Darn! I just realized that I can't kill Emerilla off because she and Hoole are talking in the last chapter of To Be a King when they're old! Grr………
"I hate Ga'Hoolology," whispered Thorn. "It's so boring."
Lutta glanced at the Pygmy Owl as Dawn, the Ga'Hoolology ryb, droned on about the importance of giving the Tree nutrients. It was only her second day practicing in the class, and she was bored out of her mind. "I know," she muttered back. "I hope I don't get tapped for it."
All the young owls talked about now was the tapping. That was when they would all find out which chaw they would permanently be in. Thorn wanted to be in navigation, and Skreel wanted to get tapped for search-and-rescue. Lutta still desperately wanted to be in Hoole's double chaw, colliering and weather.
The shapeshifter was thinking so hard that she jumped when Dawn finally said, "That is the end of this Ga'Hoolology class. I hope you have all learned something tonight." She hadn't even gotten to the word 'class' when owls started spreading their wings and flying away gratefully.
Thorn sighed in relief and leaped into the air. Her wings caught an air current and she rose into the sky. "Come on, Thyme!"
Lutta watched the Pygmy Owl for a moment more, then followed her into the night sky. Wheeling around, then flapping her wings, she caught up with Thorn and soared beside her.
"Um… Raptor said that Emerilla was going to have an egg. Remember, at tweener tonight?" She flinched with disgust. How could Hoole…? Emerilla! That freak!
Thorn didn't notice the Great Gray's movement. "Yeah, tomorrow, I think."
"Oh, Glaux," muttered Lutta, struggling to make her feathers stay ash colored.
"It's great, huh? The chick can be heir so when Hoole dies there will still be a king!"
Yeah, great. "What about the ember? When Hoole dies, doesn't he have to bring it back to the volcano place?"
Thorn shrugged. "How would I know? I'm not even in a chaw; the older owls won't tell me anything!"
Lutta said nothing. Instead she beat her wings and flew onto a draft. Effortlessly she sailed above the sea that was all around the Ga'Hoole Tree. Looking down, she saw Strix Strumajen leading a navigation practice chaw, showing the young owls the constellations. The shapeshifter itched to dive down and rake her talons across the Spotted Owl's ugly face. But then Hoole would drive her out… where would she go?
Luckily, before she could do anything drastic, a loud whooooo caught Lutta's attention. All the owls in free flight swerved around towards the Tree. Is it the next meal already? Lutta thought, surprised. Dawn's chaw took longer than I thought!
Thorn called to her. "Thyme! Emerilla had an egg! Just now!" She was diving and soaring through the air in excitement.
Lutta felt her beak drop open and nearly went yeep just as she reached the entrance to the hollow in the Ga'Hoole Tree. Feeling her head spin, she lighted on a branch shakily. Owls were moving to the other side of the room where Hoole sat cheerfully. Emerilla wasn't there, but of course she was probably in the healer's hollow with her egg. Lutta reeled back in disgust.
"There's Skreel and Raptor and Oki!" said Thorn. "Let's go over there." The Pygmy Owl flapped her small wings. Much less enthusiastically Lutta followed her.
Ugh... sorry for the shortness... the next chapter will be longer, it's from Hoole's POV instead of Lutta's.