The two communities were silent. The shock of what the archers had faced was overwhelming, and words could not describe what they had seen.
Bleath looked out at the gathering and said, We have looked at the memories of your archers who survived, and we are humbled by the price they paid for us. More than two hundred of them died fighting the charging herd as they were overrun. Not one of them ran to save themselves. One thing we have seen is that without the bravery of the one with white hair and the four armed archer with two weapons, the Torg would have taken our babies again. They supported their fellow warriors and turned the Torg away fifty six times.
The gathered community looked at the archers and they were all nodding. Everyone looked at Scotty and Jingo and Scotty said, It was Jingo that made the difference.
Michael Blake stood and said, Jingo did make a huge difference. But it was you he followed into the jaws of the herd. You didnt hesitate, but came to save us no matter the odds. The Zord is right; the two of you are what saved us.
Bleath added, And, as a result of your bravery, saved our newborns. Bleath looked down at Samuel and Jing, Your archers also saved my species from extinction.
Samuel said, What!?
Last cycle, not one newborn lived. The cycle before that, only two survived. Over the last hundred cycles, we have lost more to death each year than we could replace. We are down to only nine thousand and time is not on our side. The Torg herds have grown to the point where they could not be stopped. This cycle, more than fifteen thousand newborns are alive because of your brave warriors. This night under the twin moons, their skins are hard and they are now able to fly. This night all of our memories will be imprinted on them going all the way back to our ancestors that flew the smoky skies of our home world. Their parents will also imprint the vision I just shared with you. They will know they owe their lives to your gallant archers. Those fifteen thousand newborns will bring us back from extinction, and the food provided by your archers will feed us for more than ten cycles.
Jingo was shocked, What food?
Bleath said, Right now our warriors are flying the Torg you killed to the snow on our mountains. It will be preserved until we need it. We will not have to attack the Torg herds to feed ourselves and fewer of us will die. Our numbers will grow because of your kindness.
Bleath looked at Scotty and Jingo and said, Please come forward.
The two looked at each other and walked in front of Bleath. Bleath said, I thought my son was insane when he argued against attacking you. Now I know you are a blessing from the Air God. I have learned that your weapons are called bowguns. Scotty and Jingo nodded. We have changed the names of the three mountains next to our lands. The two mountains on each side of the center one will be called the two bows to honor this warrior that fought so bravely for us. One will be the left bow; the other the right bow. Jingo swelled with pride at what he was told. Bleath turned to Scotty and said, The center mountain will be called White Hair to honor you.
Scotty lowered his head and said, I dont deserve more than any of us.
Yes you do, White Hair. It was you that opened your heart to my injured son and taught us how truly good your communities are. You risked your life then and countless other times defending our hatchings. None of this would have happened without your good heart.
Bleath looked out at the gathering and said, We have also vowed that my warriors, our mothers, and our children will defend all of you until that mountain ceases to exist. It will be a constant reminder of our oath. We owe you our existence and we will never forget what you did this cycle.
The gathering rose and cheered the announcement and began hugging and congratulating the brave warriors that fought the Torg. Bleath raised his wings and the communities became quiet. There is one more message that I promised to deliver. The giant Zord looked at the archers that had gathered and were sitting in a group, The warriors that carried you to our nesting ground and brought you home have asked me to tell you that they are sworn to you. They will be your mounts anytime you desire them. They will carry you wherever you choose to go, and will defend you against all enemies. Bleath turned to Scotty and said, My son and Zreeg have agreed that both of them will be your mounts. You have won their respect, and they vow to defend you. Bleath looked up and said, You are now Riders of the Zord, and we will never allow you to fall.
The celebration began in earnest and joy was the watchword. Jing looked up at Bleath and said, You know if our archers can fly with you, we can stop many of the Torg from reaching your forest. They may be persuaded to stay away.
Bleath looked down at Jing and said, Next year we will have to try and see. You should know that both of you have also been given a mount. Two of the Elders stepped forward and one said, I am Jings.
The other said, I am Samuels.
Samuel looked up at Bleath and asked, Is there a special reason why your birthing ground is located in that forest?
Bleath tilted his head and said, Its dark enough under the trees to protect our newborns skins and eyes.
Well, if you look over the hill from our community, the ging trees are thick and its quite dark under them. If you would lay your eggs here, we would have more than three thousand archers to protect them. We have eliminated most of the Torg around here and few will come close to our community. Those giant herds will have nothing to feed on and they are too far away to come here.
Bleath looked at the four Elders, then looked back at Samuel, We will do exactly that. I can see that my family is going to grow and prosper. Thank you for helping us.
The community continued to celebrate as Zord warriors descended to join in the festivities; many of them looking for their chosen rider. Soon the Zord began lifting with their riders and started circling high overhead, screaming their happiness.
Jesa held on tight to Jingo as Cezee circled the community. The beauty revealed from the two full moons shining on the forest below filled Jesas heart. She knew she would never forget this night. Jingo turned his head and said, Jesa, will you do me the honor of becoming my Mate?
Jesas heart exploded and, holding on tightly, she scrambled around Jingo to face him. She wrapped her legs around his waist and then kissed him over and over. Cezee could feel their love; it was just like the feeling shared with his mate tending to their six new children. Cezee stayed aloft until Jesa stopped kissing Jingo and said, Yes.
Chapter Six
Twenty year old Scotty Robbins sat on the hill looking up at the stars. They were still amazing after all these years.
Why do you spend so many nights out on this hill, White Hair?
Scotty looked over at Vring sitting on the hill beside him and said, I guess its because I know the history of many of them. There are others out there that are just like us staring at the majesty of the universe around us. They, too, are struggling to survive. Scotty rolled over and looked at Vring and said, Those stars were once all joined together in a community of millions of planets. Scotty rolled back over on his back and said, My home world is now gone from this universe with the Great Royal Family that ruled us with love, compassion, and wisdom. They once tried to make us more than we could be. Greed, ambition, and lust for power seduced many of us and we lost it all.
Vring continued to stare at the sky and said, Ive seen what you speak of in your mind. There are times one must lose everything to understand and appreciate what they take for granted.
It was too high a price, Vring. Trillions have died in the aftermath of that loss. No one remained strong enough to control those bent on absolute power. Now we are only a shadow of what we were. Scotty took a deep breath, We lost so much. Scotty looked at the stars and said, I dream of finding those out in those stars that have learned this lesson and long to be rejoined to a community that knows the value of peace.