Free Ashes of the Realm - Juliette's Dream by Saxon Andrew Page A

gland kept you going.”
     
    Jingo grimaced as he laughed and said, “Your adrenal thing-a-majig did the same. There’s no way I could have fired my bowguns that many times. How long did the fight last?”
     
    “The Zord say over nine hours. It seemed much longer,”
     
    “Tell me about it.”
     
    The archers looked out at the female Zord feeing their young with meat from the dead Torg, and they could hear their thoughts. The love of the mothers was clear and the joy of having babies, some for the first time, was overwhelming. The archers felt their hearts heal as they saw the joy their fight had brought to the Zord. An archer in back of the group said, “This was worth it.”
     
    Scotty stood and faced the group. Several had to help him stand. “Any species that can love like this deserves our help. I am so proud of having fought with you to save these children. You have proven your hearts this day.”
     
    Michael Blake said, “And you have shown us what a true heart really is. We won’t forget it.” The archers knew that even if they were not related by blood, they were now all brothers because of their shared ordeal.
     
    Bleath listened to them and came forward, “We are taking you home. Our warriors have almost come to blows over who would be given the honor of flying you back to your communities. We have fashioned bindings you can slip your legs through to keep you from having to use your arms. We see that your arms are injured from the long use of your weapons. I will assist you to our warrior’s backs. I do not have the words to thank you for your sacrifice.” Bleath paused and the archers could feel his emotions. He took a deep breath and continued, “On the night of the next full moons we will come to speak with your leaders. Please be there to hear our words.”
     
    Scotty looked up at the giant Zord and said, “We will not miss the gathering.”
     
    A huge warrior walked up. Bleath lowered his front leg and Scotty sat on it as Bleath lifted him to Zreeg’s back. Scotty slipped his legs under the binding, then slipped his feet outside and hooked them in the binding. Cezee arrived and Jingo was lifted to his back. Bleath stayed and lifted every archer to the backs of the Zord Warriors. When the last had flown away, he listened to the thousands of newborns being fed by their mothers and was overcome by his emotions.
     
    Scotty sat on Zreeg and looked up at the stars filling the night sky. He leaned back, lay on the giant reptile’s shoulders, and felt the rhythmic motion of his wings. Zreeg said, “I owe you my life, white hair.”
     
    Scotty remained on his back and thought, “You owe me nothing, Zreeg. I would have been poorer in spirit if I hadn’t come to help you. Now I am stronger, and that is payment enough.”
     
    “I sense you mean what you say, but you have given me my mate back. Her tortured soul has returned and she is the beautiful one I remember. I will never forget your bravery and kindness. My back belongs to you for the rest of my life.”
     
    Scotty felt the emotions of the Zord and said, “My bowgun will always be available to defend your family, Zreeg.” The two flew in silence, feeling a bond that was forged out of great respect for each other. It would never be broken.
     
    Zreeg screamed, announcing his coming, and Scotty looked down and saw the fire in the clearing. Suddenly he heard the three horns start blowing and saw both communities come running toward the clearing. Zreeg circled and slowly descended to the ground. Scotty arrived and Samuel came running up. Zreeg said, “You will have to help him down. He cannot use his arms.”
     
    Samuel yelled for three young Humans and they ran forward and climbed the bindings. One carried a vine that was placed under Scotty’s arms and around his back, and two of them lowered him to the group waiting to receive him. Cegee landed right behind him and Jesa ran and climbed the vines before anyone could move. Jingo saw