The Chronicles of Hototo, The Blood's Hearth

Chapter 2

Hototo jumped around outside in the courtyard, practicing flying. It took a lot of energy from him so he decided to go to the Library. There was no class that day so he had free time.

He walked in, ducking a large owl flying by, and picked out a thick book. He held it up to the lanterns. "Gawonii and the Flaming Sword".

Maybe it's fictitious, he wondered. His dislike for it was growing. Hototo preferred factual books over fairy tales. What's the point of a fake book? He always said, but he opened it anyways.

A picture was drawn on the first page, an owl who he guessed was Gawonii, who was perched on a branch in front of the moon. So it's a picture book. He snorted. Easy read. But something about the illustrations intrigued him, so he continued.

"Gawonii was a fair barn owl from the trees of Sylvania. He was young and handsome, many females striven to be his mate, but he refused to settle down. Something was not right about this owl. He wanted to explore.

"The owls of Sylvania do not believe in exploration. They're hard in their ways and never go outside their trees. But Gawonii hated to be held down. He wanted to discover new things. So, the young owl  flew off when no one was looking and set sail for the edge of the mountains.

"Many have said it was impossible to fly over the mountains, but he didn't believe in their silly thoughts. 'I will prove them wrong,' he said. 'I will fly over the mountains and beyond.' And so the brave owl flew over the mountains and beyond until he reached the crease between the sky and the ground. His wings were tired, so he rest on a tree branch.

"There he pondered about what his next step would be, but he grew too tired, and fell asleep. When he awoke, a fox was looking at him. He yelled in fright and fell out of the tree. The fox followed.

"'Do not be afraid, traveler. I've come to speak with you,' he said. Gawonii looked at the fox's bright yellow eyes and swallowed.

"'About what?'" he asked. The fox tipped his head in thought.

"'I have a deal you might want to make.'" Gawonii thought for a moment. Do I trust this fox?

Hototo looked at the drawing of Gawonii on the ground talking to the fox. Dane's drawing didn't look accurate to the book's.

"Gawonii was interested, and asked what the deal was. 'You will fly to the black mountain with me. It is of most importance that you come.'

"Gawonii thought. 'You will travel with me?'

The fox nodded. 'Every step.'

"Gawonii was not convinced, but was curious enough to accept the deal. 'Great,' the fox said. 'let's go.'

"And so the two traveled many miles. Gawonii found many interesting plants and lost things. Eventually, he took the bark from a dying tree and made a book to draw what he saw."

Hototo tapped the paper, thinking. I wonder if anything he did was based on real events? So he turned the page to find the drawings the said 'Gawonii' made. There was a strange flower with a bulbous top, riddled with spikes, and a fluff on the tip. He turned the page to find weird mechanics. They were smooth and round, some of them broken into shards. It was labeled Glass.

Interesting, he thought. Either someone had a very complex imagination making this book, or this isn't a fairy tale.

Right as he was turning for the next page, someone spoke behind him. "Hey, what are you doing?"

Hototo swiveled his head backwards, like most owls could do, and clamped his beak in fear. A guard with metal armor and a staff was looking at him. Hototo couldn't tell if he was angry, since his face was stolid.

"Reading...?" he answered, studying the owl's face. The owl blinked slowly, pulling up his staff.

"Reading hours are over. Owlets like you should be getting ready for sleep."

Hototo looked over the owl's shoulder. The moon was still high in the sky.

Hototo narrowed his eyes and tried to ignore the guard calling him an owlet. After all, it was a common mistake.

"I'm only reading. Besides, the moon is high."

The guard didn't like this answer and turned towards the entrance. "Put that book back, unless you want to check it out."

Hototo opened his beak in frustration. He wanted to say something rude to this owl, but instead said, "No, I won't check it out," And place it back on the shelf.

As he walked outside he saw the owl more clearly. Beneath his helmet he saw a young face, no older than Hototo. His feathers were ashy, including his face, which was strange given barn owls had white faces. But Hototo learned quickly that over the years of different species of barn owls mating, you never really new what the next owl would look like.

Something flashed in the owl's eyes. Hototo gasped. His eyes were amber!

"What is it?" the guard snapped. Hototo was taken away.

"I've just... never seen an owl..."

The owl's face softened. "With feathers like mine?"

Hototo didn't respond. The guard clicked his beak and turned away, hoisting his staff.

"Get on with it, will you?"

Hototo begrudgingly walked to his nest in a tall tree.. His mother was there pruning her feathers.

"Hello dear," she said. Her voice was tired.

"Long day?" he asked as he flew up. Hi smother sighed.

"Yes. Scouting days are becoming more and more strenuous."

Hototo nodded. His mother was a scout, which meant she and a team of owls patrolled the territory to make sure there were no intruders. They also hunted for the kingdom, bringing back food as large as a rabbit or cat. Hototo had never seen a cat before, but he heard it was good.

His mother nestled beside him and tucked her head under her wing. Hototo watched her for a moment before doing the same.