
Table of Contents
Champions of the Apocalypse
by Michael G. Thomas
PUBLISHED BY:
Swordworks Books
CHAMPIONS OF THE APOCALYPSE
Copyright © 2011 by Michael G. Thomas
All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.
The library was dark even though the light breaking in through the dulled glass windows betrayed the fact it was the middle of the day. The cold stone walls were covered in cloths and fabrics that displayed a mixture of patterns, symbols and pictorial accounts of long past events. One great tapestry showed a great battle between armies of men in leather and metal armour. Some of them stood on metal vehicles and above them was a winged machine, dropping fire. The land was barren like desert and the ground littered with bodies. In front of the tapestry were a number of relics including a broken axe, helmet and what looked like a rubber wheel though it was too flexible to use on its own. The library was rectangular in shape and over half of its space taken up by a dozen oak bookcases, each dark with age, and as sturdy as the day they were built. At one point in the past, they had probably been full to overflowing with books and papers, but those days were long gone. Only a fraction remained of the world's old literature and the texts on the dusty shelves were valued more highly than any food, fuel or material. Few of the books were complete and most showed extreme signs of age and deprivation.
Synne sat at her wooden table, a place where she had been working now for over three years. She had spent every day of her training either working on martial arts, writing or working in this library. When she was a young girl, she had been taught to read by her father, an ability that was increasingly rare in these lands. Of the population of the old city, only half of them could read to any extent and a tiny proportion of those could write. With these skills, she was learning, though she had already started to pass on her knowledge to a new line of teachers who could then teach others. It was her father's hope that in less than ten years the entire city could be literate, the first member of the League to do so. Her city was self-contained, founded by a group of nomadic warriors and built amongst the ruins of what must have been a mighty city itself at sometime in the past.
Even more important though, was that she could read, and understand some of the books she had found that were in different tongues. This was a unique gift, as over half the books known to exist were not in the League's native language. Any member of the League that had the ability to read and understand the knowledge contained in these old texts would have a priceless asset, and be most valued of all. Of greater importance though would be the benefits to all members that such knowledge could bring. The thoughts of the medical, science and engineering knowledge waiting to be discovered thrilled her, and it was what drove her to learn to read the old tongues.
To the side of her desk were several ancient machines, each lovingly maintained, cleaned and oiled. The closest to her was a simple handheld press. It featured movable type and Synne had used it in the last few hours to duplicate financial records for the archives. Of all the work she did, this was the most boring. With this chore completed, Synne was able to move on to something she found infinitely more interesting. This part of her working day was dedicated to transcribing, repairing, restoring and copying the small number of sacred written texts and relics still owned by the city. The book she was working on was a water-damaged copy of an early twentieth century edition of Sun Tzu's Art of War. The book was dated, but this was only of partial use to her, as the only dates used were those of the founding of the League. Synne had no idea when the twentieth century had been, only that it wasn't in her lifetime or anybody else she knew.
Large sections of the book were unreadable due to damage over the centuries as well as water and fire, but the sections she had fixed so far were fascinating. The area she had been working on for more than two weeks was ironically called, Attacking with Fire and concerned the tactical and strategic use of fire in war and politics. Synne's father Lord Galan, was the leader of the city of Haven, and had shown great interest in this book and wanted the copies of the reassembled sections sent to him. When she was finished, the repaired and reassembled title was to be printed on the machines, with at least a dozen copies to be created at the personal expense of the her father. The costs of making the ink alone made this a valuable proposition and the books would be a valuable heirloom and great status symbol.
The door to the library opened and in walked two young men, both in their early twenties. Between them they carried a chest. They staggered inside and dropped it to the ground with a thud.
"Oops," said the first, though with little reverence.
The second noticed Synne who was still working at her desk. Upon hearing the noise and the door, she stood and turned to them. Her clothes were basic and drab and she had the look of someone who, though fully occupied, was hardly satisfied with what life had to offer her. She was a tall woman, just under six feet and relatively strongly built which was surprising considering she spent so much time in the library.
"What have you got there?" she asked.
"Uh, items recovered from the expedition into the Wastelands. This is all the paper they could find, sent over by courtesy of your brother," said the first.
Synne wandered over and lifted the lid gently, peering inside at its contents.
"This isn't paper, you fools! These are books and they contain knowledge and wisdom you can only dream of."
"Uh, yeah, okay. So, we can go now?" asked the first man, his disinterest in the box being self-evident.
Synne nodded and as the two men left, she stood and stared intently at the objects resting in the wooden box. She moved to the side of the box and noticed the lettering. It read simply, Stacks.
"Stacks?" asked Synne to herself though she was still unsure as to the meaning.
She looked back inside and at first was disappointed only to find loose sheets of paper. Though valuable, they were nothing compared to the knowledge of the Ancients. As she lifted the sheets and placed them delicately into a case on the lower shelf, she noticed one contained a list. Moving it into the light she read it carefully. The lettering was smaller than usual and it appeared to be a record of books to be sold off.
"Sold off?" she muttered to herself. The Ancients must have had access to a bewildering array of knowledge, if they could afford to simply sell off books. The only other option she could think of was that these were essentially treasure that had been exchanged for something of equal value. Some kind of economic measure, perhaps.
She reached inside and withdrew a glossy book, its cover thin and colourful though faded with time. With a gentle blow, the dust moved aside to reveal the cover. It showed a picture of a three-legged machine that seemed to be chasing or herding people.
"Strange," whispered Synne as she opened the book to reveal its contents.
"It is a book of a war with creatures from Mars," she said with a hint of surprise.
She looked out of the window and up to the sky before turning back to the book and then flipped it over. The idea of a great war was always of interest, especially as one of the biggest questions any of them ever had was, what had happened centuries ago? Some even doubted any great event had occurred and that the mysterious buildings and artefacts had been left by an older, more advanced society. So many questions she thought to herself. She turned the book over and noticed a dusty and partially worn away description of its contents. She strained as she tried to read the text, then smiled to herself as she made out the words.
"Ah, a science fiction story, fascinating," she exclaimed.
As she placed the book down, she found a dark leather-bound edition of a book that must be of value. As she lifted it part of the old leather dropped off, and with a twist of her wrist she managed to catch it and place it on the table. The name on the spine had faded long ago yet the pages looked solid. She opened a few pages, staring in awe at the illustrations. The first showed people in sets of metal armour and they were fighting next to wooden barriers. The next page showed a bizarre machine like a cart, yet it was fitted with blades and armour. Synne looked closely at the machine, the detail was incredible as were the many hue and colours.
A hand knocked at the door.
"Come in," answered Synne, though she remained engrossed in the work.
In walked a man of common clothes and bearing. He approached Synne and then stopped in front of her, waiting patiently.
Synne turned to the man though her thoughts were still on the incredible machines.
"Can I help?" asked Synne.
"I'm from the flatlands, miss, we've been expanding the crop fields and I've started organising the irrigation of the new sections. The problem is we need to move water from a lower field to clear it for crops."
"And what do you need from me?" asked Synne.
"Well, I was told you might have a piece of technology that could help us move the water," he explained.
Synne stood and walked over to one of the many bookcases. As she looked along the rows of books, she continued talking.
"What have you tried so far?"
"Well, we've tried buckets but it is taking too long. I don't have enough labourers to work the land and drain the water."
"I understand. So, a machine you could use to pull the water and place it somewhere else would be of use then?" asked Synne with a smile.
"If such a miraculous machine existed it would help us clear the land and start work immediately," said the man with a growing smile.
Synne removed a book from a shelf. It was a simple volume containing a section on tools, equipment and machines for agriculture. She walked over to her desk and laid out the book so that the man could see the pages.
"This is called an Archimedes Screw, it is an ancient invention. By placing this screw in the channel of water you simply turn the screw and the water will be pulled upwards and out this side," she explained.
"Incredible, this will truly work with water?" he asked.
"It will work with all kinds of fluids. Take this plan to the workshop and ask them to assemble you one that is five yards long, that is that about right."
The man took the paperwork and headed for the door.
"Be careful with those plans, they are priceless," said Synne with a smile.
As the man left Synne grinned inwardly, knowing well that the material she had shown him was a copy from the archive of the screw, she had over fifty more copies locked safely away. She moved back to her book and examined the contents in detail. From the inlay page it said it was a selection of illustrations from the German swordmaster, Talhoffer. Synne hadn't heard of the man before but the illustrations were extraordinary. As she skimmed through further pages, she could see examples of men and even some women that were fighting with a great variety of weapons. Some used swords, others spears and there was even an image of a person using a piece of cloth with something wrapped up inside it.
What really caught Synne's eye though, was the lavish detail on the armour and machines. These were not the simple works of a humble blacksmith but those of skilled craftsmen with expert knowledge on the shape and movement of the human figure. The machines were fanciful and she was excited when she saw what looked like a land ship, a wooden item covered in metal plating and pulled by armoured horses. On the sides of the machine were metal tubes with puffs of mist coming out of them.
"I've seen these before," she muttered as she looked intently at the details.
She spent several more hours, pouring through the book, forgetting the rest of the titles sat patiently in the box before she noticed how dark it had become. Because of the gloom in the library she already had several lamps burning and had turned them up without giving the lateness of the day any consideration. It was time for her to go she could return and continue her work tomorrow. She closed the book carefully and ensured there were no naked flames anywhere in the library before stepping outside. As she opened the door, a chill wind crept in and sent a tingle through her body.
She closed the heavy wooden door behind her and locked it shut. Only she and Lord Galan carried keys for the library and if anybody was found to be in the room without them, they could expect a very heavy punishment. She walked the short distance from the library, where she had been working all day, to the inn. As she made her way along the path she thought about the exciting treasures she had seen and for a moment she was tempted to head back and read some more. Then she remembered, she had promised to meet her older brother Ulric today, primarily to discuss his training. She had not seen her brother for a week as he had been away, teaching at the League's combat school that was over a day's ride from their settlement. Her brother was one of the small numbers of warriors in the area and it was his job to protect the region from Raiders and slavers. The other members of the League knew that Haven was the strongest of their members and the teachings of its greatest warrior well appreciated. Some of the border regions were paid upkeep by the great Houses to provide small bands of militia to protect the fragile frontiers, and to occasionally provide troops when needed. Ulric often had to travel to help teach these people how to fight.
Although there were nearly a thousand people in Haven and five times that number in the farms, villages and lands nearby it was unable to afford more than a fifty full time warriors, the rest had to be provided by the militia or from other League forces. Every person that lived there was a mouth to feed and warriors contributed no food, trade or materials, even though their role was necessary and vital. That didn't mean they neglected their defences though, every man or woman over the age of sixteen was shown how to use basic weapons and was expected to man the defences if the time required it, which it frequently did.
Ulric, and his companions spent their time travelling the borders improving their equipment or training the inhabitants of Haven and the other members in the basics of combat should it ever be required. As Synne wandered down the path she looked about at the city, the remnants of what she thought was probably a great settlement at sometime, perhaps even a major city to the Ancients. After all these years the old names had faded, the buildings had collapsed and little remained other than foundations and the odd relic usually taken away or stripped for its parts. These days the city was known as Haven. According to the old men that lived there it was named due to it being the first of the settlements to be reoccupied and rebuilt centuries ago, though many would dispute that or even that there ever was some great calamity at some point in the past. It was obvious that people had been here many years ago as some of the ruins on the outskirts and even some of the older buildings in Haven must be very old. Whatever the truth, the city of Haven was the most powerful, successful and peaceful of the settlements in the League and its warriors were renowned though the lands.
It had been dark for almost three hours and most of the inhabitants of city were indoors. The shadow of the ruined fortress loomed over the small number of buildings just as it must have done for hundreds of years. A flicker of light came from a few guard posts and a great orange glow came from the busiest part of the area, the old inn. Only a fraction of the city was occupied, the perimeter was a mixture of trees, bushes, and scrub that seemed to hide a bewildering array of low walls and outlines of what probably used to be buildings. The dusty paths between the ramshackle buildings were in poor condition and travel at night could be treacherous. Night-time in this part of the world was always a danger, and it was a time when everybody had to be on their guard. The open ground around the outpost could hide all manner of evil things and it frequently did.
As she approached the inn she placed her torch in the water bucket and then into the stand nearby. She opened the door and went inside.
"Synne, busy day?" asked the barman who was busily serving a customer.
Synne nodded and walked towards a table, moving past the half a dozen regulars. As she approached the table, a dark figure turned slightly to face her. Synne ignored the man and continued to her usual spot. As she moved a few more feet, the man at the table moved and either by accident or by plan, ended up striking Synne in the side. She stumbled a foot or two and then turned to face the man. She was unable to respond though, before the seated figure moved to stand towering over her. It was hard to make out the man's full figure but as he stood it was clear he was a man of violence. He wore iron armour on his shoulders and chest and had specially fashioned vanguards and braces of either leather or thick rubber on his arms and legs.
"Excuse me," said Synne and without hesitating continued onwards to her place.
As she moved to sit, a great booming voice echoed through the room.
"What do you mean, excuse me?" asked the giant, still standing and unmoving.
Synne lowered herself to her seat and ignored the man.
"I'm talking to you, little princess!" exclaimed the stranger.
"Then maybe you should go outside and find somebody else to annoy, Raider," said a sarcastic voice.
A young man stepped into view and faced off against the stranger. He was one of the town's newest warriors. The two looked at each other for several seconds, neither saying a word. A volley of laughter echoed through the warm room as the other patrons enjoyed the joke at the expense of the stranger. The barman placed a tankard of the locally made ale on the table and made his way discreetly back to the bar.
The laughter continued as the stranger walked slowly over to the table where Synne sat. As he reached just a few short feet away, the young man stepped ahead and blocked his way.
"Maybe you didn't hear me, I said you should go outside!"
"So, the girl has a child to protect her," replied the stranger, as he lowered his right hand to his left hip and placed his hand on the hilt of something, obviously preparing to draw a weapon.
"Hey, I don't want no trouble here. You know the rules, no violence in Haven," said the barman, "on pain of death!" he added, almost for effect.
The stranger looked at the barman and then back to the people in the room. His hand still rested on the hilt of the weapon and he showed no sign of backing down.
"Do you know who I am?" he demanded.
The door to the inn opened and in walked two more men, both wearing similar clothing and armour to the stranger. On their chests, they wore a symbol of some kind and on their belts each carried a vicious looking blade.
"Cainon, Lord Galan is ready to see us, come on," said one of them.
The stranger looked around the room and with a grunt he turned and left the inn. As he took several paces away from them, he released his hand on his weapon and appeared to relax a little. As he was about to close the door the younger man called out.
"Don't bother coming back, you're not welcome!" he said with a laugh.
The stranger turned just a few degrees so his head showed in profile against the low light. He looked inside for a brief moment and was gone. As the door shut, the younger man jumped down to sit in front of Synne.
"You are unwise to antagonise one of the Thirty, Peter," said Synne as she took a sip from her drink.
"One of the Thirty, I thought that was a story used to frighten children. They don't really exist," replied the younger man.
"Peter. My brother says you are a good student and showing promise, you are not a warrior though, not yet. You know our military is small and like any of the other members of the League, can afford only a few dozen warriors and you have not even finished your training. You must learn to control yourself if you are to become one of my brother's retainers. By antagonising Cainon, you once more show your lack of understanding and humility."
"Understanding? All I saw were a few nomads who were trying to look tough and pushing their way around our lands. Do you have no pride? Don't you care? I thought you were training in the arts as well?" asked the young man with a strong tone of scorn. "Your brother would fight!"
The door shut with a loud noise.
"Her brother would tell you exactly the same, student!" came a growl from the door.
"Ulric!" said Synne with a happy grin.
The gruff looking man strolled in, he was a good head taller than Synne and carried himself with the poise of a man that was used to commanding people.
"Cainon is one of the Brotherhood, the collection of nomadic tribes and bandits from the North East that controls half of the land here."
He gestured with his hand for the young man to move out of the way. With a gap created, he sat down in front of Synne and winked at her before turning back to Peter.
"Most of their territory is in and around the Wastelands. We don't know how they are able to survive there but somehow they do. Together the Brotherhood is the equal of the League, mainly because nobody else wants to live or travel anywhere near the Wastelands. They are a troublesome and very dangerous people. Luckily, they spend more time fighting amongst each other and fighting the Raiders from the mountains than worrying about us. They fought against us at the last Contest, and if it wasn't for the fact that the rest of the League sided with us, they would have easily won. If they had won they would have led and this would probably lead to the League being dissolved or worse, open conflict between the League and the Brotherhood just like in the old days. As my sister has explained to you, your actions could cause trouble between us."
"I understand, please accept my apologies. I didn't realise it was quite as complicated as that," said the young man as he stood up and left the space in front of Synne.
As he turned to move away, he stopped and turned to Ulric.
"If I might ask though, why do we follow these rules? Why don't we fight and run our own affairs? The League is strong, maybe stronger than the Brotherhood."
"Fight? You know this, have you never listened to my brother? If the Brotherhood was ever able to unite they would be a power more deadly than any of us could match," exclaimed Synne.
Ulric moved a step closer to his student, looking intently into his eyes.
"There are few of the powerful Houses left now but the League stops any one becoming more powerful than the rest of them combined. This means the League is always able to exercise control over the members. At present, the members could just about match a united Brotherhood in battle, but for how long? What if one member, refused to fight? It was your attitude of war and conquest that led to the scouring of the land and the fall of many of the settlements here. The strongest of the remaining Houses made a decision five generations ago, that led to the first Battle of the Thirty to stop the never-ending war and to let the decision be made with the least blood spilt. You know this!" said Ulric.
"Yes, yes, I know, I've heard this story since I was a boy. When will there be the next Contest then?" he asked.
Synne sighed and looked at her brother in exasperation. Ulric looked at her, acknowledging her grin before turning to the youngster.
"If you listened half as much as you talked you would know the answer. A decision can only called for after a minimum of ten years or if the leader of any of the League members retires," he said.
"Or dies," added Synne.
"I still don't understand though. What difference does it make who wins the Contest?" asked the young man.
"What difference?" exclaimed Ulric with alarming volume.
"Listen, the winner chooses the leader of for the alliance of the League and the Brotherhood from its own faction as well as the Captain of the combined armed forces of the Alliance. Basically the winner will lead until the next Contest is called. Imagine what it would be like if a clan or House like the Brotherhood ever won. They would lead and control the military," explained Ulric.
"Is that a bad thing?" replied the man to the annoyance of both Ulric and Synne.
The door opened and in ran two teenagers.
"Have you heard the news?" shouted the first whilst the second pushed ahead.
"What is it?" asked Ulric.
"Raiders have attacked the flatlands in the North. Lord Galan has ordered the Alliance's warriors to drive them back. The Brotherhood is already sending men as required and four more cities in the League are sending their men," said the second boy.
A murmur rushed around the inn as those present realised the enormity of the situation. In the past, attacks by Raiders had been anything from a dozen men to a coordinated attack by almost a hundred. Raids were usually launched to steal food and supplies, but they could also continue with land grabbing or even kidnapping. The arrival of slavers was a threat few wanted to even consider.
"I must go, sister," said Ulric.
He stood and made for the door, the young student close behind him. As he reached it, he turned back to Synne.
"Keep your weapons close, just in case."
\*
Ulric and his group of warriors dismounted from their horses and made their way to the gathering of warriors.
There were groups from various Houses and each wore distinctive clothing and armour of their lands. A small but rough looking contingent moved ahead to meet Ulric. The group stood next to a pair of parallel metal tracks that led off into the mist. Some said that the track had been part of the old transport system, though how sets of metal lines could help move people or goods was anybody's guess.
One group, wearing the distinctive back mounted banners of the Blood Pack stood off to the side. Their armour was slick with red dye and each carried their favoured spears. They were from a small mountainous territory off to the west of Haven but had been loyal friends for decades and a strong member of the League. On top of this, they were the sworn enemies of the Brotherhood. They took their name from their ancestors who had hunted with wolves in their homelands. Though they now occupied the area with small towns and villages, their warriors still clung to the traditions of wearing wolf pelts and decorating their armour with the blood of their kills. Ulric nodded to them as he moved to the rest of the gathered warriors.
The contingent from the Brotherhood approached, their armour was blackened with fire, in theory to protect the metal from rust, but more likely to look more menacing. Each of the men carried well-crafted and modified armour as well as swords, axes and knives. They looked like a mixture of a wild barbarian and an ancient armoured soldier. As Ulric and his men continued forward they were met by Master Lar of the Brotherhood. He was the tallest and strongest looking of the group. His head was shaved bare and on his shoulder he carried a prized and extremely rare weapon that Synne was convinced had the name of musket. Ulric had only ever seen one before, and in the hands of a trader who wanted more wealth that he had ever seen to buy the item. Apparently, they used a special explosive powder that could be bought in only a few of the most expensive markets. This was one of the items his sister, Synne, was currently studying and learning about. Ulric look surprised to see the leader of the Brotherhood out with such a small body of men.
"Ulric, my clan is here, as required by our agreement. We have already run into two parties of Raiders, who I might add are being taken back as spoils," he said as he looked at Ulric's contingent of tough looking fighters.
"What are your plans?" he asked.
"The Blood Pack has already cleared the border villages, there is one large group left that is travelling back to the Wastelands. We will ride out and intercept them before they get there."
"Where is the rest of the Brotherhood?"
Lar shrugged, "Who knows, maybe they were distracted on the way."
"The order from Lord Galan was that all forces were to assemble here under my command. The agreement between the League and the Brotherhood says you must provide a force equal to ours," said Ulric angrily.
"Well, take it up with him when you go home, Ulric," he said with a snigger.
"As for the Raiders, what if they reach the Wastelands?" asked Lar with an odd expression.
"Let's make sure there is no if!" replied Ulric sternly.
One of the local scouts spoke up.
"We've seen them about a mile away, there were too many of them to stop. They have prisoners and projectile weapons," explained the man.
Ulric whistled and three of the men brought over their horses.
"Not for much longer, Lar and the rest of you, follow me, we will stop them!" he barked as he climbed onto his horse.
As Ulric galloped off to the North with his warriors from the Guild and the Blood Pack riding alongside them, Master Lar looked at them and paused.
"Not long now," he said as he smiled.
He signalled to his own men. With a nod, they mounted their own horses and with a cloud of dust joined in with the rest of the mounted host as they galloped to battle.
\*
Synne stood with the reverence required when meeting the head of her House, Lord Galan. The man was in his late sixties and in his younger days been a warrior, much like Synne's brother Ulric. The struggles of the past years had taken their toll however and the old man now walked with a pronounced limp. He was sat at his table, always guarded by his personal assistant, the mute but deadly Gratus. The two had fought side by side and at some point in the past, Gratus had been captured and tortured by one of the many clans in the Brotherhood. It was a mark of his loyalty that had made his enemies remove his tongue, a punishment that he apparently had returned on them tenfold.
"So these are actual designs for machines of war? Real machines, not fanciful designs?" asked the Master.
"Yes, father. The one design here is very simple and allows a lantern to be carried on the arm, as well as this shield device and a weapon. I think it is for use at night, probably for guards," she explained.
Turning a few pages, she stopped at a very detailed design for a war machine that allowed men to climb up and over a high wall. It was mainly constructed with wood, though the pivoting sections looked like iron. There were a number of metal cogs and levers, but nothing unknown to Synne.
"The designs are detailed yet there is nothing here that appears contrary to science. I have already started on a model of one of the simpler designs, but my work is being slowed because of the text. If you look here, you can see the descriptions but they are in a different language. It looks like the language of the Germans and not one I am familiar with. I do have several texts in the library related to it though," Synne said.
"Curious. What of these techniques with the weapons, can we make use of them?" he asked, as he pointed at the pages with fighters using a variety of weapons.
"I will check with Ulric when he returns, though from my basic training so far I do recognise some of the movements," said Synne as she turned the pages.
"For example, this particular move suggests that if a strike with a shorter weapon extends to my head, I can strike with a sloping parry directly in front and then step to the side and deliver a counter cut. We already practice this move so it would be reasonable to assume we can make use of the rest of the techniques," she explained.
"Fascinating, and these papers came from our scouting expedition into the wilderness?"
"Yes, father."
"Well, that is some excellent work for all of those involved. I suggest you put the Eastern manual on hold for now and move on to these combat techniques. The attacks by Raiders are increasing in number and anything that can give us an advantage will be of help. I'm sure your brother will find this new found knowledge to be of great use. Now child, tell me of your martial training. How are you doing and have you mastered the staff yet?" he asked with a smile.
Before Synne could answer the question, the thick wooden doors swung open to reveal Ulric and a bloodied warrior.
"Brother!" cried Synne as she noticed the blood on both men.
Ulric placed his hand reassuringly on Synne's shoulder and then moved up to Lord Galan.
"Sire, we have returned from battle with the Raiders. The League met and we drove them back but there were casualties. We lost three, the others even more."
"By the Gods, is the border secure?" asked the Master.
"Our border is strong but the flatlands further north have been razed. We were too late to stop the Raiders and they have taken prisoners. We mustered nearly a hundred warriors from the League but the Brotherhood only provided a single contingent under Master Lar. We chased them north but they disappeared into the Wastelands."
"The Wastelands, we've lost many warriors in that place. Those that travel there are still falling to the sickness. Did you follow them?"
Ulric turned his head.
"No, father, I've heard that plenty suffer after even a few hours in the Wasteland. We know it affects men it turns them wild. Against my advice, Master Lar of the Brotherhood led a party north and into the heart of the Wastelands. I ordered them not to travel outside out our borders with so few men but he insisted."
"As leader of the expedition of the League it is the law that they follow your orders. Did you explain this to him?" asked an irritated Lord Galan.
"I did, father, and Master Lar assured me he would obey. As we tended to our wounded he rushed off and took twenty men," said Ulric as he sighed.
"That's when we heard news of the ambush, Sire," he added.
"Ambush, against Master Lar? Is he safe?"
"No, Sire. According to the few that came back over fifty Raiders were waiting for them in the pass. They tried to fight their way out, but most were surrounded. Only a few managed to escape, Master Lar of the Brotherhood was cut down just feet from the boundary of the wasteland. I led our warriors to try to rescue them but it was already too late. The Raiders were gone and just some weapons and armour are all we found," explained the exhausted Ulric.
"What of the rest of the Brotherhood?"
"A small number survived, they blame us for not helping them. After taking the bodies they left."
"You did the right thing, if you had stayed with Lar then you would almost certainly be dead. What of the bodies though, did you see the dead of the Brotherhood?"
"No, father, why do you ask?"
"Because, my son, I do not trust them, never have. They might say they lost men but who is to say what really happened. Anyway, Lar always was a warmonger looking for glory and he's caused us enough problems in the past, perhaps this is not a bad thing. What about our border to the Wastelands?" asked Lord Galan.
"I have evacuated the farmlands along the border and stationed the militia along the watchtowers. The iron track in the Wastelands seems to be at the heart of the Raiders' plans. If we can work out a way to avoid the sickness I am sure an expedition could follow the track and finish them off, once and for all."
Lord Galan turned his head in disagreement.
"The Raiders are not the real issue, they are still small in number and are more of a nuisance than a real problem. I am much more concerned with who is encouraging, or perhaps even aiding them in their actions, and I suspect the Brotherhood is involved. They have been spoiling for a fight for many years now and they have never been happy with the primacy of our House. These Raiders over the last year have weakened us yet the Brotherhood's lands seem safe, why is this? You saw no bodies from the Brotherhood, yet they blame us?" he asked rhetorically.
Lord Galan walked to his window and looked out across the town. A number of people were walking, going about their daily business. He noticed a few riders making their way through the main street. He turned back.
"I sense dangerous times ahead. Mobilise the reserves and strengthen the border. I will send messengers to the Houses for a conference. It is time for the other Houses to hear of this and my suspicions about our neighbours to the East. If my suspicions are correct, the Brotherhood have a long-term plan and you can be sure it will not paint us in a good light with the rest of the League."
A banging sound from outside indicated the guards had a messenger. Two armoured men escorted him into the chamber. The messenger, in the uniform of the Brotherhood, walked ahead and knelt before the Lord Galan. As he approached Gratus stepped forward and intercepted the man. He had much experience with the Brotherhood and his suspicions were often correct. The messenger lifted his arms, submitting to a search that yielded nothing of note. With a grunt, Gratus stepped aside and let the man move a step closer, he then dropped to one knee, acknowledging the position of Lord Galan.
With a movement of Galan's hand, the messenger rose and spoke.
"Lord Galan, I bring word from the Brotherhood."
"Why do I think this isn't going to be good news?" said Ulric sarcastically.
Lord Galan indicated to the man to continue.
"The Brotherhood demands a Contest between our lands!"
"What?" shouted Lord Galan.
"With the death of Master Lar, which the Brotherhood blames on your negligence, it has been agreed you are unfit to lead the League."
The Master started shouting, his anger bursting into a rage.
"How dare you! You will suffer for this outrage!"
Ulric gave a signal and the two guards escorted the messenger outside.
"We will march!" cried Lord Galan.
"Father, we cannot afford war, none of us can, we must stay calm," pleaded Synne who until now had remained quiet.
"What do you know of war?" said the Master with a snort that he instantly regretted.
"Synne is right father, a war with the Brotherhood will leave us open to attack by the rest of the League. We need to maintain the agreement or we will suffer the consequences," argued Ulric.
"The agreement is already broken!" barked Lord Galan.
"Only if one House declares war, Sire, what of our agreements with the other Houses? The Contest assured us of primacy before all the Houses until the next Contest," said Synne.
Lord Galan took a step back and looked around the room as though he was looking for some item he had been missing for days. He paused and then looked back to his children in confusion.
"With Master Lar dead the Brotherhood must choose a new leader. Part of the agreement is that a new leader may call for a Contest, it is the law."
"A Contest, but why should we agree to it?" asked a confused Ulric.
He paced the room, trying to find answers.
"We are already supreme. We have nothing to gain and everything to lose. If they win we will have to swear fealty to them for the next ten years," said Ulric.
"True, but the law allows for this. By breaking the law, we forfeit our position and they fight a Contest without us to determine a new primary House. A victory for us in a Contest will secure our position in the League and force their new leader to swear allegiance to us. No leader would then declare war on another. That is the entire point of the agreement, to stop continuous warfare," explained Lord Galan.
"Are you sure this is wise, there must be a better way?" said Ulric.
"Perhaps, but five warriors in the Contest is better than five hundred at our border, fighting the combined League. A battle I would add that we could not win, not yet anyway," said Galan as he gave a wry smile to Synne.
"Ulric, the Contest has kept the peace for five generations, there is no reason to doubt it now. Plus, with you leading our contingent how could we ever lose?"
Lord Galan ordered the messenger to be brought back before him.
"I have made up my mind. I need riders to take messages to the leaders of every House. A contest is to be held in ninety days. Each House may enter a contingent of five as are the terms of the agreement. The winning house will take leadership of the League for the next ten years. Any House violating the sovereignty of another during the Contest will forfeit their position and be automatically cast out," ordered Lord Galan.
The messenger bowed and then left.
"Sire, are you sure?" asked Ulric, still unconvinced of his actions.
"Do you doubt your own abilities? You have three months to ready your group. I will contact the other Houses and ensure we have allies for the Contest. We need only to defeat those who oppose us to gain ten more years and a stronger position. By declaring a Contest we force the Brotherhood's hand. If they still attack during this period they bring the wrath of the League and even they cannot stand against the rest of us," explained Lord Galan.
"Anyway, we have other things to attend to and in my opinion they are developments that equal or even surpass the importance of the Contest," he said mysteriously.
He moved over to a table at the side of the room that was stacked with papers. Nearby were a number of wooden crates, one of which had been opened. A map covered in many markings was laid out in the middle of the table, each corner weighed down by paperweights. In the centre was the city of Haven and around it the many villages, workshops and farms that it controlled. On its borders were several of the League Houses and to the north east of them all, was the great buffer that led to the wilderness of the Wastelands. To the South was the great desert that ran off into the unknown.
"As you know, the League has been trapped in this area by the danger of the Wastelands to the North and the barren wilderness of the desert to the South. What if, I were to tell you that I know of lands in the North where towns still exist, traders ply their goods and people travel in the same fashion as us?"
"You jest, father?" asked Ulric suspiciously.
"Indeed I do not. I have received news that a caravan travelled through the Wastelands and came directly here not a week ago, completely unscathed," said Lord Galan excitedly.
"This isn't possible, father," said Ulric.
"Look, I spoke with several of them and after a long discussion I have made arrangements for a monthly visit by their traders to sell their goods and for us to export ours. They bring all manner of items including this," he said as he pointed to a long wooden box.
Synne wandered over and lifted the lid, inside was a short metal object the size of a large dagger. It was well made and mechanical. In the centre was a rotating barrel that clicked as it moved.
"What is it?" asked Ulric.
"The trader said it was a weapon called a pistol, apparently it was used with metal and chemicals to launch projectiles, by the Ancients," explained Lord Galan.
"A pistol, I have read about these items!" exclaimed Synne.
"Listen, my children. I want you to arrange a small party of trusted men to go on a scouting mission in two weeks time. I have arranged for you to meet these traders at a place called the Trading Post. It is here," he said as he pointed at the map.
"But that is in the North of the Wastelands," replied Ulric.
"Indeed and these traders say the sickness only affects these areas to the East and West, they are marked in red on the map."
"So you are telling us that there are lands to the North we have never seen that are trading in goods and artefacts such as these?" asked Ulric.
"Indeed. There are even iron rails that carry mechanical transports off to distant areas where more clans live. If what these traders say is true, then the true number of towns and people is five times more than we ever thought. There are great opportunities for knowledge, learning and trade."
"Mechanical transports, you mean trains?" asked Synne as she imagined the machines from her books.
Lord Galan nodded with satisfaction. Synne and Ulric smiled as they examined the contents of the map and the ancient weapon whilst Lord Galan seated himself back down with a groan. Gratus helped him in position and moved close to his ear.
"Gratus, I could do with a drink," said Galan as he closed his eyes and rested.
Ulric and Synne were wearing only light armour and both carried wooden training swords. Their armour was fashioned from the simple but highly effective boiled leather. It was stiff and hard, and perfect to protect against blows deliver by both metal and wood. Synne carried a single-handed sword and wooden shield, whilst Ulric carried a large two-handed sword that stood from the ground to his armpit. It was a vast weapon and when wielded in the hands of an expert like Ulric it was a sight to behold.
"Remember, little sister, the shield must stay in front, don't swing it aside when you strike, you create an opening."
The two circled each other, both looking for an opportunity to attack whilst trying to encourage their opponent to make a mistake. Ulric held his longsword up high above his head. It left his body completely exposed to an attack, but also positioned the weapon ready to deliver a series of deadly strikes. Synne was all too familiar with this particular position though, and knew that if she moved in she could expect a flurry of deadly cuts that could come from either side. She would have to position herself carefully if she was to get close enough to strike with her shorter sword.
"I see you've been looking at the manual I've been translating for father?" asked Synne with a smile.
It was a poor attempt to grab Ulric's attention and as she spoke, Synne stepped forward and slashed at Ulric who easily evaded the attack by simply moving one foot. As he adjusted his balance, he stepped forward and slightly to one side whilst simultaneously bringing down his blade. The tip slashed down and behind Synne's shield and struck her in the upper arm and chest. As Synne yelped, she dropped her shield and in doing so she created the perfect opening. With a quick twist, Ulric brought the sword back up in an arc and cut a horizontal move towards Synne. With expert timing, he stopped just a few inches from her throat.
"Don't lose your head, little sister, you talk too much!" he laughed.
Synne tried to smile but her arm was still throbbing from the cut to her forearm.
"I'm sure you hit me just that bit harder to punish me then, Ulric," she said with a grimace.
"It is a common enough mistake you made. If you lose your hand or arm in a fight, you will lose your ability to wield a weapon. I know it seems a weak or lazy way to fight but I've seen many good fighters take a slash to the inside of an arm and they instantly lose their ability to fight. It is easy to kill your enemy when he can no longer fight. Use the shield, and keep hands and feet out of the way. Strike fast, hard and then recover. Always keep the shield in front and you'll live, at least for a while," he said as he thumped Synne.
"Come on, another round," he said.
The two moved back into position with Synne lowering her stance and placing herself firmly behind her shield. Ulric moved around her, this time he held his sword down low with the point out in front of him and just a few inches off the ground. To the uninitiated, it looked like he was being lazy or possibly even lacked skill. It was all a game though of move and planned move, no different to a game of chess. He made a move forwards as though to attack and Synne jumped half a step, pushing her shield forward and exposing her own defensive plan.
"I know what you're doing Ulric, you're not going to tempt me out!" laughed Synne.
She took a few wild slashes but kept her footing and never came even close to striking Ulric, who was able to keep out of distance by simply moving his upper body. Ulric could already see that his sister was being cautious and far more concerned with defending herself than in actually trying to initiate any real offensive action against him.
"Is that your best cut?" said Ulric as he took a light swipe at Synne's head.
The cut wasn't intended to realistically make contact, just to keep Synne busy so she didn't have time to formulate a plan. Synne lifted her shield slightly to counter the movement and made a fatal error by exposing her legs.
Ulric sliced gently and his blade thudded into Synne's ankle, the impact was light but it was enough to remind Synne that in a real fight she would now be lame.
"Come on, you can do better than this!" said Ulric as he circled slowly around.
Synne took a few more slashes but they were never close enough to threaten Ulric. Sensing the moment was right Urlic moved in and did the same feint and once more Synne readied herself for the inevitable attack. As she moved forward Synne couldn't help herself, it was simple instinct and her reactions forced her to respond to the feint. Now Ulric could see the tension in the body language of Synne. He could see in her face that she was annoyed being played with, this was where he could expect to use the pent up aggression to his advantage. For the third time he feinted, but this time he started to move forward and to the side. Synne, assuming another feint simply pushed up her shield and rushed down Ulric. This technique was one they called a shield barge and was simply where the fighter forced his shield forward and into his opponent. It could cause damage or injury and often threw the enemy to the ground. There was also a good chance of trapping an enemy's weapon so that you could then use your own. Any other fighter would have been struck, but not him.
Ulric cried out as he timed it beautifully and as Synne stepped within inches of his side he brought his two-handed sword down onto Synne's exposed shoulder and dropped her to the floor. As she dropped down, Ulric swung his sword up so that his left hand rested on its flat part, about half way down its blade. He placed the point on Synne's flank and pushed just enough that she could feel the tip.
"Okay, I know, you beat me...again!" said a slightly irate Synne.
The two stopped and Synne lay there groaning, more in annoyance than pain. She nursed her shoulder and made to stand up before her ankle sent pangs though her body. She stayed for a few seconds more before starting to laugh.
"You never give me a break, you know that, right?"
Ulric sighed as he slumped down to sit next to his sister. He dropped the wooden sword to the ground and pulled over a tankard that was half-full of warm but clean water. The two drank their full and wiped away the sweat.
"I never give you a break because I want you to live. A dead sister will upset father!" he laughed.
Ulric took another sip from the water.
"Seriously though, I know you will be a great swordsman. If I let you strike me, all I will prove is that I cannot be bothered to make you better. When you face an enemy for the first time, he will not stop until you are beaten. It is my job, sister, mine alone, to make sure you and the rest of our warriors are trained and ready to fight and ready to win."
Synne looked pained to hear the words and Ulric could easily see his sister was belittled by what he had said. Knowing he couldn't go back on what was a simple truth, he moved to a different topic.
"Father said you have been working on a single sword section in the library, some kind of big knife?"
Synne looked at him, thinking for a moment before the images of the book popped into her head and her enthusiasm for this new knowledge, could no longer be contained.
"Yes, in the one section of this book there are sequences that describe using a weapon that is similar in shape to this wooden sword, the Ancients called it a Grosse Messer," she said as she raised the battered wooden training sword.
"Can you show me?"
"The book? It is in the library."
"No, some of the techniques, if you can remember any?" he asked with a smirk.
Synne lifted herself up from the ground, walked over to the rack of training equipment and took out another single-handed sword. She moved with a slight limp but as she returned, it appeared to be easing, much to the relief of Ulric. Synne handed the wooden sword to her brother and then took a step back.
"Okay, the first one I have been reading is a technique to remove the hand," she explained.
"How convenient, show me and perhaps if it works you might use it next time we spar?"
Synne faced him, with her weapon held low and behind her.
"Funny, brother! Ok, now if you strike down to my head."
Ulric stepped forward with his right leg and cut downwards in a fast arc that reached towards Synne. With an almost panicked movement, Synne brought her rear leg forwards and out to the right, and simultaneously cut upwards and into Ulric's wrist. It was a light cut, but it still made Ulric groan and he dropped the training sword and his hand went numb. Synne then stepped to the side and delivered a second light cut to Ulric's neck.
"Hey, easy now, little sister. Ouch, you got my wrist well and good there," he said as he shook his hand.
Synne's pleasure at seeing the technique work turned to concern at the injury she seemed to have caused.
"Are you okay?"
"Not a problem, just a bit numb."
Ulric picked up the wooden sword in his left hand and mimicked the upwards cut that Synne had just used.
"Excellent, this is a simple but effective technique. Show me another?" he asked, obviously impressed.
"Ok, you do the same and attack my head."
The two stood in the same start positions but this time Synne didn't move her feet. As the blade came down Synne lifted her sword so that it pushed up in a horizontal parry. He caught the blade and the impact forced his own sword down. Without pausing she then stepped out to the side, twisted the weapon around and struck Ulric with the back edge of the blade in his neck.
"Nice, very nice!" he shouted whilst nursing the red mark on his neck.
"In the manual it is called a Bogen and it seems to work with lots of weapons."
Ulric examined the wooden weapons and tried the movements on both sides. His movement was fluid and precise, and in seconds he was able to see the tactical benefits of the techniques. He stopped and moved back to his sister.
"You've been saying this for a long time now and you are right, the Ancients knew a thing or two about combat. I look forward to seeing more of these techniques. One thing intrigues me even more though. You think these manuals are very, very old. Don't you?"
"Well, the books themselves are old, but I have a theory that some of the material could be up to a thousand years old. There are definite patterns in clothing and some have dates, which makes things a little easier."
"Okay, so let's assume that this book, well, I mean the illustrations, let's say, at least five hundred years old. Did they learn anything else than we know of?"
"Well, don't forget that I have a theory about this event that happened about three hundred years ago," started Synne, before being halted by Ulric raising his hand.
"I know, your big event that you keep talking about. I'm sure you're right, sister, there is plenty of evidence of there being all kinds of things in the past, but now little remains of it. Whether it was just time, or something happened, I doubt we will ever know. Whatever it was, it destroyed most of what was here. For now, I would like to get an idea about the peak of knowledge, tools and fighting skills."
"I understand Ulric, you want to know about magic weapons and the perfect techniques!" laughed Synne.
"Well, I wouldn't say no, now would I? But seriously, I would like to know if these armours, weapons and training were the peak of their knowledge. We have come across machines that no longer work and even some have weapons that use chemicals to launch projectiles. Have you come across anything that refers to these yet?"
The two stood and Synne beckoned to the library. They started to move away though both appeared worn out from their sparring.
"I might have one book of interest to you, it is one of the few I have in colour and is about someone called Nelson."
"Nelson? That is an odd name, for a man I assume?" asked Ulric.
They moved past a workshop where three men were busy working on forging metal parts. The din of tools striking metal reverberated from inside.
"Well, the book I have is only in fragments but it describes great battles on the oceans between two kingdoms. If the text is accurate they travelled in craft that carried hundreds of men," she said emphasising the word hundreds.
"The greatest battle they fought included about eighty of these vessels and thousands of men. Apparently, over ten thousand died in the battle. Even more interesting is, these ships..." she said as Ulric cut her off.
"Ships?"
"Oh, the best I can tell is that a ship was a larger version of a boat, designed to travel long distances."
Ulric nodded, though his raised eyebrow implied he was less than convinced.
"Anyway, these ships carried weapons called cannons. I've been making sketches of them but they seem very simple. A special powder that flashes is pushed down them, then a large metal ball is jammed down. When the powder is burned, it shoots the metal ball out like a crossbow bolt. Some of these ships had over a hundred of these cannon, as they were bigger than a man."
Ulric stopped and placed his hand on Synne's shoulder.
"Sister, I know you have done much research but don't get too confused between adventures and stories and facts. Surely if these things existed we would have found them by now?"
Synne turned her head in disagreement.
"How? We cannot travel too far to the North and the Wastelands surround much of the lands of the League. Anybody that has travelled beyond the markers has either disappeared or come back with terrible conditions and illnesses. When have you ever seen a piece of water that could take a vessel with hundreds of men? Believe me, brother, if you travelled past the Wastelands you would find great stretches of water," she said in an exasperated tone.
Ulric simply smiled and the two continued their walk to the library. They walked up the short path to the large locked wooden door that led to the library's valuable collection.
"I'm looking forward to seeing those armoured fighting manuals," said Ulric as they walked through the darkened doorway.
"I bet you are," replied a grinning Synne.
As they entered the room they were met by one of Lord Galan's personal retainers, he bowed slightly at spotting them.
"I've been looking for you both. Lord Galan has called for you in the Great Hall."
\*
The main inhabited part of Haven had for the last forty years, been enclosed by a sturdy wooden palisade. Dotted along its length were a number of watchtowers as well as two main gates leading into the town. Both main gates were shut and protected by large wooden beams, that hung the width of the doors. The fortification had been required due to the increasing numbers of slavers and Raiders that appeared at intermittent periods throughout the year. Twice in the last decade, raiding parties had penetrated into the city and up to the palisade. Though none had ever gone further, it was a good reason why Haven needed such defences.
The walls would not protect the farms and workshops that lay outside of the main town, however but they did provide a defensive refuge behind which the warriors and citizens could put up a stiff resistance. The most important buildings such as the library, armoury, granary, treasury and the Great Hall were all deep behind the high walls.
This time however it was late at night and a small group of Raiders had made it deep inside Lord Galan's lands and were approaching the town. These men were covered from head to toe in long, dark robes that masked their shapes and made them almost impossible to see in the darkness.
As they reached the palisade, they ducked down into the undergrowth and watched the towers and gate for signs of the ever-present town guards. From their position, it was clear that only one man was present at the gate and another two stood watch at the towers. The taller man in the group gave a signal and each of the men raised a large wood and metal crossbow, each loaded with a wooden dart, tipped with steel. There were eight Raiders and between them, they had more than enough shots to remove the guards. With a flick of his hand, the leader gave the signal. Four of the men pulled the long triggers and released the almost silent bolts. The first two struck the man at the gate, one bolt embedding in the man's shoulder whilst the second hit him in the centre of the forehead. He disappeared inside the fortified town with a thud. The next two bolts neatly disposed of the two tower guards and the route was now clear.
The leader moved slowly forward until he had reached the palisade. The wooden barricade was almost twenty feet high but this was no problem for him as he had come prepared. From his bag, he removed a grapple and with three swings hurled it up and over the crest. In seconds he was climbing the wall and at the top. Before he disappeared inside he gave a hand signal to the others waiting at the bottom. They moved into position at the gate, ready to rush inside the minute the door was open.
\*
"I've had word from the League that our border operations in the North against the Raiders are achieving great results. Our combined efforts with the Brotherhood have cleared an area of almost thirty miles," explained Lord Galan.
His two children and a dozen other warriors were sitting around the long table in the Great Hall. Of the group of warriors most were in their thirties or older and two were woman, all experienced and all veterans of battle with the Raiders. As always, Galan's mute bodyguard stood nearby, ever vigilant and ever quiet. Each of the warriors wore their armour even though they were in the safety of the Hall. A breastplate and helmet were the basic equipment each warrior had to supply before they could start their training. In four stacks in the Hall, there stood a number of spears, axes and swords, whilst their shields hung on the walls.
"Ulric, can you provide us with an update?" asked Galan.
Ulric stood and nodded to Lord Galan.
"Father," he said and then turned to the rest of the assembled party.
"Our current standing force consists of thirty two full-time warriors with another hundred fully trained in the reserves should they ever be needed. We have ten warriors plus forty reserves operating alongside our brothers in the Guild and a similar number from the Brotherhood. The combined army is close to three hundred and so far all objectives have been completed. We have cleared the farmlands and discovered three Raider outposts on the outskirts of the Wastelands. The Brotherhood has sent most of their forces into the Wastelands, where they say they have leads on Raider supply posts."
"Are you sure we can trust the Brotherhood during these operations?" asked Maria, one of the female warriors.
"We can never trust them but whilst they are away and helping us in the field they are not at home plotting," replied Galan.
"I don't understand?" asked Bernard, a gruff, seasoned fighter with a long, dark beard. "How are they able to travel into the Wastelands and we cannot? Are they not affected by the sickness?"
"We are talking the Brotherhood here, aren't they already mad?" asked Maria with a laugh.
Several of the other warriors joined in with the laughter but stopped when they realised Lord Galan was silent. He scratched his chin whilst looking to his children.
"A good question and one I am working on," answered Galan.
Synne and Ulric looked at their father but gave nothing away with their expressions.
He placed a large map on the table and several of the warriors helped stretch it out so they could all see it.
"Now, to the real task at hand, the Contest. As you know, each of the Houses in the League and the Brotherhood will send a party of no more than five warriors to the arena. I have received word from three of the three of the great Houses of the League who say they will pledge their support to our faction. Only six groups may enter and as is the law, the current leading House guarantees us a place in the final six groups.
"I don't understand, what if more than six Houses wish to enter?" asked Elgar, one of the younger warriors.
"A good point. If any House wishes to take its place with the Thirty it must challenge ones of the Houses already selected. It isn't a perfect system but it does reduce the chance for large numbers of warriors being lost and it turning to a bloodbath. A maximum of three groups from the Brotherhood and three from the League may enter. This keeps the sides even and the chances equal," said Galan.
"What about the rules for the combat? How does it work and who determines the winner?" asked another.
Galan waved a hand indicating Ulric to explain. He leaned in over the table and spoke slowly.
"The Contest is pretty simple. The six groups meet at the allotted place, usually the ruins in the Black Mountains where they face off against each other in a circle. At mid-day the battle starts until one group remains. Anybody can yield and leave the field, if so their team forfeits and they may not return to the Contest.
"Ulric, what if one group refuses to yield?" asked Arthur.
"Then they must be killed or they remain in the Contest. Only one group can be victorious and whoever wins becomes the leader of the alliance between the League and the Brotherhood."
Lord Galan nodded his head in agreement before grabbing a tankard and downing half of it on one go.
"We already have two groups on our side, that gives us half the warriors in the Contest. Once we defeat the other fifteen our two allies will yield and we will continue as rulers whilst the Brotherhood will be placed firmly where they belong. We should come out of this stronger than ever before," said Galan with a grin.
"It is a good plan, father, assuming we prevail of course," replied Synne.
"In all of the past Contests our superior training and co-operation has left us as the winners. The inner rivalries and competition in the Brotherhood means they usually turn on each other in minutes. With your brother Ulric, and his best warriors at his side, how could we ever lose?" asked her father with a telling look.
As the rest of the group at the table continued discussing the Contest, Synne leaned over to her father.
"I have been training for two years now, I must be part of the Contest," she pleaded.
"No my, daughter, I cannot risk both of you at once. Ulric is the most experienced warrior we have and he has already chosen his four strongest and most seasoned fighters."
Synne looked hurt and turned to her brother for help.
"Father is right, sister. Your training is coming on well but you have never been in battle. The Contest will pit the best warriors of each major House. At the last battle only three remained and the rest were either dead or maimed for life," he said whilst looking casually to his left where Galan's mute guard stood.
Lord Galan brought his fist down to the table, indicating that the meeting was over. As the warriors stood to move from the Hall, some took their equipment and left whilst others stopped for a moment to speak with Galan.
A great horn blared through the town, the very noise penetrating the walls of the Hall. It was loud and continuous, its sound dominating the entire Hall. Three of the warriors who had just left came running back inside, their weapons at the ready.
"That is the warning!" shouted Ulric as he stood and reached for his sword.
Another warrior ran inside and collapsed to the ground with five arrows sticking out from his back.
"To arms!" shouted Galan as he stood.
Two retainers stepped forward, one with his helmet, the other with his chest armour, a specially crafted breastplate with armoured sections around the neck. Another warrior appeared at the entrance and then turned around and forced it shut, quickly helped by those still inside. As they moved in the horn went silent and was replaced by the din of fighting and screaming.
"There are hundreds of them out there, Raiders inside the walls!" cried the most recent arrival.
The rest of the warriors rushed to the door and reached it just in time for the main entrance to burst open. Through the gap rushed a group of Raiders, all armed and all intending to kill. Without hesitating Ulric and his three nearest companions rushed the door and held off the attackers, whilst the rest fought the small number that had made it inside. All of the attackers wore dark robes that made it hard to see what they were doing. Ulric stabbed the first in the chest with his sword and then kicked and pushed the others back to the door. The man to his left took a spear in the stomach and crumpled to the ground, only to be replaced by another warrior. As Ulric stabbed again a section of the Hall's wall ripped open to reveal another party of Raiders, all of them armed with two-handed swords and large axes. Synne, Galan and the mute guard Gratus were the closest and with great care, they inched forward, each of them protecting the flank of the man next to him. The largest man in the new group stepped forward, swinging a massive two-handed sword. Galan parried his attack and tried to strike back only to receive a heavy blow from another man's axe. The weapon struck him hard in the chest but failed to penetrate his armour. Gratus rushed ahead but one swift strike from one of the Raiders sent him flying backwards and to the floor.
"Ulric!" shouted Synne and she lifted her sword and tried to protect Galan.
Four of Galan's warriors rushed forward and forced a defensive wall in front of Galan whilst Synne pulled him backwards. One of the Raiders managed to slip past and reached within a few feet of Galan before Synne struck him down with a savage cut to the man's arm.
"Fall back!" cried Synne.
The four men at the front stayed close together and as a group moved slowly backwards, they tried to stave off the repeated sword and axe strikes. One of the warriors flew back as one of the largest Raider sent him flying. With a gap in the line, the man swung a two-handed sword and took the head off the closest warrior and within seconds, the defensive line consisted of just two men. Synne rushed forward and tried to tackle them but was knocked back by an axe-wielding Raider.
The defenders managed to hold back one of the breaches but as they pushed the enemy back outside, a dozen torches landed on the outside of the building and quickly caught alight. The warriors fell back but none were able to tackle the blaze as there were even more Raiders trying to make their way in.
Several more warriors arrived and the inside of the Hall erupted into a furious melee. Swords, maces and axes swung but the increasing number of Raiders quickly outnumbered the defenders. Another section of the wall tore open and more Raiders rushed in. Ulric, Synne and Galan retreated to the centre, but the numbers of the Raiders had already reduced the defenders and it was only a matter of time before they were totally overwhelmed. The small number of warriors retreated to huddle around Ulric, Galan and Synne as they fought in the centre of the room. The large Raider knocked another man to the ground before bringing his blade down onto Ulric. With precision timing, he dodged to the side and slashed against the man's shoulder. The cut should have felled the man but instead the blade slid against some kind of arm and tore open part of the robe.
Synne stabbed forwards with her sword into the man's chest but his hidden armour easily glanced the blow to the side. One of the rafters dropped down and struck two of the Raiders as well as the massive man with the hidden armour. The small group disappeared in the dust and smoke, and left Synne choking. With the disruption caused by the collapse, the small group of defenders were given a chance.
"Father, we need to get you out of here!" shouted Synne.
Two Raiders jumped past the debris whilst the rest tried to drag the big warrior from the burning wood. Ulric stabbed the first into the chest whilst one of his youngest warriors flipped the second onto his back whereby Synne finished him off on the ground.
"I know that man, I've seen him before somewhere!" shouted Ulric.
"You two, clear a gap in the wall, we need to get Father to safety!" Ulric ordered as he fended off more attacks.
The two men moved quickly to work, each of them hitting away with their weapons to create a gap large enough to escape through. As Galan moved backwards and towards the breach they were making, he spotted movement on the floor. Looking down he found Gratus, his mute bodyguard squirming on the floor. He reached down and turned him over. The wounded man looked at him in an odd manner. He tried to say something but as always, it was just a gurgle from the man with no tongue.
"Gratus, come on, we are getting out of here!" shouted Synne as she blocked the attacks of another Raider who took his chances in the fight.
The smoke was becoming thicker and it wouldn't be long before they passed out from the effects. Galan reached down to help Gratus, he noticed something in the man's hand, it was an icon of some kind. He tried to touch it and then in a split second spotted the glint in Gratus' right hand. Before he could moved the mute warrior plunged a thin, curved dagger into the collar of Lord Galan. The blade pushed in deeply and a great spurt of blood indicated he had struck a critical blow. Ulric spotted the attack and turned around to help.
"Father!" he cried as he clambered over the bodies.
The large Raider was now on his feet and with a roar he pushed ahead, moving directly for the mortally wounded Galan. As he swung with his mighty two-handed sword, Ulric jumped in and grabbed it around the grip. He punched the man hard in the face, breaking his nose and sending blood in a fine spray across his cheeks.
The hole in the side of the Hall was now big enough and two of the warriors were through and calling to Synne to get Lord Galan out of danger. With great effort, she and Maria dragged the man to the gap and started pushing through the breach. Behind them the last five warriors fought off five times their number, but with each parry or block another of them was felled by a blow. Ulric, still engaged with the mighty Raider continued a separate battle which none of the other Raiders would become involved in. By the time Galan was safely out of the building, only Ulric and Synne remained. The remaining warriors were, either safely through the breach, or had perished in the fight. Ulric punched the Raider several more times and then slammed him against the wall. He turned briefly and sighed with satisfaction as he noted his father was out of the building.
"Synne, go!" he cried before turning back to the great brute.
More of the ceiling collapsed and Synne was forced to jump backwards to avoid the debris. From her position, she could see the two warriors hacking away, Ulric was faster and more agile but the Raider was massively strong and his armour was almost impossible to break. An arm pushed through the break in the wall.
"Come on, get out!" came the voice, presumably from one of the warriors.
She turned back and could no longer see Ulric, just the flames and smoke from the fires. She paused and then dragged herself through the gap. As she lifted herself up, choking from the flames she realised she had simply moved into an even more dangerous place. Lord Galan lay on the ground, tended by two of his retainers whilst the rest stood along one side, each being watched by the Raiders.
"What do you want?" she cried as she tried to reach Galan.
Two of the Raiders grabbed her and held her away whilst more arrived through the main gate. Only a few people were left fighting, most were being dragged away in chains and many of the buildings were already burning.
With a great crashing sound, the big Raider burst through the ruined wall of the Hall and stumbled to the floor. Ulric rushed out, an axe in one hand to finish him off. His first strike was perfectly timed, and arced down to the man's hooded face. Just as it was to make contact, he was struck in the side by a spear from one of the many Raiders scurrying about the town. The blow was serious but it didn't stop Ulric who lifted the axe and swung it hard into his attacker and easily removing the man's head. He stopped for just a moment as he pulled out the spear tip from his flank and turned back to the monster.
"Prince Ulric, Lord Ulric, King Ulric!" shouted the man sarcastically as he lifted a sword from the ground and stood up to face the wounded warrior.
"Synne, how is Father?" shouted Ulric as he circled his enemy.
Synne tried to move but the firm hands kept her in place.
"I can't reach him, it looks bad!"
One of her guards slammed the pommel of a sword into her belly, she doubled up and dropped to her knees.
"Shut, it little girl, and watch!" said one.
The two wounded but still capable warriors fought with all they had. Ulric managed to deliver several heavy cuts to the man's left arm, whilst he took a nasty cut to his leading leg. Both staggered on and for almost a full minute, they exchanged blow after blow.
"Synne, your father is dying, he doesn't have much longer!" called one of his retainers.
Summoning all her strength, she lifted herself up and slammed into the guards. The first man was taken by surprise, and that was all the time she needed. Ripping the man's sword from his belt, Synne slashed the man across the neck and rushed over to her father. As she moved, the rest of the prisoners tried to copy her example. Some were held back, but nearly a dozen broke free and a vicious, though very one-sided melee broke out. Synne managed to reach her father but it was clear it was too late, his eyes were open but there was no life left in them. She turned and rushed towards Ulric who was still fighting the massive brute. Two Raiders blocked her path but as she reached them one of the younger warriors jumped on the nearest and gave her the chance to get past. She kept on moving and before the great warrior could see what was happening she slashed upwards and cut a great chunk out of the man's arm.
"You bastard!" shouted the Raider as blood poured from the wound.
Ulric was on one knee and at seeing the wound caused by Synne he jumped forward and kicked the beast of a man in the stomach, forcing him to drop to the floor. He tried to finish the man off, but was leapt upon by three more Raiders. Synne tried to move over to help but the nearest man lifted something and with a single movement the scene of battle vanished into darkness.
The sun had only recently lifted itself from the east and cast a dull glow across the ground. Long shadows stretched out from the slow, pondering column of carts, prisoners and riders. It was a sorry group, yet a number of men all carrying weapons, made their way around the group and kept them moving forward. Each of the carts was packed with prisoners of all ages whilst several more were laden down with booty, presumably taken from one of their many raids into the civilised lands of the South.
Synne's head felt like it had been pounded by a heavy log for the last hour. She must have been unconscious for hours, as it was now only just starting to get light. She looked about but her vision appeared slightly blurred, either from drugs or concussion, or both. As her focus returned, she could see she was in a large cage that was being carried on the back of a cart. Along with her were three others, all in torn clothing though only one she recognised from her own town. It was Jonas, one of her brother's recruits.
"Synne, you're okay. I thought you were never going to stir," said the man with a happy but strained smile.
Synne lifted her hand to her head and the pain kicked in immediately.
"Argh, that hurts!"
"Shh, keep your voice down or they'll come back over," explained one of the other prisoners.
The inside of the cart was filthy and the bars that kept them trapped were made from rusting iron that looked suspiciously like looted fencing that had been welded or bolted together to form a crude cage. A large padlock the size of a man's fist hung from a bar to the right on what was evidently the hinged gate. She looked back at Jonas, he was a little older than her, and at times in the past they had sparred against each other under the tutelage of Ulric.
Jonas crept over to her side of the cage and after checking for guards whispered quietly.
"They don't want us talking, they killed one of the prisoners when we left for arguing."
"What happened?" asked Synne as she nursed her head.
"I, I don't know. The last thing I saw was your brother being dragged away in chains along with most of the other warriors."
"Is he here, is he still alive?"
"He was alive the last time I saw him, but I don't hold out much for his chances. They dragged the rest of us away to this group of Raiders before we could do anything to help. You're lucky, you had so much filth and blood on you they didn't recognise you, otherwise they would most certainly have killed you," replied Jonas.
"What about your family, Jonas, you have a wife and a new child don't you?" she asked though dreading what he would say.
"I don't know, they are with my wife's family at the Trading Post in Jackson. They weren't due to come back with the goods caravan for another two weeks."
He may have been trying to stay calm, but the look of doubt and fear in his face told Synne it was playing heavily on his mind. She could easily see that this was a topic best avoided for the time being. Right now, they had more pressing concerns.
"This group that has us, who are they? What do they want with us?" asked Synne.
Jonas sat down but stayed close. The other two prisoners stayed where they were, each looking sullen and defeated.
"They are Raiders, no doubt. Do you know what the weird thing is though?" he asked.
Synne raised her eyebrow but said nothing.
"Well, we were handed to these people by the Raiders that attacked the town. I saw one of the attackers handing them coin, weird because if they were doing it to sell prisoners they would be collecting, not paying."
"Maybe they had already done an exchange of some kind, the prisoners were just an extra. How about Haven? Is the town okay?"
Synne's question, though honest also betrayed a sense of doom about the answer. There was little chance the town was safe after such a devastating raid.
"No way of knowing, I did see lots of smoke rising from the Hall and the library as we were taken away. I know a lot of people tried to escape during the battle but the city itself, I think it is gone now. I'm sorry," he said.
Synne was still, she almost looked dead until she caught her breath and sighed. She looked about the cart and then as if she had been kicked, shook herself into action.
"Either way we need to get out of here, I will not be kept as a prisoner by these scum."
"Out?" said one of the other men as he overheard their whispered conversation. The nearest leaned a little closer but kept his voice low.
"When we left there were two other men in here, where do you think they are now? The way we figure, it looks like they split everybody up and they are sending us to different places. These aren't the people that attacked Haven, they are Raiders from the North."
Synne looked around, trying to work out where they were.
"How do you know they are Raiders from the North?" asked Synne.
When they come a bit closer just take a look at their clothing. They all bear the marks and equipment of the Northern tribes. We've met them before in battle at the Flatlands," explained one of the men.
Synne looked carefully at the guards walking alongside the carts and could just make out some of the markings and equipment. They were certainly distinctive but there was nothing she recognised, outside of the kind of gear any of the wandering tribes or Raiders might use, certainly nothing unique to this group. She turned back and whispered over to Jonas.
"How long have we been on these carts?"
"At least two days, maybe a little longer."
"Two days? I thought we had been attacked yesterday!" exclaimed Synne, though much louder than she intended.
One of the guards moved closer to the cage and Synne did her best to look unconscious and groaning. The man watched for a moment before wandering off. Jonas leaned in a little closer and spoke quietly.
"You have been drifting in and out of consciousness since after the attack. You're lucky they didn't kill you on the spot, something tells me they don't want the injured for their plans. You were awake long enough for us to load you in here. You didn't wake once yesterday, we thought you'd had it," he said before sitting back.
After a few minutes, Synne lifted herself up a little and looked ahead. From the side of the cart she could see the track was expanding into some kind of storage area. On one side was a small wood whilst most of the space was taken up with temporary buildings, mainly storage rooms and cylindrical tanks, probably for storing liquids of some kind. To the side of the thinly wooded area was a large wooden structure that looked to Synne like a form of crane.
"Everybody out!" called one of the Raiders.
As the gate opened, the four of them were herded out and into a group with more prisoners. Now that Synne was out of the cage, she could see the rest. A short distance in front of her cart, were another three, each packed out with men and women. The prisoners were pulled out one by one from their cages and forced to stand in three rows, all stood facing away from the carts. A dozen armed Raiders were scattered around the group and another three moved along the line with a bucket and ladle. They stopped at each person giving a small drink of water. A short distance away, there were three more Raiders, each of them mounted on a large horse, and carrying long spears. They moved slowly around the group, checking both on those inside and outside the perimeter. Synne watched them but deep down knew she could never outrun a horse and those riders looked like they knew what they were doing. Her head hurt enough as it was, the last thing she needed was a spear in her back. A dark skinned man with a scar running from his forehead down to his jaw stepped forward. He was flanked by two equally tough looking Raiders. Each man carried a curved blade on his side and one carried some form of firearm or folding crossbow in a sheath on his back.
"I am Khan, leader of this clan. You are here because you are weak and because we are not. We are not far from the market now where we will move you on to our camps. Some will have the option to volunteer to join our fine warriors, others will be taken to the mines to work. Whoever is left will be traded with the slavers, perhaps for something more useful," he said with a laugh as he walked along the line.
As he moved, the other two guards moved along the group, checking each of the prisoners and determining where they would go. They pulled out the odd person, usually the ones that looked the tallest or strongest.
"In time you will find our clan offers safety in numbers and strength, of which we have much of both. If you try to not follow orders, you will be punished. If anybody tries to leave they will be executed, on the spot. Understood?" he asked, as he stopped.
"Now, who wants to volunteer to join our warriors?" he asked with a smirk.
The two guards started pushing men and the occasional woman to the front, though a few struggled and tried to stay where they were. One man pushed back the guard as he tried to move him.
"Stop!" barked Khan.
He marched forward and stopped in front of the troublesome man.
"What is your name?" he demanded.
The terrified looking man muttered something.
"Speak up!"
"Uh, my name is Mathew," he finally spurted out.
"Mathew, why do you recoil from our warriors. Are they not good enough for you?" he shouted.
The man made to say something, but a signal from Khan was followed by a staff being struck across the back of his legs. He dropped down to his knees, crying in pain and humiliation.
"You're pathetic. We have a mine that is perfect for you to work in, well, perfect until you die!" he shouted as he swung his fist and struck the man in the temple.
Mathew collapsed to the ground unconscious.
"As you can see, we give you simple choices. Respect them and you will be treated fairly," he said.
Khan moved along the line and stopped at Synne. He looked at her for a moment, looking confused.
"What is your name?" he demanded.
"Jane," replied Synne.
"She is from the party handed over last night," explained one of the guards.
Khan reached out and examined her hands.
"You're not a labourer are you? Who are you?"
"I worked in the library of Lord Galan, until you Raiders murdered him!" she said, though she was evidently trying hard to stay in control.
"I murdered him? Ah, of course," he answered with a smile.
"You will be pleased to know then that the House of Galan is no more. Its lands have been forfeited to be split between the League and the Brotherhood, apparently," he added.
"I think the military would be perfect for you, don't you think?" he asked.
Synne made to speak but she was instantly punched hard in the stomach, she dropped down, retching from the pain.
"Don't think, don't speak, just obey and you will live!" barked Khan.
One of the guards started laughing as he pushed out two more prisoners to the front. Synne noticed Jonas was also at the front. He looked over to Synne, signalling with his face as to whether now was the time to do something. Synne turned her head, it was far too dangerous just yet. She moved her eyes up so Jonas could follow her gaze and spot the horsemen. As Jonas spotted them, Synne twisted her head, it was immediately clear to Jonas what she was saying.
One of Khan's lieutenants walked over and spoke to him for several minutes but the sound level was too low for Synne to hear whatever it was that they were discussing. Whilst the conversation continued, Synne watched what was going on. It was clear that the prisoners were from many different places. Some were members of the great Houses, most were simply workers or traders from the large flatlands that ran across the land. She couldn't understand why there were so many of them, the Raiders were surely not this well organised, unless they were being helped of course. They must have huge numbers in the Wastelands to be able to carry out operations like this. She started to think about the rumours she and Ulric had discussed, when a loud whistle came from over the ridge. The guards moved along the prisoners and attached manacles to each person. A chain ran from one to the next that created a series of long lines of prisoners. As they started to move off towards the storage buildings, the carts moved in the opposite direction. Synne wondered to herself if they were going into storage or more likely back to the violence and confusion of the lands she had left to find more prisoners.
"Hey, what are you looking at?" shouted one of the men as he struck Synne with a leather whip.
The rough leather made her wince and gave her a red slash across her side that stung. She turned back ahead and followed the rest of the line as they snaked through the array of buildings. It was clear this was some kind of temporary storage area or depot, though where it was in relation to her own lands she had no idea. How long had she even been unconscious? They moved past the first few buildings, Synne could see wooden crates and stacked weapons, mainly spears and axes though at least one was stacked with crossbows. Another building was full of clothing, furs and skins. They walked around the corner to be greeted by dozens of people running about. Some were carrying goods on their shoulders whilst other groups were trading wares on a series of tables.
The man that was walking behind Synne took a step closer and whispered to her.
"This must be the Horizon Market. I've heard of this place, it's where you can buy anything from what people say. Food, clothing, weapons, drugs, the lot."
"Horizon Market. I thought it had been closed down by the Brotherhood years ago in the attack a few seasons ago when we cleared large areas around here," said Synne.
"Doesn't look like it, does it? Who told you that, the men of the Brotherhood and you believed them?" said the man with a chortle.
The columns of prisoners continued shambling along with their Raider escort always staying close by. None of the traders or workers gave them a moment's notice, they were obviously a common sight. They passed a long hut and then came to a raised stone platform that ran alongside a set of parallel iron rails. A great whistle came from further away and Synne was shocked to see a metal beast making slow progress along the rails. Some of the prisoners recoiled at the sight and sound but Synne was almost excited. She had read about this form of transport before but had never seen a picture of what it looked like. As the machine came closer, it slowed and then stopped with a great screeching of metal. A plume of steam hissed from the top and then it was still.
The guards made them continue their movement up onto the long raised platform that ran alongside the tracks. From this position, Synne was able to get a good look at the machine. It looked as though it was fabricated from parts salvaged from many places, as it was different faded colours. Most of the machine was taken up with a great metal cylinder, the length of two or three carts. On top of this was a platform with several men stood carrying crossbows. A vertical cylinder pushed up several feet from the top and steam trickled from it. Behind this engine part of the train were four large sections, all of which were like long metal carts and open at the top. One carried many containers that were already being unloaded. Two carried open topped metal carts full of materials of some kind, presumably from the mines Khan had been describing. The final section carried a dozen cages that were empty. It was towards these that the guards moved the first line of prisoners. These were the ones selected for work in the mines. Synne watched them go but wasn't sorry she hadn't been selected. The fact that prisoners went one way and materials came back was not lost on her. The mine was obviously a one-way trip.
As they stood watching, the guards relaxed a little and the prisoners were allowed to mingle a little, though they were still being watched carefully. Jonas moved slowly towards Synne and stopped next to her.
"Are we travelling on that thing as well?" he asked quietly.
Synne looked at the train in detail before replying.
"I don't think so, look at the space they have on it."
As she spoke, the guards walked over and called out to the prisoners. As the line moved along the pairs of prisoners were moved up to the carts that were loaded with what looked like black rocks. As each one was tipped down a ramp to waiting carts, the prisoners were lifted into the carts that were about the same size as the cage that Synne had been inside until recently. Each one took time as it took several minutes to scrape out the crumbling back rocks to make space for the prisoners.
"What is that stuff?" asked Jonas.
I think it's coal, it looks too hard to be peat," she replied.
"Coal?" asked the other man.
"Yes, it is mined from under the ground and is used for fuel. You can use it for heat or to power a machine like this one," she said pointing to the noisy train.
"Have you seen one of these machines before?" asked Jonas.
"No, but I have read about them. According to some of our old books, these machines used to run from town to town across the land. It was a quick and safe way to move people and goods about. This isn't one of those machines though, it has been built from scraps. Look, you can see steam escaping from the pipes and tubes. It is a rough copy of what somebody thought the old machines looked like."
Jonas looked at the train and the number of prisoners and guards moving around it.
"Maybe that's the way it used to be, doesn't look that way now though, does it? From here it looks like an old rusting bathtub with steam coming out the top," he said with a barely disguised hint or sarcasm.
"True, true. It does appear to work though and that is impressive."
It took almost half an hour for all of the carts to be emptied before it came to Synne. As she was moved along the platform she was able to get a better look at the machine. As she had thought, it was roughly made from lumps of rusting iron and cylinders. What intrigued her more than the machine though was the mind behind it. There was much science in the design and construction of a steam power plant and even more to fit it inside a machine, that could move on metal tracks. The Raiders surely didn't have the knowledge, skills or desire to create such an item. So who did?
"Come on, get in!" shouted the nearest guard.
Synne needed little encouragement however and pulled herself inside, quickly followed by her companion. As they sat down the guard lifted their chain to the side of the cart and padlocked it to a metal ring. With the prisoners secure, he jumped down and moved to the next pair. Synne turned to the man with her, she had spoken to him briefly before.
"Look, I don't know about you but I'm going to get out of here, you with me?" she asked him.
The man sitting next to her needed little persuasion, he even looked a little excited.
"Hell yes, I'm not working for these bastards. They killed most of the people they took from my village. Women, children, animals, they killed the lot. They even burned my farm," he said with passion.
"I'm sorry to hear that," said Synne as she thought back to her own town and family.
"What did you have in mind?"
"I'm not sure yet, I'll think of something though. Just watch for my signal and don't do anything to draw attention," replied Synne reassuringly.
There was much shouting and running about from the guards as they positioned themselves at key locations on the train. With a whistle from the engine and a great gush of steam, the train started to move slowly from the raised platform. As it moved Synne could feel the clacketing sound through the floor as they passed over the joined sections of the old iron tracks. They started to build up speed and in minutes were moving at a pace that could easily equal a galloping horse through the countryside. The depot and market faded away to be replaced with the open plains and its small number of hills.
"Where are we going?" asked the man.
Synne looked ahead and strained her eyes. The light was fading but she was certain she could make out the shape of mountains. She thought back to the map, their father had shown her and Ulric. At the thought of home, she felt a sick ache in her stomach. Her father was dead, her brother missing and the rest of her friends were probably scattered to slavers and traders throughout the land. She turned her attention back to her current situation and looked at the line of mountains.
"Mountains, I think we might be heading for the North of the Wastelands, those look like the Black Mountains to me."
"The Wastelands? I thought that was contaminated, we've been told to never go near the place or we'll get the sickness," explained the man as a look of panic spread over his face.
"Yeah, I've heard exactly the same thing about the place though something tells me I think we've been lied to."
Synne looked off to the guards, trying to find any possible chance for escape. Each of the men had a rough, weary look to them but they also looked fit and very dangerous. They were not near enough to keep a close on on Synne, but they all carried projectile weapons and she had no doubt, that excessive noise or attempts to escape would be dealt with swiftly.
"I don't know about you but everything I've heard from that place is bad. We had at least two scouting parties go missing when they went to the Wastelands. We assumed it was from the sickness. If they are taking us there, I doubt we'll see home again. Stay alert, I've got a plan," said Synne mysteriously.
She strained her shoulder as she twisted around, looking for Jonas. About eight people further down she could see him, still shackled to his own cart and looking directly at her. Synne gave him a signal and Jonas responded with a nod. She turned back and looked about the cart. There were two other pairs of people in there with them and they were doing their best to avoid eye contact. It was hardly surprising, they had no reason to trust her and probably a few days ago, they were working on their farms or workshops, only to be dragged away by these men.
Her attention was drawn to the metal strip running along the top of the cart that the ring and padlock were fitted to. She slid forward a few inches so she could get a better look. The strip was held in place by eight thick brass screws that were pushed into the old wood. She lifted her hand to the surface and checked each of them, they were all firm apart from the last one that wiggled just a little.
"Ah, got you!" she whispered to herself as she proceeded to remove the bolt.
The other screws where firm however and it required a full ten minutes of digging around in her clothing and inside the cart before she found a coin pushed inside her jacket. It was damaged but perfect for this most important of tasks. The carriage continued to rattle as they travelled along the tracks and towards the mountains. As they moved on Synne worked tirelessly on the band until she had loosened and removed all but one of the screws. With a gentle pull, she could easily lift the band that held her manacles to the side of the cart. As she freed herself, one of the others in the cart spotted what she had done and made to move towards her. Synne raised her finger to her mouth to make him keep quiet.
"Ssh, I will help you as well. Keep still, we can't try to escape until it is completely dark," she whispered.
The man nodded and watched as Synne replaced one of the screws so it was held tight before leaning to the others in the cart.
"Loosen the screws, don't remove them yet though. When it is dark we'll jump and head for the mountains. Okay?" she asked.
The passengers all nodded in eagerness and waited patiently. Synne looked back further along the train to where Jonas was still watching. Synne looked to his side and indicted towards the metal band. Jonas wasn't quite sure what she was trying to communicate but following his eyes her noticed the band on his own cart. Synne lifted her hand a little but not too much to draw attention. She showed Jonas the coin before moving it to the metal band and the screws. Jonas quickly saw what she was doing and started to look around for a tool he could use.
Synne moved backwards and looked ahead, watching for signs of trouble from the guards. So far, it was clear they were obviously far more interested in watching the horizon than the beaten and dejected prisoners. The mountains were getting closer and Synne could see the train track followed a winding course that disappeared up into their craggy heights. The sun was getting lower now and the shadows from the mountains cast long, dark shapes across the open plains. She thought back to the map and tried to work out roughly where they might be. This track was too far north for it to be the tracks they had come across during previous operations against the Raiders. Unless of course the tracks turned away at some point, and travelled parallel to the mountains rather than heading between them. Either way it didn't matter. The sun was setting to the left and that was the west so she was heading away from home. Her plan was simple, escape to the mountains and find shelter. Then work out a way back home, find her brother and seek vengeance on those that had caused so much death and misery. It was beginning to look like it would be time soon enough.
Synne looked along the train to Jonas who lifted something metal and nodded to her. She couldn't make out what it was but the important thing was that he had removed his metal bands the same as Synne. With just a few twists, she removed the one on her own cart and with a tug it pulled away, the chains from the six prisoners clattered to the ground. Synne's heart fluttered as she worried they would be heard. It shouldn't have concerned her though, nobody could hear with the noise coming from the tracks.
Are you ready?" she asked the others with her.
"Now, when we're moving? Shouldn't we wait till we've stopped?" asked one of them, scared by the speed they were travelling.
"No, that would be the death of us all. If we wait and try to escape when the train is still we will be easily spotted and they will hunt us down and kill us. They are fit, strong and well equipped with weapons. Do you think you can escape them and their crossbows? No, we have to jump, and fast, before we hit the rocks or it will kill us anyway."
Synne checked the others, noting each of them was waiting for the word. She turned back to the obviously frightened man.
"It is dangerous but I'm willing to risk it. Are you?"
The man said nothing, he just sat there looking terrified.
"It's up to you, I'm going. Ready?" she asked the others.
They nodded once more and readied themselves to go. Synne signalled to Jonas and he started to move about, hopefully making himself ready to jump. Synne gave one last look to the side of the train to check the ground, it was dark but this looked like the last stretch of grass before they reached the rocks and mountainside.
"Now!" she shouted.
With great effort, the six passengers lifted themselves up to the side of the cart. The ground below hurtled past at a frightening speed. It didn't stop Synne though who jumped first, quickly followed by the other four. As they hit the ground and disappeared into the darkness a small group from Jonas's cart did the same. Synne hit the ground hard but did her best to roll and she tumbled along the grass until coming to a halt. The rest seemed unscathed apart from Jenson who was howling in pain on the floor. Synne lifted herself up quickly and moved over to check him. As she moved, she heard shouting from the train. As it moved away, she spotted the man who had refused to jump. He was standing up on cart, presumably too scared to jump but waving his arms and drawing attention to them and himself.
"Stupid moron, he'll get us caught!" cried Jonas who was jogging back towards the group.
A flash of smoke came from one of the guards on the train and the man tumbled in agony from the train and hit the ground hard. Synne ran over to him, followed by two of the others. When she reached him he was already dead, his neck or back must have been broken because he was completely still, killed outright.
"Look, his stomach," said one of the escaped prisoners.
A pool of dark blood was forming on the man's stomach and more dripped from behind him.
"What kind of weapon could do that?" asked Jonas.
"I think I know," answered Synne.
Several more flashes came from the train and the whistle and whine of crossbow bolts and metal rounds flew past them to thud into the ground. The oncoming fire forced the group to scatter and try to find immediate shelter in the open ground. A scream of metal came from the tracks along with shouting. The train was slowing and alongside the wheels, great orange sparks sprayed like a great display. A horrifying scream from the grinding metal of the wheels in the tracks was all the signal the group needed to know their escape had been detected.
"You idiot!" shouted Synne, as she looked down at the man who had blown their opportunity,
"Come on, they'll be here any second!" shouted Jonas.
Synne nodded and joined them as they turned and ran from the tracks and towards the rocks leading to the mountains. Synne and Jonas rushed over to Jenson who was still groaning as the rest moved ahead.
"Move it, Jenson, we need to go!" shouted Synne.
Jonas and Synne grabbed him about the arms and lifted him up. He howled but did his best to keep moving as they followed the rest as they made their way to mountains. Eleven prisoners were running as fast as they could, but the distance between the base of the mountains seemed to be just as far by the time the train had stopped. They kept moving though even though Synne felt her lungs would burst at the exertion. A flicker of light and smoke came from the dark train and another volley of ammunition blasted around them. It did nothing of note other than to give them all encouragement to keep moving. A dozen guards were now on the ground and running towards them. Every few seconds one would stop and fire his crossbows as they went.
It all seemed to be working when one of the prisoners from Jonas' cart was hit in the shoulder. The impact was heavy and he stumbled and then fell into the undergrowth. Synne saw him fall and would have rushed to help him apart from the fact that she was already helping to move Jenson. The wounded man stood up and as he stopped to pull out the bolt, a second struck him in the back of the head killing him instantly. His lifeless body toppled forward and to the ground.
"We can't stop, we need to get into cover!" cried Synne.
The first of the group had reached the lower rocks that stood almost as tall as a man and some of them stopped to get their breath, whilst the rest kept moving further into the rocks. Another volley of bolts flew overhead that brought down another prisoner.
A bolt clattered off the rocks in front of them as they made their way through the rough terrain at the base of the mountain. A short distance ahead was some kind of overgrown cave entrance and some of the prisoners were already forcing their way inside. Jonas turned to say something to Synne, when he took a wooden bolt in his left shoulder and crashed to the floor in pain. As he tumbled down, he dropped the wounded Jenson and tumbled over him. Synne managed to avoid them both and ducked behind one of the rocks as more bolts flew in.
"Give me a hand," said Jonas as he tried to pull out the bolt.
"No, leave it in, it will cause more damage of you pull it out, trust me!" said Synne as she moved to leave the safety of the rock.
"Leave me," said Jenson, "I can barely walk now."
"No, I'm not leaving you behind for those animals," said Synne as she grabbed him.
Jonas stood up and though in pain still managed to grab the man's arm to help him move.
"She's right, we're not leaving anybody behind for them, come on."
Jonas tried to pull the man, but he was as strong as he was stubborn, he turned and looked at them both and then without pausing staggered away and back in the direction they had come from, right into the path of the Raiders.
"No!" shouted Synne, but she was held back by Jonas.
The two watched the man in stunned silence. A number of bolts whistled past him but somehow he managed to avoid them. Then he dropped and it looked as though he had been hit. Incredibly, he stood up, this time holding what looked like a substantial rock and continued on his rush to them. He lifted it above his head and ran the last few steps, obviously intent on striking his pursuers. Half a dozen bolts must have struck him as he stopped in his tracks and then fell backwards, a whole host of wooden spikes protruded from his torso.
"Poor bastard!" swore Jonas as he stood up.
He and Synne looked at the options ahead of them. The cave was only twenty feet or so away but there was also a rocky path leading into the mountains to the right. So far all but one of the prisoners had chosen the cave, only one of the escaped women had chosen the mountain path.
"The cave?" asked Jonas.
Synne looked at their options and then quickly back at the closing enemy.
"No, the mountain. What are the odds that the cave is blocked or leads to water and we are trapped? The mountain give us options, come on!" she cried and with a mighty effort the two rushed from their cover and to the rough track.
It was almost dark now and with the sun gone, the air felt cool and dangerous. A light wind whistled through the paths and trails on the mountainside and though the weather was not bad, it made listening for danger very difficult unless they sought shelter from the wind. It was almost a full moon and the light reflecting from the pale disc provided some relief from the darkness and danger on the trail.
Synne and Jonas had been climbing the ever-steeper path for almost an hour before they stopped. Sounds of battle and the occasional blast from the power weapon had become fainter though they had no idea what had happened to the group in the cave. Jonas stopped for a moment, leaning against one of the many hard, jagged rocks as he got his breath back.
"Do you think they'll keep chasing us?" asked Jonas between forced breaths.
Synne said nothing, she just stood there as she listened very carefully for sounds of the Raiders.
"The train hasn't moved away and can you hear that sound?"
Jonas could hear nothing over his pounding heart and his heavy breathing. He did his best to calm down and breathe more slowly. As he did so, he could hear what sounded like shouting and it was coming from below.
"Damn!" he swore.
"Yeah, they are still coming," said Synne.
She looked up the path and examined their options. The trail wound its zig-zag route along the side of the low mountain and continued on until it disappeared about half a mile further up. Near the top of the mountain, on one of the slightly lower peaks was a dark silhouette of something that looked manmade.
"What is that?" asked Synne.
Jonas looked at the shape but looked unimpressed.
"No idea, looks like rocks to me, why?"
"Hmm, from here it looks a little like a ruin, maybe we can hide there from them and the weather. Once it is fully dark they'll never find us without trackers and dogs," she said confidently.
"Rocks, ruins, same thing," said Jonas, as he winced from the pain of the bolt still stuck in his body.
"Let's go, no point sitting here just to be caught. If we don't reach that cover soon we'll be stuck on a rocky path with no chance of seeing where we're going. Want to fall off a cliff?" she asked rhetorically.
"Look!" whispered Jonas as he pointed down the path.
Synne turned around to see the red and yellow flickers of approaching flaming torches.
"Come on!" she said as quietly and urgently as she could.
Synne was first along the trail and Jonas, though still in pain, found the simple motivation of not dying by the hands of the Raiders or from falling off the cliff, to be strong. They moved at just the right time because the moment Jonas vanished behind the bend the first of the Raiders appeared. First one man then a trickle as more followed him. Every man carried a burning torch that provided variable illumination and created bizarre patterns of light and shadow on the rocks.
The two kept moving as fast as they could but the light was fading fast, and by the time they reached the peak of the lowest hill almost another hour had passed. They were, by now both really starting to feel the strain of their escape. As they moved to the next steep section, Jonas ducked back and signalled over the Synne. She jumped to the left side of the track and nearly stumbled over a hidden rock. As she regained her balance she looked over to Jonas and then back up the path.
"A stupid question I know but what are we going to do, assuming we escape? I can't imagine there is much to eat or drink up there!" said Jonas as he pointed upwards.
Synne helped him over an especially large rock and looked up to where he had been pointing.
"Maybe. Right now we just need to escape, finding food and water is a problem for another day. If they catch us we're screwed!"
The two clambered over a large number of rocks where it looked like part of the cliff face above them must have broken up and partially blocked their trail. It was hard to work out where the path continued as the darkness and shadows created by what little light remained created a jagged mess. Synne heard something and the two dropped to their knees. She lifted her finger to her mouth but in the light Jonas couldn't see her gesture.
As they stayed still, a crunch of footsteps and then the sound of a few rolling stones indicated something or somebody was nearby and slightly ahead of them. The sound became closer and then it stopped just a few feet from them. Synne did her best to keep quiet but she was sure her pounding heart could be heard from a mile away. The tension of knowing somebody was near, and that Synne was unarmed and vulnerable, she quickly gave in. Leaping out from her cover, she jumped ahead to strike but whoever was there heard her move and easily avoided Synne's clumsy assault. She lost her footing and fell, landing hard on her left side on the rocks. Jonas leapt out to help but in the noise of the fall, the stranger had vanished off to the side and into the darkness. Jonas looked about but try as he might he could not see the person, only hear them moving further and further away. The sound suggested whoever they were, they were heading back down the mountain though perhaps on a slightly different path. He crept forward, being as careful as he could to reach Synne who was still on the ground.
"Are you hurt?" he asked.
A dark shape moved below him and for just a second he panicked, thinking it might be their attackers or some even worse spectre his imagination had conjured up in the blackness. The shape groaned in discomfort.
"Yeah, I'll live, just grazed my side on the rocks. Where did she go?"
"She, how do you know?"
"I caught her silhouette as she ran past, that was no man!" she said with a groan and pulled herself up into a seated position.
The two waited for a moment as they caught their breath though both were listening carefully for any sign of approaching danger. A low murmur came from down the mountain that quickly turned to loud voices.
"It's them!" whispered Synne.
She lifted herself up and grabbed Jonas' arm, pulling him over the rocks and back to their upward path. It turned and wound on an impossible path until they reached a broken ledge that arced around a cliff face and then disappeared. The ledge was a good couple of feet wide and though it looked treacherous, the blackness of the rock and night air was able to hide the true terror of the fall. Synne didn't even pause and was across it in a flash. Jonas took a deep breath and ran it, making the short distance almost as quickly as she did and grabbed hold of the first rock he could reach.
Synne however was standing out in the open and looking up the path that wound above and behind the cliffs. Jonas, though still holding onto the rock couldn't see whatever it was that had caught her attention.
"What is it?" asked Jonas with a tone of concern in his voice.
"The ruins, they start around the corner. There's something weird though."
"What do you mean?" asked Jonas.
"Well, for a start there are lights up there."
Jonas pushed away from the rock and looked up to the path. Synne was right, several hundred feet up the path was a faint flicker of orange light. From where they stood, it looked like there was an open fire.
"What are we going to do?" asked Jonas.
From behind them at the far end of the lower trail a man appeared, he was almost invisible against the rocks and appeared to be on his own. As he approached, Jonas and Synne pulled back into the shadows and watched him. The man carried a weapon in his left hand whilst his right ran along the cliff wall. He was nimble and easily moved along the ledge. He was lightly equipped, presumably a scout as nobody followed him. As he approached, Synne readied herself to attack. She was still in hiding but had a perfect few of the path and the massive fall to the other side. The path was only five or six feet wide at this point and she would have to be careful to not lose her footing and tumble over the edge.
Jonas made to move but Synne pushed out her arm and held him back, she wanted to wait until the scout was directly ahead.
"Wait," she whispered.
The man appeared in almost complete silence as he moved carefully along the path and stopped for a moment. Whether it was because he had heard something or he was just being careful Synne had no idea. Without even considering what kind of weapons or armour he might have, she jumped ahead and barged into the man. Taken completely by surprise he lost his footing and stumbled, and would have crashed to the ground if Synne hadn't kept on pushing. With all the strength she could muster, she forced him off the ledge. He slipped and then fell but with excellent timing and speed he managed to grab her leg and dragged her to the edge. Jonas rushed forward and grabbed hold of her, making sure she didn't follow him into the blackness. She dropped to the ground, her legs and lower body dangling over the edge whilst the scout hung onto to her leg.
"Get him off!" she shrieked as the pain of the fall and the weight on her leg started to tell.
"I'm trying, I can't pull you both back up," said Jonas, as he tried desperately to stop her sliding any further. Synne release one hand, grabbing the thick roots lying along the path as she tried to get any kind of hold.
"Kick him, kick him!" shouted Jonas.
Synne, now with one arm entwined in the roots and the other grasping Jonas started to kick. At first, it was just wild and then she felt an impact as her foot struck the man's arm. Feeling success, she slammed her foot in again and again, until with a jarring shake he slipped off. She looked down to see him flailing and shouting as he disappeared into the gloom below.
"Get me out of here!"
With a combination of pulling from Jonas and tugging and wiggling from Synne, she planted herself back on the path and simply lay there.
"Are you okay, Synne?"
She lay their gasping for a few seconds, saying nothing as she sucked in the cold air. A sound from below caught both of their attention and they looked back to spot a faint glow of orange making its way along the path, perhaps only a minute or two away from the ledge.
"Come on, give us a break!" muttered Jonas.
Synne lifted herself up, wiping the dirt and dust off as best she could.
"Which way?" asked Jonas.
"Up!" she said, and in seconds they were lurching up the slippery path and towards the dull light. As they reached the top, the path veered off to the left but the path was covered in broken rocks and slippery to move along. Directly in front of them was a wall of about four feet in height. It was broken and damaged in places but was definitely man made.
"Over the wall!" barked Synne, as she grabbed the top and pulled herself over the low wall and dropped inside the ruins. The sounds from their pursuers, was getting louder, and they couldn't be far away. There were a number of torches spread around the perimeter casting hard shadows into the flat interior. The middle of the area was clear of any obstructions, almost like a small yard or training area, but soft on the ground. She wasn't completely certain but it did feel like sand, though she couldn't for a moment work out how it had got there. She turned around as Jonas appeared, still groaning from the pain of the bolt in his shoulder and starting to pull himself up and over the wall. Synne grabbed his arm to help when she spotted the lights in the distance.
"They're here!" she cried.
With a mighty tug, she pulled Jonas in and they collapsed into a heap with Synne lying across Jonas's chest. He coughed and she rolled off to the dusty ground.
"Yeah, thanks for that!" he said with some hint of humour.
Synne stood up, though making sure she didn't stand up straight and exposed their position. She looked around the ruins for signs of life. Jonas sat up and looked about.
"There must be somebody here, those torches won't just light themselves you know," he said suspiciously.
The sound of the approaching Raiders was becoming louder and they could now only be a minute away, maybe less. As well as the sounds of their movement, there was also the sound of them talking and shouting orders, they were doing nothing to hide their approach. Even more menacing though was the sound their metal equipment made as it bumped and rattled as they moved past the rocks and bushes.
"We need weapons, they are nearly here," said Jonas.
Synne was already looking but so far had found nothing more menacing than a short branch, a worthy enough weapon for training perhaps, but hardly something that she could use to hold off a group of hardened Raiders. Jonas tried to find something but before he could, the first two Raiders were over the wall and on them. The first man tried to tackle Synne, probably assuming she could be easily handled due to being a woman and therefore unused to violence.
"Big mistake!" groaned Synne, as she neatly stepped to the side and struck the passing man hard on the back of the head. He dropped to the ground just inches from Jonas who followed up by kicking the man repeatedly in the head.
More men climbed the wall until there were four Raiders stood in a line. They all carried vicious looking swords and one carried a mace. It was a simple metal ball attached to a sturdy wooden handle. Synne had seen them in training, knowing that the weapon would crush anything it hit, including flesh and bone. Jonas grabbed the sword from the unconscious Raider and stood next to Synne, waiting for the inevitable battle. As they waited, the last three men climbed the wall and stood next to their comrades. Between then they dragged a woman whose chains were already cutting into her arms, she must have been the woman that had been on the path. They now faced seven raiders, all whom looked angry and evil. Synne lifted the branch to her shoulder, waiting to strike whilst Jonas held the curved sword out and to the side, just as he had been taught by Ulric many months ago.
The group of Raiders split up, two standing still with the woman in chains whilst the rest moved around the sides until they had the two escapees surrounded. One, presumably the leader of this pack, stepped forward, his mace at the ready and a sly sneer across his face.
"Give up, now!" he growled.
"Never!" shouted Synne.
"You shouldn't be with the warriors," said the man as he paced first to the left and then to the right. "We have other uses for a woman with your kind of energy," he laughed as he looked up and down at her.
Jonas made to move forward, but was stopped by Synne who pushed her left arm out and stopped him.
A howl like that of a fury blasted through the ruins and the torches flickered out into darkness. Before either Synne or Jonas could move, a shape hurled itself passed them and proceeded to dash around the group. The Raiders started to shout and a mixture of metal on metal and screams echoed in the mountain. Whatever or whoever it was the Raiders seemed terrified. With the torches gone, Synne's eyes started to grow accustomed to the light. She stepped back with Jonas and felt a hand grabbing her. Turning around she spotted the evil man, still holding his mace. Without a second's hesitation, she jammed her fist into the man's face and then smashed him repeatedly with her branch. The man staggered back in pain but quickly righted himself and grabbed her arm and tore the branch from her hands.
"Leave her!" came a booming voice.
The stranger moved out of the shadows but somehow the little remaining light from the two torches of the Raiders only cast the faintest of details on the man. He was tall, at least six and a half feet and very well built. He was easily the build of the Raider and in his right hand carried a thick wooden staff that stood a head taller than him. With one end on the ground, he held it vertically and simply faced off against the leader of the Raiders.
The sounds of the battle had already stopped and it looked like just Jonas, Synne, the Raider and the stranger were all that remained. The massive Raider dropped the chains of his prisoner and lifted his heavy looking mace up, ready to strike.
"Leave now or join the rest!" ordered the man with the staff.
The Raider started to laugh, his hoarse voice echoing through the mountainside.
"Leave? I'll leave when I have all your heads!" he barked and then rushed forward.
The stranger brought down his staff and struck a low blow that started near the ground and cut up to strike the Raider in the flank. The power of the blow was deceptive and it knocked him a good distance away before he could regain his balance.
"Nice move, old man, want to try that again?" he said with much scorn.
He moved forward but this time was far more cautious. He circled around the stranger, looking for a chance to strike but none came. He made several out of distance slashes with the mace to try drawing the stranger out but he simply ignored them and brought his staff up to his shoulder.
"Who are you? Why do you defy us?" demanded the Raider.
The stranger said nothing but simply brought down the tip of the staff as though it were a mighty staff to the man's head. Sensing the attack the Raider quickly lifted his mace and grasped the head with his left hand so he could parry the attack with all his strength. It was to no avail though as it was a mere feint. As the Raider put all of his energy into protecting his left side the stranger redirected the staff and delivered an almighty strike to the Raider's right temple. With a horrifying cracking sound, the Raiders skull cracked and he fell. He was dead before his body even hit the dirt.
"My name, Raider, is Thrax and this," he extended both hands out to his side, "is my home!"
Satisfied that the man was dead he turned back to the three new arrivals. He bent down and lifted up one of the still burning torches which until recently had been carried by the Raiders. With the light showing him fully they could see the man. He had the look of a warrior about him though his attire suggested those days were long gone. His arms and head were bare but he wore a thick, tight fitting garment around his torso that looked almost like body armour but was flexible. His arms were tattooed and on his right cheek he wore a tattoo of one of the great Houses, though Synne didn't recognise it.
"Now, you know my name, why not tell me yours?" he asked.
Synne must have overslept because when she opened her eyes the light from the sun directly above her felt like it was burning through her eyes and into her skull. She groaned as she tried to protect them from the bright light.
"She's awake," said the voice of a woman.
Synne, though drowsy couldn't place the voice though the accent sounded familiar. She forced her eyes open and lifted herself up to examine her surroundings. She had been lying on a rough wooden bed that was covered with blankets and skins. She pulled off the skin over her body and to her surprise found herself naked.
"My clothes! Where are they?" she demanded as she stood up and pulled the blankets around her body.
Jonas walked past and she was about to grab him when another person, a young woman approached.
"Hello Synne, my name is Bara, we met last night," she said with a smile.
"Last night?" asked Synne with an embarrassed look.
"The fight with the Raider, you all saved me."
Synne smiled and loosened up a little as she realised this was the woman that had been in chains.
"You escaped from the train with us, right?"
The woman nodded and then handed her a bundle of clothes.
"These are fresh, your rags are in the fire," she said with a grin.
"Oh great, who undressed me?" she asked.
"I did," said the woman, "but to be fair there wasn't much of them left to take off, I think you'll find these more to your liking," she said and then walked away and into a room to the side.
Synne looked around, trying to get a measure of the place.
The room she had slept in was small and appeared to have been carved directly into the wall of the cliff. Inside were a small number of wooden furnishings including a small table, a few chairs and another bed though much smaller. Looking out into the brightness was the open space they had fought in last night. She looked down at the clothing that Bara had given her and laid them out on the bed. The underclothes were basic cloth and without hesitating she put them on, rather than wander about with just a blanket draped around her. The blouse was a dull beige colour that looked like it had been washed too many times with many other colours. She pulled it on to find it puffed out around her body and arms. She looked down at her arm and tried to adjust it before giving up in frustration. The trousers were less of an issue, being the kind of traditional working clothes you could find anywhere in the land. They were dark brown and had a hide feel to them. The fit was surprising good and with a leather strap she conveniently borrowed from one of the shelves, she was able to get them to stay up.
Stepping outside she noticed Jonas and the stranger sat down around a table having a detailed discussion. She walked towards them, still shielding her eyes from the light.
"Synne, you're up, feeling a little better?" Jonas asked.
She continued forward and dropped herself down next to him. On the table were various wooden plates and items of food. Fruit and bread were the main foodstuffs though one plate had a number of slices of cold meat stacked up. She looked at the food and drink laid out but her first thoughts were of the rest of the group that tried to escape at the same time as both of them.
"What about the others?" she asked.
Jonas turned his head with a look if disappointment in his face.
"Thrax and I went down the trail a few hours ago. We found blood trails leading back to the tracks but no sign of any of them. Either they escaped and carried on into the valley or they were captured and taken to the train."
Synne reached out for one of the pieces of meat but the hand of the stranger slipped forward and grasped her hand.
"Perhaps you might introduce yourself before you eat my lunch?" asked the man sat opposite with much sarcasm. Synne looked at the two of them before deciding to say something.
"My name is Synne, may I?" she asked.
The man nodded and Synne immediately reached in and grabbed a piece of bread and some meat. She tore at it and proceeded to eat much faster than her body could cope. After the fourth piece of meat she had stuffed in her mouth caused her to choke the stranger spoke.
"Slow down, there's no hurry. If it's the Raiders you're concerned with their train left last night.
She slowed down and took some of the food out of her mouth, the realisation of how stupid she looked made her look a little sheepish.
"What about the cave?"
"We checked, it was only a hundred or so feet deep and led to a deep pool. There were signs of a struggle and a few arrows and bolts from weapons. Like the path on the mountain, they must either have been taken or found a way out. I don't see how anybody could have made it in the pool though. The water was freezing and I couldn't see any short routes leading out under water," explained Jonas almost apologetically.
The stranger cleared his throat, instantly drawing both their attention.
"Now, your friend here tells me you are from Haven, is that correct?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.
Synne looked angrily at Jonas, her eyes staring accusingly.
"Hey, Synne, he saved our lives, be polite," he said defensively.
Synne took a few more mouthfuls before putting down the food and gulping down some water.
"Yes, we're from Haven, why, have you heard of it?"
The man was silent for a little while as he took a bite from the bread. He chewed it slowly, appearing to be in no rush to answer her questions.
"Indeed, Lord Galan and I go back a very long time."
"You know Lord Galan?" asked Synne suspiciously.
"That is what I just said. Why? Do you not trust me?" he asked slowly.
"Well, being as the entire place was attacked by Raiders, most of my family killed or taken away, the population sent to slavers, yeah, I'm a little suspicious of strangers," she snarled though regretted it almost immediately.
Jonas moved his hand onto the table, trying to catch their attention.
"I'm sure Synne is not talking about you personally, the last few days have been horrific," he tried to explain.
"No doubt," said the stranger.
They continued eating though the silence became more and more uncomfortable until Synne could take it no longer.
"Look, I'm sorry. Maybe you could tell us a little about yourself?"
"I'm Thrax," said the man in reply.
"Yeah, I got that. Anything else?" she asked with both hands out to her side.
"You're from Haven and haven't heard of Thrax?"
Synne and Jonas shook their heads to confirm it.
"I shall have to speak with Galan on this," he said with a laugh.
"That won't be easy, my father is dead!"
"Dead you say? By the Raiders?" he asked with some degree of concern.
Synne looked away, the pain of the recent experiences with the Raiders, the attack on her home and the death and enslavement of so many starting to take its toll. Jonas, noting her change in tone moved to interject.
"We've been clearing the Raiders from our Northern border for the last four weeks. The Brotherhood and the League have been working on it for some time now. I don't understand how so many Raiders could have made it past our forces and then worked their way through our lands and into the city," explained Jonas.
Synne turned back to Thrax.
"Somebody must have betrayed us. There were scores of them inside the walls of Haven. My brother, my father, all the warriors fought but we couldn't hold them off. I saw my father killed and my brother is either dead or a prisoner somewhere," she said with a sigh.
"It must be the Brotherhood, only they would be so treacherous. A long time ago, I fought alongside your father against the Brotherhood. There was one nasty old bastard called Lar. I bested him in the last Contest," he said with pride.
"Contest?" asked Synne, her interest suddenly raised.
"Yes, the Contest. You do still have them don't you?" he asked in surprise.
"Of course, that is how the truce between the League and the Brotherhood is maintained. You fought, alongside our forces? That must have been almost twenty years ago," she said in a tone that implied she was less than convinced.
"It was the hardest contest the League had ever faced back then. You see, the Brotherhood has always been weak and divided but they were not stupid. They could match us in numbers but the best they ever won was a stalemate. The last Contest was different though. They actually persuaded a few members of the Guild to join them. Not even their groups knew of their treachery," he said.
Thrax stared out into valley below as he though on his old days of adventure of battle.
"I've never heard this before. How could the League have ever won? That would have pitted twenty against ten?" asked Jonas with great interest.
"Well, not quite, they didn't all change sides. It was hard, let me say. Back then, I was a member of the Swordmasters Guild. We were nominally part of the League and that year we were called on to fight in the Contest. Only two of us lived from that battle. Just me, and that little weasel Gratus. I told your father back then I thought he had betrayed us, but according to Galan the weasel saved him at the last moment in the battle," he said with a scowl.
"Gratus, he was my father's right hand man. Why did you not trust him?"
"Instinct, my dear. I didn't see him perform any act in the Contest that required him to cut or kill any members of the Brotherhood. I did find him with a blade near Galan but one of the Brotherhood fell on him and his blade. Galan always said I had it in for him but, there was always something in his eyes that told me otherwise. Galan and I argued for hours but in the end we went our separate ways. He was a good man, I am truly sorry to hear that he is dead," said Thrax with an honesty that was sincere.
"Thrax, my father should have listened to you. I spotted him forcing a knife into my father's throat during the battle at Haven. He must have been waiting for years to strike."
"With your father dead that means the truce must be upheld with the old tradition of the Contest?" asked Thrax.
Synne stood up and walked a few feet away to look down the mountain and into the valley. She could see for miles though the open plain was flat and barren, land of no use for grazing or farming.
Jonas leaned over to Thrax, "It isn't just Lord Galan. Master Lar of the Brotherhood is also dead."
"Master Lar? Dead? That is a pity. So, he did well for himself. That is a great shame, I have wanted to even a score with him for the last twenty years!" he said with a hearty roar. "Still, the old git is dead so that is something!" he laughed.
"What do you know about the Raiders that use the track at the base of the mountain?" asked Jonas.
Before he could answer, Synne spoke from her place overlooking the valley.
"And why have they never stopped you doing whatever ever it is you do here?"
"Well young lady, they don't come here for the same reason they didn't get you last night. The path is treacherous and I always, and I mean always, hear them coming. A few years ago they sent a few small groups to speak with me."
"What did they want?" asked Jonas.
Thrax shrugged and gave a smug grin.
"Who knows, you'll have to find them at the bottom of the valley and ask them yourself," he said before turning back to Synne.
"As for what I do here. I mind my own business though from time to time I teach the odd traveller the old ways of combat. Fighting with the blade, staff and bow. Not been much business in the last five years though, not since the Raiders got their train working," he added.
Synne and Jonas were both intrigued by this part of the conversation.
"Tell us about the train?" she asked.
"The track has always been here and you would find the odd group of Raiders here and there. About five years ago though one group, I don't know who their leader is, managed to get information on building an engine, you know, the one that you've seen on the track. I don't know how they did it, the only source of information I know of is in your father's library."
"Yeah, I wonder who could have got that kind of information out?" said a sarcastic Jonas as he looked at Synne.
"Gratus," muttered Synne under her breath.
"Maybe," replied Thrax with a shrug. "Once they got the train working they started sending lots and lots of people and tools to the North. The train goes there every night and comes back in the morning, presumably to the Horizon Trading Post. I assume they're building something up there to be moving back and for so often. One thing I do know is that they never bring people back."
Synne sat down and drank a little more. The clothing on her had started to flap in the wind and she was evidently self-conscious of the baggy sleeves that seemed to flutter with each gust of air.
"When we were being divided up a man called Khan said we were going to be put into groups. One was to go to the mines and one to join their military, the rest who knows? Both of the first two groups they put on that train and sent to the North. Why would they want workers and warriors in the same place?" Jonas asked.
"Yeah, a very good question. I think we should find out and fast," said Synne.
"Hey, easy now. These Raiders in the North are not small groups of scavengers. They have access to weapons, armour and supplies. If you just wander in you'll get caught and nobody will be able to get you out, not even me!"
Synne didn't look impressed.
"That's up to you. Right now, I need to know what is going on. I need information. If any of my people are there I must know," she said with great passion.
"Then what will you do?" asked Thrax.
"I'll think of that when I know what we're up against."
"For now I suggest you rest, get yourselves both fully healed and fit. I can't stop you but I can make sure you are both prepared for the journey you want to undertake."
Thrax stood up and moved away from the table.
"Now, what kind of combat training do you have?"
"Combat?" asked Jonas.
"Yes, if you're planning on going anywhere near the Raiders you need to be able to handle yourself. Can you use a blade, a spear, mace or bow?"
"Of course, my brother Ulric trains all of our forces," replied Synne.
Thrax walked away from the two and disappeared inside one of the small rooms running along the perimeter of the open training area. Lots of noise came from his direction, as he pulled and dropped various items as he searched for whatever it was he was after. As he carried on, Synne looked about the training area and examined it in greater detail. It reminded her of the accounts she had read about in Ancient times where an open space was used for combat to the death. The floor was covered in sand and the columns that ran all around the outside were carved with figures. She approached the nearest column and was surprised to notice the detail in the stone.
"Jonas, take a look at this?"
He wandered over and the two stared in awe at the detail and the objects shown. On one section there were six machines flying through the air. Each one carried a number of men wearing unknown armour and carrying various projectile weapons, much like the powder weapon she had seen the one Raider using on the train.
"What are they?"
"I have no idea. They look a bit like the machines in the War of the Worlds book, but these are being used by men. Look down here!" she said excitedly as she moved to the next column.
This one was very different. It showed hundreds of men all standing in close formation and marching with large rectangular shields in a box formation. The group of men were marching up a steep ramp that led to some kind of fortified settlement that had much in common with many of the settlements Synne had visited, when travelling with her father. She looked carefully at the men defending the barricades. They used a mixture of spears, slings and stones.
"Okay, show me what you can do," came the booming voice of Thrax as he returned to the training area.
Synne turned to see him holding a number of weapons under his arms. He dropped the bundle to the ground with a clatter and stood staring at them. Jonas stepped back, indicating he wasn't particularly keen to get involved in some kind of demonstration with Thrax.
Synne looked at the weapons, most she recognised, a few she didn't.
"I'll take the sword," she said as she stepped forward.
Before she could reach the weapons, Thrax lifted one and tossed the wooden sword over to her. She caught it neatly and with a gentle flourish positioned it out in front but not too far ahead. The point of the weapon aimed directly to Thrax's head. He grabbed a similar sword and held it low and to his right side as though uninterested.
"I see you like the shorter weapons," he said with a snarl.
Jumping forward he struck a feint to the right and then pulled his body around to his left, neatly avoiding the counter cut by Synne and brought his weapon down towards her head. Spotting the danger at the last moment, Synne did the only thing she could think of, and stepped into his attack and push her own sword high. At this range, she caught the blade just above the crossguard and twisted off to her right. As her sword started to lower under the pressure, she punched Thrax in the stomach and then tried to strike him in the face. Thrax easily grabbed her right elbow in his left hand and twisted her around, neatly depositing her on the dusty ground, unhurt, apart from her pride. As she wiped the dust off her loose clothing, the old warrior started to laugh. She lifted herself up and raised her sword, ready to attack.
"What's so funny?" she demanded.
"I have trained with all kinds of people before but never have I seen such violence from a lady at such a short range!" he laughed.
Unsure whether to be please, or annoyed at his comments, Synne simply went on the attack. She cut fast and each time it looked like her front was exposed she brought her weapon back into position and delivered another strike. Thrax moved slowly but with perfect timing and precision. As Synne's attacks piled in, he neatly avoided them using the minimum of effort whilst delivering the odd light cut himself.
"Your speed and timing is good but you fight with too much passion. Calm your anger, slow your breathing and look for the openings."
Synne stepped forward and managed to clip his forearm with a light cut and then jumped back to avoid a cut to her head.
"Calm yourself, I see the openings and there is one on your head!" she shouted.
Leaping forward she cut high and hard for Thrax's head. It looked like the perfect cut but Thrax knew a feint when he saw it. Synne had already overplayed it by telling him and the cut was too powerful drawn out to ever realistically work. He acted as though he was going to parry it and then she did the expected changed in direction. Landing short she bent down and lashed low in a horizontal cut that would have struck him in the rib. Thrax simply dropped his point and intercepted the cut before neatly twisting his wrist and striking her with the back of the sword on the forehead. She stumbled back, a light trickle of blood running down her face.
"I told you, calm yourself," he said, though she looked less than impressed with his words of wisdom.
"I've seen how you move with the single blade, let's try something with a bit more bite," he said with relish.
Bending down he picked up a wooden spear. It was a good six feet long, so short by any standard, but perfectly suited for one on one combat. As before, he tossed the weapon over to her before picking up a weapon of his own. Though the weapons were entirely made of wood, they both had a lump of dense fabric tied into a ball on the tip.
"Now, the spear is the simplest and most effective weapon ever used by man. It can be tipped in iron, or simply cut down to a point and burnt in a fire to harden the tip. Have you used one before?"
Synne nodded and with her left foot forward, she lowered the spear to belly height and pointing towards Thrax. She held onto the spear with both hands about a foot apart.
"Good," said Thrax as he watched her move.
They started to circle each other, Synne looking for opportunities to attack whilst Thrax studied her moment and intentions with fascination.
"Remember to move when it gives you a tactical advantage or when you are looking to create one, don't just move for the sake of doing something. Movement creates tempo and tempo makes you practicable."
With great speed, he stabbed forward, releasing his left hand so that just his right hand remained near the base of the spear shaft. The weapon covered a distance and would have struck Synne, if not for the fact she brought up her own spear to deflect it. No sooner had she pushed it away that Thrax pulled it back, moved his hands and then swung with the back end, neatly catching the back of her leading knee and sending her to the floor. Before she could get up, he was on her, the tip of his spear pointing directly at her heart. She shook her head, wiping the dust and sand away from her body and looked up at him.
"Okay, I get it, you're the Master, are we done here?"
Thrax held out his hand and helped to pull her up.
"Have a wash and rest for a while. When you are ready I want to show you some of the materials I have discovered over the years, I think you will find some of them very interesting," he said mysteriously.
All this time Jonas was standing to the side and watched intently, but also kept well out of the way.
"Come on, young man, you might not want to but you're going to have to fight. Pick up the spear and I'll show you some basics."
Synne left the two of them as Jonas tried to talk his way out of getting bruised. She returned to the room she had slept in, but with her head clearer she noticed items that she would never have expected to find in a mountain hideout. On the one shelf were a number of knives. Each one was made of hard iron and steel. Some had different colour wood and metal whilst one sported several beautiful stones. She picked up the most lavish and was amazed at the lightness and quality of its construction. She placed it back on the shelf and moved further into the room. A rack on the wall was covered in all kinds of clothing, most of it combat related and a surprising number of items looked like the kind of gear worn by the Raiders. She lifted what looked like an old-fashioned corset from the wall and was taken aback by the hardness of the black leather material. It felt like it would probably protect against a sword cut, possibly even a thrust from a spear. Holding it up in front of her, she tried to imagine wearing it and then almost giggled at the sight of so many straps.
"Weird," she muttered to herself before returning it.
Back in the arena, the sound of wooden weapons striking each other brought a smile to her face. It sounded like Jonas had failed in his attempts to avoid Thrax. She could only hope Thrax didn't go too hard on him. He might have a reasonable amount of training, but was in a different league to an experienced warrior like Thrax.
Moving a little further on she came to the many armoured helmets and jackets that hung under sheets to protect them from the elements. Some of the jackets were simple hide affairs, whilst others were adorned with metal studs, reinforced plates of metal or strips of thick rubber. This was the kind of gear she had seen the warriors bringing back from battle with the Brotherhood or the Raiders in the last few years. Next to the clothing were weapons and they really caught her imagination. There were all kinds of gear, but the single most interesting one was a large sword. It looked massive next to her and yet something told her it was more than just an oversized piece of metal. The sword was fitted with a blunt section towards the hilt, probably designed so it could be held. It was also fitted with small hooked points sticking out about an inch from each edge of the sword. The design reminded her of one of the large two-handed swords she had been studying in the library.
"You like that one?" came the low voice of Thrax just a few feet behind her.
The sound made her jump, she hadn't noticed that the sound of the sparring had stopped. Thrax had barely broken into a sweat whilst Jonas still out in the training area, sat on the ground from what she could see.
"Is he okay?" asked Synne.
"He'll live."
Synne gave him a stern look, Thrax was surprised by her ferocity.
"Easy now, he's just tired. He does have some skill with the sword though. I assume he trained at the same place as you?"
"Yes. Why, did you notice similarities?"
Thrax just smiled and turned back to call to Jonas.
"You okay, son, everything in one piece?"
Jonas simply lifted his hand to indicate all was well. Thrax turned back to Synne and the sword on the low table. He grasped the hilt with his right hand and lifted the weapon up and in front of him.
"This has always been my favourite. I had it and four others like it made over ten years ago by a master swordsmith in Usk City," he said, as he held the sword close to his face.
"Where are the other four?"
"The same place as most weapons, in the ground, destroyed or lost on some battlefield. I know at least one of them remains with the Lord of the Blood Pack. They were special items, granted to only the greatest of my students."
Synne looked at the blade more closely. She noticed there were multiple grooves cut into the blade that helped reduce the weight and thus improved the handling of the weapon. The leather wrapped hilt had either been looked after like a child or replaced in recent years, as it was pristine. The metalwork was worn but all in good order whilst the edges of the blade had been sharpened on many occasions.
"It looks like this blade has done some work," she said in a questioning tone.
Thrax placed the weapon back down and wiped his fingerprints from the blade with a cloth.
"In the past it has done great things, like all good weapons though it is of its time. There have been no events worthy of its name, or mine for that matter in many years," he said whilst looking at her eyes.
"Now that you are safe, what are your plans?"
Synne looked at the weapons, saying nothing for a while before turning to him with a hard look to her face.
"I want to find my people, restore my House and finally, "she said before Thrax interrupted her.
"Yes?" he said.
"I want revenge!"
Thrax sighed, his expression showing he had seen this so many times before. He turned and walked back out of the room, only pausing as he reached the exit to turn back to her. The light was already starting to fade outside.
"Tonight you must rest, tomorrow we will talk about what you can do. Remember, only a fool seeks battle before he is ready. You must get your strength back and you must consider your options wisely," he said and then left.
Synne stepped back and sat down on the bed as she thought about the events at Haven and the bloody battle and desperate escape she and Jonas had gone through in the last day. She looked out to the doorway and at Jonas who was still sitting on the ground.
"Not tomorrow, I leave tonight," she muttered to herself before laying back and closing her eyes.
\*
It had been dark for three hours and Synne was almost at the bottom of the mountain. It was almost impossible to see her due to the old Raider gear she had appropriated before leaving. She wore a loose fitting hide jacket with armour on the upper arms and shoulders. Under the jacket, was the hardened leather corset she had found so amusing earlier on. It wasn't particularly comfortable, but it matched the rest of the Raider gear and provided surprisingly good protection to her body. Though it was mainly black, it did feature red material along the flanks that contrasted with the blackness of the leather. Down the edges were lines of metal rivets. Below this were a pair of padded trousers that led to thick, knee length reinforced leather boots. She wore nothing on her head and her dark brown hair hung down past her shoulders. On her belt, she carried one of the smaller curved swords that seemed to be so loved by the Raiders up and down the land. To a stranger she had all the characteristics of a roving Raider. As she rounded the final corner, she recognised the place as where the small number of them had tried to escape and where some had spent their last moments. It sickened her stomach that such good, ordinary people had died in such a barren, unloving place. She paused, but thoughts of her mission and the fact that the train was due to pass within the hour spurred her on. Pushing out from the rocks, she moved to the open space that led to the railway tracks running off down the valley. It was a short distance and in just five minutes she was crouched down next to the track.
"Now what do I do?"
Synne looked out into the distance and then back behind her. There was no sign of the train though at the speed it travelled it could be on her in minutes. Looking back to the base of the mountain there was nothing other than rocks and flat land.
"Hey!" came a voice from the rocks.
Synne lowered herself down so that she was no higher than the tracks and tried to keep very still.
"It's okay, it's me, Jonas!"
Synne sighed and lifted up to a crouch.
"What are you doing here, you fool?" she asked angrily.
"You're one to talk! What about you?"
"I'm not leaving our people behind. We need to find out what's going on before they are split up, killed or sold."
"Thrax says just a few people with no real weapons can't make any difference, he says we need to get more people and make a considered plan before we go off on some violent adventure," said Jonas, though his tone suggested he was less than convinced.
"Yeah, well watch me."
She ran over to a clump of rocks and lifted up the largest.
"Come and get some," she ordered as she staggered back and dumped it on the track.
Jonas looked confused for a second before realising what she intended.
"You want to slow them down so we can get on?" he asked as he moved back to collect rocks.
"If they hit something, maybe they will slow down to check, then we can get on the train," she said.
The two proceeded to place a large number of the larger rocks and stone along the tracks. None were too big that they might force the train off the track, but they should be enough to concern the driver and give them an opportunity to climb aboard. A noise came from the tracks.
"Can you hear that?" she whispered.
Jonas said nothing before whispering back.
"Something is making a noise through the rails," he said in confusion,"I don't understand, could it be the train?"
Synne listened again but the noise was still too faint. She moved back and took cover behind the nearest rocks to the track. She signalled for Jonas to join her and together they kept low in the shadows and waited.
"Assuming this is the train and somehow we get onboard, what will we do when we get to wherever it goes?"
"Well, first we need information. When we know what we are up against we can either do something ourselves or we can try and get help from our friends in the League," she replied.
"Maybe, if we have any left."
Synne looked at him with a confused expression. She considered what he said, she hadn't really thought about the other members of the League. What if they were in the same kind of trouble as her family had faced, even worse, what if they had even been involved?
"Jonas, we..." she started, but was cut off by Jonas lifting his hand.
He turned and whispered quietly to her.
"I can see the train, it is here!"
\*
Thrax walked out into the room until so recently occupied by Synne. He immediately noticed she wasn't there and that some of the weapons and clothing were missing. He stormed back into the training area, looking for them.
"Synne!" he shouted but there was no reply, "Jonas!" he added, still nothing.
Bara appeared from one of the many small rooms running around the one wall.
"What is it?" she asked.
"They've gone!" he growled.
Bara ran into the other rooms as she looked for the missing two but as with Thrax she found nothing. As the two moved from place to place, a mechanical whistle blasted out through the valley.
"The train!" swore Thrax under his breath.
He stormed away into one of the rooms whilst Bara strained her eyes, trying to see what was happening. Though they had a perfect few of the valley and track from their vantage point, the train was much too far away to see in any kind of detail. A grunt came from the room and Thrax appeared, carrying a long tube with a diameter of several inches.
"What is that?" she asked.
Thrax lifted it up to his right eye and looked carefully through it.
"It's a telescope, it magnifies what you look at so you can see further away."
As he adjusted the focus on the apparatus, he spotted the rusting metal machine as it made its slow way to the North along the iron tracks. A plume of smoke pumped from the top and he could see at least a dozen men stood at various points along its length. As he moved the telescope further to the right, he could see a dark line of objects across the tracks. At first, he had no idea what it was but then his imagination kicked in and he knew exactly what he had found.
"You idiots," he muttered.
"What is it?" asked Bara.
"Our two friends are trying to slow the train so they can get on board."
A great screech in sound echoed through the valley along with a chorus from the machine's whistle. He watched carefully as the train slowed and halted before reaching the obstruction. Even before it stopped, a number of the men leapt off and spread out around the train, each one looking for trouble. Two of them moved to the front and cleared the debris before returning to the train. In less than a minute, the men were back on and the train started to build up speed. He scanned the entire length of the train and the trailers it pulled. A dark shape towards the rear caught his eye and as he concentrated, he could spot two figures climbing onto the tail end of one of the wagons.
"There they are," said Thrax as he lowered the telescope.
"What are they doing?"
"Only the Gods know and even then..." he sighed.
Thrax stood still for a moment whilst starring out into the valley before turning to Bara.
"Get my sword, I am leaving in the next ten minutes!" he ordered.
Bara started to move and then turned back.
"What about me?"
Thrax considered his options for a moment. Bara was handy to have around but she wasn't a fighter and the journey would be a difficult one. He needed her here and also needed his equipment and some of his most valuable weapons and texts taken care of.
"Listen Bara, three of my students will be here tomorrow morning. Wait here and tell them where I have gone. I want them to pack up my things and take them and you back to Haven. I will meet you there when this is all over."
Bara tried to argue but she was cut short.
"I have to do this alone. You can help by packing everything from those two rooms ready to be taken away, the rest will have to stay here for now, I'll come back for it when I am able," he said whist walking towards his own room.
He removed an armoured jacket from the wall and pulled it on as Bara walked into the room carrying his sword. She walked up to him and held up the massive weapon, beckoning him to take it. Thrax reached out and held the weapon in both hands. As soon as he touched the metal, he knew he was doing the right thing and the blade just made him feel that much better.
"It is time I got away from here," he said with a reassuring smile to Bara.
"I need a challenge," he added as he swung the sword with three swift cuts that could have removed a person's head with each movement.
The sun was up but the clouds were thick and the air had cooled dramatically. With the subtle weather change, it had shifted to give the impression of a damp, miserable winter's day. Thrax had been on the move now for most of the morning and the route he had taken was far from easy. The path he continued along was more a goat trail but it did follow a quick winding route through the mountain range and to the valley floor below. The ground beneath his feet was damp and overgrown but luckily there was little mud to slip on, though in places it wasn't always easy to work out where the trail ended and the undergrowth continued. The path through the mountains was sheltered in places from the elements by thick woodlands. At one point, he had passed two ruined houses, both old stone structures with little left of them other than low walls and their foundations. A large oak tree had pushed up right though the middle of one of them, the low walls looking more like barriers to protect the trees than the homes or farms that may have been in the past. They had been in this state since he could remember and they could have been that way for a hundred years.
Thrax wore the same travelling garb that he always had. Simple but sturdy jacket and trousers well covered with what, could only be described as a travelling coat. It was dark brown and hung low over his legs. The material was light but weatherproof and perfect for hiding the array of items he kept about his body. He carried a lot of gear, most of it strapped carefully to his framed backpack so that his front remained clear of obstructions. He had travelled the route on many occasions when heading to the North, but in the last few years had spent most of his time in his mountainside home or making the short journey to the busier trading posts and towns in the South. At some point in the past the track looked as though it was paved, but little of this now remained with many of the stones being washed away and undergrowth covering the path. From memory he knew this was one of the many trails that led down to the old road. He went from the narrow trail into an open area that was flat and moved off along the side of the mountainside. Few now knew this route but Thrax found out from some of the traders years ago that it was all that remained of an old mountain road system. Though it was broken and overgrown, it did offer a quicker route than through the craggy trail of the mountainside and it was far more direct. It wasn't as fast as taking the steam belching metal machine on its tracks but it was the next best thing. He paused for a moment and sat at the side to check his map and take a few sips of water. His map fitted carefully inside a leather pouch and was handmade. He had put it together over the years and it contained details that only those who travelled the local roads and trails would ever know about.
As he studied the map, he caught sight of something on the road. As he looked more carefully he noticed that parts of the vegetation had been worn away, and recently too. Leaving his gear on the ground, he walked over and examined the area where the road could be seen clearly. Looking ahead the worn away vegetation followed a line into the distance.
"Interesting, tracks from rubber on wheels," he said quietly to himself as he examined the markings.
Somebody had used it recently and not on foot, this was a wheeled vehicle, and based upon the amount it had cleared as it travelled, it must be substantial and heavy. Even more important was that one vehicle making a single trip could not realistically make this kind of damage. It must have been from a large number of them or had been made by repeated trips in the last few days. As interesting as this new discovery was though he had no time to waste. With the train already gone, and Synne and Jonas missing, he could only assume they had followed the train to whatever the Raiders had been working on that required such numbers of people. He could see no other reason why they would have sneaked off in the dead of the night.
He could have left them there, but Synne was the daughter of his old friend Galan and though there had been enmity between them in the end, he knew deep down that it was others who had created the rift. He intended on healing it and Synne was the vessel by which he would do it. With the map laid out in front of him, he traced the route above his home that led to the North. Based on the last trading runs he had made, there were at least three old trading posts situated between ten and fifty miles north. Last time he had travelled to the furthest one, it was deserted. Presumably overrun by Raiders, during one of their many murderous attacks. There were rumours even then that something was gathering in the North, well away from normal paths and deep inside the dangerous areas of the Wastelands. He wondered to himself if the closer outposts had suffered a similar fate or if they even existed anymore. With the train now being used, all manner of outcomes were possible and he had seen for months the train making its regular progress back and for along the track. The sun was directly above him, clearly indicating that half of the day had already gone. According to his map, he was only a quarter the way to the nearest outpost. He removed the lid from his flask and took two sips before replacing it.
"I need to quicken the pace," he said to himself.
He stood back up and tightened his straps on his backpack. Attached to the side of the bag was the sword that Synne had been so enthralled by. On him, it still looked impressive, though not protected by a thin leather sheath that covered the entire blade up to the parrying hooks. On the back of the pack was a small metal crossbow. It was smaller than the usual weapons and parts of it folded down to make it easier to travel with, and held down by three buckles and heavy straps, to hold it on tightly. That wasn't everything though, he also carried a large knife on his side, neatly pushed inside a hardened leather sheath. It was almost a foot long and was sharp along one edge and a few inches along the back of the clipped tip, the perfect utility and fighting knife. As always, in his right hand was the heavy looking staff that he had used to help fight off the band of Raiders when Synne and Jonas had arrived. With his gear ready, he turned north and continued along the long abandoned road and whatever mysteries awaited him.
\*
Synne and Jonas had hidden themselves near the wheels of the last wagon that was being pulled behind the great machine. From where they were positioned the racket from the tracks and wheels was noisy, but they were well hidden from view and making quick progress along the tracks. The mountains were already moving away behind them and the rolling hills and fields of the Wastelands seemed surprisingly healthy. They had passed several small villages but nothing substantial yet, though there were people going about their business on both foot and horseback as they made their way along the dirt tracks of the land. It was already late in the day, the lighting was provided by torches burning outside most of the major buildings. Several of the riders carried lanterns that made them look like glowing creatures gliding over the land. Synne had started to relax, when she spotted the lights from a band of a dozen horsemen riding towards them. Pulling herself close to the body of the wagon she breathed a sigh of relief as they approached the tracks and waited for the train to pass before crossing them and continuing along a trail. As they moved away, Synne noticed the markings and banners they carried.
"Did you see that?" she asked.
Jonas had been watching all the time and looked just as surprised.
"Yeah, I did. Is it me or did they look like a party of riders from the Brotherhood?"
"Yeah, what are they doing in the Wastelands?" she asked rhetorically.
The group of riders continued off to the right, leaving a great trail of dust behind them, as they raced off at a speed that almost matched that of the train they were travelling on. Jonas leaned out slightly so he could look ahead. As he was watching, he felt an arm on his shoulder yank him back into cover.
"What are you doing?" asked an angry Synne.
"Hey, I'm trying to look ahead."
"Well, did you see anything?"
Jonas sat back down whilst he considered whatever it had been ahead.
"I only got a short look but there is a lot of black smoke at the end of the line going up to the sky. Looks like a bridge ahead that leads into a town or city of some kind. It isn't easy to tell from here though, there isn't much light."
The screech from the machine's whistle blasted out, presumably sending a signal it was approaching its destination. Almost as soon as the whistled blasted, the guards on the train started to move about. As the nearest guard went further ahead on the train, they were given a chance to get a better look around. Taking the opportunity Synne crept from the darkness and out onto the right side of the wagon. Peering inside she could see tools and barrels of liquid, though without opening one she had no idea of the actual contents.
Jonas climbed over the low wooden sidewall and into the wagon to get a better look.
"Any idea what's in them?" asked Synne.
He couldn't see very well in the dark wagon so he placed his hands on the barrel and leaned in to smell if there was any liquid on the lid. As he inhaled, he stepped back, the smell obviously being overpowering.
"Well?"
"It smells like oil of some kind, much stronger than normal though," he said as he moved back.
"Interesting, it must be a fuel of some type, perhaps a more refined version of oil, perhaps like the fuel I have read about that the old engines used to use," said Synne quietly to herself.
The two moved along to the end of the container section where a number of crates were stacked up. Looking through the small gap in the forward facing wall, they could see the rest from the train.
"I don't see any passengers here, this looks like a materials or cargo transport to me," said Jonas.
Synne nodded in agreement.
"Whatever they are doing up here it is substantial. You don't need wagons of people, tools and fuel unless you've got some kind of major industry, we need to find out what's going on and get news back to the League," she explained.
The train was already starting to slow down and the number of people started to increase as they moved over a bridge adorned with lanterns. A few dozen people walked about, all carrying torches of one kind or another to light the way. It was a busier place than a town like Haven in the daytime and this was the middle of the night. With a series of squeals, the train slowed even more until they were moving no more than a walking pace.
"What's the plan Synne?"
"Plan, yeah, that would be a good idea. Look, if we stay on the train they'll catch us. I suggest we get off now and scout this place. Agree?"
Jonas nodded and the two of them leapt from the side of the train without a moment's hesitation. Synne hit the grass first, followed by Jonas. As they rolled along the ground, they came to a stop and moved to the nearest bit of cover, a small grove of trees. As they waited in the darkness, Synne turned to Jonas.
"How is the shoulder doing?"
"Sore, I wouldn't want to use it in a fight. I'll live," he said though Synne looked less than convinced.
She had seen similar wounds in the past when Ulric and his fighters had returned from battle. These kinds of wounds could quickly move from a small hole to an infection that could spread and lead to all kinds of complications. She was tempted to send him back but she needed him too much to consider asking. She also doubted he would return when they had a chance, however small, to be able to help the survivors from Haven. Right now, they needed information and they needed it fast.
From their position in the tree line, they looked out at the now halted train and the settlement they had arrived at. The bridge functioned almost like a fortified entrance, as across the bridge was a large wooden gate that extended out into a low perimeter palisade, not dissimilar to the wall running around Haven. Luckily, they were inside the settlement, otherwise they would have to try and find a way inside the place. Looking through the inside revealed a bizarre place. Off to the distance was a low hill on top of which was a recently erected fortified hall that featured its own palisade and towers. Between the two sets of walls were workshops and storage buildings from which people hauled the materials from the train. Several dirt roads ran through the settlement and out to another two fortified gates, one leading north and the other to the east.
"Look, is that what I think it is?" asked Jonas as he pointed to a series of rough looking wooden buildings to the west.
Synne strained her eyes but she couldn't really see whatever it was that Jonas had identified.
"What?"
"Look, there are carts on a small track going into that tunnel," he said as he pointed.
"Ah, that explains it, a mine. What do you think they're after?" she asked.
"Well, didn't you say they were unloading a rock or something black at the trading post?"
"You're right, it looked like coal. They must be operating a mine with forced labour and then shipping the raw materials back to the Trading Post to sell or trade for other items."
"What are they doing with all this though?" asked Jonas.
"What about those buildings?" said Synne as she pointed to the buildings running in long columns around the fortress on the hill. "They look like military barracks to me."
"Barracks, but they could hold hundreds of people," said Jonas with a serious tone to his voice.
"Come on," said Synne.
She slipped from out of the cover of the trees and followed the low stone wall that ran alongside one of the dirt roads leading to the fortified hall. They moved from building to building, always doing their utmost to stay in the shadows and away from the occasional guard that walked past. Off to the right, and away from the buildings, came a terrible smell and the sound of flies and other insects buzzing about. The two moved nearer to find the source of the smell but it was clearly coming from a large open space near the wall. As they moved closer they noticed a number of carts waiting to be hitched up to horses. On each wagon were numbers of cloths covering long shapes. Jonas moved to the nearest and pulled himself up onto the end of the cart. As it rocked a little an object swung out from under the cloths, it was a bruised arm. He jumped back and audibly gasped at the sight of the horror. Synne approached and examined the arm in more details.
"Dead, and for at least a few days. These must be the workers in the mine, don't you think?" she asked.
Jonas turned away and with a gut wrenching groan, vomited onto the ground. He wiped his face and turned back.
"The bastards, do you think this is what they'll do to our people?"
"Maybe, assuming they are even here. Come on!" she said as she moved off to the nearest building and back to the shadows and safety.
As they reached a position close to the wooden wall around the hall, a low building caught the attention of Jonas. He stopped and moved closer to the door though he had to be careful as there were two torches burning gently outside. As he slowly walked further along the shadows moved and a well-armed guard came out.
Jonas and Synne froze, hoping they wouldn't be detected by the guard. Fortunately, the man appeared to be far more interested in drinking whatever was in his tankard to spot them. Synne and Jonas crept back to the safety of the wall and tried to peek inside. The windows were very small and fitted with thick iron bars. They were raised almost five feet from the ground.
"I'm guessing they don't want anybody getting out of this place," said Jonas as he tried to see through the gap but he couldn't quite reach high enough.
Synne tried to lift herself up but like Jonas she couldn't quite reach.
"Give me a lift up," she asked.
Jonas put his hands together and with Synne placing one foot in his palms he easily lifted her up to the gap. Once she reached it, she grabbed the bars with both hands and took some of the weight away from Jonas. She peeked in and at first could see nothing. It was completely dark inside and there appeared to be no torches or lanterns of any kind. As her eyes became accustomed to the low light though, she noticed a number of people along one of the walls. She stared closely before realising that there were scores of people, each of them sitting or lying down and they were chained to the wall. She looked from left to right, noting the other corridors and rooms, each one full of the same numbers of people. She looked down to Jonas.
"I'm coming down."
As she touched the ground, Jonas moved closer.
"Well?" he asked.
"Prisoners, hundreds of them."
Jonas, overcome by the excitement and the possibilities the news created forgot to keep quiet and called out much louder than he intended.
"Anybody you can recognise?"
Synne placed her finger to her mouth and Jonas, quickly remembering where they were, came over with a cold feeling that you only feel when something truly awful is about to happen.
"Nobody but it was really dark. Keep your voice down!"
"What are we going to do? This place is crawling with guards and there are only two of us?" asked Jonas as he fidgeted.
As they considered their options, two more guards walked slowly past. One carried what looked like a large hammer on his shoulder whilst the other carried an oil lamp that flickered, casting hard shadows wherever it went. Both men wore the rough clothing that seemed to be the uniform of the many bands of Raiders throughout the Wastelands along the borders of the North.
"Why don't we..." said Jonas, before being cut off.
"Hey!" shouted a man as he approached the two from a corner.
It was one of the Raiders, and on seeing the two intruders staying low to the wall, he turned to shout. Synne was on him in a flash and with one hand over his mouth, she plunged her narrow but wickedly pointed dagger deep into his throat. Black blood pumped out from the severed artery as he dropped to the ground, gurgling. Jonas ran over and helped pin him to the ground whilst looked suspiciously about for any more signs of trouble. With a final kick, the men went still, the life literally having drained out of him.
Synne lifted herself up and signalled for him to help her drag the body to the wall near the building. He was heavy but between the two of them, they did it quickly. Jonas groaned as he helped move the weight, the pain in his shoulder starting to kick in. With the body now out of the way, they looked about at their options.
"I say we break in now and try and get as many out as we can," said Synne.
"Are you kidding? We have no food or weapons for them and you saw the ground heading to the South. They will have to run for miles out in the open before they even hit the mountains. What then? The Raiders have the train and mounted warriors. I say we get back and tell the League about what we have found. They must take action," he argued.
Synne, starting to look angry, grabbed him and pulled him close so that her face was just a few inches away. At this distance, he could see the dark blood still tricking down her pale face.
"My brother, my friends and my people could be in there, I will not forsake them in this place when all I have to do is act. One more day and they could be dead!" she said angrily.
She turned and made her way to the doorway leading into the first building. The main entrance was a covered porch area that led to two large wooden doors. She placed her hand on the left door and applied a tiny amount of pressure. The door started to move and a squeak from its hinges made her stop. She turned to check on Jonas and was glad to see he had followed. She reached down and drew her sword, holding it close to her side whilst keeping her left hand free. Jonas did the same and moved up so he was close to the door.
"Ready?" she asked.
Jonas nodded. With a flicker of her wrist, she indicated for Jonas to open the door. As it swung open, she darted inside. The space was dark and cold and split into two corridors, one straight ahead and the other running from left to right. As she tried to gauge her position, a man lifted himself from a chair that was resting against the wall and in the shadows.
"Jonas!" she cried.
The man had barely reached his feet before she struck the man with a savage punch to the face. The blow struck his nose and cheek, spreading blood across his face. As he stumbled backwards, she followed him down to the floor and placed her knee on his chest.
"Take it easy!" cried Jonas as he moved ahead to restrain her.
"Back off, Jonas, he might have information!"
Turning back to the man on the floor, she applied a little more pressure to his chest before speaking.
"Who are these people?" she demanded.
"What?" spluttered the man.
"These prisoners, why are they here? Where are they from?" she asked again, putting more pressure on him.
He cried out in pain, the pressure obviously starting to take its toll.
"Workers," he muttered, "workers for the mine."
"Why are they chained up? Where are they from?" she said as loudly as she dared.
"Ask them yourself," he said before struggling again.
\*
Thrax had been on the move all day yet his stamina was exceptional and he showed no outward signs of tiredness. Though he had stopped for a short number of breaks, he had been on the move for hours. As expected he had met not a soul on his journey, this was hardly surprising though as he had seen nobody in these parts for several years. Only the occasional trader or student would come to him and they would always be from the South. Only a fool would head past the mountains and into the wild lands known to be occupied by the ever-embattled Raiders. Thrax had often wondered why most people didn't just didn't leave the Raiders to themselves and their self destructive tendencies. Any truce between them didn't seem to last more than a few months, sometimes just days.
The road, as expected, had allowed him to slash the time of his journey, by his estimation he could be only an hour away from the Trading Post. The sound of rushing water announced his arrival at the river that divided this section of the land and at one point in the past had stood as a border between territories.
As he walked down the road, he came to a large section that had collapsed into the river. At some point, a bridge had run though this part of the terrain but either the water or some other event had destroyed it and left just large clumps of rock and earth across the river. A series of wooden planks formed a rickety bridge that moved over its length but looked less than safe. As he made to move to the first section, he noticed movement on the other side of the river. He ducked down and as he did, managed to knock a small rock down the side of the riverbank. It clattered and bumped before dropping in the water.
"Who's there?" came a voice on the other side.
Thrax lifted his head slowly so he could get a look at those on the other side. From a pouch on his jacket, he brought out an old, battered pair of binoculars. He lifted them and though the image was slightly blurred, he could now see the strangers. From his position, it looked like there were three of them, two men and a woman plus a mule and a cart. The two older people of the three were standing near the cart whilst the third stood on the riverbank. The closest man was no warrior though he carried a staff that he tried to hold in as threatening manner as he could manage. They didn't look like trouble, so Thrax lifted himself up though kept a wary eye on the surroundings.
"Just me, what are you doing here?"
The man took a step back, surprised to see Thrax appear from the cover along the riverbank.
"We aren't looking for any trouble mister, we're on our way to the South."
Thrax stood up straight now, starting to relax.
"Don't be worried, I'm not looking for you. Tell me, why are you leaving the area?"
He started to make his way over the river and the stranger stepped back a few more steps, looking warily at the well-built and commanding figure of Thrax. The planks were not easy to navigate but with careful use of his staff, he managed to cross the river without complications. Once reaching the other side, he stayed a short distance from the group, so as to not frighten them.
"Do you know where the train goes?" he asked.
"The machine on the tracks?" asked the man.
Thrax nodded.
"I've never been there but I do know that some of our farmers were taken to work in the mine there. It is some kind of outpost used by the Raiders. We have done our best to stay away from them and keep to our farms which are well away from them."
"Are you heading back home then?" asked Thrax.
"Home?" replied the man with a snort of derision.
Thrax raised his eyebrow but said nothing. The two people that were standing near the cart approached. The short, plump, woman with the look of a hard-nosed farmer's wife, moved nearer to him and examined him closely.
"You're not from around here, I can't place your accent," she said.
"I'm originally from the city of Haven," he said, expecting some recognition.
"Haven? Where's that?" asked the other man.
"Haven is the greatest settlement south of the Wastelands and ruled by Lord Galan. It is one of the League cities," explained Thrax, though he suspected these simple folk had no idea what he was talking about.
The three in the group looked at each other and then back to him.
"South? I thought the Wastelands were impassable?" asked the woman.
Thrax turned his head in confusion.
"The South is split into many fiefs and kingdoms, each ruled by an alliance between two great forces, those of the Brotherhood the League. I wasn't aware there are settlements this far in the North."
"Well, you're right now. These Raiders have been fighting in our lands for the last year. They destroyed our last city just a few days ago," said the woman.
"We just can't hold them back. At first, they arrived with horses but then they built a fort and put down iron tracks. Every week the steam machine comes back with more warriors and they just keep coming. Only a few of us managed to escape from the attack, we heard some had made it through the Wastelands alive. Is it true then, I mean, about the Southlands?" asked the older man.
"Is what true?" asked Thrax.
"That there are great cities and fields full of fresh food in the old lands," replied the woman.
"Well, it isn't perfect but there are cities, farms and food."
The three looked happily at each other with this news.
"Well, nice to chat with you mister, but we must keep on, we only have so much food to keep us going," explained the younger man.
"Wait, can you tell me anything else about this land near the track? I am looking for my friends who I think might be at the end of the track," he asked.
"They don't want to be there, that is the home of the worst clan of them all. I've not seen it, but I've heard that is where they build and make the steam machines and mine in the ground."
"Do you know how I can get inside?"
"Hmm, well, if you turn left and follow the river it will take you to the east side of the place. You will smell it before you see it. Follow the black smoke and it will take you there. I would say no more than an hour. A few months ago, one of our town's boys managed to escape on a small boat on the river. It flows eastwards but it will be easier that way than going to the gate on the main entrance."
The small group returned to their cart and prepared to move on. Thrax took a sip of water and looked ahead along the river and into the distance.
"I hope your friends are okay, the Raiders are animals," said the woman as they moved away.
Thrax returned his flask and with one last look at the group, he continued on his journey to the North.
\*
Jonas was in the centre of the first large room and stood in stunned silence as he looked up and down at the rows of prisoners. They had tied and gagged the guard near the doorway, so they could keep an eye on him. Synne had already spoken to the first few prisoners and had unlocked their chains using the keys taken from the guard. As Jonas watched, he noticed movement outside the main door and moved quickly to the wall, so as not to be seen. He hissed quietly to get Synne's attention. She finished with the prisoners and crept slowly over to him.
"What's the problem?" she asked quietly.
There's movement outside. Have you found out how often they change the guards?"
"The next guard is due at sunrise, so that will be in about two hours, roughly."
"What have you found?" he asked her.
"Well, so far all of these people are from the villages and farms along the borders. Apparently, those chosen for use in the military have been taken further north to some kind of military camp. The rest of the Haven prisoners are being kept in the next building along. The trouble is, they have another two guards in there."
Jonas looked less than impressed.
"So we know they have prisoners here, what are we going to do?"
"The man over there says the Raiders have captured two engineers that they use to keep the train running. They keep them both at the fortified compound inside the settlement.
"So? You believe him? He would say anything for us to help him out of here. He could be worse than the Raiders for all we know!" exclaimed Jonas.
"No, I don't think so. He sounds terrified, said his brother was a blacksmith. They took him to make tools in the workshops before he tried to get away. They killed him a week ago and then killed another ten as punishment for defying them," she said with venom in her voice.
"Now, if we could break out the engineers, they could control the train and we could take the prisoners out on that."
Jonas almost laughed at the plan before moving closer to her. His expression changed from feigned amusement to slight anger.
"Synne, are you serious? You want to break out two of them, plus all these prisoners and get away on the train without anybody noticing? What if there is a problem with the train, or what if it is too slow to get away from here before the Raiders are on us?" he asked sarcastically.
"Well, I thought you might help," she replied with a wicked grin.
"I'm not joking with you, Synne."
"I know you aren't and neither am I. I say we take a dozen of them with us and move to the other end of the settlement. We can start a fire or something to keep them busy. Once they are occupied, we'll split into two groups, one to get the engineers and the other to get the prisoners down to the train. We keep it simple and do this thing one stage at a time. Right now we have surprise on our side," she explained.
One of the men recently released by Synne moved up to them. He was gaunt but there was fire in his eyes at the chance to do something.
"I heard you talking. I work in the storage areas where they keep all the chemicals. If you get me and a couple of others there we could start a fire of the size you've never dreamed of," he said with glee.
Synne looked back to Jonas who after a short pause nodded in agreement.
"Okay then, what is your name?" she asked.
"Eric," replied the man.
"Okay, Eric, I want you to release everybody else in this building and tell them to be ready. Keep them here and make no noise. Wait till we return and if anybody else comes in here, other than us, just pretend you are still tied up, understood?"
Eric nodded as she handed him the keys.
"What about the diversion?" he asked.
"We're going to the other prison building, we need to get the rest of them unlocked. We'll come back for you after that. I'm not leaving without everyone and we're going to need that diversion of yours," she said.
Eric smiled and turned back to the rest of the prisoners, many of whom were leaning forward, eager to hear what was going on. Synne moved back to Jonas.
"Let's go and check on the others, then we need to work out this plan!"
As they made to move, Jonas reached out and held her back.
"What about the guards?"
Synne withdrew her curved blade and held it in front of her.
"I think it's time we introduced ourselves to them," she said with a smile.
The darkness outside was already starting to fade. It wouldn't be long now before the sun rose. From his position about half a mile from the compound, Thrax had an excellent view of the place. He had also worked out the main entrance in from the south and the rail tracks that led back to the valley. The waterway entrance however was unguarded, exactly as described by the three travellers he had met previously. The narrow river passed directly through the settlement and it was the only point he could see where there was no kind of palisade or fortified entrance. The only real problem was that it was out in the open and the approach would expose him to the views from the walls to the north and south of the waterway.
Keeping low, he moved ahead along the bank of the river, always keeping his head down and listening for any signs of trouble. Every few minutes a head would pop up above the palisade wall to the north, presumably checking for intruders that might approach the entrance further along the base. They seemed very edgy, much more than he would have expected from a people that apparently controlled this entire area. As he moved a little closer, he could see the large wooden shed that rested near the rail tracks. It was the largest building in the entire place, apart from high tower at the end of the fortress-like Citadel. That building was the only structure he recognised as in the past it had been the home of a stage post and look out station for the Trading Post. Since then though, it looked as if it had been expanded and fortified into more of a military compound. A very different role for what used to be a peaceful place.
Just one large pile of rocks on the left bank of the river now stood between him and the outer wall of the base. With a final look for signs of the Raiders, he climbed over them and approached the bridge from below. Then he spotted two men stood chatting and directly in his path. One carried an oil lamp whilst the other scratched at his leg with a heavy looking mace. Thrax ducked back down, swearing quietly to himself.
"I'll have to wait till they move away," he said quietly whilst looking about for any other way inside.
\*
Synne and Jonas had left the first prison and were making the short trip around the back so they could reach the side entrance of the other building. From the outside, it appeared to be made in the same design. It was large, easily big enough for a hundred people and like in the first building, the windows were blocked off with substantial and extremely sturdy metal bars. As they rounded the corner, a man approached with a sack on his shoulder. The two stood completely still and waited in the darkness as he passed.
"That was close," whispered Synne.
Jonas looked to the right and the left, making sure the route was clear. He turned to Synne.
"You don't say!" he said sarcastically.
Synne nodded for them to move and they gently went forward to the wall of the building. The entrance was only a few feet away and with great care they approached each side of the door, doing their utmost to avoid standing directly in front of it in case there was anybody inside looking out. Synne moved to the left of the entrance whilst Jonas took the other side. They already had their swords drawn and held down very low to the ground to avoid any glinting or reflection that might be seen in the camp. From their position, they could see the small number of patrolling guards making their way around the base. At this time of the morning, they were still carrying their torches and the orange glow they emitted provided a handy signal as to where they were. Jonas moved up and waited next to the wooden frame whilst Synne braced herself.
"Ready?" she whispered.
Jonas nodded and with a single kick, he smashed through the door and without pause or hesitation, Synne was inside. There were three men waiting there, two guards, both of whom carried maces and one other who was smoking a cigar of some kind and holding a bag on his shoulder. The two guards wore the usual modified metal and rubber armour, though one of them was half-covered by a dark robe that hid his left side.
The man with the cigar jumped back and avoided the first slash delivered by Synne. He was faster than the other two and just that one move told Synne he was the most dangerous. He staggered back and the bag fell to the floor with a loud crashing sound. As he moved back, the two guards were then exposed to the full fury of the attack. Before the men could respond, Jonas stabbed the first through the face with his blade. The weapon punched through and embedded in the skull with a sickening sound and knocked the man backwards and then down to the floor. The second was quicker though and managed to strike at Synne before she could strike. As she rushed forward, the guard swung his mace and she was forced to parry the attack with her own sword, stopping the mace just inches from her face. The mace was heavy and a lesser blade could easily have shattered at this point. She didn't wait to congratulate herself though, and with the weapons locked she could see the confidence in the man's eyes at fighting in grappling distance at a mere woman. The thought angered her even more and with all the energy she could muster, she kicked hard at the man's legs, forcing him to buckle down. As he dropped to one knee, she followed up with her other leg, slamming her heavy leather boot into the man's jaw and sending him sprawling to the floor.
"You animal!" she screamed.
Bending down she was about to finish him off when she spotted something. She glanced quickly to the entrance and spotted a bright orange light moving towards the door. It was still open, revealing the ongoing battle to anybody who might pass. It must be an approaching patrol.
"The door!" cried Synne.
With her attention diverted from the battle, the man on the ground had managed to drag himself up and grabbing his fallen mace, he tried to strike her torso. She turned in time to spot him but could only jump back to avoid the attack and stumbled hard before hitting the wall. Shaking her head, she lifted her sword. The man rushed towards her, repeatedly striking with the mace. She ducked and parried, looking desperately for a chance to strike back but all the time his attacks forced her on the defensive.
In the middle of the room, Jonas was still struggling with the man he had just killed. With his foot on the dead man's head, pulled hard to release his blade and then turned for the door and the increasingly bright orange glow.
"I'm on it!" shouted Jonas as he reached out to pull the door shut.
As his hand grasped the rough wood of the door, an arm appeared from outside and grabbed him.
"Synne!" he cried but it was too late.
With a hard pull the man outside yanked him out onto the floor where he hit the ground in a crash of dust. He tried to cry out but many hands pulled at him and one of the men outside slammed his fist down into his stomach, instantly forcing the air from his lungs. Inside Synne was fighting a desperate battle with the second guard whilst the man with the cigar had picked up the mace from the fallen man and was moving around Synne, trying to get around her back.
"Jonas!" she cried but there was no response.
With the sound of the battle now rousing the prisoners in the building, they started shouting from both worry and excitement. The noise was the last thing Synne needed though.
"Who are you?" asked the man with the short, fat cigar still hanging from his mouth.
Synne stabbed towards him but he sidestepped and swung his mace towards her chest. As it came towards her, she wrapped her left arm around his forearm and locked the weapon. Unable to move the man panicked and tried to regain control of his weapon.
"None of your damned business!" she howled.
The other fighter came rushing in, striking wildly but this just made Synne's job easier. With a tug, she pulled the cigar-chomping Raider into the other man's path. The mace bit down hard into his head and the entire group smashed out through the door and into the dirt outside. The sun was still low but already it was starting to lighten. As she hit the ground, she noticed a large group of men in dark clothing, probably guards. She tried to get up but a thick, black boot pushed down on her wrist and pinned her to the floor. She looked up at her assailant, a large man who wore iron armour on his shoulders and chest and had specially fashioned vanguards and braces of thick rubber on his arms and legs. She looked at the man's face and spotted a flicker of recognition.
"Synne?" he asked in surprise.
"Synne, who is she?" asked one of his more senior henchman.
"She is the daughter of Galan," he cried loudly.
Synne recognised his voice immediately.
"Cainon! You bastard!" she swore.
The large man leaned down whilst more Raiders appeared to secure the position. Most of them carried hand weapons whilst two carried some kind of improvised firearm. The end of the weapons pushed out into what looked like a metal funnel. As he reached closer she could see his scars and tattoos, it was definitely him, the warlord of the Brotherhood and the man she had met back in the inn at Haven.
"I should have finished you off when we last met!" he growled.
He stepped back and looked about, expecting to see a horde of cavalry or warriors charge in to save the day. Nothing happened though.
"On your own and with no friends, just like your whelp of a father!" he added with a roar of laughter.
"Come here!" she said in an almost pleading tone.
Cainon, intrigued by what she might have to say came closer, two of his men kept her pinned down though, just in case. Summoning as much effort as she could muster, Synne lifted her head and spat in his face. Cainon jerked back, the spittle dripping from his chin. He lifted his left arm and struck her hard with the back of his fist. The powerful blow knocked her out easily and she slumped down to the floor with a thud.
"Bitch!" he swore.
Cainon signalled to one of his men to lift her up. This warrior was also wearing the garb of the Raiders, though a careful glance would reveal markings of the Brotherhood under his robe. As he moved over to assist, two more moved over to join him.
"Take her to the Citadel and put her with her brother. I'll be along shortly for a little chat," he said with a snigger.
The man nodded and lifted Synne to her feet but still keeping a firm hold of her hands. She was already starting to stir so the other two lifted her feet and between them they carried her along the path and towards the fortified Citadel high at the rear of the town. As they moved off, they left a dozen more men and the still restrained Jonas who was shouting and ranting, much to the amusement of the rest of the Raiders.
"You bastard! Why are you working with the Raiders?" shouted Jonas.
Cainon moved closely to him and started laughing. At this distance, Jonas could make out the detail on the scars along his face. His clothing was marked with untold stories of violence and battle.
"Who said anything about working with them?" he said as he turned and looked to the rest of the Raiders.
The group all started to laugh and one man, the closest to the right of Jonas pulled off his dark robe. Beneath it, he wore the black boiled armour of a warrior. The marking on his chest plate were of the Brotherhood, in particular the clan of Lar. With the man revealed to be what he was the others did the same and in just a few moments Jonas was silent, dumbfounded by what he saw.
"We are the Raiders!" said Cainon, as he continued laughing.
One of his men stood in front, waiting for orders.
"Sir, the perimeter wall is secure, there are no signs of intruders, it must just be them," he said.
"Really," he replied to the guard before turning to Jonas.
"Why are you here, little man?"
Jonas looked at him with nothing but anger in his face.
"Ah, forget it," he said with a laugh.
Cainon turned back to the guard.
"Put him with the rest of the prisoners, I'm sure we can find something for him to do."
He moved closer to Jonas as he was being dragged up.
"I'll get the information out of little Synne, I'm sure we'll have a real party with her!" he said with a snigger.
Jonas tried to break free but the guard holding him struck him in the stomach, forcing him to the ground and to silence. Lifting him up they proceeded to drag him towards the first prison building that they had only so recently been inside of. Cainon was already halfway to the Citadel and just four guards remained to ensure Jonas was secured in the prison. The rest returned to their guard duties on the outer walls. One of the men, a slightly shorter Raider compared to the rest, entered the prison first and immediately became suspicious when he could find no sign of the guard.
"Maloc," he called, "where are you?"
The other three had already hauled their prisoner inside when the door slammed shut behind them and trapping them all in the prison.
"Look out!" shouted the man nearest the door.
It was too late though, one of the many released prisoners wrapped his chains around the man and dragged him to the floor. He kicked and struggled but there were plenty of willing hands to grab him and pull their oppressor into the darkness. The other Raiders suffered the same fate and in just seconds all four of them were on the ground and pinned to the floor by dozens of starved but vengeful prisoners. Recognising Jonas, the shrouded figure of Eric stepped forward and ordered his release.
"What's happening? We heard some kind of struggle outside," he said.
Jonas coughed but did his best to silence the noise.
"They, they took Synne to the Citadel, we are never going to get near the engineers."
One of the other prisoners came forward.
"I know where they keep the prisoners in the Citadel."
Eric turned to the man and spoke quietly to him for almost a minute. Jonas, becoming more frustrated finally interrupted them.
"Come on, we need to do something!"
"Listen, my friend. My brother here knows a service entrance that is used to deliver water and food into the Citadel. We can get a few people inside but I don't know how we can get everybody else out of the base."
"Maybe I can help," came a hoarse voice from the shadows.
A tall men stepped into view from the side wall.
"Thrax?" asked Jonas in shock.
"Indeed. And it looks like I am going to have to save your necks once again!" he said with a chuckle.
Jonas moved up to Thrax though he had a look of doubt or suspicion on his face.
"How did you get inside, the place is guarded?"
"Well, the one good thing about your arse of a plan is you made such a fuss you peeled the guards from the perimeter, giving me just the chance I needed to get inside," he said with a hint of a grin.
"Now, where is Synne?" he asked.
Jonas put his face in his hands and started to pace the room.
"The Brotherhood, they, they took her!" he cried.
Thrax stepped closer, pushed his arm out and stopping Jonas.
"Brotherhood?"
\*
It must have been at least an hour, maybe more before Synne woke. The first thing she noticed was the bright light coming in through the barred window high above her. She must be on her side though, as the dark room looked the wrong way up. As she sat up her head started to swim and she felt she would vomit. She opened her eyes and tried to steady herself. The room was small, more like a storage room and empty apart from the dust and straw. The only light was that coming in from the barred window and though it was bright it only lit a small rectangular section in the middle of the room. The walls were all bathed in shadows and from where she sat, it was impossible to tell if she was alone or with other prisoners. She moved a few inches before the rustle of metal indicated the chains locked around her arms.
"Oh great, back in a cage!" she muttered.
Something moved in the corner of the room and she tried to move away but found her hands chained to a ring on the wall and the minimal movement they offered gave her no chance to move to safety.
"Stay away!" she growled in the direction of the sound.
No sooner had she spoken that the sound disappeared and the room reverted to its previous quiet state. For a second she thought it may have all been in her mind.
"Synne, Synne?" asked a hoarse voice.
"Who is that?" she asked though certain she recognised the tone.
"It's me, Ulric."
Synne pulled hard on her chains but no matter how hard she pulled, she couldn't get any closer. After one final tug, she dropped down and looked over to the man in the shadows.
"Ulric, is it really you?" she pleaded.
Before a response was forthcoming, a large door to the side creaked open. A dull light poured through and lit up the room. She glanced briefly about the room, spotting at least five other people chained up along the walls.
"It's time we had a little chat," came the booming voice from her hated foe, Cainon.
"You bastard, Cainon. Why have you done this? We are allies!" she shouted.
The tall man stayed where he was and waited whilst two men in body armour entered the room and removed her chains. They forced her to her feet and pushed her towards the doorway.
"Synne!" shouted the prisoner.
Once everybody had left the room it was just Cainon stood there in the light. He looked around the room and then directly at the man who had been shouting.
"Don't worry about your little sister Ulric, we'll take really, really good care of her!" he said.
He turned and stormed out of the room to the sounds of shouting and screaming from the tiny prison.
\*
Jonas and Eric were dressed in the captured garb of the Raiders and carrying the looted weapons. They walked casually along the road and towards the wide building just a few hundred feet from the Citadel. As they approached, they spotted Thrax who had already taken position in the undergrowth near the locked door at the front. Eric stopped a few feet short of the door and turned, giving the impression he was guarding the place. At the same time, Jonas moved over to Thrax and into the cover.
"We've checked the route behind the prison, you're right, Thrax. There are only three guards between the buildings and the storage sheds with the train."
"Good, you ready for this?" he asked.
"Yeah. I'm ready," he said though Thrax didn't look overly convinced.
Staying as low as he could, Thrax crept to the door and inserted two pieces of metal into the heavy lock. One of the tools was a simple metal rod with a twist at one end. The other item was flatter and he placed this near the entrance of the lock to apply pressure.
"How much longer?" asked the nervous Jonas.
"Patience, it will open when it's ready," he said almost at the same time as the lock clicked and the door swung open.
Thrax looked behind them, checking for signs of trouble. It looked clear.
"Get inside," he said quietly.
Jonas entered the building first and Thrax followed quickly, pulling the door shut behind them. The two pushed on inside, both looking in awe at what they could see around them. The building was a single room, like a large storage depot and decked out with shelving on all four walls as well as three rows running through the centre, also packed with shelving. Thrax took the left whilst Jonas went down the centre, looking at the equipment. Most of the space was taken up with edged weapons and there were hundreds and hundreds of items. The majority of the weapons were the simple and crude curved and straight blades used by the Raiders. They were simply made and hilted in cloth and leather. Next to them were dozens of crossbows and bows and even half a dozen of the powder weapons. The end wall was taken up with box after box of supplies including arrows, bolts, lead balls and powder.
"They've got enough for an entire army here!" said Jonas.
Thrax knocked the lid off a wooden crate and pulled out a well-crafted metal helmet. He placed it on his head and was pleased so find it fitted.
"You've got that right, my friend, I suggest we put it to good use."
"How can we get the prisoners here though?" asked Jonas.
"Did you see the building a little further along, the one with the cylinder outside?"
"The one with the two guards outside?"
"Yeah, that one. Did you smell the naphtha? That place will burn and burn well. I suggest we start a fire to get their attention. The naphtha will spread around very quickly. Once they start panicking, we break out the prisoners into two groups. One to secure the train, the second will come here and grab everything they can carry. We will meet back at the train."
"What about us?" asked a confused Jonas.
"Well, without engineers we aren't going anywhere are we?" he asked rhetorically.
"What if they aren't there?"
"We have to take that chance. Anyway, I'm not leaving without Synne."
Thrax grabbed one of the large canvas packs and started to load in knives, maces and small swords.
"What are you doing?" asked Jonas.
"We need to give the prisoners a fighting chance. They can't take and hold the train with just harsh language now, can they?" he asked with a grin. "Come on, grab what you can and let's get going."
They continued to fill two packs until they carried over forty weapons between them. Lifting the heavy sacks, they approached the door that led back outside and towards Eric. Thrax opened the door a crack and looked outside. He paused for a moment before turning back.
"It's okay, let's go!"
The two left the building and walked past Eric and back onto the path. It was hard to look nonchalant as they walked through the town but luckily, the only other people wandering about looked more worried of the guards than they were. Some were workers and others looked like they were the lower echelons of the Raider's organisation and running menial errands. In less than two minutes they had reached the prison buildings and were inside. They dumped the weapons on the floor and the people inside eagerly grabbed them.
"We need to get you to the train. I need volunteers to get more weapons from the armoury, the rest of you will wait here until we can arm you," said Thrax.
A chatter started and before long it turned into a heated debate. Jonas, sensing trouble stood on a chair to get their attention. One of the ringleaders called out to him.
"Why can't we go to the train now, we have weapons?"
"All you will do is draw attention to yourselves. Wait here until we are altogether and then we will get to the train in one group."
Thrax joined in, "It is pretty simple, we need those with combat experience to go first. They will secure enough weapons for you all and meet back here. If we go early all we will do is draw attention to our plan," he explained.
"Won't they see us going for the armoury?" asked one.
"What are you going to be doing," asked another.
"Listen, we don't have time for this. Jonas and I have more prisoners to rescue from the Citadel. You will all wait here until you here a blasting sound. That is the diversion and the signal for all of you to get going. Once you hear it the combat team, that is you," he said as he pointed to the armed volunteers waiting at the front, "will get to the armoury. Don't dawdle, get what you can, get back here and then secure the train and the sheds. We will be back soon. Understood?"
The group nodded and started chatting to each other excitedly. Jonas jumped down and walked over to Thrax.
"Come on then, we have a job to do."
"No kidding, let's go," replied Thrax.
\*
Synne was strapped down on a large wooden table and surrounded by four men, only one of whom she recognised, the traitorous Cainon of the Brotherhood. Above her hung a series of lamps, each one adding to the dull yellow glow that pervaded the room. She looked over to Cainon who stood to one side with a sneer on his face.
"What do you want?" she asked.
Cainon turned to the wall and removed a tool with a short, razor sharp looking blade fitted to the end. He moved towards her and stopped a few feet away from her face.
"First, I want you tell me all you know about your library. Where are all your books, little girl? Even more important though, we're going to have a little fun with you," he said with a laugh.
The other three men all started laughing, enjoying her squirm and no doubt looking forward to whatever plans they had in mind. He moved closer and ran the blade lightly along her leg and towards her thigh.
"Tell me then, where are the books?" he demanded.
Synne tried to move but the thick leather straps held her firmly to the table, she was totally helpless.
"What books?"
"Funny!" shouted Cainon.
He pushed the blade through the fabric of her trousers just above her knee and cut into the flesh. It was a shallow cut but the pain was evident as Synne cried out. With the blade still stuck in, he drew it up an inch, cutting through her skin. Blood dripped from the light wound onto the table and a few drops fell to the floor.
"We lost the books when you destroyed our library!" cried Synne.
"No, you know that isn't true, my dear. Of course we burned the library, we burned everything but all the books were gone."
Cainon pulled the now bloodied blade from her leg and drew it gently along her thigh and towards her breasts.
"Now, I will ask you once more and then we start removing things, one at a time," he said with a lewd tone.
A low rumble shook through the room and one of the lamps fell to the ground, the oil running over the wick and extinguishing the flame. Several more blasting sounds echoed through the place and two men rushed in through the open door.
"We're under attack, the outer palisade it breached and the naptha stores are burning," said the first.
"Who is attacking us? We have a deal with the rest of the clans. Send the signal, all warriors to their posts!" he barked.
Turning back to the wounded Synne he rubbed the blade along her torso, scratching the black leather of her corset before the sound of the action outside forced him to leave. As he went for the door, he turned back.
"I will be back soon and we will continue our fun!" he said and slammed the door behind him.
\*
Thrax, Eric and Jonas were waiting behind the inner wall of the compound, the last fortification that stood between them and the Citadel. So far, the plan was going even better than planned. The naphtha had proven easy to spread around four locations and once the fires were started the entire storage shed had burned and then exploded. Thick black smoke spread across the town and it provided the perfect cover for their escape. With the alarm raised the prisoners had successfully rushed the armoury, and helped by Eric, had taken a vast quantity of arms with which to defend themselves. A small number had gone on the rampage, attacking any guards or property they could find in a violent orgy of burning and chopping. The majority had stuck to the plan though and were already securing the storage sheds and train ready for their escape. All that was needed, was the rescue of Synne and the engineers.
A group of Raiders came rushing out through the main entrance and headed off down to the path to the sound of the battle. Over a dozen of them, all armoured and well equipped were on their way and Thrax was certain there couldn't be many of them left in the Citadel.
"Come on, we need to get inside!" he said.
He reached behind and pulled the massive two-handed sword from his back. Even in his hands, the sword looked like the kind of weapon that should be carried by a Titan. Pushing ahead, he moved out into the open space in front of the guarded entrance to the Citadel. As expected the numbers were low, just four men remained and only two were looking towards him. He stepped forward with the weapon low and trailing behind him to the right. To the inexperienced fighter the sword looked like any other and being so low, it looked far from dangerous. He moved past the gate and inside the compound. The two nearest guards drew their swords and moved to block him.
"Hey!" shouted the first.
The other two men heard the commotion and drew their own weapons to join their comrades.
"Get out of my way!" ordered Thrax.
The four men refused, not that Thrax expected anything different. Though he was a big man, the Raiders were no weaklings. They rushed him, all four at once to increase their chances of success. As the first two came within his range, he stepped back with his left foot and brought up his mighty sword from his lower right. It cut upwards in an arc and slashed up in front of him. The first man he caught just under the ribs and the blade continued through his body and moved onto the second where it struck his arm and head. He rested the sword on his left side, the point almost vertical and waited. The following Raiders were already too close to stop though and they leapt into action.
Jonas jumped into the open space to help but Thrax was already pushing back the two Raiders.
"Get inside, find her!" shouted Thrax as he hacked away.
Jonas ran around the vicious melee and towards the large, grand doorway that led inside the Citadel. The door was open and his instincts told him to check. He moved to the side and peeked around the corner to see what was happening inside. From his position, he could make out several figures in the large open room who were arguing about something. He turned back to see Thrax approaching, the two Raiders dead and in several bloody pieces on the ground.
"What is it?" he asked as he moved to the doorway.
"There are more inside," replied Jonas.
Thrax, unfazed by what he said, reached down and pulled out a small folding-crossbow from a leather sheath on his side. He tossed it to Jonas.
"You know how to use this?" he asked.
Jonas simply nodded and flicked the lever that pushed out the folding side sections. Thrax reached his other side and pulled out an identical weapon that he held in his left hand. He kept the massive sword in his right but held it low so as not to get in the way.
"Now!"
They both ran inside and into the wide hallway. It was sparsely furnished, inside the room was big enough to house easily up to a hundred people at a time. In the centre of the room stood the great hulk of Cainon whilst on each side of him stood two equally vicious looking men, both of whom were dressed in the armour of his clan and certainly not as the Raiders. They already had their swords drawn and rushed towards Thrax whilst Cainon took a large, two-handed mace from the rack of weapons on the wall.
"Now!" shouted Thrax.
Jonas lifted his crossbow and aimed carefully at the closest enemy. He pulled the iron lever and the steel tipped bolt covered the short distance to strike into his forehead. No sooner had it struck his skull and Thrax did the same. His bolt hit the second warrior in the chest but it wasn't enough to stop him. Without so much as a second thought Thrax dropped the weapon and grasped the blade of his sword with his left hand whilst keeping his right on the hilt. Doing this shortened the weapon and changed its characteristics into that of a short spear. With a quick jab, he embedded the tip of his sword directly into the man's chest. The combination of the stabbing motion and the momentum of the running man forced his body along the blade until a good six inches of metal pushed out from his back. Jonas threw his crossbow down and drew his own sword whilst Thrax extracted his blade from the dying warrior.
"Where is she!" shouted Jonas.
Cainon moved closer, holding the two-handed mace out in front of him.
"Poor lover boy misses his girl!" he laughed.
Taking a step forward, he swung the weapon. It was heavy and the mass of the weighted head could smash chunks from masonry and crush a man's bones. Jonas only just managed to avoid the strike and ended up stumbling and crashing to the floor in his desperation to avoid the hit. Thrax wasn't awed by either the man or the mace and he knew from experience, that a heavy swing like that would over balance the man. He judged his charge to time with the weapon just passing its apex and crashed into him. Both men staggered across the room before hitting the wall. Cainon was no weakling though and although he was pinned to the wall, he immediately started to deliver low punches into Thrax's ribs and stomach. Each strike hit like a hammer and for a moment Thrax almost dropped to the floor. Shear willpower kept him standing though and with much effort, he lifted his left leg and slammed his knee hard into Cainon's crotch. It was a powerful strike and instantly stopped the rapid punches he had been absorbing. As Cainon dropped from the attack, Thrax followed up with a hammer fist blow to the side of his head that sent Cainon to the ground, stunned and unable to continue the fight.
"You okay?" asked Thrax as he stepped back, still wheezing from the punches.
Jonas lifted himself up off the floor and staggered over to him.
"I'll live," he replied with a forced smile.
As he approached Cainon he couldn't see him moving.
"Is he dead?"
Thrax bent down and checked for the man's pulse.
"He's just stunned, he'll be back up soon though."
He pulled back his jacket to reveal two small daggers, both pushed inside thick leather sheaths. Jonas stepped forward and held his arm.
"Hey, what are you doing? We need him," said Jonas.
Thrax looked down at the man and then back at Jonas.
"What do you mean? He's just another thug that needs to be dealt with."
"No, he is Cainon, the son of Lar and the leader of his clan. He could be useful," explained Jonas.
"Useful? You mean like a hostage?" he asked with a wry look.
"Exactly."
Thrax nodded whilst smiling.
"Now you're thinking like one of Galan's men. Good idea."
Thrax moved over to the wall where the weapons were stacked and untied a long piece of rope that had been wrapped around a batch of blades. He tossed it over to Jonas.
"Here, tie him up, I'll check for prisoners."
As Jonas worked on keeping Cainon under their control, Thrax headed to the back of the room and a small doorway. As he approached, he came to a small corridor with three doors, one in front and one on each side. Each of the doors was fitted with a sliding metal slat about the size of his head. He pulled back the first one and looked inside. It was a dark room but he could make out the shapes of several people tied up along the walls.
"What's going on out there?" asked one.
"Who's there?" came a voice from the room behind him.
"Where are the engineers?" asked Thrax.
"Engineers? Why do you want to know?" asked the prisoner in a suspicious tone.
"We're breaking everybody out, we need the engineers to work the train," explained Thrax though his tone suggested he was quickly losing patience.
"In that case we're who you need. I'm Tom and this is Jac, we're responsible for servicing and running the engines."
Thrax pulled the iron bar that unlocked the door and stepped inside. As he entered, Jonas arrived from his tying up of Cainon.
"Engines? There is more than one?" asked Thrax.
Before he could answer, Jonas interrupted.
"It sounds pretty bad out there. We need to get Synne and the engineers out of here."
"Is Cainon secure?"
Jonas turned and pointed to the prisoner who he had obviously dragged along the floor to where they were. Thrax smiled.
"Good work, you check the other rooms, I'll get these guys out."
Jonas moved to the room opposite whilst Thrax searched about for the keys to the chains. It didn't take long to find them hanging from a ring on the far wall. As he released the first man, he was surprised to find the second was a woman.
"You're one of the engineers too?" he asked.
"Of course. Why wouldn't I be?" replied an indignant Jac.
"I, uh, come on, we need to go," said a flustered Thrax.
As he helped them up, he remembered Tom mentioning the engines.
"What did you mean when you said more than one train?"
"They aren't trains, they are engines," said the man who was then interrupted by Jac.
"They've had us working on them for almost a year now, since they got hold of the plans from up north somewhere. They have the main engine that goes down to the Trading Post most days. We've also been working on their military engine for three months now," she explained.
Thrax helped them to the door before stopping Jac. He made to speak but Jonas appeared from the side room with several prisoners.
"Look who I've found. Ulric, the son of Galan!" he said with a smile.
The badly bruised, but proud looking Ulric staggered out of the room along with two other men who were in equally bad condition. Thrax extended his hand to the brother of Synne.
"I am Thrax, an old friend of your father. I haven't seen you since you were a small boy."
"My father spoke of you often, it pained him that you were split by the troubles."
"Yes, the Brotherhood, and its scheming, has a lot to answer for," Thrax said as he glanced back at the still unconscious Cainon.
Ulric, watching his gaze spotted the man on the ground and rushed for him.
"You bastard!" he shouted.
Thrax grabbed him though and held him back.
"I know, I know. He is a bargaining chip, we might need him to get out of here. Trust me, you will get a chance to deal with him soon enough. For now, we need to find your sister."
Ulric shook and struggled before calming down, the realisation of their bigger problems finally hitting home.
"Jonas, take the engineers and get them to the train. Look after them," he said.
"Can you work the train?" he asked Tom.
"Of course, we pretty much built the thing!" said an almost indignant Tom.
"What did you mean by a military engine?" he asked.
"It is pretty simple, just a modified engine, or train as you call it. It has a few changes made for battle conditions. I don't see why it would ever be needed. It has armour around the boiler and all the crew sections, and we've just fitted fighting platforms for the guards," Jac said.
"Can you get it working for our escape?" asked Thrax.
The two both nodded in agreement.
"Good, get going, we will be with you once we find Synne."
The small group left to go back through the main hall and out of the front entrance. They moved quickly but carefully, ever on the lookout for stray guards. As they moved past the weapons, they each grabbed a sword or spear, anything that they felt comfortable holding. In seconds, they were out of the door and in the open.
Thrax and Ulric stood at the end of the corridor, there was just the one door left to check.
"You ready?" asked Thrax.
Ulric nodded and Thrax pulled back the bar to gain access to the room. They stepped in and were surprised to find the warm glow from the oil lamps hanging from the ceiling. In the middle of the small room was a table, Synne lay lifelessly on top. Part of her clothing was cut, or torn away and several small pools of blood had already formed on the floor.
"No!" shouted Ulric as he rushed forward.
He grabbed at the straps and undid the buckles to free his wounded sister. Thrax leaned down towards her face, listening for breathing.
"She's alive," he said whilst checking her body from top to bottom.
Ulric lifted her up and tried to put her onto his shoulder.
"Her wounds look superficial, I think she'll be ok. Come on, we need to go!" Thrax shouted.
The three remaining prisoners who had stayed behind helped to lift her to Ulric's shoulder, the small group then made for the door and into the hall.
"You three, carry that thing. We'll need him for later," said Thrax as he pointed to the still body of Cainon.
They may have been weak and exhausted but the sight of their hated enemy gave them a newly found source and energy. Thrax could only imagine the thoughts running through their heads as they grabbed him, half-dragging and carried him out and to the front of the Citadel. As they emerged from the dark building and into the sunlight it was clear that the entire base had erupted into a swirling melee of fire, smoke and fighting. Small groups of people ran towards and away from the fires. Some carried water, others possessions and smaller numbers carrying weapons to join the fight.
"Looks like you've started a revolt," said Ulric, as he groaned under the weight of his wounded sister.
Thrax was dusty and covered in patterns of filth and blood but something about him reminded Ulric of the old descriptions his father had given of the great warriors in the golden age. He was a big man and with the mighty two-handed sword back in his grasp, there was nobody in the town that would dare challenge him.
"Yeah, pity about that!" he replied with a smile.
They continued down the path and through the smoke towards the storage sheds. They passed over a dozen bodies, most of them guards but also the odd prisoner. A group of four people led by Eric appeared. They were all armed and look like they'd been very busy.
"Glad you made it. The engineers are firing up the engine, they say it will take another ten minutes to get it hot enough to move," he said.
The rest of the group moved up to help Ulric and the others with the wounded Synne and the unconscious Cainon.
"We've got a problem though," said Eric.
"Why am I not surprised?" answered Thrax. "What is it?"
While we were securing the sheds, a group of a dozen Raiders managed to escape on horseback and headed north.
"Where are they going?" asked Ulric, overhearing the conversation.
"We had to find a guard and he said, after a little encouragement, that there is a fort near the bridge about twenty miles north of here."
"A fort?" exclaimed Ulric.
"Yes, they are building them everywhere they extend the rail tracks, there could be anything up to about fifty warriors waiting there," he said with a slight tremble in his voice.
"In that case, my friend, we'd better get on the train heading south, fast!" said Thrax.
They rounded the final corner and in front of them stood the mightiest and most savage long machine any of them had ever seen. It looked just like the normal steam engine but there were metal gantries overhanging the sides, metal plates and spikes running along the bottom and mounts for crossbows and powder weapons at key areas. A large smoke stack pushed up from the middle of the machine and from the top, a great cloud of steam puffed out.
Behind the train were two large wagons, each of them was equipped with metal plates that ran down the sides so people could be transported safely without being hit by missile fire. There were already dozens of people in them and more were climbing onboard. A head popped out from a hatch posited at the end of the massive boiler.
"She's nearly ready, get on board!" shouted Jac.
At least a dozen people, including Synne, had been taken to the second wagon where there was more space for those needing help. Jonas and Ulric stayed with her, ever protective and keen to ensure she recovered quickly. Thrax on the other hand was at the front of the train, stood atop one of the fighting platforms above the engine where he had the best view of the distant, smouldering ruin of the town they had left behind them. By his estimate, they would take at least an hour to reach the top of the valley and then another couple of hours from there until they reached the outpost. The train was going much more slowly than he had hoped.
"Can't you go any faster?" he shouted down.
Tom, one of the engineers was busy loading fuel into the furnace that heated the boiler. He leaned back to shout back to Thrax.
"It takes time to heat up, plus this engine is heavy, real heavy. We'll speed up soon enough," he said before turning back to the fuel.
Satisfied that they were in no immediate danger he climbed down and worked his way along the train until he reached the wagon with the wounded. In the corner was Cainon, he was now awake and tied securely to the side by three separate ropes. Thrax walked up closely to the man, looking at his eyes but saying nothing. Cainon was gagged, and could do little other than struggle and scowl. He moved over to where Synne was sitting up and talking with Jonas and Ulric.
"How are you doing?"
"I'm okay, Thrax, looks like we have you to thank for our rescue."
"Next time don't sneak off, understand?" he said before turning to Ulric.
"What do you know about the Brotherhood's plans in these parts? It seems to me that they are building up their forces in this region and have strong support with the Raiders."
Jonas turned his head in disagreement before moving closer to Thrax.
"You couldn't be more wrong, Thrax, they aren't supported by the Raiders. That isn't the issue at all, the problem is that they are the Raiders!" he said loudly.
Thrax moved to Cainon and in one swift movement ripped off the gag tied around his mouth. The prisoner coughed and spluttered but said nothing.
"What is your relationship with the bandits and Raiders along the border?" demanded Thrax.
Cainon was silent, the only visible expression being a slight sneer every time Thrax raised his voice.
"It is true, I heard it from Cainon's own mouth," said Jonas.
Thrax turned back to Cainon, examining him in detail. He was going to turn away when he spotted the malice and grin on the man's face. With a simple jab, he struck him in the temple and once again, he passed out.
"Thrax!" called out Synne.
"What? You telling me you wouldn't do the same. Right now we have bigger concerns and do you want him listening in?"
Jonas and Synne looked at each other, both knowing they agreed.
"If this is true and even one clan from the Brotherhood could muster the Raiders into a fighting force, the League would never stand against them. They are better equipped, better trained and have been fighting for years," said Synne.
"True. I guarantee the Guild will look to concessions or give ground in some way to avoid a fight," said Jonas much contempt.
The whistle on the train screeched, drowning out all sounds and drawing everybody's attention to the engineers at the front of the train. Jac was waving a cloth and trying to get the attention of Thrax and Synne.
"Come on, let's see what they want!" said Thrax as he helped Synne up.
"You okay to walk?" asked Jonas.
"I'll live, the wounds weren't deep."
"Are you sure?" asked Ulric with a tone that suggested he was less than convinced.
She nodded and with a little effort pulled herself over the side of the wagon and onto the fuel tender being pulled directly behind the heavy metal engine. In total, there were four main parts to their mechanical monstrosity. The first part was the engine itself. It was armoured and some of the escapees were already on the fighting positions and carrying the looted weapons from the camp. Behind this was the tender, a small wagon that was loaded with coal with which to burn. Behind this section were two large passenger wagons, each modified with armour and filled with those they had rescued. The train carried about seventy people, though few were warriors.
Thrax climbed onto the back of the engine and started talking to Jac. Synne followed closely behind. Ulric stayed back and started checking the weapons in case they were needed for a fight.
"Climb up and look behind us!" said Jac.
Thrax climbed the ladder on the side of the train, being ever careful to avoid the hot metal of the water bearing parts of the machine. Once he reached the top, he came across Eric who was busy examining the horizon behind them.
"Thrax, we've got a problem, look!" he said as he pointed north.
Thrax followed the direction of his arm and instantly spotted the problem. A line of dust indicted an unknown number of pursuers and based on the clouds of dust, they were moving fast. Thrax leaned over the side and shouted down to Jac.
"Can you get this thing to go any faster? They are gaining on us!"
"No way, we're on the limit. If we push any harder we could blow the boiler."
"If we lose the boiler we lose the entire train!" added Tom, who was still busy fiddling with the controls and loading in more coal.
Synne was halfway up the ladder and holding out something, it was Thrax's binoculars. Thrax grabbed them and helped her up to the platform on top of the engine. Her clothing was still damaged but other than a few bandages, she looked in pretty good shape. Her robe had gone but she still wore her Raider gear that she had taken from Thrax's home.
"I see you helped yourself to some of my gear?" he said with a grin.
"What were you doing with this?" she asked, placing her hand on the corset.
Thrax grinned.
"Another time," he said.
Lifting the binoculars he pointed them in the direction of the gathering dust cloud, already it appeared the shapes were getting closer. With the magnified view, he could now make out the numbers, also their method of transportation.
"How is that possible?" he said, with grave concern.
"What is it?"
Thrax ignored her for a moment and leaned over the side, shouting down to the two engineers.
"Tom, I need you up here, now!" he barked.
Tom at first ignored him but it was clear there was a big problem going on.
He started to climb the ladder though he was far less sure of himself as he balanced precariously on the shaking engine.
"What is it?"
"They have a train!"
Synne reached for his binoculars and checked for herself whilst Thrax helped Tom to the platform. She looked carefully at the vehicle on the track about a mile behind them and then at the dust off to the right of the track near the approaching train.
"You're right, they have another train, look to the right," she said as she handed the binoculars back to Thrax.
He lifted them and examined the approaching enemy. His expression changes from surprise to irritation.
"We've got some problems on our way. It looks like a group of about thirty mounted fighters plus the train. We could be talking fifty warriors and they are not looking to chat," he said to Synne.
"We're not going back, we'll fight, don't you worry about that," said Eric.
"I know you will, go and pass the word to everybody on the train, they need to be ready for battle and fast," asked Synne.
Eric nodded and moved to the ladder.
"What about me?" asked Tom.
"Just keep us heading south as fast as you can. Keep those side doors closed. I know it's hot but we can't afford to lose you. Stay safe and don't stop!" he said firmly.
Tom nodded and moved to the ladder to follow Eric down the ladder.
After helping the man onto the ladder, Synne moved back to Thrax who stood motionless, just watching the closing dust clouds.
"What are you thinking?"
"I'm thinking it's time we got a little payback," answered Ulric before Thrax could respond.
Synne smiled.
"What do you want me to do?" she asked.
"Who put me in charge?" he replied.
"Well, age before beauty, plus, you have the combat experience. Thrax, we need your help on this one," she said.
"This one?" he replied with a laugh.
"Synne's is right Thrax. You've got years of experience with these kind of situations. We will defer to your judgement in this fight," said a considerate Ulric.
Thrax loomed about the train, checking for weaknesses in their position before turning back to them.
"I need you to check on the fighters, make sure everybody is armed and they know what to do. The priority is the engine, if we lose it or the engineers we're done. The train behind will have to board us on the last wagon. I will command the defence from there with Ulric. I reckon that is where the fighting will be the hardest."
Ulric nodded as he examined the rear of the train. Thrax then moved to Synne.
"Your job will be to hold the engine. Stay up here where you have a good view. You can expect them to send a small number of people here but they have plenty of parts to hold on to. Just keep them from the cab."
He then moved to Jonas who looked concerned about the role he would be playing.
"You're reliable and I've already seen you fight. I need you to take charge of the middle wagon and provide help and reinforcement if we need it."
Synne looked about the train and a flicker of doubt entered her mind. The last time she had faced these people had been when they, or people like them, had stormed Haven. Back then, even well trained and equipped warriors had found it difficult and ultimately they had failed. This time they were a motley band of civilians with little to no experience and limited weapons. Looking further to the north the train was getting ever closer, it was clear that the following train was faster, presumably because it wasn't modified for battle like theirs and also possibly because it wasn't hauling wagons and people. She could only hope.
"Synne!" shouted Jonas from the first wagon.
The noise this high on the train made it almost impossible to hear him. She grabbed the ladder and slid down. In just a few bounds, she was on top of the tender and just a few feet away from him.
"Thrax just told me the plan. I have forty people in this wagon and about the same as that in the rear section. Thrax has taken the best weapons to defend the rear. How many have you got for the engine?"
Synne looked back, checking on the status of the armoured front of their train.
"I've got five up there on the platforms. They all have crossbows and spears," she answered.
"That's not many, take some of mine," he offered.
"No, we don't have much space and it's a lot harder to reach us than you, just look at this thing," she said as she pointed to the sides of the wagon.
From where they stood, the wagon was essentially an open topped transport with thin metal armoured walls on the sides. Every foot a small gap had been cut, so that a projectile weapon or spear could be pushed out. Synne noticed a large gap on the one side of the wagon where no armour had been fitted and the gap ran almost to the base of the wagon.
"What happened there?" she asked.
Jonas shrugged as he looked at the opening.
"There are a few sections like that, looks to me like they didn't finish building this train."
"Oh great, that is perfect. You need to watch those breaches, if we know about them so do they!" she exclaimed.
A loud screech, just like the one before came from the train's whistle. Synne looked back at the rear of the train and could see Thrax ordering the people about. Ulric was getting a line of spearmen in a rough position to defend the last part of the train. Back at the front, Jac was waving frantically to get her attention. Synne signalled, to be met with Jac pointing off to the side. Synne turned her head to see a dozen mounted warriors galloping as fast as the train and only a hundred feet away of the side of the wagon.
"Here they are, good luck!" she shouted and jumped up to the tender and towards the engine.
As she landed on the metal platform at the rear of the engine, she noticed Tom had pulled a metal bar from a hatch on the side and had placed it on a shelf.
"What's that?" she asked as she leaned out to the ladder.
"This? Oh, just my little friend in case anybody gets too close!"
"Nice!" replied Synne, and with a few tugs lifted herself onto the top of the engine.
Resting on the platform were several weapons including a heavy wooden crossbow, short spear and one of the curved swords she had taken from the Raiders. She bent down and picked up the crossbow. It was one of the Raider's weapons and the underside was equipped with an irritating metal blade that pushed out almost a foot out in front of the end of the weapon. The rest of the defenders on the engine did the same and loaded their weapons, readying themselves for the action. Another blast from the whistle indicated the enemy were near. Synne turned to check the rear of the train and was horrified to see a huge cloud of black smoke covered the rear.
"The train!" she shouted.
Her mind told her to grab onto something but her body wasn't quick enough. The impact forced the entire train to shunt forward several feet and it propelled Synne from the platform and onto her front. The back of the platform was open and just a few more inches would have thrown her from the train and onto the track. She shook her head and lifted herself up. The crossbow was on the base of the platform and she grabbed it as she stood. From her spot, high on the engine she had the perfect view of the battle that was about to begin.
The smoke and steam at the rear of the train had obliterated her view, she could only assume those at the back of the train were okay. She didn't have time to worry about it though as a dozen riders were moving in to try and board the engine from the left.
"The left!" she shouted to the others onboard.
The riders were all wearing armour and two of them carried short powder weapons, much like the one her father had shown her. A volley of yellow flashes erupted from their muzzles and she heard the whistle of lead balls fly overhead. One struck the armour plating just a few feet from her.
"Stop them!" she cried as she took aim.
The sights on the crossbow were rudimentary, just a small metal spike sticking up. Lowering the weapon, she took aim at the closest rider who was only twenty feet away. She pulled the lever and released a deadly bolt. It flew off and passed clean over the man's head by at least two feet.
"Damn!" she muttered as she pulled another bolt from the pouch on her waist and loaded it.
The rest of the fighters on the train were having similar problems, though two of them managed to strike one of the riders almost simultaneously. One bolt struck the man in the arm, the second hit him square in the chest. The second shot hit with such an impact that it flung the rider from his horse to the ground.
"One down, one army to go!" said Synne as she lifted her reloaded crossbow.
Aiming much lower this time she aimed at the centre of the same target as before. The bolt flew off and this time struck the man square in the throat. The impact was hard and though he wasn't thrown from the horse, he did slow down and disappeared to the rear behind the smoke and steam.
"That's more like it!" she said with a grim smile.
\*
Thrax was in his element. Though the impact had shattered part of the rear armour of the train, they were still on the track and they were doing well, so far. He had kept his unit pushed well back inside the wagon so that he had the space to deal with the first wave. Sensing an easy victory the first six men had leapt in with barely a care, only to find half the wagon clear and the hulk of Thrax stood in the middle. On his shoulder, he carried the deadly two-handed sword. For this battle, he had strapped on any armour he could find including a tight fitting helm that looked like a rusted bronze helmet from an ancient warrior. The tallest of the Raiders stepped forward, he was a good six feet tall and well built. He carried a flail in his right hand and a small metal buckler on his left. He lifted the flail and started to swing it over his head. The rest of the group assembled behind him, each with a different but savage looking weapon.
"Put down your sword, old man, we're here for Cainon!" he said.
"Come and get him!" said Thrax with a roar and in a quick motion he dropped the tip of the sword down and at the last moment redirected it so that he cut for the opposite side. The Raider, being as cocky and arrogant as he was, didn't suspect for a moment that the man was in range. In the end it didn't matter though, the blade slashed downwards and struck the man in the neck. The blade kept moving and in a single swift movement, the Raider's head flew out of the train. Thrax continued moving the weapon and then brought it down in another sweeping arc. The group split up and moved towards him but the reach and power of the weapon was too much for them. The second cut badly wounded two men and the other three started to back off, their doubt taking precedence over their hunger for victory. Thrax was having none of it.
"I've got something else for you!" he boomed and stepping forward he delivered a flurry of cuts and thrusts that made it almost impossible for the Raiders to reach him. Two more bodies fell to the ground. The rest of the defenders, now psyched up about his personal victory, moved forward and easily finished off the wounded Raiders. Ulric commanded this line and ensured they stayed together and disciplined. They made to push ahead and deal with the last few until Ulric spotted many more Raiders coming through the smoke. It looked like a second wave and this time there were far more of them. He turned and shouted to them to reform and to take a few steps back. Three crossbow bolts flew down, one hit a woman in the leg and she was carried back by two men as she cried out in pain. Another man with a spear pushed in to take her place.
"Back, stay close together!" ordered Ulric as the little group gave ground.
"Give them a little room, it will make it easier for us, trust me!" shouted Thrax.
Thankfully, they recognised his ability and did exactly as they were told. Thrax nodded in satisfaction as they took a few steps back in good order. He had seen well-trained units in the past that would have failed here and the training and experience of Ulric was already showing in this fight. By having a trusted lieutenant at his back, he could concentrate on cutting a bloody path through the enemy's front ranks.
A few more bolts whistled overhead but it seemed the Raiders were far keener to secure the wagon quickly than to engage in a ranged fight with bows and crossbows. Thrax stood in the centre of the wagon and flanked by the dozen most experienced men and women Ulric had been unable to find. They were mainly armed with spears and a few with crossbows. The train following had used grapples to hook the rear wagon and though they had beaten off the first wave, they were unable to reach the ropes and chains that would release the enemy. It would require them to actually board the front of the enemy engine to successfully separate the two moving sections. Three of the defenders lifted wooden shields and held them out in front of the group. They were too cumbersome to use in combat but perfectly suited to create a section of cover from which to shelter until the Raiders were close enough to fight.
"Steady now, let them come to us!" shouted Thrax over the din of the battle.
The rest of the defenders in the two wagons were busy firing their crossbows at the riders on their flanks, desperately trying to keep them away from being able to board the train where the battle would inevitably favour the better-equipped and more experienced Raiders. From the attacking train a dozen men climbed along the sides, each one carrying an evil looking sword, axe or mace. They struck the first man with several bolts in the torso and he fell down to the tracks. From the sound he made as he disappeared, they knew he had gone directly under the wheels. The first of the second wave jumped onto the damaged wagon and directly in front of Thrax who gave the signal to Ulric.
"Now!" shouted Ulric.
Though they maintained their position, they all pushed ahead and stabbed repeatedly on the command of Ulric. This fast and fluid movement created a wall of fast moving spear points that made it almost impossible to breach. One Raider rushed forward only to take a point to the face and another to the stomach. As he fell down the next Raider took similar hits from the spears. With enough space in the wagon for the entire wave, the surviving nine jumped aboard and advanced more cautiously. One man, obviously experienced at fighting spears, cut sideways and managed to push four of the tips to the side. With a small breach now open, the Raiders hacked past the points and managed to reach close enough to drive the tips of their weapons into the spearmen. It was almost enough to break the wall, apart from Thrax being there. With his massive two-handed sword now lowered and handled like a spear, he delivered multiple fast stabs that struck the men that had broken though the breach and stopped the attack. With a small gap between the two groups, Thrax's blood was up and he wanted them off the wagon.
"Push them back!" he cried.
With great effort the defenders pushed forward, just one small step at a time but it was enough. The last seven men tried to hold them back but they just couldn't stop being pushed back to the rear of the train and the crushed metal where the two trains were now joined. Three of them fell from the sides. The other four turned and tried to jump onto the front of their engine. One was struck in the back by a spear, three managed to make it.
"You!" shouted Ulric as he pointed to the three men with their crossbows.
"Hold them back!" he ordered.
The spearmen reformed their defensive position whilst the other three kept reloading and shooting their deadly bolts at the retreating men. They weren't the best shots but they did succeed in wounding two of them before they were far enough away to avoid being hit. The second wave had been held off and for a moment, brief that it might be, Thrax allowed himself to get his breath back. Looking behind him, he checked on the state of the battle. At least half a dozen men were climbing onto the engine, about the same number were climbing over the armoured side sections of the middle wagon. He was about to turn back to help, when two of the spearmen next to him were blasted backwards. He turned to see the third and deadliest wave of attackers. This group included the survivors from the previous attacks but this time they carried a weapon for which they had no counter, the terrifying powder weapons. Only two of the enemy carried them and both looked improvised and crude. As they fired their weapons, they were surrounded in smoke as the weapons blasted heavy lead balls that could penetrate armour and wood.
"Take cover!" he shouted.
The defenders did their best to crouch behind the bodies of the enemy or the wooden sections that formed parts of the bulkhead of the wagon. It was no good though, the powder weapons blasted through the cover every time. The only saving grace was that it took over half a minute to reload the weapon with the black powder and lead ball.
"Fall back!" shouted one of the men, as he threw down his wooden shield and clambered towards the front of the wagon and away from the battle at the rear of the train. At this part of the train, two dozen people were busy shooting from the sides at the galloping enemies nearby. The rest of Thrax's group started to move backwards as the fire from the approaching Raiders pushed them back. The two gunners had climbed down from the engine. They were now crouched at the end of the wagon, taking it in turns to reload and fire. In this way, they could fire a shot every fifteen seconds or so. Whilst this continued, more of the Raiders jumped from their horses and onto their own engine so that they could climb over and onto the rear of the escaping train. Another man with a powder weapon dropped down onto the wagon and prepared his weapon. It wouldn't be long before they had enough warriors to keep up an almost continuous rain of lead down the length of the train.
"We have to stop them. If they take this wagon we'll lose the train!" shouted Ulric.
One of the spearmen who had already taken a few steps back shouted over to him.
"How can we fight against those weapons?" he cried hysterically.
"They are no different to crossbows. Come on, charge and clear them. We've done it before, we'll keep doing it till they stop!" replied Ulric.
As Thrax made to move forward, Ulric followed and a small number of the spearmen moved with him. At least the same amount stayed back, their fear of the weapons proving too much. It didn't seem to affect Thrax though and the last thing they saw of this part of the battle was Thrax, Ulric and a few spearmen disappearing into the white smoke of the weapons with their weapons drawn and ready.
\*
Synne had ditched her crossbow and moved to the faster and easier to use curved blade. Though the defenders on the first wagon had managed to hold off the attackers, the engine was now where the most effort was being directed. Rather than trying to board it, the Raiders had peppered those on the platforms, until only Synne and two others were left. With their numbers whittled down, and the return fire down to firing sporadic shots, they were moving in for the kill. A dozen men were riding on both sides and two were already climbing along the sides of the train. Synne knew that any other part of the train was expendable, if they lost the engine they would stop and that meant slavery or death. She gave a hand signal to the other two defenders and they moved quickly to her position at the rear of the engine, just above where the engineers were. As they worked their way back, she shouted over to Jonas who was busy handling the defence of his own wagon. He looked over to her, noting the precarious position the engineers were in.
"Jonas! I need fighters on the left!" she shouted.
Jonas couldn't catch every word but it was clear to him that she needed help to secure the engine. He signalled he understood and then grabbed two of this men and starting directing them whilst pointing at the engine. The two defenders reach Synne at the rear of the engine. Both were well armed and motivated, the possibility of returned to slavery was proving a strong factor in their decision to fight.
"Stay here, attack anybody that gets too close. There are a few coming from the wagon to help, tell them to take the left running boards and to keep the Raiders away from the cab," she said.
"Where are you going?" asked Anna, the daughter of a blacksmith from Haven.
Synne was already lowering herself down the ladder and to the running boards that ran the entire length of the train. She looked up at the woman who stood atop the train with her curved sword on her belt and a loaded crossbow in her hands.
"I'll clear the Raiders from down here, watch the top and get the extra fighters down on the left, I'll deal with this one first!" she said and then disappeared from view.
At the lower part of the train Synne had to be careful to avoid the moving piston and gears that moved at a wickedly fast pace. Four Raiders were clinging to the side and inching towards the cab. Synne was now blocking their way though she was well aware that the left side of the train was in the same position. Five men had already tried to work their way along the top of the engine from the front, but Synne and the others had easily stopped them with a deadly crossfire from their crossbows. She could only hope that the two she had left there were able to keep them busy if they tried it again, at the very least long enough for her to get back.
The first Raider was now only four or five feet away. He wore a mixture of leather and metal armour with animal skins and furs on his head and shoulders. His face was painted with bright colours and he carried a weird kind of mace in his left hand. Grabbing a handle with his right he swung himself forward and right in front of Synne. She leaned back a few inches and stabbed quickly with her sword. The strike was slightly off target and passed between his arm and chest. He squeezed his arm tightly against the weapon and stopped it moving.
"You're dead, little girl!" he laughed.
With his left arm now busy keeping the weapon trapped, he pushed forward another step and delivered a snap kick to the front. His foot caught Synne in the thigh and dropped her to the running board. By some miracle, she avoided getting caught in the gearing. He stepped a little closer and made to kick again. As he lifted his foot, Synne moved fast and grabbed at his other leg. With a quick tug, she yanked his leg from beneath him and he stumbled forward. She kept low and he tumbled over her and over the running board behind her. With a terrifying scream he caught his right hand in the gearing and in an instant, it was torn off to leave a bloody stump. Synne didn't hesitate, and lifted herself up with one of the grab handles and kicked him hard. With his left hand holding his mace, and his right now bouncing off the ground, he had no grip and flew from the train. Synne didn't see where he landed. She didn't care, another three men were approaching and they had all seen what she'd done.
The next man screamed at her though most of the sound was obliterated by the sound of the engine and the wind rushing past the train. Having seen his comrade torn apart in front of his eyes, he was being far more cautious. Keeping a step away from her, he swung out his blade, only for it to be snared inside the engine's gearing. It clattered away leaving him to jump forward to attack Synne with his bare fists. Synne was ready though. She lifted her blade high and brought it down in a fast vertical strike. The Raider didn't quite reach her and instinctively raised his right arm to deflect the attack. Synne's blade cut cleanly through the arm and an inch into the top of the man's head. It was quick, bloody and in seconds, the man joined the first to the dusty plains.
Only two Raiders remained and they were being much more careful. The nearest was shouting to the man behind him and Synne was getting worried. They were planning something but what it was she couldn't tell. Taking a few steps back, she reached the side door of the cab. Through the gaps in the hatch she could see the two engineers, both of them working away to keep the engine moving at its maximum speed. Synne banged on the hatch. At first they didn't hear the sound, then Jac spotted her and split the small metal hatch open.
"Yes?" she asked.
"How far till we reach the Trading Post?" she shouted.
"Three hours once we get out of the valley."
Synne wiped her head in frustration. From memory, the valley and the mountains where she had found Thrax would take anything up to an hour to pass through.
"Once we're in the valley the horses won't be able to follow, the track is narrow, they'll have to take the high road and it'll slow them down. How long till the valley?" asked Synne.
She turned to face the direction the train was travelling in and noticed that the two Raiders had started moving towards her, though this time they were brandishing crossbows.
"Crap!" she cried and grabbed the ladder so she could swing herself behind the cab. It was in the nick of time as one bolt whistled past and embedded in the wooden frame of the tender being pulled behind the engine.
As she clung on precariously the sliding hatch to the rear of the cab opened and Tom shouted out to her.
"Ten minutes to the mountains, then we're clear all the way to the Trading Post!"
Before she could reply, he had slid the cab hatch shut and Synne was stuck on her own. Popping her head to the side of the engine, she saw one of the Raiders pulling back the string on the crossbow. Whatever she did, exposing herself to fire wasn't going to be one of them. She looked up and spotted the other defenders still loading and shooting from their position high on the top fighting platform of the engine. Anna saw Synne and stopped whatever she was doing to lean back and shout down to her.
"We're okay so far. Jim took a hit to the leg, we've bandaged it for now. There is one on the top and three on the side. I think we can hold them off though."
Synne nodded in satisfaction and slowed herself for a brief moment to check behind. The battle was now raging, as a number of Raiders had managed to board Jonas' wagon. From what she could see the defenders outnumbered them and were making short work of the attackers.
"Hey, bitch!" came a voice from the engine.
Synne spun around to see the Raider holding onto the ladder and pointing his wicked looking crossbow at her chest. Right behind him was the second man who also carried the same kind of weapon. She was dumbstruck, they were too far to reach without taking a step and the bolt from the weapon would hit her easily before she could do anything.
"Raider!" shouted Anna from the top fighting platform.
The distraction was enough to give Synne an opening and she went for it with everything she had. Jumping from the low platform at the rear of the engine she landed near the first Raider and punched him in the face with the knucklebow of the sword. He staggered back but still managed to raise his crossbow. With a crunch and a squeak from the rusty hinges, the door to the cab swung open and in one heavy movement knocked both men off the engine and in an instant they were gone. The head of Jac popped out.
"You okay?" she asked with a cheeky grin.
"You bet!" answered a much happier looking Synne.
A flash and several loud bangs reverberated along the train, the noise coming from the rear of the train. Both Synne and Jac looked back to try and identity for the cause of the trouble.
"What was that?" shouted Synne
Jac disappeared inside the cab and then reappeared.
"Thought so, they must have taken control of the last wagon."
"How do you know that?"
"We're slowing down!" she answered before helping put in more fuel into the fire.
"I thought we were too heavy to slow down?" asked Synne.
"They can slow us down, but only so far. They must have locked the brakes on the end wagon, we'll be down to walking speed in a couple of minutes at this rate," she said before turning back.
Synne looked carefully at the engine and then back to the raging battle behind her.
"Anna, can you hold for five minutes?"
"No problem!" came back the reply.
Synne leaned over to the gap at the rear of the cab.
"I'll take care of it!" she barked and then turned to the tender.
Due to the high sides on the tender, it was clear of the enemy but as she climbed down to the first wagon, she found things very different. As the train started to slow, it was becoming easier for the Raiders to jump onto the sides. Dozens of small fights were raging and as she moved along the narrow section, she was forced to defend herself. The first attack was actually an accident by one of the defenders. An old man had spotted her arrive and brought his axe down. She only just avoided it and grabbed the old man around the arm.
"I'm on your side fool!" she shouted and then ran off, ducking around weapons as she went.
Jonas was busy pushing a Raider back over the edge and off the wagon with a broken spear. She ran up to the edge and helped push the man over before turning to Jonas.
"Good to see you, come to help?"
"No," she replied as she glanced around.
"Where is Cainon?" she demanded.
"He's gone. Two of their men got in here and cut him loose. I managed to get that one," he pointed to a dead Raider on the ground.
"Damn!" swore Synne.
She didn't have long to worry about it though as another jumped inside. Whipping her sword from its sheath, she stabbed it into his chest and smashed him down to the floor. She stood up and delivered another stab to his heart, finishing him in a single efficient movement.
"I need to burn the last wagon, have you got fuel?" she asked.
Jonas was stunned by the brutality she had exhibited, more so by the fact that she hardly seemed to even notice what she had just done. Her black corset was cut and marked, and dripping with blood down the front and side. Her left leg was bleeding from two parallel cuts just below the thigh.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
"Me, yeah, come on, fuel?" she asked impatiently.
"Uh, we've got lamp oil, why?"
"Get two people to come with me. I need as much oil as they can carry."
Without waiting for a reply, she turned to the end of the wagon and prepared to climb over to the next one. As she moved, she could see how the two wagons were joined together. It was a simple set of iron joints that were sprung. Where they joined was a large metal pin and chains running parallel to it. She made a mental note as her plan took form in her head and then pulled herself up into the next wagon. It couldn't have been more different to the first, there were bodies everywhere and at the end a vicious battle was taking place between about the same number of warriors. She rushed forward, finding Thrax leaning against the side, pulling a chunk of metal from his ribs.
"What's happening?" she asked whilst examining his wound.
"We pushed them back three times, but the last group have been trying to stop us getting to their engine. Before we got there they did something to the wheels down there," he said as he pointed to where the axles would be under the wagon.
"We tried to board their engine and disable it somehow, but they still have twenty or so fighters at the rear."
Synne grabbed the metal shard and tugged it out. Thrax groaned as it withdrew but the relief afterwards was almost instant.
"They've got some kind of weapon that fire these serrated metal shapes. We lost two men to them, before we fell back to our wagon. Now we're mainly fighting with projectile weapons. It's a real stalemate."
As if to emphasise the point a volley of bolts flew close by and embedded into the frame of the wagon. Synne grabbed his chin and turned him to face her.
Ulric appeared from behind the cover of several bodies. He was holding a small crossbow in each hand. Taking careful aim, he used the first one, dropped it and then used the second before ducking back.
"They've jammed the brakes, we'll be stationary in minutes. Have you tried to free them?" asked Synne.
"No good, the gear is smashed. We'd need an hour to fix them. Pass me that," he replied as he pointed.
Synne followed his gaze to a small crossbow on the ground. She tossed it over to him. The weapon was already loaded, presumably dropped by somebody earlier in the battle. Synne noticed a shadow looming from the engine as one of the Raiders managed to leap onto the wagon. Ulric aimed the weapon carefully and pulled the trigger. It hit the man neatly in the forehead and he was immediately out of the fight.
"Nice!" she shouted.
A hand appeared, tapping on her shoulder. She turned to Thrax and Ulric, pointing at the arrival of the reinforcements.
"Look," she said as she pointed to Jonas and the two defenders that were carrying a small barrel of oil each.
"We can burn the wagon, get everybody back into the first and knock out the pins."
"The pins?" asked Ulric.
"Ah, yes, I see!" said Thrax as he pulled himself up from the ground.
"Everybody back to the first wagon, now!" he roared.
The small number left needed little encouragement. As they moved back, they continued putting down crossbow fire into the engine behind them and the silhouettes of the Raiders as they continued trying to get access to their train. Synne cracked the lid of one of the barrels and started to pour the oil all over the floor of the wagon. She nodded to the other two men to do the same. In less than thirty seconds, the oil was drippings all over the middle section of the wagon.
"Come on!" she said and ran to the front of the wagon, where the remainder of the defenders were retreating to the next wagon. Thrax helped them across until it was just Jonas left on the last wagon.
"Get across!" shouted Synne.
With everybody clear, Jonas checked one last time and then jumped. As he moved two bolts thudded against the woodwork and another hit him hard in the shoulder blades. He hit the end of the wagon and would have been dragged underneath if it hadn't been for several of the defenders grabbing him and dragging the wounded man inside.
Synne watched him go and started to jump across to check him before remembering the danger of their situation. Thrax was now back on the first wagon, being handed loaded crossbows from the others, he leaned down and handed her a heavy looking hammer. A woman was busy loading in fuel to a thick wooden bucket nearby whilst another waited with a burning torch. Synne looked down to the pin and then swung the tool. It struck the pin with a groan and moved a few inches. She lifted it and struck again. With a clunk sound, the pin dropped out. The gap started to widen before the chains took up the slack. Synne was about to strike one when it snapped under the strain and was quickly followed by the other.
"Now!" shouted Ulric who was still loading and firing the crossbows.
One of the women threw the wooden bucket with its burning fuel across the gap and into the rear wagon. As soon as it struck the woodwork, it found the fuel and in a violent flash the entire structure vanished in flames. It was still intact but the flames spread fast, quickly obliterating the view they had of it or the engine behind. Either the engine was damaged or they were slowing down to trying to escape the burning wreckage. Either way they were clear.
The remnants of the train hurtled south and into the craggy rocks of the valley. With their pursuing train slowed the cavalry turned back to aid their comrades.
"Good work, Synne, we're safe," said a pale but happy Jonas.
"Cainon escaped," she said quietly.
"He'll be back and soon," said Ulric who then turned back to the flames and smoke of the distance train.
"We have to be ready for him," said Thrax menacingly.
The large iron whistle fitted on the side of the steam engine blasted through the open plain to indicate the arrival of the train. A short distance ahead, were the smoke columns of the town and the Trading Post of Horizon. The ground all around was flat, save for a few small hills and outcroppings of trees. As they moved closer, Synne was surprised to see several long lines of people and men on horseback.
"Hey, Thrax, I think we've got trouble!" she shouted.
Thrax was sitting in the single remaining wagon, crammed in with the survivors of the violent battle. Next to him was Jonas who was now even paler than before.
"What is it?"
"Come and have a look."
He lifted himself up with a groan and then lumbered forward to the end of the wagon. With an effort, he climbed the tender and then dropped down to the cab.
"Hurry up, Thrax!" called Synne.
He pulled himself up the ladder and to the high fighting platform above the engine where Ulric and Synne were stood.
"What is it?" he asked.
"Look," she said.
Thrax held onto the railing as he looked off to the south. The Trading Post was now only a few hundred feet away and the train was slowing. Stretched out between the buildings in a thin line were hundreds of people. It was as though a crowd of people was lined up and waiting for their arrival. He scanned to the left and then to the right before spotting a banner. Looking more closely he spotted a small group of men on horseback near the centre of the group. He sighed and then looked back to Synne with a relaxed expression.
"Looks like my students did their work," he said.
"Students?" asked Ulric.
"I asked Bara to send my students to get help and it looks like they succeeded. Look at them. See that flag," he said, as he pointed of slightly to the right.
"I see it," she said.
"Well, don't you recognise it?"
"It's the symbol of the League," answered Ulric, before realising what he had just said.
"They are here?" Synne asked.
"It looks that way," replied Thrax.
The screeching from the train became deafening as the breaks locked on the engine and after what seemed like an age, they came to a halt just a few feet past the platform. The engineers let out a great deal of steam from the tired, overworked engine. No sooner had it stopped, were the passengers jumping overboard and moving towards the Trading Post and the crowds. Thrax and Synne climbed down whilst others helped pass down the wounded Jonas. As they started to retrieve the wounded, a number of people came over to help. One of them, wearing a rough uniform and armour approached them. Past the platform were the outer buildings, shops and storage sheds used by the inhabitants of the Trading Post. It didn't have its own palisade but it did have half a dozen watchtowers scattered along the perimeter and each one was manned by several people. The towers carried heavy mechanical crossbows, each one far too heavy to carry in battle. On the ground and spread out into a thin line, only two deep was the assembled army. Most were on foot and there appeared to be no uniform or standard of equipment. Some carried spears or swords, others carried crossbows and even more seemed to be carrying farming implements.
The man in the armour stopped in front of them. He was hardly an athlete and his armour looked uncared for, but carried none of the marks or damage you might expect from equipment worn in battle. Thrax made an unimpressed noise as he stopped and nodded to the group. He turned and pointed to the assembled army.
"We received word that the Brotherhood was sending an army down here into League lands. This is the muster for the north. Tell me, is it true?" he asked.
"Who are you?" asked Synne.
"Jackson, Commander of the border fort, sixteen miles west of here. I'm responsible for the defences in this sector on behalf of the League."
He took a step closer to Synne before noticing her sword, still bloody and still in her hand. He stepped back, feeling a little less confident of himself.
"Who are you?" he demanded.
"Synne, daughter of Lord Galan!"
"Galan? You are the daughter of the Lord of Haven?" he asked with a look of surprise on his face.
Ulric moved just a few inches closer but his presence was substantial. Jackson, though still arrogant, lowered his head a little.
"Indeed she is, and this is Ulric, the rightful heir of the city," said Thrax with a strong tone in his voice as he indicated towards Ulric.
Ulric examined the man and was not impressed with what he saw. The man had seen far too much time either on horseback or resting, than training with his men. A typical League man, a talker not a fighter, and certainly not a man to be trusted.
"Why are you here?" asked Thrax.
"Two of your students rode to our outpost yesterday with news of the trouble. My commander ordered all available forces to congregate here to defend the outpost against a Raider attack," he answered.
"Raider attack? Are you joking? The force up there is led by Cainon of the Brotherhood and his forces number in the hundreds, maybe more," he said angrily.
"Why is your commander not here?" asked Synne.
"He has headed west to get reinforcements from the other League cities," explained Jackson.
"Isn't that what messengers are for?" asked Synne.
"Yeah, I think you'll find he is heading west as fast as he can because he knows exactly what is coming," explained Thrax.
"It is no wonder that our northern border was more vulnerable that we expected. The truce with the Brotherhood has been broken and even worse, it looks like the League border forces have been taking bribes," said an angry Ulric.
"Bribes? No, we would never take bribes from Raiders," pleaded an even less confident Jackson.
"Not from Raiders? How about from anybody else?" said Ulric with a snort.
Thrax looked at the forces assembled, noting most were enlisted workers, certainly not professional warriors. From his knowledge of battle and warfare, he already knew that they wouldn't stand a chance in any kind of conflict.
"What has happened to Haven in our absence?" asked Thrax.
"Haven? As far as I know since the city was razed it has been abandoned."
"Abandoned? We were attacked by Raiders and the Brotherhood!" roared an angry Ulric.
The man shrugged, seemingly unconcerned about the implication of the Brotherhood and the Raiders attacking together. Whether it was because of some deep down hatred of Haven or something more insidious, possibly even knowledge of what the Brotherhood was doing, they couldn't tell.
Anna appeared, she was unwounded but her clothing was torn and on her shoulder she carried her bloodied spear. Jackson squirmed as the point of the spear moved past him. A fact spotted by both Synne and Ulric.
"There is something coming from the north!" she said.
"Something?" asked Synne.
Anna beckoned the small group to follow her and they moved to the open area in front of the assembled crowd. The view to the north was of an almost featureless plain but in the distance, a wide line of dust indicated the approach of something substantial.
"It's Cainon, it has to be," said Synne.
"Perhaps," replied Thrax.
The three looked up and down the line of people that were waiting for their orders or maybe they were just waiting to see what happened next.
"How many warriors do you have?" asked Ulric.
"Well, thirty from the fort and I've mustered the militia in the Trading Post and from the villages to the south. So in tota, about a hundred warriors."
"Warriors?" said Thrax with a scathing tone.
"The last thing I would describe them as is warriors. Where are the professionals? The ones the League cities pay upkeep on?" demanded Ulric.
"This is it," pleaded the man.
"You bastard, you've been pocketing the hard earned coin from our cities. To what end?" shouted an angered Ulric.
The man said nothing and simply shrugged.
Thrax beckoned to the rest of their small group, they closed in whilst Jackson inched away, sensing danger though whether he was more scared of the approaching enemy or of Thrax and his comrades, wasn't clear.
"We can't hold them off in the open with these people," said Ulric.
"I agree, the horsemen will run them down and drive them away like cattle," replied Thrax.
"So we use the buildings. The place is full of them. Let them ride in and our people will be safely protected," suggested Synne.
"Good, good, I like it. Let them break their energy on wood and stone and then we break them before they can escape. Come on, we need to get these people organised," said Ulric.
They moved closer to the large group of defenders who waited eagerly to know what was going on. Thrax, though the largest was well aware he was neither a man with a title or lands or even experience in making speeches. He simply roared to get their attention before placing his hand on Ulric and Synne's shoulders.
"People of Horizon, and all surrounding lands. Before you is the truce-breaking horde of the Brotherhood and the Raiders!" he shouted.
A murmur ran through the crowd as they realised they were not facing a small group of faceless bandits but potentially an actual army. Discontent spread fast and a few from the rear of the group started to move away.
" Wait! I am Ulric and this is Synne, children of Lord Galan from Haven. For too long you have let the Raiders bring prisoners and slaves through this place and have turned away from the evil that has been done. Now you are going to face the consequences. To the North a great army of barbarians, bandits and Raiders are being led by clans of the Brotherhood to take control of our lands," said Ulric.
"We never worked with no Raiders!" shouted one man.
"Hey, the Brotherhood only pass though here for trade and to buy supplies," shouted another indignant trader.
Synne pushed to the front and raised her sword into the air.
"Liars!" she shouted.
"We were dragged from Haven and through this Trading Post just days ago. Not one of you said a word. We were taken to the North to their prisons and for a painful death in the mines. Do you have no shame?" she cried.
"We were told the Raiders destroyed your city and all your people," answered one of them.
"Yes, that is nearly true. Do you know why? Because people like you chose to turn away when you could have said no!" she shouted angrily.
Synne walked along the line of people, the fear and guilt evident on some of their faces.
"You, what do you do here?" she demanded of one of the men.
"I trade in wine and fruit," he answered.
She moved a little further and asked the same of a merchant.
"I sell leather goods to whoever wants them," he answered indignantly.
"So, you buy and sell here. How many times have Raiders or members of the Brotherhood clans passed through here with slaves?"
A few of them muttered but it was clear it happened often.
"And you are happy with that? For people in the South to be taken as slaves to be worked to death or forced to fight for the Brotherhood?" she demanded.
A gruff looking man carrying a short spear and the clothing of a common labourer or farmer pushed to the front.
"What can we do? If we refuse, they take us as well. We are not warriors. If you couldn't stop them how will we?" he asked.
"Fight. We will help you. Occupy all of the buildings on this side of the Trading Post. Use your spears and crossbows to fight them at a distance. Don't fight them any closer than you have to," said Ulric.
"So we do all the work?" argued one.
"We've already done the work, what have you done? We have fifty or more of our own people who will fight alongside you that are disembarking from the train. They have already proven their worth in battle," replied Ulric.
Synne pointed out their little group.
"We will stay on the train and fight from the high platforms. Now, who will fight?" shouted Synne.
She tried as hard as she could but her voice wasn't the equal of Thrax.
"You heard her, what are you going to do?" he roared.
"Fight!" a few of them shouted back to him.
Is that it? You'll leave the battle to just a handful? I asked you, what are you going to do?" he roared again.
"Fight!" came the reply, this time louder and with some vigour.
"To the buildings. Remember, they take no prisoners, either fight, or die!" added Ulric as he made for the Train. Synne, Anna and Thrax joined them.
"How is Jonas?" asked Synne.
"Not good, he has lost a lot of blood. We've taken him to one of the medical stations over there," Anna said as she pointed.
"And the rest of the wounded?" asked Synne.
"Same place."
They were now at the base of the ramp that led to the platform and the train. Only a handful of people remained on the train as they handed out weapons from the fallen to those that needed them. Eric was there along with two other warriors.
"We will fight with you, what is the plan?" he asked.
The group climbed aboard and up the ladders so that they were on top of the fighting platforms used so recently in the battle of the trains. The wagon attached to the rear of the tender was now empty of people though it was still stained with the blood of the dead and wounded and many bodies still littered its floor.
Everybody else is manning the towers and buildings. We will defend the engine from here where we have the commanding position of the battle.
"Won't we be sitting ducks out here?" asked Eric.
"Kind of, but look," said Synne.
She pointed up to the towers and then the buildings, the nearest being just twenty feet away.
"We are in range of the closest crossbows. If they try to board us..." she said before being interrupted by Thrax.
"Which they will."
"Yes, they will. When they do that, those in the buildings behind us can provide fire to clear them off."
"Good idea. So we are the bait and whilst they try to reach us the civvies can use their ranged weapons in safety," said Ulric with much enthusiasm.
He slapped Synne on the shoulder.
"Good work, little sister, we'll make a warrior of you yet!" he laughed.
The bell started its chant from the centre of the Trading Post. The small numbers of people still standing about either ran for cover or joined the rest of their comrades in the small wooden and stone buildings dotted about. The largest building was the storage warehouse next to the rail platform. It was easily thirty feet tall and inside were about twenty fighters, plus a number of older people and children. The rest were spread amongst the smaller structures and the three nearest towers.
Thrax watched the approaching enemy with interest, his binoculars again coming into play. He examined them for a moment before turning to the others.
"It's Cainon alright. I can see their clan's standard plus a few I don't recognise."
"How many?" asked Ulric.
Not easy to tell with the dust. I'd estimate one hundred to one fifty. They're all mounted and they definitely mean business."
"One hundred and fifty?" exclaimed Eric.
We don't need to beat them, we just need to drive them away. They are no different to any other bully. Bloody his nose and send him home. We need to do the same, they'll be here in no more than a few minutes, I suggest we get ready," said Thrax.
Eric was still carrying his curved sword. He moved a few feet away to where he had been stacking weapons.
"Already ahead of you there, we kept back a stash of gear for us, I thought we might be needing it."
Ulric and Synne quickly rummaged through the gear. Ulric spotted a two-handed mace and pulled it out. He gave it a test swing and it moved with speed and power.
"That's more like it, good work, Eric."
Synne pushed her curved sword inside her belt and looked for anything else that might be of use. There was one of the powder weapons but no ammunition so she pushed it away and found an odd crossbow. She picked it up and gave an odd look to Thrax and Ulric.
"What is this?" she asked.
Thrax grinned and stepped forward, taking the weapon off her.
"Ah, you don't see many of these."
The weapon looked like a normal crossbow save for the wooden box fitted on top that contain two dozen small bolts. To the rear was a handle connected to parallel rods that ran back to the body of the weapon.
"You see, this is a low power repeater crossbow. You put the bolts in this box and make sure they slide back into place. The handle is lifted up to pull back the string and to load in the next bolt. When you bring the handle down it launches the bolt. It will fire as fast as you can pull the lever."
"Wow, why don't we all use them?" she asked.
"They are pretty low power, so their use is limited. I think today might be the perfect time to try it out though!"
Thrax knelt down and grabbed a handful of bolts for his own weapons before returning to the end of the platform.
"Here they come!" shouted Ulric.
Synne and Eric moved to the sides of their respective fighting platforms above the engine. They had the perfect view of the enemy and it was a sight to behold. Their formation was much looser than it had looked at a distance. Each of the men wore substantial metal , leather and rubber armour plus a variety of weapons from swords and spears to axes and crossbows. As the first wave rode past, they started shooting their ranged weapons at anybody they could see. One man for some reason had opted to stay out in the open, he waved his pitchfork defiantly at the horsemen. Within seconds, the majority of the horde assembled in a large mass to the side of the train and before the towers and the buildings. In the middle and at the front was the standard of Cainon's clan along with Cainon himself. He pushed ahead of the rest of the riders.
"People of Horizon, why do you harbour criminals? We have had this arrangement for a long time now!" he shouted.
"The bastards, I knew they were in on this!" swore Synne to her brother.
"Calm yourself, sister, you'll have the opportunity to do something about it soon enough."
"You have been taking from us for too long, leave us, leave us be!" shouted the man that was standing in the open.
Cainon rode towards the man who stood defiantly, refusing to give ground.
"Who are you, old man, and why do you defy the will of my clan?" he demanded.
"Your clan is nothing but bandits and brigands!"
Catching everybody by surprise, he stabbed forward, the tip of his pitchfork striking the horse hard in the flank. The animal reared and Cainon tumbled to the ground. There was no sound as the warriors on both sides held their breath, waiting for the inevitable bloodbath. A large warrior jumped from his horse and rushed over, picking up Cainon before turning to the man.
"I am Khan and I'll show you want our clan of bandits and brigands thinks of your little dump!" he shouted.
Grabbing his sword from his belt, he whipped it out and in one clean movement lopped the head off the old man. The head dropped to one side whilst the body dropped to its knees and then to the ground.
"Now!" roared Thrax, who appeared from the cover of the metal plating running down the sides of the platform.
He fired first, sending a bolt into the chest of Khan who staggered, but continued to drag Cainon to his horse where helping hands lifted him up. More bolts came from the train and then the defenders opened fire. The nearest tower launched a two-foot long arrow that was tipped with iron. The projectile slammed into one of the Raiders, and kept going before striking another, pinning the two of them to the ground.
"Kill them all!" screamed Cainon as he straightened himself on his new mount.
A dozen riders lay dead on the ground before they were able to start moving. Some rode around the train whilst the rest split up and raced around the buildings looking for anybody to attack. One group of the men dismounted and rushed for the train, some grabbing the bottom of the ladders, the others leaping onto the main boiler and working their way to the platforms. The quickest managed to reach the top of the ladder where Synne and Ulric were. It was a bad position to be in though. Ulric was waiting and with a heavy swing, he brought the two-handed mace down onto the Raider's head. The impact crushed his skull and sent the body tumbling down onto those climbing up behind.
"Behind you!" shouted Ulric, as he spotted more coming from the front.
Synne ducked to avoid a volley of bolts and then balanced herself against the railing so that she faced the next group advancing along the boiler. She hadn't used the crossbow yet so she prayed to herself and lifted the handle. She heard a click but nothing happened. She shook the weapon but still nothing. The closest Raider was now only six feet away and had already drawn his rusted axe. Then she remembered Thrax's words about the handle. She slammed it down hard and the bolt rushed out and hit the man in the chest. He looked down and then back at her.
"You bitch!" he shouted.
The man started to climb over the railing and onto the platform. Thrax was right, the power was significantly less than a normal crossbow, even at this range the bolt had only gone in a few inches through the man's light armour. She considered dropping the weapon and drawing her sword but curiosity got the better of her. With a quick motion, she pumped the handle up and down. It was hard work but after the first movements, she got the rhythm. Bolt after bolt whistled out and struck not just the man, but the two climbing over the fence behind him. When she stopped, she was stunned to find one man slumped over the fence with four bolts in his chest, neck and head. The other two had either fallen or jumped.
"Wow!" she said as she turned to check on the rest of the train.
Two more Raiders were fighting Ulric and Thrax but they couldn't force their way onto the platform. Half a dozen bodies were already resting on the ground around the ladders. The head of Khan appeared and he threw himself onto the platform. Anna was in the way and without hesitating he grabbed her and threw her over the side to the waiting Raiders on the ground. His size and bulk knocked aside Ulric and Thrax was almost thrown from the side. Synne moved to help but another had arrived from the boiler and she swung around to slow him down. Pulling the lever, she emptied the remaining bolts into the man, the effect being quick and devastating. As the man fell, she drew her sword and rushed in to help Thrax in his battle with Khan.
The huge warrior swung a flail in his right hand and stabbed with a wicked looking knife. It was slightly curved and the back of the blade was serrated. Thrax had already taken a nasty wound to his left arm but it had allowed him to get close enough to get Khan into an arm lock. Ulric rushed forward to help him.
"Grab his other arm!" shouted Thrax.
Ulric ducked underneath the flail and grabbed the man but he refused to be held. With a massive effort, the Raider lifted his knee and delivered a savage kick to Ulric's stomach that sent him flying to the ground. Synne rushed over to him and dragged him clear of the two men.
"Are you okay?" she asked.
"Yeah, I'll live, help Thrax!" he groaned.
Eric who until now had been fighting on the other platform jumped over to help. Khan spotted the movement and with a quick stab caught the poor man in the throat, tearing a great hole that could have decapitated a mule. The lifeless body of Eric dropped down to join the many others that had fallen in the fight.
Synne needed no encouragement and rushed to the side of the platform. Khan was so busy wrestling with Thrax that she was able to deliver a wicked slash down his back. To her dismay, the cut simply opened up the other layer of his clothing, revealing tight-fitting leather under armour that absorbed the bulk of the slash. The blow did hit hard enough however to make him stumble. Thrax twisted his arm around and charged to the ladder. Both of them stumbled over the edge but Thrax managed to hang onto the top rung as Khan tumbled to the bottom with a crash. Synne reached out and helped pull him to the top.
From their position, the battle appeared to be going their way. One building was on fire and a tower had smoke belching from it. The rest of the buildings remained well defended, and repeated crossbow bolts and stabs with spears were keeping the buildings clear. A low rumble from a war horn blasted through the plain and in less than a few minutes the surviving horsemen were riding away to the north.
Ulric, with the help of Synne dragged himself up to the side and looked out to the field of battle. He watched the riders moving well out of range of their weapons where they appeared to stop.
"Why are they waiting?"
"It is simple, they were caught by surprise. The next attack will be even worse than before," replied Ulric.
Another horn, this time much quieter came from the north.
"No, look, can you see that?" shouted Synne.
"Yeah, I see it, they're bringing reinforcements," said Thrax with a tone of resignation in his voice.
"We can hold them though, right?" she asked.
"That isn't up to us, look," he said, pointing down to a group of people emerging from the town and riding out on horses towards the horse that waited not half a mile away. One of them carried a long pole with a white flag hanging from it.
"It's that idiot Jackson! What is he doing?" asked Synne.
"A white flag, they are looking for a truce," answered Ulric.
"I don't believe this. A truce for what, surrender?" she demanded.
"Who knows? We need to be ready. If they return and try to hand over the Trading Post we will have to intervene. I know the Brotherhood, they are oath breakers and will say anything to get what they want. Cainon cannot be trusted. Just like his father," said Thrax bitterly.
"They are coming back!" said Ulric.
"That was quick, is that good?" asked Synne.
"Not usually, come on, let's get down, we need to find out what that idiot has said," said Thrax and he lowered himself down the ladder. Synne and Ulric followed though both held their weapons out to the side, ready for trouble.
Jackson approached along with two other riders.
"What the hell are you doing, Jackson?" demanded Ulric.
"I'm doing what you should be doing, resolving this peacefully and without killing half the town."
"You fat oaf, we're trying to protect you all. What did you tell them?" shouted an angry Synne.
"It doesn't matter, they won't negotiate unless we hand over the children of Galan," he said, whilst looking down at Synne from his horse.
"Look," said Thrax.
Three Raiders including the clan's standard bearer, a short but heavily built warrior, as well as Cainon and Khan approached them. The three moved on foot and like Thrax they carried their weapons in the open. Cainon looked vicious, his clothing and armour were damaged and ripped and he bled from several minor wounds. Khan, despite his previous setback looked equally dangerous. In front of him, Cainon pushed the fragile figure of Anna, now in chains. Thrax turned to Synne and Ulric.
"Be careful, you cannot trust these bastards, I promise you!"
"Yeah, he's right, move back to the buildings, we need cover if they try anything," replied Ulric.
They all moved their way back until they stood just twenty or so feet from the nearest building. Some of the defenders hung out of the windows to watch, whilst small contingents left the safety of the cover to get out and watch the events unfold. Behind Cainon, the rest of the enemy force approached but at a careful distance. They were close enough that they could rush in to assist their commanders, but not close enough that they could be easily hit with most of the projectile weapons used by the town's defenders.
Cainon stopped no more than ten feet away from Synne and her group. He said nothing, just stared into her face in her eyes. Khan, the animal that he was, growled but like Cainon, said nothing. The rest of the Raiders had already dismounted and formed up into a large line of men where they could watch.
"What about the reinforcements?" whispered Synne.
"They're already here, look to the left," replied Ulric quietly.
Synne moved her eyes over to her left and spotted about another thirty or forty men dismounting and running over to join the rest of the Raiders. One of their group carried a different banner to Cainon.
"They must be another clan from the Brotherhood," she replied.
"Yeah, great," answered Ulric.
Jackson dismounted from his horse, which was quickly taken away by some of his lackeys. He took a few steps ahead of everybody else to face Cainon. Thrax, Ulric and Synne also stepped forward until the two small groups faced off against each other.
"What do you want, Cainon?" demanded Synne.
Cainon snorted and spat on the ground.
"I don't speak to rats like you," he growled.
"You will...and you will like it."
The group of Raiders separated as the leader of the reinforcements arrived. As he approached, it was clear he was much older and far more distinguished than the rest of the men there. He moved up to Cainon and Khan who both bowed down before him. After speaking quietly, he then took a few steps to face Synne and her allies. Ulric instantly recognised him.
"Master Lar, you bastard!" he shouted.
The man gave an evil grin whilst looking at the group. He spotted Thrax, a glimmer of recognition in his eyes.
"Thrax?" he asked.
"Yes, you old snake, it is me," he replied with scorn.
"Interesting. Well, I see you are all getting along well?"
He stepped to the side so the rest of the people of Horizon could see him.
"I have a proposal for this Trading Post. If you leave immediately, you can live, for a while. Stay and you die," he shouted with an evil laugh.
The people were visibly shaken by the man though from the expressions on some of them Synne was convinced he had been here before.
"Why did you attack Haven? What are you up to?" demanded Synne.
"The League is weak, we will combine it with us to create something, well, what is the word, something more agreeable," he said with a sneer.
Some of the defenders were already starting to move away from the defences and it was clear Cainon had spotted this, as he leaned in and whispered to Lar.
"We need to do something and fast, look at them!" said Synne as quietly but as forcibly as she could manage without being noticed.
Thrax heard her and had also spotted their weakening position. He needed to do something to turn the tables and give them a fighting chance. There was only one thing he could think of.
"I demand a Contest of Champions!"
The look on Lar's face instantly told Synne that he had made the right choice. Whereas before his expression had been one of confidence, a glimmer of doubt had slipped in.
"Never. We have nothing to prove!" he replied with venom.
"Your brave leader refuses a Contest with us, this little band of fighters!" shouted Thrax.
He turned to the people of Horizon, most of whom were stood in a mixture of fear and awe.
"Look at these brave warriors!" he shouted, as he pointed to Lar and his men.
"They are professional and they quake at the chance to fight us in a Contest!" he shouted even louder.
A few in the background started to laugh. Others around them joined in and in just seconds the tension of the situation changed completely as they started laughing and shouting towards the Raiders.
Cainon was speaking loudly into Lar's ear, but with the din of laughter, Synne couldn't hear what they were saying. Khan stood there, saying nothing, just staring directly at Thrax, his intentions were clear and obvious. The warriors behind Cainon were starting to fidget. Whether it was because of doubts of the inevitable battle or because they were unimpressed with the lack of valour of their leaders was impossible to tell.
"Well, will you fight us or will you leave the work to everybody else?" shouted Ulric.
Lar shouted loudly, holding his sword to the air. A silence gathered over the group of warriors, each waiting to hear what he had to say. Though the numbers were roughly even, the defenders of Horizon had the advantage of the buildings and the towers. It could go either way but a large number would die to settle the decision. Synne and her group knew it and so did Lar.
"The Brotherhood has never turned down a Contest!" he shouted though his expression showed he was less than impressed.
The army of the Brotherhood roared in approval at their master's decision.
"Now, our demands are simple. With our victory we will occupy Horizon, the League will cede this entire territory and..." he said as he pointed to Synne
"I will take Synne for our personal pleasure!" he added with a roar.
The men shouted with approval. Synne started to move forward, goaded by his insults. Ulric grabbed her arm and stopped her.
"They're just provoking us. Stay calm," he said quietly.
"We accept your conditions, now here are ours," answered Ulric.
Ulric turned to the people of Horizon and then back to Lar.
"If we are victorious you will hand over all your territories along the tracks up to your settlement and your mine. Plus, you will hand over a hostage of our choosing!" he shouted.
"Done!" replied Lar quickly, before the crowds even had time to digest what had been said.
The leader of the Brotherhood clan turned and walked away, flanked by the standard bearer, Cainon and the still snarling Khan. He stopped and turned back for one last comment.
"We will meet in our hour for the decision, if you are not there we burn this place to the ground. Here, you can have her as a token of our intentions," he said as he signalled to Cainon to push Anna in front of them before returning to his men. She stumbled and fell a few feet in front of Ulric who helped her up. As the enemy moved away to a safe distance, Synne and her companions stepped back to the safety of the buildings.
"Why did you do that?" asked Synne.
"Simple, this way we only need to win one small battle. Look at the people of Horizon, they would never have stood another attack. I doubt they even have enough ammunition for another fight. This way we risk less, plus, we get to choose who on our side will fight," said a grinning Thrax.
"They will do the same though and they have a whole army to choose from!" said Ulric.
Well, we had better find another dozen people to join us.
"You should be happy," said Thrax to Synne.
"Why is that?" she replied.
"You are going to fight in the Battle of the Thirty!" he said with a laugh.
Both of the armies had moved closer to form a wide curtain wall around the impending battle. The large numbers of citizens, warriors and onlookers gave the impression of an arena of old. The space created in the centre was easily a hundred yards in diameter, plenty big enough for a battle between hundreds. Along one side, stood Lar flanked by Khan and Cainon. Behind them stood twelve, equally vicious looking warriors. Each of them wore their armour though every man had a different look to him. Some had leather caps on their heads, others full metal helmets and most wore something in-between. Cainon wore a heavy looking iron helm whilst Khan went bare headed. Whether it was down to not having a helmet big enough for his skull or down to sheer intimidation, wasn't clear. Cainon carried his favoured flail whilst Khan had moved to a pair of curved swords. They were very much like the one carried by Synne, though these were embellished with details and stones as expected of a man so high in the ranks of his clan. All of the men's armour was blackened with fire and from a short distance away they had the look of a horde that had climbed up from hell itself.
Stood at the front of the small army was Master Lar. He was significantly different in both the amount and quality of his armour. It was tight fitting and almost all made from blackened metal. Parts of the armour were faced in red paint or blood and a light red cloak hung from his shoulders. In his hands he carried a two-handed sword that looked almost identical to the one carried by Thrax. His arms and legs were covered in plated armour that was heavily decorated with runic symbols.
Facing this host was Thrax and fourteen other brave souls. He wore his normal armour though he had no armour on his head. In his hands, he held his trusted two-handed sword and on his belt hung a number of long knives, each one almost the size of a sword. Synne and Ulric stood to his left side, both armed with spears. It hadn't been their first choice but Thrax, after seeing the warriors they had available, explained to them that they would have to rely upon discipline and coordination to beat Lar, as he had better warriors and better equipment. The spears were an easy weapon to use and when combined in a group could prove deadly. Each of them also carried a curved blade on their side for close quarter work. Synne wore the same armour as before though she had managed to find a pair of iron spaulders to fit on her shoulders. Ulric on the other hand had scavenged every piece of armour he could find so that he was protected in a loose assortment of plating that ran from his ankles to his head.
The group stood behind them include a mixture of the escaped prisoners from Haven as well as a few volunteers from the Trading Post that had some form of combat training. Three of them were warriors Ulric had trained previously. Anna had joined them as had Bara and Thrax's two fencing students. Under normal circumstances, it would have been an impressive group but today, when facing the best that Lar had to offer it looked petty. Thrax had explained this would work to their advantage. Synne was less than convinced.
Jackson, now wearing less of his armour and more of his regalia marched out into the centre of the field. Some of the inhabitants of Horizon started to boo him, much to his chagrin. He stopped upon reaching the middle and turned several times to look at the crowds. He glanced at Lar for a brief moment before turning away as though he was embarrassed to show he knew the man. Synne and Thrax had already spotted this and were certain of his treachery. He lifted his hand in the air, signalling for silence. The crowd softened though a few continued to interrupt.
"A Contest has never been fought at Horizon before. This solemn event is usually reserved for when the great Houses of the League and the Brotherhood are in disagreement over leadership or major policy. Today the Contest will decide the future of this region and the future of these people," he said as he waved towards the assembled fighters. It is a matter of honour and of the truce between all the Houses and clans that the result of a Contest is always obeyed. To refuse is to bring the enmity of all peoples in the alliance. Will you accept the result of the Contest?" he shouted to the crowds watching.
A roar of approval spread around the arena though how much was of fear and how much was hope was uncertain. At the very least, this battle would stop all the inhabitants having to be involved. Jackson turned to Lar and held out his hands to the man.
"Are your people ready?" he asked.
Lar said nothing, he simply nodded in agreement. Jackson then turned to Thrax, Synne and Ulric.
"Are your people ready?" he repeated.
"Of course we are, you asshole!" swore Synne.
Jackson was taken by surprise and for a moment had absolutely no idea how to respond. As he came back to his senses, he realised that although he was stuck between two groups of people who probably wanted him dead, right now, they were much more interested in fighting each other rather than him. He smiled to himself and then stepped off to the side.
"I need you both to steady the line. Keep them together, I will take my two students and work around their flank. Do not follow me, understood?" asked Thrax.
Synne and Ulric nodded and then turned and took their positions in the single line of warriors. Thrax remained at the front, right in the centre and as far as Lar was concerned, on his own.
"As the leader of this region, and the representative of the League, I pronounce this Battle of the Thirty legal and its result beyond question. You may start when ready!" Jackson shouted.
Half expecting both sides to explode into violence he rushed to the crowd and jumped amongst them to avoid being caught up in the action. In his haste to avoid the weapons, he stumbled and crashed to the ground. As he lifted himself up he realised he needn't have bothered. Both sides stood waiting and so far, not one soul had moved.
Synne and Ulric stood with just a couple of warriors to each of their sides. In the middle of their group were another four warriors, all stood waiting with their spears at the ready.
"Are you ready, brother?" she shouted over to him.
"Always," he said and turned to face the enemy.
They were still not moving, each of them waiting for the signal. Then it happened. Lar hardly moved, he simply raised his hand and sword in the air. At that signal, the entire line rushed forward save for Cainon, Lar and Khan all of whom stood their ground. The other twelve warriors raced forward, each waving their swords or axes and every one of them intent on killing as many of the lightly armed people as they could.
Thrax bounded backwards and into a gap specially made for him in the centre of the line. He made it just in time to turn and push his two-handed sword out like a spear in front of him.
"Now!" he shouted.
The whole line dropped the butts of the spears to the floor so that the end of the weapon rested against their rear foot. They lowered the tip to chest height and held the spear with their left hands. This kept their sword arms free and with these, they drew their axes and blades and held them, ready for the carnage. An axe flew close to Thrax but caught one of the men carrying a spear in the forehead and knocked him down to the ground. Thrax growled and pushed his sword out further so that it extended slightly further than the spears.
The line of Raiders crashed into the wall of spears and smashed past through the thin line. One took a spear point to the chest and head whilst Thrax stabbed his sword into the face of another. As he withdrew the weapon, he gave the order to release the spears. Most heard it and with their hands free started the vicious hand-to-hand melee with the enemy.
Synne struck down the first man. She feinted for his arm and then flicked her blade around to slash across the man's throat. With a gap in their line, she leapt forward, followed by Anna. The two turned to attack the exposed sides of the enemy and between them managed to bring down two more.
A roar came from Lar as he unleashed Cainon and Khan who jumped into the fray, brushing the weapons aside and smashing anybody they could reach. Though both sides had settled down into a savage free-for-all, Cainon and Khan were staying close and working on one group at a time. The first man Khan reached was a lightly armoured man carrying a mace. He swung it at Khan who simply grabbed his arm and then lifted the man only to throw him into the line. The falling man hit the back of Anna who collapsed to the ground under his weight. Cainon moved forward and brought the full weight of his flail down onto the back of the unfortunate man before he could even try to move. Anna was trapped underneath him and the last impact stunned her completely. He lifted the weapon again but Thrax burst out from the line and barged his shoulder into the man. With a gap create, Ulric pushed through it towards Khan.
He slashed his short sword against the man only to be forced to duck from a wild cut launched by one of the other Raiders. The cut was shallow against Khan but it had done its job and grabbed his attention. Khan smashed one of the defenders out of the way with his fist and then cut hard against Ulric.
"Get down you bastard!" shouted Ulric as he slashed at the back of Khan's legs.
The cut managed to catch him just below the knee where the armour was weakest. With a cry, he dropped to his knee. One of Thrax's students jumped forward and stabbed at the injured man. Though Khan's armour was thick it could only stop so much. In seconds there were three people cutting and stabbing at him.
"Get back!" shouted Ulric.
They ducked aside and continued their battle with the rest of the line as Ulric made to finish him off. Khan was bleeding from a dozen wounds but incredibly was able to stand.
"Is that it?" he shouted and with unnerving speed swung his left and right arm to bring both swords towards Ulric. He tried to avoid the cut but it was too fast. The first blade slashed open his shoulder and he only avoided the second because Synne had joined the fray. Parrying the blade, she hacked at the wounded man and continued attacking, striking at any opening she could find. The big man stumbled back, his wounds now seeming to take their toll. He turned back towards his own forces.
"Lar!" he shouted and then dropped to the ground.
Synne didn't pause and placed her blade along his throat. She looked up at Lar and then yanked the weapon, drawing a mighty gash across the warrior's throat.
"Bitch!" howled the leader of the clan.
Cainon heard the cry and pushed back Thrax long enough to see what was going on. At spotting his dying comrade, he roared and then punched Thrax hard in the face. The old warrior stumbled backwards and Cainon stormed towards Synne. Thrax's students jumped in the way and cut at him with their swords. He caught the first sword in his flail and then grabbed the blade, ignoring the cuts it caused in his flesh. In his right hand, he pushed out the flail and then slammed it into the first man's face, turning it to pulp as he crumpled to the ground. The second circled Cainon, shocked at the death of his friend and his confidence now failing, Cainon lowered his hand to his belt and pulled out a small but deadly looking knife. In one swift movement, he flicked the weapon forward and caught the student in the throat. He fell down, frothy blood gurgling from his throat.
From the side of the arena the crowd were completely ignoring each other, in many places the Raiders were now intermixing with the people of the town as they pushed ahead to find a better place to watch the bloody battle. Already nearly half of the fighters were dead or badly wounded and nobody could tell which way it would go. Jackson, still stood at the side was fidgeting, probably wondering whether he should stay or try to escape before a decision was made, one way or the other.
Thrax spotted the approaching Lar and pushing ahead the two warriors faced off against each other. Both men carried their massive two-handed swords and both were well aware of the abilities of the other.
"Thrax, old bastard. Perhaps we can come to some arrangement?" said Lar as he lifted his weapon high to his shoulder.
Thrax stepped forward with his right leg and pushed his own sword out like a spear tip, tempting Lar to attack his blade. Lar tried not to fall for it but the movement looked like a thrust. He swung down his weapon and tried to swipe the tip away. Thrax simultaneously pulled his blade out of the way and swung to around to the left. With a quick step, he struck Lar hard under his right arm, just above his ribs. Against anybody else it would have ended the fight, but the thickness and quality of Lar's armour stopped any penetration and simply knocked him off balance for a moment. He staggered and then stood up.
"This is what happens when you have resources, Thrax!" he laughed as he gestured towards his armour.
"Armour won't save you, it will just prolong your agony!"
He swung his blade from the left, slashed down and then stepped to his right and cut along the opposite angle. Lar was fast though and neatly stopped each attack with a similar cut. He tried to counter with a thrust to Thrax's face but with a quick dodge to the side, Thrax simply struck Lar in the stomach with the hilt of his own sword and then twisted it around to bring the blade to his head. Again Lar managed to stop the attack and the two men faced off against each other with their swords locked together.
Synne and Ulric were struggling against Cainon and his group of five warriors and it was proving to be the toughest fight they had ever fought. Whilst this uneven battle continued, another from their group had been knocked out of the fight with a cut to the chest and one had simply run away. Bara was on the ground and trying the drag out the wounded Anna who was still pinned under the body of the dead warrior.
Ulric picked up one of the curved swords from the dead Khan and proceeded to weave an intricate and continuous sequence of movements around him. It was a system Synne had been reading to him of a long dead art form from a group known as Indians, though she had yet found out who they were. The Raiders pushed forward and two were quickly caught in the fast movements. One took multiple slashes to his arms and face whilst the second took a blow directly to the top of the head. Synne dodged a blow from Cainon and slashed at his right arm. The cut went deep, making his arm useless to the fight. She twisted the sword around in a figure of eight and brought it down again to finish him off but Cainon had other ideas. Grabbing one of the nearest Raiders he threw the man towards her and her sword. Neither of them had time to do anything and the poor soul crashed onto her blade so hard it pushed through the sternum and out through his back. She staggered backwards only to crash into one of the Raiders. She was now disarmed and quickly kicked and punched the man to force him away. Another stepped in, this one was wielding a double edged axe. He lifted it to strike and she glanced to the side, looking for anything she could use.
Ulric jumped out to the side and caught the axe on one of his own blades before the two men could take advantage of her moment of vulnerability. He batted the axe to the side and slashed the man from the forehead down to the chest. Then Synne leapt on the final warrior and smashed him to the ground. As they rolled on the dusty floor, Bara dragged out the unconscious Anna and seeing the man near her, moved over and stuck her knee into the man's throat, whilst Synne continued striking the man. Ulric stepped in front of Cainon, his bloods dripping from his recent kills. His enemy stood motionless apart from lifting one of the spears he had just pulled from a dead warrior. He held it over his shoulder like a javelin and prepared to hurl it at Ulric. The two men stood facing each other, both daring the other to move. Whilst this standoff continued, Synne helped Bara to drag Anna out of the ring. As Synne reached the side, she noticed Thrax and Lar were still fighting though both were tiring from the epic fight between the mightiest warriors in the Contest.
"Won't any of you help us?" she cried to those watching.
"Hey, if anybody enters the ring we all enter!" responded one of the Raiders.
Synne moved up in front of the man who straightened up to intimidate her. Synne looked down as though cowering and then as a sneer appeared on his face she slammed her fist hard into his nose. Blood spurt across his cheek and he stumbled backwards. A great roar of laughter spread around those watching. She turned back to see Thrax knocked down on one knee with Lar standing over him. Ulric and Cainon were now attacking and parrying with zeal though neither seemed to be besting the other. Grabbing a spear from the ground, she ran towards Thrax.
"Get down!" she screamed.
Thrax spotted her from the corner of his eye and instantly dropped to the ground, completely exposing the front of Lar. Synne threw the spear with all her might and it flew hard and fast towards the man. He tried to move out of the way but it still caught him in the right of his chest and embedded several inches into his flesh. As he stumbled backwards Thrax grabbed his great two-handed sword and slashed from left to right in a powerful horizontal cut. The blade bit hard into the man's throat and sliced his head clean from the body. As the headless corpse slumped to the ground, Thrax turned to Synne and grinned.
"Good work," he said before spotting Ulric who was in trouble.
"Help him!" he shouted.
Ulric was caught in a lock and was unable to move. Thrax and Synne rushed over and as he spotted the two, he dropped Ulric and started to swing his flail above his head. He looked about, spotting the dead and wounded that littered the field. Only the four of them remained in the fight and he was seriously outnumbered.
"Cainon, it is over, you can't win," said Ulric.
Thrax lifted his sword up to his shoulder whilst Synne picked up one of the many curved swords lying on the ground. She held it out in front and ready for the fight.
"What do you suggest?" answered Cainon sarcastically.
"Surrender and pledge your clan's allegiance to Haven," he shouted.
"Surrender!" he laughed.
Cainon made a few swings and light strikes with the flail. He wasn't trying hard to hit them, just keeping them on their toes and unable to easily initiate an attack. Ulric stood directly in front of him whilst Thrax was on his right and Synne to his left.
"You'd rather die?" asked Thrax.
"Actually," answered Cainon as he stopped swinging the weapon and dropped it to the floor, "I'd much rather watch you die!"
From his belt he whipped out two small throwing daggers. Before the three could try to respond, he threw them both at Ulric. The first he was just able to deflect but the second struck him low in the side. He cried out in pain and Thrax moved to catch him. Cainon turned to run, he was obviously hoping to take advantage of the situation by escaping in the confusion. Two of the Raiders at the far end had pulled up a horse and he was hurtling towards it. Synne chased after him and leapt forward, stabbing with her sword at the same time. She was lighter and faster than the hulk of a warrior and her blade slid in quickly though his shoulder blades. He tipped forward onto his stomach, still groaning but unable to move. Synne pulled out the blade and kicked him over so she could see his face before turning back to Thrax.
"Is he okay?" she asked.
"It's alright, looks superficial to me, he was lucky, very!"
Synne sighed with relief before turning her full attention to Cainon. She lowered her sword and pushed out the tip towards Cainon. The crowd went silent, each waiting to hear the final words of the Contest.
"This is my last offer. Yield, or die?" she demanded.
He lay there on the ground, moaning in pain but Synne showed no mercy. She placed her boot on his stomach and pushed hard.
"Answer me!"
Cainon tried to lift his upper body but only managed to lift himself up a few inches.
"I, I yield," he groaned before collapsing.
Synne stepped back and looked to the crowd. She sensed confusion, some were overjoyed and others looked as though they were waiting for fighting to break out. A few were already drawing weapons.
"Wait!" she shouted.
She turned to Ulric and Thrax who gave her a nod to continue.
"It is over. Lar and Khan are dead, and Cainon has submitted to our authority. These lands are forfeit to us and our leader, Ulric of Haven!"
Most of the townspeople started to cheer, the realisation that they were no longer under the thrall of the Lar and his alliance with the many Raiders along the border. A few of the Raiders, presumably those who had been forced to join against their will, removed their armour and marched over to the crowd on the side of the town. In just minutes, the number of Raiders had dropped to only a dozen hard-core fighters. They stood with their weapons drawn and expecting a fight to the death. Thrax shouted over to Synne.
"We've got a problem!" he cried.
Synne rushed over to find white foam coming from Ulric's mouth. She dropped to her knees and rested his head on her leg. Ulric stated to splutter and cough, something was seriously wrong.
"Poison!" swore Thrax.
He tore at the material near the wound to find discolouration around the cut. Under normal circumstances, it was no more than a flesh wound.
"What have you done?" shouted Synne.
Cainon said nothing but simply continued to drag himself away from the arena and to his small band of warriors. Ulric coughed several more times and reached out to Synne, she grabbed hold of his hand, feeling the trembling throughout his body.
"Make him suffer!" he groaned and then with a final shake went limp and still.
Synne cried out in anguish and lowered the body of her brother to the ground. With the sword still in her hand, she stood up and faced the still crawling Cainon. He had reached his group and two of his warriors had helped lift him to his feet. He was in evident pain and his wound could easily be fatal.
"You murdering bastard!" she screamed.
As Synne started running towards him, one of his warriors stepped out and plunged his own sword into Cainon's chest. As Cainon cried out in surprise, two more of the men joined in, each one stabbing at the giant until he collapsed in a heap on the ground. The first to strike dropped to one knee before Synne who had stopped just feet from him, her sword lifted high and ready to strike. The other eleven men did the same, each kneeling before her.
"We yield to the Lord of Haven!" the first man shouted.
Synne stood in almost in the middle of the arena, the floor littered with bodies and broken weapons and armour strewn around her. Bara and several of the others came out from the crowd and moved to Ulric and the other dead or wounded. Thrax approached the body of Lar and stooped down, lifting his fallen sword. He examined it carefully, recognising it as the brother of his own weapon, before moving to Synne. He held the weapon out to her. She took it from his hands and held it before her. Jackson emerged from the side, now content he was safe he presented himself to Synne.
"This matter has been settled, you may now return to Haven," he said curtly.
Synne was not in the mood to be lectured by a wretch such as him and lowered her sword so that it pointed at his throat.
"Do not presume to order me about. Pack your things and leave," she snarled.
Her voice was angry and her horror at the events that had just befallen her. She looked at those around her and realised it was time for something new, something better.
"As the victor of this Contest I have proven my right to lead the League. This territory now belongs to my family and I tell you all now, we are going to make changes. Starting today we start the struggle to end the strife we have seen across our lands!" she shouted.
Thrax moved before her and lowered his head.
"Will you serve as the Leader of the League armies?" she asked.
Thrax gave her an odd look at the idea she had even one army under her control, but understood it was as much for the audience as it was for her.
"My Lord, it would be an honour," he replied.
"Jackson, come here!" ordered Synne.
The man stumbled towards her, his fear and confusion obvious for all to see.
"You will travel with two of my warriors. You are to take the word to the cities, guilds and clans of the League to assemble at Haven in three days."
"With what end it mind?" he asked.
"Victory of course!" she shouted.
Turning back to the crowd, she turned so all could see her.
"I will unite the League and march on every single lair and fortress used by the Raiders and any of their allies, until all our lands are free and safe. Are you with me?"
A great roar rang out through the town as every one of the people recognised a chance for the never-ending struggle to be drawn to an end.
"Good people of Horizon, go back to your work. I will return within the week with warriors, anyone that wants to join me is welcome to fight alongside us!"
The crowd started to dissipate as some moved back into the town whilst a substantial number of the Raiders and prisoners stayed, wanting to be part of Synne's plan. She walked up to Thrax who was tending to a wound on his arm. Bara stood nearby along with Anna who was holding a bandage to her face. To their side, was the body of Ulric, he was already on a stretcher, and covered with a blanket. Synne knelt down next to him and wept. The group stayed silent, none of them sure what to do. After several minutes, she wiped her face and stood to face them.
"My brother, take him and those we rescued back to Haven. We need to get things back to normal as quickly as we can."
She then turned to Thrax and looked at him for a moment.
"My Lord. What are your orders?" he asked seriously.
Synne said nothing for a moment as she looked at the numbers of volunteers swarming around her and considered what she was about to do. In her left hand, she still carried the two-handed sword that he had given her.
"We march, we march to war!" she cried.

