Send a spelling or grammar correction to: Tracy Johnson
This site sponsored by Agenda Games LLC
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
"Telenstil, I have a copy of that second map," said Talberth, "and
this chain, I know what Harald thinks of it, but I am convinced that
it will be of use. I studied that second map, as you studied the first,
and it speaks of Grugnir's rift. It shows a place where I suspect
the chain will take us, some room or cave, then a pathway, between
guardposts, leading...."
"But where is this place?" interrupted Harald. "And how will
we get back?"
"And," Ivo added, "will that chain of yours take us back to
Nosnra's dungeon."
"I cannot answer," said Talberth, "who can?"
"Perhaps only Nosnra." Telenstil said. "I doubt he will tell
us. But the chain is a great risk. I read the map and the scroll which
told Nosnra how to use the chain, there was much there that it did not
say, things that Nosnra would know and need not be explained to him."
"It could be a trap." said Harold. "Look at those blades which we
found, you and Gytha say they overwhelmed our scouts, that they were
cursed, and what happened to that cursed priest Henri." Harold thought
for a moment and pulled loose a pouch of coins he had secured to his belt.
He hefted it in one hand then threw it far, out among the rocks. "Everything
taken from that room seems cursed, why should that chain be any different,
or those coins."
"Cursed is perhaps not the word." said Telenstil. "Rather I would
say that those blades were not meant for them, or for any who would be the
giants foes. Instead those blades were meant to be used by evil hands.
Remember both scouts heard the voices of the blades, they named
themselves, the spirits that inhabited the steel were stronger than our
companions, and so they were corrupted or driven mad."
"And the chain?" asked Harold.
"The chain." Telenstil said thoughtfully. "I would know more about
it, but I feel it is what it seems. I doubt not that it was crafted with
a dark magic, but a globe of light crafted by an evil hand will still
cast away the dark."
"So what are you saying?" asked Harald. "You think we should use
it?"
"Not yet, perhaps not at all," said Telenstil, "but it may prove
to be..."
"If no one else, I will use it." said Talberth.
"If that is where your fate lies then we will see who joins you."
Telenstil put his hand on the mages shoulder. "But not yet. Talberth we
will hide the chain. Ivo can you help with that?"
"Certainly. I will conceal it so that none can find it except for
us." Ivo told them.
"That did not work with the cave." muttered Talberth.
"No, you are right." said Ivo. "But I suspect that it is us they
search for, not the chain."
"Talberth, we must travel light, and we have our captive scout to
carry." said Telenstil. "We need your strength against Nosnra, but we
cannot take the chain. Will you come with us now, I swear that I will go
with you wherever this chain may take us, after we have struck down these
giants."
"I have made promises myself." Talberth glumly said. "I will trust
our magic and our luck to hide the chain, but Telenstil, I think we waste
our time here. If as you say Nosnra is just a finger on a hand, then this
chain will lead us to that hand."
"Nosnra still lives." said Harald. "My work here is not done, I
will not leave till either he is dead or I am."
* * *
(To Be Continued)