Chapter 11

"There you go, nice and snug!" Val chirped as she fitted a set of Bubo's Nickel Alloy Super Talons-or NASTs-onto Kira's talons. Shortly after Ezylryb had announced the declaration of war on the Pure Ones, Kira, Leo, and Ebony were selected to fly with Barran in her Elite Talons unit, while Hazel was picked for the Strix Struma Strikers and Athena would be joining Matron and tending to the wounded. Kira was quite surprised that no members of the Band were chosen to fly in any of the units, but didn't doubt for a second that they were given a very important job-whatever it may be.

"Can these battle claws really split rock?" Ebony asked quietly, admiring the pair that Bubo had fitted her with earlier. Kira took a look at her own set, which glared brightly in the cave where Bubo made his forge. Even if they can't actually split rock, Kira thought to herself, they can sure do some damage to an enemy owl. Kira suddenly thought of the battle they would fight, and a slight shudder passed through her. She did not want to tear her mother apart with these claws.

Val let out a slight churr. "I'm not sure I'd go that far," she replied, "but I can say they're not claws you want to frink with. Quickly now, Barran is waiting." She then went back to her hammer and anvil and began hammering as Kira, Leo, and Ebony left the forge. Leo looked at his mate with worry in his eyes. "You're worried about having to face your mum, aren't you?"

Kira nodded, her eyes clouding with sadness. "I don't want to kill my own mother, Leo. She may be a Pure One, but she loved me more than anyone could possibly know." Kira then looked down at her emerald pendant-a gift from Blaze after her First Flight. "I'd rather die than face her."

The look on Leo's face was not one of disappointment, but of understanding; he had met Blaze once before, when she was looking for Kira, and he had seen for himself how strong her devotion to her daughter was. "I know." he said softly. "No one is expecting you to do that-especially not Barran. You'll just have to be brave and fight what you can."

Kira looked at her mate, eyes full of love. "Leo," she said softly, "in case we don't survive, I just want to tell you I love you."

Leo blinked at Kira with adoration. "I will always love you, Kira Plicata." They finally arrived at the branch on which the Elite Talons were stationed, and Kira could see Strix Struma at the head of the Strix Struma Strikers, among which were Hazel, Ruby, and… Otulissa? Hazel and Ruby, Kira could get, but Otulissa!? Beside the Strikers, Kira could see the Bonk Brigade and Elvan's Flying Screechers in position, ready to attack. As Kira looked out over the horizon, she could see several tan, buff, russet, and sandy-brown heads, as well as several dark brown and black ones-but could not see the amber head of her mother, for which Kira sent a prayer of thanks to Glaux. With that, Barran nodded her head, and the Elite Talons followed behind, battle claws fastened and ready for battle.

Ginger followed in a tight wedge with Sikita, Kestrel, and Hyde, Sikita being at the very front of the formation. Ginger, for her part, was simply abuzz with excitement as she remembered the special mission the High Tyto had given her; a mission to infiltrate the great tree and discover the secrets of flecks. She had learned somewhat of what flecks could do, thanks to the briefing given to her by Her Pureness, but there was more information that the Pure Ones needed, and she had been recruited to find it. This was a mission that would take cunning and all of Ginger's best acting skills, and Ginger was ready. Oh, if only Asia were here. Ginger thought to herself, recalling with sadness how her sister had died of summer flux before she could be initiated. The two had escaped their horrible mum to find a new life, and they had found the Pure Ones after stumbling across Blaze during a scouting patrol. Up until Asia's death, they had done everything together, so doing this without her simply broke Ginger's gizzard.

"Voles dance at dawn!" The hooting voice of a Great Gray broke through the fog, bringing Ginger back to the present. Yeesh, the Guardians even talk weird. Ginger thought to herself. No sooner did Ginger think that then the voice broke out again, calling out "Lovely!" into the fog, and Ginger felt something like rope tightening around her. No, not rope, vines. She realized. Oh, great Glaux, I'm trapped! She tried desperately to fight her way out, but she was unable to free herself and she soon noticed blood staining her white breast feathers. But even that was nothing compared to what she saw when she turned her head; next to her, in an identical snare, lay Sikita, not moving, blood staining her wings, her head at an unnatural angle.

"Sikita!" Ginger heard an agonized shree, and turned her head to find Kestrel flying above the snare holding Sikita's body, her expression betraying her broken gizzard. Kestrel flew around the snare, once, then twice, looking desperately for a twitch of an eye, a wing-anything that would tell her there was still life in Sikita. Nothing. Tears now formed in Kestrel's eyes. "Sikita!"

"Kestrel, go, get out of here!" Ginger shreed, trying desperately to reach her gizzard-broken friend. "Find His Pureness! Warn him! Save yourself!" With that, Nightshade flew back towards Cape Glaux, grabbing Kestrel by the talons as she did; Kestrel's eyes were now as dull and cold as river stones, and she made no effort to resist. That was the last thing Ginger saw before the entire world went black.

Kira flew into the infirmary as quickly as she could to find snakes and owls flying around, treating various wounded. Early on, she had been temporarily excused from duty by Barran so that she could help tend to these owls. There were many wounded enemy owls as well as Guardians, thanks to the snares, and every owl in the infirmary was working overtime to tend to them. Right now, Kira had been assigned by Matron to tend to a young Barn Owl from the Pure Ones ranks; an owl with strawberry blonde back and wing feathers and a pure white face and belly, the latter of which was stained with blood. "Alright, hold still, sweetheart." Kira murmured reassuringly. "You're going to be just fine." The Barn Owl simply blinked. "B… Blaze?" She asked in a thin voice.

Kira blinked. She's a Pure One, alright. "No, dearest, not Blaze. My name's Kira, I'm here to help you." The Barn Owl looked at her. "Are… Are you a Guardian?" she asked. "Not yet." Kira replied. "I'm in training to be one."

The owl looked at her with wide, unblinking eyes. "All the Pure Ones say the Guardians are our enemies, and yet… you saved my life." She then attempted to dip her head in gratitude. "From this moment on, I reject the Pure Ones and wish to become a Guardian… like you."

Kira was slightly taken aback by the young Barn Owl's words; never in her life had she heard such kind things from a Pure One. And yet… there was something in this owl's eyes that she didn't trust. "I'll have to let Their Majesties know then." she replied cautiously. "For now, I recommend you rest. May I inquire as to your name?"

The Barn Owl nodded, and Kira swore she could've seen a twinkle in her eye. "My name is Ginger."

Disclaimer: I do not own Guardians of Ga'Hoole; full credit goes to Kathryn Lasky.