Free Sunlord by Ronan Frost Page A

setting behind
the tree line K'iop sheltered in the hut he had constructed in the
trees.
    Shata brought a bowl of water close with his left
hand. K'iop sipped from the bowl, then coughed, racking his ill and
frail form brutally. "I'm going, my son."
    "Pull through," pleaded Shata. "You'll be all right,
you just need some rest."
    But Shata knew deep down he was lying to himself;
K'iop was dying.
    "Do your tutor proud," whispered K'iop. "Avenge the
Sunlords for the atrocities done to my people."
    "What are you talking about, you're coming with me!
We'll do it together, just as soon as you're well again."
    K'iop shook his head. "I have never felt closer to
death in my life. No, you must go alone. When I am gone..."
    Shata would not hear of this. He vainly tried to
forced some water between K'iop's lips but the later responded
weakly. Night fell, and his breathing became shallow.
    By the time the moon was high the old Currach was
dead.
    Shata's quiet moans echoed through the jungle - sobs
of despair and loneliness as his only companion's hand turned cold
and stiff in his own.
    And then Shata was alone.
     
    * * *
     
    Ashian found his pace slipping as he tried to keep up
with the forest Eloprin. It was a long way from the cobbled
Churchyard streets and leisurely evening strolls of home where his
only exercise was walking across the market square.
    Ashian felt so much more secure with his allies
company and the towering forest no longer daunted him like it did
when he first ventured into the wild in search of the Eloprin. He
found himself gazing at birds flying from tree to tree almost
meditatively. That was until they hit the wild patch.
    "The country gets pretty rugged here, Ashian," called
Capac over his shoulder. "We are cutting through the edge of the
swamps."
    Very quickly Ashian was no longer sightseeing, rather
he fought through a tangled chaos of undergrowth as plants ripped
and clawed at his passing. Trees were like sentient giants
overseeing their domain.
    The band of four natives were strung out in a long
line as they progressed through the forest. Capac had taken the
lead and he selected the most efficient path through the trees. The
educated hunter knew what rivers to avoid and where dangerous bogs
existed. Following his lead was the female Myshia who clambered
over the terrain as easily as Capac. She was unlike any of the
women Ashian had known when he was in his city. Whereas the normal
women were slumped and obedient Myshia walked with a light step and
her wide eyes shone with vibrant, icy pride.
    Following Ashian was Huso who made sure the city
dweller did not lose himself in the thick vines and suffocating
growth.
    Ashian found that he alone made more noise that the
three Eloprin combined. He tried hard to keep his footsteps from
breaking the dead vegetable matter about him, yet it always seemed
a brittle stick was destined to be where he stepped. The forest was
unyielding; the bushes reaching out to claw his forearms as he
passed. The heavy furs were itchy and unfamiliar on his back, and
undergrowth caught in his sandals slowing his progress.
    It seemed as if they had been marching forever.
Ashian began to wonder if they'd ever reach the site where the
Sunlords had been killed. The anticipation and excitement had worn
of long ago, giving way to weary muscles and a panting breath.
    His reflections snapped to a sudden halt as a vine
entangled about his foot, his mind reeling as he saw the ground
move beneath him. He fell awkwardly amongst a thorny bush and his
curse was loud and vivid.
    A hand came to his aid and helped him to his feet.
Brushing the heavy wet dirt from his hands Ashian turned to see
Huso was his benefactor.
    "Are you all right?" asked the hunter.
    Ashian nodded. "I'm fine, raich." said Ashian, using
the traditional term meaning 'ally.'
    "It's just that I'm unused to this sort of travel,"
he continued. "The last time I was in the woods was when I was a
child, playing in the Fringe Forest."
    "I can