Champions of the Apocalypse (28 page)

Synne cried out in anguish and lowered the body of her brother to the ground. With the sword still in her hand, she stood up and faced the still crawling Cainon. He had reached his group and two of his warriors had helped lift him to his feet. He was in evident pain and his wound could easily be fatal.

“You murdering bastard!” she screamed.

As Synne started running towards him, one of his warriors stepped out and plunged his own sword into Cainon’s chest. As Cainon cried out in surprise, two more of the men joined in, each one stabbing at the giant until he collapsed in a heap on the ground. The first to strike dropped to one knee before Synne who had stopped just feet from him, her sword lifted high and ready to strike. The other eleven men did the same, each kneeling before her.

“We yield to the Lord of Haven!” the first man shouted.

Synne stood in almost in the middle of the arena, the floor littered with bodies and broken weapons and armour strewn around her. Bara and several of the others came out from the crowd and moved to Ulric and the other dead or wounded. Thrax approached the body of Lar and stooped down, lifting his fallen sword. He examined it carefully, recognising it as the brother of his own weapon, before moving to Synne. He held the weapon out to her. She took it from his hands and held it before her. Jackson emerged from the side, now content he was safe he presented himself to Synne.

“This matter has been settled, you may now return to Haven,” he said curtly.

Synne was not in the mood to be lectured by a wretch such as him and lowered her sword so that it pointed at his throat.

“Do not presume to order me about. Pack your things and leave,” she snarled.

Her voice was angry and her horror at the events that had just befallen her. She looked at those around her and realised it was time for something new, something better.

“As the victor of this Contest I have proven my right to lead the League. This territory now belongs to my family and I tell you all now, we are going to make changes. Starting today we start the struggle to end the strife we have seen across our lands!” she shouted.

Thrax moved before her and lowered his head.

“Will you serve as the Leader of the League armies?” she asked.

Thrax gave her an odd look at the idea she had even one army under her control, but understood it was as much for the audience as it was for her.

“My Lord, it would be an honour,” he replied.

“Jackson, come here!” ordered Synne.

The man stumbled towards her, his fear and confusion obvious for all to see.

“You will travel with two of my warriors. You are to take the word to the cities, guilds and clans of the League to assemble at Haven in three days.”

“With what end it mind?” he asked.

“Victory of course!” she shouted.

Turning back to the crowd, she turned so all could see her.

“I will unite the League and march on every single lair and fortress used by the Raiders and any of their allies, until all our lands are free and safe. Are you with me?”

A great roar rang out through the town as every one of the people recognised a chance for the never-ending struggle to be drawn to an end.

“Good people of Horizon, go back to your work. I will return within the week with warriors, anyone that wants to join me is welcome to fight alongside us!”

The crowd started to dissipate as some moved back into the town whilst a substantial number of the Raiders and prisoners stayed, wanting to be part of Synne’s plan. She walked up to Thrax who was tending to a wound on his arm. Bara stood nearby along with Anna who was holding a bandage to her face. To their side, was the body of Ulric, he was already on a stretcher, and covered with a blanket. Synne knelt down next to him and wept. The group stayed silent, none of them sure what to do. After several minutes, she wiped her face and stood to face them.

“My brother, take him and those we rescued back to Haven. We need to get things back to normal as quickly as we can.”

She then turned to Thrax and looked at him for a moment.

“My Lord. What are your orders?” he asked seriously.

Synne said nothing for a moment as she looked at the numbers of volunteers swarming around her and considered what she was about to do. In her left hand, she still carried the two-handed sword that he had given her.

“We march, we march to war!” she cried.