"Oi, Elrab!" a Great Gray called out Where's your battle claws? Some owls that calls themselves the Pure Ones are attacking, so move your butt feathers and let's go!" the owl flew out of Elrab's hollow and wait's for him outside
It has been five months since Elrab left the Great Tree. Kraals, Pure Ones, any bird that thirst for killing the innocent, the protectors there tries to defend the defenseless dwellers of Silverveil. Elrab never knew that this ain't any Search-and-Rescue drill with Twilight, but a real bloody skirmish is right in front of him. Once a day he has to defend the owls at Silverveil or hunt some food for the wounded.
"Elrab, we need more leeches and worms for the wounded." Alrin ordered
Elrab stood tall "Aye aye, sir!" He then flies out of the hollow
A female Great Horned Owl flew beside him "Do you need any help Elrab?"
"Uhm, sure, Karey." Karey has a huge crush on Elrab ever since he came to Silverveil "What are you gonna do anyway?"
Elrab sighed "Gather some worms and leeches for the wounded owls. Those Pure Ones are a tough bunch."
Karey looks at Elrab "Do you want to eat with me later, Elrab?"
"I'll try if I can." But Elrab has no interest in Karey
Shayla on the other talon, flies everyday looking for food for the owls that are weak or wounded at Ambala. She even taught a little owlet how to branch. Shayla is one of the most kindest owl that the owls at Ambala met. But everyday she misses her childhood friend, Elrab. She wonders how is he doing? Is he badly injured? Is he sick? A lot of thoughts came inside Shayla's mind, she pauses for a while and looks at the jade necklace that she got from Elrab and thinks that he is alright.
"Shayla." Laura walked towards the the young Great Horned Owl "Are you not interested on looking for a mate?"
Shayla churred softly "Oh no, ma'am. Mission comes first before love. I'm not even interested on those males."
Laura spots the jade necklace dangling from Shayla's neck "Or, you're interested in someone much closer to you. That necklace of yours, it is a gift from a certain friend, right?"
Shayla smiled and looks down at the jade necklace "Well, we are close friends. But we're not 'together' or anything."
"You two are close, right?" Shayla nodded "There are times when the best of friends can grow up becoming mates." Laura chuckled and grabbed a flower and placed tucked it on Shayla's head feathers "You look beautiful, dear."
"Uhm, thanks, ma'am." Shayla smiled
"I want you to take a break for a day or two and go to Silverveil. Visit your friend there, have a nice chat and drink some tea and a little night flight."
"But what about the-" Shayla was cut off by Laura's voice
"That's an order, dear. And don't worry about the owls here. Just fly and have fun." Shayla silently nodded and flapped her wings and soar to the sky
Shayla flew straight to Silverveil and thinks what to say to her best friend. Well, it is a nice bright moon tonight and Shayla remembers the folklore of the Moon Festival. She remembers that the two lovers only meets once a year, and maybe it is time to pay her busy friend a visit. As Shayla reaches Silverveil she saw a familiar owl. Captain Alrin the owl that recruited Elrab.
Alrin studies the female Horned Owl "Aren't you Elrab's friend at the tree?"
"That is right, sir. My name is-" Before she can finish her sentence, she was cut off by Alrin
"Shayla. Yes, I know you, lassie." Alrin paused "Are you looking for your friend?" Shayla nodded "He lives at the third hollow at the east."
Shayla bowed in respect "Thank you, Alrin." Shayla once again lifts off to the air
Shayla followed the directions that was given to her by Alrin. She spots the hollow and lighted down on the branch and knocks "Elrab? Are you there?"
Elrab turned his head as he slipped and fell to the ground "Oww."
Shayla quickly rushed in "Elrab! Are you okay?"
Elrab slowly stood up and surprised to see his old friend "Shayla! How are you?"
"Just fine. What about you? I meant you slipped! Are you hurt?"
Elrab churred softly "Of course I'm fine, Shayla. What brings you to Silverveil?"
"Well, I came here to visit you, Elrab."
"Would you want to go out on a night flight?" Shayla smiled as she heard those words
"Of course!"
Karey was getting ready to visit her crush, but she saw someone got to him first "What? But, but, but-" she was silent as she saw the two owls fly below the moonlight
The two friends flew under the moon for hours and hours until they returned to Elrab's hollow. Both of them drank tea side by side talking about their memories back at the Great Ga'Hoole Tree. Even the time when they lit a lantern together during the Moon Festival. Memories, sweet memories. Shayla still has no luck on finding her parents, as for Elrab he found his old hollow. The hollow that he saw from his dream. He paid his respect to his mum and da there. Shayla comforted Elrab as he starts to shed tears from his amber eyes like last time. Shayla noticed the sun was starting to rise and Elrab offered Shayla to stay in his hollow for the day and she accepted the offer.
"Shayla, everything we've done together at the Great Tree when we were owlets, that I treasure." Elrab smiled
"I can still remember the time we first met. At the infirmary, the time when you first comforted me. I also treasure our memories." Shayla hugged Elrab with her wings
To Be Continued...