Ashes of the Realm - Juliette's Dream (5 page)

“How did that go?”

“Not well. She’s not of age, so she had no choice but to obey him. I told her he was protecting his only daughter. She hasn’t spoken to him since.”

Scotty sighed, “If something happens to you, she probably never will. Even I can see how much she loves you.”

Jingo took his eyes off the moons and looked at Scotty, “I don’t deserve her. She is such a beautiful person. And smart. Golly she’s smart.”

Scotty laughed, “She’ll need to be to keep you in line.”

Jingo smiled, “Yeah, I can see that. Do you think this meeting is a good idea?”

Scotty looked back up at the sky and said, “I didn’t get a good feeling from the larger Zord we met. I think the one I helped can be trusted, but the older one carries a lot of hatred toward us.”

Jingo swore, using several epitaphs he had heard his father use, “I wish you had kept that to yourself. We’re defenseless here. If you felt that, why are we here?”

“Jingo, if there is a chance we can come to terms with the Zord, our lives would be worth making the effort. They are apex predators and we’ve lost tens of thousands to them over the centuries. Now that we know they’re intelligent and not just attacking out of instinct, there is a possibility we can bring this to an end. Even if we die, it’s worth the effort. Jesa could be one of their victims.”

Jingo thought about what Scotty was saying, “It wouldn’t have bothered me before, but now I have something to live for.”

“I’d understand if you joined the communities in the trees.”

Jingo just shook his head and stared at the sky, “Shouldn’t be long now.”

Both of them saw the form coming down to the clearing and then there it was landing next to them. The young Zord folded his wings and settled on his four legs. “It looks like no one trusts anyone these days.”

Scotty looked at the Zord, “Why do you say that?”

“My father was planning to attack everyone here. He had me tied to a tree so I couldn’t warn you. I don’t know what happened here last night, but he changed his mind because of it.”

Jing and Samuel walked out of the trees and joined the three at the fire. Jing said, “I thought my son was insane, but I guess he was telling the truth. My name is Jing and this is Samuel. We are the leaders of the two communities.”

The Zord looked at the two and said, “My name is Vring. I am the son of our leader. I’m hoping he will join us.” The Zord looked up at the sky and said, “I’m still not certain if he can overcome his hatred of you.”

Scotty shook his head, “My name is Scotty, and this is Jingo. You appear to be back in good health.”

Vring held the injured wing out and flapped it. “It’s just about back to normal.” He looked at Scotty and said, “Thanks to you. That Torg would have killed me if the broken wing didn’t. Thank you, again.”

Jing looked at the huge Zord as its skin changed color to match the fire. “I’ve always been amazed at how your skin changes color so quickly to match things around you. Right now you look like you’re on fire.”

Vring laughed, “It happens without thought. I can stop it, but if I quit thinking about it, it will start again.”

“No, no. I think it’s beautiful. Your species is blessed with great natural defenses.”

Bleath had heard enough and flew down to the fire. Every Human and Cainth in the trees were shocked at the size of the Zord that landed in the clearing. It was at least twenty five feet high and over a hundred fifty feet long. It had to be the biggest Zord in existence.

Bleath looked at Samuel and asked, “Why did you kidnap my ancestors and bring them to the prison?!”

Samuel shook his head and said, “Unfortunately, my species has some members that are not good. As a matter of fact, some of our ancestors were evil, and all of us suffer for their actions. We once lived in peace and prosperity but we lost it all because a handful of our leaders were blinded by ambition and craved power. It was one of those evil rulers that brought your ancestors here. We still curse his name to this day.” Samuel paused and said, “But you should know from your history there is also good in us.”

Bleath cocked his head to the side and asked, “What do you mean?”

“When it became clear the city you were being held prisoner was going to be destroyed by one of the evil Duke’s warriors, one of us released your ancestors to escape the coming attack.”

Vring said, “They also released the Torg.”

“Yes; all life should not be killed if it can be saved.”

Bleath thought about what the small two-leg was saying. He was right. He looked at the thoughts of the group and felt their fear and then he looked at the one that had saved his son. “You demonstrated that when you saved Vring.”

Scotty nodded, “He shouldn’t die when he had so much life ahead of him.”

Bleath looked up and issued a loud scream. The Humans and Cainth in the trees knew the ones at the circle were going to die. Four more giant Zord landed in the clearing and joined the group.

“Have you been listening?”

The four all lowered their heads.

“What do you think about what they’ve said?”

“Great Leader, these two-legs don’t act like those that held us captive. I look back at the memories of our ancestors and see there is a difference.”

Jing said, “May I invite our community to come and sit around us to hear what we are discussing?”

Bleath quickly looked at him and said, “How do you know I don’t have my flocks overhead. Out in the open you would be easy kills.”

Jing shook his head, “If we are to live together in peace, one of us is going to have to demonstrate to the other that they can be trusted. I suspect your flocks are overhead. They’re there to protect you and these fine Zord with you. I can understand their caution. But before my community can overcome their fear and distrust of you, they must hear you. I ask again, may I bring them to our conference?”

Bleath issued another loud scream and said, “Yes.”

Jing looked out into the trees and yelled, “Those of you who are pure of heart and free of fear may come join us.”

The first one to come was Jesa, who ran forward and grabbed Jingo and held him tight.

Bleath looked down at the small female and felt her love for her chosen. The other four Zord also felt it and looked at each other. A few came at first and then hundreds moved out of the trees and sat down in the clearing surrounding the giant flying creatures. Bleath and the other four elders saw that they came without weapons and still had their fear. Their bravery was admirable.

Bleath looked into the sky and gave a long quivering scream and suddenly thousands of Zord began landing in the branches of the giant trees overhead. Many more landed and walked up surrounding the two communities sitting in the clearing.

Bleath looked at Jing and said, “We could kill all of you if we choose.”

Jing said, “Then you would be no better than those that took you from your home. You would be without honor. It is my sense that your species, and ours, places honor above all things.”

Bleath just stared at the small two-leg, thinking.

Scotty said, “We can save your babies from the Torg.”

Bleath looked at him so fast no one saw his head move. “What do you mean?”

“I saw in Vring’s thoughts how the Torg attack your hatchlings because they are forced to stay on the ground in their nests. We can kill the Torg on the ground. We can protect your nests.”

Every Human and Cainth felt the combined thoughts of the gathered Zord. They held a huge sense of loss for those babies that had died in the teeth of the Torg.

“Vring told me you offered to help us and I didn’t believe him. Why would you offer to help us when we kill you?”

“I’m not helping you; I’m helping those babies that you can’t adequately protect. They cannot defend themselves. One of our most important principles is to do exactly that. Even if you choose to continue your attacks on us, if you will grant a truce during your nesting time we will come and protect your new babies.”

Bleath looked at the thoughts of the two-leg and sensed his honesty. He also saw that many sitting around the circle agreed with his statement. He sensed that many were still frightened. Bleath could hear the amazement of all the gathered Zord. These creatures were not what they thought they were. He looked at the other four elders and they deferred to his decision. Bleath looked down on the small two-leg and said, “We will no longer attack your communities.”

Every Human and Cainth stood and cheered the Zord’s statement. The Zord in the trees also screamed their approval.

Jing held up his arms and after a few moments the gathering became silent. “Why have you decided in our favor?”

“I was actually planning to attack you with my flocks tonight, but one of my warriors saw what you did to those that would not agree to your oath. I wondered if it was possible that you possessed honor. I called off the attack to see.”

Jing stared at the giant Zord and Bleath said, “I can sense you are honorable beings. We are more alike than different.” Bleath looked at Scotty and said, “You will come with me and see if you can help us protect our young.”

Jingo stood and said, “If he goes, I go with him.”

Jesa jumped up and said, “No, Jingo, no! Don’t leave me!”

Jingo looked at her, took her hands, and smiled, “Would you have me forget my oath?”

She stared at him, lowered her head, and said quietly, “No.”

Bleath slowly shook his head. Now he knew for certain. “You may also join us.”

Scotty looked up at the giant and said, “We need to bring our weapons, and how are we going to go with you?”

Bleath screeched and two giant warriors came down from the trees. “You will tie a binding around my warrior’s necks and use it to hold on. You will fly with us.”

Jing asked, “Can your warriors carry their weight?”

Bleath smiled showing his teeth, “We can carry a full grown Torg in our talons. Your weight will be nothing.”

Jingo looked at one of the warriors and said, “Just give me a moment to gather my things.”

The entire gathering laughed. Jingo turned and said, “What’s so funny?”

Jesa came up and kissed him. “Come back to me.”

Jingo hugged her, “You know my heart stays here.”

“Just don’t take stupid risks, Jingo. Promise me; please.”

“I won’t,” and he turned and ran to gather his bowguns.

While Scotty and Jingo left to gather their weapons and a pouch of food. Samuel said, “You’ll take care of them?”

Bleath said, “Absolutely, however, we will be going into Torg-infested territory.”

“I’m not worried about the Torg. It’s the flying part that worries me.”

Bleath started laughing and the four elders joined him. Bleath said through his laughter, “You need not worry about flying. Even if they fall, they will not fall far.”

Samuel said, “The fair-haired one means a lot to our community. His heart is our heart. He is his mother’s child. We would all suffer if he came to harm.”

Bleath felt the emotions of the gathered two-legs and knew that something great had begun this night. He looked up at the two full moons and wondered, “Where is this strange alliance going to take us?”

S
cotty and Jingo lifted with the Zord and gained altitude quickly. The two Zord warriors carrying them circled the gathered community below and they saw the gathered assembly praying for their safety with lowered heads. Scotty heard the Zord he was riding say in his mind, “They think highly of you.”

Scotty held the binding tightly, trying not to give in to his fear, and said, “Why do you say that?”

The Zord sent the thoughts of the community to Scotty and he was humbled, “I never knew they felt that way.”

“Such veneration is a great gift, Little One.”

“I know. I just hope I can live up to their belief in me.”

The Zord didn’t want to like this small creature, but couldn’t help himself. ‘My name is Zreeg, and I’ll be responsible for your safe arrival. I sense your fear but even if you fall, I’ll not allow you to come to harm. Relax and feel the motion of my wings. It will be easier if you look around and not straight down.”

Scotty closed his eyes and felt the Zord’s muscled wings flapping and gliding in the wind currents. He was right. He moved with the fluid motion of the flight and felt his stiffness disappear. He looked over at Jingo flying on the other warrior next to him and saw that he wasn’t holding the binding with two of his hands. Jingo appeared to love flying. He was a natural. “Tell me about the attacks on your nests. I would think that your full grown warriors could take on any Torg.”

“We can kill the Torg out in the open, but our nests must be under the cover of trees. It is too dense for us to fly. On the ground, even our largest warriors are in danger of the Torg herds. We can handle two or three, but they attack with huge numbers.”