"Roots And Beginnings"

Ever since that day Soren was haunted by his brother's hateful eyes.

It had been a year since Kludd had died.

Soren could not help but wonder if maybe if he tried harder, If he pushed Kludd to be better

Perhaps he would still be here.

Then again in the back of his mind something said that it might be for the best that his sibling is gone.

His own brother dead.

It was traumatizing.

He was still dealing with the shock of that day.

And that was the least of his worries.

He was known for the defeat of the enemy Metal-Beak.

After that day practically everyone knew him.

Always swarming him, asking his questions.

They wanted to be by him.

He did not like it very much.

He wanted to left alone.

The classes were not any better.

Being pent up inside with bored owlets made him feel miserable inside.

He wished that he was not the center of attention for the younger ones like himself.

He wanted to be normal.

Soren was snapped back into reality.

He was currently in the Healing Chaw of The Tree.

Soren always wanted to help others in any way he could, so he decided on taking on the task of plastering open wounds and mending broken bones.

The class has been more or less enjoyable for him since he started it last July.

He had learned many things about the body and all the names of the anatomy.

And surprisingly he also found that a gizzard is an organ that stores fluid along with rocks that an Owl would swallow to help digest food.

Rocks do not sound appetizing.

He was tired...

When would the day end?

He looked up from his writings to find the instructor looking right at him.

"Daydreaming again Mr. Soren?" She said gruffly.

Soren screeched in startlement, nearly keeling over.

She looked at him with discontent.

"Tsk Tsk Tsk" she mumbled to herself as he hobbled away.

"You have to do better, please pay attention Soren. No more daydreaming!"

The others looked at him.

Great now he once again made himself look like a fool.

Miss Victoria was a large grey Owl with small rimmed glasses and small blue eyes, and the last thing you want to do is get her mad.

Soren learned that one the hard way.

He was snooping in her Area.

Then he got caught.

His tail feathers still remembered that one.

He tried to listen to the lesson at hand but he could not.

And then he did exactly what she told him not to.

His mind wandered off to Gylfie.

She always reminded him of his Mother, if she was smaller that is.

She was the perfect size to fit under his wing being an Elf Owl.

Then there was Pellimore.

She was wonderful and kind to him.

He really liked her but still did not have the courage to tell her that yet.

He wanted to tell her how he felt.

Then there was Digger.

Digger was always quite Goofy.

He was usually like a child.

And his burly friend Twilight was no better, but at least he had his songs to cheer everyone up.

They were his friends.

He would not change it for the world.

"Soren!"

His eyes popped open to find everyone now leaving, Victoria looking at him with dismay again.

Apparently class had ended about two minutes ago.

He never followed what everyone else was doing and he was always somewhere else than in the class.

Maybe the Healing Chaw was not for him.

"You plan on sleeping among the papers?" she inquired.

"No..." Soren replied to her respectfully.

"Then Get Out!" She screeched at him.

He was practically tripping on his talons as he ran for the door.

As soon as he got to the hall the slab of Oak was slammed behind him.

Sheesh.

Tough customer.

He found Gylfie outside waiting for him.

"How was the first week of class?" she chirped.

That was a question he did not want to answer.

"Gylfie, I honestly feel like I just am not scratched up to do this" he sighed.

She looked at him with worried eyes.

"What happened?" she questioned.

Neither was that one.

"I will tell you about it later..." he said to her.

She was concerned now.

He did not want to talk about his troubles.

She still would not bother him.

"lets go to dinner, I am starving" he said softly.

The Dining hall was filled to the brim a usual.

Everyone was happy and full of cheer that evening, all of the Owlets talking about how they loved their classes.

If only that were true for him.

So many faces and so many Owls.

He decided to roost in a corner so he would not draw any attention.

There was the usual fish today, edible but a mouse would be better.

He was not hungry.

He wanted to disappear after he embarrassed himself today.

He stared out into the crowd blankly wanting to just sleep.

But then one Owl caught his eye.

This Owl was different, his amber eyes staring into his of the same color.

This was one of the former "Pure Ones".

It is most likely Oliver.

He was a Masked Owl.

Oliver was never an exciting Owl to say the least, he always seemed to be alone.

Soren knew Oliver as they were both in the Healing Branch.

Oliver's soot filled lungs always made him create this odd wheezing sound every time he took in and exhaled breath.

When they found him they took care of him, but that does not mean he was grateful.

He always seemed to have this cold atmosphere to him.

In his recovery Oliver did not talk to Soren Hardly At All.

And as an interesting side note, even though Oliver is male he has the coloration of a Female.

Soren did not think much of him being a Pure.

Oliver could not hurt him.

After dinner Soren left for his room, he was ready to flop into the darkness.

He was tired as usual.

Perhaps maybe tomorrow will be more exciting?

Maybe he will find something interesting.

I felt like "Kludd's Rival" deserved more. (Look it up to find what I am talking about.) I found him to be an interesting looking character, so I gave him the name of Oliver and a story after the fact. He will be important later. I hope you continue to enjoy the Book.