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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
"We fight," Boss told them, "that one try kill us."
"With his arms and legs tied." Talberth did not care for the scout
but he cared even less for the orcs. His voice carried with it the
derision he felt for both them and their lies.
"I believe them." the ranger came to the orcs defense. "Back at
the steading Derue used his hands and feet like I use a sword and
bow, if he had not been bound I think he would have killed them all."
"Yea, he fight first," Boss insisted, "we just stomp him. He kick
me, kick them too." the orc gestured to his three followers with a nod of
his head. "Not carry him anymore." the orc said firmly.
"He can't be carried anymore." Gytha said. "Not trussed up like
the carcass of a deer. The ropes will cripple him, he has a powerful
spirit to have survived this long and be able to fight. I will have to try
to heal him. I will need to prepare myself, there is an evil within him."
"Will that evil sustain him?" asked Talberth. "Let him be, it
seems that he is still strong enough."
"That evil will consume him, it will use him alive or dead." said
Gytha. "I would not consign a foe to such a fate, and Derue was not our
foe."
"Yes." Telenstil's voice surprised them, normally calm and
friendly, his one word sounded bitter and filled with hate. "This evil
has claimed a third of us, Henri, Edouard, Derue, I think that none
of us felt friendship for them, but they fought beside us, they were
our companions. The three who were the most estranged, they fall to this
evil first, that is the nature of what we have come to fight against.
This evil force is insidious, it is a curse which draws out the worst
aspects of ourselves. We shared some harsh words with Derue, but that
was all, he is one of ours, not one with those we fight."
"Telenstil, I have had to give the mercy stroke to friend and
comrade when they have lain wounded and could not be saved." said
Harald. "Sometimes that release is the only way. If we cannot save
Derue from this evil and cannot leave him and cannot take him with us,
then we must end his suffering, I would have you do the same for me."
"Death will not release him from this evil." said Gytha, her
voice sounded far away. "Death will only bind him further to the
evil that has touched him. While he lives there is hope, if he dies
that hope will almost disappear."
"We have few choices it seems." Harald looked down sadly at the
body of Derue.
"Yes, we will choose. " said Telenstil.
"If we don't time will choose for us." Ivo added.
"I will pray for healing." Gytha said firmly. "I will try to drive
the evil from him. The Saint will lend me his strength."
"Gytha, you should rest before you try this." Telenstil said
gently, his brief spell of anger had passed.
"He needs to be healed." She could hear the rattle of Derue's
breath, shallow and unsteady.
"You have healed many of us and you gave us strength and sent
that snake back to the hell that spawned it, rest before you try this."
Telenstil said to her.
"I will not let him die or the evil conquer him. I cannot
serve the Saint and let that happen." she answered.
* * *
(To Be Continued)