Talben looked at Petlu, “What do you think about this development?”
Petlu shrugged, “It shouldn’t change your plans. It just means you have to find another way to eliminate her.”
“I know. It’s a shame those flying creatures didn’t do it for me.” Talben paused, “Why is she coming here?”
“It’s probably like Varner said; she doesn’t feel safe there.”
“Have you set up the little surprise for that wimpy daughter?”
“We’ll handle that after we take Varner’s kingdom. We’ll arrange a ship accident when we send her to our new planets as an ambassador.”
“Works for me. Make sure that husband and baby are with her.”
“Of course, Your Majesty.”
Jess arrived at the jump limit and accelerated toward Brandon. “We’ll arrive in three hours, Maranda. You might notify Ashley to meet us at the spaceport.”
“I will, but only when we’re thirty minutes out.”
“That’s cutting it close.”
“My Father will stop her if we try it sooner. I’m sure she’s being watched.”
“You’re the boss, but I think I know another way.”
“How?”
“Anglo, are you still here?”
“Yes, I am.”
“Can you find Maranda’s youngest sister and family?”
“I’ve been watching them for an hour.”
“Jess, I don’t want you to teleport them in unless you are absolutely certain they will be harmed if you don’t.”
“Why not?”
“I need to persuade my Father that I killed her. It will help me get close to him.”
“Anglo, keep them locked on your board.”
“I will.”
Ntwer received the signal and pushed his com, “We will move in on Criston; all ships form up on me.” The thirty six ships at the jump limit began accelerating in-system toward the planet.”
Wesley watched his scanner with Admiral Redmit, “Have they sent a signal?”
“Not yet, Your Majesty. We’re five hours in-system so if they are going to attack as you suspect, it shouldn’t be long.”
“Why do you think that?”
““We are expecting his fleet to arrive to assist us. He might be waiting for us to turn around before he sends it, now that I think about it.”
Let’s see if you’re right. Turn the fleet around.”
The three hundred ships received the order and began reversing their course. “There it is, Your Majesty. A message just went out from the Bendriz.”
“Notify the four ships. Are those ninety traitors under surveillance?”
“We have two security officers in the room with all of them.”
Wesley hit a com key. Four ship commanders and a hundred and eighty security officers heard a buzz in their earpieces. “On my command, carry out your orders. NOW!!”
Four ships that were surrounding the Bendriz opened fire, hitting the ship in her reactors and weapon magazines. The ship was blown apart so fast that one moment it was there and the next nothing remained but expanding gas. On ninety ships two security agents pulled their blasters and fired on the sailors loyal to Talben. On one ship, it was the Executive Officer. Once their orders were completed, they notified Redmit.
“All lights are solid, Your Majesty.”
Wesley hit his com, “Officers and sailors of the fleet.” Wesley told them what was happening, and the fleet began to feel the rage of betrayal. When he finished, Wesley ordered, “Get us back home!”
Maranda sent a com to her sister, “Ashley, I need you to come help me deliver some presents to Father.”
“Oh! Maranda; are you back! I’ve missed you so much.”
“I know, I know. Bring Glenn and the baby with you. I want it to be a surprise.”
“What kind of presents?”
“Well, I have all the defense diagrams of Varner’s ships. I’m sure he’ll be happy about those.”
Maranda felt Ashley’s smile disappear. “We’ll be there in a few minutes.”
“Thank you, Ashley.”
“Your Majesty, you might want to hear this.”
Talben looked up from his display. Petlu played Maranda’s request.
“Should I stop them from going?”
“No, I want those diagrams. Just get them out of here quickly. I should get a signal from Varner’s fleet soon.”
Jess landed on a pad and opened the cargo door. Five minutes later, Maranda saw Ashley, Glenn, and Jenna coming toward the ship. Jenna was eighteen months old and insisted on walking. Ashley came up to Maranda and hugged her tightly. Glenn stood back. It was clear he didn’t like the treachery of giving Varner’s diagrams to Talben.
“Come in and help me carry a few things. Maranda picked up Jenna, gave her a kiss, and tickled her. Jenna screamed with delight and ducked her head into her shoulders. Maranda handed her to Ashley and said, “Ashley, no matter what happens, you know I love you and I always will.”
Ashley furrowed her brow and Maranda said, “You and Glen go pick out the things from those boxes that you think Father will like.”
The three walked over to the boxes and started opening one. Maranda stepped out of the shuttle and hit a lever on the hull. The cargo door quickly closed and the ship lifted.
Maranda heard on her com, “Just what do you think you’re doing?”
“Oh, hi Petlu. My sister is such a wimp. She should never be in the succession for the throne. I’ve sent that shuttle on a one-way trip to the sun. I’ve hated her so long. I hope this isn’t something you wouldn’t want done. If you like I’ll call the shuttle back.”
Talben quickly shook his head. Petlu said, “That won’t be necessary. We’re expecting you in the throne room.”
Talben looked at Petlu, “Please tell me you recorded that?”
Petlu smiled, “But of course.”
Talben laughed, “This is great. One eliminated along with her family, and we’ll kill the other for treason. They’ve made it too easy.”
Petlu smiled.
Ashley and Glenn felt the ship lift and began trying to raise the door. “What has she done?”
“Calm yourselves. Maranda came here to save your lives.”
Glenn looked around, “What do you mean?”
“Maranda discovered from her son that your Father was planning an accident to kill you and your family. She requested the opportunity to come here and attempt to save you.”
“Why wouldn’t King Varner allow her the opportunity?”
“She made the request of the Zord. Because of her, thousands of them were murdered. She is to be executed after she saves you. They delayed it so she could come here.”
Ashley grabbed Glenn, “Oh, no!” Glenn held Ashley tight and wondered if he had misjudged Ashley’s older sister.
“I have opened the corridor to the bridge. You may find the trip more enjoyable if you come in and sit down.”
A door slid up into the ceiling, and the couple left the cargo bay with their baby.
Petlu had a screen watching the shuttle accelerate toward the sun. Soon it was lost in the bright atomic fire. “It’s too close to escape the star’s gravity, Your Majesty.”
Talben smiled as Maranda was escorted into the throne room by a guard. Talben nodded and the guard left. “Very nicely done. Sit down and relax.” Talben hit a button on his console and a young girl came in with a tray of drinks and food. She came next to the throne and Talben hit her in the face, knocking her away from his throne. The tray scattered the food and soaked the young girl in red stain. “You call this food for a King?”
Maranda jumped up and felt her rage almost explode, but caught herself. Scotty, watching from the back of the room, loaded an arrow when he saw Petlu move behind Maranda and pull a blaster from his belt. Maranda lifted the little girl, who was crying. Maranda took a deep breath and composed herself, “Would you like me to take this one out and dispose of her? Such a stupid child.”
Talben laughed out loud, “No. Just make sure she doesn’t make the same mistake again. I had to burn the last one.”
Maranda walked the stunned child to the door and motioned two housekeepers in. They cleaned up the mess and another child brought a different tray. “Now, that’s better.”
Maranda looked and saw it had the same items that were on the last tray. Her father enjoyed hitting children. She took a goblet and sat down.
A tone from his communications panel took Talben’s attention. He smiled and looked at Petlu. Petlu came around in front of Maranda and pointed his blaster at her. Talben said, “My child, you have made it so easy for me to dispose of you. Before I do, I want to thank you for eliminating that weak sister of yours. She can’t be from my loins. I also want to show you what I’m going to do to your husband’s capital.” Talben pushed a button, “Ntwer, how far out are your ships?”
“We’re holding station fifty thousand miles out. The planetary defenses can’t hit us here.”
“We’ll take care of them momentarily.” Talben hit another button and he said, “Are your ships ready?”
“Waiting for the command, Your Majesty.”
“Go now and destroy that city.”
Talben turned from his board, looked at Maranda, then nodded to Petlu. Maranda had picked up one of the knives from the dropped tray and was close enough to have stabbed her father. She was getting ready to do just that when she looked into the eyes of the little girl that had been struck by her Father. She wondered how many little girls would die if she attacked him. Suddenly she knew she had lost her opportunity. She stared at her Father and saw Petlu smile broadly just before an arrow went into his forehead. Petlu had a stunned expression, then dropped like a bag of concrete. She heard, “Now, Anglo,” and her father disappeared.
She turned and saw the blond hair warrior standing behind her. Maranda shook her head, “You didn’t trust me to wait?”
“When you picked up that knife, you caused me to worry. Why didn’t you strike?”
Maranda slowly shook her head, “I wondered how many little girls would die if I did. I couldn’t do it.”
Scotty raised his com, “Anglo, send them.”
Suddenly, Ashley and her family were there. Maranda ran up to Ashley and hugged her tightly. “I’m so sorry I had to deceive you.”
“Jess told us.”
Scotty said, “Now is the time, Your Majesty.”
Maranda jerked at the title, then walked to the throne. She hit a switch and began, “I am sorry to announce that King Talben has been killed in an attack against King Varner’s capital. He planned a sneak attack against our ally and was killed during the battle. I am the next in succession to the throne. I am calling off our attack and will see if we can make amends for my Father’s actions. I request you to pray for our Kingdom, and know that we are protecting you.” Maranda hit a button and said, “Dillem, please report to the throne room.” She hit another switch and said, “Admiral Chandze, please report to the throne room.” She hit the button again, “General Nejick, please report to the throne room.”
Ashley recognized those officers as Maranda’s closest friends. She looked at Glenn and began to worry. Maranda picked up Jenna and tickled her again.
After twenty minutes, the three had arrived and Maranda said, “Everyone sit down.”
The three officers looked at each other and sat. Maranda shook her head, “You’re worried about why I’ve called you here.”
The officer’s looked at each other and Dillem said, “Maranda, you aren’t the same person we grew up with. You’ve become very much like your father.”
Maranda took a shallow breath and nodded, “You’re right. However, I have just notified our armed forces that Dillem will be responsible for the safety of the Royal Family. My Admiral and General friends here will assume the overall command of our armies and navies.”
The three looked at each other in confusion. Maranda continued, “I am going to announce that I am abdicating the throne and that Ashley will be the new Queen of our Kingdom.”
Ashley shook her head, “What are you doing, Maranda?”
“I am charging you to follow her commands and protect her at all costs. Her heart is good, and you can trust her to be honest with you. Will you pledge to do that for me?”
The three nodded, and bowed to Ashley.
Ashley ran to Maranda, “You are not going to go back to that planet!”
Maranda looked in her sister’s eyes and said, “I must. It is what I deserve for being twisted and poisoned by our father.” She looked at Dillem and said, “I would appreciate it if you would round up Richard and ship him out to Highler. I think farming would suit him well. You’ll probably find him out somewhere killing small animals. Do not ever allow him to leave that world. His soul is black. He’ll attempt a coup when he gets older. I expect you to prevent that.”
Dillem nodded, “You may depend on me to handle him.”
Maranda looked hard at Dillem and he nodded. Good. Knowing Dillem, Richard would arrive as fertilizer. Ashley would never make that kind of decision, yet. Once she begins protecting her citizens, she will do what’s necessary. All good mothers protect their family.
Ashley held on to Maranda, “You can’t go. I won’t let you go.”
Maranda felt her tears, and pushed Ashley back to arms length, “Oh, Ashley. You are so much like I once was. But I am accountable for my crimes. I had Wesley’s wife killed. I built lodges that killed thousands of a gentle species of flying creatures. Our father killed Lem to make me into someone just like him. He succeeded and I feel the pain of those I’ve harmed. The only way to find my way back to honor is to accept my punishment. Just promise me you will rule the Kingdom with your heart.”
Ashley was crying. She looked at Maranda and nodded. Glenn came and took Ashley in his arms. “Glenn, I expect you to help her stay true to herself.”
Glenn looked at Maranda and said, “I will, Your Majesty.”
Maranda shook her head, “I am no longer Royalty; Ashley is now Queen.”
Glenn said, “You will always be Royalty in my mind.”
Maranda handed Jenna to Ashley and hugged Glenn, “Take care of my sister.”
Glenn nodded as Ashley wailed in his arms.
Maranda stepped back and looked at the back of the room, where she knew the archer was hiding. Scotty hit his com and Maranda disappeared from the room.
“Anglo, what’s happening at Criston?”
“It’s all over.”
“What?!?”
“I told you BC could handle it.”
“Tell me what happened.”
“The ten Ultras jumped in next to the planet and started to aim their primary beams. BC fired a beam into the Admiral’s ship and cut it from stem to stern. Sorta like opening one of those shell creatures.”
“Go on.”
“He then told them if any of them so much as turned on a screen he would do the same thing to them. One ship didn’t heed his warning, then there were two Ultras on the half shell. BC then split the two ships into twenty pieces for me to teleport to Bristone for the use of their metals.”
“What about the ships that came in from the jump limit?”
“He didn’t waste any time with them. He hit all thirty six from a hundred thousand miles out and burned them into dust. The remaining Ultras are still there.”
“What’s his plan?”
“He’s waiting for me to come and teleport the crews to the garrisons on the planet. Varner’s troops are awaiting their arrival.”
“Well, let’s go.”
Jingo sat on the throne watching the display. He stared at the screen and jumped up, “Carrie, come sit on this throne. The ships at the jump limit are moving in-system. They’ll arrive in thirty minutes. I suspect that the Ultras will be arriving with them. If there is going to be trouble, that’s when it’ll happen.”
Carrie left Michael and moved to the throne. She stared at the display. Fifteen minutes later she said, “The Ultra Ships are here.”
A blaster beam burned the lock off the main door and it flew open. Ten guards rushed in and made it ten feet before all of them lay dead on the floor.
Jingo yelled, “Go to sparks. We don’t want to give them cover to fire from.”
Three guards burst through the back door, and all three were burned into ash in less than three seconds. Grang pulled a long arrow out of his quiver. Stuffing it down the bowgun’s barrel, he fired it up the passageway leading into the throne room. It went completely through six guards moving down the hallway. Every guard in the passageway retreated back around the corner. One stuck his head out and received an arrow for his curiosity.
Carrie punched the com and notified Castle Security that the Throne was being attacked.
Jingo fired and hit two guards coming through the back and side door. Michael saw a guard leap into the room and point his blaster at the throne. He cut the guard’s head off with a well thrown short sword, then fired a spark into another guard coming out of the back door.
Suddenly there were screams outside the doors, and the smell of burnt flesh and ozone filled the room. Colonel Mefran yelled, “We’ve killed the traitors! Are you safe, Your Majesty?”
“Yes. Please place guards at the approaches and get some engineers to come and repair the doors.”
“By your command, Your Highness.
The three archers lowered their bowguns and Carrie ran and jumped on Michael, wrapping her legs around him, “I told you everything would be fine as long as you were here.”
Michael looked around the room, “You should have told those guards.”
Carrie looked at him smiling, “And spoil all your fun?”
Even Grang laughed.
Michael dropped his bowgun and kissed her.
Talben appeared in a clearing and found he was surrounded by fifty huge creatures staring down at him. Bleath didn’t see anyone come with the King and knew that White Hair had left this one for him to handle. Talben was scared stiff. He couldn’t do anything but tremble. Like Jimmy, he soiled himself. Bleath started to show him the deaths he had caused to his flocks, but after seeing his mind for a few moments he withdrew. This Human was so vile that he didn’t deserve any consideration. Bleath called one of the warriors that had lost their mate to the lodges. “Make sure this one has time to consider what he’s done.”
Thousands of warriors arrived to witness the sentence of the one truly responsible for their misery. They followed the warrior to the chosen route. The warrior finally rose to more than twelve thousand feet and released Talben. He screamed for a long time.
Maranda arrived two hours after the King and bowed to Bleath. “I am here to accept my punishment, Great Flyer. I thank you from my heart for being allowed to save my sister and her family.”
Bleath looked at her memories and saw all that had taken place. The ten Elders looked with him, and one of them flew away. Bleath said, “I am sorry, little one. Before we can carry out your sentence, Brengu will have to return. All elders must be present for us to carry out a sentence.”
Maranda looked up at Bleath, “Great Flyer, I honor your traditions and laws, but my sentence has already been made. It is time for me to take my flight with your warriors.”
“If you honor our laws, you will wait patiently, little one, and reflect on your actions.”
Maranda nodded, and continued to kneel.
Bleath lifted and flew to the Human community to await Scotty’s return.
King Varner arrived with his fleet and found the eight Ultra Ships in orbit above his capital. The thirty six ships he had left behind were nowhere to be found. He hit his board and Carrie appeared, “Welcome back, Father.”
“Are you all right?”
“Yes. Fifty seven guards attacked the throne room, but they’re all gone now. The crews of the Ultras are being held prisoner at the Garrisons, and King Talben has been sent to the Zord.”
Wesley stared at his daughter, “And Maranda?”
“She abdicated the throne to Ashley and went back to the Zord for her sentence to be carried out.”
Wesley lowered his head, “I’m not feeling good about that, Carrie.”
“I know; she was much more than I thought.”
“What about our friends?”
“They’re here waiting for you.”
“I’ll be down momentarily. I’m having the fleet sent back to their planets.”
“We’ll be here.”
Wesley arrived an hour later and found the four archers in the throne room. “I thank you for defending my world.”
Scotty looked at him and smiled, “We keep our promises. Now we have fulfilled our commitment, and the issue has been resolved.”
Wesley looked at Scotty and said, “You are no longer bound to protect us.”
“No, we aren’t.”
“What are you going to do with the Ultras?”
Scotty didn’t answer.
Wesley looked at Carrie and Michael and said, “I see that my daughter and the one she has chosen are going to be married. Does that marriage link our worlds?”
Scotty shook his head.
“Then I hereby abdicate the throne and name my daughter as the ruler of this kingdom. Does that link our worlds?”
“Father, what are you doing?”
“Be quiet. Does it?”
Scotty looked at Michael and Carrie, “Yes, it does.”
Carrie looked at Wesley with panic and asked, “Why wouldn’t you accept us with my Father as the ruler?”
Scotty looked at Wesley. Wesley said, “Because the Zord were killed on my watch. Our citizens were brutalized by Talben’s minions on my watch. Maranda and Talben manipulated me on my watch. I am responsible for my actions, and I no longer deserve my title.”
“Father, you’re wrong.”
Wesley took Carrie in his arms, “No, I’m not. Maranda just went to her death sentence with her head held high, accepting the punishment for her crimes. My punishment is also clear. I am not worthy of ruling our subjects. I have lost my honor.”
“But you can recover it.”
“I’m sorry my beautiful little girl. Honor is not something that can be taken; it can only be given away.” Wesley looked at Carrie and smiled, “But you, my wonderful child, would never have lost your honor. These warriors know you can be trusted to keep your promises and uphold their beliefs.”
Scotty looked at Wesley and smiled, “You do understand. Your kingdom will come under our protection. You will keep the Ultras for your defense. We will send a Zord to assist you in examining the crews for those that can be trusted. They will train other crews.” Scotty looked at Carrie, “We will only accept your Kingdom into our assembly when all your worlds demonstrate their acceptance of our principles. The Zord will make that determination when the time comes.” Carrie nodded.
Scotty turned to Michael, “Are you willing to stay here?”
Michael looked at Carrie and smiled, “Home is where the heart is, Your Majesty.”
Scotty smiled and hugged his lifelong friend, “It most certainly is. You know Vetah will miss you greatly.”
“He has a position here in the court to make sure our people can be trusted. He has not decided to start a family. We can use his help. Those Ultra crews will be the first task.”
“That’s your first good decision. Make many more.”
Carrie and Michael bowed, “We will, Your Majesty.”
Scotty smiled and said, “Anglo. Take us home.”
Jingo looked down on Bristone from Anglo’s bridge, “It seems our company is growing.”
“It’s a start. I’m pretty certain that Ashley Talben will be joining us before too long.”
Jingo thought a moment, “I kinda miss the Torg. They were so much easier.”
Scotty laughed out loud.
Scotty and Jingo arrived to a find Julie and Jesa running into the clearing at full speed. Julie slowed enough to grab Scotty, but Jesa took Jingo to the ground. Scotty kissed his wife and held her tight. That’s when Bleath turned off his color shifting. “Uh oh.”
Julie looked up at Bleath and said, “He’s been waiting for you.”
Scotty gave Julie a hug and walked over to the giant Zord, “Hello, Great Flyer. Is there something you need?”
The Human female has returned and is asking for her flight.”
“Yes, I know.”
“We are unable to carry out her sentence at this moment.”
“Why not?”
“In order for us to execute another being, there must be ten Elders present.”
“What about Talben?”
“We had ten at that moment.”
Scotty stared at Bleath and wondered what he was trying to communicate. “Where is the tenth Elder?”
“He had to go home to handle issues in his flock.”
“When do you anticipate he will return?”
“We are uncertain. However, we recommend that you bring the female here and make her work for the community until we can carry out her sentence.”
“What do you mean, work?”
“Are there not tasks that need to be done than many are unwilling to do?”
Scotty was just not certain what Bleath was doing. Then he saw Bleath staring at Samuel’s house. Samuel was out front, swearing at the teens that were cleaning his entrance. Even Scotty heard him, “Don’t you brats know anything? No, no, no; not that way! Give me that brush!”
Scotty looked at Bleath, but the huge Zord continued to stare at Samuel. “Bleath, is Samuel’s flyer anywhere around here?”
Bleath said, “As fate might have it, yes. He just arrived overhead to bring me a message.”
Scotty controlled his laughter while Julie wondered what was going on.
“What about Vring or Zreeg? Is either of them close by?”
“They are taking flying lessons overhead, Your Majesty.”
“Please ask them to come down.” Scotty took Julie’s hand and walked up to Samuel, “Sam, I need you to go with me to the Zord’s place of worship.”
“Can’t you see I’m busy?”
“Samuel, your Emperor commands you to stop what you’re doing and come with him.”
Samuel looked up and saw Scotty was serious. “At once, Your Majesty. How are we going to get there?”
“We’re going to fly.”
“I’m sorry, but Blraet isn’t here.”
“Yes he is, Samuel. He’s waiting for us in the clearing. Let’s go.”
Julie looked at Scotty and he said, “I’ll be back. There’s an issue than must be handled. I’ll explain later.”
Julie reached up and kissed him, “Don’t take too long.”
Scotty and Samuel walked down to the clearing and mounted their Zord. Bleath lifted, and they flew toward the mountains.
Maranda was sitting with her head bowed when she heard the scream of the giant Zord leader. She kept her head bowed as she heard him land. She also heard two other Zord land. Good, the other Elder had arrived and she could receive her sentence. Then she heard the blond haired archer say, “You might as well stand up.”
Maranda looked up and saw two men standing over her. “Why?”
“Because the tenth Elder will not available for another moon. We are going to have to begin your punishment by making you work until he shows up.”
“What do you mean, ‘work’?”
“You are going to stay with Samuel until the Zord are ready.”
Samuel said, “She’s going to what?!? You know I live alone. She will not stay with me!”
Scotty looked at Samuel, “This is a prisoner of the Zord, who cannot implement their sentence. They have requested that she be made a worker for our leaders until they are ready. You are the leader of the Human community; she is Human. She will stay with you and you will make her work to better your community. Are you saying you do not respect our brothers’ wishes?”
“Well, no. But you know how hard I am to get along with.”
Bleath said, “That will be part of her punishment.”
Maranda watched Samuel swear and turn circles for ten minutes as Scotty and the Zord waited. Finally, he ran down.
“Sam, are you going to honor their request and accept it, or am I going to have to command you?”
“ALL RIGHT!” Samuel looked at Scotty, “I’ll do it.”
Samuel looked at Maranda and asked, “What’s your name, troublemaker?”
Scotty said, “Her name is June.”
Maranda looked at Scotty and felt her tears. He gave her that name to remind her of what she had to pay back. Samuel saw her tears and said, “Hey, hey, I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings.”
June looked at him and smiled, “I have a huge debt. Just tell me what you want done.”
“Can you clean an entrance?”
“I can learn.”
“Ok, come on. Let’s go.”
Samuel mounted Blraet and pulled June up behind him. “Hold on, this could be rough.”
June reached around Samuel’s waist and held him tight. Samuel was reminded of his wife that had died twenty years earlier by a charging Torg. Blraet lifted and they flew away.
Scotty looked up at Bleath and said, “When the next moon comes, will you have ten elders?”
“Possibly. You never know when one of us might be called away.”
Scotty smiled and knew the Zord had seen something in Maranda that was redeeming. He watched as Samuel and June grew smaller in the distance, wondering what the Zord had seen that made them pick Samuel. Well, time will answer that question. “Vring, please take me back.” They lifted over the forest and Scotty could see Julie’s smiling face as they headed home. The stars were coming out, and somehow they didn’t look quite so far away.
As Scotty flew away, Bleath knew his family was blessed by a leader with wisdom. He had his Grang. Now his people had their June. Both were better for the act of forgiveness. Bleath looked up at the sky and saw the stars. Usually he just saw the air currents and never noticed the bright points of light. Now they filled his vision.
Two years later, Michael and Carrie came to visit. Julie and Scotty welcomed them and there were hugs for everyone. As they walked toward Michael’s former house, Carrie froze. Scotty saw her and looked to find June coming out of Samuel’s house.
“What’s she doing still alive?!?”
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.”