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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
Boss walked backwards, away from the screaming down the passage,
his legs struck the body of Derue and he fell. Below him the bound man
gave a grunt as Boss landed on him, then Derue began to writhe. He
twisted throwing the orc from his back, slammed both legs down across
Boss's middle and kicked him with both feet like a mule, smashing the orc
in the face. Blood spurted from a split lip and a broken nose and Boss
was spun against a wall.
Pulling his knees to his chest Derue slid his bound hands down
his legs and over his feet. Still stretched out on the floor he leaned on
his shoulder and swung his legs around sweeping Halfknife off his feet,
but both Meatstealer and Brokenhand set on him before he could rise.
The orcs had weapons but they used their feet, not from any
restraint, though they had been ordered many times to keep the scout
alive. They lashed out, rough hoary feet thudding into ribs, a
jagged toenail cut a deep gash over Derue's eye, Meatstealer heard
a bone snap and a whoosh of air forced from the scout's throat.
Derue blocked a second kick to his creaking ribs, ducked
below Brokenhand's next blow and struck Meatstealer's knee as
the orc drew back to kick again. The orc hopped back and Derue
turned himself and kicked back at Brokenhand.
Stars and sparks danced before his eyes, Halfknife had kicked
Derue from behind smacking his head like a child would kick a ball.
Boss rose groggily from where he had rolled, Meatstealer
rubbed at his knee then joined the others. Soon all four orcs had
encircled Derue, their legs pumped back and forth as they pummeled him
with their feet.
At the shaft Talberth dropped to the floor. He wore an enchanted
amulet around his neck that shined with a perpetual light. In the glow
he had climbed down the wall, trusting his sight more than his sense
of touch.
"Hey!" he yelled at the orcs. "What is going on! Get away!
Get Away!" Talberth took the wand from the forearm sheath he wore
and fingered the runes that glowed silver in the dark.
The light from the amulet made them start, then step back from
the body of the scout, the wand brought out a fear that had grown
within them, first planted as the giants slaves.
* * *
Ivo's breath was heavy in his chest. He was getting old, even
for a gnome. He was old before the human mage Talberth had been born,
old when the ranger had been only a boy. Gnomes did not have the
sheer bulk and strength of a dwarf, but they all possessed a wiry
endurance. He drew upon all the energy in his old frame and ran.
There were shouts ahead and some screams of pain, a bellow of
rage, it made Ivo lurch into a quicker pace, but he was much slower than
the halfling and Little Rat. He came upon them just as the ranger fell
headlong sprawling across the ground, all three were buried under the
furry wave.
It was no weapon he held in his hand, no base component for a
spell, just a common gnomish tool. He opened the metal ball and twisted
it apart. A small lump of stone fell out, enchanted like the amulet
which Talberth wore, it shone with light. A small sun erupted in the
dark, a squeal of shock burst out, a thousand tiny voices screamed
and the carpet of fur and tooth and claw went still.
* * *
(To Be Continued)