Dispossessed -- Episode #310

EXTENDED SYNOPSIS:

Dar (Daniel Goddard) and Tao (Jackson Raine) are making their way through the jungle to the valley where the Golden Auryx are said to nest, when a distant noise and an animal's scream sends Dar running in search of the source. He comes to a clearing where a young monkey wails over the loss of its mother who was hit by a fallen tree. Just as Dar reaches for the orphan he is wrestled to the ground by Alima (Petra Yared), an Orla hunter who mistakenly thought Dar was going to harm the animal. Alima explains that since the death of her father, King Sakhu, the Orlas have been under attack. King Zad (Steven Grives) lured many tribesmen away, including her brother Mika (Charles Cousens), with the offer of gold for animal skins. Once the animals were depleted, trees were destroyed for the timber required to build bridges and forts to house Zad's army. Alima admits that she disowned her brother when he became involved with a trader named Lokar (Kim Delury), in this lucrative venture to benefit Zad's goals.

Dar vows to stop the decimation of the forest, but Tao reminds him that time is running out to find the Golden Auryx - one of whom may be Dar's mother - since the birds only stay in the area for a short period of time each year. Dar, however, knows that the path Lokar and Mika's men are destroying will go right through the birds' feeding ground. If the birds can not find food, they will perish. There is also a chance that the Orla village will be destroyed since the tree clearing has almost reached their land.

Hoping to buy some time, Dar negotiates with Mika to stop the cutting long enough to give Alima and her people a chance to find new land. Lokar, however, refuses to even consider shutting down operations. Mika is ordered back to work as Lokar's slave, while the others are taken captive. Lokar knows Zad would pay handsomely for the BeastMaster, and now he has Dar just where he wants him.

When Sharak returns, Alima realizes the land he's found lies on the other side of the dreaded Kunja Bog. Tao is left behind to look for the birds, while Dar accompanies Alima and Mika to ensure they make it safely across the bog.

Meanwhile, Lokar has learned that the captives have escaped and that Tao is tracking the rare Auryx. Lokar first goes after Tao and makes a bid for the bird. When Tao turns him down, Lokar takes him hostage and goes after the others at the Kunja Bog. From his safe vantage point, Dar lures them towards the swamp where, one by one, they sink into the mud. Lokar reveals that he's holding Tao and orders Dar to come to him.

Lokar insists that Dar be offered to King Zad in exchange for the Golden Auryx, or he will kill Tao. But Dar tricks Lokar into following him to the place where the birds were sighted. Eager, Lokar moves in for a better look when Ruh suddenly leaps out at him. Lokar releases Tao and runs straight towards the bog with Ruh on his heels.

Unfortunately, Dar missed his chance to find the Auryx which have now left the region, but Alima reveals the secret jungle cave where the Golden Auryx nest. Now that Dar knows when the birds return next year, he can hopefully find his mother.