The Lost Years (continued . . .)




Narri caught his first, brief glimpse of the man who was to play such an important part in his life— and whose life he, in turn, was to change so greatly. That is Ossan ? More questions teemed in Narri’s mind. He asked a man standing next to him . . . The people don’t seem very enthusiastic about their ruler. Isn’t he popular ? You want to be careful what you’re saying, fellow ! A few moments later, Narri saw that the man had sidled over to a police officer. He’s reporting what I said just now ! I’m in trouble ! Narri took to his heels. Hey, you ! Stop ! Stop, I say ! The panic-stricken young peasant was stopping for no one. He fled out of the city, and headed towards the hills. Somehow . . . somewhere . . . I have lost three lunar years out of my life ! And . . . and in that time, the Trigan Empire, as I knew it, has finished ! And then—the roar of engines, and a harsh order ! Halt—or perish !

This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 569 on 9 December 1972.

 

The Curse of King Yutta (continued . . .)




Here we see the ancient city that stood on the site of the present Trigan City. Its people were warlike, proud and superstitious . . . This is a portrait of the long-dead King Yutta, whose mummy lies in the newlydiscovered tomb. He was known as the Lord of the Skies and Sovereign of the Stars! The scientist Peric ended the illustrated lecture that he had been giving to the Emperor and the Imperial Council. There is little else I can tell you about the life and times of King Yutta. As to the socalled curse that was placed upon his tomb all those uncounted centuries ago . . . Peric was interrupted by Rothi, a bluff, no-nonsense councillor. That’s a load of rubbish! Put there to frighten old women! I vote that the dead King and his treasures should be moved to the Imperial museum, and that the public be invited to view them for an entrance fee of two zersts a head. Make a fortune for the Imperial treasury, I shouldn’t wonder! Rothi’s suggestion was carried out. In the lunar months that followed, thousands of spellbound people filed through the Imperial Museum. One fateful night, when the museum had closed, and the night-watchman was settling down for his long vigil, a strange sound echoed through the hall. What’s that? Who’s there?
And then . . . Eeeeaaaagghhhh! They found him next morning . . . Who could have done this? And why? And that was not all. Aaaaaah! King Yutta has gone! That same day, Ricci, one of the two wealthy Trigan businessmen who had been the first to enter the forbidden tomb, was being driven home to his villa. Suddenly, the driver saw . . . something! Eeeaaaaagggghh! They brought the news of the disaster to the Emperor. . . . Is the curse of Yutta coming true already? “They who defile the resting place of the King shall swiftly perish!” . . .

This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 560 on 7 October 1972.