“It is she,” says Og, shivering.
“who makes the snow,” says Vog, shaking,
“change color!” says Zog, quaking.
Curious about what makes the Ring of Kings so important for the witch to find, the brothers explain that the Master of the Mountain will stay trapped without the ring’s power, unable to regain his original shape. Stuck forever as the witch by night.
“Then I’ll have to travel by day!”
Og, Vog, and Zog look at one another, then back as they start talking over themselves to explain that, while the master cannot take form during the day, the witch has access to a pet she handles. A winged creature who does her bidding. Namely to patrol during the day, reporting back unusual activity.
Fascinated as you are to learn anything you can about the mountain, it’s very clear to the gargoyles that you’re nodding off.
“Sleep well, child.” they comfort, sensing your mild concern that the witch may return, “We’ll keep watch tonight.”
Resolving to do anything in your power to help the inhabitants of this mountain, you drift off to sleep.
It feels like you’ve hardly dozed when the sun is rising and it's time to be on your way. Offering hugs all around, you climb a little higher until you reach the colored snow you’ve been so curious about.
Stepping into a patch of sticky yellow snow, your right foot becomes stuck. Caught off guard, you lurch forward and catch yourself on a patch of red snow which has you reeling back up immediately from how hot it is against your skin.
Attempting to regain balance, you step backwards onto some of the poisonous looking purple snow which starts melting the bottom of your shoe. Without thinking, you drop your supplies bag into a patch of green snow to unlace yourself and kick the shoe off.
Taking a wider stance so that your left foot isn’t touching any of the snow, you unlace the other shoe before noticing your bag is now covered in green caterpillars eating their way through the cloth. In a feeble attempt to salvage the thing, you try brushing them away but the bag has already been rendered useless.
Exasperated and standing on two bare feet, you’re not sure how you’re going to get yourself out of this predicament? There’s no way you’ll be able to make your way up the rest of the mountain if the enchanted snow keeps thwarting you.
Then it occurs to you to wonder what’s underneath the snow? Perhaps the top layer can be removed?
Giving a kick to some blue snow, the colors fly revealing earthy ground beneath which you’re able to stand on without issue. Another kick in the red feels like running your fingers quickly through a flame. It doesn’t hurt!
Gingerly at first, you make your way through one color after another then find yourself boldly moving along. Until you hear a screeching sound overhead that turns your heart to ice.
Task:
Submit the following word search to rave.farthestaway[at]gmail.com by 11:59pm (HOL-time) on Monday May 31st to receive 20 beans. Alternatively write a minimum of 100 words about the witch's ever-changing snow and its magical properties. The Lithy Pool award is also available for completing all three tasks in week three!
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1. Crimson; 2. Burnt Orange; 3. Marigold; 4. Jade; 5. Azure; 6. Periwinkle, 7. Violet.
