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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
"Everyone calm down." Telenstil said. His voice was quite
but forceful. "Harold, please put your knife away."
The halfling had a scowl across his face and his eyes were bright
and angry. He was still covered in a thick coating of giant's blood,
though he had cleaned his face and hands, his hair was matted and his
clothes were dark and stiff. He didn't say a word, but withdrew his knife
and spat upon the mercenaries feet.
"Derue, what is this, what has happened?" asked Telenstil.
"Where did you go, Why the Hells did you run off and leave me
here..." Harold began, but Ivo put his hand on the halflings arm.
"We don't have time for this." said Derue. "Edouard is injured.
This orc slave behind me rebelled with his fellows and we took the
cells."
"Where are they cells?" asked Telenstil.
"Near, down some stairs. Come quickly, he needs help before he can
be moved."
"Down again, oh no." said Harold.
"I will go." said Gytha. "I cannot leave a wounded companion, no
matter who."
Telenstil tapped the ranger on the shoulder, he had been standing
with the rope in his hand eyeing both the mercenary and the orc.
"Harald, please send the rope down, we still have Talberth and
Henri to bring up."
"Yes. " Harald said distractedly. "Yes Telenstil." he turned and
dropped the rope back down the chute.
"Gytha, you cannot go alone." Telenstil looked them over. "Derue,
you must wait till we have Talberth up, then I will go with you and
Gytha. No." Telenstil raised his hand and silenced Derue's objection.
"As you can see we have encountered more giant's." He looked to the
thief. "Harold, please go take watch and make sure that we are not
surprised."
"We must go now!" Derue was frantic with worry.
"We are in a precarious place here, we must... Derue, we must
not be caught here if more giants come." said Telenstil.
"Edouard is dying down there..." Derue went on.
"I am sorry," said Telenstil, "We will help as soon as we can,
but not yet. Go keep watch the way that you have come. Derue, this is the
way it must be."
"If he dies..." Derue said, but left them and went to watch the
stairs, taking the orc and saying no more.
"Harald?" Telenstil asked the ranger.
"Got someone...Give me...a hand." the ranger huffed.
"I'll help," said Gytha.
"I will do what I can as well." Telenstil picked up the slack of
rope as did Gytha. Harald released some of the weight, though he still
supported the greater part.
"Good..." said Harald. "Now on two, pull back. One, Two..." they
put their backs into it and drew up the rope.
Gytha did not mind the work, but such labor had never, in his
more than human years, been Telenstil's choice of actions. The elf
breathed hard and when Talberth finally was helped from the chute, he
dropped the rope and sat down on the stone floor.
"Telenstil are you alright?" asked Gytha
"Fiinnee..." he hissed.
"Telenstil." Talberth stumbled forward. "What is wrong?"
"Winded," Telenstil huffed. "fine. Give me a moment."
* * *
(To Be Continued)