by a stone. The horses are long gone. ''[[I look for the girl.]]''

<<if visitedTags("bad")>>\ <img src="images/T.png" align="left"/>here in the roadway, on its side, sits the empty cage. The door hangs open, the lock shattered. Behind the ruins of the cart you hear a low snarl. A huge black wolf pads around the shattered timbers. Its tawny eyes meet yours. ''[[I draw my sword|End]]''<<endif>>\ <<if visitedTags("girl") is 6>>\ <img src="images/T.png" align="left"/>here in the roadway, on its side, sits the empty cage. The door hangs open, the lock shattered. By it lies the girl, toppled in the roadway. ''[[I see if she lives.]]'' <<endif>>\

<img src="images/Y.png" align="left"/>ou move to her and kneel by her side. You brush her fair from her face. Her blue eyes open slowly. She reaches up, and touches your scarred cheek. You grab her wrist, but not stop her. She pushes you back, upon the roadway. You feel the sting of earth against your palms, But it is muted by her touch. She climbs astride you, her torn dress slips from her shoulder. You move to rise, but she pushes your chest down. Her golden hair falls about her slender frame. She bends close, her red lips brush your neck. Your hand tangles in the hair at the nape of her neck. She draws away. Her thighs tighten around. In her hands you see your sword. She plunges the blade towards your chest. ''[[I look into her eyes.|End]]''

<center>[img[images/Title.png][Start]]</center> <<cacheaudio "Twine1Song" "music/ColdIron.mp3">> <<audio "Twine1Song" loop play>>