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reputed that this
is a admirable play."
    The conversation ended, the two Currach turned their
attention to the play below, but could not enjoy the festivities
for the heavy thoughts that lay upon their minds.
     
     

Chapter Two
    Hunter.
     
    As to moral courage I
have seldom met with the two o'clock in the morning courage: I mean
unprepared courage.
    Napoleon Bonaparte, Memoirs.
     
    Capac Fletfod peered through the dense leaves trying
intensely to pierce the gloom. Then suddenly the sound came again,
a slight rustling in the trees and scurry of movement.
    Capac signalled to his companion Huso Mshod. Capac
whistled softly; his communication disguised as a bird's chirp. He
moved his hands, signalling to Huso to circle around to the right.
Huso motioned that he understood with a similar hand signal.
Despite his solid burly build Huso moved with panther-like stealth
and suppleness.
    The two moved silently through the undergrowth, a
shadow among shadows. These were creatures know as Eloprin, their
large eyes and slightly elongated skulls reflecting those of their
distant cousins, the Currach. Capac wore little to clad his slender
form, a loincloth strapped to his waist by a belt of leather from
which hung a pouch fashioned from the pelt of a small animal. His
face and body streaked with the sap of Redwood to disguise himself
among his surroundings. The long bladed hunter's knife in his right
hand glistened wickedly in the dim light as he advanced, using his
free hand to pull aside vines to allow passage.
    Ever since the Sunlords arrival life had been hell
for the hunters. The name "Sunlords" was coined from that very
first day when the invaders had come on chariots straight from the
burning sun. Indeed, the craft they travelled on rode on fire and
the weapons they carried spat great terrible heat. Many Eloprin
believed this strange powerful race to be offspring of the Great
Sun God.
    And now Capac was out for revenge.
    Capac's quick eyes were unceasing in their activity,
his controlled breathing silent. His heartbeat thumped loudly in
his ears, all senses strained to the utmost as he advanced towards
the noise. He took every step carefully to make sure a twig did not
snap beneath a leathery sole.
    Both Eloprin froze in mid-stride as a voice shattered
the jungle stillness. The tongue was alien to Capac, harsh
syllables drawn out into meaningless garble. It was strangely
metallic and hissing with static. The chilling voice cut suddenly
and a rustle of movement erupted from the undergrowth, a Sunlord
appearing apparently oblivious to the Eloprin's presence until he
almost stepped upon him. The Sunlord's yell of surprise rang out as
he dropped the small device he carried.
    Capac reacted quickly. His knife flashed in flight -
a split second later it had buried itself into the Sunlord's chest.
The Sunlord spun with the blow and struck the ground face down.
    Barely had the Sunlord fallen had another emerged
Capac looked wildly about for weapon as the second Sunlord
advanced, weapon levelled.
    This strange device suddenly unleashed fire! Capac's
lightning reflexes saved him from certain death. He buried himself
into the leaf strewn ground just as the trees behind him lost their
bark in a shower of splinters. Huso, still concealed in the forest,
came to his rescue. His hefty axe swung in a wide, fluid arc that
crashed into the side of the Sunlord's head. With a blow that would
have split an ape's skull the Sunlord fell to his knees. Huso did
not relent. Strike after swift strike hailed down. The axe used for
splitting heavy wood was devastating to its victim.
    Capac scrambled to his feet, amazed that the Sunlord
still moved. He gasped as he glimpsed silver beneath the bloodless
wounds Huso had inflicted.
    Huso stood back, satisfied that his prey had fallen.
Capac watched with dread as the silver creature clawed the ground
and struggled to stand. It slowly drew its hands and knees under
itself and shakily regained its footing. Capac