War of the White Rain

by Gabjas

When the Pure Ones were defeated, a new era of peace spread through the kingdoms. The owls that helped in the endeavours have long since passed on to Glaumora and their tales are now legends just like the ones they dreamed of when they were only owlets. But all good things must come to an end.

2. Chapter One

The night was young and the moon hung low, a sliver in the fabric of night. The sea was calm; it lapped against the shores of an isle on which rested an immense tree, its branches spread in all directions, reaching to embrace the stars. The tranquility of the Tree was only interrupted by the collective humming of the gizzards of several young owlets, that were about to wake to find a variety of small objects placed beneath their nests, these would determine the chaw they had been tapped for.

Deep within the tree, a Barn owl was nestled in the midst of soft layers of moss and twigs and strands of dried grass entwined together. She had been awake for sometime, her obsidian eyes fixed on the dying coals of the fire before her.

"Marcella?" a yawn came from one of the other figures in the hollow. The Pygmy owl stepped towards the fire and was immediately bathed in the glow of the hearth.

"Noga, you're awake." the Barn owl said, her feathers ruffling in excitement. "Are you ready to find out our chaws?"

"Of course! I do hope I get Navigation. And you?" the Pygmy mused, plopping herself beside her friend. Marcella shrugged leisurely.

"Meh. As long as it isn't Ga'Hoolology, I'm happy." she smirked. The Barn owl faced her nest and hesitantly showed it away to reveal a molted feather. At first, it had appeared as if nothing had been there, as molted feathers were a common item to find; but she soon found the distinctive silver token placed beside it. "Search-and-Rescue!" she cried, relieved to find it was a chaw she could actually stand.

Marcella swiveled her head to face the Pygmy, excitement gleaming in her eyes. "Noga! What did you get?"

"...Navigation." she said quietly, staring at the token as if with disbelief. "Navigation."

"Thank Glaux! We both got great -" Marcella was interrupted by a soft rapping on the wood near the hollow entrance. The two owlets exchanged puzzled glances as Marcella stood slowly to her talons. "Come in." she called. A Short-Eared owl burst in abruptly, looking at the two frantically.

"Come quickly. There is a meeting in the Great Hollow, all residents of the Tree are required to attend." he gasped and with a nod, had vanished as quickly as he had come. Marcella stood in shock.

"A meeting? What could possibly be happening that would need all the inhabitants of the Tree?"

"Something serious." Noga said grimly.