I own nothing

Ch 2: Life in the Tree

It has been almost an entire moon cycle since the battle in the beyond. Ever since that fateful time above the rage fires of the sacred ring, my gizzard has been raging with emotion. Is it because of releasing the ember? Or is it Ella? She's unlike any owl I've ever met. She's intelligent, kind, and fearless, yet... I can't help but feel she's hiding something, pain she does not want to remember. In a way, she is much like me, and I can't help but fell attracted to her.

Coryn let out a sigh and dropped his quill. He couldn't help but review his own words. Just why did he feel this...explosion of emotions around the silver winged owl. It was all too confusing. Suddenly, the young king felt a presence over him. He turned his head to find his uncle standing in the hollow's opening.

"Good evening uncle. What brings you here?"

"You and I planned a little flight around the tree remember?"

"Oh! I forgot. Just let me put this away and we can be off,"

Coryn grabbed his journal and placed it in his special knitch and took off with his uncle. It was a peaceful night: a clear sky, gentle breezes, and the soft sounds of rolling waves. The duo landed in the library and met with Otulissa and Gylfie.

"Good evening you two!"

"Good evening Gylfie, you as well Otulissa," Coryn replied.

"What brings you both here?" Soren asked.

"I was hoping to check out a navigation book for my chaw, but it appears one of my students beat me to it," Gylfie replied.

"Who?"

"Ella. I must say, she's very quick to learn. Otulissa here just told me she's already got a firm understanding of higher magnetics. she also knows every constellations in the sky,"

"She's quite the student,"

Coryn felt his gizzard quivered at mention at the silver owl's name. What was wrong with him? Suddenly, Sprite, a Spotted Owl from the collier chaw swooped down.

"What is it Sprite?"

"Soren! There's a forest fire in Silvervile! The search and rescue and the tracking chaw have already been deployed, and Bubo believe there will be excellent bonk coals from this one!"

"In that case, Sprite gather the other members. Coryn, I'm afraid we'll have to cut our flight together short,"

"It's alright uncle, duty calls!" Soren took off to make preparations. Gylfie decided to take up the opportunity. She had seen how Coryn often shivered at the mention of a certain silver owl's name and how he would stare at her at tweener time. What she didn't mention to Coryn that she and Otulissa were also discussing how to get the two young owls together.

"Coryn, why don't you go talk to Ella? She could use the company,"

"Ugh, sure Gylfie," Coryn flew off and found Ella in back of the library.

"Good evening Ella, enjoying the book?" She turned to him and smiled.

"Good evening to you too Coyrn. Yes, it's very interesting. What brings you to the library?"

"My uncle and I were taking a flight together, but he and his chaw were sent out,"

"Oh that's unfortunate,"

"Perhaps... You would like to accompany me?"

"Oh, I'd love too. I've been here all night, so stretching my wings would be nice,"

Placing her book back on the shelf, she followed the king to the top of the tree. The moon and stars shown brightly, reflecting the the shimmering glow of the tree. Coryn looked to his companion.

"So Ella, tell me about yourself,"

"What would you like to know Coryn?"

"Where we're you born? Why were you the battle of beyond? Where did you learn to fight like you do?"

"Well I was born in... Tyto," Coryn noticed the hesitation in Ella's voice but thought nothing of it.

"When I was barely old enough to fly, my family was killed in a Pure One raid. I was the only one who got away. After that, I traveled all over the owl kingdoms: Kuneer, the Northern Kingdoms, Shadow Forest,"

"Amazing! Sounds like you've been everywhere,"

"Believe it or not, I've even been to the Middle Kingdom,"

"What? How?" She gave a churn.

"I was still an inexperience flyer, and I tumbled into the River of Wind. The monks found me and taught me some of their techniques and how to fly properly," Coryn saw Ella's expression harden.

"What's the matter?"

"I met the Striga while I was in the Middle Kingdoms. He was a companion of mine. So odd meeting him on the opposite side of the battlefield,"

"Oh Ella, I'm so sorry,"

"You don't have to be. The Striga was not my friend Orlando. He was a monster that needed to be dealt with,"

"I still can't repay you for what you did for me,"

"You already did, you gave me a new home and new friends. For that, I can't thank you enough," Coryn smiled at this then saw her shiver as a cold breeze passed.

"It's... Kinda chilly tonight. Here, let me help," Coryn wrapped his port wing around Ella to keep her warm, which she greatly excepted. As the night went on, Coryn felt the warm feeling in his gizzard grow it was then he finally realized:

Could this feeling be love?