4

You began the journey early the next morning. The road north wound through stands of pine that grew darker and thicker as the day went on. A fine snow fell at first, then a heavier one. The coachman muttered that the storm had come earlier than expected, and flicked the reins gently.

In the towns you passed, the Christmas lanterns were lit, though several flickered in a way you found curious. Perhaps the snowfall was interfering with the wiring. Perhaps it was only your imagination.

Wesley, travelling on a different route, sat in a crowded carriage of the northbound train. Now and then he took out his invitation to reread a line, then tucked it away again, as though doing so might change its meaning.

Snowell was on yet another line further west. He spent most of the afternoon studying a tattered notebook, turning its pages slowly, stopping whenever his memory caught on something half-forgotten.

By nightfall, none of you were especially close to Snowfall Manor, though each was steadily drawing nearer. The storm thickened. The lights from the villages became faint grey smudges in the distance.

You reached for your pack to check your belongings and noticed the chessboard case had shifted during the jolting of the carriage. You opened it for a moment and found the White king had fallen off the board.

It's White to move, but the king is missing. Place the White king so that White can force a mate in two moves. Note that this is not a helpmate, so White must be able to force a mate regardless of Black's response. After White's first move, you only need to show one of the continuations leading to mate.