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Back to Empire on the HPe3000
... and ...
The entrance hall was lined with giants as Nosnra came down the
stars. Thiodolf stood talking in earnest with a pair, one turned and
at a quick pace, crossed to a side door and departed on an unknown errand.
His pet, Ursoth sat leaning against his servants leg, Thiodolf absentmindedly
reached his hand down to brush the bears head in a kindly gesture. He
heard the sudden hush which first took hold behind him, then flowed across
the room on a breath of silence.
Thiodolf gave a dismissive nod toward the second of the giant pair
who lingered for some final word, then turned to face his Thegn, bad
news at the forefront of his thoughts. Ursoth turned around as well, and,
glad to see his master, rushed over to him in a joyful bound.
"Ho there pet," Nosnra chided his bear, it playfully rolled round
his feet, rose to a four legged stance then rubbed its soft and furry
shoulder against its masters legs. Its antics brought a wistful smile
to the grim Thegn's lips and he rubbed a loving hand along its back,
thakful for the moments distraction from this terrible night. But the
moment passed quickly by, as moments do, and raising his head he looked
toward Thiodolf, then gestured for him to speak.
Thiodolf blinked and cleared his throat then spoke his sad tidings
to his chief. "Thegn, I think it is Eadnoth's body we have found."
"You think. You do not know." Nosnra said, but at his heart, which
dropped, weighed down with grief, he had expected such sorrowful news.
* * *
Four sets of hands lifted the transparent body, its weight so
ponderous in death, ungainly and slick with blood. Four shoulders set to
bear the sad burden, four sets of legs to move it from its hiding place
and bring it forth for all to see. The clan would feast round their dead,
a table in their midst, the bodies laid out upon it. But this sightless
corpse, now unseen, enchanted so by some cursed mage, would have no
witness of sad-eyed kin to hold within the grave.
* * *
"This is Eadnoth?" Nosnra reached out a reluctant hand and touched
it to the corpse. The chilling flesh beneath was tacky with a coat of
blood, he held a bony shoulder in his grip and brought his other hand
to hold the lolling head. "Here," he said to the nearest bearer of the
dead. "Put an arm about his neck. He is your kin, not some slab of
meat for the kitchen block!" He brushed the bearded face in passing and
felt the gaping wound, a throat laid open wide by a cowards knife,and
drew his hand away.
Fom the outer doors a thunderous approach came pounding, and
Eadwig, soaked and dripping, ran with a manic speed to confront the
mortal shell of his most hapless brother.
* * *
(To Be Continued)