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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 stopped them at the hilltop, both Talberth and the orcs were
thankful for the chance to rest. The young mage had tested his endurance
many times with long sleepless nights spent in study back in civilized
lands, but it it had been years since he had carried a heavy load, or
done much physical labor on any kind. The orcs were used to hard work, but
they took every opportunity that came their way to rest, such was how
they survived their enslavement by the giants.
All set down their burdens carefully. Gytha, Talberth and
Ghibelline lowered the body of Jalal slowly and with respect, the orcs
deposited Derue and the heavy chain on the ground with care as
well. Talberth kept a watchful and scowling eye on them, but he was more
concerned with his magic chain than the safety of the scout.
"We will wait for our thief's return here, for awhile." said Ivo.
"We have not gone far." Gytha stood beside the gnome.
They were above the winding path on the south-edge of the hill.
The top was a long cresting ridge rather than the wide flat plateau
that the steading sat upon. It was lined with jagged rocks rising in
a series of humps, longer from south to north than east to west. A higher
ridge, a line of weathered stone lay to the eastern side of the
hill. Narrow and barefaced rock, it hung over the wooded valley below.
"The giants would have a hard time picking through these rocks."
Gytha looked across the rough, uneven ground.
"It will be hard going for us as well." said Ivo. "Perhaps we can
find a suitable resting place for our rescued elf's departed friend."
"I will speak with Ghibelline and see what he thinks." said Gytha.
"We will still have our mad scout to carry. Talk with Talberth about that
magic chain. We could hide it here as well as Jalal's body."
"Yes. You speak with Ghibelline, I will speak with Talberth."
Ivo agreed.
* * *
"Come along," Harold called to the small orc. "You little
monster." he said under his breath.
"Wait, wait!" cried Little Rat. "I hurry."
The orc slipped from stone to stone following the halfings
path. The two were almost of a size, the small thin orc was just a
hand taller, but nothing more than flesh and bones wrapped in a dirty
rag of shirt and pants. Neither wore shoes, the halfling had the
wide heavy padded feet of his kind and the orc had soles tough as leather,
thick and scarred.
Harold stopped, his feet on a split stone projecting from the
wall of rock. He heard voices drifting up from below and peered down
to see who made them.
Between a wide cleft of rock his companions sat in two small
groups. The orcs gathered round their leader, while Talberth, Gytha and
Ghibelline sat by the body of the man they'd rescued and who'd died
this very morning. Ivo sat atop a high boulder, half concealed by the
stones around him and a cloak which blended in with rocks dull gray shade.
There was a scrabble above, the sound of cracking stone, he heard
a small sharp yell and jerked his head around looking up the wall of
of rock. Harold had time only to raise his hands, a wide-eyed orcish face
came hurtling down, Little Rat crashed into the small thief and both went
over the foothold in a tangle, both shouting as they fell.
* * *
(To Be Continued)