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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 valley stream was cold, the runoff of mountain ice mixed
with the almost daily fall of rain. The orcs had lain upon their stomachs
and drank their fill, but the others used their canteens. They refilled
them with the cool clear water and added a few gallons worth to a huge
waterskin that the ranger had taken from the giants hall.
There had been some talk at the waters edge, but the sound of
something crashing through the trees nearby had silenced it. They'd made
good time, stirred on by a tang of fear, the orcs hadn't even complained.
It took an hour to reach the valleys end, the trail diverged, one
path heading north straight up another hill, a second heading west along
a path cut through the trees and rocks across the slope. They'd passed the
bodies of the giants slain by Harald and Telenstil. Ravens black as night
sat upon the rocks and stared down at the wolves which worried at the
corpses of the pair.
Harald shouted, the wolves growled but slunk away when the
others came along the trail. Their eyes could be seen catching the light
while they hid behind the cover of rock and tree. As the last of the
party moved beyond the bodies of the giant dead, the wolves came swiftly
back to stuff themselves on the cooling flesh.
"Which way now?" asked Harald.
Telenstil pointed to the north. "To the mountains."
"Both ways seem traveled well enough." said Harald. "You know that
those giants were headed for these trails."
"Yes, remember what they said," Telenstil reminded him, "a days
travel at least, at a giants pace, we should be safe enough."
"You hope!" the ranger exclaimed.
"I do hope, yes I do." said Telenstil. "Every choice is a risk.
If we are not attacked tonight then we will be doing well indeed."
"Are we to walk up to the nearest giants hall and ask to spend the
night." joked Harald.
"Perhaps Ivo could make them think we were giants as well."
Telenstil smiled. "But I do not doubt that you will find us a place to
camp."
"Maybe I should bespell some giants and let them sleep outside."
said Ivo coming up to the mage and scout. "Another night out under the
stars."
"Maybe I can find you a cave." laughed Harald.
"You are fonder of the rain than I." said Ivo.
"The Oerth Mother's tears," Harald nodded. "they can make sleep
difficult, but I think we can find some cover, or make it."
"Then let's be on our way." said Ivo. "I'd like to find a place to
camp before full dark."
"The moons will give us some light." said Harald.
"If the clouds don't cover them." Ivo objected.
"Come then," Telenstil told them both, "to the north. Harald
please see if you can find a side trail, we are between Nosnra and his
allies, no use running from one to the other."
"I'll find us a place to sleep." said Harald. He jogged up the
northern trail.
Telenstil turned and waved for the others to follow after. The
orcs had settled themselves underneath the trees, it took another
command from Talberth to get them on their feet and moving once again.
* * *
(To Be Continued)