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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
"Man-Ze-O, Em-Pere!" Talberth commanded.
The skeletons froze in place leaving Talberth still bound in stone
manacles that floated in the air. The words of ancient Suel worked like
a magic spell, whatever force controlled the animated bones recognized the
old imperial tongue and obeyed.
"Miz-So, Miz-So Ep-Ze" he shouted. One of the skeletons began to
tremble then came apart, its bones clattered to the floor. "Hells."
Talberth cursed. "Obviously not the right command."
A breeze touched his face, it raised dust and made him sneeze.
Somewhere a door had opened, from where he stood, held at to the chamber
wall, Talberth could see the far end of the room. At the entrance there
was a figure, gray as stone but insubstantial as a cloud. It floated like
the mist that seemed to form its body.
The closer it came the more it appeared to be a man. Talberth
could make out greater detail in the smoky haze. Arms, legs, a head
with flowing hair, that was certain. It wore a cloak that billowed
behind it like a flag, blown by a wind that Talberth could not feel.
It had a bearded face and eyes that glowed as red as coals just
stirred to life. When it was only an arms length away it opened its mouth,
a black and empty pit, and words flowed out. The creature spoke as if from
somewhere far away, its form simply a conduit that linked its spirit to
this oerthly realm.
"Fe-Mos Su-El, Fe-Et Su-El." the voice wailed.
"Suel Ve-Vae." Talberth told the wraith.
"Su-El Pos-Fa-Ner Ver-Uz." the wraith replied. "Ob-Te-Em-Ro." it
bowed down before Talberth and the manacles came free.
The mage dropped, his arms felt like they were on fire. He hugged
himself and rubbed at the muscles. A sharp pain jumped from the small of
his back and between his shoulder blades. Talberth glanced up into the
burning eyes. "For-Es Mo-Nas-Tre." he intoned the dusty words.
The wraith stood and turned, it waved a finger and the skeleton
offered Talberth its arm.
* * *
The chilling cold lasted only a fraction of a second, but Ivo
shivered as if doused with an icy wave that soaked him to the bone.
His hand stuck to the silver wire he held. Carefully he peeled it from
the palm of his hand so that none of his flesh came away with the
metal.
"Back again." he said to himself. The chamber appeared the same,
two mist filled doors, one to either side. The floor criss-crossed with
lines, lengths of silver wire showing where they had risen from the
cracks.
Ivo was glad that the magic of the portal was playing no tricks on
them. There were problems enough for a lifetime just dealing with the
giants, they needed no more distractions only a place of rest and safety.
So far they had found only trouble and mysteries that they did not need
and had no time to solve.
He pulled on the wire signaling the others that he was safe and
about to return. A step took him into the mist, his long nose touching the
swirling surface, but a voice called out and stopped him.
"Ivo!" Talberth exclaimed, surprised but very pleased.
"Talberth!" Ivo let the silver wire slip from his hand. "Where
have you been?" a note of caution crept into the old gnome's voice. His
fingers flexed suddenly aware that he had dropped the wire. With reflexes
that belied his age Ivo snagged the silver strand just before it
disappeared into the mist.
* * *
(To Be Continued...)