Champions of the Apocalypse (16 page)

“Just me, what are you doing here?”

The man took a step back, surprised to see Thrax appear from the cover along the riverbank.

“We aren’t looking for any trouble mister, we’re on our way to the South.”

Thrax stood up straight now, starting to relax.

“Don’t be worried, I’m not looking for you. Tell me, why are you leaving the area?”

He started to make his way over the river and the stranger stepped back a few more steps, looking warily at the well-built and commanding figure of Thrax. The planks were not easy to navigate but with careful use of his staff, he managed to cross the river without complications. Once reaching the other side, he stayed a short distance from the group, so as to not frighten them.

“Do you know where the train goes?” he asked.

“The machine on the tracks?” asked the man.

Thrax nodded.

“I’ve never been there but I do know that some of our farmers were taken to work in the mine there. It is some kind of outpost used by the Raiders. We have done our best to stay away from them and keep to our farms which are well away from them.”

“Are you heading back home then?” asked Thrax.

“Home?” replied the man with a snort of derision.

Thrax raised his eyebrow but said nothing. The two people that were standing near the cart approached. The short, plump, woman with the look of a hard-nosed farmer’s wife, moved nearer to him and examined him closely.

“You’re not from around here, I can’t place your accent,” she said.

“I’m originally from the city of Haven,” he said, expecting some recognition.

“Haven? Where’s that?” asked the other man.

“Haven is the greatest settlement south of the Wastelands and ruled by Lord Galan. It is one of the League cities,” explained Thrax, though he suspected these simple folk had no idea what he was talking about.

The three in the group looked at each other and then back to him.

“South? I thought the Wastelands were impassable?” asked the woman.

Thrax turned his head in confusion.

“The South is split into many fiefs and kingdoms, each ruled by an alliance between two great forces, those of the Brotherhood the League. I wasn’t aware there are settlements this far in the North.”

“Well, you’re right now. These Raiders have been fighting in our lands for the last year. They destroyed our last city just a few days ago,” said the woman.

“We just can’t hold them back. At first, they arrived with horses but then they built a fort and put down iron tracks. Every week the steam machine comes back with more warriors and they just keep coming. Only a few of us managed to escape from the attack, we heard some had made it through the Wastelands alive. Is it true then, I mean, about the Southlands?” asked the older man.

“Is what true?” asked Thrax.

“That there are great cities and fields full of fresh food in the old lands,” replied the woman.

“Well, it isn’t perfect but there are cities, farms and food.”

The three looked happily at each other with this news.

“Well, nice to chat with you mister, but we must keep on, we only have so much food to keep us going,” explained the younger man.

“Wait, can you tell me anything else about this land near the track? I am looking for my friends who I think might be at the end of the track,” he asked.

“They don’t want to be there, that is the home of the worst clan of them all. I’ve not seen it, but I’ve heard that is where they build and make the steam machines and mine in the ground.”

“Do you know how I can get inside?”

“Hmm, well, if you turn left and follow the river it will take you to the east side of the place. You will smell it before you see it. Follow the black smoke and it will take you there. I would say no more than an hour. A few months ago, one of our town’s boys managed to escape on a small boat on the river. It flows eastwards but it will be easier that way than going to the gate on the main entrance.”

The small group returned to their cart and prepared to move on. Thrax took a sip of water and looked ahead along the river and into the distance.

“I hope your friends are okay, the Raiders are animals,” said the woman as they moved away.

Thrax returned his flask and with one last look at the group, he continued on his journey to the North.

* * *

Jonas was in the centre of the first large room and stood in stunned silence as he looked up and down at the rows of prisoners. They had tied and gagged the guard near the doorway, so they could keep an eye on him. Synne had already spoken to the first few prisoners and had unlocked their chains using the keys taken from the guard. As Jonas watched, he noticed movement outside the main door and moved quickly to the wall, so as not to be seen. He hissed quietly to get Synne’s attention. She finished with the prisoners and crept slowly over to him.

“What’s the problem?” she asked quietly.

There’s movement outside. Have you found out how often they change the guards?”

“The next guard is due at sunrise, so that will be in about two hours, roughly.”

“What have you found?” he asked her.

“Well, so far all of these people are from the villages and farms along the borders. Apparently, those chosen for use in the military have been taken further north to some kind of military camp. The rest of the Haven prisoners are being kept in the next building along. The trouble is, they have another two guards in there.”

Jonas looked less than impressed.

“So we know they have prisoners here, what are we going to do?”

“The man over there says the Raiders have captured two engineers that they use to keep the train running. They keep them both at the fortified compound inside the settlement.

“So? You believe him? He would say anything for us to help him out of here. He could be worse than the Raiders for all we know!” exclaimed Jonas.

“No, I don’t think so. He sounds terrified, said his brother was a blacksmith. They took him to make tools in the workshops before he tried to get away. They killed him a week ago and then killed another ten as punishment for defying them,” she said with venom in her voice.

“Now, if we could break out the engineers, they could control the train and we could take the prisoners out on that.”

Jonas almost laughed at the plan before moving closer to her. His expression changed from feigned amusement to slight anger.

“Synne, are you serious? You want to break out two of them, plus all these prisoners and get away on the train without anybody noticing? What if there is a problem with the train, or what if it is too slow to get away from here before the Raiders are on us?” he asked sarcastically.

“Well, I thought you might help,” she replied with a wicked grin.

“I’m not joking with you, Synne.”

 
“I know you aren’t and neither am I. I say we take a dozen of them with us and move to the other end of the settlement. We can start a fire or something to keep them busy. Once they are occupied, we’ll split into two groups, one to get the engineers and the other to get the prisoners down to the train. We keep it simple and do this thing one stage at a time. Right now we have surprise on our side,” she explained.

One of the men recently released by Synne moved up to them. He was gaunt but there was fire in his eyes at the chance to do something.

“I heard you talking. I work in the storage areas where they keep all the chemicals. If you get me and a couple of others there we could start a fire of the size you’ve never dreamed of,” he said with glee.

Synne looked back to Jonas who after a short pause nodded in agreement.

“Okay then, what is your name?” she asked.

“Eric,” replied the man.

“Okay, Eric, I want you to release everybody else in this building and tell them to be ready. Keep them here and make no noise. Wait till we return and if anybody else comes in here, other than us, just pretend you are still tied up, understood?”

Eric nodded as she handed him the keys.

“What about the diversion?” he asked.

“We’re going to the other prison building, we need to get the rest of them unlocked. We’ll come back for you after that. I’m not leaving without everyone and we’re going to need that diversion of yours,” she said.

Eric smiled and turned back to the rest of the prisoners, many of whom were leaning forward, eager to hear what was going on. Synne moved back to Jonas.

“Let’s go and check on the others, then we need to work out this plan!”

As they made to move, Jonas reached out and held her back.

“What about the guards?”

Synne withdrew her curved blade and held it in front of her.

“I think it’s time we introduced ourselves to them,” she said with a smile.

The darkness outside was already starting to fade. It wouldn’t be long now before the sun rose. From his position about half a mile from the compound, Thrax had an excellent view of the place. He had also worked out the main entrance in from the south and the rail tracks that led back to the valley. The waterway entrance however was unguarded, exactly as described by the three travellers he had met previously. The narrow river passed directly through the settlement and it was the only point he could see where there was no kind of palisade or fortified entrance. The only real problem was that it was out in the open and the approach would expose him to the views from the walls to the north and south of the waterway.

Keeping low, he moved ahead along the bank of the river, always keeping his head down and listening for any signs of trouble. Every few minutes a head would pop up above the palisade wall to the north, presumably checking for intruders that might approach the entrance further along the base. They seemed very edgy, much more than he would have expected from a people that apparently controlled this entire area. As he moved a little closer, he could see the large wooden shed that rested near the rail tracks. It was the largest building in the entire place, apart from high tower at the end of the fortress-like Citadel. That building was the only structure he recognised as in the past it had been the home of a stage post and look out station for the Trading Post. Since then though, it looked as if it had been expanded and fortified into more of a military compound. A very different role for what used to be a peaceful place.

Just one large pile of rocks on the left bank of the river now stood between him and the outer wall of the base. With a final look for signs of the Raiders, he climbed over them and approached the bridge from below. Then he spotted two men stood chatting and directly in his path. One carried an oil lamp whilst the other scratched at his leg with a heavy looking mace. Thrax ducked back down, swearing quietly to himself.

“I’ll have to wait till they move away,” he said quietly whilst looking about for any other way inside.

* * *

Synne and Jonas had left the first prison and were making the short trip around the back so they could reach the side entrance of the other building. From the outside, it appeared to be made in the same design. It was large, easily big enough for a hundred people and like in the first building, the windows were blocked off with substantial and extremely sturdy metal bars. As they rounded the corner, a man approached with a sack on his shoulder. The two stood completely still and waited in the darkness as he passed.

“That was close,” whispered Synne.

Jonas looked to the right and the left, making sure the route was clear. He turned to Synne.

“You don’t say!” he said sarcastically.

Synne nodded for them to move and they gently went forward to the wall of the building. The entrance was only a few feet away and with great care they approached each side of the door, doing their utmost to avoid standing directly in front of it in case there was anybody inside looking out. Synne moved to the left of the entrance whilst Jonas took the other side. They already had their swords drawn and held down very low to the ground to avoid any glinting or reflection that might be seen in the camp. From their position, they could see the small number of patrolling guards making their way around the base. At this time of the morning, they were still carrying their torches and the orange glow they emitted provided a handy signal as to where they were. Jonas moved up and waited next to the wooden frame whilst Synne braced herself.