Guardians of the flame

by Joel Rosenberg

It was supposed to be just a role-playing game... James Michael tumbled out of his wheelchair and fell to his knees in a coughing spasm, his tearing eyes clenched shut. He bounced to his feet on the damp grass, reflexively reaching for the axe strapped to his chest, loosening the straps with two quick jerks and taking the axe in his gnarled, well-muscled hands. Well-muscled hands? He opened his eyes. He was a dwarf standing on the side of a grassy hill, with an axe in his hands. And that was only the beginning...