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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
Dust began to billow, the shattered bedframe shook, loose pieces
of wood fell from the rising bones. With unnatural strength it tore a
three foot length of board loose from the pile of debris. The skeleton
brought up its makeshift club and advanced on the ranger who struggled
blindly in the dark.
A blade gouged into its shin, a second hacked into its thigh and
carved out a divot of bone. Little Rat howled out a challenge and tore
into the skeleton with a flurry of blows. The boney horror stared down
with empty sockets, it swung the length of wood, but Little Rat ducked
beneath the blow. He sidestepped and brought his dagger skimming along
the outstretched arm shaving off a curl, whittling the skeleton down
with every stroke.
The ranger heard the young orc howl, he knew where the sound had
come from but he could see nothing. One skeleton still clasped his arm,
it clawed at him, finger bones digging into the sleeve of his shirt,
each digit strong as a metal clamp. He could feel the flesh bruise,
mashed beneath the crushing strength. The skeleton rattled, he shook it
like a housemaid would shake the dust from a carpet, but he could not
shake it loose.
A flash of light lit the room, the beams swayed to the right then
toward the ranger. Ivo had come through the misty portal, the enchanted
torch casting its rays into the room.
Little Rat squealed, he brought up an arm to protect his eyes but
the skeleton was unaffected by the sudden illumination. The board came
down and this time struck the small orc squarely atop the head. There
was a crack, part of the wood snapped off and a line of blood seeped
from Little Rat's lank hair.
Harold ducked his head, he'd been slashing at the skeleton that
grabbed the ranger's arm and as he did he caught a glimpse of the light
that that shone from Ivo's torch. The edge of his knife opened a foot long
gash in the ranger's cloak, he'd try to pull his blow, only luck or the
hand of fate kept him from doing the same to the ranger's leg as he did to
the cloak.
"What's this?" Ivo said, startled as walked into a fight.
A pair of skeletal feet slapped across Harold's face, Little Rat
growled and waved his knives but the skeleton with the wooden board
struck him again. The ranger managed to shift his sword from one hand to
the other and now that he could see, he deftly smashed in the skull
of the skeleton hanging on his arm. Everything happened at once before
Ivo could do more than blink.
Blood was pouring from Little Rat's head, he staggered like a
drunk on a three day binge, but managed to lash out with his knives.
The blades no more than scratched the monster's bones. It raised its
board again for a vicious stroke but there was a shriek of steel
as a blade sliced through the air. There was a glint of metal, a dark
shape passed above the young orc's head and the skeleton was gone. Arms,
chest and spine were chopped cleanly through and flung back against
the wall.
The last of the skeletons was destroyed. The ranger's head twisted
back and forth looking for another foe and Little Rat sat on the ground
holding his bleeding head between his hands.
"Here is your light." Harold said to the ranger, nodding toward
the gnome.
"Next time you're going through the door first." the ranger said
to Ivo.
"Next time you'll take the light with you." Ivo told him.
* * *
(To Be Continued...)