I promised another chapter, and here we go. I am always really gun-ho when I have a lot of inspiration when I first start, but the updates will slow as time goes on. Anyways, I hope you guys enjoy this chapter! Read, review, and favorite! It will make my day!
After the night of her early branching, and slim escape from Brood, she stared out of her hollow on another ebony night, dotted with white stars. It almost looked like her plumage. She stepped out, now being able to actually branch without having to dodge any of her 'superiors' who would scold and punish a young owl branching too early.
She flung out of the nest after a broody who had lost all of her eggs, she was leading Thalia to her own hollow, within the same good branching district. Thalia had strengthened her wings since her first branching, and could fly longer distances than other owlets her age, considering she was constantly sneaking out to test her wings, so they just happened to be stronger and more experienced than other owls her age.
She flapped after the broody as she led her down a winding path of canyons. The broody screeched for a pause, as she could probably tell Thalia was starting to lose control of her wings. She lighted down on a ledge, her chest heaving slightly as she looked to the broody.
"We stopped why?" She demanded as she caught her breath. The broody gave a shake of her head.
"You were obviously tiring." He replied with a patient gaze, broodies the nicer lot of the Pure Ones.
Thalia huffed. "I'm fine. Let's keep going!" She screeched, her gaze growing impatient. The broody mumbled 'Great Glaux' underneath his breath before flying again. Thalia stumbling slightly as she shoved off, but regaining her composure, she flew rather silently after him, slightly using the ledges on the last stretch, occasionally shoving off of them.
They paused by her hollow. "Here." The male broody said with a small smile. Thalia grunted as she shoved past him.
"This looks fine." She finally said as she glanced around, hiding the screeching owlet inside of her that was absolutely delighted to be in her own hollow.
"There is a Tyto that will be supervising this stretch of the branching canyons. They spot owls that will be good soldiers, and are basically in charge of telling the High Tyto what they think every young owls spot should be in the hierarchy." The broody explained before leaving rather quickly.
Thalia glanced around her hollow, excitement in her gizzard as she came to the edge of it, stretching her wings and flying around. Her First Flight ceremony would be soon, and she couldn't wait so she practiced hard, trying her hardest to not use the ledges that protruded from the side of the canyons. She shreed as she saw the supervisor, slightly shocked as she steadied her flight rather quickly. The owl had a battle helm on, which seemed odd to Thalia.
She narrowed her eyes as she circled around the strange owl, her gaze searching the feathers as the size also didn't seem quite Tyto shaped. She almost went yeep when she saw the feathers of a Great Horned. He was watching the branching owls with great interest. She opened her beak and gave a great screech as she dived, not having practiced on a real life owl, her talons clinked right off of his armor. She knew the screech would bring some Pure One soldiers though.
"Wait!" The horned owl boomed. "I can take you to the tree! You will be safe from this horrid place!" Thalia felt hatred seep into her eyes as she dived again, trying to get underneath his armor, managing the grab a talonful of feathers from his wings. She watched as they fluttered through the air. She saw several Pure Ones approaching, and as the owl tried to take off they came upon him. There were screeches and she saw two Pure Ones plummet from the sky, but then the body of the bigger owl finally dropped. He was outnumbered.
She landed on a little ways away from where the fight had been fought. A Tyto Alba gave her a look of interest, before flying off. 'That was odd. No higher Tyto's ever look at me like that.' She thought, but she noted the look of slight contempt that was mostly hidden. She shrugged it off, and slid into her hollow. Her gaze delighted as her eyes widened with the thrill of a battle. She knew tomorrow she would be able to have her very own pair of real battle claws, and she couldn't wait.
Sleep tried to evade her that night as she shifted nervously, but finally it came, allowing her some rest for her big day.
This chapter was a bit shorter, but I just wanted to add some action. I didn't want to make her win a fight or get very involved because I don't want her to be a Mary-Sue, but I just thought a little bit of action would do good. She is pretty much already flying because of a ton of late night practicing, but she still can't stay in the air for too insanely long. Hope you all enjoyed! Review and Favorite and I will see you all next time!
~Fangirl2005