Chapter 4: Law Breaking

The following nights I stayed inside, keeping my promise not to leave the tree no matter what.

I occupied my time with watching the forest through my little window and carefully walking around the ledges. I figured that they were all connected with small bridges between, by which I could move around. Also, since I was now asleep on the day and awake on the night, my vision got more used to the dark. Yet I couldn't see enough to run around without fear of tripping off the edges.

Whenever it was possible, Mercury kept his promise in visiting me before he needed to be back on his duties. He talked with me about many things and also told me stuff about the history of the Silverwings and their home called Tree-Heaven. A vast, ancient oak, once stroke by a lightning but still standing on the bank of a lake by which I wondered if it was the same lake where I had my picnic on.

Mercury explained that the oak was the Silverwings nursery. All females lived here with their young while the males spent the summer in a place called Stonehold. A small canyon around two nights far from here in the east.

Every winter, both groups would come upon for the long journey to Hibernaculum, where they would sleep through the cold season until it gets warm again.

As I asked him why he was living here then instead with the other males, he explained it was tradition, that each spring one of the males gets chosen to become the females scout. That male had to live with them during the summer and had to make sure the females and their young were alright and safe. He warns them in the case of danger and sends messages from them over to their mates in Stonehold and back.

It was very fascinating for me to hear about these things, but unfortunately Mercury couldn't stay with me all night to tell me more. Therefore, he asked Ariel if she was so kind to take care of me while he was busy with his duties.

At first, Ariel seemed unsure about it but after a few nights, she became less reserved, finally realizing I was no harm to her son or anyone else and treated me like her own child. However, most of the Silverwings were still cautious around me while others either ignored or just changed a few words with me. It was sad, but I didn't feel lonely. Besides Mercury and Ariel, I also spend a lot of time with Ariel's son Shade, who I quickly made friends with.

During our time together I told him all I could about my life and humans in general, while he answered my questions about his and bats life and also showed his flight and hunting skills to me. I had to admit he was pretty good at it but his landings needed some practice.

Unfortunately, we couldn't talk long, because Ariel wanted Shade to use the night to find as much food as possible to build up fat reserves for the upcoming winter. Ariel had to do the same which made me feel guilty since she had to find food not only for herself but for me as well. But according to her, this wasn't a problem. She was just happy to help.

One night, a few hours before dawn, I once again sat down on a ledge all by myself.

Letting out a soft yawn I stretched myself and thought about the upcoming migration. In three nights the colony would start its long journey to Hibernaculum and I was supposed to go with them. Just like Nils Holgerson from this Swedish children's book who traveled through the country together with a flock of wild geese.

I was kinda worried though. I knew Frieda did not just want me to come along to meet this friend of hers. She didn't want me to be left behind in the forest. And I was thankful for that. I probably would be dead already if Mercury hadn't brought me here.

It had been cold on the night we both met but now it seemed to get even colder.

My leaf-dress barely kept me warm, but it was the only ''clothes'' I had.

While daydreaming, I leaned myself back to relax a bit more and suddenly felt two hands grabbing me by my side, causing me to jump up with a squeak like a frightened guinea pig.

I thought a spider run on my dress but as soon as I calmed down again I spotted Shade, rolling around on the floor, laughing like crazy. ''That little ...''

Many times I had told him how much I disliked to get scared unexpectingly. Still, he had to do it again.

''Mind telling me what that was for?'' I asked, getting miffed about his silly joke.

''S-sorry,'' he replied still laughing. ''B-but that ...wahahaha that was just too good. Hehehe. The sound you made. Hahahaha! I-I have never heard a bat making such noises.''

''Well, just to remind you Shade, I'm not a bat,'' I mentioned, crossing my arms while still frowning at him until he finally recovered from his laugh attack. I was glad he calmed down quickly because the number of eyes looking at us since my outcry was slowly starting to embarrass me a little.

Finally, Shade stopped and the other Silverwings turned their attention back to other things.

''Oh boy,'' Shade said, rubbing a tear out of his eye. ''I never thought I would get this kind of reaction from you.'' He started chuckling again but quickly stopped, noticing the look on my face.

''Alright. I'm sorry. I won't do it again. I promise.''

I sighed. ''Good. But what are you even doing here, anyway? Shouldn't you be outside and hunt for bugs or something?'' I asked, whereupon he uttered a moan, while rolling his eyes in annoyance.

''Great Nocturna, not you too. Why do you and mom always insist that I have to eat all the time? Do you want me to roll the long way to Hibernaculum?''

I chuckled, picturing this but shook my head. ''Your mother just wants you to build up enough fat reserves for the winter. Who knows how much food we will find on the migration?'' I said.

''Oh, please, I'm sure there's something. Besides, I doubt the journey will be that long. At most, a few nights south.''

''Do you really think your colony would leave this place if Hibernaculum would be just around the corner?'' I asked, raising an eyebrow.

''Hmm no, presumably not,'' he admitted. ''But anyhow. I can eat as much as I want. My body won't build up more fat pads than it has.''

''Well, maybe you don't catch enough fat bugs?'' I guessed with a shrug, ''Only small mosquitos and stuff.''

Shade looked at me frowning. ''That's not true. Yesterday I caught a huge bug as big as your head.''

''As if.''

''No, really!''

''Yesterday you said the biggest bug you caught was as big as my hand,'' I said unimpressed, ''Seriously Shade, don't start bragging like Chinook.''

He looked disgusted. ''Are you comparing me with him?''

''What? No,'' I sighed, ''He just gets on my nerves with his bragging all the time. I mean, who cares how much he eats or how great he can fly?''

''Well, some bats do. Todd and Breeze, for example.''

''Fine, but we aren't them.''

''True.''

''Whatever, you should get out now and catch more bugs before the sun gets up,'' I said looking towards the entrance. During my time here with the Silverwings I learned not only about their lives in general but also all the rules and laws they had to follow.

A few of them sounded reasonable to me. But then there were those whose meaning I did not quite understand. And the explanations for them much less. Like that law that forbid bats to see the sun.

I had always wondered why these nocturnal creatures were never seen during the day. But that there was actually a law that forbids them to be outside on daytime. That was really strange.

I had asked Mercury some questions about it. Unfortunately, he couldn't tell me more than I had already learned from Ariel and Shade.

''It's too dangerous to be outside when the sun is up. It could kill you. And if she doesn't, then surely will the owls.''

What nonsense! The sun wasn't that dangerous. Further, I doubted that here in Canada the sun ever got so hot that it could burn you on the spot. Especially not in winter.

Shade swung himself back into the air but hesitated to fly out. ''Now what? How about I show you how I do it?'' he suggested.

I looked at him puzzled. ''What do you mean?''

''I will show you how I catch a real bug.''

''Oh. Sure why not? Just bring one here when you get back,'' I said but Shade shook his head.

''That's not what I mean. I want to show you how I hunt. Outside in the forest.''

I bit down on my underlip. ''Shade, you know I'm not supposed to go out until the migration. What if someone sees me?''

''Nah! No one will know. You are just coming with me for a few minutes, hiding behind some leaves. I'll show you how I hunt and then I'll bring you back. Plain and simple. Nobody will notice that you were gone.''

He seemed sure about it but I still wasn't completely convinced. ''I don't know, Shade ...''

''Come on, nothing bad is going to happen you will see.''

Thoughtfully I looked over to Shade and straight into his pleading face. ''Shade you know that doesn't work with ...'' Not listening he kept looking at me with big round eyes, ears flapped back to his head and a quivering underlip. ''Oh, please not the pouty bat face.''

I tried to ignore it but he didn't stop. ''Urgh. Alright. Fine. I'm coming with you but only for a few minutes!'' Shade nodded smiling with joy and flew straight over to me.

''Short question. How are you even going to get me outside? I don't think you can carry me on your back Shade.''

''Just hang on to my feet. That should do it.''

Still feeling unsure about this I let out a soft sigh and jumped up to grab Shades feet with my hands and let him carry me outside with no one else noticing.

As soon as we got outside, Shade sat me down on the branch of a chestnut tree not too far away from Tree-Heaven and flew off. Feeling uneasy of the height, I pressed my back against the trunk and watched Shade hunting for bugs.

I was careful to stay hidden behind the foliage but was still worried someone would see me. I was practically ready to ask Shade to bring me back, but the Silverwing focused more on a thick moth which was appeasing its thirst with the nectar of a purple-colored flower.

With a quick flap of the wings, Shade dived at the moth but it fluttered away just before he could catch it. He chased it around the forest and through a hollowed log on the ground. Nearly getting it when suddenly another Silverwing crossed his path and snatched the moth right before his eyes.

''Hey!'' Shade cried, ''That was mine!''

''Well, too bad,'' the bat returned, and I instantly recognized Chinook's supercilious voice.

Chinook was a dark blue bat with bright blue colored hair and mane and dark blue wings. In the nursery they considered him to be the largest and strongest among the young bats, born last spring. Unfortunately, he thought it gave him the right to rub it under everyone's nose. Especially to Shade who was the complete opposite.

Compared to Chinook and the other newborns, Shade was much smaller and weaker. Even I was half a head taller than him. All thanks to his birth.

One night Ariel explained to me that Shade was born as one of the oldest pups of this year but two weeks before his actual due date.

He had been so tiny no one was even sure if he'd survive at least one night. But thanks to his mother, Shade survived and surprised everyone with his first flying attempts. But his size didn't change much. Instead of being as big as an adolescent Silverwing should be, Shade still looked more like a child.

Nevertheless, this didn't mean Shade couldn't still grow a bit more. He may never reach the designated size of an adult Silverwing male but maybe the size of an adult female instead.

Grinning gloatingly Chinook flew back to the chestnut tree, I was still sitting on and roosted on a branch right below me. With him were two other newborns called Todd and Breeze.

Todd was a small chubby male with cyan colored fur, darker wings, and orange hair. Breeze a blonde female with violet-colored fur, pink mane and purple wings. Both congratulated their idol for his amazing catch while he swallowed the moth with unnecessary loud munching noises.

''Coole Technique,'' Breeze praised and swung her fist into the air to emphasize her words, ''That tiger moth never saw what hit it.''

''Ha! Neither did Shade,'' Chinook said smirking, and all three began to laugh.

I shook my head looking at them in disgust. Even in the animal kingdom existed individuals who just loved to mock others for fun.

Breathlessly Shade flew over, looking hurt and frustrated. ''I could have had it,'' he said, glaring at Chinook.

''Coulda-woulda-shoulda,'' Chinook taunted while poking Shade roughly on the chest, causing the smaller bat to lose his balance on the branch to fell down on the one below. Again they all chuckled, except for me and Shade.

''Don't sweat it, runt,'' said Chinook, ''Only the best hunters can see through the moth's echo protection.''

''Echo protection?'' Shade scoffed, ''The word is echo projection and don't call me runt!''

''Really?'' But Chinook didn't seem much interested in the right pronunciation of the word. Instead, he turned his back to Shade, ignoring him while giving his full attention to Todd and Breeze.

''Now, where was I before I was forced to eat yet another tiger moth?''

''If you are afraid to overgorge yourself, why don't you just leave them for others?'' I called down in annoyance, having enough of his arrogant behaviour. Too late I realized how I just betrayed myself in this way.

Immediately all four bats looked up at me on the branch.

''Well look at that,'' Chinook jeered, ''The furless actually came out of the tree.''

''Is she even allowed to do that? I thought she is supposed to stay inside until the migration?'' Todd asked, scratching his head in confusing.

''That's right. Hey! Why are you here?'' Breeze demanded to know.

''Well, I ...''

''I brought her with me,'' Shade said determined before I could even figure out of what to say. The others looked at him dumbfounded.

''What? Why?'' Todd asked.

''So she can hear about my father of course,'' Chinook said haughtily. ''That was what I wanted to tell you about. Wasn't it? She probably couldn't wait to learn about him like you guys.''

''You got to be kidding me,'' I thought. Oddly enough, it seemed to be the only logical explanation for his friends for why I was here.

I would have loved to tell him how wrong he was but kept my mouth shut. It was better I let him believe what he wanted and listen to his ostentation. Otherwise he might rat me and Shade out for breaking the rules. Therefore, I had no choice but to climb down to them all.

''My dad is so big, his wings reach from here to ... that tree over there and he can eat thousand bugs just in one night and he is much faster than anyone in the colony. And one night he fought against an owl and killed it.'' Todd and Breeze looked at him in awe, while me and Shade just rolled our eyes.

''Seriously?''

''No bat can kill an owl. They are too big,'' said Shade, earning a challenging glare from Chinook.

''You calling me a liar, runt?'' he snarled and roughly pushed him to his knees.

''Not ... technically.'' opined Shade, while getting back up on his feet. Luckily for him, Chinook took his answer as a sign of defeat and spread his wings wide open, pushing the smaller Silverwing back down on purpose. I shook my head watching this and went over to help Shade back up.

''My father is huge!'' boasted Chinook. ''You will see him once we get to Hibernaculum. That means, if your wings can make the migration. ''With a grin Chinook grabbed Shades forearm and forced his wing open as if to show how useless they were.

Shade pulled away from his grip and glared at him.

''But then again, why bother if you don't have a dad waiting for you there, anyway.''

My eyes widen, knowing that Chinook had just stroke a very sensible nerve.

''Don't talk about my dad like that!'' Shade growled but Chinook didn't even flinch. ''Your dad was bad news,'' he kept mocking him, ''He was a troublemaker and a coward!''

''My dad was not a coward!'' Shade retorted, ''You fruit bat!'' Chinook looked like he was ready to punch Shade for insulting him like that but the sudden sound of birds chirping around caused him to stop in his tracks.

''Sun's coming up,'' Breeze said, ''We got to go back to Tree-Heaven!''

''Come Chinook. Let's go!'' Todd urged him while I wondered why they were so nervous all of a sudden? Was it because of the law?

Chinook nodded at his friends and turned back to Shade with a warning glare. ''You better watch your mouth,'' he growled threateningly but Shade didn't even blink. Then he opened his wings wide enough to bump them deliberately against Shade almost knocking him off the tree before following the others.

''Come on you two,'' Breeze called over to us but Shade didn't move. Instead, he let out a yawn and made himself comfortable on the branch.

''You guys go,'' he said, ''Vanessa and I will stick around and look at the sun.''

This didn't sound so bad to me but the three Silverwings stopped straight in mid-flight, bumping into each other and immediately came back to us with a shocked expression on their faces.

''Look at the sun?'' Chinook asked.

Shade nodded, looking at him unblinking. ''You heard me.''

''I heard you, but I don't believe you.''

Breeze was horrified. ''You can't be outside when the sun comes up. The owls will kill you.''

''This again?'' I thought. ''Why would the owls kill someone for seeing the sun?''

''Duh, because it's forbidden?!'' Todd said looking up at me like it was obvious.

''Sorry, I don't get it. What's so bad about seeing the sun?'' Chinook, Todd and Breeze looked at me dumbstruck.

''Did no one told you about the dangers of the sun, Furless?'' Chinook asked. ''It's a giant fireball that will blind you in a split second, melt your skin and burn you to crisps.''

I blinked. ''Ok, I know stuff like sunburns are bad but that's pushing it.''

''Oh, what makes you so sure about it?''

''Eh, because I used to walk around in the daylight?!'' I retorted. ''Humans aren't night-active creatures.''

This made Chinook think for a minute. ''Hmpf,...but still...''

''Why don't you just join me to see the truth for yourself?'' Shade suggested. ''Aren't you ...

curious?''

The bigger bat hesitated for a second. ''Maybe I am, ... runt.''

''Are you out of your mind? It's against the law,'' reminded us, Todd.

''A stupid law,'' I mumbled, wondering what idiot made it up. Shade nodded.

''Vanessa is right, isn't that so Chinook?'' he asked grinning at him while the birds began to sing louder around us.

''Guys it's morning and we should really be inside,'' Todd said nervously and made his way back to the nursery followed by Breeze.

Shade, Chinook and I stood behind and watch those two flying back to Tree-Heaven. Then Chinook cleared his throat and looked back down at Shade. ''So uh ... what are we gonna do? Hang ... out?''

''I thought maybe we could fly up top. Get a better view.''

''Really?''

Shade nodded and turned over to me. ''Want to come with us?''

''Sure, why not?'' I shrugged. ''Better than staying here and wait for you guys to return since I'm practically stuck here. Besides, I rarely got to see the sunrise myself.''

''What did you do all time?'' Shade asked.

''Sleeping. I'm not much of a morning person.''

''I see,'' Shade said smiling and grabbed my hands with his feet before soaring up to a very tall, leafless tree on the top of a hill. There he sat me down on the highest branch and hung himself upside down underneath together with Chinook. The bigger Silverwing stared anxiously at the distant glow in the east.

''Well, I guess that's the sun. Now, let's head back.'' Hopefully, he turned to Shade, but he just shook his head with a sigh.

''The just the pre-glow,'' he breathed, not leaving his eyes from the horizon.

''Oh, well eh...,'' Chinook chuckled nervously. ''Why don't we just not see the sun and ... eh ... say we saw it?''

''Why, are you scared?'' I asked.

''What me? Nah I'm just ... eh ...'' He gulped, getting more tense each second. Then he couldn't take it anymore and dashed back home as fast as he could.

As soon as he was out of sight, Shade flew up to me on the branch and we both looked at each other in triumph.

''Suits him right,'' I said.

''Did you see his face?'' Shade chuckled. ''I thought he would wet his fur any minute.'' We both laughed thinking about this and glanced back at the horizon.

The distant glow was getting brighter and the dark sky turned to a light pink color. We had to shield our eyes not to get blended from the light.

''Say Shade. Do you honestly think this is a good idea?'' I asked, gradually getting nervous myself.

''Didn't you say the sun is harmless?'' Shade asked.

''Yeah. But I'm talking about the owls. Breeze said they will kill anyone who dares to stay out in the day.''

''Yeah, because they made up this nonsense of a law. It is said the first light belongs to the owls, and no bat may go out by day or they will get eaten by them,'' he explained.

''That's stupid.''

''Couldn't agree with you more.''

Together we looked back at the rising sun, when a sudden shriek got my attention. ''What was that?'' I looked over at Shade, wondering if he had noticed it too but the Silverwing looked too stunned from the light.

''Eh Shade, do you see that?'' I asked, poking his arm to get his attention.

''See what?''

I pointed to the east. ''That thing over there that looks like its coming straight towards us.''

''Nah! You probably just imagining it Vanessa,'' Shade replied while looking ahead, ''There is nothing important just a big angry ... OWL!''

With a scream, Shade jumped from the tree, snatching me with his feet. Only seconds before the white feathered owl crashed into the branch, shattering the wood with its big talons.

''Hurry!'' I yelled, but it wasn't hard to see what problems it caused him to gain speed with me as additional weight.

The owl, however, caught up with us with no effort, almost catching me with its beak. But Shade got away just in time, turning a hook around the owl.

Screeching furiously the bird resumed its pursuit and hurried after us.

Shade breathed heavily as he tried to get us both to safety while I looked back in fear, realizing how close the owl was.

To make matters worse, Shade started to lose his hold on me. He still tried to tighten his grip, but it was no use. I was too heavy for him.

''Shade!'' I cried out, but my hands slipped out of his claws.

''No!'' he screamed in horror, ''Vanessa!''

Shade plunged after me to catch me in time but someone else caught me first. Mercury.

''Back to Tree-Heaven now!'' he hissed urgently and without hesitation, both bats rushed through the woods with me dangling under Mercury's feet.

But the owl wasn't done. With another furious shriek, it took up the hunt and followed us all the way through the forest.

''Faster!'' Mercury urged us, while flying ahead. ''And whatever you do, don't look back!''

But we did.

Behind us, the owl was getting closer and closer, while a slight piece of the sun cleared the horizon, spilling dazzling light over the valley.

To escape Mercury guided us below the tree line. Other birds started to wake up and chirped in surprise when they saw us passing by their nests. I held on tight on his feet as we weaved crazily around the foliage. Desperately trying to escape.

At last, we burst out into the clearing and towards the lake. Tree-Heaven right ahead of us.

''Almost there,'' I thought with relief but the owl was still close behind us.

But before it could snatch any of us with its sharp beak or talons, Mercury rushed through the knothole and dropped me to the ground, instantly followed by Shade.

Breathing heavily, we pushed ourselves further inside and pressed our backs against the wooden wall. The owl tried to get us out by reaching into the hole with its claws, but it was way too big to fit through. Eventually, it gave up and flew off after circling around the tree with yet another furious shriek. Only then did we allow ourselves to breathe again, and I noticed myself trembling from the shock.

''You both ok?'' Mercury asked. Shade and I nodded, feeling too shocked to say anything. Mercury nodded and told us to wait before flying off. Seconds later we flinched, hearing a pissed off female voice.

''Shade, Cassiel Silverwing!''

We turned around and watched Ariel flying down to us. Her expression a mixture of worry and anger. Without hesitation, she embraced us with her wings. ''Thanks, Nocturna you are both safe,'' she whispered in relief before backing away again. ''What were you two doing out there?'' she asked glaring at us sternly. I looked over to Shade as in seeking support.

''Eh, ... nothing?'' he said, causing his mother to get even angrier.

''Nothing? That owl nearly killed you.'' Ariel cried, getting the attention of nearly everyone in the colony.

''W-we got away,'' I mumbled, not liking to be screamed at and backed a little away from her.

''Yeah, thanks to Mercury,'' Ariel retorted. ''If it weren't for him you ...'' She shook her head not wanting to think about it and took a deep breath to calm herself down. ''Do you have any idea what you have done?'' she asked, shaking her head in frustration before looking back at her son. ''Oh, Shade. You broke the law!''

AN: Another chapter updated ^^

About the reference of Nils Holgerson:

Like I said in the story. It is a Swedish children's book about a young boy called Nils Holgerson, who lives on a farm with his parents and acts bratty to everyone. One day he tries to bully an imp who shrinks him as punishment. After that, Nils gets bullied by the farm animals in revenge and leaves the farm together with his pet hamster (who got shrunken as well) and a domestic goose called Martin. Together, they join a flock of wild geese and travel with them through Sweden.

The similarities between this story and mine are:

Nils and I both are humans who get shrunk by magic (He gets cursed / I accidently activate a magical pearl)

Both of us are able to communicate with animals afterwards

We both travel through a country with wild animals (He flies with geese through Sweden / I fly with bats through Canada)