Vring took a deep breath and quit attempting to break free to warn the Humans of the impending attack. Bleath cut the vines from his son and said, “You will be the first to land.”
Samuel and Jing motioned Scotty and Jingo to join them. They came and sat down. Jing said, “The two of your will welcome our guests. We’ll join you afterwards.”
Scotty looked at Samuel and said, “If you still have doubts about this, why did you kill those three?”
“My doubts are irrelevant to their betrayal of our community. They were a poison that would infect us. Refusal to take the oath revealed their true character. They would have attacked our guests and demonstrated that we are without honor. What I did had to be done.”
Jesa who had been listening to the conversation stepped up and said, “If Jingo is there, I will be there as well.”
Jing started to order her not to go, but Samuel said, “You love does him honor.”
Jingo said, “No, you must not be here.”
Jesa took his four hands in her’s and said, “Would you allow me to face danger and stay away?”
Jingo said, “We will not have weapons. I won’t be able to defend you.”
Jesa hugged Jingo, “If you die, I don’t want to live without you. We will be together either way.”
Jing knew his son had found his heart. He walked away and left the two young Cainth to their love.
Scotty walked away and wished he had what Jingo had found.
All of them worried about the following night.
Scotty and Jingo sat by the fire in the center of the clearing and looked at the two full moons overhead. The night was clear and the symphony of stars shining brightly, in spite of the moons, was beautiful. The only light in the two communities was that single fire. Scotty looked at Jingo and asked, “Where’s Jesa?”
Jingo gave a smirk and said, “Her father forbid her coming; thank the creator for that.”
“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
