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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
Ivo put his book away, he closed it with a snap then rubbed his
eyes. He would be better for a few hours sleep, but instead he stood up
and walked over to the mage.
The ranger had just settled down with his pack beneath his head,
he was asleep before his eyes closed. Ivo had listened to the talk he'd
had with the elven mage, then waited for him to sleep before rising
himself.
"Telenstil." Ivo said quietly as he approached. "You keep your
Queens instructions well."
"You have large ears my friend." said Telenstil cheerfully.
"Oh I listened in, you two weren't exactly whispering." said Ivo.
"Impolite I know, but these are perilous times, and a perilous place we
find ourselves."
"In some ways things have gone far better than I had imagined
they would." Telenstil said. He kept watch over the steep slope that was
the only approach up to the ledge where they camped.
Ivo sat down next to him, the old gnome let his feet dangle over
the edge of the rock and wished he had not left his pipe back at the camp
the giants had destroyed.
"I've no fondness for those orcs but they are a improvement over
that cursed priest." said Ivo.
"I regret the loss of Henri and the scouts." said Telenstil.
"Henri will be missed, we will need the powers he possessed, I do not
doubt. It is that map I am pleased with, it showed plans that Nosnra or
any giants would undertake. They are not subtle, but whoever is behind
them, they are subtle planners indeed."
"They weave a tight web, I agree." said Ivo.
Telenstil did not reply but looked down at his friend with an
eyebrow raised.
"We delve beneath our hills, and we live close enough to your
lands to know your tales." said Ivo. "And we have cousins, gnomes who
never see the light of day, but talk of a world beneath ours, where many
creatures of brightness have turned dark."
"Maybe you know more of this than I." said Telenstil. "What are
these stories that your cousins tell?"
"They are like those that you tell your children when they are
bad." Ivo said. "And we held them in as much regard, not enough it seems."
Telenstil laughed very lightly and quietly. "It seems you also
have your secret councils my friend."
"I am like you, I wait to find out more before I put my faith in
childrens tales." said Ivo. "We have both come far to seek these answers,
Talberth too has traveled far, and our halfling friend, who has big ears
as well." Ivo leaned back and looked at the top of the ledge where a
shadow was disappearing back behind the rock. "Why don't you come down
Harold, if you are not going to sleep."
The little thief came sliding down the wall of rock, then when he
was a mans height from the ground, he jumped and landed lightly on his
feet.
"Your the one with big ears old gnome." said Harold but in a
friendly voice.
"I see it is time for our own council." said Telenstil. "Perhaps
we should wake the others."
"Let them sleep." said Harold. "You two want to talk around
this business and not through it. All this hogwash of childrens tales.
My own directions were simple. He called me in..."
"Caught you I believe it was." said Ivo.
"That was simply a misunderstanding, In any case, he said
'Find out what you can.'" the little thief related, his voice growing
deep when he mimicked what he'd been told. "about what? I asked. 'About
anything' which is usually what his wizardly mightiness commands."
"So what have you found out?" Telenstil asked, his ears perking
up with interest at what the halfling might say.
* * *
(To Be Continued)