Rahan. Episode 166. By Roger Lecureux. Rahan and the wolf-hunter. 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

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

Rahan.

The Son of the Ferocious Ages!

Episode One Hundred and Sixty-Six.

By Roger Lecureux, drawn by Andre Cheret.

Rahan and the wolf-hunter.

The haunch, of which he had only eaten part, was still giving off the pleasant aroma of grilled meat.
And the son of Crao dozed by the fire, his ivory knife close at hand, as was his habit.

In ambush the hunter, who had been watching him since dusk, was waiting for this moment.

The man was sturdy, yet the grass did not crunch under his feet any more than it would under a reptile's body.
May this hunter not force Gahor-goa to kill!

It was the sound of the flint penetrating the meat that alerted Rahan.
Not a gesture, “Fire hair”!

Rahan's hand instinctively flew to the ivory knife.
And met with nothing but emptiness!
Oh!

Page Two.

With uncommon vivacity, the man hurled the weapon into the glowing fire.
What. Who are you?

As Rahan tried to stand up, a spear knocked him back to the ground!
I am Ghor-goa the solitary!
And who are you?
I am Rahan, the son of Crao!

The man looked formidable and ready to kill, without a doubt.
If you were hungry, you could have asked!
Rahan would have shared his game with you!

Ghor-goa lives like a lone wolf!
He never shares! When he wants something.
He does not ask. He takes!

You are very drunk of yourself, Ghor-goa!
Rahan could defend his meat and...
Ha-ha-ha! Give it a try. Just see!?

Page Three.

No hunter ever shares with Ghor-goa! So, Ghor-goa never shares!
He keeps everything!
The cynicism of the man was worrying.

You are very lucky that Ghor-goa is in a cheerful mood tonight!

Farewell “Hair of Fire”!
And felicitations on the meat. It was deliciously grilled!

The lone wolf disappeared into the thickets as mysteriously as he had appeared.
The knife! The knife!

The ivory weapon rested on the embers that had already devoured its leather strap.
No! No! No!

Page Four.

Once stolen from the chieftain of the river who threatened to cut off his tongue, this ivory knife was.

With the five-claw necklace, bequeathed by Crao the wise, Rahan's only possessions.
He was never separated from either one!

Rahan will not abandon you in this fire!
Ten times he tried to bring the knife back to him.

Ten times the weapon slipped back into the embers!
If Rahan cannot grab you with one branch, he will grab you with two!

The son of Crao had this gift of observing, understanding, and adapting his observations to the needs of his adventurous life.
This is how the old Tawa moved the embers.

And chance often came to his aid!
Hey?
When you wedge them like that, the branches pinch like the two fingers of a hand!

Page Five.

He finally snatched the knife from the fire, and his cry of victory burst forth!
Ra-ha-ha!

But it was still impossible for him to grasp the burning weapon.
And it was at this moment that.
A “Long-mane”!

A large lion, attracted by the smell of grilled meat, stared at the fire without daring to approach.
But in a moment, he will not hesitate anymore!

And Rahan will have to face him with this bamboo!

Unless. Unless.
A bamboo. The burning knife. He already associated the two things.

Calm down, "long-mane"! At least give Rahan time to make a spear!
The beast growled, ready to attack.
And suddenly!

Page Six.

The son of the fierce ages dodged this attack and struck with his improvised weapon.
Just one attack!
Ra-ha-ha!

Ha-ha-ha!
The burn scared the "Long-Mane" more than the injury itself!
This was enough to scare the big cat away.

With the danger averted, Rahan waited for his weapon to cool.
Rahan will repair you, faithful knife!
Stronger than the one devoured by fire!

Nothing called Crao's son anywhere.
That was why, at dawn, he left it to chance.
What territory do you designate for Rahan?

It is strange.
But Rahan would like to find again.
This "Lone Lion" Gahor-goa!
Something told him.
He was not as bad as he would like to make out!

Page Seven.

The son of Crao took up the "tree trail," where he proved to be more agile than a "Four Hands."

Did Rahan's knife grant his wish?
In the hollow of a deep valley, stood a village of straw huts.
At the totem pole erected in the heart of the village, a man was tied up.

This captive was none other than Ghor-goa!
It was the breath of luck that pushed Rahan into this valley!

Experience had taught the son of the fierce ages never to interfere with "Those-Who-Walk-Upright."
He entered the village calmly.
Rahan greets his brothers from the deep valley!

Hmm.
Strange paint of war!?
All the men had one arm painted with black stripes.
The women had identical stripes on one leg!

Page Eight.

Only one man, without doubt the privilege, had his face tattooed in black and white.
The Zebra-men greet their brother with the "Fire-Hair"!
Let him be welcome and express his wishes!

Uh.
That hunter stole Rahan's meat! And Rahan would like to punish him!
We captured him because he was trying, at dawn, to steal the game of one of our men!

But this captive is yours, if you want him!
Yes. Rahan would like this game thief to answer to him!

Ghor-goa doesn't have to answer to anyone!
Neither to these "Zebra Men," nor to you, "Fire-Hair"!

That is what we'll see, Ghor-goa! Rahan simply hopes you fight fair!
The ivory blade had sliced the lines.

Page Nine.

And slid into its lizard sheath.
A fight without spear or knife!
A fight without weapons, frank and fair!
The clan will bear witness!

Ghor-goa is always loyal when his opponent remains loyal!
He will prove it to you, "Fire-Hair"!
The two men seemed of equal strength.

Both robust.
Both supple and lively.

It would have been risky to bet on one more than the other!

That is for stolen meat!
Zrok!
Argh!

And that.
It is for the knife thrown into the fire!
Argh!

Page Ten.

Never in the memory of "Zebra Man" had such a fight been witnessed.
And.

Cheers punctuated every blow the opponents landed!

Vrack!
You sing strange songs "Fire-Hair"!

Rahan is waiting for you learn yours, Ghor-goa!

Blows rained down from both sides, and the confrontation could have no other outcome than the exhaustion of both men.

Crack!
The clan's enthusiasm was such that an ovation arose when the totem fell!

Page Eleven.

After singing, you can dance "Fire Hair"!
Vroom! Ha-ha-ha!

Ghor-goa, carried away by his ardor, suddenly lost his balance.

Which Rahan immediately took advantage of!

Choff! Argh! Vroom!

Nothing could stop this fight, which was starting again with renewed vigor!
Ghor Goa will not rest until he breaks your bones, Rhaan!

The two men, fiercely engaged, rolled inside a hut.
If the "Zebra Men" had the ardor of these hunters, they would no longer have to fear the other clans!

Page Twelve.

Get out of my hut, son of son of son of jackals!
Crack! Bang!
Rahan and Ghor-goa heard nothing, saw nothing.

My medicines!
They traded blows with blows, with a crash of bowls being toppled and jars being overturned and broken.

My medicine!
But I know a very good way to calm you down!

Vlang! Vlang!

This was how old Noo-noo-no, sorceress of the "Zebra-Men" clan, put an end to the most memorable body-to-body fight this valley had ever known!

Page thirteen.

Get rid of these sons of sons of.
Spare us the rest, Noo-noo-no!
I think these two need your attention!

Hum! Argh! Argh! Hum!

That, that, that was a good fight, right?
Their, their, never was.
A fine fight, Ghor-goa!

Swallow some of this brew, son of a son.
Oh, pardon.

Rahan and Ghor-goa drank only one sip.
Ugh! Ugh, that is firewater.
Burgh, I, I.

Oh, yes, it is firewater! But what's wrong with my firewater?
My firewater is good!
Ha-ha-ha!

Page Fourteen.

Rahan thinks we are even, Ghor-goa!
We shall become friends!
Ghor-goa will never have any friends!

"Friendship" does not exist!
"Every man for himself!"
That will remain the rule for Ghor-Goa!
Hum.

In the days that followed, Noo-noo-no's care bore fruit.
There you are, as handsome as ever, you son of a son.
Son of Crao, Noo-noo-no!

The Zebra-men clan was gentle and docile.
It is undoubtedly a defect inherited from our ancestors.

Throughout history, our people have always fled from danger.
That is why others nicknamed us "Zebras"!

And from there was undoubtedly born, in the mists of time, this custom of painting our limbs the color of the zebra!
Page Fifteen.

All the clans despise us!
They only envy us Noo-noo-no!
Whose great knowledge of the power of plants they admire!

Many times before, those from the mountain have tried to kidnap our sorceress!
They will probably do it again!

But why are you telling us all this, Kiha-ko?
One of our men ventured into the mountains. He realized that "Those-of-the-Three-Ravines" were preparing a.

Attack on us.
We thought you could help us!
Huh?
Ghor-goa has no reason to help you! He will leave at dawn!

But Rahan will help you!
This will be his chance to match his actions with the fine words he constantly offers!

For once, the tongue of Ghor-goa does not speak nonsense!
Yes! Rahan fights alongside the "zebra men!"

Page Sixteen.

Each and every one of you must convince yourselves that he is not the "Zebra" who only knows how to flee!

Rahan forgets these paintings, symbols of our cowardice.
He forgets our fear.
Fear is not cowardice, brothers!
Courage is overcoming your fear.
You will find this courage within yourself!

The son of Crao believed it was an attack by "those of the three ravines." It did not happen! What did happen happened that very night.
Alert! Alert! Noo-noo-no has disappeared!

An instant later.
There were only three or four of them who kidnapped Noo-noo-no!

Rahan recognized that he had been overtaken by "Those-of-the-Three-Ravines."
Rahan will respond with the same ruse.
A few of them came to kidnap the sorceress.
Rahan will go alone to free Noo-noo-no!

Page Seventeen.

And by what right would Rahan go alone to deliver Noo-noo-no!?
A slight smile lit up Rahan's face.
He had hoped for this question from Ghor-goa!

Because Rahan can also, sometimes, hunt as a "Lone Wolf"!
By reusing his own words, the son of Crao was targeting the hunter's pride.

That was perfectly aimed!
Ghor-goa is no less capable than Rahan of delivering Noo-noo-no!
He will even return her to the "Zebra Men" before "Fire-Hair"!

Rahan was right to think that Ghor-goa is not as bad as he claims!

Unless he does not want to appear less "Brave" than Rahan?
Unless he is driven only by pride!?

Very well, Ghor-goa, we will leave at dawn!
We!
What right do you have to give orders to Ghor-goa!?

Page Eighteen.

You will go your way, and Ghor-goa will go his way!
And it will be "Every man for himself," according to the rule Ghor-goa loves!

However.
We greatly appreciate your knowledge, Noo-noo-no.
If you would like to share your herbal secrets with us.

I promise you will be treated better than the own mother.
Of our leader!
But we don't need this gag anymore!

Even if you screamed, your people are far too cowardly.
To come to your rescue!

You are nothing but sons of sons of sons of jackals!

The fires of the east would soon set the marshes ablaze.
Noo-noo-no the witch hummed, meaning her captors would not get another word out of her.

Page Nineteen.

At the same instant.
Rahan will find the traces of "Those-of-the-Three-Ravines," on the other side of the swamps!
The son of the wild ages, as was his custom, fluttered among the foliage, from where he could observe many things.

This was how he had not lost sight of Ghor-goa, who was also walking towards the marshes.
But the son of Crao did not know that.

The "lone wolf" knew perfectly well that he was being spied on!
When the time comes, Ghor-goa will know how to get rid of you, Rahan!

Argh!
Ghor-goa was confused.
A cry rang out through the foliage, followed by a crash of breaking branches.

Page Twenty.

A branch had given way under Rahan's weight, who was falling among the foliage, which fortunately slowed his fall.

He found himself, dazed, at the bottom of a pit, where trapped panthers were also growling!
What. What.
Without his knife, Rahan is lost!

The ivory knife had been pulled from its sheath during the fall.
And.
The weapon hung in the air, inaccessible!

Well, well.
Ghor-goa just has to let things happen.

And he will never have trouble with "Fire-Hair" again!

Unarmed, at the bottom of the trap, facing three panthers, the son of Crao had no hope of survival.

Page Twenty-One.

The wild beasts' surprise at having to share their trap with a man lasted only a moment.
The most powerful one suddenly leaped.

Ra-ha-ha!
That Rahan could only dodge!
Rahan knows there can only be one winner, him or you!
And it will be you!

The courage of “Hair of fire” is great!

It is time you recognized the merits of this hunter, Ghor-goa!
High time!

Ghor-goa never quite knew what force drove him to extend his spear.
To slip it under the lancet of the ivory knife.

It was like a miracle for Rahan.
The weapon fell near him, at the very instant he was weakening.

Page Twenty-Two.

His fingers reached the polished handle of the knife to which he had so often owed his life.
Ra-ha-ha!

It is you or me, "Spotted-skin!
He could only apply the cruel law of the savage ages.
Kill, so as not to be killed himself!

The last feline remained crouched at the bottom of the trap, as if fascinated by the man's exploit.

"Fire-hair" will owe you his life, Ghor-goa!
Agile as he is, he will escape this trap without your help!

In fact the son of Crao soon found Ghor-goa again.
He recounted his misadventure.
And Rahan's knife fell within reach of his hand.
Just at the right moment! Curious, no!?

Bah. A gust of wind must have released it!
Yes, without doubt, a gust of wind!
Hum.

Page Twenty-Three.

Ghor-goa is a terrible liar.
He can only have taken the knife.
But his pride prevents him from admitting it!

Hum.
These swamps are as unknown to you as they are to Rahan!
We could help each other.
Cross them together!

Ghor-goa does not need your help!
And if you are afraid of the "Mud-that-devours."
You can go back to the "Zebra Men!" Goodbye!

The irascible Ghor-goa was not two arrows away.
Rahan suddenly saw him gesticulating.
He is getting stuck!

Trust me, Ghor-goa!
Rahan is going to throw you a vine!
Ghor-goa does not need Rahan!

Ghor-goa never needs others!
Page Twenty-Four.

If the time has come for Ghor-goa to join the "Shadows," Ghor-goa is ready!
He is not afraid!

You are a fool!
Rahan will not abandon you to the "Mud-that-Devours"!
After hastily tying a slip knot in the vine.

The son of Crao rushed onto a strip of firm ground.

The mud reached Ghor-goa's chest when he threw his lasso.
You no longer have a choice, Ghor-goa!
You die stuck. Or you die strangled by the "line-Serpent"!
Argh!

All right, "Fire hair"!
Get me out of here!
But I want you to acknowledge that you are saving me. Without me asking!

Rahan recognizes anything you want!
Ha-ha-ha-ha!
The son of the fierce ages braced himself to pull Ghor-goa from the mud.
Page Twenty-Five.

A little later.
See!?
That's what mutual aid is all about! It is not complicated, is it?
Just help others when they need it. And get help when you need it!

You may be right.
But Ghor-goa has always lived and acted alone!
Until the day the "lone wolf" shares in "The mud-that-devours"!

So!?
Why do we not finish crossing these swamps together?
Um.
We can try.
The son of Crao was too wise to take pride in this moral victory he had just won.

Tied to the line, one advancing only when the other had found firm ground, they arrived.

Finally on the other side of the marshes.
Ghor-goa is undoubtedly as good, if not better, a hunter than Rahan.
We will soon find traces of "Those-of-the-Three-Ravines."

Page Twenty-Six.

And indeed, a little later.
This way, Rahan!
Over here!
Without doubt the raft they used to kidnap Noo-noo-no!

And here are their tracks!
The tracks of three men.
And those of a woman!
Bravo, Ghor-goa!

Rahan did not say he had already noticed the tracks for a while.
He had left it to his companion to "discover" them!

Ghor-goa was now talkative, as if discovering another world.
And it was true. The "Lone Wolf" was discovering the world of friendship!

The roar of a mammoth drew cries of joy from him.
A "Two-Tooth"!
A "Two-Tooth"!
When Ghor-goa was only a "Little Man."
Page Twenty-Seven.

He was attacked by a herd of "Two-Tooths" that he drove off.
All alone.
With just a torch!
And who knows?
Perhaps it was from that day on that that Ghor-goa believed himself invulnerable!?

Maybe I was intoxicated by this power I was discovering!? It was stupid, was it not?

Admitting a mistake or a mistake is never stupid, Ghor-goa! Never!

Ghor-goa watched the mammoth thoughtfully.
Mine.
They had domesticated a "Two-Tooth."
They had "trained" him by forcing him to fall on his side, several times in a row!

The son of the fierce ages knew that some clans tamed "Four-Legs" or other zebras.
Others trained wild beasts.
Rahan never thought you could tame the "Two-Tooth"!

Ghor-goa was proud to teach his new companion something.
What if we try this one!? He is still young. Maybe not too stubborn!?
Page Twenty-Eight.

Ghor-goa gave details of how his people had trained a mammoth.
And the idea, which he had found insane, ended up seducing the son of Crao.

But we must join forces! Acting together!
"Join forces." "Act together." The words rang in Rahan's ears.

Let’s go, Brother!

Let us go!

No one will ever describe the details of that epic morning.
The mammoth made a turn to the attack.
But the two agile hunters avoided its tusks.

They even clung to it, using all their weight to knock the beast over.
He is going to give in, Rahan he is going to give in, I can feel it!
Ra-ha-ha!

Page Twenty-Nine.

Ten times the mammoth tipped onto its side, but righted itself.
Ten times the hunters imposed their law on him!

That is it, Rahan!
He is our “Mate"! And now he knows our strength.
He must feel we are good to him!

The two men offered the animal thick tufts of the grass that the "Two-tooths" were so fond of.
If he accepts us, we will call him "Raghor"!

Raghor!?
Yes. Half your name and half mine!
Ha-ha-ha!
See how docile our "Raghor" is!

A little later.
To see these two men riding a mammoth, to hear them laugh, no one would have guessed that they had ever fought so violently!
Look over there, Rahan!
"Those-of-the-three-ravines" are waiting for us!

Page Thirty.

Forward, "Raghor"! Forward!
Prove yourself worthy of your new masters. Ha-ha-ha!

Caution, Ghor-goa! Caution!
Forward Raghor!

Spurred on by light thrusts of the lance, the Mammoth rushed towards "Those-of-the-three-ravines".

Ghor-goa and Rahan have come to recover Noo-noo-no, the sorceress of the "Zebra Men"!
Give her back to us!

Otherwise the "Two-tooth" will crush your huts, one by one!
The surprise passed, the clan.

Of the ravines gathered.
Spears hissed.
Axes fluttered.
It was you who wanted it, men of the ravines!

Page Thirty-One.

Struck by the handle of an axe, Ghor-goa, staggered, and fell from the mammoth.

Ghor-goa!
And as he continued his course, Rahan saw the clan rushing forward, surrounding Ghor-goa.

Driving him into a deep ravine.

Aiming their spears, the men forced Ghor-goa to retreat.
And.

You wanted Noo-noo-no!?
Well, your wish will be granted!

Suddenly.
Himself out of danger, the son of Crao saw his companion fall into the deep ravine.
His fall, barely slowed by the trees that sprung from the steep wall!

Page Thirty-Two.

And. While, in the setting sun, the clan proclaimed its victory.
If Ghor-goa is dead, Rahan will avenge him!

Rahan fiercely held the axe caught in mid-air.

No, the "Lone Wolf" wasn't dead. But his broken ankles prevented him from moving.
Oh! Is that really you, Noo-noo-no? Or your ghost!?

It is me! As I refused to give them the secret of my medicines, these sons of sons.
Aie!

Jackals have decided to keep me captive in this ravine without outlet.

Until I agree to reveal my secrets!

We will get out of here, Noo-noo-no!
How an old sorceress without strength and.
Could a hunter without legs perform this miracle!?

Ghor-goa has a companion up there who will not abandon him. What!?
What are you singing!?
Page Thirty-Three.

You, the "Savage"!? You, the "Lone Wolf"!? You, who do not believe in others, would you have a companion!?

Yes, Ghor-goa now has a friend!
We are allowed to change our minds, right?
Yes, when.
It is in the right direction.

Listen, it sounds like axe blows. Like someone was cutting branches up there?

Rahan quickly realized the situation.
Noo-noo-no is too old to climb the wall. And.
Ghor-goa cannot walk anymore!

How could Rahan get them out of there?

Oh! Rahan may have an idea.
The son of Crao, as always, associated ideas, and adapted an experience to a new situation.

Page Thirty-Four.

The son of the fierce ages had thought again of the "Fire Tongs," that chance had made him discover.
It would be enough if the "Wooden Fingers" were strong enough to carry Noo-noo-no and Ghor-goa!

And the son of Crao set to work with ardor.
Zlang!

It was in the middle of the night that the captives in the ravine saw the "Thing" slowly descend towards them.
Incredible, I. I.
I did not drink any "Firewater" today!

The giant claw resembled a wooden monster.
A kind of four-legged spider. It confused Ghor-goa.

It can only be Rahan who came up with this "Thing" to get us out of this!
We have to trust him, Noo-noo-no!

Page Thirty-Five.

Noo-noo-no had to drag her companion to the “Claws of wood”, before settling down herself.

Come on "Raghor", from now on, it all depends on you!
The docile "Two-tooth" began to reverse, thus pulling the vine tied to one of its tusks.

The "Fingers of wood" had closed, tightly gripping Ghor-goa and Noo-noo-no. And.

A little later.
You should never have stayed a "Hunter," Rahan.
You should have become a "Sorcerer"!

"Those-of-the-ravines" may be watching us!
But they are waiting for daylight to attack us, as is the custom of certain clans!

Page Thirty-Six.

But by day we will have reached the marshes!
Aie.
Every movement brought a cry of pain from Ghor-goa.

When they reached the swamps, they were covered in mist.
"Raghor" is too heavy!
He would get bogged down in the "Mud-that-devours" at the first step!

We must leave you here, brave "Raghor."
Rahan will carry Ghor-goa!

Why encumber yourself with an unnecessary burden, Rahan!
Leave me here and run away!
Rahan did not even answer.

Adieu “Raghor”, good bye.
Was the trumpeting of the "Two-teeth" a farewell?
Was this a warning of danger?

Page Thirty-Seven.

Ghor-goa glimpsed in the mist ahead of them the silhouette of a man bending a bow.
Attention, Rahan! Behind us!

Rahan turned around abruptly.
Zizz! Fuah!
And.

The man of the ravines was already fading into the mist, like a ghost!
His arrow was aimed at Rahan!

Why did you shout "Behind us"!?
Why did you make Rahan turn around!?
Why?
No, was not that the only way?

To.
Save your life, "Fire-Hair"!?

Did. You. Not. Say.
Not. That. Hunters. Should Always Help Each Other!?
Ghor-goa gasped.

Page Thirty-Eight.

You sacrificed yourself for Rahan!
Do not use such grand words, "Fire-hair"!

What would a "Lone Wolf" have become? Without his legs!?
And then.
I wanted to know what friendship was!

Sacrificing one's life for a companion is the greatest proof of friendship there is!

So that means. That we. Would have. Become friends!?
Of course.
Ghor-goa had only a moment left to live.
Emotion was choking the son of Crao.

So we.
Maybe we will meet again one day.
In the "Shadow Kingdom"!?
Until then. That day.
Do not forget "Fire Hair" too quickly.

Page Thirty-Nine.

Rahan will never forget you, lone Hunter!
The two men exchanged a final knowing wink.

Their hands clasped for a moment longer, and then it was over.
Ghor-goa had left for the mysterious "Territory-of-Shadows."

Let us bring back Ghor-goa!
He has earned the eternal respect of the "Zebra Men"!
I will see to it, Rahan, I will see to it!

It was a long and sad journey through the marshes.

It seems like "Something" is following us, Rahan!
Do you hear?

The splashing came closer.
And suddenly.
Raghor!
He does not want to give up Ghor-goa either!

Page Forty.

So it was on the back of a mammoth, on this morning of the "Age of the Ferocious", that the clan of the "Zebra-Men" saw their sorceress return!
Noo-noo-no!
“Hair-of-Fire”!
What have you done to Ghor-Goa?!

Ghor-goa has left the realm of the living, Brothers!
Rahan and I buried him on the Hill of the Brave, where he deserved his place!

Because Ghor-goa did not behave like a "Zebra"!
He knew how to face danger.
He knew how to confront it!

The face of the "Lone Wolf" suddenly appeared before Rahan,
Resolute and fierce.
Then smiling and mocking.

So, while the son of Crao remained moved, he felt a little less sad.
He knew that someone in this valley would know how to defend the memory of this wolf hunter, who had made such a brief incursion into the sacred territory of friendship.

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