Chapter 4: A Prosperous Future
Kyla's appearance invigorated Kristof, as it meant she'd completed the task assigned to her. They wasted no time in traveling to his dwelling.
As they entered, her eyes fell upon four stacks of neatly folded cloth objects.
"I obtained these from Sigurd, a great horned owl. He's a gruff old kraal, but he and I are on good terms."
"He has respectable taste in fabrics."
"He acquires his goods from trusted sources. He knows what is in demand and can tell with a glance if something is authentic or not."
"I'll take your word for it."
"I wanted to show you a wider variety, but this is all I could carry. I brought round tapestries, square tapestries, round cushions, and cloaks."
Kristof watched and waited patiently while Kyla browsed the commodities he'd provided. She scrutinized the coloration and patterning of the tapestries, comparing them and extracting her favorite.
She repeated the process for the remaining stacks; in under fifteen minutes she'd made her decisions.
Kristof swept his gaze across her selections and remarked, "From what I see, you have respectable taste in fabrics too."
"Maybe that tendency comes naturally to females like me."
"Maybe so. I wouldn't know personally."
Kyla chortled.
"Obviously not."
"I believe we are ready to go through with our trade. I will carry them for you."
He folded up Kyla's chosen wares and piled them in his tubular botkin.
"Are you normally this hasty?" she inquired cutely.
"No. I am simply eager to behold your masterful work."
"That's reason enough for me."
"Lead the way, friend. I'll be right behind you."
"Three, two, one… off we go!"
The owls trekked southeast across the N'yrthghar to the abode of the former. Thankfully, the entrance wasn't clogged by a snow drift.
Kristoff's eyes glowed the moment he spotted Ilona's replica.
"It looks exactly like my mother! I couldn't have asked for a more perfect sculpture. She is going to be thrilled when she sees it."
"I aimed to balance realistic features with stylistic detail. It seems my strategy was a resounding success."
"Your reputation as the best artist in this frigid land is well-earned. I am humbled by your skill."
"Your praise is welcomed. I am gradually getting used to such positive comments."
"You deserve them. Never let anyone tell you otherwise."
Kristoff volunteered to help place the furnishings but Kyla politely declined.
"I'm going to try out different arrangements. I don't want my indecisiveness to keep you tied up. I appreciate the offer, but I will save you the trouble."
Kristof eased the sculpture into the botkin, which stretched just enough to accommodate it. Kyla supplied him with a piece of parchment bearing the care and maintenance guidelines.
"If you follow those tips and don't knock it over, it will last for moons. If it ever needs touch-ups, let me know."
Kristof nodded.
"I wish I could stay, but I must return to the mainland, as some kraals are expecting me."
"I understand. I assume they are friends of yours?"
"Yes. We are going to spend the night at our usual gathering spot, the grog tree where we first met."
"I hope you enjoy yourself. Before you go, there is one favor I must ask of you."
"And that is?"
"Keep the whereabouts of my home a secret. The last thing I need is a horde of owls showing up and bombarding me with carving requests."
"My beak is sealed. It is the least I can do."
"Thank you, Kristof. Goodbye for now."
"Goodbye, Kyla."
The short-eared owl strode outside and sailed off into the night. Left to her own devices, the saw-whet owl focused on decorating her domicile.
She dragged the circular tapestry featuring a starburst design to the rear of the den. She placed her nest in its exact center and set the plump pillow to its left. Kyla moved back to the entrance, surveyed the burrow's interior, and deemed it satisfactory.
While contemplating the best location for the square tapestry, she felt a light tap on her starboard shoulder.
She spun around and locked eyes with a male saw-whet owl.
"Greetings, Timothy."
"Hello, Kyla. I didn't expect to find you here."
"Why is that?"
"I... expected you to be at the Pirates Lair."
"I don't go there as frequently as a typical kraal does."
"Oh. Well… it's nice to see you again."
"The feeling is mutual," Kyla replied, taking one step closer to him. "Tell me, what is the actual reason you turned up so suddenly?"
"Would you… like me to teach you what I've learned so far as a Glauxian Brother in-training?"
"Hmm… I can't deny that knowledge of the healing arts might benefit me someday. Consider me your student."
"I'm glad you accepted my proposition. I'll do my best to make it worth your time. You are a busy owl, after all."
"Not very, but I do have obligations to deal with every now and then."
"Not to change the subject, but I don't remember seeing those colorful pieces of fabric the last time I was here."
"A short-eared owl kraal named Kristof gave them to me in exchange for a sculpture of his mother I created."
"Now your home feels less dreary, no offense of course."
"None taken."
Kyla experienced an a-ha moment and asked Timothy to step aside. He complied and she shifted the four-sided tapestry towards the entrance, aligning its center with the spot where he had stood.
"There we go, all done."
Kyla retreated to the other tapestry, picking up her turquoise cloak on the way. She plopped onto the plush pillow and gestured to Timothy with her wing.
He shuffled over and sat down in front of her. He removed the bag slung over his back, pulling out two worn books and some parchment sheets.
His body quivered and he puffed out his plumage.
"Here, you may wear this," she said, holding the cloak out to him.
He took it and hurriedly swathed himself in it.
"Ahh… much better. Thank you."
"Anything for a friend," she replied sincerely.
His eyes sparkled and he affected a warm smile.
"Whenever you're ready, so am I."
Timothy peeled open the book on the left and navigated to the first page.
"I'll start by listing the plants that grow in the Northern Kingdoms, where they occur naturally, and if they are helpful or harmful. If you have a question, feel free to interrupt me."
"As you wish, friend."
And so the introductory lecture began; the healer-to-be spoke and the artistic pirate listened.
Kyle felt a pleasant tingling sensation manifest in her gizzard. She realized that a brand-new chapter in the story of her existence had begun, one that Timothy was meant to play a part in.
Their relationship was currently in the budding phase, but in six to eight moons' time, she envisioned being committed to him in a serious, more romantic sense.
In the meantime, his delightful presence and mellow voice imbued her with contentment.
Ahh… I can sense uplifting energy in the air already. A prosperous future is indeed unfolding for the both of us…ire for her.