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Back to Empire on the HPe3000
... and ...
"Now," said Telenstil "reach over and put your hand on the orb.
Harald how about you."
"I've had as much magic as I can stand for one night." the ranger
said and backed away.
Gytha laughed. "Why Harald you are as timid as a mouse. I would
never have imagined."
Harald blushed but said nothing and made no sign that he would
heed Telenstil's request.
"Here." Gytha said. "I'll do it." she reached out and put her
hand to the glowing ball. "It tingles." she said. Gytha did not notice as
her feet slowly rose from the ground till she stood only upon the air.
"Harald, take Gytha's hand." said Telenstil.
The ranger just shook his head.
"Oh you big baby." said the halfling. He reached up and grabbed
the clerics hand. "Hey!" he cried, as his feet left the ground. "I'm
flying!"
"A remarkable toy." Talberth said. "But what use can we make of
it?"
"Talberth." Telenstil chided his former apprentice. "Why I am
surprised that you do not see, with this toy, and this." he held up his
hand, a silver ring with a small white pearl was on one long finger. "We
will leave no trail, in fact our feet need not touch the ground at all."
* * *
Outside the cave the nine who'd come to challenge Nosnra's might
stood round the small glowing ball. Gytha placed her hand on one side,
Henri on the other. Each member of the company held hands in two rows
of four with Telenstil at the center, each floating row in line with his
outstretched arms.
"Xsurjere-sublem!" he said. The company began to rise, quick but
sure, "Do not let go!" he warned.
"Kon-istare" Telenstil stopped them far above the ground.
"Vol-atel" he cried and swiftly they took wing and sailed like a strange
flock of geese, a great V across the night sky.
They swung out to the east and then turned north passing dark
wooded hills below. The halfling, Harold, floated on the elven wizards
left, he held tight to the rangers hand and let out loud "whoop's " and
crys of glee as they flew through the air. Below, and further to his left,
he saw a wavering line of fire, and then the steading, a wooden hall of
monstrous size, as if a small town had been roofed over and enclosed with
a massive wall of giant trees. They quickly passed it by, then turned, a
slow wide arc that brought them round to face the steadings northern side.
* * *
The roof came up and landed on their feet, Harold gave a laugh,
happy to be safe with something solid beneath his legs once more.
"Shh." hissed the ranger with a finger to his lips. The halfling
grinned and stuck out his tongue but made sure no other sounds escaped his
mouth.
Telenstil said "Kon-fisere" and the glowing ball went out and
leaf like drifted down. At his touch it shrank, dwindled to a pearl the
twin of that set upon his ring, he scooped it up and dropped it in a
small silk bag and placed it in his pouch. With a soundless gesture he
opened wide his arms then placed a hand before his mouth, the cleric Gytha
gave a nod, understanding what he meant.
"Let the Saint's power be felt." she quietly prayed. "Grace
me with your power, let a holy silence fall upon this place." a beatific
glow shown from Gytha's eyes. She clapped both hands together, but
no sound rang out, she laughed, always happy when the Saint heard her
prayers and granted her bequests.
* * *
(To Be Continued)