Scotty walked up beside her as they watched June being rushed by eight children that had been waiting for her to come out. “The Zord say that they cannot execute anyone without ten Elders being present on a full moon.” Carrie looked at Scotty. “She has gone to the Zord every full moon since she arrived to have her sentence carried out. They have been unable to have ten Elders present.”
“So why is she here?”
“The Zord remanded her to the leader of the Human community to force her to do hard labor until they could carry out her sentence.”
Carrie looked back and saw a middle-aged man come out and shoo the children away. He leaned down, kissed Maranda, and gave her a hug. He then left toward the forest. Carrie looked at Scotty, “Samuel lost his wife more than twenty years ago to a wild animal attack. He has been suffering ever since.”
Carrie said coldly, “It appears he is no longer suffering.”
“I think you’re right.”
Carrie ran away from the group toward Maranda. Michael started to follow, but Scotty held out his arm and said, “Let her go.”
Carrie ran up to Maranda just as a young woman with a three year old walked up. She stopped as the child held her arms out to Carrie’s nemesis. Maranda turned and saw Carrie. The young woman said, “Hello, I haven’t seen you before. Are you new here?”
Carrie tore her gaze from Maranda and said “No, I’m just visiting.”
“Well, welcome to our community. Come on Carrie, it’s time to go.”
Carrie furrowed her brow, “What’s your little girl’s name?”
The young woman smiled and said, ‘We tried to name her after June here, but she insisted that she knew a name that was as beautiful and strong as the woman that used it. She named her Carrie. It was June that saved my life during a very hard labor. I’d have died, and little Carrie as well, without her help.”
The woman walked away and the eight children came running up to hug June’s legs. Carrie saw Maranda hang her head, and noticed tears falling to the ground. She looked up and said, “I have tried so hard to die, Carrie.”
Carrie looked at her and said, “I think my Mother would be proud of you to use her name. I can see Maranda died two years ago. She is no longer here.”
June grabbed Carrie and hugged her, “I am so sorry.”
“I know.”
The children looked up and wondered what had June upset. June released Carrie, wiped her eyes, forced a smile, and said, “All right, it’s time to go and pick-a-pod or two. Who’s with me?”
The children screamed and started skipping along beside June as she relieved their parents from the high energy of their children, Carrie watched her go as Michael came up and put his arm on her shoulder. Carrie looked up at Michael and said, “I was wrong. That’s not Maranda.”
Michael looked at his wife and said, “No, she isn’t.”
Chapter Fourteen
Grang, Jingo and Scotty were lying on a hill looking up at a sky full of stars. “Reminds me of old times.”
“I know, Jingo.”
Jingo said, “I wonder what that hill looks like now?”
Grang said, “I wonder how Bravo is doing?”
Scotty said, “I wonder if the Realm’s defense complex is going to allow us entry?”
Grang and Jingo both rolled over and looked at Scotty. “I thought you had given up on that?”
“No, Jingo. Anglo is just not enough to handle the things we need to do with three kingdoms to defend. We need to get Anglo, BC, and Jessica updated.”
“Didn’t BC say that complex had some rather deadly defenses?”
“Yes, he did.”
The three stared up at the stars and after five minutes Jingo said, “Ok, I’m in. When do we leave?”
Scotty looked at Jingo and said, “War gland blues, huh?”
“I do miss the feeling.”
“What about you Grang?”
“Anything beats this boredom.”
Scotty continued to watch the stars and said, “I believe that one day you’ll beg for boredom.”
Grang smiled, “Probably, but not today.”
“I understand you’re going to talk with an old defense installation.”
Scotty looked at Julie and smiled, “I hear they are very talkative.”
“They are also very dangerous. BC tells me the installation’s weapons can penetrate a Gamma Ship’s screens. I don’t want to lose you.”
“We’ll be careful. BC tells me he knows the master computer and I think it will talk before it fires on a former ship of the Realm.”
“The word that scares me in your statement is ‘think’. You really don’t know what it will do. I don’t want you taking any chances.”
“I’ll be careful, Julie, but we need to make the effort. Anglo is overloaded, and we need to get BC and Jessica modernized.”
“I know! But this is risky. Just promise me you’ll be careful. We can’t afford to lose both of you.”
“I will.”
“Promise?”
Scotty took a deep breath, “I promise.”
“Good. When are you leaving?”
“In about an hour; we’re going alone. Anglo will teleport us to the system and we’ll move in slowly from the jump limit.”
Julie reached up and kissed Scotty and shook her head, “My life would be over without you. Is Jingo or Grang going with you?”
“Grang is going simply because I don’t want him walking around here angry at being left behind.”
“That’s a good idea. Jingo is going to handle the training of the new riders while we’re gone. Have you found a replacement for Michael?”
“I may have. Vreeg tells me another one of our archers can be trained.”
“Anyone I know?”
“No. His name is Nathan Valrico. Even Vring likes him and sees potential.”
“Then he must be good. Vring is very critical in most of his judgments.”
“He’s Timmy’s older brother, and Timmy insists he’s smarter than he is. I’ll introduce you when I get back. Jingo and Vreeg are giving him the training later tomorrow.”
“Just be careful, my love.”
“You know me.”
“That’s why I’m telling you to be careful.”
Scotty smiled and said, “Anglo, will you please send me to BC’s bridge?”
Julie watched as a silver field appeared and Scotty walked through it.
“Hello, BC. Has Anglo found Grang?”
“Yes, but he wanted to bring his new bowgun.”
“He should have it with him. I’ve never seen him without it.”
“Samuel made him a new one. He wanted to try it out at the range before he left.”
“What did Samuel make for him?”
“Seems he’s found a way to make a frame strong enough for him.”
“This should be interesting.”
A silver screen appeared and Grang stepped out with a bowgun that was only half the length of a standard
