Max Stone and the Lost Star of Zirdon (5 page)

Max looked at the tray of food which was covered with wrinkly cheese and odd shaped fruits and a cup of a rich coloured juice. He reached out for the cup first and took a tiny sip. He was nicely surprised to find it tasted a little of pineapples and oranges mixed with some other berries and he gulped it down. Next he tried the cheese. The first one he tried was a little salty and tasty but the second one smelled of old socks and he quickly put that down.

Boctamus laughed, ‘that was one of your grandfather's favourites'

‘But it stinks' complained Max. He quickly ate more from the tray - golden nuts and sweet fruit - and soon began to feel much better. The pain in his leg had disappeared and Mar-Hoc-Seia took off the ug-sucker and replaced it in its silver box. He was amazed to find that there was no swelling.

He suddenly felt sleepy and yawned.

‘You've had a long and difficult trip, Max. Perhaps you should rest for now and we can talk later.'

Boctamus got a blanket for Max and placed it over him in the chair. Max was about to say no but he was really too sleepy to object.

He closed his eyes and was fast asleep in seconds, his dreams filled with dinosaurs, adventures and the Lost Star of Zirdon.

CHAPTER FIVE

ATTACK OF THE KAEMON KLANN

Max woke with a start.

His dreams had been filled with adventure and aliens and all sorts of crazy things. As he looked around the strange room he sat in, Max realised that it hadn't been a dream. He was truly on Zirdon. He looked down to his side where the precious box sat on the ground. It was hard to believe that it contained the Lost Star, and that his Granddad Arthur had taken it to safety.

Just then the door opened and both Boctamus and Mar-Hoc-Seia walked in.

‘Good to see you have rested, Max. How is the leg?' asked Mar-Hoc-Seia with a kind smile.

Max stood up delicately on his leg still expecting some pain, but it was fine ‘It's great thanks.'

‘I am sure you must have many questions Max, where would you like me to start?'

Max thought about it for a second, picked up the box, opened it and drew out the stone. Both Mar-Hoc-Seia and Boctamus jumped back and covered their eyes as surely as if he had splashed hot acid in their faces.

‘Please' said Boctamus ‘put it away'.

In surprise Max returned the stone to the box.

‘Perhaps we have the first question?' said Mar-Hoc-Seia, catching his breath. ‘No one from Zirdon may touch or come near the Lost Star. It is the same for all worlds. To you this is but a stone, but to us it is one of the most powerful forces on our planet.'

‘Wow' said Max, ‘I'm sorry, I really didn't know. Is the box made of some special material?'

‘Ah yes, that was one of your grandfather's better inventions. He brought a thin metal from your world, aluminium he called it, and lined the inside of the box. This way we are protected from the powers of the Star once it is in the box.'

‘Why do you keep calling it a Star?' asked Max confused ‘and why is it so bad if the Reptile men get their hands on it?'

‘Two excellent questions Max. You see, when every planet is formed, there is a first piece to begin with. All other parts of the planet are formed around it; the corner stone if you like. What you hold is the first piece of our planet, the Lost Star of Zirdon.'

Boctamus added ‘It was only by your grandfather's bravery that the Star was not lost to us forever.'

‘Yes, yes, the Kaemon Klann. I am sorry you had to meet those foul creatures Max,' said Mar-Hoc-Seia, ‘but they are the reason we are in such trouble. You see the Kaemon Klann are nomads that are cursed to roam from one planet to another. Once they end up on a planet they may not leave until the very heart of the planet dies.'

‘Ah' said Max beginning to understand, ‘the Lost Star.'

‘Yes' said Boctamus, ‘and this is why your grandfather fought so bravely to keep it from their grasp. For, once in their hands, they would destroy it, and our planet would slowly die.'

‘Yes' added Mar-Hoc-Seia ‘these daemons rip out the heart of every planet that they are cursed to visit; only then are they free to move on.'

‘But how did my grandfather come across it? How did he bring it to earth?' asked Max.

‘It was perhaps three earth-years ago, but only four months here on Zirdon, when your grandfather returned with the Lost Star. Time travels differently on Zirdon to your home Max'

‘Differently, how?'

‘Well you have been here for almost one full day now but on earth only a short time has passed. But the real part of this story happened many years ago when the Kaemon Klann first invaded. Once they landed, they fought our people, stole from us and burned everything they could. Their aim was to steal the Lost Star, destroy it and so move on to another planet, as they are cursed to do. Once the Kaemon land on a planet for the first time they have the power to unearth that planets Star.
KRÄÄXOR
, hated leader of the Kaemon Klann, came very close to stealing the Star of Zirdon and your grandfather and I went to the very heart of our planet, the Stone of Azul, in a desperate quest to save our people.

Mar-Hoc-Seia continued: ‘It was a very dangerous thing we had to do and Boctamus here and other Warriors of the Tigral Tribe assisted us. We just had to get the Lost Star before they did and only for your grandfather's help we could never have tried it.'

Boctamus nodded in agreement: ‘This is true Max, he was a very brave man. He risked his life to save us.'

‘But why did he bring it back to earth, surely that was not part of your plan?' asked Max.

‘True' responded Boctamus ‘but the Kaemon had stolen the Lost Star from the very centre of our planet and your grandfather stole it back from
KRÄÄXOR
. We were trapped and greatly outnumbered by the reptilian dogs.'

‘Many of my tribe, the Tigral Tribe, and their Fight-Cats were killed in the battle to save the Star'

‘Fight-Cats? Is that like the one who brought us here?' asked Max.

‘Yes, Max. We have a special bond with the Fight-Cats of Zirdon, we hunt as one. But there were too many of the lizard soldiers and we were not ready for the viciousness of their attack. They broke a few of us off from our main pack and began to pick us off one by one' Boctamus said sadly.

‘That was when your grandfather opened up the portal to your world and brought the Star to safety' said Mar-Hoc-Seia.

‘The daemon dog,
KRÄÄXOR,
attacked him as he parted, giving him the wound that would later kill him.' Again, at the sound of the leader of the Kaemon Klann's name, Boctamus looked as though he would fight him there and then.

Mar-Hoc-Seia hung his head low. ‘It was a terrible loss Max. His plan was to return here with the Star so that we might find a way of banishing these monsters before they destroyed our world. But with the Star gone our planet slowly began to die. Where your grandfather had planned to be gone for no more than a few hours, a day at most, it has been several of our months.'

‘Yes' added Boctamus, ‘and our warriors lie sleeping in the hills, all of their energy drained as the life force of the planet drains away. ‘

‘The Kaemon Klann were furious at our act, knowing that without the Star they would be stuck here forever. They took over our beloved City of Elgonze, banishing all from the Swaveb Tribe to underground shelters such as these. These shelters were formed over millions of years and can support life. Many of our Swaveb Tribe live in these shelters and mine the Kerlang Stones.

‘The what?'

‘Sorry Max, so many things are new to you' replied Mar-Hoc-Seia. ‘The Kerlang stones are how we build our great city, Elgonze. We mine them down here in the caverns. This is also how the cavern outside supports life. We line the top of the cavern with the stones and light pours in from above and is greatly attracted to the Kerlang Stones. These stones make the light stronger and radiate it out and make it seem like it is daytime underground. That is how plants and trees flourish here.'

‘My tribe took refuge in the hills to live among their Fight-Cats' said Boctamus.

‘So what can we do? asked Max, ‘is there some way to restore the Lost Star?'

Again Mar-Hoc-Seia hung his head low, ‘I am afraid this is too dangerous a task for you to undertake Max, there are simply too many dangers and I fear
STRÄÄLUS
will have alerted them that you are here'

‘But surely I am the only one that can do it? I mean you can't even hold the Star. How will you ever return it and restore the energy back to Zirdon?'

The question hung in mid-air un-answered.

Just then a sound like thunder rocked the room. It sounded like the whole place was about to cave in.

The door burst open and another creature that looked like Mar-Hoc-Seia burst in.

‘Quick, quick!!' the first of them to enter room shouted. ‘The Kaemon Klann have attacked, we must get everyone to the southern caves, to safety…'

The creature stopped in mid-sentence and his eyes opened wide at the sight of Max standing in the room. Just then another much older looking furry alien crashed in behind him almost knocking the first one over.

They looked to Mar-Ho-Seia with an amazed look upon their furry faces.

‘Yan-Ho, Sey-Mar, this is Max Stone, he has returned the Lost Star. Boctamus found him out in the desert a few hours ago.'

The two members of the Swaveb Tribe were out of breath and the first who had entered the room, Yan-Ho, panted as he said ‘They must know he is here, with the Star!'

Sey-Mar caught his breath and recovered a little from the shock of finding the earth boy on Zirdon. ‘They have sent almost two dozen soldiers and they search for an entrance to our home.'

Yan-Ho continued. ‘It is only a matter of time before they find it Mar-Hoc-Seia. We must get the boy and the Star away from here.'

‘I will take him through the northern caves' said Boctamus, ‘it is dangerous but safer than facing so many of the reptile dogs'

Mar-Hoc-Seia considered for a moment as another loud pounding sound announced the urgency of the Kaemon Klann attack.

He turned to Max and spoke seriously ‘Max, this is a very brave thing you do, but please, please be careful. You hold the most precious thing on our planet and if the Kaemon Klann lay their hands upon it we are all doomed.'

Max nodded, a spirit of adventure rising inside. He reached into his pocket and felt the penknife his

Granddad had left for him. ‘I'll do it' he said confidently. ‘I'll do it for Granddad Arthur.'

‘Please' urged Yan-Ho, ‘we have to hurry or they shall be upon us.'

Boctamus stood beside his friend Mar-Hoc-Seia. ‘I will take him through the northern caves, you lead your Tribe to safety through the caves to the south.'

‘Thank you Boctamus, but is it wise? The northern caves will lead you right into the City of Elgonze?'

‘It is the only way,' he responded.

The two friends shook hands and Boctamus led Max outside into the chaos.

CHAPTER SIX

DASH TO ELGONZE

‘Hurry!' urged Boctamus, ‘and keep the box close at all times.'

Max followed Boctamus out of Mar-Hoc-Seia's room and out into the underground cavern where the Swaveb Tribe now lived. He looked again in amazement at the waterfall that fell from the sky. From the ground-shattering noise he guessed that this was where the Kaemon Klann tried to break in.'

‘How does that waterfall fall inside?' Max asked as they rushed to the cave entrance.

‘It is a river that disappears into a swallow hole underground. Now Max we must hurry before they spot you and that' he pointed to the box under Max's arms. ‘ If they find you with the Lost Star we are in very deep trouble.'

Lots of other questions filled Max's head, like how did the birds that flew around the trees get there?'

‘
Crash!'
a piece of the roof near the waterfall came thundering to the ground and Max could hear the urgent screams of soldiers coming from outside. The Kaemon Klann had arrived.

Below, Max caught sight of Mar-Hoc-Seia and his two friends Yan-Ho and Sey-Mar as they guided all of their tribe-folk towards the safety of the southern caves.

‘Crash
!
'
Another larger piece of the roof came shuddering to the ground and Max could see a huge bony head poke its way through. It looked like some sort of prehistoric monster was trying to dig its way inside!

‘Oh no!' cried Boctamus, ‘they are using Bluntnoses to dig their way in. We have to get out of here Max, and fast!' cried Boctamus. ‘The others will be safe in the southern caves but if we don't move soon we will be lizard food. Come on!!'

Smash! More pieces of the roof cavern fell to the ground and Max could see the head of not just one Bluntnose but three. Scrambling behind them he could make out the scaly legs of the lizard warriors.

Max didn't need to be asked again and set off as fast as he could to follow Boctamus.

After a short dash, Boctamus stopped at the cold dark entrance to the northern caves.

‘This will take us directly to the City of Elgonze and from there we can travel north to the Zagger Zee and on to replace the Lost Star.'

‘But what of the others? Max asked again.

Mar-Hoc-Seia will lead them through the southern caves where they will be safe.'

‘But won't the Kaemon Klann follow them? Or us?'

‘Ha! Those reptiles cannot stand the cold depths of these caves; it is far too chilly for them. Like all reptiles, they need the heat of the sun to survive.'

The mouth of the cave yawned blackly before them and Boctamus took two torches from the wall and lit them.

‘Hurry Max, once inside we will be safe from
KRÄÄXOR
and his soldiers.'

The light from the two torches cast an eerie glow inside the caves. Shadows danced and flickered on the walls and Max felt the icy chill creep on his skin.

Boctamus led the way, his torch held high out in front of him. ‘We must move swiftly but carefully Max, other creatures live in these dark caves. Stay close behind.'

They took the first few steps slowly, allowing Max's eyes to adjust to the darkness of the cave and the flickering light of his torch. From behind them they could hear the sounds of the Kaemon Klann breaking their way into the underground shelter, the Bluntnoses ripping the protection of the cavern's roof away with their powerful claws.

Boctamus began to move faster down the narrow path of the cave.

The cave shuddered behind them as the whole roof of the cavern gave way and dozens of Kaemon Klann poured inside. Boctamus moved faster and faster, wanting to get as deep into the safety of the cold as he could. The roars and grunts of the angry lizard warriors were mixed with high pitched screams and Boctamus paused and looked back in horror to Max.

‘Screechers!!' He said with a note of panic in his voice. ‘Quickly Max, we have to get to a high ledge for safety.'

‘Screechers?' asked Max

‘No time now Max, move!' Boctamus looked around the flickering light of the cave and said. ‘Up here, Max, we should be safe up here.' He pointed to a high ledge just inside? the tunnel and ran towards it. Behind them the screeching became louder and more frantic.

Boctamus cupped his two hands together -‘Come, Max, I'll give you a leg up.' Max dashed forward and put his foot into the cupped hands and Boctamus hooshed him onto the high ledge.

Just then the cave was filled with the sounds of dozens of scurrying feet and ear-splitting shrieking. Boctamus reached his torch up to Max -‘Keep it lighting Max, we'll need it'. He turned to face the angry creatures as they flooded into the tunnel.

Max watched as dozens of mini T-Rex-like dinosaurs swarmed into the cave like a small army. They were no higher than Boctamus's waist but Max could make out the glimmer of needle sharp teeth while they snapped and hissed as they planned their kill. They fixed their beady black eyes on Boctamus and swished their large reptilian tails, excited by sight of their prey.

Boctamus drew his sword and sliced at the first one that attacked. He took its head clean off but it was soon followed by another and then another. They worked as a pack, snapping at the young warrior, advancing and trying to find a weak spot. Another lunged, and again Boctamus swung his sword taking the snapping head off the creature. The screeching in the cave grew as the animals snarled in frustration. They circled again, moving closer and closer, closing in on Boctamus. Max thought he was done for.

And then Boctamus did something he wasn't expecting something the Screechers didn't expect. He charged right into the middle of the screeching reptiles, letting out a chilling battle cry

‘
AAAAiiiiiii-AAH'
, his alien eyes flame-red over his brown pupils, his long blood-red hair swishing behind him. He sliced with his sword, first to his left and then swung with the practiced cut of a warrior to his right. When he reached their outer circle he spun on his heels and charged back slicing through legs, tails, and taking off heads. The surprised and angry creatures scurried away deep into the darkness and in their confusion Boctamus made a lunge for the ledge.

Reaching out, Max put the box to his side and held the two torches in his left hand. He reached with his right and pulled Boctamus to safety.

‘Are you all right?' he asked, ‘are you hurt?'

‘No, Max I am fine.' He took his torch from Max and held it into the darkness.

‘Will they come back?'

‘Hard to know Max, the Screechers hunt in packs and will only attack prey they think they can bring down. Perhaps we have sent them a message that we are not for dinner tonight.'

Max smiled and asked ‘but how did they get in here?'

‘I imagine the Kaemon brought them to hunt us out of the caves, knowing they could not follow us in. It is too cold for those cold-blooded reptiles. The Screechers can store heat for longer, they're from Zirdon, so they are used to the climate. But even they cannot last long outside the warming rays of the sun '

Max and Boctamus listened to see if the Screechers planned another attack or if they had decided to leave the cave for safer ground.

‘Sounds like they've gone?' Max ventured after a time.

‘We wait Max, for the Screechers are sneaky and may lie in wait for us. We must stay a while so we are sure. They cannot stay long shivering in the cold and will soon have to return to the heat of the sun.

Max felt goose-bumps shiver over his body as they waited and huddled around the flames of the torches.

‘Boctamus', Max asked ‘what happens when we reach Elgonze?'

‘We must avoid the Kaemon Klann at all times when we are there, Max. Their numbers are great in Elgonze and they are strong because of the trapped energy of the sun. We must make our way past the Zagger Zee River and then to the Rock of Azul.'

‘The Rock of Azul, what's that?' asked Max. He had seen it on the map and heard Mar-Hoc-Seia mention it.

‘It is a sacred place to us and the rightful home of the Lost Star. I do not yet know how but I pray that Mar-Hoc-Seia is able to send a message to my tribe with the Takuon bird. Once Altusa, our Tribe leader, knows you have returned with the Lost Star he will gather our army. Together with the Swaveb Tribe we will fight these Kaemon dogs.

‘
Wow'
was all Max could think of saying but he just nodded.

‘Right' said Boctamus, ‘I think we have waited long enough.' He smiled to Max, ‘if we don't get moving soon it might be us who will suffer from the cold.'

They slipped off the ledge and back onto the narrow path. As they moved deeper into the northern caves, the path widened. Soon they were able to walk side by side. Boctamus told Max a little about the caves.

‘Look!' he pointed to the high roof of the cave. Under the flickering of the torch light Max could see the roof sparkle and dance as though it were dressed with a thousand diamonds.

‘Kerlang stones', Boctamus explained. ‘The Swaveb Tribe mined the stones and built the City of Elgonze with them. All on Zirdon are welcome in the City of Elgonze, and during a harsh winter all of our people take shelter there. The Kerlang stones reflect and collect the energy of the sun, even in winter, and for the winter we are safe and warm.'

‘It must be amazing' said Max trying to imagine a whole city built on the sparkling gems.

‘Yes it is, you can see it from a great distance and it acts as a symbol of hope to all who seek its protecting heat. This is why the Kaemon Klann have taken it as their own. They do not like our cool climate on Zirdon and crave the heat the city offers.'

They carried on walking for what seemed like hours when the cave opened up into a giant cavern. The roof of the cave sparkled with millions of Kerlang stones casting a glittering light on the dark waters of an inky-black lake that lay between them and the other side.

Boctamus crouched low near the water's edge and urged Max to do the same. He put his finger to his lips to signal Max to be quiet.

Max wondered how on earth they were going to manage to cross this black lake when Boctamus pointed to a boat which was fixed on a pulley rope to the other side.

‘We have to be very quiet, Max' Boctamus whispered.

‘In here lives the Ranguilla'

‘
Oh no
!' thought Max ‘what's that?' he dared to ask.

‘The Ranguilla is an ancient beast' Boctamus explained. ‘They live in these deep dark caverns and need only feed but once every year. Some believe they are daemons with magical powers, others say they are serpents that fell into the cave many centuries ago. Creatures sometimes wander into these caves for shelter from storms or if they are chased by predators. Their noses lead them to the lake's edges where they can find water to quench their thirst.

‘It is then the Ranguilla attack, launching their enormous bodies from the water and snapping at their prey with powerful jaws.'

‘If it's hungry we're in trouble!!' said Max, trying to lighten the mood.

He was sure he saw a ripple in the dark waters. But it must have been his imagination playing tricks on him. He was seeing monsters where there were none.

Boctamus moved beside the little wooden boat. ‘Come, Max, we must hurry. Hold tightly to the Star'

Max clutched the box tightly with one arm and placed his torch in the holder on the small wooden boat which looked made for the job. Boctamus anchored his torch at the other end of the boat.

‘Come on, Max!' Max stepped into the small wooden boat and it rocked unsteadily underneath him. He had a really bad feeling about this.

‘It's best we work together Max, we will make it across the lake faster.'

They pulled on the rope and the boat glided away from the water's edge.

Encouraged by their quick progress Boctamus urged them forward. ‘HEAVE' he shouted.

Together they hauled on the rope drawing them away from one bank and closer to the other.

‘Good, Max, good.' They pulled again and again and soon they were almost a third of the way into the lake. Perhaps they could make it.

And then the boat nudged suddenly to the side, rocking in the inky-black waters.

‘Max!!' Boctamus looked back at him, ‘don't move about like that'

‘I .I….I. it wasn't me.' Boctamus looked at him, his alien eyes changing from the calm blue to a fiery red as he realised what was going on.

‘Pull, Max, pull!'

They heaved on the old rope faster and faster, the ancient pulley groaning and creaking at the sudden action.

Max saw movement to his left and a menacing tail fin sliced through the surface waters. Again the boat was nudged from underneath, rocking them dangerously. Max's heart leapt into his mouth.

Boctamus's eyes now flame red, called out ‘it's testing us Max, trying to see how heavy we are, and measuring us up for a meal.'

Max really didn't need to hear that and panic rose inside him. He pulled on the rope with all his might, ignoring the strained groans of the pulley.

They were getting nearer and nearer to the other side ‘Come on, Max, we can do it.' They heaved and hauled with all their might.

Max saw the giant shape of the Ranguilla's head snake under the surface and head straight towards them, hitting them head on. The little wooden boat rocked wildly. Cold icy water splashed inside the boat as the edge of the boat dipped into the lake, first on one side then the other. Max snatched the box from the wet floor and tossed it onto the seat beside him while he and Boctamus grabbed the rope and hauled as fast as they could.

‘HEAVE!' cried Boctamus, and Max tried to focus on placing one hand after the other, putting all his energy in getting to the other side.

‘
KRRRrraassh
‘

‘Whoooa!' cried Max, as the Ranguilla smashed hard into the boat again. The serpent circled and they could see it build up speed as it came straight at them.