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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
"I will not abandon him." said Telenstil.
"The wolves are at our throats and the giants are behind them."
Talberth pointed with one hand.
The burning wall set three wolves afire. They ran like living
torches, sending out streams of flame behind them. The others pulled back
in time, singed fur and noses, but no fatalities.
Beyond the wall, Harald fought alone.
"Prepare yourselves!" Telenstil called out to the others. "Harald
needs us, follow me." The elf ran to the edge of the fire. He could see
nothing through the flames. "No-it-us Ol-la Men-Na!" he shouted. The wall
of fire melted. A section at least ten yards wide dissolved as the power
of Telenstil's spell overcame Talberth's craft.
Ghibelline and Gytha were at the mage's side, Talberth was behind
him. Derue flowed across the ground, quick and smooth as water in the
moonlight. The old gnome wizard came after him, slow, but moving quick as
he could. Only the halfling stayed behind. Harold wrapped Little Rat's
savaged arm in a bandage. The young orc lay senseless.
The ranger could feel the heat from the wall of fire that had
burst into life behind him. Nothing could come at him from that direction,
the thought flashed through his mind, but he could not stand against the
giants.
A boulder sailed through the air, then through the flames. Harald
moved, he charged the giants. Another stone smashed down where he had
been. The claymore in his right hand flashed. Stabbing high, the point
sought a giant's throat, but cut across a shoulder instead.
Three giants circled him. One pushed around the edge of the
burning wall to get at his back, but Harald turned and jabbed the monster
in the gut. The cloth of shirt and pants ignited as the giant stepped back
away from the blade and into the wall of flame.
"Got ya!" barked out another giant. A hand slapped hard against
the side of Harald's skull. Stars exploded in his eyes and danced merrily
around as he shook his head to clear his sight.
Blindly he slashed with his knife but struck nothing. A huge hand
reached out and caught him by his neck, thick fingers clamping hard about
his throat, crushing tight.
Harald drew the edge of the giant's dagger, that he used as a
short sword, across the fingers that were wrapped about his neck. The
steel edge grated against the bone, the awkward angle running against
Harald's chin and cheek. Blood of man and giant mixed, the hand was
snatched away, and Harald fell to his knees, gasping for air.
Something came at him from the side. Harald did not look but swung
his sword and tried to stand. Mimming opened up a giant's leg from knee to
heel, but it did not stop the kick. The foot struck Harald's side, mashing
armor, breaking ribs, knocking the ranger from his feet.
The giant stumbled back, but others surged forward. One stamped
and caught the hand that held the giant dagger. Fingers snapped, caught
between metal, stone and the giant's heel. Harald stabbed the giant in its
thigh then ripped the blade out so that a deep open wound gaped across the
giant's upper leg. The foot lifted and Harald pulled his broken hand away,
but left the dagger behind. His hand was bent and pierced with the sharp
ends of bone stabbing out from within.
* * *
(To Be Continued...)