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

without hesitation. Altusa placed his hand on Max’s shoulder, smiling at the bravery of the earth boy.
    Without any more words he mounted Srana and held a hand out to Mar-Hoc-Seia and pulled him onto the back of his mighty Fight-Cat.
    Max climbed onto the back of Mannuk behind Boctamus while Yan-Ho paired up with Tomac. Each of the Swaveb tribe teamed up with a Tigral warrior.
    Max could see the worry written all over their faces. Being so close to the huge Fight-Cats was a daunting prospect but they held their nerve; they were here to fight for Zirdon.
    Once they were all mounted Altusa gave the order to move out.
    The Fight-Cats bounded over the distance to the top of the hill
    â€˜Just over this hill, Max, lies the Stone of Azul, the rightful home of the Lost Star,’ Boctamus called back to him as the wind rushed by. Max felt butterflies in his stomach, not knowing what lay ahead but he was determined to be brave.
    They covered the distance quickly, the Fight-Cats stretching their legs at full run.
    When they reached the top of the hill Max drew his breath. There before them stood the full force of the Kaemon Klann army. As Tomac had described, they formed a tight circle of three warriors deep around the Stone of Azul.
    The Stone itself was huge and towered high into the sky forming a sharp peak at the top. It glittered a faint blue in the afternoon sun and it was speckled with sparkling Kerlang stones and multicoloured gems giving it a magical air. Max could easily see why they held it in such high respect.
    Once the soldiers of the Kaemon spotted the Tigral warriors and their mounts at the crest of the hill they hissed and snarled. They looked like a brutal bunch with their sharp jagged blades drawn and their huge reptilian tails swishing. Max swallowed hard trying not to let fear get the better of him.
    Altusa sat proudly on the back of Srana and called to Max, Boctamus, Tomac and Yan-Ho: ‘We shall meet them head on, face to face, and draw their army from the Stone to the battle field. This will create a space at the back and it is there you must try to gain entry and return the Lost Star.’
    They shook hands, reaching across the backs of the mighty Fight-Cats and bid each other well in the battle.
    Tomac led the way and he and Yan-Ho, along with Boctamus and Max, moved to the back of their army and circled around off to the left.
    Altusa turned to face his army, knowing they would be nervous in facing such a vicious foe. He stood high on the back of Srana, Mar-Hoc-Seia still behind him, and drew his sword. He called to his warriors summoning their courage.
    â€˜Today’ he cried in a voice full of pride, ‘today we fight for Zirdon.’
    A great cheer rose from the Tigral and Swaveb tribes.
    â€˜Today, brave warriors of the Tigral and Swaveb tribes we fight a great battle for our homes, for our families. W E FIGHT FOR FREEDOM. ’
    He thrust his sword high into the sky, the sun bouncing off the blade ‘Today’ he shouted at the top of his voice ‘we will drive these lizard dogs from our home and forever banish them from Zirdon!!’
    The warriors cheered loudly shouting their battle cries.
    Altusa launched ahead pushing Srana forward and cried into the air ‘ AIIIEEEEE’
    As one they charged down the hill while the Kaemon Klann hissed and roared.
    Altusa drew his bow and this was a signal to the other Tigral warriors to draw their bows. They advanced further and as one released a shower of silver-tipped arrows that formed a dark cloud over the Kaemon Warriors. It rained down upon the lizard warriors and many of the Kaemon fell to the ground under the attack and many more were wounded. But still the Kaemon army did not move.
    High up on a rocky outcrop on the Stone of Azul KRÄÄXOR , leader of the Kaemon Klann, watched as the Fight-Cats raced forward carrying the warriors of the Tigral and Swaveb Tribe on their backs. He was impressed with their show of