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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 corridor was no shorter on their return, to the young mage
it seemed that at least half of forever passed before they reached the
ramp back up to the pillared hall. Harold rode on the bigger Harald's
shoulder, the halfling happy as a child. Ivo hung on one of the ranger's
arms sitting with his own arms folded across his chest, trying
to retain a little dignity while the halfling laughed and joked.
Talberth lead them, he was eager to reach Telenstil, tell
the elven mage of what he'd found and return to the rooms beyond the
mist filled portals. He walked fast and Harald jounced behind him to keep
up.
"Stop that!" Harald yelled at the halfling.
"I'll fall off," the halfling complained, "I need a saddle up
here."
"Well stop pulling my hair, it's not a set of reins." grumbled
the ranger. He slowed and the sharp tugging at his hair stopped.
"Put me down." Ivo said firmly. "I've had enough of this."
"I won't go so fast." Harald reassured the gnome. "Talberth,
Talberth!"
Talberth halted but he didn't look back. "We are almost there.
See," he pointed, "there, that is the way back up. I'll go on ahead."
"Talberth." Harald snapped. "Hey!"
"Let him go." said Ivo. "And put me down. He's right, let him
go."
* * *
"I can barely breath." Ghibelline complained. He had both hands on
his ribs and inhaled through clenched teeth.
"But does it still hurt." asked Gytha.
"Yes, well not as much." he admitted.
"Telenstil," Gytha called to the mage, "we have come through this,
but what of the others."
"They've gone exploring, and to find Talberth." Telenstil said
quietly. "I have lead our expedition badly, too many years I have spent
accompanied by friends and companions of a hundred fights. We are all too
independent and not yet attuned to each other, and I have been too lax."
"Telenstil you must lead us, you must not waver." Gytha told him
firmly.
"I will," Telenstil said, "do not worry. Forgive my worries
and lessening of resolve. I would that all of us were here, that our
mounts and supplies had not been lost and that our mission was done.
Instead we have paid for the wounds we have inflicted with wounds
of our own. We may have to pay a greater price."
"Whatever the price," Gytha said, "I will pay back Nosnra and
his kin for what he has done to mine."
There was a tap on Telenstil's shoulder and a gentle tug at his
sleeve, Derue pointed across the chamber and cupped his hand to his his
ear.
"Shh..." Telenstil hushed the others. "Yes, I hear it."
"What?" whispered Gytha.
"I hear it," Ghibelline said, "footsteps."
Derue disappeared behind a pillar, Ghibelline reached for a sword
that wasn't there, he'd left it by the packs and Gytha held her torch
like a club, prepared to fight. Only Telenstil did not reach for a weapon
or draw back. He listened and a smile crossed his lips.
"I know the sound of those feet." he told the others. "It sounds
like Talberth in a hurry."
"You have good ears." said Gytha.
The footsteps came hurrying across the floor, clapping on the
tiles in a quick uneven cadence. Even Gytha could hear them, but to her
surprise they seemed to pass them by.
* * *
(To Be Continued...)