THE TREACHOROUS CAUSEWAY

I stood there, my eyes widening in awe at the magnificent sight of Queenscrown. This majestic structure rose from a small island, surrounded by tranquil waters, its ancient stones weathered by the passage of time and the harsh northern winds. The tower itself seemed to stretch towards the heavens, with its turrets and battlements standing tall against the backdrop of the enigmatic lake.

The crown-shaped structure exceeded my expectations from what I had briefly seen in the show's viewer guide. Its intricate design spoke of a rich history and seemed to whisper tales of bygone eras. The gray stones were adorned with delicate carvings, now covered in a gentle layer of moss.

Darkness enveloped the surroundings as the trees shielded the faint moonlight. It was nearly midnight, yet thanks to the thermal sight perk, I could discern the arched windows of the tower. As the dim hues of the waning moon cast their glow upon the still water, a mesmerizing kaleidoscope of colors danced upon the lake. It was as if nature itself paid homage to this grand structure.

The battlements of Queenscrown were rumored to offer an unparalleled view of Mole's Town, Castle Black, and the Nightfort, a sight I was eager to witness firsthand. However, before I could ascend the tower, I needed to find a way to cross the lake. This meant locating the secret path that supposedly led to the edge of the lake, where the causeway began.

I began my search, scouring the surrounding vegetation for any sign of the hidden path. Despite the advantage of my thermal sight, which allowed me to see as clearly as if it were daylight, there was no trace of a path in any of the places I checked. Thick undergrowth covered every inch, obscuring any hint of a beaten path.

I couldn't just rely on the position of the tower door as a clue. The lake's murky depths were practically a graveyard, filled with the skeletons of unfortunate souls who underestimated its treacherous nature. It was clear that the door was strategically placed to deceive intruders, making them believe the submerged causeway was a straight shot. Little did they know, it twisted and turned, leading them on a wild goose chase before finally reaching the entrance.

For a moment, I entertained the idea of swimming to the tower. After all, my thermal sight perk would protect me from the frigid water. But then I decided otherwise. Who knows how long that water had been sitting there, brewing a million different types of germs? And unfortunately, my perk didn't come with an immunity booster, I didn't want to start peeing ropes of Bilharzia worms in a medieval world. That would be the ultimate KO.

As I trudged through the dense undergrowth, frustration gnawed at my insides with each passing minute. The knowledge of a hidden path to the causeway had lured me into thinking it would be a piece of cake to find. But now, it felt like I was on a fool's errand. Two hours of relentless searching had only left me exhausted and defeated.

I was about to give in to despair and consider spending the night on the shore or attempting some ill-advised meditation session in the open when a glimmer of hope emerged.

A faint rustling sound tickled my ears, drawing my attention to a cluster of ancient trees. Out of nowhere, a hare darted out from a bush I had dismissed as an unlikely hiding spot. Curiosity piqued, I cautiously made my way toward the source. Pushing aside branches and stepping over fallen logs, I stumbled upon an unexpected sight—a stone path peeking out from beneath a thick layer of moss and foliage.

Well, well, well. Looks like I had the honor of being the fool of the century. Can you believe it? The path was right in front of my face the whole time. Talk about hiding in plain sight. My overthinking could not allow me to foresee such a maneuver.

With a mix of tension and relief, I followed the path until it led me to the edge of the lake. This had to be where the causeway began, no doubt about it.

Standing there, staring at the vast expanse of water before me, a sense of dread washed over me. The tower's reflection shimmered on the lake's surface, almost taunting me to take the plunge and start crossing.

I pushed fear aside, reminding myself of the fate that awaited me if I got caught by soldiers or wildlings, meditating on the shore like a sitting duck.

Taking a deep breath, I dipped my right foot into the freezing water, bracing myself for the shock. Surprisingly, my body adjusted to the temperature pretty quickly.

For a moment, I doubted myself. Did I get it wrong? But then, as my foot sank knee-deep, I finally felt the first stone beneath me. My heart raced with tension. This was it. One wrong step and I'd be joining the ghostly gallery haunting this Holdfast.

With caution, I brought my other foot forward, stepping onto the slippery causeway. The surface was as treacherous as it looked, submerged almost a meter beneath the water's surface. The wind howled, threatening to knock me off balance with each gust. And let me tell you, the slick surface beneath my boots offered zero grip. It was all up to my balance and agility. No pressure, right?

Every single step I took demanded my utmost concentration. I couldn't afford even the tiniest misstep. With each cautious inch forward, my eyes scanned the surroundings, on high alert for any signs of danger lurking about.

The echos of water lapping against me reverberated in my ears, intensifying the overwhelming sense of isolation and vulnerability. The weight of history bore down on my shoulders, a constant reminder that countless souls had trodden this treacherous path before me. Most had met their untimely demise.

Just as I was transitioning to the next stone, a ferocious gust of wind howled through the lake, mercilessly knocking me off balance. My heart skipped a beat as I teetered on the precipice of disaster. In a desperate frenzy, I flailed my arms, hoping to regain stability, but my efforts were in vain. Time seemed to slow down as my body tilted further toward the abyss, and with a resounding splash, I plunged into the sinister depths below.

For a brief moment, my entire being disappeared beneath the water's surface, swallowed by its murky embrace. Gasping for air, I resurfaced, cursing aloud at my misfortune. Well, there goes my attempt to avoid germs; might as well swim to the entrance now that I'm already a walking petri dish.

Taking a deep breath, I steeled myself for a night swim, only to have my eyes catch a glimpse of a thin line of ropes just ahead, leading in the direction I was about to embark upon. As my gaze followed the cords to their source, I was struck dumb with shock. There, hanging ominously from the ropes, were piles of spear-like projectiles, poised to strike at a moment's notice. I had been mere seconds away from triggering them, and the thought sent shivers down my spine.

Well, well, well, it seems swimming is off the table. Looks like I'll have to take the road less traveled, the hard way. Time to channel my inner acrobat and leap my way to the tower, praying I don't stumble again - or at least aim for a spot where there's a soft landing.

"Oh wise master Yoda, I wish had earlier lessons from thee!"

****LEND ME YOUR POWERSTONE,I PROMISE TO PUT IT INTO GOOD USE****

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