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Windhammer, Copyright Wayne Densley 2008 All Rights Reserved
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513
 Before you the tunnel angles up towards the mine entrance and you run with all the speed you can muster. Behind you the swarm swirls in a melee of blue light, one that illuminates the rough-hewn passage as they attempt to make up the distance between you. Sweating in the cool air you wonder at your folly and push on all the harder.
Quickly you make the large hall at the junction of the three passages and consider for a moment if you should take one of the other tunnels, but you know there can be no safety found underground. The only salvation from these blood-thirsty insects is the brighter light of day, and you run for the threshold, not stopping as you burst out of the mine entrance and fall headlong into the dirt at Pallenten's feet. For her part Pallenten looks at you, chewing on a mouthful of grass and seemingly unconcerned by your hurried exit, but you have no time to waste.
Fearing that the light of day may not be enough you turn back to the entrance and draw your sword. In the darkness you can hear the swarm milling at the edges of the light, buzzing and fluttering within the shadows, but they go no further. Breathing heavily you wait, expecting nothing more than a short pause before the swarm attacks again. With Pallenten munching grass in your ear you stand your ground but you are safe, the insects instead retreating to the quiet gloom of their own domain. At least this time you have survived.
Many of your fellow Dwarvendim have remarked that it is your curiosity that will one day lead you to an untimely end but it would seem that today will not be that day. The Needle Flies can have the mine as their own and you shall return to your journey. Whatever else may lurk within the mine will have to wait for another, less urgent time. You do not have the time to waste.
Remounting Pallenten you quickly check your horizons for any approaching danger and set off again on a south-westerly track. To the north-west you can see that the storm is building quickly and it is definitely moving your way. Already a stiff wind is beginning to rise from the north, and upon its bluster it brings with it a cold, moist chill that foreshadows a powerful tempest to come. At some time today this storm will overrun the plains and you will need to find shelter.
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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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