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 it’s 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, “I’ve 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.”
Vring remained silent and looked at the stars.
“I’m surprised you’re not helping care for the newborns. The last hatching set some kind of record didn’t it?”
“I’m actually using you as an excuse to escape.” Scotty looked at Vring. “I told Bleath that you wanted me to take you Torg hunting in the morning. That’s the only excuse that would allow me to escape.”
Scotty laughed, “Is it that bad?”
“Think about what thirty thousand newborns sound like. Add that to the forty five thousand youngsters less than three cycles old; I think my ears are still dead and will never hear properly again. Even a Torg could charge me and I wouldn’t hear it. Thank the Air God for all the food your archers provided or we would be in huge trouble feeding them.”
Scott smiled, “I would have never thought any of you would complain about newborns.”
“Easy for you to say; you don’t have to feed or hear them.”
Scotty chuckled again and said, “Well, we’ll go up in the morning and make sure some of your community see us.”
“I appreciate that more than you know. By the way, where’s Jingo?”
“Jesa is close to delivering their first child and he’s staying close.”
There was silence for several minutes and Vring asked, “Have you not found a mate?”
Scotty sighed deeply, “No. There are quite a few of our young women that have made their interest known but none of them touch my heart.”
There were several more minutes of silence and Scotty said, “None of them come close to what my mother was. I guess I still miss her too much.”
“I’ve seen Jesa’s memories of the day she died. She was a remarkable Human. She died trying to save several that had fallen.”
There was another long silence, then Vring said something that brought Scotty up off his back. “At least she didn’t suffer like those poor slaves north of our lands.”
“What slaves, Vring?”
“Oh, don’t worry about them; they aren’t members of your community. The big Yellow Skins use them to work their farms.”
“Vring what are you talking about?! What do you mean, suffering?”
Vring looked at Scotty and said, “I thought you only protected those in your two communities. Those slaves are captured species being forced to farm for the Yellow Creatures. They have been captive since shortly after the original destruction.”
Scotty jumped up and said, “We do not tolerate slavery of any kind. You mean there are many being held as slaves?”
Vring tilted his head and said, “They were the last time one of our warriors flew over their lands.”
“How long ago was that?”
“Three cycles ago, just before you came to save our eggs, we sent warriors out looking for safe nesting grounds. We have seen them occasionally over the centuries.”
“Vring, I want you to take me there.”
“No way!”
“Why not?”
“Those yellow creatures have a weapon which uses a bright beam that kills Torg from great distances. It is called a blaster, according to your memories. I will not take you into that deadly land.”
“If you won’t take me, I will start walking there in the morning. I will not sit idly by when there are people being held in slavery.”
Vring saw Scotty was serious. “White Hair, they will see you just like the Torg that have learned to sprint into the forest when one of you goes flying with us. I can hide with my color shifting, but they will see you.” Vring paused and said, “Besides, I must have my father’s permission to leave our lands.”
Scotty stood up and started up the hill. “Hey, where are you going?”
“I told you I would walk if you won’t take me.”
“You’re serious; aren’t you?”
“Yes I am, Vring. Slavery was never tolerated by the Holy Realm, and we live by the Realm’s principles.”
“Well, wait just a minute. Slow down. I’ll go home and request that I take you to see the northern slaves. If I’m turned down, Zreeg will come take you. It would take you almost a cycle to walk the distance and you don’t know where you’re going. They’ve been there over a thousand cycles; waiting a few more days won’t make a difference. That will give you time to prepare for the trip.”
Scotty stared at Vring and said, “Ok, I’ll wait three days. If you don’t come back I’ll start hiking north.”
“Why does this bother you so much?”
“Slavery robs a being of everything; their self-worth, their happiness, their dreams, and their love. No one should endure that kind of suffering.”
“Is it your responsibility to free every slave on the planet?”
“It is the duty of all of us to free those that are slaves. That includes your species, too.”
“Why?”
“Because the Torg had enslaved your people; your species were made a food source for them and you faced extinction at their jaws. How was life living under the Torg, Vring?”
Vring was silent and finally took a huge breath, “Every day was spent in constant sorrow anticipating the coming slaughter of our hatchlings. Many had chosen just to attack a large Torg herd to end their pain and suffering. Most of those were the mothers that had lost their eggs too many times.”
“Do you think those slaves feel any different, with no hope of freedom?”
““Drab you, Scotty. Now I’m feeling anger at those slave masters.” Vring paused and said, “Even if I’m told not to go. I give you my oath I will take you anyway.”
“How long will it take us to go there?”
“Three days of hard flying.”
“Then ask Zreeg to go with us to carry enough food for you to make the round trip.”
“I’m sure I’ll find food on the way. If nothing else, the Torg reproduce at an extraordinary rate. Are you going alone?”
Scotty lowered his head, “I made an oath to Jingo to tell him any time I was planning to leave the community. He takes that promise to my mother very seriously. However, he’s expecting his first child and he might stay.”
“Would you?”
“Wow; that’s a hard question! I honestly don’t know what I’d do.”
“Could you wait until the child is born?”
Scotty took a huge breath and blew it out, “I probably won’t have a choice. If he chooses to go, I just couldn’t force him to leave Jesa to have their child alone.” Scotty pondered the dilemma and said, “I don’t want you to go and collect all you need to make the journey and then have you wait here. Jesa is due in two days and the Cainth are just like your species; their births are within hours of the scheduled time.”
Vring said, “Let’s do this. Give him some time with his newborn and we’ll leave seven days from now. Is that a plan you can accept?”
Scotty looked up at the stars and, after a seeing a shooting star flash across the sky, he said, “Yes.”
Vring walked down the hill and spread his wings, “I will see you in seven rotations, White Hair. Make sure you have enough provisions.”
“I will, Vring. Thank you.”
The huge Zord lifted and flew north.
Scotty watched him go and shook his head, “Boy, they grow fast. He’s larger than Zreeg.”
Vring arrived midmorning after a leisurely flight back, and he could hear the latest hatching of newborns long before he arrived. “Now, where’s Bleath?” He circled over the forest and didn’t see him in any of the clearings. He flapped his wings six times, caught a rising thermal, and rose to more than fifteen hundred feet. He looked out over the huge wastelands and didn’t see him there, either. That left one place. He turned and flapped toward the three peaks. “There he is.”
Bleath was on White Hair Mountain supervising the food transfer to the newborns. Vring screamed and Bleath looked up and motioned him down. He landed and Bleath said, “It’s about time you came back. You can help carry the food down to the newborns.”
Vring walked closer and Bleath said in a serious voice, “What’s wrong?”
Vring shared his thoughts of what White Hair was going to do.
Vring could see Bleath’s fear. “We can’t risk letting him go there.”
Vring knew Bleath’s love for the two-legs and was amazed at the depth of his feelings for the small being of another species. He understood it because every Zord knew White Hair was a gift from the Air God. “Father, you saw his thoughts. Do you think we can prevent him?”
Bleath thought a moment and said, “No. He will do exactly what he said and walk there if we don’t assist him.”
“I’m worried that he will be seen on my back. We have to fly over open land and even the Torg run before we can get close with a rider.”
Bleath thought and lowered his head. Vring waited and wondered what his father was contemplating. His thoughts were deep in his consciousness and Vring couldn’t hear them. Finally, Bleath raised his head and said, “Announce a council of all Zord tomorrow night.”
Vring was worried. His father had not even forbid him to go. He knew that as the chosen successor to Bleath, he would never be allowed to deliberately place himself in danger. He was going anyway and he was sure Bleath saw that in his thoughts. Vring sighed and remembered being restrained from warning the two-legs about the Zord’s planned attack three cycles earlier. If they planned to restrain him again, they would have to catch him first. He smiled at that thought. I’m not so small anymore and I’m the best flyer in the flock. Vring thought about it and suddenly realized that no warrior would step forward to restrain him from protecting White Hair. They knew the blood debt Vring owed to Scotty and would never consider stopping him from paying it. Then he knew why Bleath did not forbid him to go. Vring knew if he didn’t go, Bleath would take his place. Vring shook his head and wondered about the adoration the Zord had for his friend. What is bothering his father so much to call a council? He’d find out tomorrow.
Thousands of Zord were gathered on the high slope of White Hair Mountain in the clearing just below the snow line. The families were gathered together in groups with the family elder in front. Bleath looked at the thousands of three year olds attending their first council and again, remembered the Day of the Torg, when the two-leg archers freed them from the vicious beasts. The three year olds outnumbered the adults. He saw their awe at the gathering and smiled at their good behavior. The community was talking among themselves wondering what had happened to cause Bleath to call a council and some were worried. Finally, Bleath raised his wings and the huge gathering grew silent.
“I am going to share a conversation my son had with White Hair.” Bleath replayed what Vring had shared with him, and Bleath saw immediate fear from the older warriors.
One of the older Elders said, “We cannot allow him to go. He must be prevented from going into that dangerous place.”
Bleath looked out at the community and said, “Do you not think his community said the same thing to him when he chose to come defend our newborns?” Bleath waited, then said, “No, they did not. They knew his quest that night was worthy and true to their beliefs. Do you think they could have stopped him from doing what he knew was right? Even if they had tried, he would have come anyway and the great Four Arm would have followed him. He is from the Air God and he will do its work. We will demonstrate a lack of thankfulness if we try to prevent him from his new quest.” Bleath paused and silence dominated. “He is also right about the nature of this quest. He freed us from our oppressors. Think back to how our lives were filled with sorrow and pain until he came. Those oppressed slaves are also feeling sorrow and pain. We cannot turn our backs on those that need freedom.”
Bleath saw the community feeling Scotty’s thoughts, and he could feel a hatred of those that are oppressors rise among the warriors. “The Elders and I have decided to give a gift to help the White Hair in his quest.” The community looked at Bleath wondering what he was planning. “There is real danger to our friends if we fly into those lands. We are going to give our ancestor’s Zeckas to protect them.” The community was stunned. Bleath expected a huge negative howl at the suggestion, but it didn’t come.
Zreeg thought so all could hear, “I formally request that in the event of my death, you send my Zecka to the two-legs. I can think of no holier use of it than protecting those that faced the jaws for my children.” The leader of the six three year olds behind him added their thoughts to his, “We also ask for the same holy use of our Zeckas. We saw them fight and die so we could live.” Hundred of the warriors shouted to add their names to the request.
Bleath was both humbled and gladdened by the community’s response. He knew the holiness of the Zecka. He looked out at the gathering and asked, “Do any object to what I am asking of you?”
Silence dominated the community. Bleath looked around and continued, “Vring, Zreeg, and Cezee will carry the Zeckas with me to the two-leg’s community tomorrow night. They are the chosen brothers of White Hair and Four Arms. We will make our offering and plead that they accept it. I know they will be reluctant because of the goodness in their heart. However, I will prevail and make them do it. I thank you for your faith in doing this, and I know they will give the Zeckas the honor they are due.”
Scotty was sitting with Jingo seeing the love they had for their newborn baby girl. The grunds were howling around the community and everyone knew that Jesa’s baby had arrived. Jesa was holding her and Jingo had his arms around them staring into the face of his new baby girl. “Have you thought of a name?”
Jesa looked up at Scotty and said, “She will be called Maddy.”
Scotty jerked in surprise.
“We can’t think of any name more worthy than your mother’s, Scotty.”
Scotty felt the tears gather in his eyes, but fought them off. “Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.”
Suddenly they heard a loud screech overhead and Jingo said, “That’s Bleath. What is he doing coming here?”
Scotty felt immediate stress. He had not told anyone about his planned trip. This had to be the Zord coming to persuade him not to go. He said, “Jingo, I haven’t told you; I’m making a trip. I think the Zord are here to try and stop me.”
“Why would they want to stop you?”
Scotty shook his head, “Uh, it might involve a tiny bit of danger.”
Jingo stared at Scotty and looked up at the ceiling, “If Bleath came here personally to try and stop you there is a lot more than just a little bit of danger.”
Scotty sighed and said, “I just couldn’t take away from this joyous moment to tell you.”
Jesa looked at Jingo and said, “Better gather your things. I know who you are and you should go.”
Jingo stared at his mate and child, then said, “Tell me what you’re planning on the way to the fire.”
Scotty began filling him in as they headed toward the clearing.
Jing and Samuel came running into the clearing and heard the three horns start sounding. The two communities dressed quickly and began moving rapidly towards the central clearing. Something was happening, and it had to be serious for the Zord to make an unannounced visit.
The communities finally gathered and Jing was starting to wonder why the Zord had not landed. Then he saw the huge form coming down and recognized Bleath. This had to be serious for him to come.
Bleath landed and looked at Jing and Samuel, “I have come to ask permission to help White Hair in his quest.”
The entire community looked at Scotty and saw his apprehension. Samuel said, “You want to tell us what he’s talking about, Scotty?”
Scotty saw Samuel was not in a good humor. Jing was also staring at him. He shrugged at Jingo and stood and walked to the three at the center of the community. He looked up at the giant Zord and said, “I have not shared my plans with the community, Great Flyer. I was going to go alone.”
Jingo yelled, “He just told me about it and he is not going alone!”
Jing looked at his son and said, “We’ll see about that.”
Jingo looked at his father and replied, “There is nothing to see, Father. I will go.”
Everyone in the community felt fear for Jingo. He was challenging the chosen leader of the Cainth. They saw Jing’s immediate anger.
Bleath said, “We were going to humbly ask you to accompany White Hair on his quest because of the great danger he will face.”
Jing’s anger evaporated. “What danger?”
Scotty took a deep breath and said where everyone could hear, “I learned three days ago that there are large numbers of people that are being held as slaves by a species of yellow-colored beings north of here. They have been enslaved for centuries and are being treated brutally. I decided that I had to go see if I could help them. I told my flyer that if he wouldn’t take me I would walk. He said he had to get permission to go, and I assume Bleath is here to try and talk me out of it.”
Bleath looked down at Scotty and said, “I saw your thoughts when my son returned. I could see there was no possibility of persuading you not to go.”
Scotty took a deep breath and nodded, “You’re right. Slavery violates every tenant of what I believe. I cannot remain idle and not do something to help those victims.”
Jing and Samuel looked at Scotty and Jing said, “Why don’t you tell us what you know?”
Bleath said, “I will share with you the visions of my warriors that have flown over those lands.” The community saw thousands of different species toiling in giant fields tending crops. Standing on hills overlooking the slaves were huge yellow creatures watching the workers. As they watched the vision, they saw one of the guards fire a weapon at a worker that had sat down because of fatigue. The bright white beam vaporized the worker. Then they saw a black-colored ship parked next to the tree line suddenly fire a beam, and the viewer saw one of his brothers hit and burn. The Zord fell from the sky toward the ground.
Jingo felt Jesa take a quick breath and look at him. “What, Jesa?”
“I’ll tell you later.”
The view changed as the viewer started flying an erratic path until it went below the hills. A bright white beam passed overhead as it flew below the safety of the hill line.
Bleath stopped the vision and said, “There is great danger to enter the domain of those yellow creatures. They possess the ancient weapons of your former masters. We worry that White Hair will be seen if he flies there.”
Samuel looked up at Bleath, “Are you going to allow your warriors to venture into that killing ground?”
“Of course! The quest of White Hair is worthy of undertaking. The suffering of those being oppressed is also our responsibility if White Hair has chosen to free them.”
The two leaders looked at Scotty and he saw their anger. “Jing, Samuel, I must go.”
Jing said, “Our anger is not directed toward you, Scotty. You would not be your mother’s son if you turned your back on them. But Bleath is right. You will be seen and they will kill you.”
Bleath then said, “I have come tonight to deliver a gift from my community.”
Everyone looked up at the Zord and he said, “The reason he would be seen is because we cannot hide him. Our color shifting does not cover the bindings or the rider on us. We have brought our ancestor’s Zeckas to remedy that problem.”
Scotty looked up and asked, “What is a Zecka?”
Bleath issued a loud scream and Vring, Zreeg, and Cezee flew into the clearing, landed, and placed three large, light green-colored squares on the ground. Bleath said, “These are the skins of ancestors that have died over the centuries. They are revered and considered holy by my community.” Bleath walked forward and placed one of his wings on a square and it disappeared.
The entire community was stunned. Scotty stared at the spot where the square was and couldn’t see it.
Bleath removed his wing and the square reappeared. “Our skins do not lose their ability to change color when we die. If a living Zord touches a Zecka, it will begin shifting color again. We ask that you make clothing and bindings from our Zeckas so your riders will not be seen on our backs. We humbly request that the first two be made for White Hair and Four Arms.”
Scotty looked up and shouted, “Bleath, we cannot use your Zeckas! They deserve to be kept and honored by your community. How can we accept something so priceless? We cannot do this!”
Samuel said, “I agree, Great Flyer. This is something we are not deserving of; we are honored at your gift, but cannot accept.”
The four Zord listened to the two-legs and knew their ancestors would be well treated by the two communities. Bleath listened and knew he had done the right thing. He raised his wings and the gathering grew silent. “You do not understand the honor of this gift.”
Scotty looked at Bleath and asked, “What do you mean?”
“All of our warriors have petitioned me to send their Zeckas to you when they die.”
Scotty was stunned. Jingo walked up and joined him.
Bleath said, “You give honor to our ancestors by accepting them. Your people are considered holy by my community for your bravery in killing the Torg, and the lost archers that gave their lives to save us. Our Zeckas could not be in a holier place than on the archers of your communities. I also pray you will accept my Zecka when I leave this life. The honor you would give me in accepting it would humble me and all my warriors feel the same. Our ancestors would insist their Zeckas be used to protect the ones that saved us. It is not you who are unworthy, it is us. You would do us great honor to accept our gift.”
The community was silent. Scotty listened to Bleath and lowered his head. He looked up at the four Zord, then walked forward and bowed in front of the three squares of Zord Zeckas. The community rose, walked slowly forward, and bowed with Scotty. The Zord heard Scotty say, “Great Flyers, we are unworthy of your offering. We give you honor and we thank you for your help in making our world a better place for our people to live. We will always give you respect and honor before we don your Zecka. We welcome you in our quest to save those who are in danger from evil. Should any of us fall in our quest, we will return you to your people. We will never forget the meaning of your gift, and will never dishonor it.”
The four Zord imprinted the memory of that moment and would pass it on to their descendants. They were moved beyond words. They lifted from the community and left them to their prayers.
Several of the women stepped forward and took some of the material. They measured Scotty and Jingo for an hour. Finally, Scotty and Jingo went to Jesa, and she handed Maddy to Jingo. Jingo looked at her and said, “What’s wrong, Jesa?”
Jesa looked at Scotty and he saw her apprehension. “Scotty, there’s something I need to tell you.”
“What, Jesa?”
“I was there the day your mother was killed. I saw what happened as I ran into the forest and climbed one of the gings.”
Scotty furrowed his brow, “What are you saying?”
“Scotty, that ship the Zord showed us is the same ship that landed here fifteen years ago. The one that fired that weapon and killed that poor slave is the one that killed your mother!”
Scotty was stunned beyond words.
Jingo looked at Jesa, “Are you sure?”
“Jingo, I will never forget that moment. The ship had the evil Duke’s symbol on the back, and part of it was slightly burned on the “E”. I’m certain it was the same ship, and I will never forget the one that killed Madeline.”
Scotty felt his rage grow. His eyes narrowed, and the two Cainth saw his anger.
“Scotty, don’t do something stupid.”
Scotty looked at Jingo, “We leave in two days to scout their lands. I want the Zord Riders ready to go as quickly as possible. Jesa, try to make the seamstress’ get their uniforms ready quickly.”
“What are you thinking, Brother?”
“I was just going to try and save the slaves. Now I know those creatures. We will not allow them to harm anyone else.”
Jingo looked at Jesa, “You know he’s right.”
“Jingo, if they came once, they’ll come again. Go and protect our daughter.”
Scotty looked at the vision of the Zord again and focused on the one with the blaster. His rage continued to grow.
Circling high overhead, Vring listened to Jesa’s revelation. He felt Scotty’s rage and when he looked at Jesa’s memory of his mother’s death he felt an anger that threatened to overwhelm him. He went back to the gathering just as his father finished sharing what had happened at the two-leg communities. Vring landed and shared what he had learned from Jesa. Bleath felt the rage of the warriors. Now this quest was a holy war for the Zord. The warriors lifted to practice their flying. The flock was preparing for war. Nothing on the planet was more dangerous that a Zord warrior. Bleath knew the yellow skins were going to pay a heavy price for their treachery.
Scotty and Jingo were asked to come to Jing’s home. As they approached his house they saw all of the surviving archers sitting outside waiting. “What’s going on, Jingo?”
“I don’t know.”
As they walked up to the doorway Michael Blake stood and opened the door for them and lowered his head. Scotty and Jingo went in and found Jing with two seamstresses. Jing said, “Gres and Kess have something for you.” Jing then stepped outside and left them with the two Cainth females. “Take off your clothes.”
Jingo immediately started stripping, but Scotty was shy. “What’s wrong?”
Scotty looked at a naked Jingo, sighed, and took off his clothes.
Gres gave Jingo a light green-colored shirt and he put it on. Scotty was also given a shirt; he took it and pulled it over his head. It was incredibly light and the material was soft on his skin. It felt wonderful. He put on the pants, then took the socks and boots. The boot’s sole was thick but made from the same material as the shirt and pants. Then Kess looked Scotty over and pulled and tugged on a sleeve. “Try to fire a bowgun.”
Scotty put an imaginary bowgun in his left hand and lifted it to his cheek. He felt no resistance. He noticed Jingo going through several gyrations shooting from different positions so he did the same. “Well?”
“This is amazing. It feels like a second skin.”
“We are also amazed at the material. We had to remove two inches of thickness from it to get to the soft material, but it is extremely flexible. Put the gloves on.”
Scotty took the gloves and slipped them on. They fit perfectly and seemed to mold to his joints. “These are remarkable.”
“Now pull the hood up.”
Scotty reached over his shoulder and pulled the hood up over his head. It covered every inch, and fit tightly to his skull.
Kess nodded in satisfaction, then said, “Now, take it off, pull the lining out, and put it back on.”
Scotty furrowed his brow and pulled the hood off. He felt inside it and found a lightweight piece of material. He pulled it out and put the hood back on. The material fell over his face but he found he could see through it. There were hundreds of small holes that allowed him to see clearly.
“Are you able to see all right?”
“Yes, how did you do this?”
“This is magical stuff, Scotty. The color blending will cover the holes.”
“Why did you make a cape?”
“Why, to cover your quiver. We refuse to cover arrows with it, so we had to find a way to hide them. The oversized quiver is made into the cape, and only the end of the shafts will be at the edge. Shrug your left shoulder and the arrows can be reached.”
Scotty looked over at Jingo and saw him reaching over both shoulders. He tried it and found that she was exactly right. The quiver in the cape was positioned perfectly. Kess then handed him his bowgun, which was covered in the green material. Even the soft stock cover was made from the Zecka. He pulled it to test the weight and was shocked to find it was actually no heavier than it was before the addition of the Zecka covering.
Kess said, “Want to see something we discovered by accident?”
Jingo looked up and Scotty said, “Sure.”
Kess touched the material and it started shifting color.
“What the..?”
“This material will shift color when the one touching it thinks about shifting color. Try it.”
Scotty saw the colors stop shifting when Kess removed her hand. He thought, “Change color.” And the colors began shifting on his new clothing.
Kess said, ‘It appears the Zord were right and wrong. This material will shift color if anyone alive touches it.”
“How do I get it to stop?”
“Just tell it to stop.”
Scotty thought, “Stop shifting,” and it did.
Jingo said, “I’m going to miss my swords.”
Gres said, “Not so fast.” She turned around and handed him a belt with the four short swords. The handles and the scabbards were covered in the green material. Kess handed Scotty his belt. He put it on and it was a perfect fit.
Scotty said, “You have done a remarkable thing here. Thank you.”
The two came up and hugged both of them. Kess said, “Just honor them as much as we did making them.”
Scotty knelt and said, “You know we will.”
Gres said, “Your brothers are waiting outside to see you.”
Scotty nodded at Jingo and they opened the door and stepped outside.
The Riders stood, then knelt in front of them. Michael Blake said, “We give honor and respect to the first Zeckas of our brothers. May they bring honor to you through great deeds.”
Scotty said, “Please rise, my brothers, and enter to begin the making of your Zeckas.”
Michael Blake was the first to enter to be measured for his Zecka.
Jing came forward and hugged Jingo, “You have always made me proud to be your father.”
Jingo hugged him and lowered his head. Jing then hugged Scotty, “And you are also my son. We are all proud of the great young man you have become. Please come with me.”
They followed him to the clearing and found the entire community waiting with blossoms from the giant trees. As they entered the clearing, the assembly threw flowers along their path. When they reached the center, Samuel raised his hands and everyone bowed to them.
“Great creator, we give honor to the Zeckas that adorn our sons. We vow to give honor and only perform honorable actions while you are with us. Thank you for your gift of protection.”
The community all rose and rushed forward to congratulate the two archers. Scotty and Jingo were both humbled and happy. The celebration lasted well into the evening. The Zord flying high overhead left to inform the community of what he had seen, and to tell the two flyers their riders were ready.