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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 wolves began to give barking yips as they ran, their
tongues lolling from their mouths, flicking in and out as they opened and
closed their jaws.
Gytha called down the power of the Saint, she waited for the
wolves to close with her. As they came up the trail she could see the
feral gleam within their eyes and hear the low growl beginning in their
throats.
"Sainted one let not these evil hounds give voice, let not their
warning crys be heard, I ask of thee for calm, for blessed silence, now."
A buzzing like a thousand bees sprang up, a swarm of white-golden
lights swirled around the wolves and dissipated in a wide circle about the
forest and the trail. The wolves snapped briefly at the lights, their ears
rose and they began to bark and howl. They jumped in a frenzy their voices
mute their ears, that could hear a leaf fall from a tree, deafened by
the silenced called into place around them.
Talberth and Telenstil stepped onto the trail. They raised their
hands, "Noituus Istaa" said Telenstil, "Zimee-ari-Kno" Talberth voiced
beside him. Bolts of blue magic light shot from their hands springing
from the fingers of each mage. Telenstil's struck one wolf about the head
and neck, it leapt and fell in a crumpled heap. The bolts from Talberth's
hand brought another low, one burnt into a leg and the wolf tumbled
forward as it ran, a glowing greenish ball whizzed by and struck it as it
tried to rise, Ivo had used a magic sling that threw enchantment as
a normal sling would throw a stone.
The last wolf charged with its mouth gaping wide, determined to
sink its teeth in one of these who had slain its mates. Telenstil
sent out another set of magic bolts, the beast shrugged them off, hurt and
badly so, but with both a will and fierce anger driving it on.
Talberth was roughly shoved aside and Harald met the wolf with
his claymore stabbing like a spear. The steel point sunk into the
wolf's chest, through its lung and out its bowels till it dug into the
ground. The beast was mad with pain, it blew out a bloody froth and bit at
the blade which impaled it to the oerth.
Harald drew his knife and put his foot upon the snarling head.
With a flashing sweep he cut its throat, the wolf's legs pawed briefly
at the air, then relaxed in death. The ranger drew out his blade and wiped
it on the dead wolf's coat of fur. He opened his mouth and said something
that none could hear.
"...off the road." Harald said to the others stepping beyond the
edge of Gytha's spell.
"What?" asked Gytha.
"What were you shoving me for?" Talberth asked angrily.
"We need to get them off the trail," said Harald, "and cover up
the blood."
"Quick now!" Telenstil called. "Pull them into the underbrush,
someone sweep the road, grab a branch."
"I could have been casting a spell!" Talberth went on, but Harald
had turned away. The ranger grabbed the wolf he killed and slung the body
over his shoulder, heedless of the flowing blood which poured from the
gaping neck. With a few steps and a mighty heave he threw the body far off
the trail, it crashed into a thick bush and disappeared among the brambles
and the vines.
* * *
(To Be Continued)