Chapter 1

From a branch in the fir tree that he called his home, Kludd viewed carefully the forest landscape before him. Earlier that day, his parents, along with Mrs. Plithiver, had left the hollow to go visit a friend of theirs, who had recently lost on of her hatchlings, and had put Kludd in charge until they got back. After they were gone, Kludd decided that it would be best if Soren stayed in the hollow while he kept a lookout for St. Aggie's patrols. Soren had, of course, objected, saying that Da had told them both to stay put in the hollow, but Kludd had eased his fears by promising Soren that he wouldn't be too far, and that, on each branch, he would shree once if he was alright and twice if something was wrong. He had even promised Soren that he could sleep in Kludd's nest for the night if he kept quiet to their parents and Mrs. P, as she was often called. With that, Soren promised to keep his beak shut, and Kludd made his way out the branch that led directly to their hollow and, after doing a careful check of his surroundings, shreed once to let Soren know all was well, as promised, doing the same thing with each subsequent branch. His new sister Eglantine, thankfully, stayed silent on the matter.

Now, as Kludd leaped to a branch far behind the hollow, he scanned the new horizon he saw before him. Maybe being noisy isn't such a bad thing after all. Kludd churred to himself, remembering his Da's earlier critique of his branching skills. Sure scared those St. Aggie's thugs away. No sooner was Kludd about to shree his signal, however, than he heard the sound of wings flapping, and within moments several large Barn Owls had landed on the same branch. For a moment, terror filled Kludd's gizzard, and he considered shreeing twice to communicate to Soren that something had happened, when he noticed the metallic glint of steel in the moonlight. Are those… Kludd thought to himself, his gizzard trembling in both awe and fear as he stared at their shining battle claws.

"I see you've taken an interest in our battle claws." A voice said, sounding interested, if not slightly amused. The voice had a lovely sort of lilt to it, Kludd noted, but he still held his ground. "No!" Kludd growled out defensively, although it was more of a shriek than a growl. "I won't let you take my siblings to St. Aggie's. I won't!"

The voice churred, a gentle chur Kludd would have found soothing, were he not so nervous, and replied, "Such a bold young Tyto, defending his family like that." Eventually, the owner of the voice joined the other Barn Owls in front of Kludd, and Kludd's bottom beak almost hit the forest floor; she was perhaps both the largest and most beautiful Barn Owl he had ever seen. Her black eyes sparkled like a midnight sky full of stars, the feathers on her wings and back were a lovely tan colour, her beak was a lovely peach shade that reminded Kludd of a rose his mum once brought home, and her chest and face feathers were a pure white, purer than Kludd thought possible for a Barn Owl. Her face, in itself, reminded Kludd of the moon – or at least, what little he'd seen of it in the forest.

"I promise you, young Tyto, we are not from St. Aggies and mean no harm." The moon – faced owl promised. "Well…" Kludd stammered, then regained his composure and shreed, "Then who are you, where are you from, and what do you want?" "Of course." The moon-faced owl replied. "It is understandable that you do not trust us. In any case, I am Nyra, adjunct general of the Tytonic Union of the Pure Ones."

"The whatta – what – what?" Kludd asked, shaking his head in confusion. Nyra churred. "The Tytonic Union of the Pure Ones, or simply, the Pure Ones. We are a group that believes that Tytos are among the purest species of owls, and we hope to populate all the owl kingdoms with owls of these species." This explanation relaxed Kludd's fears, but piqued his curiosity as well. "Tell me more." Kludd said, fixating his eyes once again on their battle claws.

And tell him more they did. Kludd was fascinated with the stories they told, which were nothing like those of his Da. There had been a story about the small part of Ambala that they had conquered recently, they had told him of Tytian, a small ruler they had driven out of a part of Silverveil, which they had later claimed, and countless others which impressed Kludd greatly. Eventually, Nyra spoke up. "On this particular night, we have been searching the owl kingdoms for recruits, and we believe you have potential." She then leaned over and whispered into Kludd's ear slit, "There is always room for fresh blood."

This might be my chance. Kludd thought to himself. I will protect my family, make Mum and Da proud! "I would definitely be interested." Kludd said, no hesitation in his voice. "But…" he added, a note of sadness in his voice, "I haven't had First Flight yet."

Nyra churred once more, and Kludd swore he had never heard a lovelier sound. "I'm sure this won't be an issue." She replied, and Kludd thought he would faint. "I'll speak to the High Tyto and see what we can do." And he'll let him join, I'm sure. Nyra thought to herself. He would make a wonderful Pure One. I can sense the fires of blood and rage stirring in his gizzard.

Eventually, Kludd pulled himself out of the trance Nyra put on him and remembered what he was here to do. "Well," Kludd stated, "I best be letting my brother and sister know that I'm okay. They're probably worried sick about me."

"Of course." Nyra nodded sympathetically, before adding, "What is your name, young'un?"

"Kludd." Kludd replied steadily. "Kludd Alba."

"Well, Kludd," Nyra said, a smile gracing her moon like face, "talons crossed we meet again. And please do think about it." And with that she, along with the other Barn Owls with her, hopped off the branch and flew away into the night as Kludd quickly hopped branch by branch, back to his hollow.

When he at last got back, he was bombarded with questions by none other than Soren. "Where were you? What happened? Are you alright?" "I'm fine, Soren, really." Kludd replied. "I just got distracted by the view and lost track of time." He didn't tell Soren about Nyra or any of the Barn Owls he had met. "You're not going to tell Da, are you?"

Soren shook his head no. "Cross my heart." He said simply. "Hope to fly." And never in Kludd's life had he ever been so happy with his brother. "Thank you." He said, carrying Soren towards his nest and plopping him down ever so gently before adding, "As promised."

That night, after Noctus, Marella, and Mrs. P returned home, Noctus told his hatchlings stories of Ga'Hoole like he always did. But when Kludd fell asleep that night, Soren tucked under his wing, his last thoughts were of Nyra, and an almost giddy feeling had settled into his gizzard.