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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
"Off the trail, off the trail." Harald came running back down
the path calling to the others in a hoarse whispered shout.
"What is it, what is the matter?" Telenstil called back.
"Something is coming, off the trail." Harald told him.
They had come up the northern slope, a long slow rising path, and
just stepped upon the hilltop. It dropped down suddenly, then just
as suddenly rose up again. Below them there was a deep bowl cut from the
hill, an old pond perhaps, long since dried out with trees grown thick and
tall within. The trail ran down the center of the bowl and to either side
the trees pressed against the bare oerth seeking to close the gap which
cut the woods in two.
Harald waved them to the west, he wanted to have the setting sun
at their backs. Long shadows were already being cast, but dark would come
quickly, the mountains would steal the last minutes of the day and bring
on an early night.
They hid themselves easily among the bushes and the trees. Telenstil
waited beside the trail for Harald, the pair stood looking across the
bowl to its northern edge.
"Did you see what it is?" asked Telenstil.
"No, I heard the sound and felt the shaking of the ground." said
Harald. "Many feet and the noise of cattle on the move."
"Giants?"
"Maybe, this is their land, who else would be on this trail?"
Harald wondered.
"Giants most likely then." said Telenstil.
"Look!" hissed the ranger. He pointed to the northern end of the
trail. A monstrous wolf was silhouetted alone at the far end of the
bowl. Its head was turned away, Telenstil could see it give a yip, though
he could not hear the sound. Two more wolves joined it, they circled each
other head to tail for a few moments, then one froze and laid its nose
against the ground.
"Uh-oh." said Harald. "They probably have my scent."
"They will find us then." Telenstil glanced over to where the
others hid.
"We're not likely to ambush them either." Harald agreed.
"Then we will fight them." Telenstil said firmly. "Get the others,
we will fight them as they come up the slope. Height will be at least
some advantage, perhaps we can surprise them as well."
"I'll get the others." Harald ran into the woods beside the road.
The elven mage checked his belt and the pockets sewn cunningly
within his robe. He drew out a crystal rod and prepared to cast a powerful
spell that would let him wield the lightning of a storm. In a pouch at his
side he had more crystal rods and in another, small brown-yellow stinking
globs. He thought for a moment then put the rod away and drew out the
other pouch.
"Cattle." he said to himself. "They will not like lightning but
fire should be much worse."
"Telenstil, what is going on?" asked Talberth.
"Wolves are coming quick, and perhaps giants behind them." said
Telenstil.
"Can Ivo hide us?" Talberth asked.
"I can make us appear as a grove of trees, but not perhaps the
orcs, and not our scout if he resists my spell." Ivo declared. "I can fool
their eyes even so, but their nose, I don't know."
"We can strike them down when they come upon us." said Gytha.
"Yes, but they will warn those behind them." Talberth told her.
"Gytha, can you silence them." said Telenstil knowing the
answer.
"I can with the Saints help." she replied.
"Hurry then, they will soon be upon us." Telenstil backed away
from the trail and motioned for the others to join him.
Gytha was behind a tree, she stepped out and cast her spell.
* * *
(To Be Continued)