Chapter 3: The Council of Elders & Wrath of the Owls
Outside of Tree Haven, things were relatively calm and quiet. The usual nocturnal activity was going strong, crickets singing their unique tune, fireflies flashing about. All seemed well. At least, before that calm was disturbed by a sudden and quite the boisterous sound.
*Urrp!*
"Ew, gross!" Breeze exclaimed but giggled, Todd also giving a light laugh at the Greywing.
"Heh, now that's quite the achievement."
"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry," Zak blushed, resting against a tree he picked after hunting for what had to be the most filling meal of insects in his life "I've never had a meal quite like that before. I mean, wow! I lost count at how many beetles, mosquitoes and moths I ate. I think I had mostly mosquitoes. Kind of an odd taste but they're not bad after awhile. Man, the beetles have to be the second best to moths! Ugh, I'm stuffed." He sighed contently, leaning back and rubbing both his hands onto his belly. He certainly felt full, that was for sure.
"You think that's being full? Sorry to tell you this, Zak, but you're nowhere near done yet." Todd smirked, which only grew when the older bat looked up with shock.
"Wait, I still have to eat more?!"
"Unfortunately, yes, that's how it works when it comes to prepping for our migration and hibernation," Breeze shrugged with a smile, "That's what our mothers have been teaching all of us for years, and we take it to heart. We have to eat as much as we can possibly hold so that we can, well, basically build up more fat. That'll give us the energy and warmth we need. No c'mon, we'll show you the best spots to find more beetles!"
Watching as the two teens took off ahead of him, Zak couldn't help but grimace at the thought of flying with a full stomach. Already it felt like he had swallowed a stone, or a pebble considering his size, and he still had to eat more? If he didn't get a stomach ache from this, he would be genuinely amazed. Did bats even get stomach aches?
With a groan, he leaped from the branch and flew after Todd and Breeze. The feeling of his full stomach being jostled didn't exactly feel pleasant. But he soldiered through it and caught up to them. Before Zak had his current fill of insects, he had finished retelling the story of what he and Shade had gone through before getting back to Tree Haven. Both Todd and Breeze were utterly amazed and shocked at the part when Shade had saved him from the owl in return. It was astonishing that the smallest member of their colony had done something so brave.
Zak was honest and admitted that if it hadn't been for Shade's perfect timing, he most likely would've been dead. Just from hearing that, the teens seemed to hold a higher respect for Shade. Though there was still the youthful excitement and admiration that he got to see the sun, but it looked like they thought of the small Silverwing in a higher form.
"So, I didn't want to be rude about this before, but I've been curious," Breeze spoke up, glancing back quickly at the Greywing as they flew, "Your scent is weird. Where did you come from exactly?" Zak realized what she was referring to.
It hadn't occured to him that his smell would be vastly different compared to them. He had been handled by the humans running the animal shelter, so of course their scent would be on him. He should've known that the bats would have noticed it eventually.
"Oh. That. Well, I didn't want to say anything before, because I wasn't sure how you guys would take it. I actually came from an animal shelter," He then quickly added when he saw the curious looks on Todd and Breeze's faces, "It's a place where sick or injured animals are taken to be healed and cared for until they're better. Like wolves, rabbits, even other bats. And...well, my smell? Humans run those kinds of places, so they handle some of us bats to make sure we're in good health. So, yeah. If you're wondering why I smell so much like a human, that's it. I guess the scent just hasn't had time to totally rub off yet. That's where I came from."
He hated having to do it, but he had to fib about who he really was and where he actually came from, "I don't know what happened to me to end up there. Maybe I hit my head or something, because I needed help to fly again for awhile. Luckily I met and became friends with a few amazing bats who showed me how to get the hang of my wings again."
At this, the two teens were even more surprised. It didn't bother them that places like that existed, thanks to Zak's explanation that the animals were not harmed under the human's care, but they were concerned about whatever had happened to him.
"You couldn't remember how to use your own wings?" Todd asked, genuinely worried for how the Greywing's life had turned, "That's...wow. I don't know what I would do if I were in your position. I mean, flying is practically what we're born for! I can't imagine not being able to remember how to use my own wings. Didn't it bother you? I mean, about not being able to fly for awhile?" The trio stopped so they could better focus on their conversation.
At that, Zak shrugged, "I don't know, honestly. The only time it bothered me was that it did prove difficult to try and walk. Guess we're not really made for that. But these bats I met, they helped me. There was a Brightwing, about your ages, his name was Nuri. A Silverwing, same age, her name was Grania. Then there was an adult Greywing, Agatone. He can't speak because of a neck injury, but he was able to use sign language as a way of talking. Then there was another Silverwing, much much older, named Alden. He was a bit of a grump, but he helped out in his own way." With that, he stood up and spread his arms out with a smile, "And that's how I'm here now. The humans saw that I was in good condition and released me. I was just wandering on my own before I ran into you guys."
"Wow, that's really amazing!" Breeze chirped, "But, what about your colony? Wouldn't you want to get back to them?"
"I would if I could, but, I don't remember much about them. I don't know where they are, I don't remember any...names. Just my name. That's pretty much it."
One lie after another. As much as Zak knew this was for the best, fearing what the Silverwings would think of him if they knew he was originally a human, this was going to blow up back in his face at some point. He just knew it. But for now, making up a cover story that he was an amnesiac Greywing was the only right choice.
Before Todd or Breeze could ask him another question, they went silent as another pair of wingbeats sounded above them.
"Are you the newcomer?"
Glancing up, the young adult found himself looking at a larger Silverwing male perched above them. Judging from the slight bags under his eyes, he was middle aged, and seemed to have his fair share of trouble over the years, if the numerous notches in his ears were of any indication. He had no hair on the top of his head, though he possessed a goatee of a dark blue color, and his mane was a pale cream shade.
"Uhh, yes? Can I help you?" Zak answered, unsure of what this adult wanted.
"I'm Mercury, messenger of the Silverwing colony. I was told to come and find you and to bring you back to Tree Haven." Mercury stated in a professional manner, like he had done this many times before. Or he was just really experienced with his role as a messenger.
"Huh? Why's that?"
"I can't give you all the details, but the main concerns are about you and Shade Silverwing. Feel free to follow me, but be quick. The council wants to speak with the both of you right away." With his duty fulfilled, Mercury flew away back towards the colony's roost, leaving Zak and the two teenagers in silence. Todd and Breeze looked especially worried at they had just heard.
The council wanted to see him? And Shade? That was something they had never heard about before. It had to be serious if Mercury was being secretive about it. Despite the worry the Greywing was feeling he felt it was only right to abide by the adult's message and gave a quick goodbye to his two friends. He followed after Mercury, having a strong feeling that he knew exactly what this council wanted to talk about.
Back at Tree Haven...
"Okay, wait, so let me make sure I heard you right. Even though Zak told you to fly away, presumably back to here, you instead went back to help him, despite knowing how dangerous owls can be; and you actually took out an owl all by yourself? He never mentioned that part!"
Shade sighed in an exasperated tone, "Yes, Bartho, that's exactly what I'm telling you! I'm not making this up! I didn't want him to get hurt or killed, what else was I supposed to do? Just leave him behind for the owl and get to safety and be partially responsible if he died? No! I didn't want to do that to him!"
"You have to admit, Bartho, that's actually really amazing of Shade to do that for him," Ben added, nodding in understanding, "Even if it was incredibly risky and might've resulted in the both of them paying the price." Bartho sighed at this.
"I know, I'll admit, that was good of you, Shade. But still, that was a huge risk and just a stroke of luck that the branch swung the direction it did. What if it missed the owl?"
"But it didn't, did it? That was the only idea I had to help get Zak out of there and buy us both time to escape!" The blonde was beginning to get a little frustrated with the Greenwing. Why couldn't he just understand that he was safe now and leave it at that?
"Shade!" The familiar scolding tone from Ariel sounded, "That really isn't something you should be proud of. Listen to Bartho, you really should consider yourself and Zak lucky you both even made it here alive in the first place. And besides, I know you like to be a showoff, but try to be more like him. He knows how to be modest and not let the popularity go to his head." She had two beetles clutched in her footclaw before transferring them to her hand and held them out to Shade, "Eat. You need to build some fat for the coming migration."
The short teen was about to protest when he and his brothers caught sight of Mercury just before Ariel did. The small group went quiet as he spoke in a slightly hushed tone.
"You two," He shushed, gesturing to Ariel and Shade, "The council of elders have met. They want to see the both of you, and the newcomer, now."
"What? But...I thought only adults could go up there?" Shade questioned, now feeling far more nervous then he did before he had gotten in trouble the previous night.
"Shh! Yes. Including those who look at the sun. Now, spitwash your face and follow me. Your friend should already be waiting for us up top." With that, Mercury went straight upwards to the highest point of Tree Haven. Ariel and Shade only looked at one another, herself with motherly concern and he with youthful hesitation. He handed off the beetles to Bartho and Ben before they followed after the male.
There were two paths at the very top of the ancient tree, one that led straight outside and another that went into a hollowed section that was reserved only for the grownups of the colony. Shade swallowed as he and his mother neared this place, feeling like he really shouldn't be there despite Mercury's words earlier. Once inside, the teen got a good look at how the chamber was set up. There were several platforms carved out from the ceiling, one was large enough to fit several bats, and numerous smaller ones meant for minor council members and normal adults to perch and watch from, and a few more that were slightly higher above the main platform. Moonlight streamed in through gaps from the old wooden ceiling as well, providing some natural yet foreboding light.
It was there that Shade caught sight of the familiar Greywing and gave a little smile, calling for the young adult's attention, "Zak!"
"Shade," The Greywing acknowledged with a little smile of his own, "Sorry I didn't come to see you earlier. What's going on? Why are we here?"
"Shh," Ariel gently hushed, "You'll see in a moment." She then gazed up at something above the higher platform, drawing Zak's attention to it as well.
It was only when he looked directly where the mother had been that he realized five figures were roosting in the shadows. Five new pairs of eyes gazing at him before one dismounted, and the others followed, and made themselves known to the three bats. They were old, how old exactly he didn't know, but their graying hair and aged facial features told him enough. There was one taller female who stood confidently, yet imposingly, as the others followed suit. They all appeared to be female, two had short statures, one had faded green fur and the other was a greyish blue. The other two had skinnier builds like the lead female, though they're postures were very slightly hunched, one more so then the other.
They had to be the council of elders Mercury was talking about.
"I am Frieda," The lead female's voice spoke loud and clear, though her tone was filled with that of leadership and experience, "Head elder of the council. This is Aurora, Lucretia, Bathsheba and Guinevere." She gestured to the other females, each except Bathsheba giving a small bow of the head in response to their name, "For the sake of the newcomer, I thought it would be appropriate that he knows who we are. State your name, Greywing."
Zak took a deep breath, feeling undeniably small in the presence of the leaders of the colony themselves. He felt a warm hand rest onto his shoulder, turning to see Ariel's face give him a tiny comforting smile. Like she knew this was his very first time being on the spot like this. Again, he took a breath to relax himself.
"Uh, Zakari," He made sure to speak as clear as he could, "But just Zak is fine, if that's alright." He bowed his head down in respect, hoping that last part was not unnecessary.
"Very well," Frieda nodded, her tone unwavering before raising a hand towards them, "Zak Greywing and Shade Silverwing, step forward."
Shade glanced up at his mother nervously. But like she did with his friend, she just gave a bit of encouragement in the form of a light but brief smile, and he slowly stepped forward alongside Zak. Both turned to one another briefly before focusing back on the elders.
"The both of you have broken the most ancient law of our colony. Can either of you give an explanation on why this happened?"
Shade had no idea what to say. How was he supposed to tell the elders that he did it on a stupid and childish dare against his bully? His mouth had suddenly gone try as he tried to figure out a response to the question. Zak was running it through his head on how to properly answer Frieda, as well. He opened his mouth to tell the truth, only for Ariel to silence him as she suddenly spoke up. Her concern for her son had won over and prevented the two from speaking on their own.
"J-Just youthful exuberance and curiousity! They didn't mean to cause any harm!" She urgently pressed, protectively holding Shade like she was expecting him to be taken from her by force. But at this, Bathsheba scowled.
"Curiosity that could bring nothing but ruin to this entire colony!" Her voice was harsh and gravelly, "The laws are there for a reason. They keep us safe. The owls will want justice for these two breaking the most sacred and ancient law in our history!" She pointed to Shade and Zak to make her point clear, "And, quite frankly, who could blame them?"
"Bathsheba." Frieda sharply silenced the female, before turning back to the group, "Do either of you have anything to say for yourselves? Anything?"
This time, Zak was ready with his response.
"Yes. I do, ma'am." He did his best to ignore the shocked look Shade's face, "Please, don't put all the blame on Shade. Yes, I was there with him before and after the sun had risen. But being the only older individual there, I should've done something to prevent the law from being broken at all. But I didn't. Because...I too wanted to see the sun." The Greywing's heart was starting to beat harder and faster with tense fear. Almost like what he had felt when the owl had been chasing him. And it didn't help when he could hear the hushed but very audible whispers and muttering amongst the many other Silverwings listening in on the impromptu trial.
"Zak, no! What're you doing?!" Shade whispered, genuinely scared for the Greywing.
"That's very noble of you, young one," Lucretia, the second tallest to Frieda, crooned, "It is rare when someone of your age tries to take the entire blame to themselves like you are. Noble as it is you must understand that it wasn't just you, but Shade, too; that have seen the sun. Unfortunately, there's just no room to take the entire blame."
"Exactly!" Bathsheba immediately fired back, "Don't think this makes you any less suspicious of possibly planting the mere idea in this troublemaker's head, outsider! I find it a might odd that you are alone in the first place. Perhaps you are a troublemaker yourself and your colony had enough of you. So they kicked. You. Out." Her icy tone sent shivers up Zak's back, but it also made him bristle at her words. She had no idea who he was. Who was she to judge him for simply being on his own? But this time Frieda didn't just silence Bathsheba's tirade, but a curious expression did appear on her face.
"While I do not wish to assume such things, it does get one wondering. Why, pray tell, Zak; are you alone?"
Here it was again. The time to put his fake background to good use. And no doubt that Shade, Ariel and even the council members could smell him. Heck, maybe even the entire colony had already smelled him, too.
"Because...I have no memory or any recollection of where my colony is," He breathed, "I was injured, not sure how exactly, but I was taken in by humans. To be healed and cared for until I was well enough to be released. I've only been on my own for a few nights now."
Now the council chamber was alive with surprised gasps and mutters happening at a greater volume. Even Ariel and Shade looked baffled that he had been in contact with humans. Though his scent probably already gave it away, they were still surprised by the revelation. But there was one reaction Zak did not expect. And it came from Frieda.
When he looked back up to her, instead of finding shock on her face, there was a look of curiousity and wonder in her aged yet piercing eyes. It was only when his eyes looked lower that he noticed she was idly running her claw against a gleaming steel band on her left forearm.
A whooping laugh suddenly caught the Greywing, Shade and Ariel by surprise. It was coming from the other shorter elder, aside from Bathsheba, Yennefer.
"Well! That explains why he has that particular scent on him!" She giggled in a good-natured fashion, "I thought it was my age finally catching up to me!"
Aurora nodded slowly with raised eyebrows.
"Yes, that does...make sense. I was curious on why he smelled so much like a human. I thought they were dangerous beings. Surprising that there are some who actually care for us creatures." She added quietly.
Briefly Frieda raised her hand to signal for silence, the entire chamber going quiet once more before turning back to the bats of interest, "Now that that's out of the way and explained. Shade. Do you have anything to say for yourself?"
"No, he doesn't!" Ariel begged, fearing of the repercussions if she let her son speak his mind, "Please, he's only a child!"
Despite what his mother wanted, Shade's brow furrowed and he shook his shoulders free of her hands.
"No, as a matter of fact...I do have something to say." He uttered as confidently as he could, "The law is-...the law is...wrong."
Even Zak couldn't stop the shock from filling his face. No doubt the same could be said about the much louder mutterings and aghast conversations happening around them. And there was no stopping his own comment from slipping out.
"Shade, what the hell are you doing?!" He hissed.
"Shade!" Ariel scolded, completely caught off-guard from his unabashed comment. But although Frieda tried to allow the teen to speak his mind, Bathsheba was furious.
"Listen here, you insolent little upstart," She growled menacingly, "That law you think is so wrong guarantees our very existence! None of us would be alive to this very day if not for that! You ungrateful-!"
"Bathsheba, enough!" Again, Frieda silenced her before turning back to Shade, "Continue."
"Uhhh...I mean, what's wrong with us seeing the sun? There's no harm in it! Zak and I didn't turn into stone!" He defended while gesturing to himself and the Greywing.
"Because the whole 'turning into stone' thing is nothing but a myth, Shade! And the 'turning to ashes' myth is also just a myth!" But the teen just ignored him, yet again.
"The only reason we can't go out in the sun is because of the owls! It's just-...i-it's just not fair!" There, Frieda raised a hand up to stop him, having heard enough.
"I believe I speak for all of us when I say this, Frieda," Yet again, Bathsheba flared her wings in anger, "We have no other choice but to hand over the lawbreakers to the owls. It's the only way our colony will be spared their wrath. And we should do it now before the owls come here themselves!"
Ariel and Shade's eyes widened, his mother wrapping her arms around him protectively as she pleaded to Frieda to spare him. It pained her that Zak wasn't on her mind at that very moment, but she didn't want to lose her son. She didn't want to lose anyone else in her family.
Not again.
Thankfully, Frieda was a far more forgiving elder then she appeared. She made it clear that she, and her alone, would take the right action at the right time. Being the head elder, while the other four elders could cast votes, it was ultimately her word that was law in their colony. With that, the trial was adjourned. Bathsheba merely sneered and looked away like a spoiled child that didn't get their way. While Frieda herself slowly glided down towards the trio, the remaining elders began to take their leave as well.
Frieda walked towards them after she landed, rather gracefully, before she began to speak again. Her tone was a little lighter and gentle then before.
"Come with me," The elder turned to Zak right after, "You're free to come along as well, or you can take your leave and join the rest of the colony. I take it you're familiar with our story?"
At first, he wasn't sure what she meant exactly, but then Zak realized she was talking about the history of the law. He nodded.
"Y-Yes. I am. The shelter I was in had a few kind bats who told me about it."
"Good," Frieda nodded and smiled lightly, "I'm glad to hear that. Let me be the first to tell you that you're welcome to stay with us for as long as you want. You can even migrate with us, if you wish. When the time is right, I would like to speak with you in private. Not now, but I'll be sure to let you know."
With that, Frieda took off with Shade nervously following along behind her. Zak glanced over the edge of the platform to see the pale colored female and the more brightly colored teen slowly spiral down to the deepest levels of Tree Haven. Once they became mere specks, he prepared himself to fly back down to see if he could find Bartho. He only got to talk with him a little the previous night, but he had plenty of time now.
"Wait," Ariel's voice stopped him, "Can we talk for a moment? Please?"
"Sure. What is it?" The adult female only gestured for him to follow her as she took flight, heading upwards to the outside of Tree Haven. The Greywing followed until he found her hanging on a branch. He effortlessly did the same, landing and swinging upside down beside her, "Ariel? Is something wrong?"
"I'm sorry," She breathed, closing her eyes, "About earlier. When Bathsheba said that you and Shade should be given up to the owls, all I could think of at that moment was my son. I didn't want to lose him. I...wasn't even thinking of you. And you've done so much for Shade already." Proud admiration filled her voice as she looked straight into Zak's curious eyes, "He was telling me about you last night, about how you protected him against Chinook. How you put yourself at risk to help him get away. Everything. Even just now, with the council, you were willing to take the entire blame to help him."
The Greywing's cheeks began to warm at how genuinely impressed Ariel was. He just glanced away and shrugged.
"Well, he's only young. He's, what, fifteen? Sixteen? I'm just guessing, but I can see that he's still a kid. I hated how Chinook was treating him when we first met, so there was no way I was just going to stand there and do nothing." He frowned as he thought that male, "How often does that happen, Ariel? The bullying?"
At that, the adult just sighed, "I know this may seem like I'm not being a good mother, but...I just try to ignore it. And I try my best to teach Shade to just let it go, too. Because I know what's real and not. Shade was asking me about his father after he told me everything. He's so much like him. Cassiel was also against the law. Not a day passed that he would say that, one day, he would want to see the sun. Not only that, but he said he would try and bring it back to us all." She then went silent as her face went more grim. And Zak had a feeling he knew why.
"Something happened to him." He stated, Ariel shrugged slowly, "I'm not going to press further, but...I'm sorry. I understand why you're so protective of Shade."
"He was such a little thing when he was born. I was both happy to finally see him, but also scared because he was born too early then a newborn should be. That's why he seems so much smaller then the other younglings you've seen here. I was scared that I was going to lose him. My last piece of Cassiel after he...disappeared. Shade took after his father more then me." She giggled softly, "Both in terms of looks and his personality. But...that's the thing. My husband was impulsive. Defiant. Sometimes a little foolish. But in no way was he a coward. He was the bravest male I had ever met in my life." Ariel then looked out over the moonlit landscape, "I just don't want Shade straying down that path. I can't lose him too."
Zak could feel the emotion in the mother's voice. She may seemed overbearing, to the slightly more ignorant individual, but it was plain to see that she was only trying to protect her child. A child who was the last reminder of the mate she had lost. Whether Cassiel was either missing or truly dead, he didn't know, but she was in the right place to want to keep Shade from getting into too much danger as his father did. And it wasn't very often that an adult would confide something like this with him. He was only twenty-one years old, not exactly a full grown up. But he understood that, perhaps, Ariel needed to say this. More herself then just telling him the story of her life. She needed to let go of the stress that was building from what had happened with her son. Talking it out would help her more then keeping it bottled in.
"Ariel, I-" Suddenly the hairs on the back of his neck stood up again, along with the goosebumps forming on his skin.
The Silverwing saw that something was wrong, the blank but intense look in Zak's eyes worried her, and she tried to shake him out of what he was feeling. All he could do was raise a hand and touch the back of his neck before he could move. He urgently looked around, remembering this sensation from when he and Shade were being chased by the owl.
"Something's coming." Was all he said, swinging himself upright to get a better look at the surrounding area. He couldn't see anything until his eyes caught several dark shapes in the sky. He squinted at them, trying to get a bead on whether those were bats coming. Or if they were...
"Owls."
Ariel and Zak jumped, Mercury having somehow made his way up to them without making a sound. Barely glancing at them, the male quickly dove back down inside Tree Haven. No doubt going to look for Frieda to warn her.
Ariel swung herself upright next to Zak, and the two turned to each other with a look of uncertainty.
Bathsheba was right. The owls were coming.
No, they were already here.
A few minutes later...
lmost half the colony was present outside the topmost branches of Tree Haven, quietly chattering amongst each other while the glances were thrown towards the one largest individual of them all.
General Brutus. Supreme commander of the owls. He was perched on a branch closest to the entrance of the tree. His most eye-catching features weren't the massive sharp talons that gripped the branch he stood on. It wasn't the piercing orange and yellow eyes. Neither was the feathered beard encompassing along the jawline-like structure of his face. But rather it was the horned feathers that sat atop his large head. Zak thought the owl that attacked him and Shade before was big. But Brutus? He was gigantic!
With the council of elders, minus Frieda, standing just on the next branch ahead of him, they were dwarfed by his size.
He had been standing with Ariel before Frieda and Shade emerged, and the short teen immediately took his place right next to the Greywing. As did Todd, Breeze and even Chinook. Zak didn't know why they decided to stay close to them. Or perhaps, they felt a bit of comfort being near him in general, seeing as he was the second oldest in the colony. But Chinook did cast a bit of a wounded look his way. No doubt still nursing his bruised ego from before. Only a second later, two more faces joined the group, Bartho and Ben.
"Hey. I'm Ben." The chubby Silverwing said quietly, "I'd say it's nice to finally meet you, but...considering the cirumstances, it wouldn't really be appropriate. But still, glad to finally meet you." The Greywing just nodded and politely returned the greeting.
"Likewise," He whispered back, "If we were under a different situation, I'd say it was nice to meet you too. Of course, still good to meet you. I'm Zak, by the way."
He and the rest of the teens went silent as Frieda began to speak.
"General Brutus," She greeted the owl as if he were an old friend, "My deepest apologies for keeping you waiting."
"Where are they?" The general's voice was like thunder itself. It was deep baritone type, but held a deep authority and gruffness.
"They're over there."
Frieda was pointing directly over to where Zak and Shade were standing. Meanwhile the others, save for Ben and Bartho, didn't hesitate to immediately clear the space around the two lawbreakers. Thankfully, the two siblings and Ariel stayed right close by, the adult female placing a hand onto both her son's and Zak's shoulder.
"Hand the two over to me. So that we can settle this matter as soon as possible." It may have sounded like a polite request, there was no denying that it was a demand. A demand that should be met. But what nobody expected was Frieda's response.
"No."
Straight and simple. Without skipping a beat, she denied the great owl his demand. Brutus immediately rebuffed that she do what he said, but again, Frieda firmly denied him. Zak wasn't sure what in the hell the elder was even thinking. But he was thankful for it. It was admirable that she wasn't about to give up two lawbreakers, even after what they had done. But something didn't feel...right. No, he wasn't feeling the tingle. But deep down in his gut he had this sensation that no good would come from all of this.
Once more, Frieda again denied Brutus' command to hand over the two bats.
"Frieda, denying such a decision threatens the balance of nature. You know the law." The owl glowered at the old female, "It has stood strong for years until just yesterday. And let's not dance around the issue that the Shade Silverwing and this...outsider, assaulted one of my soldiers."
Shade swallowed loudly. He just realized just how much deep guano he and Zak were in now. Instinctively, he did the one thing that would give him a bit of comfort and grabbed hold of the Greywing's hand. Without batting an eye, the young adult gave it a small squeeze. As if to silently say that he wasn't going anywhere. Zak glanced down at Shade and gave a little smile for extra reassurance. But that confidence fizzled away like a drop of water on a hot frying pan when the owl suddenly landed in front of them.
Ben and Bartho immediately moved back as far as possible, due to their natural fear of larger predators. Ariel stayed close to Shade and held him close while Zak protectively stood in front of him. Even though his heart had leapt into his throat at the sheer size of Brutus. The owl just expected him closely, deep breaths whistled through his nostrils, those piercing orange scrutinizing every detail about the Greywing.
"U-Uhhhh," Zak shakily spoke up, "F-For what it's worth...we...w-we really didn't mean to hurt one of your own m-m-men." He then gave an uneven smile. But the general just sneered and raised a feathery brow. Before turning back to Frieda and the council.
"Brutus, we have been flying in these forests for a long, long time. And I understand that these two young ones might have gotten a little...carried away with your fellow soldier. They were defending themselves. You understand, don't you? There's no possible way that they could can really upset the balance of life. Can't you reconsider?" Frieda spoke in a friendlier and gentle tone, hoping that, if possible, she could persuade the owl from taking Zak and Shade for their justice.
"I will not be manipulated!" Brutus hissed, "You of all bats should know that emotions have no place in the execution of the law! As I've asked before, hand over the lawbreakers to us and there will be no further issues!"
"My thoughts exactly," Bathsheba, unsurprisingly, agreed with the general, "Frieda, the owls are well within their right to-"
"General Brutus," Frieda interrupted the shorter elder without skipping a beat, "As the leader of this colony I stand firm on my decision. No Silverwings nor Greywings will be sacrificed for the sake of your unjust law."
There, Zak was genuinely amazed at the elder's resolve. She really wasn't going to back down from this. Despite the dangerous results it could lead to, Frieda was protecting him and Shade like they were her own children. And, in a way, her entire colony were her children.
But Brutus, his feathers bristled and raised up in what could only be unbridled fury. And his voice boomed with just as much power and anger.
"Unjust law?!"
With only a single beat of his powerful and feathery wings, Brutus soared over and landed with a heavy thud, the bark of the branch crumbling from the iron grip his talons had on it. He leaned until his beak was just barely an inch away from the head elder's face.
"This is your last warning, Frieda. I will not ask you again. Give. Us. The Silverwing. And Greywing." His tone was dark and threatening, but still, Frieda did not back down. She didn't even flinch.
"No." Her tone was just as firm as before, "I have spoken. No one, and I mean no one, is going to be sacrificed tonight."
Everyone watched with bated breaths. The owl and Silverwing stared each other down. Chinook, Todd and Breeze looked from Shade and Zak, then back to Frieda with nervous gazes. Ariel kept her grip on her son, but also kept a hand on the Greywing with motherly protection. It felt like an eternity had passed before Brutus began to back away.
But a dark grin spread on his beak.
"Very well. You've made your choice, Silverwing. As I have made mine." He spread his wings and took to the air, keeping his bright colored eyes locked on Frieda the entire time, "Now prepare to suffer the consequences!"
With his warning, the general turned and flew off towards the forest. It seemed like that was it. But why did it feel so wrong? Then Zak remembered. There were more then just one speck when he first spotted the owls coming from afar. There had to be more, but they were all but absent while Brutus was here.
"There were other owls. Where are they?" He asked, looking at Ariel with an unsettled expression. She seemed to realize right away that whoever Brutus had been travelling with, they weren't around anywhere.
Bathsheba's rough voice suddenly screamed out.
"Look!"
Everyone turned to her, then followed where she was pointing. Coming from far across the bay, the missing owls were flying in formation towards Tree Haven. But it wasn't them alone that made a pit of dread form in Zak's stomach. It was what was held in their talons as they flew closer to the colony.
"Oh god." Was all he could utter as he realized what it was.
They had fire.
Ben could only stand rooted on the spot as he and the rest of his family watched in horror as the owls reached Tree Haven with frightening speed. The closer they got, the easier they could easily see the fire crackling away at the sticks they carried. He barely even heard his mother call for him to fly that he finally began to move, flapping his wings feverishly before diving back inside the old tree.
He knew he had to get to safetly. Which place was safer then inside Tree Haven? It had to be, right? The fire would only be outside, so long as they remained in for only a short amount of time, they could escape afterward. But the Silverwing's thoughts were dashed when one of the large flaming sticks suddenly fell past him, striking and bouncing off one wooden roost to the other, and with the wood so dry it easily caught aflame after only being touched for a moment.
That's when the screaming began. Mothers and children cried out fearfully as more fire sticks fell down inside the tree, Breeze and her mother just barely avoiding one that landed where they had been standing before. Once dark, the interior of Tree Haven was alight from the flames that began to spread quickly. Silverwings were scattering, trying to find a way out but panicked as they also tried to find their family. Mothers looked for younglings, younglings cried out for their mothers, especially those who were still too young to fly on their own just yet. Thankfully, there were some teenagers who were more level-headed and did their best to evacuate the others alongside other adult females who were doing the same.
The Silverwing spotted Aloy guiding the elderly and sick out, making sure they were all clear before she left herself. Leaving behind her medicinal herbs as the healing roost began to be engulfed by the fire.
Nocturna. Nocturna, where do I go?! There's too many flying about! Ah, there!
Ben thought fearfully in his mind before spotting one of the knotholes, relief filling him as he went to try and escape. But just before he reached it, another fire stick suddenly jammed itself in, blocking the path and creating more fire. The chubby Silverwing soon found himself coughing as his lungs burned. The sticks that fell to the very bottom of the tree were creating one large fire that would burn up Tree Haven from the inside. And it was creating smoke that made it harder to see. Again, Ben coughed, needing to find a spot to land and catch his breath. He found another knothole that hadn't been obstructed.
Here! Here, I can get out from here! Good, I need to find Mom! Shade! Bartho, I need to find-!
But what the Silverwing didn't realize was that part of a roost that was just a couple of wingbeats above him began to crumble and weaken due to the fire burning it. He was only a few steps away from the exit when it collapsed. Luckily, Ben noticed the smaller pieces clattering around him before he looked up. He yelped as he quickly jumped out of the way where it landed with a heavy and wooden thud. It teetered precariously on it's side before it rolled right back towards where the teen was still laying down.
The Silverwing yelled out when he suddenly felt something heavy and warm settle onto his lower body, pinning his right arm underneath it too. Glancing back fearfully, Ben realized it was the roost he tried to avoid. It had rolled on top of him, leaving only part of his upper body, head and his left arm free to move. Straining, he tried to move himself out of the debris' weight, but he could barely even move himself with the way he was trapped. The smoke was getting worse. Sparks and the heat of the fire was getting closer to where he was. He was so close to getting out.
Growing scared and frantic, Ben did the only thing he could think of to get out of this. He screamed.
Zak urgently flew circles around Tree Haven as it burned. Smoke billowing out from every entrance and the bright orange flow from the flames themselves. To any normal human eye, one would think this tree probably got struck by lightning or someone set fire to it themselves for a cruel joke. But for him, it was so much more horrific. The Greywing watched as owls purposefully chased off Silverwings brave enough to try and put out the flames, all the while ignoring those who were on the ground trying to put out the smaller fires from fallen burning debris.
After everyone started flying, Zak had opted to remain outside to make sure anyone who hadn't gotten out of Tree Haven had escaped safely. He stopped to help some pups who had gotten themselves wedged in one knothole, trying and failing to squeeze past each other moments before, and carefully moved one after the other out until they were all free. Then he stopped to help Aloy, after she had gotten the old and sick cleared, guide some of the females out with their pups who clung to their manes, wailing fearfully from the smoke and heat they had been feeling before. He was just about to leave before his ears caught something.
No. Not something. Someone.
"Hello?! Heeelp!"
Someone was still inside. Their desperate and fear filled cry was coming from further down where the knothole was. He stepped inside quickly, covering his snout with his hands to avoid breathing in too much smoke. Though it burned at his eyes, Zak kept them open long enough to look down from the ledge he stood on.
"Hello!" He yelled out, hoping that whoever was trapped would respond, "Where are you!"
Then he heard it again. Straight down below, he could see someone frantically waving with one arm. He jumped from the ledge and used his wings as a makeshift parachute to slow his descent, hearing the voice as he got closer. Their tone was severely panicked.
"I'm down here! Please! Please, I'm down here! I'm stuck! I'm stuck, I can't move! I can't move!"
That young teenaged voice sounded familiar for a reason. Zak realized it was Ben, the Silverwing's eyes were wide and full of tears as he desperately reached out with the only arm he had free, the rest of him stuck beneath partially smoldering debris, "Zak! Please! Hurry! I don't wanna die! I don't wanna die, please!"
The Silverwing's voice cracked from the sheer amount of fear going through his body, and he frantically clawed at the ground in an attempt to crawl out from the chunk of wood that had rolled over him.
"Ben! Hang on! Hang on, I gotcha!" He rushed over side of the broken roost and put his back up against it, and gripped with his claws, "I'll get you out of there, Ben! Just...hang on!" Grunting and straining, Zak tried to lift up the one side in hopes of getting it up enough for the teen to crawl out on his own. Even as he did that, Ben tried to help by using his only arm and pushed up with a forearm and elbow. But the chunk of wood was way too heavy for him to lift on his own. It barely moved an inch before Zak had to let go and think of another plan. "Hang on, I'll think of something!"
He coughed, looking around before spotting a sturdy looking branch lying just in front of him. It resembled a pole. Looking back at the debris, he noticed there was a crack beneath it that went straight underneath where Ben was stuck. If he got proper leverage, he could get him out. He had to!
The smoke was getting worse. Getting harder to breathe. The Greywing grabbed the stick and jammed it into the crack, positioning it so that when he pushed it upward it would lift the chunk of wood right off. He hoped it would.
Ben coughed hard, then cried out as he tried blinking his eyes clear of the tears that the smoke caused, "Please! I can't breathe! Hurry!"
Without saying a word, Zak positioned his shoulder under the pole and used his legs to push up on it. He pushed with all of his might as this time, the debris finally began to move ever so slightly. Gritting his teeth he pushed harder, his legs shaking as he took one step forward and then another, straining as he lifted it up further. Further. And further. Until finally, feeling that he was loose, Ben quickly got his other arm out to crawl free. Seeing he was no longer trapped, Zak let go of the pole and quickly went to help the Silverwing on his feet.
"C'mon, go! Go, go, go!" He urged Ben as they both hobbled over to the exit and took flight.
Not even five seconds after he had gotten free, the ground Ben had been trapped on before finally collapsed in on itself as the fire raging below took its toll on the structure, and the fire raged even higher and stronger then before.
Outside of Tree Haven, the entire colony had fallen silent as the fire had completely overtaken their summer home. One of the larger branches creaked before snapping off and falling into the water below. More pieces began to crumble soon after as the tree's integrity began to weaken further. Shade, Bartho and Ariel had just found a spot to roost, the female having suffered a surprisingly minor injury when she had pushed her son out of the way of a falling tree branch. It amazed even her that despite it's weight and the force it fell onto her, she was able to fly at all. And she never would have gotten out if Chinook hadn't shown up when he did and helped Bartho and Shade get the branch off of her. With the combined strength of the two larger males, the feat was no trouble. But she grew worried when she noticed the absence of her other son, Ben, and Zak.
She thought they would have gotten away from Tree Haven immediately. Didn't they? She dearly hoped they weren't trapped inside the blaze. They had to be safe. Her son and the outsider.
Shade had asked if she was hurt, Bartho even checking over her back to see if there were any wounds.
"No. I'm fine. What about Tree Haven?" She had to ask, even though the answer was clear and right in front of them. Bartho and Shade just turned at the flaming pyre that was once their summer home. The Greenwing just sighed, closed his eyes and hung his head in silent grief. Shade did the same but looked at his mother with great shame and sadness in his eyes.
"It's too late."
Two pairs of wingbeats started coming towards them, the trio realizing it was Ben and Zak. The Silverwing immediately went to Ariel after he landed.
"Mom!" He called out as he was embraced by her, burying his face into her mane for comfort and safety. Bartho moving to the opposite side of the female to provide his own wing to his half sibling.
"Ben! Oh Ben, there you are! I was so worried when we didn't see you!" She said, holding the teen close before she realized the scent of smoke was heavy on him, "What happened? Are you okay?"
"I-I got st-stuck," Ben stuttered, rubbing at his reddened and stinging eyes as he looked up at Ariel, "I wa-was, t-trapped and couldn't get out. But Z-Zak found me and hel-helped me. I-I-I w-was so scared...!" He broke down and began to softly cry back into the female's mane. Bartho and Ariel just held the frightened boy in their wings, giving him the comfort he needed after surviving such a close call.
Shade and Zak, meanwhile, turned and looked back at the fire burning in front of not just them, but everyone. The colony of females and younglings all watched in mute horror, shock and sadness as the summer home they've travelled to for many generations burned.
Frieda and the elders looked on in sullen grief for the place they called home for many years.
Chinook, Todd, Breeze and all other teenaged Silverwings looked on it horror.
Mothers with their younger children just held their whimpering charges in their wings. Feeling only grateful that they had escaped with their lives.
Shade and Zak. They just looked on with heavy guilt in their hearts. Knowing that the reason this had happened at all was because they both had broken the law.
But watching nearby, General Brutus had sat through the entire event and only gave a satisfied grin at the results. He turned to the owls that had perched behind him, each one also bearing a proud smirk or grin from their successful mission.
Brutus took flight first, his squad following after him as he uttered silently to himself.
"Justice...has been served."
Bit of a longer chapter this time, I was considering finishing it up to where the owls show up with fire and then continuing the scene on in the next chapter.
But, ultimately, I wanted to do the entire scene up to after Tree Haven has been fully engulfed in flames. Plus, I really wanted to explore more of my OC Ben's character and just how innocent and vulnerable he can be when faced with such dire situations.
For a little fun tidbit, I imagine Ben's voice actor to be Tom Holland. His most prominent role being Peter Park/Spider-Man in the MCU movies. He has the perfect voice to fit a teenager, especially for a character like Benny Boo here.
And like the actor himself, I wanted to explore a moment where Ben goes through what Peter Parker did in the Homecoming film. Bit of a reference to that specific movie scene, if y'all know it. ^^
So now, we're really getting into the meat of the story here! So now, Zak has revealed (not truly, anyway) that he came from an animal shelter and was handled by humans. But he hasn't yet, and will not, reveal that he was actually a human once before his transformation. But one thing that will give him away isn't his mannerisms shown in the previous chapter. But rather it's his constantly lingering human scent.
Because I figure that with a normal purebred bat, if they were touched by a human, the scent would only last for a few hours until washed off. But for Zak, his original scent still remains, and while the smell of the forest will linger and mingle with it, any other animal will still be able to smell 'human' on him.
For now, though, he's playing his cards right to keep his secret hidden.
In the next chapter, the colony begins their migration early, and Zak gets his first proper taste of travelling far distances with a colony. But, also, he gets an up close and nasty taste of flying in a storm.
Hope you guys like this chapter! Let me know what you think!
