Champions of the Apocalypse Read Free

bushes, and scrub that seemed to hide a bewildering array of low walls and outlines of what probably used to be buildings. The dusty paths between the ramshackle buildings were in poor condition and travel at night could be treacherous. Night-time in this part of the world was always a danger, and it was a time when everybody had to be on their guard. The open ground around the outpost could hide all manner of evil things and it frequently did.
    As she approached the inn she placed her torch in the water bucket and then into the stand nearby. She opened the door and went inside.
    “Synne, busy day?” asked the barman who was busily serving a customer.
    Synne nodded and walked towards a table, moving past the half a dozen regulars. As she approached the table, a dark figure turned slightly to face her. Synne ignored the man and continued to her usual spot. As she moved a few more feet, the man at the table moved and either by accident or by plan, ended up striking Synne in the side. She stumbled a foot or two and then turned to face the man. She was unable to respond though, before the seated figure moved to stand towering over her. It was hard to make out the man’s full figure but as he stood it was clear he was a man of violence. He wore iron armour on his shoulders and chest and had specially fashioned vanguards and braces of either leather or thick rubber on his arms and legs.
    “Excuse me,” said Synne and without hesitating continued onwards to her place.
    As she moved to sit, a great booming voice echoed through the room.
    “What do you mean, excuse me?” asked the giant, still standing and unmoving.
    Synne lowered herself to her seat and ignored the man.
    “I’m talking to you, little princess!” exclaimed the stranger.
    “Then maybe you should go outside and find somebody else to annoy, Raider,” said a sarcastic voice.
    A young man stepped into view and faced off against the stranger. He was one of the town’s newest warriors. The two looked at each other for several seconds, neither saying a word. A volley of laughter echoed through the warm room as the other patrons enjoyed the joke at the expense of the stranger. The barman placed a tankard of the locally made ale on the table and made his way discreetly back to the bar.
    The laughter continued as the stranger walked slowly over to the table where Synne sat. As he reached just a few short feet away, the young man stepped ahead and blocked his way.
    “Maybe you didn’t hear me, I said you should go outside!”
    “So, the girl has a child to protect her,” replied the stranger, as he lowered his right hand to his left hip and placed his hand on the hilt of something, obviously preparing to draw a weapon.
    “Hey, I don’t want no trouble here. You know the rules, no violence in Haven,” said the barman, “on pain of death!” he added, almost for effect.
    The stranger looked at the barman and then back to the people in the room. His hand still rested on the hilt of the weapon and he showed no sign of backing down.
    “Do you know who I am?” he demanded.
    The door to the inn opened and in walked two more men, both wearing similar clothing and armour to the stranger. On their chests, they wore a symbol of some kind and on their belts each carried a vicious looking blade.
    “Cainon, Lord Galan is ready to see us, come on,” said one of them.
    The stranger looked around the room and with a grunt he turned and left the inn. As he took several paces away from them, he released his hand on his weapon and appeared to relax a little. As he was about to close the door the younger man called out.
    “Don’t bother coming back, you’re not welcome!” he said with a laugh.
    The stranger turned just a few degrees so his head showed in profile against the low light. He looked inside for a brief moment and was gone. As the door shut, the younger man jumped down to sit in front of Synne.
    “You are unwise to antagonise one of the Thirty, Peter,” said