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Back to Empire on the HPe3000
... and ...
"Look!" said Telenstil, happy to be proven right. "There above the
heap of trash, that passage should lead up to the kitchens."
"If your map is right." said Harold. "And that's a garbage chute."
"True, but it is our way out." the elf said happily.
"Oh no." Harold complained. "I suppose you want me to climb up."
"Not in the least." Telenstil told him. "I will have Talberth
cast a spell, and Ivo if you would, please render our friend here
invisible."
"Fine, but I prefer to cast my spells away from this stench, if
you don't mind." Ivo said. "The mint is quickly losing its effect."
They left the pen and moved far back into the huge and empty room.
Talberth and Harald came in through the eastern arch and joined them. The
old ranger had the magic chain hung across his shoulders, he let it fall
with a clank to the ground, blackened links dropping snake-like to the
floor.
"Careful with that!" Talberth made a quick move to grab the chain.
Harald reached out and pushed the wizard back.
"Don't," the ranger told him. "This chain is heavier than you
might think." Harald sighed and stretched his arms, he gave a twist and
his back went pop-pop-pop.
"Talberth did you copy that map?" asked Telenstil.
"Yes, here it is." Talberth pulled out a scroll from his sleeve
but kept his eye on the magic chain. As soon as the elf took it from his
hand Talberth bent down and examined the links to check if any had been
damaged.
Harald rolled his eyes and stepped around the mage and over to
Telenstil. "You've found a way out of here." he said.
"We will be sending the thief up with a rope." said Telenstil.
"They think they will be sending the thief up with a rope." said
Harold.
"What do you mean?" asked Telenstil.
"I'm not to happy about being sent up into the middle of their
kitchen." said the thief. "If that is where that tunnel leads. It might
bring me into the middle of a barracks room or their privy for all that
map of yours can say."
"You will be invisible." said Telenstil.
"That won't keep me from being stepped on, or worse." Harold
complained.
"Harold, you are a skilled thief. I am surprised at you." said
Gytha with a disappointed frown.
"I have already been stepped on once, and shot by manticores,
crushed by giants fits in as a nicely poetic touch and I do not want to
give them a chance." said Harold.
"Well," said Telenstil, "I won't force you, but we do need your
help."
"I'll do it." the old ranger said.
"Oh no you don't." said Harold. "Your big feet will be heard
invisible or no. I don't like it, and this isn't fair, but I'll go act the
scout and see what is really up above. You," he turned and looked up at
the ranger, "you will get yourself killed, and leave us trapped down
here."
"Everyone," called Telenstil, "Gather what you will take. We will
need to quickly follow our brave thief if the way is clear."
They gathered their packs, the ranger wrapped the chain across his
neck and over his shoulders again. They moved to the southern gateway,
the smell of refuse and decay was still strong in the damp musty air.
Ivo stayed back and cast his spell upon the halfling thief. Harold
vanished from the room, his form wavered as if seen through shimmering
waves of heat and then was gone. A rope dangled from a spot slightly above
the ground, it climbed among the corrupt debris and stood beneath the
gaping mouth of the garbage chute.
Talberth walked into the pen, his face screwed up into a pained
and gasping visage as he inhaled the almost tangible stench, but with
a choking incantation he cast his spell and the dangling rope began to
rise.
* * *
(To Be Continued)