“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.
* * *
&nb
sp; “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 str
uck 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.
Champions of the Apocalypse Page 4
