At the far side of Lake Vorg, where the mountains slope down to the shore, was the summer resort of Bala, much beloved by the people of Trigan. One day the Imperial atmosphere craft swooped low to land in Bala . . . Bala! . . . The most beautiful place on Elekton! The craft was taking the Emperor Trigo and his Empress Ursa to their summer palace there. Bala is indeed beautiful . . . but the sight of Mount Spyx always strikes terror in my heart! Old father Spyx? . . . What harm could he do, my dear? Mount Spyx has not erupted in living memory, Ursa. The Imperial summer palace was a pleasure dome of delight, where Trigo rested from time to time from the perils and turmoils of his great position. Welcome, Imperial Majesties . . . All is in readiness for your visit! Trigo’s high-spirited young nephew and his comrade Keren had accompanied the Imperial party, and the two friends revelled in the delights of Bala, which included spear fishing in the crystal-clear water . . . Strike now, Janno . . . Strike! Often, when resting from their favourite sport, Janno and Keren looked up to the towering mass of Mount Spyx . . . But what would happen if the volcano did erupt? It would be the end of Bala . . . That’s for certain! Two nights after their arrival, Janno was rudely awakened by a din like a thunderclap, and his bed shook beneath him . . . What was that?Then . . . He saw his peril! In the time it takes for a man to draw two breaths, the Imperial summer palace collapsed in a tangle of destruction! Keren fought his way out of his ruined chamber and looked towards the great volcano. Groping his way blindly through the smoke and turmoil, he heard a cry for help. It was Janno . . . pinned beneath a mass of broken masonry . . . I . . . I’m trapped! Keren tried to free Janno in vain. No! . . . If I can’t move this thing, we’ll perish together! Meanwhile, the survivors from the first fearful volcanic tremor were fleeing down to the lake shore to escape the wall of molten lava. There’s no escape! The craft are all destroyed! Make for the water . . . It’s our only hope! High above the stricken city, the gush of lava ceased to pour from the lips of Mount Spyx . . . and all was silent . . . And then . . . It happened! . . . From out of the black abyss rose a strange craft . . . coming from the unknown depths of the volcano on its tail of fire!
This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 383 on 17 May 1969.
