As we flew over the trees and barns, I couldn't help wondering if I would be seeing them again. We had a long journey ahead of us, but not much time to waste. As flew above the forest, I also wondered if I would fit in with the guardians. Would they like me? "Just a few more minutes and we should be there," I was informed of the journey's climax by Lise of Keel, the guardian offering us guardianship for our assistance.
After what seemed like many moons, we finally reached the castle of Ka'Hoot, an ancient monument older than I had been alive by thousands of years. "So what's this place about?" Lise opened his back to respond to Char's question, only to be stopped by a guardian flying by.
"So these are the barn owls you said had potential?" with a quick nod from Lise, we were led into the castle to a aloud hall, with what must have been hundreds of young owls. There were five hallways leading out from the main room, each with brilliant red carpet and a sign above them to explain their uses. The signs read: Blacksmith, Navigation, Combat, Dining Hall, and Quarters. Through the chatter, a new voice rang out.
"Attention, attention! please pay attention! As you all know, the two barn owls have arrived-" The new owl had hardly finished her sentence before the crowd erupted with cheers and praise. It felt good to have so many owls wanting to be your friend. "But as you also know, prey is very scarce, so any information on the issue would be helpful. Lise, please show them to their rooms," Lise of Keel took off, flying out of the main room to a taller spire. The castle must have been miles long, and a single spire of the hundreds of them could house a hundred owls.
"An'Deer told me that this small spire here will be your room. As you can see, there is a tree growing up through the spire that has already been set up for you. We start training tomorrow.
As the cold light of dawn hit my face, I couldn't help but wonder if any of this could possibly be real. But as I woke from our best in the spire, I noticed that Char was missing. I flew up to the edge of the spire, catching a butterfly that was resting there. With a quick bite I swallowed it whole. I had forgotten my hunger through the excitement. I flew down to the main room only to hear an unknown voice speaking to An'Deer.
"Yes, I said an owl without wings, on the ground, eating mice! They saw me and chased me I... I..." The voice sounded out of breath as if they had just got back from hunting. Suddenly, a wave of fear jolts through my feathers. What could this creature be, and what could it be capable of?
