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Back to Empire on the HPe3000
... and ...
This is a first draft of a story set in the world of Greyhawk.
It is based on a home campaign so some of the people, places and things
may be different. Any helpful comments or suggestions are very welcome.
Thanks
Jason Zavoda
"Keep your eyes to the ground." Ivo shouted at the others.
Harold slipped around the door and stood behind him, with
his head lowered he could see the edges of a glowing whirl and the
movement of Ivo's hand.
"Stay behind me, I'm going to move forward." Ivo called without
looking. He took slow careful steps, all the while moving the glowing
wand in its twisted pattern that drew the ogres dazed attention.
Telenstil and Talberth came next, but the elf turned his former
apprentice back to face the others coming through the door.
"Have them keep their eyes to the ground." Telenstil said,
relaying Ivo's warning. "If any do become enmeshed in Ivo's spell you
must block their sight to free them."
The elf put a hand to his forehead to shield his eyes, then
followed the path that Harold took, going wide and steering clear of
Ivo's spell. When he passed the ogres he let his glance rise up and
watched the outer door. Harold had gone over to the open portal, he
was crouched low staring out into the night.
An orange glow lit the door and the room was slowly clouding with
smoke from the burning hall. Outside, the yard was filled with
yelling giants, the crackle of the wood being eaten by the flames and
shadows dancing back and forth. Harold could see no one nearby, the fire
burned the eastern wing, a hundred feet away or more, and the giants,
their slaves and allies were surrounded by the smoke and flames.
"Harold, what do you see." asked Telenstil.
"Our little wall of sparks has grown, and it is keeping the giants
busy." Harold told the mage. "I can see the outer gate." he pointed to
his left. "I could hit it with a knife from here."
"Very good." said Telenstil. He glanced to his side, an ogre was
only an arms length away, but still mesmerized by Ivo's swirling spell.
"Harold, help me bind these brutes."
"Why not just cut their ugly throats?" Harold asked.
"We should, but I am sick of this killing." Telenstil replied.
"We can bind them easily and be gone before they are free."
"If that is how you feel, you are the chosen leader," said Harold,
"but I say take a knife to them now and we will not face them later."
"Let us try it my way for now, later we will see the
result." Telenstil said. He drew a length of cord from his pouch and used
a small knife to cut it into length.
"What is going on?" asked Gytha.
Telenstil had not heard her approach, or the ranger who came
stomping by, the chain, his sword and pack weighing him down.
"What is going on?" Harald asked coming near to Telenstil and
Gytha.
"I just asked that." said Gytha
"Harold and I are binding these ogres," said Telenstil. "The door
is open and the outer gate just outside."
"We'd better hurry, how long can Ivo keep them bespelled?" asked
Gytha.
"I will check the gate." said Harald. The ranger did not wait for
a reply but went to the open door.
"Long enough I hope." said Telenstil. He nodded to the ranger.
"Can you help Harald?"
"Wait," said the thief. "You help tie these ogres, I'll check the
gate."
"No, no," Gytha shook her palm toward Harold. "You are good with
knots, and I think I can be more help with the gate. I'll take these orcs
with me."
As they spoke the first of the orcs had crept across the room.
* * *
(To Be Continued)