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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
"Do you hear that?" asked Talberth.
"Yes, I believe that there is fighting up above." Telenstil put
his hand to his ear, then took a small curved tube from his robe, an ear
trumpet he directed up the chute. "It has gone quiet now. Wait...no, the
shouting has stopped. We may have to find another way up."
"They may need us up there now." Talberth looked up the shaft and
if he could he would have willed himself to its top. "Your ring..."
"It's useless for now, and I need to rest and meditate before
I can cast such spells again." said Telenstil.
"Me too...what about Henri...do you think he has the power to
rise from this stinking pit?" asked Talberth.
"Perhaps, I am not sure that he intends to leave at all or if he
would help us now if he could." Telenstil said to him.
"You are unworthy, but my elder has instructed me to help you, and
while you walk in the shadow, you are not yet in the dark, but you are
perilously close." spoke up Henri. The priest had come upon them unawares
while the two wizards directed their thoughts up the chute to where their
companions surely fought.
"Why you ar..." began Talberth.
"Hush." Telenstil commanded his ex-apprentice. "Henri, can you
help us ascend the shaft, there is trouble above."
"I..." but before Henri could say more the rope came down and
hung before them.
* * *
Derue climbed the steep stairs helped by the lone orc who had
joined him. The other orcs milled about below, waiting for his
return, though some had been sent to contact their kin who had rebelled
long before and hid among the caverns beneath the steading.
They passed through the giant's pantry and crept along the
north-eastern wing of the empty kitchen. All seemed to be as it had been
before, but Derue could not be sure, he had run and paid no attention his
first time through the giants kitchen, thinking only of finding his
brother.
He peeked around the corner to where he had left the halfling
near the garbage chute that lead down to the manticore pen, and stepped
back. Derue stretched out his arm and held back the orc, then cautiously
peeked again. At least two vast bodies lay across the floor, the corpses
of a pair of giants reclined in death. Over one bent and stiffening
knee he could make out the old ranger just helping the elven mage up from
the chute and onto his feet. To the right he saw the girl cleric talking
with her head bent down, probably to that halfling, he thought. "She will
do, if my patron is not to be found." he said aloud.
"What?" asked the orc.
"Never mind. Keep your weapon sheathed and your mouth shut or my
companions will cut your throat." Derue told the orc, then ran out to the
others.
"Cleric! Cleric!" Derue called to Gytha. Everyone turned, the
ranger grabbed up his sword which he kept near to hand and the halfling
stepped forward with a long dagger raised.
"Mercenary." she replied slowly.
"You're back." said Harold, "You and you're crazy brother, I was
nearly killed." the halfling yelled at the man.
Derue ignored him and rushed over to Gytha. "My brother is
injured, down in the giants cells, he needs your help or he will die!"
"What is that you have with you?" asked Ivo catching sight of the
orc.
Derue only paid attention to the cleric, he reached out and
grabbed her arm, but froze when he felt a knife point push under the edge
of his chain shirt and poke him just below where his kidneys lay.
"You left me here, I was almost killed." said Harold in a low and
angry voice.
* * *
(To Be Continued)