Soara and the Owls of Ga'Hoole

chapter 9: Here at the Great Tree

The next evening, Boron was lecturing what they did in the Great Tre

"Here at the Great Tree... ...every owl trains in different skills we call 'chaws'. You'll study tracking navigating, combat," Boron explained "But maybe you're a blacksmith."

King Boron was right. They did nearly almost everything pertaining to, well, everything. During their one lesson, Soara and the others watched as the Guardians' blacksmith, Bubo made more than anyone could ever imagine. Soara admired all of the armory and even all the weapons.

During their combat chaw, Strix Struma taught Soara how to do combat. Soara actually bested her several times. Together, the two of them found each other crossing their branches. Strix Struma actually laughed as Soara gave her a smile. She was around  Twilights are and Soara noticed  they were giving googly  eyes  at  each other.  Soara and her friends later enjoyed the arts of navigation. Gylfie's eyes grew wide as the "stars" sparkled in her eyes.

During their tracking chaw, Soara, Twilight, Odysseus and Gylfie watched as Digger began tracking for that silly hermit crab. All the band covered their wings from being hit by the dirt. Digger found a shell and brought it back up. However, he did not notice the hermit crab coming out of his shell. However, the poor owl lost the sight of the Hermit crab as it fell out of his beak. However, the entire group saw the hermit crab come up from behind Digger and pinched him in the behind. Soara and the others began laughing while Dewlap just rolled her eyes at the sight of it all.

One evening, she and Gylfie took the lanterns and watched as they took over the sky. This entire group enjoyed time at the tree. They had been able to stay in the same abandoned hollow that was left by one of the other students before they became a ryb and a guardian at the same time. Soara, Twilight, Gylfie and Digger hung out most of the time when not in classes and lessons. It gave them more time to know each other a bit better.

After their flight they took walks through the tree's hall Soara began coughing as the smoke came into her nostrils. She looked over to see that strange owl Ezylryb in the room with flame and ember coming out of the basin. He opened his green eyes, eying Soara with his good eye.

"Fire, girl," Ezylryb said. "It's the lifeblood of the Tree. There's nothing more dangerous. Hm?"

He looked her in the eye.

Later...

"Owls." Strix Struma said during their combat chaw. She threw the weapon at Twilight. She brought down her wing, revealing the pigmy owl, Primrose.

"You must be joking," Twilight said.

He regretted that line moments later, when Primrose beat him to a pulp before flying away. Twilight began chasing her.

"Preposterous! Come back here! I wasn't ready!" he shouted.

]Feel the air!" Queen Barran cried. "Follow me."

The band flew with the Queen as they enjoyed the night flight.

Somewhere at St. Aegolius, Metal Beak stood at the top of his perch with his wife lower than him. In front of him was

"My soldiers, my sons..." began Metal Beak. "...many of you have heard of me in late-night whisperings... ...but I assure you, I am not a myth. I am real. And I stand before you with one simple truth: The strong shall rule the weak. Long ago, I was viciously attacked by the coward Lyze of Kiel... ...for defending that truth. Now I wear this mask to conceal my scars. But the metal is strong. It is a symbol of the Pure Ones' strength and resolve. It is time to set a fire that will consume the owl kingdoms... ...and take back what is rightfully ours! Because we are Tytos! We are Pure Ones! And I am Metal Beak!"

"Metal Beak. Metal Beak," the other Pure Ones chanted. Up higher was Kludd, who was changing with the others as well.

"Metal Beak. Metal Beak," he continued.

"Kludd?" came the voice of Eglantine.

"Metal Beak," Kludd said his voice faltering.

"Kludd," Eglantine said again.

"Metal Beak, Kludd said, but he looked down at his youngest sister.

"I miss Ma and Da. I'm scared."

"Don't be. You're with me now. Eglantine, this is our home. They really appreciate us here."

"Kludd, please, could we just go find Soara?"

Kludd froze at the mention of their sister's name.

"Hey, hey! Forget about Soara. Soara is weak. We're Tytos. Pure Ones."

"Kludd, I promise I won't tell anyone what you're doing. I just wanna go home."

"All right, Eg."

"So, we could go? When?"

"Tomorrow, but for tonight," Kludd said as Nyra landed next to him, "just sleep."

He moved away as his sister gazed at the full moon.