The Owl Realms (Discontinued)

Chapter 6- The Preparing

 I’ve heard nothing of the whisperings since a quarter moon ago when they occurred. The gossiping and the rumors have long since died down, and for now, the Unit is at peace. Mother hadn’t managed to scrounge up any more information about the strange clouds, and she has refused to talk about it.

     Yesterday, I shed my last baby feather. Good riddance, they were becoming a rather itchy nuisance. My talons have elongated, become thicker, and are now curving slightly. They’re even larger then Bridget’s, and she’s nearly three moonrises older then me. Mother says that I’ve inherited my fathers’ deadly talons. 

     The last I saw of Khulus was two moonrises ago, when he flew past our hollow with a hunting patrol. He stopped and looked at me, his orange eyes glowing in the moonlight. Mother had returned at that moment and shoo’d him away... but I can’t help but to wonder why he had done so. 

    Mother is away collecting moss at the moment, she left as soon as the moon had risen. The stars glitter through the hollow entrance, and I gaze up at them in awe.  They’re so beautiful, like tiny diamonds twinkling in the scarce abyss. No matter how many moons go by, my obsession with stars will never truly leave me. I stretch my neck around and comb my stiff brown feathers with my beak. I still need time to get used to the texture, I’ve grown accustomed to soft fluffy white bits clinging to my mouth and making me retch with disgust. I stretch out my wings, the furthest feathers touching each end of the hollow walls. I can’t even stretch anymore without hurting myself. Two days ago, I had thunked my head against the hollow roof while working out the kinks in my spine.

    But, this is a night of excitement. My first soldier training session begins at dawn. I’ve long awaited this, and every time it crosses my mind, my tail feathers wriggle in anticipation. The night’s time of young has past, and the moon is beginning to sink below the horizon like a feather floating gently towards the ground. The wind is lazy tonight, and the giant leaves outside whisper quietly in the breeze. Mother should be back soon, she promised to fly me down to the Central Hollow when the time is right. That’s where soldier training is held.

    Mother had said that training occurs during daylight hours for the first few sessions. It was a tradition because The Great Ignatious had delivered his life-saving message from the spirits at dawn. I find it very noble, and even though I’m used to sleeping during the day, I promised myself that I wouldn’t complain. It’s what Ignatious would’ve wanted in a future soldier, and I commend myself to that. I eye the plaque beside me, the shiny laminated wood glowing in the moonlight. I know what it says, and I read it every morning before I fall asleep. It reminds me that the great spirit is watching over me. Cheesy, I know, but it’s comforting.

Suddenly, I hear rustling outside. I turn around, and I just catch Mother fluttering in from outside and landing gracefully inside the hollow. The plaque beside me wobbles precariously, and I hold out my talons just incase it falls. I turn my attention back to Mother, and her face is unsure. I stand almost just as tall as her now, our heights separated by only a few feather-lengths. I study her expression, and I disappointingly realize what I’ve been denying. “You can’t fly me to training today, can you?” I hoot. Her green eyes flit down to her feet, and her voice rasps out in a whisper, “No, I’m scheduled for a hunting patrol this morning. I’m very sorry, my love.” I roll my eyes, a scowl on my face. “I knew it,” I scoff. Mother straightens out and glares at me. “Don’t use that tone with me, young lady,” she hoots sternly, “duties are duties, we must uphold our responsibility.”

    I sigh inwardly as my feathers ruffle up in annoyance. “So who’s supposed to fly me to training?” I realize my voice was filled with unexpected venom, and I pause for a moment, trying for my best, 'I’m sorry’ face. Mother shakes her head as she sings,  “You’re lucky you’re even able to go to training today, so enough with the attitude.” I nod my head as she continues, “I’ve asked Basmah to take you there today. She’ll be here shortly.” The sun pokes it’s head above the water line, and dull pink light fills the sky. “Alright,” I say hesitantly, “will you be back before training ends? I want you to at least catch the end of it.” 

    Mother turns away from me as Laytha and Izzah appear outside, flying in place. “Well, c’mon!” Izzah hoots eagerly, her chocolate feathers gleaming and her big brown eyes sparkling. “We haven’t got all day!” Laytha peers past Mother and gazes at me with loving blue eyes. Her angelic white wings beat effortlessly as she hoots, “Hello Akeela! We’ll have your mother home before training comes to a close. I’ve already flown Bridget there, so you’ll have company.” I smile back at her and reply, “Okay, thanks Laytha. Hope the hunting’s good for you.” And with that, Mother leaps from the hollow and joins Laytha and Izzah outside, their wing tips nearly touching eachother’s as they hover. The two she-owls glide away as Mother hesitates next to the hollow. “My little hatchling is growing up,” she whispers. She flaps her wings in one elegant movement, and she’s gone. I hear a faint, “I love you,” before she disappears beyond the horizon. 

    I shake my head sadly as I proceed to groom my feathers again. Mother is a very busy owl, and sometimes I feel as if she never has time for me anymore. Is that how soldier life will be? Never having any free time, always completing duties? I sure hope not, I’m more of the free spirited type. “Akeela!” A raspy voice shouts and makes me jump. I spin around to spot Basmah standing in the hollow entrance. Her silvery feathers are silhouetted and and her kind amber eyes search me up and down. I shake my head frantically. I hadn’t even heard her arrive! “Wha... how did you..” I stutter awkwardly. Basmah smiles at me with a soft giggle before replying, “Lots of practice, dear.” I pause for a moment before turning my attention back to the matter at hand. “So, you’re flying me to the Cental Hollow?” I hoot, not being able to hide the excitement in my voice. Basmah turns to the hollow entrance, and then back at me, her silver feathers swaying. “Yes, much to your mother’s dismay. Ugh, that skittery old owl is always so hastled with the dubious tasks of the typical soldier.” I let out a tiny giggle as I nod my head in obvious agreement. “Basmah laughs along with me as she eyes me once again. “My, how you’ve grown,” she rasps, “and those eyes. I’ve never seen such a green, on any owl for that matter.” I puff out my chest proudly, and my beak curves back happily. “Well,” she hoots, “the day is young. Lets say we get you down to training, hmm?” I take a little jump as I squeal. “Yes! Let’s go!” 

    Finally, the moment I’ve been waiting for. It’s finally arrived after a full moon of unbearable anticipation. Basmah saunters towards the entrance, me at her heels, as she grasps me in her talons and flutters out of the hollow, her wings beating frantically to hold my weight. She lets out a tiny grunt as she hoots, “You’re so heavy now! I better not have to do this again!” With another grunt, she turns around in the air and takes off towards the Central Hollow.