
The Barbarians
In a world where medieval fiefdoms have risen over the modern United States, Pennsylvania’s stone‑capped moats and Manhattan’s towered manors become the front lines of an age‑old clash. Young cannon operator Giulion Geoffrey finds himself amid a night of roaring artillery, fighting the invading forces of the so‑called Barbarians while his own allies maneuver for glory. When a rival commander from his own league turns his gun on him, the battle erupts into chaos and Geoffrey is thrown from his tank, left bruised and half‑conscious on a rocky foothill.
Rescued by a hulking stranger who offers water and a steady hand, Geoffrey discovers that his savior calls himself Hodd Savage—a name that rings with the very legend of the Barbarian general he was ordered to destroy. The stranger’s calm competence and dry humor hint at deeper motives, and he promises that the war will continue long after the night’s bloodshed. As the wounded soldier gathers his strength, the story sets the stage for a larger struggle between feudal leagues and the enigmatic, rising horde.
Language
en
Duration
~55 minutes (53K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Greg Weeks, Stephen Blundell and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net
Release date
Jan 2, 2010
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1931–2008
A sharp, imaginative voice in science fiction, Algis Budrys explored identity, isolation, and the human cost of technological progress. His best-known novels include Rogue Moon, Who?, and The Falling Torch.
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