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Back to Empire on the HPe3000
... and ...
"Telenstil!" Talberth gave the mage a shout. "Telenstil,
I think we may have a problem here."
Ivo came running over at the wizards call, but as low to the
ground as the old gnome was he still smelled the smoke and looked up to
see it coming in above the door. "It seems that your spell has had a
greater effect then expected."
"I did not think these walls would catch." said Talberth.
"I would not have thought so either." said Ivo. "That must be
quite a blaze out there to burn these damp logs."
"Do you know a spell to turn this smoke aside?" Talberth asked.
"I have no handy spells for this." Ivo said. "I will get our elven
friend, his work appears to be just about done."
Telenstil cut away the left supporting side, the map curled in and
fell upon the floor, still hanging from the right. It would be a huge
roll, like some long carpet that ran down the center of a cathedral or
a kings hall. Now that his work was done he looked for someone to help him
with the map. To his right along the eastern wall the lower door was open
and he could hear the sound of movement from within. A little further to
the north stood Talberth and Ivo before the entranceway, they seemed
concerned and turned to look at him.
"Telenstil." Talberth called again, and motioned for him to
approach.
With a sidelong look the elf left the map behind lying crumpled
on the floor. "What is wrong?" he asked.
"Look up." said Talberth pointing to the roof.
"Ahh! Yes I see." Telenstil looked at the smoke. "Move back and
open up the door."
Ivo raised an eye, but backed away.
"I will need to remove the spell that holds it closed." said
Talberth. "An-Ek-O" he said then stepped back. "Now?"
"Now we open up the door." said Telenstil.
"I have a spell, but it takes a bit of power. I hate to waste
it just to open up a door." said Talberth.
"You two, wizards, hrumph!" Ivo rolled his eyes. He walked to
where he'd left his pack and pulled out a rope and an iron spike. The
rope he knotted round the spike, removed a hand axe from his belt, then
went over to the door. The gnome hammered in the spike with a few hard
raps then with both hands gave it several pulls. The spike held firm.
"Come on, your both tall enough to reach, turn the handle."
Talberth reached up but did not touch the metal latch, he jerked
back his hand and spit, the gob sizzled when it hit. "Whew!" he said
aloud, grateful to have spared his fingers from a burn.
"Use this." said Ivo standing near. The gnome held out an empty
leather pouch.
"Thanks." Talberth put the pouch over his hand then opened up the
door a crack. A stream of smoke poured in, it swept up toward the roof,
a dark thick haze.
"Quickly now!" said Telenstil. Ivo and Talberth pulled upon the
rope, the door swung open wide. "Zina-Metali" he called and threw a square
cut iron sheet, no bigger than his palm. It disappeared into the wall of
smoke that poured in from the burning hall and then it filled the open
space of door. A smooth iron valve, no hinge or handle, squeezed tight
between the wooden frame. A tiny cloud, all that passed before the metal
formed, rose in a puff and hung about the ceiling high above.
* * *
(To Be Continued)