CHAPTER FOUR: KLUDD'S TALE

"I thought you had died in that fire. You survived."

"Are you surprised?"

"I'm glad that you lived. Now stop this Pure One nonsense and come back home with the family!"

"I'm with my true family now."

Soren decided that, for the time being, that it was futile to continue trying to argue with him about the Pure Ones being his "true family". Instead, he asked "So, how did you survive, brother?"

"Luckily, I landed near a stream and made it to it, which put the fires out on my body. I passed out and floated unconscious on the water until another owl found me and nursed me back to health. When I no longer needed him, I killed him."

"You what?!"

"I killed him."

"Why would you do such a thing? He never harmed you. He helped you for Glaux's sake!"

"Because I can."

"That's a terrible reason to do it!"

"He served his purpose. I didn't need him anymore."

"Hanging around the Pure Ones has clearly twisted your mind!"

"I'm the new leader of the Pure Ones."

"How did you convince them to make you their leader? You've never told me. How did you win over Nyra?"

"Well, first off, I found the old armor and mask of Surtyr. I found them most useful in becoming the new Metal Beak. My beak and face were ruined by the fire that you threw me into it."

"I did not throw you. You fell in after you tried to pull me into the fire."

"Whatever."

"So, are you going to tell me how you convinced the Pure Ones to make you their leader? Or is this some joke of yours? I'm really hoping it was all a joke and that you're sorry that you tried to help the Pure Ones and that you really didn't kill that owl."

"As I said earlier brother, you don't really know me at all."

"I guess I don't. So, are you going to tell me how you got the Pure Ones to make you their leader?"

"I didn't get them to just make me the leader. I won that title."

"Won it?"

"There were several owls that were higher up in ranking and closer to earning the title of High Tyto. I challenged each and every one of them in single combat to the death and beat them all. Nyra was pleased and became my new wife. I'm the king of the Pure Ones now."

"You married Nyra?" Soren gasped.

"You don't seem too happy about my marriage, brother." Kludd laughed.

"There are better women out there Kludd."

"Like you little friend, the Elf Owl? At least I took another Tyto."

Soren sighed. "Never mind that. Now that you're the leader of the Pure Ones, it's time that we ended this stupid war."

"I agree."

"Good. Now let's put this whole mess behind us." Soren said. He was willing to forgive his brother's attempt to kill him as well as his admitted murder of an innocent owl if Kludd would truly recant his evil ways and they could be a family again.

"You and I should rule the world together."

"What?"

"I was wrong about you earlier. You're stronger than you look. You took down Metal Beak. He wasn't strong like he thought he was."

"Wait, wait. I thought you had taken over the Pure Ones."

"I did. But, surely, you could depose the King and Queen of the Tree and become King of Ga'Hoole. You could rule the Northern Kingdoms and I would rule the Southern Kingdoms."

"You want me to just fly in there and murder King Boron? Are you yoicks?"

"I wouldn't do it so openly like that, obviously."

"I'm a Guardian of Ga'hoole. Such conduct isn't even worth thinking about, let alone doing."

"As I said, your belief in honor is your weakness."

"At least I have honor!"

"But you don't have power."

"I'm not power-hungry. I don't need power!"

"I take it that you won't take my offer, then."

"No."

"Very well. Someday you''ll look back on tonight and regret your actions." The High Tyto flew off, leaving Soren alone.