Ashes of the Realm - Juliette's Dream by Saxon Andrew Read Free Book Online Page B

forest.
     
    “Jingo?”
     
    “There were ten more, but they’ve moved back into the dense undergrowth.”
     
    Bleath stared at the twelve dead Torg and then looked at the two small beings that had just killed them faster than he could see. He looked at the two warriors and said, “Start moving the nests.”
     
    Scotty lowered his bowgun and turned to Bleath, “Why don’t the Torg attack the eggs?”
     
    Bleath took a deep breath and said, “We sense their simple thoughts and we think they see the eggs as just rocks. Our eggs have no odor they can sense and the shells are extremely hard until they are ready to hatch. They seem to attack anything with movement and just ignore the eggs.”
     
    Scotty smiled and said, “There are some blessings in this. Creatures that work together in teams and never see an easy meal for the taking. Thank the Creator for that.”
     
    Jingo scampered up and said, “We’ll need at least a thousand good archers; every shot will have to count. We could use more, but the communities must also be defended.”
     
    Scotty looked around and said, “We also need five hundred carpenters here to build blinds in the trees.”
     
    Jingo nodded, “Archers first.”
     
    Scotty nodded and turned to Bleath, “We need to get enough of us here to start our defense, quickly. How many warriors are big enough to carry one of us?”
     
    Bleath said, “More than three thousand.”
     
    Jingo said, “Good, sent a thousand to bring the archers and the others to ferry our builders. Scotty, you go back and tell Sam and Jing what we need.”
     
    Scotty started shaking his head but Jingo said quickly, “You’re right. The better archer will stay here.”
     
    “Darn it, Jingo.”
     
    “You know I’m right.”
     
    Scotty let out a deep breath and turned back to Bleath, “If the nests aren’t in danger until they hatch, don’t start moving them until we can get enough archers here to protect the ones moving them.”
     
    Bleath gave a loud quivering screech. “I’ve stopped the warriors from moving the nests.”
     
    “I also want all of you to get out of the nesting ground. You’ll only attract Torg that will trample the eggs, killing some of your babies. I want you to bring the archers and carpenters back and have your other warriors carry the materials we need to build our defenses. They can then go back and bring enough food for us while we’re here.”
     
    Bleath looked back at Scotty as he left the nesting ground and said, “We are placing our eggs in your care. We’re depending on you to keep them safe.”
     
    Scotty said as he grabbed Zreeg’s binding and climbed up on his back, “The faster you can get us here in numbers, the better the chance of us helping them survive. I must go back and explain to our leaders what we need. Getting everything here in time is going to be up to you and your warriors.”
     
    Bleath and the two warriors ran from the forest as Scotty held on. Jingo went back and jumped on top of the largest Torg and scanned the forest.
     
    Zreeg flew at a speed that amazed Scotty. The eight hour trip was reduced to three and a half hours. Scotty held the binding and flattened himself behind Zreeg’s head to avoid being blown off the screaming Zord. Zreeg screamed as he arrived at the communities and dove for the clearing. He flared his wings and Scotty scampered down the binding. Samuel and Jing came running up and Scotty quickly told them what he had found at the nesting grounds.
     
    Jing yelled, “Sound the horns!”
     
    Three large wooden horns began sounding off and the two communities came running to the clearing. Samuel gave a slashing motion and the three horn blowers ceased their blowing. Jing yelled, “The top thousand archers in this year’s competition will gather their arrows and go with Scotty to defend the Zord nesting ground. Take as many arrows as you can carry and a pouch of food for three days. Go now!”
     
    Several hundred more