Max Stone and the Lost Star of Zirdon by Declan Clarke Page A

The name of the Kaemon Klann would be feared throughout the universe as word of his power and strength travelled before them.
    DRÄÄGNOS didn’t dare cross his leader again. He had lost command of his army to STRÄÄLUS , that snivelling dog, and he felt the shame of it burn inside him. If he disobeyed a direct order, worse would befall him.

CHAPTER TWELVE
    â€˜FOR ZIRDON!’
    Altusa summoned his army of Tigral warriors, all mounted on their Fight-Cats, eager for battle. With the Star back on Zirdon, new hope rushed through their veins, new strength for the battle ahead. Max clung tightly to Boctamus on the back of Mannuk. The army moved out and sped across the open plains towards the crossing of the Zagger Zee.
    As the army thundered across the open space, herds of grazing dinosaurs scattered, worried at so many sabre-toothed tigers advancing at one time. Max looked at these and saw that they were indeed straight from his dinosaur book at home. There were the large beasts with heavy armour, along with smaller animals that moved as fast as gazelle or antelopes.
    As the river came into view Altusa called out. ‘Look, the Swaveb Tribe’, he pointed to the flotilla of small boats that sailed the waters of the Zagger Zee.
    They sped down towards the banks of the river where they met friends of the Swaveb tribe as they tied up their boats and stood on the banks of the river.
    Altusa jumped off the back of Srana, his Fight-Cat and saluted Mar-Hoc-Seia warmly.
    â€˜Greetings old friend, glad you have made it’
    â€˜Greetings Altusa’ replied Mar-Hoc-Seia, ‘it is a truly great sight to see you and your warriors of the Tigral Tribe.’
    Boctamus helped Max down from Mannuk, clutching the precious box tightly under his arm.
    â€˜Max!! You made it and I see you have brought quite the army with you’ Mar-Hoc-Seia smiled.
    Max smiled at the old alien who he noticed was holding a club. He also saw that Yan-Ho held an axe and that all of the Swaveb Tribe held a weapon of sorts, be it club, axe or shovel. And Max thought to himself, they looked quite ferocious.
    â€˜We have seen no sign of the Kaemon Klann’ Mar-Hoc-Seia said to Altusa ‘ have you?’
    â€˜None’ he replied, ‘although I suspect that they may be lying in wait for us.’
    â€˜Wise counsel’ said Mar-Hoc-Seia, ‘how do you think we should proceed?’
    Altusa thought for a moment, and then called to his son, Tomac. ‘Go with caution and see what lies ahead of us.’
    In a blur of Lothius’s white fur, Tomac was off, bounding across the bridge and off into the distance. They all held their breath as they watched him crest the small hill. At the top he paused for a few moments, crouching low and then came back down.
    When he returned he spoke to Altusa.
    â€˜They have formed their army into a circle around the Stone of Azul’
    â€˜So they lie in ambush for us then’ said Altusa ‘how many did you see?’ he asked.
    â€˜I guess there are nearly 200 of them father, but more may lie in wait behind the Stone.
    Altusa surveyed his own army, perhaps three hundred strong with almost as many of the Swaveb tribe. ‘So we outnumber them.’
    â€˜That may be so’ said Sey-Mar who had just joined the group ‘but they are bigger and stronger than us? It is madness to fight them. We of the Swaveb Tribe are not meant to fight’ the old farmer was wringing his hands in worry.
    â€˜They are bigger and meaner than us so the balance may be theirs’.
    Mar-Hoc-Seia stood beside his friend, ‘but they fight out of fear of their leader, Sey-May.’
    â€˜And’ said Altusa ‘they do not fight for Zirdon. We will ride to meet them.’
    Altusa called Max to his side. ‘You are the only one who may return the Lost Star to its rightful place and what we ask of you is a nearly impossible task.’
    â€˜I’ll do it’ Max said