Champions of the Apocalypse Read Online Free PDF Page B

fast, hard and then recover. Always keep the shield in front and you’ll live, at least for a while,” he said as he thumped Synne.
    “Come on, another round,” he said.
    The two moved back into position with Synne lowering her stance and placing herself firmly behind her shield. Ulric moved around her, this time he held his sword down low with the point out in front of him and just a few inches off the ground. To the uninitiated, it looked like he was being lazy or possibly even lacked skill. It was all a game though of move and planned move, no different to a game of chess. He made a move forwards as though to attack and Synne jumped half a step, pushing her shield forward and exposing her own defensive plan.
    “I know what you’re doing Ulric, you’re not going to tempt me out!” laughed Synne.
    She took a few wild slashes but kept her footing and never came even close to striking Ulric, who was able to keep out of distance by simply moving his upper body. Ulric could already see that his sister was being cautious and far more concerned with defending herself than in actually trying to initiate any real offensive action against him.
    “Is that your best cut?” said Ulric as he took a light swipe at Synne’s head.
    The cut wasn’t intended to realistically make contact, just to keep Synne busy so she didn’t have time to formulate a plan. Synne lifted her shield slightly to counter the movement and made a fatal error by exposing her legs.
    Ulric sliced gently and his blade thudded into Synne’s ankle, the impact was light but it was enough to remind Synne that in a real fight she would now be lame.
    “Come on, you can do better than this!” said Ulric as he circled slowly around.
    Synne took a few more slashes but they were never close enough to threaten Ulric. Sensing the moment was right Urlic moved in and did the same feint and once more Synne readied herself for the inevitable attack. As she moved forward Synne couldn’t help herself, it was simple instinct and her reactions forced her to respond to the feint. Now Ulric could see the tension in the body language of Synne. He could see in her face that she was annoyed being played with, this was where he could expect to use the pent up aggression to his advantage. For the third time he feinted, but this time he started to move forward and to the side. Synne, assuming another feint simply pushed up her shield and rushed down Ulric. This technique was one they called a shield barge and was simply where the fighter forced his shield forward and into his opponent. It could cause damage or injury and often threw the enemy to the ground. There was also a good chance of trapping an enemy’s weapon so that you could then use your own. Any other fighter would have been struck, but not him.
    Ulric cried out as he timed it beautifully and as Synne stepped within inches of his side he brought his two-handed sword down onto Synne’s exposed shoulder and dropped her to the floor. As she dropped down, Ulric swung his sword up so that his left hand rested on its flat part, about half way down its blade. He placed the point on Synne’s flank and pushed just enough that she could feel the tip.
    “Okay, I know, you beat me...again!” said a slightly irate Synne.
    The two stopped and Synne lay there groaning, more in annoyance than pain. She nursed her shoulder and made to stand up before her ankle sent pangs though her body. She stayed for a few seconds more before starting to laugh.
    “You never give me a break, you know that, right?”
    Ulric sighed as he slumped down to sit next to his sister. He dropped the wooden sword to the ground and pulled over a tankard that was half-full of warm but clean water. The two drank their full and wiped away the sweat.
    “I never give you a break because I want you to live. A dead sister will upset father!” he laughed.
    Ulric took another sip from the water.
    “Seriously though, I know you will be a great swordsman. If I let