<h1>*Once upon a time*, there was ...</h1> (click:?Page)[[[A wealthy king with three handsome sons. |Son Introduction]]] (set:$firstsonalive to true) (set:$secondsonalive to true)The king's first son was brave and tall, and filled with passion for the chase. On a cold fall day, the eldest prince summoned his servants to tack his horse and bring him the accoutrements of the hunt. His servants arrived bearing all he might need, beginning with... [[His mantle green.|Mantle?]] He looked upon his fine green mantle, the shape of leaves woven in the silk. Would he have need of such a mantle? No (Click-replace:"No")["While the day is warm, though grey, my mantle is too fine to sully. I will [[leave my mantle here|No Mantle]]," thought the son.] Yes (click-replace: "Yes")["Although the day is warm for fall, the cold night is coming soon. I will [[bring my mantle green|Yes Mantle]]," thought the son.] The son looked upon his hunting horn, looked at the naked goddess and the dying man. Would he have need of so fine a horn? No (click-replace: "No")["If I am to hunt alone, I have [[no need|No Horn]] of a horn," the son thought.] Yes (click-replace:"Yes")["The forest is deep, and the night will be dark. I [[may need|Yes Horn]] the horn to summon aid," the son thought.] The son sent the servant away, bearing the mantle green. As soon as he had, the second arrived, an olifant in hand. Atop the ivory hunting horn, a gilded scene unfurled: (click: ?Page)[Actaeon destroyed by his own hounds, while naked Artemis looked on, satisfied.] (click: ?Page)[The son took in hand the [[olifant|Horn?]].] (Set: $hasMantle to false)[The son did tie his mantle green, warm upon his breast.] A second servant came bearing the olifant, gilded with scenes of Actaeon before Artemis. (click: ?Page)[The goddess smiled to see the discourteous hunter devoured by his hounds.] (click:?Page)[The son took in hand the [[olifant|Horn?]].] (set: $hasMantle to true)The son tied the horn onto his belt, and prepared to venture out. He sent the servant on one final [[errand. |Leave for the Hunt]] (set: $hasHorn to true)"I will be the lone huntsman, and I have no need of aid," the son thought as he pushed the horn aside. He made ready to leave. He sent the servant away for his final [[preparations. |Leave for the Hunt]] (Set: $hasHorn to false)Then darted into sight a (css:"color:white;")[doe], with fur of purest white. She tripped along the rocky ground, over roots and twigs and leaves. (click: ?Page)[But then she stopped --] (click:?Page)[And stared --] (click:?Page)[Right at the son, waiting with his yew bow drawn.] (click:"bow")[The (css:"color:white;")[doe] turned and ran away, down the [[gentle, sunny path.|Doe Decision]]] The servant went to the stables and brought the young hunter's companions to the door. Attending the son were... (click:?Page)[his berry-brown horse,] (click: "horse")[his golden dog,] (click: "dog") [and his grey hawk.] (click:"hawk")[And he went through the portcullis of the castle, travelling out into the forest. The sun was still high, but no creature stirred on the dark forest floor; all was silent, except the steady clop of the horse. [[Continue on. |Forest 1]]] The son released his bow and watched as his arrow struck the hindquarters of the deer. The doe bounded off, leaving splashes of blood to steam on dead brown leaves. (click:?Page)[The son urged his reluctant horse down the gentle path, following after the wounded deer. But the animal was nowhere to be seen. Although the day was clear and the sun shone through the dying leaves of fall, the pure white doe was out of sight. So instead, the son urged his dog to follow the trail of blood.] (click:?Page)[[[Continue on |Lost Trail]]] "This isn't right," the son thought to himself. He let the doe go and followed the northerly path, letting his horse lead the way. His horse came to the steep earthen bank that marked the edges of his father's forest. [[Ride over the hill. |The Lord's Forest]] The hunter followed the blood down the path, until it came to a stream where the doe had crossed. [[Search for the trail]] The hunter got off his horse to search the glen. Search the [[stream to the east]] Search the [[woods to the north]] Searth the [[caves to the west]] Set your [[hound on the trail]] Let your [[hawk take to wing]]The hunter walked towards the silvery stream. The last spot of blood was on the pebbled strand, but the stream had washed away any trace of the doe. The stream is completely silent. There is no grass, nor fish, nor aught of green within its waters. [[Taste the water.]] [[Return to the search. |Search for the trail]]Alone the hunter walked to the northern trees. The skeletal birches wove between thick, limb-locked oaks. The hunter took one tentative step over the gnarled roots into the freezing shade. He searched the ground for the bloody trace of the white doe, but he saw nothing but rotting leaves. In the rotting morass of leaves on the forest floor, something was moving. [[The hunter looked closer. |Investigate forest floor]] [[The hunter retreated to the glen. |Search for the trail]]To the west, there was a cave. Its maw yawned open, leaking darkness like an open grave. The sky above turned darker and darker. The silence of the autumn day was disrupted by the low growl of coming thunder. The first freezing drops of rain came down. (if: $hawkflying is true) [The hunter called for his hawk.] (if: $hasMantle is true) [The hunter pulled his mantle close about his breast.] (if: $hasHorn is true) [The hunter thought to call with his horn. But then he realized, the way back home was far, and the storm was coming fast. He had to shelter then and there.] The hunter looked upon the cave. [[Take shelter. |Hide in Cave]]The hunter sent his golden hound off in pursuit of the doe. The loyal hound bounded off, following the trail of blood. But it reached the stream and recoiled in fear. Anxiously whining and backing away, the hound returned to its master. [[The hunter returned to his search. |Search for the trail]]The hunter set his hawk to wing, to survey the land for the doe. The hunter watched his dear hawk fly, cutting through the fall's grey skies. [[Return to the search. |Search for the trail]] (Set: $hawkflying to true)The hunter took off his thick falconry glove. He put his hand into the stream and shuddered at its cold. One handful of water he drank. It tasted sweet and had a subtle perfume. As the hunter drank, a leaf fell down from the a tree above. The leaf landed in the stream and sank instantly to the bottom, where it was dashed on rocks. The hunter [[returned to his search. |Search for the trail]]The hunter looked at the forest floor. He saw a writhing mass of worms, convulsing beneath the leaves. With a hand cloaked in a thick leather glove, the hunter brushed the leaves aside. The worms and bugs fled the icy wintery air. They left behind their prey -- white bones, cloaked in the remains of velvet.(if$firstsonalive is false)[ The prince recognized his brother's clothes.] [[Flee.]]The hunter fled from the tangling branches and roots, and from the ghastly visage of the rotted knight. He tore into the clearing, just as the sky above turned black. The silence of the autumn day was broken by the low growl of rain. The cave to the west waited for him. [[Take Shelter |Hide in Cave]] (set: $sawBones to true)(if: $sawBones is true) [The hunter trembled at the cave, thinking of the parched, white bones. But, alas.] The hunter had no choice. He took shelter in the cave. [[Go deeper into the cave.]]The hunter continued searching through the woods, trusting his horse's steady feet. He then heard another noise -- a great clamor from above. He lifted his eyes and saw geese in droves. [[Release the hawk.]] The hunter drew into the cave. He heard the wind howl and scream, and the rain crash down. He shuddered at the sound. Dragging an unwilling horse, and dog, and hound, the hunter went deeper into the clammy cave. But as the hunter went along, the darkness abated. He saw a light at the end of the cave. He saw the flickering orange flow of [[fire. |approach the fire]] The handsome hunter drew towards the fire, while his animals stayed behind. There he saw a woman -- or, more apt, a hag. Her hair, drenched and stinking, reached her ankles at the least. And her rheumy eyes were wild, sat upon purple bags. "Pardon me, dear lady. I beg a place by your fire. The rain is harsh and cold." The loathly lady slowly grinned, revealing rotted teeth like fangs. "Come have a seat, dear child." (if: $sawBones is true) [The hunter thought to turn and flee, thinking of the bones from before.] [[The young man sat.]] And when the son had warmed his bones, he turned to the loathly lady and asked: "My lady, pray, how can I return your wonderful courtesy?" The hag smiled again and said with a haggard, choking voice: "Feed me meat." "But I have none, my hunt was no success," [[the hunter said.]] "Feed me your berry-brown horse," she said. No (click-replace:"No")[(if: $firstsonalive is true)["This [[I cannot do,]]" the hunter said.](if:$firstsonalive is false)["This [[I cannot do,|I cannot do, 2]]" the hunter said.]] Yes (click-replace:"Yes")["Very well, my lady. As [[thanks for your courtesy,]]" the hunter said.]And the lady stared long at the young hunter, her eyes burning red. "I give you my fire, and a place by my side, and this is how I am repaid?" And she set upon him with tooth and fang, leaving the young man dead. (set: $firstsonalive to false) [[Another son, then. |Opening 2]] So the hunter went onto his horse. And with his dagger keen, he killed the beast with one swift stroke. And how his heart was sore. But he turned again to the dame and said, [["Here is meat for thee." |Feed the Hag]] (set: $horsealive to false)And the loathly hag did eat. The young son listened to the sound, each and every gnash of teeth. And when the hag was finished, she turned to the son and said: "Feed me meat." "But my lady fair," the son proclaimed, "I truly have no more to eat. I found no game, I have no food. I cannot give you --" [["Your golden dog will do]]," she said as she grinned with bloody teeth. The hunter paused. No (click-replace:"No")[(if: $firstsonalive is true)["Oh, but this [[I cannot do,]]" the hunter said.](if:$firstsonalive is false)["This [[I cannot do,|I cannot do, 2]]" the hunter said.]] Yes (click-replace:"Yes")["Very well, my dame. [[As thanks for your courtesy," |kill the dog]] he said]So the hunter went onto his golden dog. And with his dagger keen, he killed the loyal beast with one swift stroke. And how his heart was sore. But he turned again to the dame and said, [["Here is meat for thee." |Feed the Hag 2]] (set: $dogalive to false)And the loathly hag did eat. The young son listened to the sound, each and every gnash of teeth. And when the hag was finished, she turned to the son and said: "Feed me meat." "But my lady fair," the son proclaimed, "I truly have no more to eat. I found no game, I have no food. I cannot give you --" [["Your grey hawk will do]]," she said as she grinned with bloody teeth.The hunter sighed again, and his heart was fit to bleed. No (click-replace:"No")["Oh, lady, ask not this, [[I beg of thee --"]]] Yes (click-replace:"Yes")["Very well, lady. [[As thanks for your courtesy."]]]And the hag screeched, full shrill. "I demand to eat!" The hunter stopped and sighed. [["Very well,"|As thanks for your courtesy."]]said he. (if:$firstsonalive is true)[[["No, I shan't,"|I cannot do,]] said he.](if:$firstsonalive is false)[[["No, I shan't,"|I cannot do, 2]] said he.]So the hunter went onto his swift grey hawk. And with his dagger keen, he killed the loyal beast with one swift stroke. And how his heart was sore. But he turned again to the dame and said, [["Here is meat for thee." |Feed the Hag 3]] And the loathly hag did eat. The young son listened to the sound, each and every gnash of teeth. And when the hag was finished, she turned to the son and said: "And now I demand a drink." The son did nod and say: [["Then I shall go to the stream."]] And the hunter made his way back out into the pouring rain. Alone, he went to the silvery stream and stood upon its banks. (if: $hasHorn is true) [He took his ivory engraved horn and cupped the water deep. With a palm he stopped the horn's small end, then [[hurried back within.|yes horn]]] (if: $hasHorn is false) [He used his hands and, doing so, scooped the water up. But the drips fell down his wrists and hands, and so [[he hurried back within. |no horn]]] (set:$grumpiness to 0)The hunter came into the cave, his horn full of sweet water. He kneeled before the loathly hag, and bade her drink deep. And she greedily slurped the water up -- she seemed to drink more than the horn could hold -- until her thirst was slacked. "Excellent well, my dear," she said, "Now, [[make me a bed."]] (set: $grumpiness to $grumpiness-10)And the hunter ran back to the cave, with his hands full of stream water. But, alas!, the slippery water ran through his fingers and spilled upon the ground. The hunter offered his hands to the hag, and let her lick the drops. But she stared at him with a steady gaze. "Very well. [[Now make me a bed." |make me a bed."]] (set: $grumpiness to $grumpiness+10) The hunter looked about the cave and saw no bedding there. (if: $hasMantle is true) [So he took the [[mantle|sleep on mantle]] from off his breast.] But the young hunter thought the night was cold, so he looked upon his [[young, warm chest.|sleep on chest]] (if: $hasMantle is false) ["Alas, oh dame, I have no bed. I fear you must [[sleep upon the ground."|sleep upon the ground.]]] "Whatever wish you, lady fair," the gallant young man said. "I beg one kiss off your sweet lips. One kiss is all I crave." The young man did not hesitate. [["This will not do!"]] he said [["Of course,"]] he said."Dear lady, you may sleep on this." He folded his silken mantle up and made the hag her bed. Then she lay her down to go to sleep, but made [[one last request.]] (set: $grumpiness to $grumpiness-10)"An it please you, dame," he said, "You may sleep upon my chest." "Very well," the old hag said, "But I have [[one last request.]] (set: $grumpiness to $grumpiness-20)"And what thanks you give," the old hag spat, "When I have sheltered you! Such courtesy, such elegance, as befits a lad." She set herself upon the dirt and glowered with purest hate. "I will give thee one last chance," she said, "For I have [[one last request.]]" (set: $hagishappy to false) (set: $grumpiness to $grumpiness+20)"Very well," the old maid hissed." And she set to sleep, snoring the while, but the young son stayed awake. He watched the firelight dance on the caves rough walls and he thought on the days events. Before he was even aware, he had fallen asleep. And it was many hours afore the [[morning came.|Ending Sorter 2]] (set: $grumpiness to $grumpiness+30)The young man bent down and kissed her lips, dry and sharp like parchment's edge. The two lay down to rest, until the [[morning came.|Ending Sorter 2]] (set:$grumpiness to $grumpiness-30) In the cave, the young son awoke alone. He wearily walked to the mouth of the cave, where he saw awaiting him: His berry-brown horse, His golden hound, and his grey hawk. And right wearily walked he up to his horse and gathered his remaining friends. Off they set, far from the cave, trying to forget what had passed therein. <h1><center> *One of Many Ends* </center></h1> Would you care to try [[again?|Opening 1]]And when the man awoke, he turned onto his side. There sat the fairest maid he e'er had saw, smiling sweetly as a bride. "But whither," cried out the shocked son, "Did the old dame go?" And the beautiful maid smiled at him: "Why, she and I are one. Full many years have passed that I have lingered here. Yet of all the knights who've come to pass, to me you are most dear. None gave me all that I craved, none excepting you. So say you'll have me as your love, and all your days I will be true." And the son could not believe his luck, to wife a maid so fair. And the two did pass their earthly days, as happily as they could bear. <h1><center> *One of Many Ends* </center></h1> Would you care to try [[again?|Opening 1]]<h2>*Once upon a time*, there was ...</h2> [[A wealthy lord with *two* handsome sons.|Son Introduction 2]] (set:$firstsonalive to false)The second son was wise, keen of mind and eye. When three days had passed since the eldest's hunt, with no news or sight of him, the horse, the hound, and the hawk returned, carrying all of the brother's things. But still no sign of the man. So the next son called his servants forth to ready himself to go out. He would find his brother, alive or not. The second brother was a cautious man and decided to bring everything that he might need. His brother's olifant had returned with the horse, as well as his mantle green. [[He went out on his search. |Leave for the Hunt]] (set:$hasMantle to true) (set:$hasHorn to true)<h2> *Once upon a time*, there was ... </h2> [[A wealthy lord with *one* lonely, handsome son. |Son Introduction 3]] (set:$firstsonalive to false) (set:$secondsonalive to false)The youngest son was not so brave nor wise as the elder two. But he was kind above all else, and a sweet man through and through. When the second son did not return, the lord was grieved dear. He wept and sighed both day and night, with no promise of reprieve. The youngest son, he wept as well to see his father grieving so. And so he stole away one quiet night, to fetch his brothers home. His brother's horse, and hound, and hawk, he brought with him on the search. He grabbed the olifant they had carried back, and the mantle too. Quietly, the son [[snuck out.]] (set:$hasMantle to true) (set:$hasHorn to true)As the hunter continued on, his bag bursting with game, he heard the skies start rumbling and knew there'd soon be rain. While he had been travelling down a forest path, he saw that there was ahead a glen, beyond the earthen bank that marked the boundaries of his father's land. (click:?Page)[But then then, with a rustling from the trees and hoofs pounding into the ground, a (css:"color: white;")[hart of twelve] ran into view, and his fur was the purest white.] (click:"hart of twelve")[[[Follow the stag.|[Follow the stag.]] [[Let it be.|The Lodge]]] Just as the hunter passed his threshold, the rain began to fall. The hunting lodge was dark and cold, and the prince's cries echoed across the stone. But then the servants came to greet the prince and prepare his evening fare. The prince had taken off his muddied boots and sat before his fire, when he heard a banging at the door. At first, he thought it was thunder. [[Go to the door.]] The hag made her way towards the fire. The prince noted her shivering, regardless of the heat. The hag sat in his chair, her grubby, black burlap soaking with rain. (if: $hasMantle is true) [[[Offer her the mantle.|[Offer her the mantle.]]] (if:$hasMantle is false)[[[Apologize to the lady for the cold.|[Apologize to the lady for the cold.]]]The prince slammed the door in the old woman's face and returned to his warm chair. His servants brought him a goblet of warm posset, and he enjoyed the quiet. (click:?page)[Until yet another knocking came upon the door.] [[Go to door]] Full angrily, the prince dismissed his servant by the door. He swung it open by himself, ready to scold the hag once more. But before him stood a maiden fair, with curly hair of red. She looked at him with clear blue eyes, and then the maiden said: (click:"said")["I beg thee, prince. The rain is cold; the thunder loud; the night is bitter and dark. Let a maid come and be your guest, if only for a little while?" No (click-replace:"No")["I like not thy look, lady, and I trust not thy bewitching eyes. Leave here at once, in the name of Christ! [[I owe thee no courtesy.|Turn her away 2 (Ending 1)]]] Yes (click-replace:"Yes")[(if:$firstsonalive is true)["Of course, dear lady. Pray, come in. [[You are welcome as my guest.|Let her in]]](if: $firstsonalive is false)["Of course, dear lady. Pray, come in. [[You are welcome as my guest.|Let Her In 2]]]]] As the son went to slam the door, he felt some power stop his hand. The door swung back, leaving the prince to observe as the maiden began to change. She grew taller in height and more radiant in form, until he had to avert his eyes. This fairy queen turned to the prince and proclaimed: "You are an unkind man, o miserable prince, and I declare that you are as the beasts you hunt. So in the guise of a beast you shall linger here, you unhospitable wretch, until you can find one who chooses to stay with you and love you of her own free will!" And what happened next to the unhappy prince is a tale for another day ... <h1><center> *One of Many Ends* </center></h1> Would you care to try [[again?|Opening 1]]And as soon as the maiden stepped over the threshold, she turned to the prince in rage: "Thou fickle prince! I see thou failed to grasp that the hag and I are one! Thou shallow man, thou incourteous wretch! Thy time above earth is done." And with the maiden's shriek of insulted pride, and the man's of mortal fear, the night was cut through with awful sounds as the witch took her revenge. [[Ah, well. Another son, then.|Opening 2]] (set: $firstsonalive to false)(click: ?Page)[Before the hunter stretched two paths winding through the woods. One went to the north, through twisted black trees, towards his father's lodge. The other went south, cutting through sun-soaked fields, off to parts unknown.] (click: ?Page)[[[Then the silence was broken. The hunter heard a rustle, not so far away. |Doe]]]The hunter decided to wander the woods with his animals in tow. He had not wandered long, before he heard a rustling sound. With a quick whistle and a point, the hunter set his golden hound off in search of the noise. (click:"noise")[And the hunter heard a snarl, followed by a shriek, and his hound returned again to him, with a fat badger between its teeth. [[Continue the hunt. |Continue along the path.]] [[Return to the lodge.|The Lodge]]] (set:$hasBadger to true)With a thunderous flap of large, grey wings, the hawk went up to fetch the geese and bring the fatty fowl back. The hunter watched the fight with pride as the animal dove and twirled to commit its fierce attack. Then came the hawk back down to earth, carrying a goose as large as he. The hunter bagged the fowl and petted the hawk, and continued along his way. [[Continue the hunt.|Continue to the lodge.]] [[Return to the lodge.|The Lodge]] (set: $hasGoose to true)The hunter had his yew bow drawn. One quick shot wounded the beast, but then it turned and fled. The hunter urged his horse to chase, and drew back another shot. The stag was swift and fled to the glen, bounding over the hunting lodge's earthen dike. But the berry-brown horse was swifter still, and the hunter was soon besides the stag. With one true shot through the eye, the stag collapsed to the ground. The hunter petted his horse and thanked the steed, then brought the dead stag home. [[The hunter brought his game into the lodge.|Prepare your dinner for the night.]] (set: $hasDeer to true)The prince pushed his doorman away from the door and opened it up himself. Before him stood a shivering woman -- or, better said, a hag. (click:?page)[Her thick grey hair was knotted and wet and hung about her ankles.] (click:?page)[One eye was green, the other yellow, but both were much too large.] (click:?page)[She grinned up broadly at the prince, and her teeth were rotten and sharp.] (click:"grinned")["I beg thee, prince. The rain is cold; the thunder loud; the night is bitter and dark. Let an old lady come and be your guest, if only for a little while?" The prince's doorman grabbed his arm and [[whispered]] furiously into his ear ...] The hag smiled as the prince wrapped his fine mantle around her. She sat by the fire, warming up, as little wisps of steam rose from her hair and clothes. She spoke: (click:"spoke")["My dear boy, I hunger so. Surely a host like you can bring a poor dame some meat?" (if:$hasDeer is true)[The prince said, "My lady, let me bring you a [[hart of twelve|Feed Stag]] I slayed only a few hours ago."](if:$hasDeer is false)[The prince said, "My lady, forgive me, but I have little --" The hag spoke quickly: (click:"spoke quickly")["I saw you have a [[berry-brown horse]]."]]] (set:$grumpiness to $grumpiness-10) The prince saw the loathly lady shiver before the fire. Even as the steam came up in whirls from her wretched cloak, she still shivered from the cold. "Forgive me for my discourtesy ..." She spoke: (click:"spoke")["I do not wish to hear apologies. I hunger so. Surely a host like you can bring a poor dame some meat?" (if:$hasDeer is true)[The prince said, "My lady, let me bring you a [[hart of twelve|Feed Stag]] I slayed only a few hours ago."](if:$hasDeer is false)[The prince said, "My lady, I pray your forgiveness, but I have little --" The hag spoke quickly: (click:"spoke quickly")["You have a [[berry-brown horse]]."]]] (set:$grumpiness to $grumpiness+10) The prince quickly rose and went to fetch the hart from his own kitchen. He dressed the animal himself, then bade his servants quickly cook some venison for their guest. When he returned to the lady with the cooked food, she ate and ate and ate. She the venison within two bites, then hungrily stared at the man. (click:"hungrily stared")["Where have you kept the [[rest of the deer|Go to larder]]?"]The prince led the hag back to his larder, where the bloody deer waited for them. Its ribcage split, viscera exposed, the sight was more than the prince could bear. But the loathly lady rushed to the carcass and fell upon it with claw and fang. The prince averted his eyes, again, until he heard the loathly hag's request: (click:"request")["Feed me more meat," she said. The hunter looked about the larder. He saw the [[badger]], fat and skinless, waiting on a shelf.] The hag, her face smeared with blood and fat, nodded slowly her assent. The prince took the skinned badger in his hands, covered with preserving lard, and handed it to the loathly lady with a gracious nod. The old hag ate again, ravenously, though the fat gummed up her mouth. The prince could not bear to look. He waited until he heard her again: (click:"again")["Feed me meat." The hunter looked about his larder again, its shelves increasingly bare. Hanging from the roof there was a [[goose]]; its feathers not even plucked.] The young prince pulled the goose down from the rafters and passed it to the waiting hag. Without a moment's delay, she ate the fowl -- feathers, beak, and all. Then she stared at the prince and said: (click:"said")["I must have [[drink.]]"]The young prince showed the hag up the stone stairs back into the kitchen. The servants were gathered around the oven, frozen with fear at the hag's bloody face. The prince ordered the wooden doors to the cellar be opened. (click:"cellar")[The cellar was deeper down than the larder had even been. The stairs stretched down and down, into the yawning darkness where the wine and cider was kept. The prince looked upon the loathly hag, her face smeared with blood. Could he bear to bring her down, alone into the dark? [[Yes.]] [[No.]]]The prince took the hag by the bloody hand and helped her down the stairs. He gave her leave to drink her fill, and soon she had tapped every stored up barrel. The prince watched as she (click:?page)[drank], (click:?page) [and drank,] (click:?page)[and drank. Until there was nothing left.] (click:?page)[Then she turned onto the prince and said: "Dear prince, I have [[one last request|request]].] (set:$grumpiness to $grumpiness-20)He ordered the doors shut and turned to the lady again. "Lady, you may have a servant fetch you wine, but I'll not go down with you again!" The lady stared at him malevolently, and a servant went to fetch the wine. She drank it, yes, but with little joy. And then she said onto the man: (click:"said")["Very well, o great prince, that is such a miserly host. I have one last [[request]] for you, as your poor, despised guest."] (set:$grumpiness to $grumpiness+30)The prince nodded his assent. The hag looked at him, her wild eyes twinkling with a strange delight: "Full many years I've lived alone, alone!, within these woods. And while meat and wine is well and good, I've truly craved but one thing: I ask you sleep beside me tonight and keep me company." No (click-replace:"No")["Lady, it is most improper that you would even ask such an unchaste thing! No, you shall [[sleep in the stables]] tonight. There you may be warm."] Yes (click-replace:"Yes")["My lady, if company is all you crave, I am happy to oblige. I'll have [[the room]] made up at once, and we may take our rest."]The prince showed the hag to the stables, as one final courtesy. He bowed to her goodnight, but she made one more request: (click:"request")["May I beg a kiss?"] Yes (click-replace:"Yes")[And the gallant prince bent down low and gave her a [[polite kiss]] upon the lips.] No (click-replace:"No")[The prince [[declined]], and bade the hag goodnight.] (set:$grumpiness to $grumpiness+30)The prince retired to his chamber, with the strange hag close behind. The two were dressed in the prince's finest bedclothes, and the fire was lit nearby. The hag refused to wash her face at all, and set immediately upon the mattress of down. Her bloody face smeared the bed's warm furs, and her hair soaked the linen sheets. The prince took no notice and laid down beside his most honored guest. "Oh, prince," the hag said, "I'm afraid I have one more request." (click:"request")[She continued, "I ask but one kiss off your sweet lips. One kiss is all I crave." The prince looked at the loathly lady and then he said: Yes (click-replace:"Yes")["Of course, dear guest," and [[he kissed her once]].] No (click-replace:"No")["Dear lady, please, make no such request of me for this [[I cannot rightly do."]]]] (set: $grumpiness to $grumpiness-30) (if: $grumpiness <=0)[(go-to:"Good Ending 1")] (if:$grumpiness >10 and <100) [(go-to:"Middle Ending 1")] (if $grumpiness = 100)[(go-to:"Bad Ending 1")](if: $grumpiness <=50)[(go-to:"Good Ending")] (if:$grumpiness>=40)[(go-to:"Middle Ending")]And then the prince returned to his chamber, where he passed a peaceful night. [[In the morning he awoke.|Ending Sorter]] (set:$grumpiness to $grumpiness-40)And then the prince returned to his chambers, where he passed a peaceful night. [[In the morning he awoke.|Ending Sorter]] (set: $grumpiness to $grumpiness+70)And he chastely kissed her once, but brief, and the two slept side by side. And hours passed before the prince awoke, when he was met with a startling [[surprise ...|Ending Sorter]] (set: $grumpiness to $grumpiness-40)The hag looked at him -- not angrily, but with instead an ugly hurt behind her eyes. The prince turned away and slept fitfully, until he woke to a shocking [[surprise ...|Ending Sorter]] (set: $grumpiness to $grumpiness+130)And when the man awoke, he turned onto his side. There sat the fairest maid he e'er had saw, smiling sweetly as a bride. "But whither," cried out the shocked son, "Did the old dame go?" And the beautiful maid smiled at him: "Why, she and I are one. Full many years have passed that I have lingered here. Yet of all the knights who've come to pass, to me you are most dear. None gave me all that I craved, none excepting you. So say you'll have me as your love, and all your days I will be true." And the son could not believe his luck, to wife a maid so fair. And the two did pass their earthly days, as happily as they could bear. <h1><center> *One of Many Ends* </center></h1> Would you care to try [[again?|Opening 1]]The young prince awoke to an empty bed and a larder fully stocked. He asked all his servants if they'd seen aught of the dame, to which they seemed confused. Not one among them had seen the loathsome lady; indeed, they all insisted that the hunter spent the night alone. For his part, the prince returned to his castle, unable to tell a soul of his strange adventure with the elfin dame. He passed through his life with a haunted air and never went on the hunt again, but many strange events seemed to follow the prince who had been touched by the fae. Alas, those are tales for another day. <h1><center> *One of Many Ends* </center></h1> Would you care to try [[again?|Opening 1]] The prince woke up in an empty bed, with no sign of the strange old dame. His larder was stocked; his cellars were full; none of his servants remembered their loathsome guest. After the night's weird adventure, the young prince returned to his home and spent an uneventful life. But when the day came that he was mauled by a boar, he realized the true cost of his inhospitality. When his soul went to stand before St. Peter at the gates, he was denied: A poor host makes a worse guest. But when he mournfully marched down to the fiery gates, why, they turned him away too. When he came back to Earth and tried to take shelter in any home, he found every door was shut. So poor Herne -- for yes, that was his name -- tacked his now-ghostly old horse. He gathered his three animals with him, and went back on his never-ending hunt. <h1><center> *One of Many Ends* </center></h1> Would you care to try [[again?|Opening 1]]The hunter urged his companions to give the (css:"color:white;")[doe] some chase, but the horse nickered, shook his head, and pulled towards the dark, woody path. The hunter looked back towards the doe, who was darting farther and farther away. "This doe must be enchanted. Why else the fur and the daring look she gave? What blessings she might give ... I should go and catch her --" But then, the hunter's horse neighed and pulled again away, towards the dark path north to the hunting lodge. The son agonized, but the doe was running further out of sight. Does he [[Give chase? |Follow the doe]] or [[Trust his horse? |Leave the doe]] The hunter came to the King's Forest, where none but he could hunt. And a single league ahead, the king's hunting lodge stood, where the son could go and rest. The sight of the deer had left the hunter uneasy, and a part of him wished to retreat to the lodge. But he had come for the hunt, and so far he had none of any kind of game. Would he [[look around the woods |Sic the hound.]]? Or would he [[take his rest in the lodge? |The Lodge]] (set:$hasBadger to false) (set:$hasGoose to false) (set:$hasDeer to false)The hunting lodge was small and neat, with few ostentatious decorations. But it was a welcome sight to the hunter's weary, perplexed eyes. [[Prepare your dinner for the night.]] "My lord, I beg you. Please do not grant this lady anything. Or if you do, you must be sure to give her everything she wants. For you are nobly-born, and as a noble courteous, but the village folks talk of fair folk like her. This lady will have blood." The prince looked back on the hag in the door. As the king's son, he had no choice but to be generous and hospitable; but as a man, he must be shrewd and not invite danger to his home. The prince took a breath and said ... No (click-replace:"No")["I like not thy look, lady, and I trust not thy wild eyes. Leave here at once, in the name of Christ! [[I owe thee no courtesy.|Turn her away.]]] Yes (click-replace:"Yes")["Of course, dear lady. Pray, come in. [[You are welcome as my guest.|Let her in.]]]The prince gasped, but the hag merely stared. How much must a prince do, for the sake of hospitality? Everything (Click-replace:"Everything")[The prince bowed his head, "Whatever my gracious guest requests is hers. I will return [[anon.|Kill horse]]] Not This (click-replace:"Not This")[(if:$firstsonalive is true)[The prince recoiled in disgust: "No, my lady, what you ask [[cannot be done]]!"](if:$firstsonalive is false)[The prince recoiled in disgust: "No, my lady, what you ask [[cannot be done|cannot be done 2]]!"]] With sword in hand, the prince went out to the stables of the lodge. With one quick stroke, he had killed his horse, but how his heart was sore! With the help of servants, he brought in the beast and gave it to the hag. The loathly lady ate the beast in moments, and then she said: (click:"said")["I must have [[more meat|More Meat 1]]."] (set:$grumpiness to $grumpiness-20)The lady stared at the prince for quite some time, and she seemed to grow before his eyes. With fiery breath and an evil gaze, the fierce old hag began to cry: (click:"cry")[ "A prince you are, with wealth so vast that none else could comprehend! But you begrudge me food, not knowing my name or else what I might do? Then learn ye well, oh wretched prince, here at your earthly end. And pray that Heaven is a welcoming host, but even Hell provides more than you!" And she fell upon him, tooth and fang, and left the young man dead. Ah well. [[Another son, then.|Opening 2]]] (set:$firstsonalive to false)The prince looked at the hag, her teeth covered in blood, and answered her at once. (if:$hasBadger is true)["My lady, I slayed a badger only a few hours hence. [[Come with me and eat your fill |badger]]."](if:$hasBadger is false)["My lady, I beg your leave, but I have no --" The hag quickly spoke: (click:"spoke")["You have a [[golden hound.]]]]The prince gasped, but the hag merely stared. How much must a prince do, for the sake of hospitality? Everything (Click-replace:"Everything")[The prince bowed his head, "Whatever my gracious guest requests is hers. I will return [[anon.|Kill dog]]] Not This (click-replace:"Not This")[(if:$firstsonalive is true)[The prince recoiled in disgust: "No, my lady, what you ask [[cannot be done]]!"](if:$firstsonalive is false)[The prince recoiled in disgust: "No, my lady, what you ask [[cannot be done|cannot be done 2]]!"]]With sword in hand, the prince went out to the kennels of the lodge. With one quick stroke, he had killed his hound, but how his heart was sore! All alone, he brought in the beast and gave it to the hag. The loathly lady ate the beast in moments, and then she said: (click:"said")["I must have [[more meat|More Meat 2]]."] (set:$grumpiness to $grumpiness-20)The prince wondered at the seemingly unending hunger of the hag. A part of him feared when she would ever stop. But still, he answered her. (if:$hasGoose is true)["My lady, my hawk caught a goose only a few hours hence. Come with me to the larder, where the goose hangs from the ceiling. There, [[you can eat your fill |goose]]."](if:$hasBadger is false)["My lady, I beg your leave, but I have no --" The hag quickly spoke: (click:"spoke")["You have a [[fine grey hawk.]]]]The prince was resigned and stared at the hag. He was weary to the bones. How much can a prince do, for the sake of hospitality? Everything (Click-replace:"Everything")[The prince bowed his head, "Whatever my gracious guest requests is hers. I will return [[anon.|Kill hawk]]] Not This (click-replace:"Not This")[(if:$firstsonalive is true)[The prince recoiled in disgust: "No, my lady, what you ask [[cannot be done]]!"](if:$firstsonalive is false)[The prince recoiled in disgust: "No, my lady, what you ask [[cannot be done|cannot be done 2]]!"]]With sword in hand, the prince went out to the lodge's mews, where his hawk was kept. With one quick stroke, he had killed his hawk, but how his heart was sore! Again all alone, he brought in the beast and gave it to the hag. The loathly lady ate it all with few bites, and then she said: (click:"said")["I must have [[drink|drink 2]]."] (set:$grumpiness to $grumpiness-20)The young prince took the hag through the halls and then into the kitchen. The servants were gathered around the oven, frozen with fear at the hag's bloody face. The prince ordered the wooden doors to the cellar be opened. (click:"cellar")[The cellar was deeper down than the larder had even been. The stairs stretched down and down, into the yawning darkness where the wine and cider was kept. The prince looked upon the loathly hag, her face smeared with blood. Could he bear to bring her down, alone into the dark? [[Yes.]] [[No.]]]As he moved through the forest, the youngest looked for any sign of his two brothers, who had been so dear. The morning was grey and quiet, as all the recent ones had been. But then came a rustle, and what should have jumped into sight? Why, nothing other than ... [[A deer. |Doe Decision]]And as soon as the maiden stepped over the threshold, she turned to the prince in rage: "Thou fickle prince! I see thou failed to grasp that the hag and I are one! Thou shallow man, thou incourteous wretch! Thy time above earth is done." And with the maiden's shriek of insulted pride, and the man's of mortal fear, the night was cut through with awful sounds as the witch took her revenge. [[Ah, well. Another son, then.|Opening 3]] (set: $secondsonalive to false)The lady stared at the prince for quite some time, and she seemed to grow before his eyes. With fiery breath and an evil gaze, the fierce old hag began to cry: (click:"cry")[ "A prince you are, with wealth so vast that none else could comprehend! But you begrudge me food, not knowing my name or else what I might do? Then learn ye well, oh wretched prince, here at your earthly end. And pray that Heaven is a welcoming host, but even Hell provides more than you!" And she fell upon him, tooth and fang, and left the young man dead. Ah well. [[Another son, then.|Opening 3]]] (set:$secondsonalive to false)And the lady stared long at the young hunter, her eyes burning red. "I give you my fire, and a place by my side, and this is how I am repaid?" And she set upon him with tooth and fang, leaving the young man dead. (set: $secondsonalive to false) [[Another son, then. |Opening 3]]