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Back to Empire on the HPe3000
... and ...
The middle of the night had passed, the hill was never completely
silent but a stillness had come over the Steading. Around the outside of
the walls a patrol of wolves and giants circled endlessly.
Nine dark shapes moved up toward the top of the hill. They avoided
the main roadway but approached along its course from the south, having a
rough time crossing the weed and bramble strewn field.
The largest of them, Harald, moved swift and quiet through the
clinging brambles, the small Harold followed close behind. Harald was
a ranger of Geoff, he knew well how to move almost undetectable through
such thorny terrain. The halfling Harold was a city thief, but he had
passed through enchanted gardens and climbed protective hedges more than
once in his life. He noted the rangers deft movements, his instinctive
reacion to each snag or pinch of thorn, and mimiced them as best he
could.
"There it is ." whispered Harald as they crested the hill.
"Look, they have their hounds running loose." the halfling said.
"Not to worry though, I have a charm that prevents such dogs from catching
our scent." he touched a chain which hung around his neck and pulled
a coarse cloth bag from beneath his shirt.
"I have one as well." the ranger smiled and removed a large pouch
he kept at his belt. He opened it and showed the halfling thief.
"What is it?" Harold asked.
"Pepper." the ranger laughed. "Better than most magic charms i've
come across. Sets them running when they get it in their snouts, wolves or
dog, they hate the stuff." he closed the pouch tight and placed it back
within his broad leather belt.
The halfing inched ahead and as he put a hand upon the flat
ground above the hills gentle slope a keening wail was loosed.
* * *
A shudder ran through Engenulf, he lay asleep upon a narrow cot
deep below the steadings wooden floors. The dead guards had given voice,
he ould feel their cry, their killers had returned.
* * *
"What in the many Hells was that?" Harold asked.
"Just that, so it sounds." the human Harald said. The wail came
again and was joined by another voice. The wolves across the field added
a chorus of yips and yowls then wailed as well. From beyond the Steadings
walls the pack joined in, then a metal gong began to sound.
"That buggers it." the halfling said. "Time for us to be gone."
The ghostly wails increased and two misty forms, they glowed a
pale silver like trapped moonlight, drifted across the hill from
their right.
"That doesn't look good." Harold said, then the halfing turned and
ran down the way he'd come.
The ranger Harald paused and scattered a generous portion of his
pepper bag across their path, then followed after his halfling friend.
* * *
Halfway up the hills southern slope seven human sized shapes lay
in wait for their scouts to return. The eerie call from above sent a stir
through each, one standing up, another straining forward, each clutching
at a weapon, some item of power or symbol of their faith.
"Gytha!" Talberth stood and grabbed the clerics arm.
She pulled the wizards hand away and turned with a fury in her
eyes. Talberth drew back, but in an instant regained his commanding
demeanor. "Gytha. Hold, we need to stay together not go rushing ahead
alone."
A wild look left her face and she bowed her head. "My apologies."
she said. Then another wail reached them, and then a wild chorus of yowls
and barks and a clanging metal gong rang out.
"Prepare yourselves." Telenstil called out. "Talberth you remember
that spell of fire I taught you sometime ago, I hope."
"Yes master Telenstil. I know it well." Talberth said and pulled
a stinking brown and yellow pea-sized ball from a pocket at his belt.
* * *
(To Be Continued)