Champions of the Apocalypse Read Online Free PDF Page A

this. By breaking the law, we forfeit our position and they fight a Contest without us to determine a new primary House. A victory for us in a Contest will secure our position in the League and force their new leader to swear allegiance to us. No leader would then declare war on another. That is the entire point of the agreement, to stop continuous warfare,” explained Lord Galan.
    “Are you sure this is wise, there must be a better way?” said Ulric.
    “Perhaps, but five warriors in the Contest is better than five hundred at our border, fighting the combined League. A battle I would add that we could not win, not yet anyway,” said Galan as he gave a wry smile to Synne.
    “Ulric, the Contest has kept the peace for five generations, there is no reason to doubt it now. Plus, with you leading our contingent how could we ever lose?”
    Lord Galan ordered the messenger to be brought back before him.
      “I have made up my mind. I need riders to take messages to the leaders of every House. A contest is to be held in ninety days. Each House may enter a contingent of five as are the terms of the agreement. The winning house will take leadership of the League for the next ten years. Any House violating the sovereignty of another during the Contest will forfeit their position and be automatically cast out,” ordered Lord Galan.
    The messenger bowed and then left.
    “Sire, are you sure?” asked Ulric, still unconvinced of his actions.
    “Do you doubt your own abilities? You have three months to ready your group. I will contact the other Houses and ensure we have allies for the Contest. We need only to defeat those who oppose us to gain ten more years and a stronger position. By declaring a Contest we force the Brotherhood’s hand. If they still attack during this period they bring the wrath of the League and even they cannot stand against the rest of us,” explained Lord Galan.
    “Anyway, we have other things to attend to and in my opinion they are developments that equal or even surpass the importance of the Contest,” he said mysteriously.
    He moved over to a table at the side of the room that was stacked with papers. Nearby were a number of wooden crates, one of which had been opened. A map covered in many markings was laid out in the middle of the table, each corner weighed down by paperweights. In the centre was the city of Haven and around it the many villages, workshops and farms that it controlled. On its borders were several of the League Houses and to the north east of them all, was the great buffer that led to the wilderness of the Wastelands. To the South was the great desert that ran off into the unknown.
    “As you know, the League has been trapped in this area by the danger of the Wastelands to the North and the barren wilderness of the desert to the South. What if, I were to tell you that I know of lands in the North where towns still exist, traders ply their goods and people travel in the same fashion as us?”
    “You jest, father?” asked Ulric suspiciously.
    “Indeed I do not. I have received news that a caravan travelled through the Wastelands and came directly here not a week ago, completely unscathed,” said Lord Galan excitedly.
    “This isn’t possible, father,” said Ulric.
    “Look, I spoke with several of them and after a long discussion I have made arrangements for a monthly visit by their traders to sell their goods and for us to export ours. They bring all manner of items including this,” he said as he pointed to a long wooden box.
    Synne wandered over and lifted the lid, inside was a short metal object the size of a large dagger. It was well made and mechanical. In the centre was a rotating barrel that clicked as it moved.
    “What is it?” asked Ulric.
    “The trader said it was a weapon called a pistol, apparently it was used with metal and chemicals to launch projectiles, by the Ancients,” explained Lord Galan.
    “A pistol, I have read about these items!” exclaimed