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

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