Free Sunlord by Ronan Frost Page B

see you're doing your best. You'll soon get
the hang of it."
    He saw Ashian was ready once again and they moved
off. Huso spoke as they walked abreast.
    "I noticed many of my tribe treat you with
disrespect. They fear you and your race. Many saw it was the city
dwellers who brought the Sunlords down from the sun."
    "We didn't, we were taken by surprise as much as I
imagine you were."
    "I see that, and I respect your determination in
coming to us. It must have been an arduous journey."
    Ashian grimaced at the memory. "If it wasn't for your
hunters I am sure I would be rotting in the spot where I fell. I am
very grateful for all your people have done for me."
    Huso was quiet for a minute. "We will help you to
save our race, but are you sure you are able to kill a Sunlord?
From what I hear, the Currachs are anxious to avoid all forms of
violence."
    "Don't stir up the thought," moaned Ashian. "It has
been on my conscience these past few weeks, and I have endured many
sleepless nights because of it. The only thought of consolation is
that it is all for the best in the long run."
    "So you don't intend to raise a weapon yourself?"
    "I was hoping we could get by without such action,
but if something comes up you could take care of it. My purpose is
to direct your abilities."
    "Yes? And you have a plan, I assume."
    "The only way to board the Sunlords sky ship is to
take one of their own craft. Hopefully they have more at this site
where Capac is leading us. How far away from it are we now?"
    Huso took a moment to consider. "We've been
travelling for six hours. My guess is that we shall be there very
soon. And once we're there, you'll certainly find your fair share
of action. Last time we left that camp it was swarming with
life."
    "Capac's doing, I suspect."
    Huso grinned. "He is a cunning mad man. He single
handedly threw the camp into chaos and within seconds had the
entire Sunlord army on top of us."
    "How did you get out?"
    "We ran like rabbits. We used some bush tricks to try
and shake them off, like doubling back on our trail and climbing
trees. Unfortunately the scroching Sunlords always seemed to be
able to pick us up again. You should have seen our path, it twisted
all over the countryside."
    "Where you afraid?"
    "I didn't have time to be afraid. All my attention
was with Capac as we plotted how to throw the Sunlords off, at the
same time as running full pelt through the dark jungle."
    Ashian's eyes lit up with respect. He opened his
mouth to speak but the burly Eloprin cut him off.
    "Shh. Capac's seen something."
    Huso sank into a crouch, his ears perked. Up ahead
Capac withdrew his long bladed hunter's knife from his belt. His
hands moved in a complicated array of motions.
    "What's he say?" whispered Ashian.
    "We are near the camp," returned Huso. "Follow behind
me."
    Huso rose slightly and crept between the undergrowth,
Ashian close behind. A minute later they were level with Capac and
Myshia.
    Capac readied his grip on the rifle. "I'm going in
first. I just hope this thing doesn't fail on me." He shot a glance
at Ashian, for the rifle had been his idea. "If I meet any
opposition I will signal, Huso, you know the code. Myshia, cover me
with your bow."
    The female complied by setting an arrow into her bow.
On a silent command they began their pace again.
    Ashian was surprised at how quiet his surrounds had
become. Capac made off so silently he seemed to float along between
the trees, his rifle held at the ready. Myshia followed at a
distance in the treeline with her longbow pulled taught, her
camouflaged and almost naked body blending with the backdrop. Huso
whispered to his Currach companion.
    "You must be quiet. Follow my footsteps."
    Ashian nodded and Huso started in the direction Capac
had made off in. Ashian followed as best as he was able, his feet
seeming to large and clumsy. They walked in this fashion for a
further ten minutes, arranged in a rough arrowhead formation.
    Ashian prayed quietly, almost fervently,