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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
"Talberth!" Telenstil called and the footsteps came to a sudden
halt.
"There you are." the young mage called back. They could see the
light from his amulet shining between the pillars as he approached.
"What happened here?"
"One of the golems began to come alive." Telenstil explained.
"It would not obey my command."
"You destroyed it?" Talberth asked with respect tinged with
regret. He shined the light of his amulet up into the hollowed pillar
where the golems upper body had been, then higher up to the ceiling.
The roof was fractured like a window of thick glass that had been struck
by a rock.
"More that it destroyed itself." said Telenstil. "Is Ivo not
with you, and the others?"
"They are almost here." Talberth approached and gave a start
as Derue stepped from the shadows. "What is he doing loose?!"
"Derue has rejoined us," Telenstil nodded toward the man
and he nodded back, "Gytha has freed him of the curse, and I detect no
more evil within him."
Talberth rolled his eyes in doubt but said nothing.
"I am glad to see you safe," said Telenstil, "but it seems some
ancient ward has been woken. It was that which tried to revive a
golem. I am worried that the trap which captured you may have set
something in motion throughout this ruin."
"Someone approaches." said Ghibelline. "He can hear it too."
the elf pointed to Derue.
The scout nodded and casually pointed to the side of the hall.
"Is that singing?" asked Ghibelline.
"It is." said Telenstil with a smile. "Harold at least seems
to be returning."
They did not have to wait long, the singing wavered and was
replaced with a deep grumbling voice whose wordless complaints almost
drowned out the much higher and lighter replies.
Ivo lead them walking a few paces in front, Harold still carried
the halfling who sat behind his head and the young orc who was slung
ungraciously over the ranger's shoulder.
"...get down and keep quiet." Harald said to the halfling.
"Ivo!" Telenstil went over to the gnome, reached down and clasped
his shoulder. "Glad, very glad to see you and the others safe."
"We had our troubles." said Ivo. "It seems Talberth found
his own way out, but we still had to drag him away."
Beside them Harald lowered Little Rat gently to the floor after
reaching back with one hand and pulling down the thief. He caught a
handful of the halfling's shirt and lowered him to the ground like a
puppy clutched in its mother's mouth.
"Gytha," Harald said, "here, this one needs your help."
"He sleeps." she said examing the wounds on his head. "Not good,"
Gytha rolled back the orc's eyelids. "Harald, hold that light closer.
Yes keep it above my head, but close."
"How is he?" Harold asked, concerned.
"He will need the Saint's grace, I will call for his aid." said
Gytha.
"Do what you can," said Harold, "please."
"I will, do not worry." Gytha told him.
"Let her pray." said the ranger. He drew the halfling back and
they joined the rest of the company where they had gathered near the
shattered pillar.
Man, elf, halfling and gnome sat or crouched on the ground in
a rough circle. Nearby Gytha prayed for the gift of healing to be
bestowed on the young orc.
Telenstil smiled at the sight.
* * *
(To Be Continued...)