Champions of the Apocalypse by Michael G. Thomas Read Free Book Online

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