Everybody had a mate. Coryn was at the right age, but nobody cared about him. Not THAT way. He paced his room. It was quite roomy. Not roomy enough to be unfair to the other owls, but it was nice. He had things from the Others hanging about. The peddler often had some beautiful wares. Polished stones and gems decorated his cubby-holes. Glass hung from other places so that the light would hit them. When it hit the pieces just right, it was a rainbow of colours!
Nothing, not even his decorations could distract him from the problem at hand. Maybe he could consult with someone about it. That was it! He knew what he'd do! Coryn walked out of his room and flew down to the roots of the Great Ga'Hoole tree. That reminded him. Even the great tree was going to have a child! Yoicks! It was ridiculous! Everyone had a mate or children, or both! So frustrating! What could he do about it? How would his plan work? Would it work without him being found out?
'Hello Coryn! Where are you going?' His uncle Soren's friendly voice woke him from his trance. He felt bad lying, what with everybody saying how he was so noble. However, kings had their weak times too. This was just one of them. And he had the perfect excuse!
'Hi uncle. I'm going to fly to the Shadow Forest to scout out possible places for the new Ga'Hoole tree.'
'Oh my. That IS a long fly. Are you sure you're going to be okay Coryn?'
'Of course. It might take me a little longer than most owls to fly because of my wings acting up, but I'll be fine, uncle.'
'That wing still acting up? You should get some remedies from the nursemaid snakes. Anyway, I wish you luck and a safe journey. Just make sure not to land on the Peninsula of the Spirit Woods. There's no telling who would try to contact you.' The young owl shivered at the thought. His father, Kludd had contacted him the last time and it had been an incredibly scary experience. Kludd had been evil through and through!
'Well, good-bye uncle. See you in a few days.'
'See you in a few. Safe journey Coryn.'
-end of chapter-