Prologue

On a rocky aerie in the forest of Ambala, a bald eagle looked up at the sky. Under normal circumstances, Streak was never a worrywart, but tonight was a very special night; it was little Kira's First Meat-On-Bones ceremony, and he was scanning the skies looking for her mother.

Kira was a young Barn Owl hatchling who lived under the care of Streak and his mate, Zan. The two owls cared for her mother, an amber – coloured Barn Owl named Cedar, merely months before she joined a mysterious group of Barn Owls known as the Pure Ones. Neither Streak nor Zan knew much about this strange gang, only that once Cedar became a full – fledged member, her name was changed to Blaze, and that it had it's share of brutal owls; one such owl being the monstrous brute known as Purge, who had force – mated Blaze and, consequently, was Kira's father. Of course, Kira knew nothing of this; Blaze made it clear to Streak and Zan that she never find out. Despite her parentage, however, Kira was a very gentle owlet who treated all the creatures she met with kindness.

Streak was still meditating on how such a monstrous owl like Purge could create such kindly offspring as Kira when a flash of amber appeared in the starry sky above, and before long, Blaze lighted down onto the aerie, a dwarf rat in her talons. "I hope I'm not late." Blaze said, a slight churr in her voice.

"Heavens no, Cedar." Streak said. A soft sigh escaped Blaze's beak. "Oh, it feels wonderful to hear my old name again." She murmured, earning a chuckle from Streak. Blaze's family had an odd tradition of naming their owlets after the environment in which they hatched, and when Blaze was under Streak and Zan's care, she had thought the whole thing quite ridiculous. However, since Kira hatched under the constellation known to the eagles as Kira, the Great Eagle, and was hatching amongst eagles, Blaze had thought the name rather fitting; it was actually her who had given Kira her name.

"Now, don't you worry about a thing, Cedar." Streak went on. "I've insisted to Zan that we not start the ceremony until you arrive." With that, he turned his head towards a far corner of the nest and bellowed, "Kira! Your mother's here!"

A small Barn Owl chick looked up towards Blaze, eyes brightening. Her white, heart – shaped face was the only part of her that currently matched her mothers; she was covered in fluffy white down, and her large, pink feet raced toward her, almost tripping. "Mum!" she shreed joyfully, barreling herself into Blaze's warm embrace. "Kira, oh my darling Kira!" Blaze shreed, weeping copious tears. Her force – mating by Purge was horrific and painful, but when she looked into Kira's eyes, she saw no trace of her father's hate, only pure, unadulterated love. "Oh, it is so good to see you!"

"Papa Streak's been teaching me about the stars!" Kira went on. "He says I'll make a great navigator once I've had my First Flight ceremony!"

"Oh, melt my gizzard!" Blaze cooed. "I'm sure Uncle Kludd will be so proud of you!" Amongst the Pure Ones, Kludd was one of Blaze's closest friends besides an owl with the Pure One name Banshee, but whom Blaze often referred to as Pigwidgeon. During their training, Kludd proved to be a fierce fighter, and passed each challenge flawlessly, thus earning him the Pure One name Bloodstar. It was actually Kludd who had avenged Blaze by killing Purge, and later went on to kill the previous High Tyto, thus loosing his face and earning the name Metal Beak. For this reason, Blaze often spoke fondly of Kludd and insisted early on that, on the occasion that Kludd meet Kira, that she call him "Uncle Kludd". As a result, Kira looked forward to this occasion with great enthusiasm.

'When will I get to meet Uncle Kludd, Mummy? When?" Kira asked, a plaintive note in her voice. "Soon, darling Kira, soon." Blaze said softly. "Now, open your beak; I have a wonderful surprise for your First Meat-On-Bones ceremony." And with that, Kira tipped her head up and opened her beak as Blaze placed the mouse in and instructed her on the proper way to swallow it. Before long, the mouse was gone and Kira had yarped up her first real pellet while Blaze offered her a hearty congratulations and wrapped her wings around her in a warm embrace.

Streak and Zan, the latter of whom had been watching from the starboard side of the aerie, smiled as Kira snuggled into her mother's embrace. There was no denying that Blaze was not an easy owl to warm up to; sarcastic, hot – tempered, and rough in nature, she could easily slice your head off if an owl even so much as looked at her like she was weak. However, if any owl got to know her long enough, they would discover that she was the most loyal friend they could ever have, and she could bolster their spirit when they needed it. Kira, however, did not take long to grow on Blaze; Blaze had loved Kira the moment she had hatched, and had made a promise to both Kludd and herself to be as big of a part of Kira's life as possible. So while Kira could not live amongst the Pure Ones with Blaze, there was no denying that Blaze would defend her daughter with her life.