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Windhammer, Copyright Wayne Densley 2001 - 2007 All Rights Reserved
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277
The storm hits hard and you have little enough time to prepare for it. The farmstead is a ruin, but enough of it survives to afford a measure of protection from the full force of the storm. Quickly you draw Pallenten into the far corner of the building and wait for the tempest to hit. In the deepening gloom you hold Pallenten's reins firmly, her breath steaming as the air chills about you.
Like an advancing tide the storm marches overhead, quickly blanketing out the horizon and laying down a vicious swirl of wind, sleet and heavy rain. In the barely adequate protection of the collapsed farmhouse you stand with Pallenten, unable to avoid the wind gusts that throw flurries of rain and sleet under the roof. Before long you are soaked to the skin, suffering the numbing effects of the gale force winds as they blow unrelenting about the crumbling stone walls. Feeling completely miserable you can do nothing but pull your cloak closer about you and wait for the storm to pass.
With the ferocity of the tempest still building you stand in awe of its power. Unrestrained the storm hammers away at the unprotected plains, its energy growing with each passing minute. Buffeted by ferocious winds the farmhouse shudders to each deafening roll of thunder, the ground tremoring under the impacts of blinding bursts of lightning that fill the air with the smell of smoking turf. With Pallenten close you thank Providence that this shelter was at hand.
The fact that you have found shelter is a stroke of good fortune that has probably saved your life. To be unprotected in weather such as this can mean death, and many unfortunate souls have been lost, taken by such storms in the past, never to be seen in the world again. Shivering, but happy that you have a roof over your head, you stand silently. Then, a slight movement out in the storm catches your eye. It is a black shape, laying still amongst the grasses as they are whipped and shredded by the wind.
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You cannot be sure what the dark shape may be, but if you are brave, or foolhardy, enough you can run out into the storm and try and attempt to retrieve it. If this is your choice, turn to section 295. If you believe there is no way you will leave your shelter until the storm has passed turn to section 304.
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This book, and its associated books and other documents in the Chronicles of Arborell series are the intellectual property of the author, Wayne F Densley, and all rights are reserved by him. Windhammer is best viewed at 1024 x 768 resolution. Any questions regarding the Chronicles of Arborell can be answered by emailing the author at densleyw@shoal.net.au
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Windhammer, Copyright Wayne Densley 2001 - 2007 All Rights Reserved
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