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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
"Sleep...let me sleep." Talberth groaned as Ivo prodded him in the
shoulder.
"Company's coming lad." said the old gnome. "Guests for supper,
maybe lunch if we don't get moving."
"I'm awake." Talberth pushed himself up. The mage's eyes were
red and thick with sleep. He crawled to the edge of the pool and dunked
his head in the chill water. "Yi!" Talberth gave a cry.
"Quiet there." Ivo chided him. He left the young mage
shaking out his wet hair and shivering.
Talberth was the last, the others stood about the spring,
prepared to go, some calm as was Derue, others impatient, all more
angry than afraid.
"Ivo what of magic." asked Gytha. "can we hide from them,
Talberth and Telenstil, can they not strike down those that follow us?"
"Illusion is good for fooling the eye, there are magics
that can fool the other senses," the old gnome told her, "I can weave
such around us that these beasts will think us stones or trees. Spells
that will sow disorder among them or send their worst fears hounding
after them."
"And I can strike some down." spoke up Telenstil. "But more
will come. These giants are tenacious, their strength is vast, as
will be the numbers that gather here by Nosnra's command. We will
hide or fight as we must but we came to do more than just strike
a blow against a score of giants."
"I came to kill Nosnra," said Harald firmly.
"Yes," said Telenstil, "and to find out who aids Nosnra or leads
him. We have bought some time for those in lands below, for Geoff
and Sterich and the Yeomanry, and beyond. I tell you what we have done
so far is not enough."
"Telenstil take us back to the steading." Harald faced the wizard
and though all heard what he had to say, his plea was directed at
Telenstil alone. "Use the magic that has taken us to and from that place
already, stop this running, we will never find a place of safety in these
mountains. While we have strength let's use it, use it, kill Nosnra
and as many of his kind as we can."
"Friends." Ghibelline came from the edge of trees. "We waste
time here."
"Yes. Harald you speak from despair." said Telenstil. "The
time is not yet, I hope it never comes, when we must trade our lives
for Nosnra. We will bring him low and we will survive. Now lead us to
a better place to fight if that is what we are forced to do. Up
the mountain."
"I go, but I will speak of this again." the ranger set off and
Ghibelline urged the others on.
"There is more of the track we took before." said Ghibelline
as they started out. "Harald says it must be goats beyond the trees, up
there," he pointed above them toward the rocky slopes, "this must be a
mountain, nothing except stones. I've never seen a mountain before."
"Surely you have." said Gytha.
"Not up close no." Ghibelline smiled. "Hill lands are different
and I've lived most of my life among the trees."
"I've never seen the woods except looking down on them from the
hills." said Gytha.
"I'd rather not see either." complained Harold. "The only stones
I want are set in walls or paving the streets, the only trees should be
floorboards and tables."
"Quiet down." Harald said in a sharp whisper. The ranger had
circled back on them and stood on a short ledge that overlooked their
path. "There is a camp up ahead. Empty now but giants were there
this morning."
* * *
(To Be Continued...)