Champions of the Apocalypse Read Online Free Page A

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