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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
Thiodolf spoke up, "Thegn, none stand against you here," he turned
and glowered at some who could not meet his eyes.
"Engenulf," Nosnra called to the witan, "tell of what you have
divined."
"yes my thegn," he said quietly. Then in a louder voice began his
tale. "Human, Elf and Dwarf, have come among us, yes, this most of you
will already know. I saw nine crows fly past the steadings walls and the
spirits of those who died cried out as they went overhead. There are only
nine who come against us, nine, but not farmers or herdsmen, not the weak
children we have raided and brushed aside. Three crows called out to me
and one disappeared. The another turned into an eagle, then mighty dragon,
and then I saw Eadnoth's face before it too was gone. The last spoke in an
eldritch tongue of power and cast a bolt such as a storm cloud makes and
burnt at me though even in a vision. Behold!" He held out a black-streaked
arm, blistered from palm to chest. "Such power is very great to reach from
that spirit realm where visions walk as we do here on oerth."
"What of the other birds?" a wide eyed warrior called.
"Two others called to me and it seemed that each was carried in
a great and mighty hand, one blazed with light, a white hot blinding fire
that did not scorch the feathered wings it held aloft. The other was a
plain sturdy fist, a hand of flesh and bone, but strong and rough, this
bird cawed and screeched as any of its oerthly brethren might.
The final four were a varied lot, one old but large, the mightiest
of its kind that I have ever seen. A warrior spirit I have no doubt.
Two others that wore the shape of the crow but at heart bore a serpents
soul, their tongue and eyes were red as blood. Before they passed out of
sight I saw them both set upon the elder bird and strike him by surprise.
They fell, all three in a tangled heap beyond the horizons edge and then
they too were gone." He paused and drank deeply from a pot of ale set by
his side. "The last was small, full grown but stunted or from a smaller
breed of crow. It weaved and wheeled across the sky, sometimes it lead
the flock then fell back and hid behind the others. It was last to
disappear but in its beak I saw the glitter of some gem or jewel, and
my vision ended there."
"What good does hearing all this do?" asked Gosfrith keeper of
the wolves. 'We waste time sitting here."
"You ask such questions" Nosnra said, "I thought better of our
huntsman."
"Huntsman yes, and that is where I should be, not wasting precious
time..." He paused, then bowed his head to Engenulf, " I ask your pardon
witan, I mean no disrespect, but the trail goes cold."
"Your wolves found no scent upon the hill, these foul human scum
have hidden their tracks well, ensorceled them no doubt. They're put to
better use as guards than running blind down valleys and over hills."
"We would find their scent." Gosfrith said. "Hidden trail or no,
I do not believe they have covered every track, my pets will sniff them
out if you will but allow it!" His voice ended in a shout.
"Watch your tongue! My patience is worn thin, I have had enough
rebellion for one day." Nosnra shouted back. "Hear what Engenulf has said,
this was no flock of birds that sit and peck upon a field of grain. He has
all but named them, we know their number and have heard and seen something
of their strength. Wizards, yes, and servants of some mortal gods it
sounds, and warriors, brave and bold enough to hunt us in our own domain.
They have killed by stealth and dweomencraft, I have no doubt that they
will come again, and soon. I will not have you chasing rabbits when you
should be here." He stopped and watched the faces of his warriors, in
some he saw his words sink in but others looked incredulous or showed
sour disappointment. "Some here have fought such as these before
down below in human lands. Some have broken dwarven halls and squashed
the burrowing rats beneath your feet, but also felt the stings of spears
or lost a finger, toe or hand to an axes edge. I have seen them call upon
their stunted gods or summon powers of the oerth or walking walls of
fire. Yet many here have never faced the like and cannot know the strength
within these tiny childlike beasts."
"Listen to your thegn!" Engenulf said, commanding their obedience.
"This gap between the young and old, between those who fight now for the
first time against a dangerous foe and those of us who have bled beneath
a humans sword or elven spear or been cut down by a dwarvish axe, this
disunity must end!"