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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
"We will have to walk." said Telenstil.
"The Oerth Mother be praised." smiled Harald. "No more flying
for me, it's too hard on the knees."
The sun was climbing on toward noon when the pair crested the
hill and left the crossbacked trail. Telenstil marveled at the rangers
strength, Harald seemed tireless while the elf needed to stop and rest
more than once as they followed the steep path.
"Their trail is clear?" asked Telenstil.
Harald laughed, "On this hill, it is like footprints in new snow.
There isn't really anyplace to go here except up or down." the ranger
looked back the way they'd come. "It is all rock and cliff-face. Easy
enough to climb, but it would be slow going for our lot. Besides climbing
up these rocks only takes you to a higher leg of the trail."
"Yes." Telenstil agreed. "This slope climbs the hill like it
was the side of a Ziggurat."
"A what?" asked Harald.
"A vast structure of stone," Telenstil explained, "a building big
as a hill, each segment is a huge square block with another smaller
square of stones set on top till it ends with a small plateau, each side
a set of stairs running from the summit to the ground."
"You're joking." laughed Harald. "Such things exist? What a waste
of time."
"They do, at least such is recorded in the journals of the wise."
said Telenstil. "One such building is said to tower over the jungle lands
far to the south and east, a place of great power."
"They must be lowlanders who built the thing," mused Harald,
"and have no hills of their own."
Ivo saw them first, though Talberth had the better view. The young
mage was a poor watchman, his mind ruled his eyes. A blank look would fall
across his face as he stared out over the hilltop, and he would become
lost in thought.
"There they are!" Ivo gave Talberth a nudge and ran across the
boulder they stood upon, surefooted as a mountain goat.
Talberth cried out for the gnome to wait, but his plea went
unheeded. He took great care crossing the same length of stone that
Ivo traveled with ease, he had to stoop and crawl, undignified but safe
from falling off the boulders smooth surface.
"Telenstil. Harald. Thank goodness you two have returned
unharmed." Ivo said with relief.
"What has happened?" asked Telenstil. "You sound concerned my
friend."
"Harold has been injured, he took a fall..." began Ivo.
"What!" How badly is he hurt?!" demanded the ranger.
"Gytha has tended to him." Ivo assured the man. "he sleeps, she
says he will be fine, but he hurt his head..."
"Then he should not sleep!" Harald said angrily. "Gytha knows..."
"Yes she does know!" it was Ivo's turn to interrupt. "She has done
all she can, and she says he will be fine. Tut!" Ivo held up his hand and
silenced the ranger before he could interrupt again. "Gytha knows more of
the healing craft than you my friend, or do you doubt her."
The ranger's shoulders sagged. He leaned against a rock, a great
fatigue came over him. "You are right master gnome. I an in the wrong,
my apologys."
"No need." said Ivo.
"Where is our thief?" Harald asked subdued.
"He sleeps near to that rise." said Ivo, pointing to the east
where the bare stones became a peak. "You can find him by his snores."
"My thanks." said Harald, he gave a deep and respectful bow.
Ivo bowed back then watched the ranger rush by. "How did it go
with you?" he asked Telenstil.
* * *
(To Be Continued)