“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.
CHAPTER EIGHT
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 w
ho 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.”
Champions of the Apocalypse Page 14
