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Back to Empire on the HPe3000
... and ...
This is a first draft of a story set in the world of Greyhawk.
It is based on a home campaign so some of the people, places and things
may be different. Any helpful comments or suggestions are very welcome.
Thanks
Jason Zavoda
There was a wild fury in Harald's attack. He charged the giants
with his sword held level at shoulder height, the hilt in both hands and
the blade behind his neck. When he reached Windthorst he swung it in a
wide scything arc that thunked like an axe into a tree as it hit the
giant's leg.
Windthorst sagged, his leg slipped out from under him and he fell
with a crash to the ground. Harald drew back his blade and stepped away
from the toppling form. He'd left a bone deep slash that cut through the
calf and peeled back the flesh with a butchers stroke.
Nearby Gytha smashed at Wolgast again, but the giant was oblivious
to the small blows of the spiritual hammer she wielded against him. The
giant beat his companion into a senseless pulp, Wedel was pinned with his
back to the wall. Wolgast used one hand to hold Wedel up by his grey
throat and with the other, now bruised and swollen, Wolgast pounded
piston-like into Wedel's ruined face.
Ivo reached within his vest and from a hidden pocket pulled out a
sling. He needed no stone or bullet of lead or steel, he swung the
the leather strap as if it were loaded and as he did a nimbus of bluish
light formed within the holding pouch. Ivo released and the light streaked
toward Wolgast but missed him by the breadth of a hand. It struck the wall
nearby and hissed against the stone like bacon frying in a pan.
Below the fighting giants Harold had to throw himself aside,
Windthorst nearly crushed him with a shoulder wider than an oxens flank.
It brought him to his senses and with the agility of a cat he was on his
feet again. He ran up the downed giants arm and used his small sword to
cut the giant's throat. Windthorst tried to struggle but the halfling knew
where to place the blade and opened up an artery that stopped the blood
from feeding the giant's brain. The spray knocked Harold back and off the
awkward perch he had upon the giant's heaving shoulder. The blade flew
from his grasp, he struck his head in falling back, smacking it hard
against the bony shoulder of the giant. Harold landed on the floor
unconscious in a heap, sprayed by a thick grey-red blood that still shot
out in jets to match the slowing beat of Windthorst's heart.
Wedel was dead, the bones of his massive face finally broken by
the relentless blows of his companions fist. With his death Wolgast gave
a massive sigh and put both hands upon Wedel's shoulders. Both giants sunk
down, Wedel sliding against the wall, a smear of blood painting the stone,
following the trail of Wedel's head with a grey-red streak.
Both Ivo and Gytha used their magicked weapons to strike the
surviving giant before he could turn on them, and turn he did. Like a bear
cornered by hounds, Wolgast spun and nearly fell on his badly wounded leg.
Both Gytha's hammer and Ivo's magic bullet struck him, but the giant
shrugged off the blows, but the ranger attacked as well. Harald's two-hand
sword went in like a spear, it drove through Wolgast's gut and out his
back. The ranger was still half mad with fury and it lent a strength
almost that of a giant to his blow.
Wolgast was driven back and Harald drove his blade further in, he
buried it to the quillon block, pressed it against the seeping wound held
sealed by the steel trapped within the giant's gut. The point projected
from Wolgast's back, it grated across his spine and gouged into the chest
of Wedel's body lying dead against the wall. His leg collapsed, Wolgast
fell backwards, driving Harald's sword deeper into Wedel's corpse. His
hand smacked Harald aside, sending him rolling, and feebly plucked at
the sword hilt with dissipating strength.
The giant tried to rise, his good leg bent and pushed, but he
could not make his wounded one answer his commands. Wolgast could not draw
out the sword, could not rise with his wounded leg and the weight of Wedel
trapped behind him. He sank back down and moaned, a trickle of blood
poured from his lips.
Harald was helped to his feet by Gytha who squeezed his arm and
felt a deep sorrow at the sight of the wounded giant. "Harald," she
said, "end this quick."
The ranger grunted in reply. He shook himself, his back gave a
loud pop as he stretched it, his wrath was gone. The giant still fumbled
for the hilt and tried to push the rangers hands away, but Wolgast was as
weak as a human child for all his size. Harald grabbed the hilt with both
his hands and tugged, the giant gave a deep painful moan and vomited out
a barrels worth of blood. The blade was wedged tight, but Harald summoned
all his strength, he braced a foot against the giants thigh and pulled
with all his might. The sword came free, it ground against the giant's
spine and Wolgast tried to scream, but his voice was drowned in blood.
The huge body slumped forward and Harald used his shoulder to push
Wolgast on his side. The giant lived, but blood poured from his wound and
came in gobs and torrents from his mouth as he coughed to free his lungs
for air. Wolgast had one shoulder on the floor, his back was arched and
his forehead was against the stones. Like the executioner of a king, Harald
brought his sword down across the giants neck as Gytha asked the Saint
to allow the giant a quick death to end its pain.
* * *
(To Be Continued)