Champions of the Apocalypse by Michael G. Thomas Page B

Thrax, “It isn’t just Lord Galan. Master Lar of the Brotherhood is also dead.”
    “Master Lar? Dead? That is a pity. So, he did well for himself. That is a great shame, I have wanted to even a score with him for the last twenty years!” he said with a hearty roar. “Still, the old git is dead so that is something!” he laughed.
    “What do you know about the Raiders that use the track at the base of the mountain?” asked Jonas.
    Before he could answer, Synne spoke from her place overlooking the valley.
    “And why have they never stopped you doing whatever ever it is you do here?”
    “Well young lady, they don’t come here for the same reason they didn’t get you last night. The path is treacherous and I always, and I mean always, hear them coming. A few years ago they sent a few small groups to speak with me.”
    “What did they want?” asked Jonas.
    Thrax shrugged and gave a smug grin.
    “Who knows, you’ll have to find them at the bottom of the valley and ask them yourself,” he said before turning back to Synne.
    “As for what I do here. I mind my own business though from time to time I teach the odd traveller the old ways of combat. Fighting with the blade, staff and bow. Not been much business in the last five years though, not since the Raiders got their train working,” he added.
    Synne and Jonas were both intrigued by this part of the conversation.
    “Tell us about the train?” she asked.
    “The track has always been here and you would find the odd group of Raiders here and there. About five years ago though one group, I don’t know who their leader is, managed to get information on building an engine, you know, the one that you’ve seen on the track. I don’t know how they did it, the only source of information I know of is in your father’s library.”
    “Yeah, I wonder who could have got that kind of information out?” said a sarcastic Jonas as he looked at Synne.
    “Gratus,” muttered Synne under her breath.
    “Maybe,” replied Thrax with a shrug. “Once they got the train working they started sending lots and lots of people and tools to the North. The train goes there every night and comes back in the morning, presumably to the Horizon Trading Post. I assume they’re building something up there to be moving back and for so often. One thing I do know is that they never bring people back.”
    Synne sat down and drank a little more. The clothing on her had started to flap in the wind and she was evidently self-conscious of the baggy sleeves that seemed to flutter with each gust of air.
    “When we were being divided up a man called Khan said we were going to be put into groups. One was to go to the mines and one to join their military, the rest who knows?   Both of the first two groups they put on that train and sent to the North. Why would they want workers and warriors in the same place?” Jonas asked.
    “Yeah, a very good question. I think we should find out and fast,” said Synne.
    “Hey, easy now. These Raiders in the North are not small groups of scavengers. They have access to weapons, armour and supplies. If you just wander in you’ll get caught and nobody will be able to get you out, not even me!”
    Synne didn’t look impressed.
    “That’s up to you. Right now, I need to know what is going on. I need information. If any of my people are there I must know,” she said with great passion.
    “Then what will you do?” asked Thrax.
    “I’ll think of that when I know what we’re up against.”
    “For now I suggest you rest, get yourselves both fully healed and fit. I can’t stop you but I can make sure you are both prepared for the journey you want to undertake.”
    Thrax stood up and moved away from the table.
    “Now, what kind of combat training do you have?”
    “Combat?” asked Jonas.
    “Yes, if you’re planning on going anywhere near the Raiders you need to be able to handle yourself. Can you use a blade, a spear, mace or bow?”
      “Of course, my