Okay! School ends in about 10 days, so yay for that. I said I would add romance, but I am having problems picking out couples or lovers in my story. If you put your favorite/wanted couple in a review I might write about them in my story! :3 (I'll accept owl of different species; but no suggesting Jel, I already have something planned out for him.)
GoldenShade, it's actually pretty easy to play Halo and write. X3 General grade four FTW!
Chapter 4 – The Blade and the Herb
Rui began to panic; she beat her wings furiously as she tried to fan Jel. Barely any wind was generated by her tiny wings, which frustrated her. Nothing seemed to be working. The small barn owl let out an ear piercing shriek which echoed throughout the hollows and rooms in the great tree. Come quickly! She pleaded as she still tried to fan her friend.
Soon Sol was at the entrance of the weapon room staring at Rui with wide eyes. "What was the call for?" He asked. It didn't take long for the Sol to notice the other snowy owl under his friend's tiny wings. The large snowy took Rui's place above Jel and began to fan him. "I'll watch him for now, go get help!" To his dismay the barn owl didn't move when she returned to the ground. "You are faster and more nimble, now go!"
Rui suddenly snapped back to reality and nodded, shooting one final glance at the downed owl. Without looking back she leapt from the high hollow, catching the wind with her wings. "Downed owl!" She screeched as she pelted past the gigantic branches of the Great Ga'Hoole tree. Many owls stuck their head out of their hollows; some even had mice or rabbits in their talons. "Weapon storage, go quickly!"
Owls of all species dropped their prey and took to the skies, quickly heading to the weapon or medical storage. Rui folded her wings against her sides and turned her beak so that it faced the Sea of S'yrthghar. As the barn owl plummeted down toward the ocean she allowed her third eyelid to slide into place to protect her. Rui waited until she was dangerously close to the roaring waters of the ocean. She spread her wings in the last few seconds, barely avoiding the waters.
"H-Hoole, thank Glaux your here!" Rui gasped as she barged into his hollow.
The young king was startled by the sudden noise. He was staring at the flames of the ember when Rui entered. He hopped down from his perch and walked over to the panicked barn owl. "What is going on?" he asked; patting her back with his wing to calm her down.
"J-Jel is wounded. The medical patrol didn't leave yet so we are using what little we have on him." Rui fought for air as the words poured out of her beak.
Hoole didn't hesitate a heartbeat longer; he let his gizzard guide him as he issued orders. "Rui, calm down, everything is going to be fine. Come with me and we will go visit him, the medical team will help him." He led the traumatized barn owl out of his hollow and out of the Great Tree. He spread his spotted wings and headed toward the weapon storage that was located among the top branches of the tree. Rui quickly followed suit.
There were many owls cluttered around the Jel. Sol was replaced by Grank as the medical owls began to shoo away the spectators. "Is he going to be alright?" a voice came from behind Rui and Hoole as they entered.
The two owls turned around at the same time. They both saw the great horned owl who had invented battle claws, Theo. "I hope so," Rui replied solemnly.
"I don't want to lose a valuable student," he hooted. "I know you were really close to him," Theo added. To lighten the mood he did what every other owl often did. He bumped her with his wing and sent her stumbling away.
Rui crashed into Hoole as she tried to regain her balance. Both barn and spotted owls landed on their tail feathers when they hit the floor of the hollow. The three owls let out small churrs of laughter; temporarily forgetting about the downed snowy. As the two owls got back onto their talons Hoole thought of an idea that could distract Rui from her injured friend.
"Rui, I would like to have a word with Jel when he wakes, so I will be staying here. Could you begin the training we have scheduled? I know Jel will be alright, he is strong." The spotted owl addressed the small barn owl with such confidence that she couldn't refuse.
"Yes your majesty," Rui answered as she dipped her head to her king.
The young king let out a huge sigh that seemed to ruffle every spot he had on his feathers. "What did I say about calling me such names?" He asked; slightly annoyed. Even though there was a hint of irritation in his words Hoole could not help but feel sympathetic. He had heard stories of Rui and Jel being friend ever since they were fledglings.
"S-sorry…" Rui mumbled, turning around to round up the trainees. She spread her wings and flew off in search of lord Rathnik – the other battle advisor.
"Theo, could I ask you to do something for me?" Hoole whispered to the great horned owl when Rui was out of earshot.
"Of course, Hoole, if you need something all you have to do is ask." Theo replied with a understanding hoot.
"I need you to watch over Rui. I do not doubt her abilities to train the young'uns, but I feel like she needs someone besides Sol and Gulliver to comfort her. I know those three are close, but they can't always rely on each other for things like this." Hoole had trouble saying the final part of his request; it was so much for Theo to do. The words were trapped in his beak, trying to escape. "I need you to participate in the training… I know that you despise fighting, but we need her to be in full spirits for this war." The young king choked out the words, would Theo accept? He saw the blacksmith like a brother, and he would understand completely if he rejected his request.
Theo hesitated; Hoole was right about his hate for fighting. "I'll do it," he answered, voice shaking. "Take care of Jel," the great horned owl said before spreading his wings to take the flight path Rui had taken.
Lord Rathnik was perched on a wide branch right next to Rui. The snowy towered over the small barn owl, but he knew better than to underestimate her size. Hundreds of Guardians and trainees were gathered on the island, ready to receive instructions from their trainers. They all waited, eager to learn how to ice weapons as well as battle claws.
Rui remembered what she had planned with Lord Rathnik, I train the battle claw and close combat division. Then, we switch off and I shall train the ice weapon division…
It didn't take long for the owls to divide themselves between battle claws and ice weapons. When Rui had at least half of her training squad's eyes on her she began. "I will be teaching you about combat with both battle claws and close combat fighting, now listen up!"
Rui had told her squad everything she knew about fighting. Now it was time to show the owls how to fight using the techniques she had explained. "Sol and Gulliver, I need you for this fight." The barn owl almost let out a screech of laughter when she saw her two best friends wilf ever so slightly. "You two, go grab a pair of battle claws, I will be your opponent." The great horned and the snowy did as they were told and each picked out an exceptional set of battle claws.
A huge circle was formed around the three owls, Rui on one end, and Sol and Gulliver on the other. The other owls towered over the barn owl. They talons were clad with sharp metal claws that were securely fastened using different materials. The two owls faced Rui – who was bare taloned. Her wings were lifted, ready to jet up into the sky when the battle started.
Theo decided to wait before approaching Rui. After all, he was going to train with her later. The great horned owl watched the three owls – his interest increased as time passed. "Theo, could you announce the start and finish of the battle?" asked the small barn owl. Theo let out a hoot of acknowledgement and studied the three owls.
"Go!" Shrieked the blacksmith as he lifted his great wings into the air.
As soon as Rui heard Theo's call she launched herself into the air with one simple beat of her wings. Sol and Gulliver soon followed the small barn owl, determined to try their best and win. Sol and Gulliver split from each other, fly separate ways to trap Rui. They charged battle claws before their body; ready to grab their friend.
The small barn owl foresaw the attack and dipped her port wing, allowing her to fly upside down for a second and making herself spin to avoid the attack. With several powerful beats with her she was now the attacker. Rui crashed into Sol, locking talons with him. The two owls began to descend, wings flailing. She used the snowy's larger size or her advantage by spreading her wings and lifting to the top of the talon-lock skirmish. Sol let out screeches of surprise when he realized he had been caught.
Rui tilted her wings forward and pointed her beak toward the ground. Slowly but surely, Sol began to rise above the barn owl once again. To finish off her move; Rui pulled her talons toward the ground with all of her might before allowing Sol's battle claws slip from her talons. She flew off to prepare for another attack, this battle might actually be a challenge, she thought cheerfully.
Sol spun out of control as he descended at rapid rate. He knew that if he couldn't get his bearings in time then he would perish.
Gulliver quickly pursued his friend to help. The great horned owl flew underneath Sol and helped the snowy regain control. Sol pushed off of Gulliver's back – careful not to hurt him with his battle claws. He hooted his thanks and the two owls faced Rui once again.
A terrified screech seemed to make every owl flinch when the sound reached their ears. Rui, Sol, and Gulliver landed next to each other; the battle completely forgotten. "That sounded like Jel!" Rui fretted, flapping her wings nervously. When she looked around Theo seemed to have been replaced by lord Rathnik.
"King Hoole wishes to speak to you three," he announced; eyes unblinking.
The three Guardians were quick to oblige. They flew up to the weapon room with the many medics as well as the spotted owl Hoole.
The young king turned to face the three owls that had just recently arrived. "Rui, I am sorry for doing this to you once again, but I need to switch your task once again." Hoole's once gentle facial expression was now serious.
"It is fine, Hoole," Rui replied, dipping her head to remove Jel from her sight. "Will Sol and Gulliver come as well?" she asked.
"Yes, Sol and Gulliver will accompany you as you search for the Glauxian brothers. The brothers study herbs, I am sure they will know of some herbs that can save Jel. Sol will navigate you to them using the stars while you protect them on their journey. Gulliver will track either of you if something unfortunate happens. This war has already taken many lives, we cannot afford to lose any more." Hoole's heart began to ache as he thought about his mother, Siv. The young king finally opened his eyes after a long while that seemed to drag on for ages. His dark amber gaze swept over each of the three. He felt guilty for constantly switching their tasks, but everything they did was to win the war.
"You will leave as soon as you are ready. I trust you…. All of you…" Hoole murmured.