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Windhammer, Copyright Wayne Densley 2008 All Rights Reserved
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386
With the fire out and Pallenten again galloping on to the south you look back with trepidation at the storm. To the north it has built into a murderous wall of black roiling cloud that is veering south in your direction. Your hope had been that it might continue on eastwards but it has chosen to turn and pursue you instead. Still, you ask yourself, when has anything you have done ever been either straightforward or easy. Even now the weather conspires to delay you.
Flicking Pallenten's reins you urge your horse to greater speed, eager to keep ahead of the advancing storm front. Although it is impossible to outrun the tempest, it will serve you well to put as much distance as possible between yourself and its centre. Such weather as this must always be avoided if possible, its ferocity is legend in most of Arborell, and it can leave no trace of any hapless traveller who may cross its path unprotected. The reason for the power of these storms is unknown, it is as much attributed to Fate's fickle hand as to anything natural, but it is surmised that the proximity of the massive Rift Mountains to the north, and the cold air that gathers there over the autumn months is the key. Regardless of its source it must be avoided. If such a storm catches you in the open it will be very difficult to survive, and because of this you will need to find shelter quickly.
For a further hour you ride southwards. Pallenten gallops on and you cover a considerable distance before crossing a small trail leading slightly to the west. Pallenten instinctively veers onto this path and before you can turn her back to the south you crest a rise that quickly falls away into a depression on the other side. To your surprise you find before you the remains of a farmstead; a house, barn and other small buildings are spaced neatly about a central yard, bordered by a low stone fence. Most of the buildings are just collapsed rubble, but a small brick outbuilding, something like a grain silo remains intact, and looks like it might make an effective shelter from the approaching storm.
Behind you the horizon has disappeared within the darkness of the storm. It can be no more than twenty minutes from where you sit upon Pallenten's broad back.
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It should take only a minute to investigate whether the old silo will make an effective shelter. If you want to have a look turn to section 365. If you think better shelter may be found further to the south turn to section 394.
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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 2008 All Rights Reserved
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