Soara and the Owls of Ga'Hoole

Chapter 7: Crows and Unexpected Creatures

"My lord," Nyra said. Her mate looked at her. "Our work at St. Aegolius is very nearly done. The last of the flecks are on their way. And I've brought you an offering with beating hearts." They looked at their soldiers. "Your new soldiers. Tested and pure."

She gestured to Kludd, who still didn't bother to look at the leader of the Evil Owls.

"One in particular shows exceptional promise. I'll be the judge of that. You. Soldier. Step forward. Yes, you're right to be afraid in my presence. What is your name?

"Kludd," the young owl said quietly.

"Speak up. " Metal Beak demanded.

"Ahem. Kludd! My name is Kludd," Kludd said.

"There. That's better. " Metal beak chuckled. "Remember, weakness is for the lower species... ...never for us. Do you know why, Kludd?"

"Because we are Tytos. " Kludd answered.

Kludd didn't hear the sounds of his youngest sister taking heavy breaths but saw the smile that krept upon his new leader's face.

"Oh, I got another one," Digger said for which felt like the thirtieth joke that night.

"Knock, knock."

"Please don't respond," Twilight begged.

"Who's there?" Gylfie asked.

"Don't encourage him," said Twilight. However, Gylfie and Digger ignored him.

"Owls."

"Owls who?" Gylfie asked.

"Here it comes," Twilight muttered.

"Ha, that's right. Owls whoo!"

"I told you."

"Because owls whoo. Funny."

"Absolutely pathetic."

"It's a very complex one, but it's..." Digger began explaining. However, he suddenly yawned. Soara looked.

"You know what, maybe it's time we go to sleep," Soara suggested. The owls took her suggestion, sitting on a branch as the night became the day. Mrs. P was curled up asleep, with Soara

"As the night falls, so do we
We fall asleep
We fall asleep..."

Soara felt Gylfie and Digger under her wings begin shifting. She gestured to the two of them to Twilight who confined playing as Gylfie and Digger fell back asleep. She rolled

We continue to fall asleep We fall asleep For dreams, they come on high!

Soara felt that go to her eardrums.

"Shh! Shh!" Soara shouted. Immediately Twilight quiet, but he had to finished his last verse.

"We are now asleep
We are now asleep...

"Shh!" Soara snapped. Immediately, Twilight stopped singing, but played one last note before succumbing to sleep himself.

The next evening the band was flying near dusk. However, Soara couldn't help but notice that Crow that had been following them for the past two hours.

"ou know, I think that crow is following us," said Soara.

"Yes. I've had my eye on him for a while," said Twilight.

"Know what an owl says when he's pecked by a crow?"

"Really, Digger, must you?" Twilight asked. A crow pecked Gylfie hard.