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Back to Empire on the HPe3000
... and ...
"What do you mean?" Harold asked the mage.
"This chain." said Talberth. "From what this scroll relates, it
is a magical device of teleportation."
"Wonderful!" the halfling cried. "Can it take us to Greyhawk?"
"Hmmm, well no I don't think so." Talberth read through the
scroll. "It gives instruction for its use but says nothing about the
destination."
"Oh great. It probably'll take us back to Nosnra's trophy hall."
moaned Harold.
"Yes," said Telenstil. "that does pose a problem. Talberth, that
chain seems very heavy. I doubt that we can take it with us and I am
loathe to use an unknown device."
"How else are we to get out of this pit." Talberth said with
vehemence.
"We are not trapped just yet my friend." Telenstil said kindly.
"If we cannot take that chain with us, or this other map, and we dare not
use it yet, then perhaps we can hide it."
"In here?" Talberth said and looked around at the empty room.
"I can render it invisible." said Ivo.
"Yes, but not insubstantial." Talberth replied. " The giants
already are using illusions to mask these things in the first place,
I can't see them believing just their eyes if they find them missing."
"Hey!" called Harold. "The others are returning."
The concealed door opened up and Gytha came running in. She
quickly passed by the trapped floor and ran up to Telenstil.
"We smelled strong smoke back at the stairs and Harald has gone up
to see how the fire is spreading." she said in one long breath.
"That big fool." the halfling said.
"Harald is no fool, but your concern speaks well of you." Gytha
chided. "I do not think we need worry about the giants coming down
from those stairs just yet."
"Good, then we have a bit more time." said Telenstil.
"To do what?" asked Talberth.
"To hide the chain and map." Telenstil replied. "You are correct,
just masking them with invisibility is not enough. And I want a chance to
study that map at the very least."
The two scouts returned while the others spoke. They dumped the
packs they carried to the floor although they were more careful with their
own.
"Where is mine?" Henri asked them.
"Oh," Gytha said and smiled at the haughty cleric. "I brought it
for you."
Henri looked aghast. He stood there with his hands at his side and
Gytha, seeing that he would not take the pack from her, let it fall to
the floor. "You're welcome" she said and turned her back.
"I have an idea," said Harold. The thief looked back down to the
trap set in the floor. "I'll spring that trap and we can hide them
inside."
"I don't like it." said Talberth. "We don't know what that trap
will release, poison gas, set off some alarm, who knows."
"Harold, is such possible?" asked Telenstil.
"Sure, anything is possible, but giants aren't normally so
subtle." the thief argued.
"No, and they don't normally use illusions to hide their
treasure." said Talberth.
"I agree with Talberth." Ivo put in. "best thing to do with a trap
is to avoid it, not set it off."
"Well, it was only a suggestion." Harold crossed his arms and
looked a little peeved.
* * *
(To Be Continued)