Marcella and Noga had jostled their way through the dense crowd of owls and owlets alike, they seemed to form a sea as vast as the one that surrounded the isle. Madame Bramble, the resident singer, was currently belting out a gale of notes accompanied by the soft and expert plucking of the infamous Grass Harp. She finished and a round of applause erupted from the crowd.
"Thank you, thank you!" she bellowed, taking a sweeping bow as the harp and herself were escorted off the platform by one of her choir students, whom was holding a glass of binglejuice for her. Marcella rolled her eyes.
"Look, Marcella! It's the king." Noga mused, astonished by his presence. The barn owl swiveled her head to see King Alistair, a wise Spotted owl and his queen, Althea. The entire crowd immediately tilted their heads and bowed before them. He rose a wing and churred.
"Arise." he said and the gathering stood once again to their talons. "Long ago, the owls of legend, The Band of Soren, stood where we stand. This Great Tree has sheltered our kind for centuries. And now after decades of peace between the kingdoms, an ancient evil threatens us once more." his kind an expression was now solemn as a gasp rose from the crowd. Owlets clung to their parents for protection and owls began to murmur to each other.
"Yes, my friends." he said grimly. "The Pure Ones have returned. There had been rumours that their forces had returned, but until now we had addressed them as just that, rumours. Slipgizzles were sent to investigate the canyons where the Pure Ones held their headquarters, few returned with their lives, but they managed to uncover a key secret."
"War. The Pure Ones and the Great Tree are soon to be at war."
The audience leapt into a frenzy, several outbursts and gasps added to the clamor. Marcella and Noga stared at each other, unable to speak. Marcella gulped. Owls were weeping and clutching their children or mates. King Alistair only stood with a frown, surveying the cluster of owls with his soft eyes. The noise eventually died down and the gathering fixed their eyes on their King.
"It is our time to give back to the Tree. To join together and defend our home and all the owl kingdoms from a force that seeks to destroy everything we hold dear. There will be dark times. There will be death and destruction and fear. There will be ones who will not return." he continued. Althea placed a comforting wing on his shoulder.
"But where there is darkness, we will be the light. Where there is death there are those that are saved. Where there is destruction there will be amends. Where there is fear there will be the love of friends and families and the watching gaze of Glaux over us. For where there is evil, there are the Guardians of Ga'Hoole!" the Spotted owl raised his wings and a roar of cheers and applause consumed the Great Hollow.
"Expectant mothers and owlets will stay in the Tree during the attack. We will be posting numerous guards throughout the Tree to assure their safety. All owls that are of able body and wish to fight with us is welcome. You will train under one the Parliament members. Certain chaws will be selecting some of their most advanced students to take up arms as well."
"Thank you, please return to your daily routines for now. The Parliament shall continue to discuss battle tactics." the King and Queen were led out by a few guards, the rybs following. Marcella turned to the Pygmy perched beside her, her gizzard humming.
"I am going to fight." she yelled over the collective noise of the owls.
"What?" Noga screamed, her eyes wide.
"I am going to fight! I want to fight."