Refugees

The Refugees had made camp. The three orcs, Grelka, Graymahlkyn and Vladi were gathered together, snorting and slobbering over a haunch of meat they had roasting on the fire. The humans Nahyr, Hemorrhage and Vhoghul were discussing how much better the camp smelled since the orcs had fallen overboard upon arrival in Khal. It may not have been a bath but the soaking in salt water was an improvement. Hecubi was talking to Grimbil while Halzira listened. Or so it all appeared.

Grimbil had become bored, as the truly brilliant easily are, although he had part of his mind on the conversation with Hecubi and part on the rest of the group, he was contemplating what to do next. He had made it a rule not to get into his comrades heads. He didn't have a moral dilemma, just practicality. He was rolling it over in his mind now though.

He thought about the orcs. Grelka? No, the dread knight’s thoughts were often dark and disturbing, even for the mischievous goblin. Graymahlkyn? No, there just wasn't enough to work with in the mind of a warrior. The rest of the group would see through it too easily. Vladi? No, he had briefly tried that once, the daydreams about sheep were mildly disturbing. Nahyr? No. That might be interesting, but, the off chance that he might mess up and cause her to blow them all up was a deterrent. Hemorrhage? No, Hemo could literally take his brain in retaliation that would be most unpleasant. He couldn't get into the Monk's mind. That left Hecubi and his beloved Halzira. The nasty slurping sounds from Hecubi's normal activities were bad enough, hearing it all go through his dysfunctional mind, did not make for happy thoughts.

He had made his decision, Halzira it was. She was deeply spiritual. Her shamanic calling made her thoughts appealing and they were soul mates. What could be better? He would be subtle and slowly take over her mind during this evening’s conversation. If she figured it out, she might poke him in the face........

POW! All at once Grimbil felt the most excruciating pain in his eye. As he rolled on the ground, Halzira sprang to his side to ask him what was wrong. The rest of the camp was looking at Halzira in shock. Grimbil, in between waves of pain, realized he had let his thoughts wander into Halzira's and caused a little incident. The camp was asking Halzira why she had poked Grimbil in the eye. She was dumbfounded. She said she had done no such thing. An argument ensued as the group tried to convince her that she had.

Although Grimbil had gotten over the initial shock, he was still in significant pain. He did open his good eye to see what was going on and realized that the group was looking at him suspiciously. He closed his eye and concentrated on the pain. Halzira raised and eyebrow and asked, "Mind Taker"? She then cast here slowest heal over time on him and said, "You will feel well in 3 or 4 days. Next time it will take longer". The camp exploded in laughter and they all went back to their places around the fire.

Grimbil reminded himself of his rule, "Don't take minds inside the group". He made a mental addendum to, most especially, not go near Halzira's mind.

rofl, good one phil! i was cackling at my desk on that one!!!

Quite possibly your best work EVER!

"MIND TAKEN!"

Fan-tastic!!

nicely done...I like this version much better!

Amanda called and read this to me this afternoon, and it made my day!

Brilliant!

I had hoped to cheer you up.

Best... story... ever!

<nod>