Send a spelling or grammar correction to: Tracy Johnson
This site sponsored by Agenda Games LLC
Back to Empire on the HPe3000
... and ...
"Do not kill her!" Telenstil called to the angry ranger. Harald
stood near to the young giantess, she had dropped her brush and backed
toward the now darkened corridor.
"I wasn't going to kill her." Harald yelled back. "But watch
these, that old hag nearly tore off my head."
"Come, come," said Ivo, "we must away, this is no place to
fight."
They stood at an intersection, a hub for several passages,
toward the west the Great Hall, to the south both the corridor that
the giantess had come from and the chiefs trophy hall, and to the north
the outer door into the yard that now was blocked with a wall of flame.
There was another northern way, Telenstil's map, once twisted round,
showed it as the Chiefs private room, a meeting hall, and the elf
desired to examine it, even greater than his desire for escape.
* * *
"You nearly fried me with that magic bolt you degenerate ape!"
Derue screamed at the mage Talberth.
"I called for you to stand clear," Talberth screamed back, "You
pale haired freak!"
Derue flushed a crimson red and his hand went to his belt to draw
his sword. Edouard grabbed his brother by the shoulder and pulled him
back. They whispered together for a moment till Derue calmed down. The
mercenary scout lowered his head, but swore and walked away. He stood by
the burning wall, it had flickered and waned while Talberth screamed but
snapped back now that the wizard put his full mind to it once more. The
wall gave off no heat this side of the door, but at its top the fire
first dried then charred the portals frame.
"You have made a friend there." Gytha said to Talberth, "Watch
your back."
"What is that awful smell." Ivo asked as he approached.
Telenstil sniffed the air around the fire, "Brimstone, you've
learned a variation on the base component." he said to Talberth. "No,
do not reply, keep your mind on your work."
"I should have brought a deck of cards." Harold told the elf.
"All this excitement, I've just been keeping out of sight."
"Then make up for it now. " Telenstil said, "Go see what
is around that northern bend.
"Right you are." The halfing took off and joined the angry scout.
"Quick now everyone, the giants will not be held off long."
Telenstil told them all.
"What of her?" Harold asked and pointed back at the giant maid.
She did not advanced but watched their every move.
"I will deal with her." said Ivo. He moved back down and stood
before the maid, he spoke a muffled word and her hands went to her eyes,
she screamed and stumbled back then fell. "I'm sorry, what you see
could mean our lives." Ivo ran after the others toward the north and past
the stinking wall of fire "It's done." he said to Telenstil.
"Good, our scouts are ahead, lets be on our way." Telenstil
replied.
* * *
Harold had crept ahead, the passage was short, a mere alcove to
the giants no doubt, he thought. The doors were shut, but these giants
did not seem to have the skill for locks, outside of bolts or crossbeams.
He placed his ear against the space between door and floor and listened,
pressing flat he could almost crawl beneath, but not quite.
"I hear nothing beyond." Harold told the pair of scouts. "Lets
shift this door, I feel like a cornered hare."
"Look like one as well." muttered Derue.
Harold ignored the jab, Derue still had an untamed anger in his
eyes, regardless of what his brother had said to calm him down.
The two men tugged at the door, it swung open slow, but creaked
and groaned.
"All the hinges in this damp place must be half rust." Harold
complained about the noise.
The brothers paid him no mind but once the door was partly open,
enough for them to slip by, they went in, first Edouard and then Derue.
* * *
(To Be Continued)