Rahan. Episode 160. By Roger Lecureux. The lies of Hung-Gaha. A Puke(TM) Comic.

Translated by the Son of the Puke Ages.
Index:
https://rumble.com/v3486cm-rahan-index-of-episodes-by-roger-lecureux..html

Source of Rahan Comics:
Philippe Ropers.
https://vk.com/topic-203785966_47424128

Rahan.

Episode One Hundred and Sixty.

By Roger Lecureux, drawn by Romero.

The lies of Hung-Gaha.

Again the high rampart of trunks rose up before the son of Crao, who understood that he would not escape his pursuers much longer.
This time Rahan will have to fight!

The fire-haired foe is exhausted!
We have him! Remember, Hung-Gaha wants him alive!

Ten times Rahan had escaped from these hunters.
But on that day he had come up against this rampart which seemed to surround this entire territory!

Zlac!
Why did not Rahan have this idea sooner!?

Page Two.

What, What.
The vociferous pack saw him take his run-up, point his long bamboo like a spear, and rush towards the rampart.

Ra-ha-ha!
With a powerful spring, Rahan tore himself from the ground.
But his cry of victory was premature.
Because.

Everything.
Everything is against Rahan, today!
Crack!

Falling back inside the enclosure, the son of Crao was at the mercy of the hunters.

Rahan hates fighting with "Those-Who-Walk-Upright".
But since you are forcing him to.
He is ready!

Clutching his broken bamboo, Rahan faced front.

Page Three.

Rahan never let himself be captured without a fight!
Ra-ha-ha!
Argh!
Argh!

Crack! Argh!

Although broken, the bamboo pole was extraordinarily effective.
And if the fibers that held the two pieces together had not given way, Rahan might have repelled the assault.

But it gave in.

We finally have you, "Fire-Hair"!
And you may see the sun set for the last time!
The hand-to-hand combat, which had become inevitable, could not be to Rahan's advantage!

Page Four.

Why have you been looking for Rahan since dawn?
What do you want from him?
We, nothing!
But our gods need your blood and your life!

A little later.
We finally captured "Fire-Hair", Hung-Gaha!
Here is his weapon!

Very well, Ta-Hark, if our gods desire it.

We will sacrifice this unknown hunter to them!

This "Unknown" hunter is called Rahan, Hung-Gaha!
Rahan, the son of Crao!
And Rahan is not the enemy of any hunter, any clan, any horde!

Enough talking, Rahan!
Tonight, I will consult the gods!
Perhaps they will ask us to spare you.
No, Hung-Gaha, they will never ask you that!
Page Five.

Unless you interpret the wishes of the gods in your own way, Hung-Gaha!
Rahan sensed the chief's hostility toward the young woman.

Lock up "Fire-Hair", brothers!
You know he is fearsome.
So let no one approach him at night!

An instant later.
Our young witch has a heart that is too sensitive!
But do not expect anything from our clan, "Fire-Hair"!

You are living your last night!
The menacing words of Ta-Hark the leader echoed long in the galleries.

Although the son of Crao believed neither in gods nor in demons, he respected the beliefs of others.
Rahan sacrificed to the gods! But to which gods!?

Page Six.

He tried in vain to dislocate the bamboo grid when.
Rahan will not let his life be stolen!
Ra-ha-ha!

Here!
That will be easier!
Oh!
A hand held out his ivory knife to him.
He recognized the voice of Hung-Gaha, the young sorceress.

Rahan thanks you for your help, Hung-Gaha!
But why are you doing this?
Why are you betraying your own people?!
Saving the life of a loyal hunter is not treason, Rahan!

Hum, what role do you play, Hung-Gaha?

The girl, huddled in the shadows, whispered.
The clan has always believed that the gods speak through my mouth.
What gods, Hung-Gaha?

Page Seven.

Throughout history we have worshipped the gods of the sun and rain.
But in the past, we were content with simple offerings.
Like flowers.
Or fruits.

It was after my father's death that the new leader, Ta-Hark, convinced the clan that the gods would appreciate human sacrifices more.

Ta-Hark has built a huge enclosure around our territory.
Anyone who strays into it is hunted and captured.

Ta-Hark demands that we sacrifice these captives to the gods.
I have often had to lie to save these men.
The gods spoke to me last night!
They ask us to free this hunter!

Sometimes, Alas, my lies can do nothing against the fanaticism of Ta-Hark.
Unfortunates, whose only crime is to have strayed into our territory, are put to death, sacrificed to the sun.
Or to the rain!

Page Eight.

Fanaticism is a kind of madness!
But you who are reasonable, Hung-Gaha, why do you not flee with Rahan?
Rahan cut the vines one by one.

Because this clan is my clan!
This is where my duty lies!
This is where I can help other hunters like you!

Farewell, Brother from elsewhere!
And if you manage to get out of the great cavern, flee in the direction of the forest, towards the moon! Always towards the moon!

Rahan was gripped with emotion.
He had rarely heard such noble language.
Goodbye, sister. Goodbye, little sorceress.

Hung-gaha disappeared into the maze of troglodytes.
Rahan will be free soon. But if the hunters attack him. What will he do?

The idea of using his knife did not even cross his mind!
But suddenly.
Oh! Rahan knows what he has to do!
Page Nine.

It was in the middle of the night that Ta-Hark the cruel decided to go and torment the captive.
You do not have long to live "Fire-Hair." Oh!
What!?

The son of Crao suddenly burst out of his dungeon and rushed toward the chief.
His curious weapon was humming.
Alert! Alert!

Ra-ha-ha! Argh!
Ta-Hark, mown down by the bamboo, collapsed, while his people.

Appearing from all sides, they blocked the escapee from accessing the large cavern.
Know that no clan has ever kept Rahan in a cage!

Ra-ha-ha!
The barrage gave way, retreated, and collapsed before this Hurricane that the son of Crao could sometimes become.

Page Ten.

Left, here, sweeping there, this hurricane rolled to the edge of the great cave.
Rahan's victorious cry greeted the moon.
Ra-ha-ha!

A moment later, he disappeared into the night, towards the forest, straight towards the moon, as Hung-Gaha, the sorceress, had advised him.

Before entering the foliage, he had a moving thought for her, whom he would never see again!
Rahan will not forget you, Hung-Gaha.

He saw the torches of the hunters who were going to chase him, but he got rid of this weapon, as strange as it was effective, which chance had given him the idea for.
"Those-who-walk-upright", hundreds of centuries later, would call this thing a "Scourge".

The son of Crao knew he would escape the clan, for he had just glimpsed the quarrel in the rampart, just under the moon.
Exactly as Hung-Gaha, the gentle and proud sorceress, had promised him.
Thank you Hung-Gaha, Thank you.