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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
"The air is thick." said Ghibelline.
"Yes." replied Ivo. "It is worse now, the fire must be spreading,
it was not this bad downstairs."
"Could be that they are putting out the blaze." said Harald.
The ranger felt his muscles pull as he lifted the chain from the
floor and wrapped it across his shoulders and behind his neck. "You
owe me for this wizard." he said to Talberth.
"It will prove its worth, I have no doubt." Talberth told him
smugly.
"What is the best way out of here?" Gytha asked Telenstil.
The elf had taken out his small map again and poured over it
thoughtfully.
"We are not going to trust that map again are we?" asked Talberth.
"It has its inaccuracies Talberth." said Telenstil. "But it has
also proven true in some regards. There should be a hall beyond these
doors and at its end a large room that has access to a wide yard, and
beyond that a gate."
"What about the kitchen?" asked Gytha. "Those chimneys, they
are wide enough to drag up a horse. We could climb them. The rope should
still be hanging down that shaft we climbed before."
"Not more climbing." said Harald.
"I like it better than walking into a room full of giants." Gytha
said.
"Well let's do something." Talberth said impatiently, growing
tired of all the talk, and nervous, standing in the giants pantry.
"We will try the door and the gate to the yard." Telenstil said
firmly. "We can always come back, but you are right, we had best make
our escape now while we have the strength and some magical resources still
left to us."
Harold heard what was said and drifted outside the door, checking
the corner of the kitchen where the exit to the passage lay. The massive
portal was shut, it stood next to the half-open entrance to the pantry
but the halfling could not reach the latch, let alone budge the huge
wooden door.
"Here." Harold called to the others as they began to assemble,
setting packs on their shoulders and making sure their weapons were at
hand. "I need one of you tall ones to check this lock or help me up
so I can check it."
"Ok." the ranger answered, but Talberth stepped forward instead.
"You keep hold of that chain," said Talberth. "I can help open
a door or even lift up our thief."
"How about you carry the chain?" the ranger answered back.
Talberth ignored him and went to help the thief. The others
stayed just inside the pantry, both Ivo and Telenstil now peering out,
while Talberth and Harold examined the door which opened onto the hall.
The little thief was pressed against the wood, a small crystal
cup held up to his ear.
"Do you hear anything?" asked Talberth.
"Shhh!" Harold hissed. Then listened for a moment longer.
"Nothing but you, me, and that gaggle in the pantry."
Talberth reached up. The latch was higher than his head, but not
out of reach. It was a simple affair, just a metal bar with a handle
that fell in place between a bracket set on the frame. When Talberth
pushed it up, the door was released, the hinges gave a long groaning creak
and it swung a bit toward them, opening into the kitchen.
* * *
(To Be Continued)