Savage Lands by Andy Briggs

galling. “But this curve ’ere. Doesn’t it strike you as odd?” He traced a finger around a cylindrical edge. Greystoke leaned over, his brow knitted. “Looks almost volcanic to me.”
    â€œA volcano …” mumbled Greystoke thoughtfully.
    Robbie crossed to the map to get a better look. The mountain’s contour lines were indeed distinctly circular.
    Werper snorted. “Do you know how many volcanoes are out there? This whole region is a tectonic nightmare. There are eight known volcanoes in the Democratic Republic of the Congo alone, Nyamuragira being one of the most active on the planet. There could be eighty more out there, hidden by the jungle.”
    Clark shrugged and limped back to his seat. Greystoke continued studying the map, then noticed the smirk on Clark’s face.
    â€œWhat aren’t you telling us?”
    Clark enjoyed being the center of attention and picked at the food on his plate. He gave Archie a calculating look that clearly showed he had just worked out how to turn the situation to their advantage. Robbie began to feel his heart sink.
    â€œOur deal was originally to unite you with your long-lost cousin.”
    â€œAnd that still stands, should we come across him,” said Greystoke slowly.
    â€œAnd I believe half the cut was mentioned for leading you to the aircraft, right?”
    Greystoke stiffened slightly, turning his head to one side as his neck cracked. “I am a man of my word, Mr. Philander,” said Greystoke with a cocky grin. By using Clark’s real name, the one he hated, he’d subtly revealed he knew more about the loggers than he had let on. “Or do you prefer Samuel?” he teased. “So before you try to blackmail me, please remember your own position.”
    Clark’s smug smile dropped and his eyes narrowed slightly. “If we help you find it, Archie and I deserve a cut at whatever’s in Opar. Agreed?”
    â€œA cut,” said Greystoke carefully, exchanging a glance with Werper. “Agreed. But since we are laying down demands, here are mine. If you should try to renege on our deal, then I won’t hesitate to expose you and your logging operation to government authorities.” Clark and Archie exchanged worried glances. Lord Greystoke continued. “If we are in this, we are in it together. Agreed?”
    The room fell quiet, save for the constant background thrum of excavating machinery outside. Werper had his back to the conversation and was poring over the map to see what he had missed. Robbie noticed Jane hadn’t moved, but her eyes were half open as she listened.
    â€œAgreed,” said Clark as he climbed painfully to his feet to offer Lord Greystoke his hand. They solemnly shook. “Y’see, there is a volcano about a day or so away from where their plane crashed. She’s been there.” He nodded toward Jane. Robbie noticed her eyes were closed again. “An’ I ’appen to know which way she went, with your cousin, no less.”
    Greystoke’s eyes flicked between the map and Clark. Then he nodded. “It’s worth a try. If you’re right… .”
    Clark held up his hand reassuringly. “I reckon I am right. So, let’s talk numbers.” He grinned like a shark.
    â€¢ • •
    R ed-hot coals rained down across the howling Targarni as Tarzan heaved on his vine rope, pulling the huge flaming bowl off the slender stone plinth. The coals, huge chunks of black volcanic rock, came first, smashing to the ground in a fountain of sparks that singed the fur of the slower Targarni.
    The robed woman stared at Tarzan in surprise, the sword clanging from her grip. Her eyes went wide and she staggered backward. Goyad leaped between them, teeth bared—which looked all the more terrifying due to the fresh blood smeared across his snout. There were only five yards between the two, and Tarzan knew his speed would be restricted with the