A/N: This is based on a Role Play that I do with a friend. This is within the Brothers, Portraits, and Messages Universe. This takes place over a period of five years. A curse has been placed on the Circus. Two births, one chosen, one not, but both connected to one another. Only the future will tell what will happen to these two brothers.

Miracles Happen More Than Once

Prologue: The Year 315 A.D.

"OUT WITH YOU! YOUR KIND ARE NO LONGER WANTED!"

The Emperor had a new directive, a new understanding. The Gods he had worshipped all these years were no more.

'THE OLD GODS ARE DEAD!"

"We must follow our knew emperor's way of worshipping!"

'Tear down the statues, the images of the old gods!"

"The temples! Tear them down!"

"This cannot be . . . Bar the gate! Protect Athena!"

"The Circus! What of the Circus?"

'The circuses are no longer needed. Peddle your entertainment and grizzly justice elsewhere."

'What of our purpose? We take care of Athena's Justice! We are her messengers."

"Haven't you heard? There is no more of your brand of justice. The Emperor will decide how justice will be meted out."

"The Talons cannot be denied! It is the Court who shall decide a man's fate."

"What court? You're nothing but a pack of fools and entertainers. Go peddle that elsewhere. The Emperor doesn't need you."

"Over our dead bodies."

'That can be arranged. GUARDS!"

Blood ran through the streets as civil war broke out. Many of the Talons were killed in trying to protect Athena's statue, but eventually that toppled. The Athenae, the daughters of Athena, were driven from Rome and eventually out of Italy. Those Talons that were left went with them. The circuses were scattered and over time, forgot their true purpose. Even those that had been loyal to the Court lost their way. And very few remained. 500 years would pass and still the Athenae were determined to stay the course. Even so, seeing what had been done to their protectors, how far they had fallen they needed to have a means to replace what they lost. The circuses had always provided them their greatest Talons. They could again.

'What? Are you crazy? That's just a stupid myth. No one believes in that any more."

'You think the Talon are a myth?"

'Well if they aren't, no one believes in that stuff. There has always been entertainers though. My family has been with the circus for generations."

"What is your family name?"

"Stryge, why?"

"Perfect. Your family will be the first in a new line of Talon, and there will be no others unless they have the proper name, an Athenae name."

'What name, what are you talking about?"

"Why the Court of Owls, of course."

'The court of what?"

'The Court of Owls, Athena's messengers, and executioners of justice."

"And how are you going to get people to join you with that nonsense."

'It is not nonsense, and you will be joining me. You are one of the children of the Athenae, though you do not remember it. You're descendants are meant for greatness and you will be the keepers of the Talon. I will teach you the secrets of the Athenae and the creating of the Talon."

"If you say so," Stryge stated. "So how are you going to get these Talon you mentioned?"

"The circus will provide them. It is a perfect proving ground."

"I don't think the entertainers will go for that."

'They will have no choice. You see, I will curse the circus if they do not. Every year children will be born within the circus. And every five or ten years, among the children who are worthy, a Talon will be chosen. Oh no siblings will be allowed among the chosen. They must come from families with only one child. If there is a sibling birth that child's life will be forfeit along with the parents. We cannot have someone changing their mind or try to keep the chosen Talon from their destiny. And if they do, the existing Talon will come forth to execute the Court's judgment if the decree shall be broken. Imagine the power this will bring."

"And you said my family will be in charge of these Talons?

"Yes, your family will make up the court. After all, your name means owl does it not?"

"Yeah . . . It does."

Beware the Court of Owls . . .

Continues with Part 1