Origins

[Battias]

Chapter 16

A couple days after the raid, Ryth lined up in front of Kyraa along with every other member of the division. Ryth hasn't seen or spoken to her father since then, and has been scouting around with Cobrin recently. Ryth had an Idea what was happening, "One of our few slipgizzles noticed Guardian activity, they are surrounding the area, they don't know where we are, but they have an idea. We don't know if it's an invasion or just spying, but I am sending all of you out to scout outside, use all of your senses, If you here a single sound, investigate. Go now!" Ryth left along with everyone else. She started out by heading a distance away from the fortress, The moon blocked out by dense clouds, sight would be nearly useless, all she could make out were silhouettes of the canopy of trees. She heard the new winter winds rustling the leaves and needles of the trees. She heard the insects below making noises, covering any other suspicious noises. She finally heard something that was off, a heart thumping, it sounded deep enough and fast enough to be a large owl's, she went in to investigate, her battle claws ready. Sitting in the bushes was an owl, unarmed but watching, it was a Great gray. Ryth landed nearby and hid herself among the thick needles of a spruce, and watched. The owl make a clicking with his beak, suddenly a elf owl hidden from sight joined him, and just watched, this wasn't hunting, it was possible spying. Ryth turned around and headed back to the fortress, reporting to Kyraa.

"We have eight reports of spies. This is enough to begin a battle, ready yourselves because tomorrow we begin bringing chaos to Ambala. We start by starting a small forest fire, nothing too big, using confiscated coals from recently killed smiths. We will need to find an area without much brush or flammable material, just trees. We don't want it to be big or else they will have the advantage. We spare none of them. I will talk with the Supreme commander about this. You may leave for now, get rest." Ryth was the last to leave, this would be a big fight, but not the biggest. Instead of resting, Ryth made her way to the training room, it was empty except for a few recruits who have yet to commit Tupsi, training up to be the best. She wanted to work on live prey, so she grabbed a pair of training claws and headed out. She flew around in the Forest of Tyto, looking for small birds, while at the same time trying to not be spotted by spies. She heard chirping, a small songbird was singing during the night silence, She made her way to it, following it's noises, and eventually found it. She snuck up behind it before it turned its head and spotted her, trying to flutter away but recieved a good hit from the dull battle claws. The claws didn't slice through, but she hit it hard enough to stun it, she imagined if they were real battle claws, it would be dead instantly. Ryth took off once claw and made her way down to the stunned songbird which laid at the forest floor, she used her talons to finish it off. She ate on the spot, hungry from not eating anything in a long while, and started making her way back, continuing the procedure any time she found another small bird or rodent.

[Battias]

Chapter 17

Ryth awoke suddenly by a loud screech, a random guard screeched out, "Report to your commanders! We are attacking!" Ryth felt her heart speed up, and left, looking back to nod torwards Cobrin. She arrived, everyone was silent and screeching could be heard outside, Pure ones rushing to their places. Kyraa spoke finally, in a very motivational speech"The so called 'heroes' come, we can hear their cries! The cowards will flee as our kingdom comes through the pale moonlight, our hearts will ignite to their call! Go ahead and claim your prizes, crowns of bones! In the name of Glaux be the sacrifice! We will stand and fight with our backs to the wall! There is no escaping this... so let the fever rise as our soldiers rage and our goal's in our sight, Maybe i'll be the one who falls. If this is so, lay me down on a bed of dead Guardians, I will watch you fight when you reply to their call, Follow me into battle until the very end! Let's go, to the armory!" Kyraa leapt off her perch and headed torwards the armory, everyone followed. Ryth grabbed a pair of battle claws and sharpened them quickly with a hammer in the armory, as a bunch of other soldiers were doing. Kyraa screeched, "One of my soldiers has to wear a pair of fire claws! Any volunteers?" One owl took up the offer, but seemed a bit worried about wearing the claws, he was probably worried about his talons damaging. Ryth put on her battle claws and waited for Kyraa to leave, after she did, Ryth followed.

Ryth carried a burning coal through the humid forest, Ryth spotted a small grouping of trees with a lack of brush to catch fire, "Kyraa! Down there!" she called, Kyraa looked and nodded, heading down. Ryth found a dead tree, dry and large, best to burn. She planted the coal between a forked limb, and flew off, a few seconds later the tree began to burn. Ryth picked up the coal quickly and began to move on, she felt her talons starting to burn, the coal was too hot. She dropped it again on a nearby tree, which began to burn aswell. She went in to pick it back up, but suddenly a young barn owl darted out from a nearby bush, along with another owl, and another, they were Guardians. Ryth fled to regroup, and then turned and fought. The moonlight disappeared behind a thick cloud, a screech owl charged torwards Ryth. Ryth locked her talons with the screeches in attempt to block it, the screech pushed her back, Ryth recovered quickly and dove under the screech, flipping and slicing the underside of his wings. He fell, a shower of red drops following. She took a deep breath, and looked back torwards her group, she found one of her group members getting overwhelmed, she joined the Pure one and fought back, she defeated them and scanned for more enemies, but she spotted something else, a bunch of barely-trained front line owls charging in, putting up a worthless fight, one of them was her father. She watched him fly past all of the Guardians, not even fighting, just tears down his face, and him screeching something she couldn't make out through the fighting.

[Battias]

Chapter 18

Ryth ignored her father, he wasn't in immediate danger. She felt a sudden gust of hot air coming from the fire throwing her upward. She regained her balance and headed to find Kyraa. She found her flying slowly scanning for more enemies, she had blood on her face, it looked like her own, Ryth flew a little bit behind her. "What's the plan now?" Ryth asked, Kyraa scanned around, "Flank them, you saw the front line over there, we need to approach from the side, I sent most of the other Pure ones in the group to attack from the other side. You and those two are with me," Kyraa said nodding her head downward torwards two other Pure ones, who were on the ground, they flew up and joined them a few seconds later. "We lost two Pure ones from the group, I'm relieved that you didn't get caught in that ambush, I shouldn't of sent a couple of my soldiers alone, the other two who I sent on the 'fire duty' are dead." Ryth nodded slowly, "As you said before, they are the sacrafice for our cause," Kyraa looked over to her wide eyed, she made a small smile and nodded slowly. Ryth spotted a very large group of Guardians ahead, Kyraa screeched, Ryth followed and attacked, she outstreached her legs to the side with her talons open wide, the battle claws sliced the tail of two guardians and the face of another, they all fell, the ones without their tails left without control in their flying, one ended up trying to take off but hit a tree. She turned around and spotted her father again, but this time on the ground

Ryth looked at her father, he wasn't moving, blood soaked his left wing and chest. Ryth felt a tear drop from her eye and shook her head, disappointed. She made her way torwards him, she got into a fight with a Great gray, where her chest was tagged and she began bleeding in small drops. She finished him with a slash torwards both wings. She found her father breathing quickly, he saw her, and screeched, "It's no hope! Stop! They won't kill you if you surrender! They aren't cold hearted!" When Ryth heard this her head pounded and she felt herself heat up, she screeched back, "No! I fight for where I belong! I don't succumb to the enemy all because of a traitor!" Her father started sobbing, was he trying to trick her into feeling guilty? She clashed with a Saw whet, she was fast but Ryth practiced with those finches, she slashed torwards the saw whet, she attempted to block but Ryth made her stumble, where she took another swing, the saw whet died. "No! stop please!" Ryth couldn't take him, he was insane, he wasn't dying, critically injured, he was just lying there, doing nothing. Ryth fought until Kyraa joined, Ryth had to get away from her father who laid below, Kyraa couldn't hear his traitorous talk, he would get her in trouble even if she wasn't at fault, She said to Kyraa, "We should push back! We're too close, we've done enough damage, they'll overwhelm us again," Kyraa nodded, "Taken into note. Lets go," They left, Ryth not looking back, she would return after the battle is over to silence her father's insanity.

[Battias]

Chapter 19

Ryth coughed, she was exhausted from the large battle, "We won," someone said from behind, multiple different bodies scattered the ground, both Pure one and Guardian, "Alright, let's do a body count. We need to see if we really 'won', because we may have lost more soldiers. Mark the dead by covering their face in dirt, keep counts of both Guardians and Pure ones." Ryth headed off into the scorched forest, the fire stopped burning an hour ago before the fight ended. Ryth did as told, heading in her father's direction, she covered several guardian's faces in the dirt mixed with ash, there seemed to be the same amount of Guardians as there were Pure ones lying on the ground. The moon was covered by smoke still rising from the small dying fires that lasted this long. Ryth finally approached her father, who wasn't moving, but was breathing.

"Traitor..." Ryth said landed next to him, "I should of done something," Ryth whispered harshly, hoping to not be heard, "For us... or for THEM?" Her father shook his head, she pressed on his wing with her talons, "Why do you act like this? What happened to you? Tell me now!" Urax shook his head, Ryth was now ashamed to call him her father, "I've hesitated a lot, and have made many wrong choices, and I want to undo something every time I try something. Not everything could be undone, your uncle, who was 'better' than me, along with your grandfather, they had to leave me to my mother because of this blasted fighting, I was able to fly but yet too young to join, as I haven't learned many basic skills. St. Aegolious owls... they raided us, my mother was backed into the corner, I had the chance to run or save my mothers life, she died because of a wrong choice I made, It's my fault, and it's my fault for everything," Ryth shoot her head, "You've gone mentally unstable, The trauma came back after you joined, but before then you had confidence," Urax breathed deeply, Ryth asked, "Do you want me to end you now, or leave you to the scavengers?" Urax shook his head, and started to have tears roll down his face, "Any way... you want, I don't want my own daughter to be haunted by killing me..." Ryth took a deep breath, and said suddenly, "I wasn't haunted by killing my mother," Urax looked at her shocked, "The egg, I... I destroyed it," Ryth looked at him confused and angered, he wasn't right, he started babbling. She took a single battle claw, and slowly put it through his heart, her own heart beated quickly, he let out a single breath, and Ryth put ash covered dirt over his face, and left him. She returned to Kyraa, where she reported the count of dead, the amounts added up to near equal losses on both sides, the Guardians only lost two more soldiers then them, so this was a true victory.

[Battias]

Chapter 20

"Private Ryth, I've seen what you are capable of," Ryth had a quick shiver, she was thinking about her father's death, but it didn't worry her too much, "I hope you can keep this up. All of my soldiers recieve promotions privately, and well, I am glad to now call you Corporal Ryth," Ryth looked at Kyraa, and nodded, "Thank you, Ma'am," She responded softly, Kyraa actually smiled, larger than her usual, almost unnoticeable smiles, "Is there anything to wish to know," Ryth asked suddenly, not thinking on it, "How are you such a good speaker?" Ryth recoiled a little bit, scared about the outcome, "Ryth, Swear to me you won't go telling this off to everyone," Ryth nodded, "I'm not a very social owl, Ma'am... Kyraa," Kyraa nodded, there was a moment of silence, 'Before I say this, remember, I am not that stuck up, I do not mind titles such as 'ma'am, officer, commander, whatever, they don't show that much respect to me, my name is what shows respect," Ryth nodded, "I was a gadfeather before I joined," Ryth looked at her, confused, "Isn't singing, uh, not really 'respected'?" Kyraa nodded, "Thats why I dropped singing, but my skill left me excellent speaking abilities," Ryth breathed deeply, this would change her views of Kyraa, she admired her, "Corporal Ryth, you are dismissed, spread your promotion if you please," Ryth nodded, and left.

"Cobrin, I was promoted," Cobrin spread his wings, "Congratulations, I'm expecting one soon," Ryth nodded, "What happened on your side during the battle?" Ryth asked, hoping to get conversation started during the boring dusk in the low ranking hollow, "We guarded, nothing happened except for Guardians found us, a party of four, we... got them before they escaped..." He said, acting a little strangely, "Where's your father?" Ryth sighed, "I'm not like him, Okay?" Cobrin nodded, "I know he was acting strange recently, "Keep this a secret, or..." She couldn't make a consequence, he was a good friend, she wouldn't do anything to him, "I had to end him, He... he went insane during the battle, he succumbed to the enemy and tried to join them, but was downed, he was in pain and was just babbling, I had to or else if another Pure one found him, he might get me in trouble," Cobrin nodded, he looked disturbed, "I understand, If you're telling secrets to me, I'll tell one," Ryth looked at him, "You don't have to, I'm not making..." Cobrin interrupted her, "I enjoy having you as a friend, and I feel something more that I can't explain. I'll leave it at that," Ryth looked at him confused before understanding, did he feel love torwards her? It was too early, she couldn't become wingfast with him until many, many moons have past, when her views change, right now fighting this war was the most important thing.

[Battias]

Chapter 21

about a month after the battle, and the killing of her father, the winter wind and cold dominated every kingdom. Ryth approached a hollow, hoping to meet with a 'slipgizzle', she was arriving unannounced, this was an enemy slipgizzle, but her mission was to persuade him to join them, he was a old barn owl who had very important information, he even had information about slipping past the powerful currents of air surrounding the island that the Great tree rests. She entered, the slipgizzle was there and he turned around startled, Ryth pointed her battleclaws torwards his neck, she was given permission to kill him if this went wrong, "We know who you are!" The slipgizzle backed up, "You do? Then kill me then!" Ryth shook her head slowly, still keeping focus, "We'll let you live under one condition, you work for us. You tell us everything you know." The slipgizzle shook his head, "I'ld rather die," Ryth shook her head, a smirk on her face, "And risk your family too? Your son lives in a spruce in silverveil with his owlet and his mate, your daughter is somewhere in the beyond. We have our own tricks," The slipgizzle started sobbing, "Fine! Just leave them be! I... I'll go with you, we can discuss what I... Know along the way," Ryth lowered her talons, still prepared, "No, you'll tell what you know to my superiors," The slipgizzle nodded, "Remember, double cross us and your family is dead, no trying to relocate them either," The slipgizzle nodded, giving a shakey sigh, and following her into the moonlight.

"Will... will I be free after t...this?" Kyraa nodded, "As long as you do as we ask you, give only false information to the Guardians, and give us all the information you know. We know you are close to the Guardians, and have learned things," The slipgizzle breathed deeply, asking shakily, "And my family?" Kyraa added strongly, "Will be left alone as long as you do not relocate them or tell them anything," The slipgizzle blinked rapidly, "Ryth, you are dismissed, Thank you for your service," Ryth left slowly as he began revealing things to Kyraa. Ryth ended up in the low rank hollow, it seemed empty that night, Cobrin was gone. Ryth rested, looking at where her father used to sleep, it was occupied by a new recruit. She began thinking about her father, he wanted to lead Ryth to have a good life, and have good goals, he accomplished that, but at the end of his life he seems to have taken that back, and believes he misled her, Ryth was an adult, she knew what she wished to do, she had her own goals set now, her father didn't matter, but she missed him. He was loving, in his own insane way. When Ryth was an owlet, he was a strong role model, and showed he cared for her even though he was strict, but he withered away after time, his trauma came back to him and destroyed him when he joined her in the Pure ones.

[Battias]

Chapter 22

Ryth stood beside the slipgizzle, who was hunched over and looked exhausted, "Wait outside the room, Siloh." She said torwards the Slipgizzle, he nodded sadly, and headed outside. "Ryth, I'm sending you on an extended 'mission', you will not return home for a while, I'm sad to say. You will escort the slipgizzle back to his home, but instead of returning, find a nearby hollow and rest. You are watching over the slipgizzle to make sure he doesn't do anything suspicious. In one month, someone else will come to take your spot. You will still recieve missions as usual, but you won't be standing in front of me when getting them, a messenger will tell you. Good luck, and do well," Ryth said proudly, "Yes Kyraa! I shall see you in one month." Kyraa nodded, "And you too, dismissed." Ryth headed outside and looked at the slipgizzle, "Go, Now! I am to escort you!" Siloh stepped forward and took off, Ryth followed him. They left the fortress, she had no time to say goodbye to some people, but she would see them again... maybe. Siloh began speaking, "Wh... What's your name?" Ryth stayed quiet for a few seconds before answering, he turned his head away, "Ryth." She said simply and emotionless.

Ryth let him into his hollow before leaving, she found a tall pine across from his hollow, it had a small empty hollow inside which was perfect for a temporary stay, it had remenants of past visitors, decayed moss and talon marks on the floor, a small alcove in the wall to store some small things, and a small hole which was probably used by a nest maid for entry. Whatever happened didn't matter. Ryth watched the slipgizzle from her hollow silently, the sun was starting to rise and he looked tired, his hollow was medium sized, it had several small alcoves in the walls, with various items scattering them, a small vial, furs, and a broken pair of battle claws. The slipgizzle slept, Ryth placed her battleclaws lended to her into her alcove and headed out, she gathered various types of mosses, unsure of what was best, and headed to her temporary home. When she arrived she dropped the moss, and made her bedding. She looked around the entrance of her hollow, and noticed how easy is was to spot like this, and headed out with her battle claws. She cut into a nearby pine and took its sap in a rounded piece of dead bark, and headed back home, she used the sap to stick needles and branches around the entrance the make the entrance smaller and more unnoticeable, she watched the slipgizzle, who was still sleeping, for a few more minutes before falling asleep herself.

[Battias]

Chapter 23

Ryth woke up as the moon was starting to rise, the Slipgizzle was still sleeping, he looked as if he showed signs of waking soon, such as stirring. Ryth watched for a few minutes before he woke with a flinch, he made a heavy sigh, and went about his night. He watched out his hollow until he spotted a small squirrel heading to its home for the night, he killed it and ate it. He went back into his hollow as rain started to come down, Ryth pressed the needles and branches down around the entrance in an attempt to keep the sap from washing off. He began reading a book, it was hidden from view, the cover said nothing on it, he ended up plucking one of his feathers and took a vial filled with black ink, and began writing, Ryth still watched as it was what she was sent to do. He had a boring life, he was alone. His book looked important, he hid it behind a pile of various items in an alcove, she could investigate it earlier, but she needed permission. Ryth watched for a few hours, nothing interesting happened.

two days later, the winter had its full power hitting the area, the snow pounded the ground and trees, the sky was very dark. Ryth waited for a messanger from Kyraa to finally visit, but they seemed to be not coming soon at all. Suddenly, a guardian entered his hollow, armed with their well made battle claws, Ryth couldn't hear through the wind whistling, and moved closer, out of the safety of her hollow. She could finally hear them, but some of the information was blocked out by the sound of the winds, "...Temporary base at the shadow forest... Strong forces... no idea when they'll move out... Planning an attack?" Ryth made out from the slipgizzle, she knew he was lying to the Guardian, they didn't have any base in the shadow forest, only a small weak scouting outpost, and plus he ended up giving the wrong location afterwards, the guardian believe him, she nodded, "Very well, Thank you, do you need anything," she asked the slipgizzle Ryth shifted uncomfortably, the Guardian, which she could now make out as a screech owl, was a danger. If the slipgizzle told her he was under control of the Pure ones, he and his family would be killed, "N... No" he said hesitantly, everything was going well. The guardian left, Ryth was hidden by the snow, she waited a while longer before she returned to her hollow when everything was safe, finally a Pure one arrived to her hollow, "Be still! No sudden movements! Are you corporal Ryth?" Ryth nodded, not too intimidated, the messanger stood down, "Heres a little test, who is your commander? Where is the Pure one base?" Ryth said smugly, "Kyraa, a fortress in the beaks hidden away by shrubs and trees," The messanger nodded, "It took me forever to find this hollow in the snow, whats happened so far?" Ryth answered, "The slipgizzle has been going on normal life, a few hours ago he met with a guardian and fed her false information." The Pure one said a few seconds afterward, "Kyraa has a mission for you, theres a blacksmith nearby who is annoying us by not supplying us his weaponry, which is well crafted. Convince him to supply us or kill him, he hopefully has a few of them for use." Ryth responded, "Yes sir. Go ahead and make your way out, tell Kyraa my location," The messanger left, Ryth prepared herself.

[Battias]

Chapter 24

Ryth Approached the forge, she peered in slowly, but noticed no heat coming from the forge, It wasn't active currently. She entered slowly wearing a single pair of Battleclaws, stepping lightly in the cramped space as to not make any noises. Daylight streamed in, she hoped the smith would be asleep. The small entrance opened up into the large main room, where the work was done. The forge was artificial, the walls were neat and crude wooden supports lined the wall, a hole in the roof of the small cavern for ventilation. Ryth found very nice pairs of battle claws lining the walls, some russet in color, some Silvery. She noticed a small passage to the right side of the room, she approached it preparing, She peeked over and saw a Burrowing owl reading, Ryth thought to herself, confused, the smith wasn't a burrowing owl himself, he was supposedly a Masked owl? Ryth snuck through the narrow space, and when she was behind the Burrowing owl, she threw him to the ground. "Oh Glaux! Please, don't hurt me!" Ryth held him down firmly, "Where's the smith!" The burrowing owl shivered in fear, "He... wen't away for business, I'm watching his f... forge for him..." Ryth shook him harshly, "When will he be back?" The burrowing owl said shakily, "Please, you don't want to hurt anybody, You'll be destined for Hagsmire, but Glaux will forgive you if you hold back..." Ryth responded, "Pilgrim, You're pitiful preaching won't stop me," The burrowing owl continued, "Look deep into your heart, find the passion you are holding inside, and..." Ryth cut him off by shoving a stone into his beak, "Answer me, or you die slowly. When will the smith be back?"


Ryth ended the Burrowing owl's life, he was actually useful, he revealed the smith would be back in a day. Ryth removed the body and decided what she should do next. She decided she would stay and wait, and begun looking around the forge. She studied the book the pilgrim was reading, an old book about the history of the Great tree, She thought about throwing it away, but realized it might hold some information about the great tree, as the Pure ones didn't have access to the books they store. She shut it and headed to the main room, she studied the Battle claws, it had barbs sticking out, possibly to make slashes more deadly. Ryth picked them up, they were light, and felt fairliy durable. She continued looking around before stopping to rest, and wait.

[Battias]

Chapter 25

Ryth left the Forge after grabbing a spare pair of Battleclaws, hers have cracked after she accidentally struck the wall when ambushing the Smith as he entered his forge. She sighed as a cool wind rustled the leaves of the trees. She took off, careful not to provoke any crows in the bright sunlight beaming down. She travelled a few minutes, undisturbed, before noticing crows mobbing something up ahead, Ryth dipped below the canopy of trees, the crows cawing away chasing some helpless... animal. Ryth didn't spot what they were chasing, she liked the feel of the battleclaws. Ryth approached the mob, they were in her way as she headed back, and she has wasted too much time already, there wasn't any sneaking around. She looked confused as she spotted what they were mobbing, another crow. She decided to test her new battleclaws, She swooped upward and slashed torwards two of the crows, the barbs on the Claws tearing away at their feathers and skin. They fell, and she ended a few more before continuing on. The crow being mobbed only had two other crows on him now, the two remaining realized the other crows were dead, and scattered, scared. Ryth continued on back to her hollow.


Ryth spoke with the fellow Pure one, "Yes, he's dead along with another owl, pilgrim I suppose. He has many battle claws, two different metals but fashioned the same, they have these barbs on them for tearing away feathers and flesh," the Pure one nodded, and responded. "Ryth, you're returning tomorrow. Someone's taking your place here tomorrow. Just... keep watch for now, okay?" Ryth nodded before the Pure one left. Ryth turned, but suddenly a crow crashed into the hollow behind her, she turned quickly and looked at him, he laid on the floor, unmoving, he suddenly spoke in Hoolian, something crows usually didn't do "Don't hurt me," Ryth put on her battle claws while he was dazed and held them down torwards him, "Wh... What's going on?" The crow got up slowly, "You... you saved me from being mobbed, I think?" Ryth looked at him long, staring straight into his eyes, "You're a crow, why were you being mobbed, aren't you suppose to be doing the mobbing?" The crow shook his head, "I... I was talking to... an owl, like I'm doing now, they found out," Ryth shook her head, "So, why did you follow me?" The crow shrunk back, "To... to thank you and see if I could repay you..." Ryth sighed, "Why... Why do you talk to owls, exactly? How did you learn Hoolian?" the crow answered quickly, "I was abandoned when I was young and taken in by generous owls." Ryth was dazed, owls, taking in a crow, it was unheard of. "I wanted to be a trader," Ryth looked at him, a little less aggressive, "Do you take sides, Pure ones or Guardians?" The crow shook his head, "Neither, really," Ryth thought for a moment, crows were foul, but he may be a good slipgizzle if he actually became a trader, "Be a slipgizzle for the Pure ones. Go ahead and follow your goal of becoming a trader, Return here in the future when you've done your business, tell whoever's here whatever you find out, tell them that you're a slipgizzle, or else they'll probably kill you," The crow nodded, "I'm Gullyn, w...ho are you?" Ryth responded, "Ryth, but I will not be back for a long while, don't expect to see me again," Gullyn nodded, sighing shakily.

[Battias]

Chapter 26

Ryth stood in front of Kyraa, "Welcome back, It's probably been boring out there without much to do. Feel free to do as you wish until you are called upon," Ryth nodded, taking a deep breath, "Thank you, Kyraa," Ryth responded, she was about to head out but was stopped by Kyraa, "Oh, and Ryth, I am now honored to call you a sergeant, You now live in the middle-class soldiers hollows. I heard it's more comfortable in there then the cramped low class hollow. "Ryth shivered with excitement, she was moving along. She went torwards the old low-class hollows to see if Cobrin was there, and he wasn't. She moved along to take a look at her new hollow, she entered seeing a more open room that was more clean, there weren't stray feathers that just sat there for weeks scattered on the floor, and there was an actual roof, not one filled with large holes. She picked out an empty alcove in the wall, the alcoves were larger, they were shelves that the 'others' would use to store things, but there was slabs of wood making individual alcoves for sleeping purposes. She noticed Cobrin sleeping across the room, she approached him and awoke him, "Cobrin, what are you doing in here, you ranked up too?" Cobrin nodded, "I missed you, I was 'upgraded' two days ago. Now that your back, I uh..." Ryth looked at him, shifting on her perch, "I want you to come with me tonight, I have something important to do..." Ryth looked at him strangely, "What?" she asked, Cobrin responded slowly, daylight finally seeped in as a cloud passed, "I can't tell now, later?" Ryth nodded reluctantly, "Okay, I'm going to sleep. I'll be right across there," she said tilting her head, and leaving

Ryth followed Cobrin, confused, it was very dark as the thick clouds covered out the moon. Ryth asked, "Why don't you want me to be armed?" Cobrin said slowly, "I... have a confession..." Ryth was about to ask what, but she spotted a whiskered screech ahead, wearing battleclaws, it was a Guardian. "I'll ambush, he's up to something," Ryth said, speeding forward, Cobrin screeched behind, "No, Ryth, wait!" Ryth leapt onto the screech wrapping her talons around his neck, about to pierce it, Cobrin landed behind her, his eyes wide, "Stop Ryth, let go!" Ryth looked at him, her heart skipping a beat, she felt anger, "Why! He's a Guardian!" Suddenly another Guardian came out of a bush nearby, Ryth used her wings to cover the Guardian she stood on, still alive, and used her talons to cover his beak. She pulled off the screeches' battleclaws sneakily, putting them on her left talon. "I'm a slipgizzle, Ryth!" Ryth felt a tear in her eye, "Not...Not again, but I'll have to..." Cobrin approached her, "I'm Ronal, as I've always been... I was thinking that we could return to the Great tree togeather, I love you, and I believe that you love me, they might not like your presense, and may lock you away, but we can be togeather," Ryth recoiled, anger building, "I've done things the Guardians will hate. I've assassinated their precious slipgizzles and suppliers, I've killed a number of them in the last battle, they would execute me," Ronal shook his head, "No, they wont," Ryth sighed, "How... You've completed Tupsi, you killed an innocent owl, one who was close to you," Ronal breathed heavily, "I know... it was a lie. I lied that it was my aunt, but it was an old owl who agreed to spend their life so that they could get the best slipgizzle in, a young Barn owl, who was unexperienced. I did it, I almost helped the Guardians win the last battle... because I revealed weak spots in our fighting forces," Ryth has had enough, she looked at Ronal, then took a quick glance at the Great horned owl who was armed beside him, she silently cut the screeches' neck, she quickly pounced on the Great horned owl and killed him, turning torwards Ronal, "Ryth no, no, no," he had tears build up as he shivered, "I killed my father, who was going insane, day by day. You love me? I loved you, I admit, but I never wanted to start anything until later on. Realize, I LOVED you, but it has changed," she knocked him down and stood on top of him, if he struggled he could easily knock him off, he was stronger than the screech, but he was too busy weeping, "Join my father," she said, killing him.

[Battias]

Chapter 27

"What exactly happened, tell us now." Ryth was being questioned by a high ranking commander and Kyraa. "Cobrin, a new sergeant for the Royal Guard, was found to be a slipgizzle. I was with him when we encountered two Guardians, I was unarmed but suprise attacked when Cobrin requested me to halt, I didn't, I killed the two guardians and killed him when he confessed to being a slipgizzle," The commander stepped back, sighing, "How can you prove this?" Ryth straightened up, she was emotionless, "By my loyalty. If you go to the area I killed him, you will see I left his body. In detail I pinned the screech down, removed his battleclaws and wore them stealthfully, and attacked the other guardian. I finished Cobrin last," The high ranking owl nodded, "I'm a bit skeptical, why would he take you with him?" Ryth shook unnoticeably, "H..." she begun, pausing, "He had a love intrest in me and wanted to spare me. I was not willing to spare him, though," Ryth showed no emotion still, but felt mixed feelings on the inside, sadness, anger, and happiness circulated inside. "Understandable, but... if he was a slipgizzle, why would he go through with his Tupsi?" Ryth answered, "He confessed killing an elderly owl who gave his life to give the Guardians the 'best slipgizzle possible'," There was a moment of silence, before Kyraa said, "I've heard enough. This seems like a likely story, she's trustworthy, plus if she killed him without reason, why would she be reporting it if she knew she could be considered a traitor and killed?" The commander nodded, "Fair logic. We will investigate the area, has it been touched in any way?" Ryth shook her head, "Unless crows or vultures found the bodies," Kyraa nodded heading away along with the commander.

Ryth felt partially abandoned, she had nobody to trust as an ally, a friend, except Kyraa. There was of course a few owls she met a long while ago, like Jagen, who she's never seen ever since Tupsi. She looked upwards to the roof of the hollow, she decided to search Cobrin's 'hollow' to find anything, she looked under his bedding to find nothing, she had no clue why or what she was searching for, but she decided to anyways. She flipped over an old brick in the back of his hollow hidden in the darkness, it was hollowed out, an under it was a pair of battle claws stolen from the armory, she drew back, she wasn't going to report this, but was going to flip the brick back over the claws and leave them, they would think she was tampering, and planted them there, she left the hollow and returned to her own. An hour later, Kyraa and the commander returned, they approached her, "Well, sergeant Ryth, the evidence seems to be just right. You're safe," Ryth nodded, "Thank you." Kyraa shook her head as the commander left, "No, thank YOU, Ryth, you killed a traitor, it was right," Ryth nodded, "Ryth, you mentioned he had a love intrest in you, did you return the intrest, or not? You don't have to answer if you do not wish to," Ryth shook her head, "I saw him as a friend, not as a love intrest, someone I could count on if I needed them," Kyraa stood still, "It's hard, being betrayed, but you handled it well. Make multiple friends in the new hollow, but never grow too attached. This will help you in the future," Ryth nodded yet again, as Kyraa turned slowly and left

[Battias]

Chapter 28

Ryth stood in front of Kyraa in her hollow along with the rest of the stealth owls, rain seeped through the cracks, moonlight couldn't breach the clouds. Kyraa began, "We have had a clever slipgizzle among us who was taken out by one of our own. We have counter-spied and learned that... he's revealed too much. Our furture plans, our outpost locations, most of our slipgizzles, we have nearly nothing when it comes to plans, we have only one option, we hope that they will try to counter our plans, but we will alter our plans to place us behind them. Saint. Aegolious has been quiet for so long, so we assume they are no longer a threat, but must still be watched. We attack Cape Glaux in two hours, we delayed the attack because scouts spotted that they were waiting for us yesterday, We are hoping they think we cancelled the attack, but It's possible they're onto something. Prepare yourselves, grab a good pair of battle claws, we leave in just an hour." Ryth stepped back as the group scrambled, and headed to the armory to pick out a pair of the barbed battle claws that were collected from the one smith she killed. She sighed, and went to get some training

The group flew silently for a long while, Ryth was part of the group of six who were to cover the right flank, Kyraa was off in the center group. They arrived at the cape, staying below the canopy of the trees. They landed to keep an eye out, they were the front line. They hoped to do as they did a long time ago, attack the tree, this time they had more forces than last time, and invested in training every soldier to be as fit as possible. They were trained this time to be very wary when attacking, as the Guardians may set up traps in the small amount of time they have, as they won't notice the attack coming unless they were scouting the cape. Ryth looked around as the rain masked every sound, she concentrated her hearing, hearing nothing. She concentrated mostly on trying to find the smaller owls, saw whets or elf owls who were easy to hear, while silently telling the other owls in the group, silent aswell, to listen for owls who had plumage to cover their flight, it was very hard to hear their flight, but it was never exactly impossible, just near impossible. Ryth heard a clink of metal, and apparently the private in the group, who was young and completed Tupsi a little while ago, did aswell, approached Ryth and said very silently, "You hear that too?" Ryth nodded, scanning, the clink of metal sounded close, but not from the battle claws of the group, and the other two groups were a very long distance away, Ryth silently approached the leading owl of the group, an owl who was just one rank higher than Ryth, "Me and a private just heard the distinct sound of metal hitting eachother, a clink," He nodded, "I did aswell, send the private to tell Kyraa," Ryth nodded, shuffling back torwards the Private on the same branch, "Go, go and tell Kyraa what we've heard. Tell her that we suspect armed owls are nearby," the private nodded, and left, dissappearing through an approaching thin fog.

[Battias]

Chapter 29

Ryth's heart skipped a beat when a Guardian tackled her through the fog, she struggled to get him off, but he was larger, a great grey. She managed to free a talon and slash his tail, distracting him long enough for the group leader to slice his neck silently, Ryth breathed quickly and heavily, "I hope we didn't make too much noise, that was only a scout," Ryth nodded, suddenly they were ambushed, several Guardians came for them from every direction, "Ryth! Call for the other groups! We need help!" Ryth prepared herself, and screeched twice very loudly, hopefully the other two groups would hear. Ryth killed two Guardians before being swarmed by three more, knocking her off the branch and falling torwards the ground. She corrected herself and landed, looking upwards as two Guardians dove for her. She didn't notice more, appearing from the thin fog. She ducked down to avoid their slicing battleclaws, and took off upwards to help her group, only to find that they were already dead, except the private. "Flee! You can't take them on!" she screeched at him, he noticed everyone else was dead, and dove away, Ryth trailed him and his attackers, she struck one from below before they noticed and went for her, She fled, no hope against eight Guardians following her. The fog thickened, it hard to see trees in front of her. She ended up swerving through a thick patch of trees, each partially hidden in the fog. She took a quick glance behind herself, she lost all of the Guardians but one snowy owl, she looked forward only to be struck by a small branch, hidden behind the wall of fog.

Ryth felt her wing bend in unnatural ways, sending sharp pain through her, being unable to move. She breathed heavily, was she alone? She looked straight up, but the snowy that chased her came into view, she looked at her, silent. She felt the warm blood flowing through her broken wing. She sighed looking upward, waiting to be killed, finally it was over. She hoped that she was useful, that she served the Pure ones well enough. The Guardian spoke, "Take your battle claws off," Ryth didn't listen, she just stared up at the sky, unable to be seen through the fog. "The snowy approached, "Take them off, now," Ryth finally said aloud shakily, "No, I die wearing my claws." The snowy sighed, shaking her head, "Who are you, what have you done in your life," Ryth answered, shakily but proudly, "I've killed your precious slipgizzles, ambushed your friends as you've done to me, killed your smiths. My name doesn't matter to you." The snowy shook her head, "You're a dead owl, it's no use injuring you any more." She said, before leaving, Ryth stared upwards, before the pain made her black out. She awoke. It was day, the Private from her group, the only survivor, was beside her, "You... Your finally awake," Ryth blinked rapidly as the sunlight warmed her, her broken wing was numb, "Why do you stay..." The private shrugged, "You were breathing, you were still alive, I've called out once or twice for the other groups, but no response yet," Ryth breathed slowly, "Look for a healer... there's one in the shadow forest, take my claws off and yours aswell, Hide them on the branch overhead. If they ask questions, we are brother and sister, it was an accident in the fog." The private nodded and headed away. Ryth waited, nearly an hour passed when a stranger arrived, a barred owl, along with the private, Ryth threw her head back onto the ground, relieved.

[Battias]

Chapter 30

Ryth woke up, she was in a hollow alone with the Private, "Sergeant Ryth, I've tried to find Kyraa... the other groups, they're gone," Ryth sighed, forcing herself to stand up shakily, her broken wing was bound around her by a small strip of leather, she felt something soothing on her wing," The healer left, just binding you up and giving herbs, he's not coming back soon." Ryth looked outside the hollow, "Good work. Did you retrieve the battle claws?" The private nodded, tilting his head torwards them in the corner of the hollow. Ryth stood silently for a while, "If you can't find Kyraa, then tonight you need to return to the fortress, see if you can get someone to help," She said, turning her head away from the hollow's entrance when clouds departed sending a bright stream of sunlight onto her face, the Private was obviously very tired, she could tell when he was supressing a yawn, "Go ahead and get to sleep," she said, looking at her wing which was cleaned of blood, flakes of green leaves, possibly herbs, were scattered throughout the feathers of her wings. The private settled down, "I never really learned your name," Ryth said, looking at him calmly, he said confidently, "I am Tars, sergeant Ryth," Ryth nodded, "Get sleep, don't need you to be fatigued when you head out," Ryth said, he nodded slowly and headed off.

Ryth paced the hollow slowly, not going too fast as it would bring her wing pain. She waited silently, moonlight seeped through the opening. She waited for what seemed like hours befer Tars returned, Kyraa with him, "Sergeant Ryth, You seem injured," Ryth looked at her, standing as straight as possible, "I was, I'm fine now, Kyraa." Kyraa nodded, saying "I apologize, we heard the cries, we were being ambushed as well though, we finished most of them off and fled, we heard them coming, the other group did aswell." Ryth shook her head, "We never heard anything except the clink of metal an hour before the ambush, we were on guard. Fog rolled through, growing thicker over time," Kyraa nodded in understanding, "Are you the only survivors?" Ryth answered, "Yes, Kyraa, this private performed well," Kyraa looked at Ryth's wing, "What happened after the ambush on your group?" She asked, Ryth answered, "I fled, there was too many, I tried to cover the private. I was split off in the fog. A branch was hidden in the fog and struck my wing." Kyraa nodded, "Did they not finish you off?" Ryth looked at her, and answered "They... didn't, they left me to die. They didn't know the private was still alive." Tars stood silently, a small smile on his face, Kyraa took a glance outside, before saying finally, "I will send some help to carry you back home. How long do you think it will take you to heal?" Ryth was about to answer, saying that she didn't know, but Tars said, "About a month, at the most," Kyraa sighed silently, "Private Tars, stay here and guard her, I don't want to lose any more soldiers, not even one. We will try again in two months, hopefully you are back in shape by then," Ryth responded proudly, "Yes, Kyraa," Kyraa headed out, "Stay safe, Guardians might be around," Tars looked at Ryth, Ryth said to him, "Thank you for all you have done. You are a good soldier among the few," Tars nodded slowly, smiling, but trying to hide it, "Thank you, Thank you so much, Sergeant Ryth,"

[Battias]

Chapter 31

Ryth was going home. She was carried back slowly, not to injure her, along the way Kyraa spoke, "Ryth, do you consent to Tars partnering with you, as a so called 'apprentice', I wish to test a new system like this which I have picked up." Ryth nodded her head, "Yes, Kyraa, I do not mind," Tars was following behind, Kyraa added, "Due to your injury, you can't really do anything for us until you're healed. I was commanded to lend you over to take a shift in patrolling the prison area," Ryth nodded, "I see nothing wrong with that," She said. They arrived and dropped her off in her hollow, everyone left, leaving Kyraa and Ryth alone, "Get rest, don't strain yourself." Ryth sighed, and nodded again silently. Kyraa left finally, Ryth was alone except for the few owls scattered across the room, the fortress was going to be very quiet soon, with nearly every soldier either being sent to fight in order to take the cape or sent to outposts nearby to assist. Ryth shut her eyes slowly, heading to sleep. She dreamed about going with Cobrin to the Guardians, turning herself in. They locked her away for a short while, she was interrogated for days, but refused, and lied about not knowing anything. She woke up when in the dream, she was executed.

Ryth shrugged it off, it didn't happen because she made the right choice. It was midnight. Ryth waited around, bored, for several hours. Finally, a familiar face appeared gliding into the room, The owl that basically 'controls' the prison. He landed in front of her, "So you're my new temporary guard, you'll patrol the prison area, no socializing with the prisoners, and show no emotions. You're 'partner', I suppose, that Private, will assist you. Head there now," Ryth said in response, "Yes, sir," and hopped down from her 'hollow'. She walked over to the prison area, taking a few minutes and having to get by some obstacles in the hall, one's you don't mind when you could simply fly over them. Overturned shelves, bookcases, random objects like that. She finally made it, she noticed a faint stench in the air. Tars greeted her, before Ryth began, she said to him, "Private Tars, you do not have to show me massive amounts of respect as you have been. I see you as a friend, and you have made us proud, so we are near equals," Tars held his breath and nodded, "Yes... Ryth, thank you," Ryth walked down the small corridor, Tars followed silently. She passed several empty cells, before coming up on a occupied one. There were the usual pieces of wood and metal reinforcing the bars of the cell, without them any owl could just squeeze through. This particular owl in the cell however, was a revolting sight. He was a screech, but his the feathers on his body was unclean, and his other feathers were scattered across the floor. He turned, showing his damaged face, Ryth remained emotionless, and continued onwards, having no pity, that owl must've deserved it.

[Battias]

Chapter 32

Ryth was doing was she was told to do, it was uneventful, nothing ever happened, she couldn't wait until her wing healed, she could finally get back to what she was best at. Two weeks after her injury, there was no sign of healing, and she was bored, but she was approached by her 'new' temporary 'commander', Harn, who was rather forceful, he looked exhausted when he approached Ryth, "Sergeant Ryth, you get to do something special today," Ryth looked at him and said, "Yes, sir?" He sighed, "We have a prisoner who we caught discussing something with another prisoner, it seems suspicious because he shut up as soon as he knew we were listening. We tried... we used force but can't get anything out of him, can you be deceptive? Soft?" Ryth nodded, "Lets go then," he said with a sigh, Ryth followed him, she wasn't far from his little cell, a rush of air came from the cracks, summer was changing into fall again. She entered the cell to find the battered masked owl, from what she knew, he was helping the guardians? She entered slowly, he looked hurt but capable of attacking, Harn whispered quietly into her ear before heading out, "We are watching in case he tries anything, I don't care what you do, as long as you don't trade secrets, or make promises that can't be fulfilled," Ryth nodded, stepping forward as Harn blocked the only exit, the small slit between the bars that could be blocked off from the outside.

"I've told you that I won't... I won't say anything if you hurt me," Ryth approached him, she was sent in unarmed, the masked owl was facing the opposite direction, "Why would they send in a injured owl, unable to defend herself, to torture you?" she said calmly. He looked behind his back, and saw her, "Why would they send you in? I could easily overcome you, with you in that state," Ryth said quietly, "Because I know you're intelligent enough to not do that," He nodded, noticing the few owls who were outside, they weren't close, but close enough. Ryth realized how long it would take to open the exit, apparently he did aswell, "I could kill you before the exit opens," Ryth nodded, "But you're decent enough not to. The owls out there wouldn't execute you, they would torture you, I'm trying to not have that happen," He sighed, "I know what you are doing, being nice and calm to get information," Ryth nodded, "I know, but it's the easier way out, it's the way in which you won't get hurt, the way in which you won't die, I was told you have a family, they are fine, but if they kill you, they will drop your body by your home for your family to see," Ryth was told to not make promises that couldn't be fulfilled, but this one could. "How dare you mention my family," Ryth stepped back, "It won't happen if you be smart about this." He sighed, "The Guardians are setting up around the area, a blockade," Ryth responded, "Do they know where we are?" He was silent for a while, he shook his head, "They don't now," Harn heard, and he sent one of his owls to send the message, Harn called Ryth over, she walked torwards him, still inside the cell, "Ask him about St. Aggies," He whispered, she nodded and went back to the masked owl, "What about St. Aggies?" The masked owl froze, Ryth stood silently, "I know nothing about them, the only reason I have ever mentioned them is because my brother is in there," Ryth looked at him, he had tears on his face, "Have you been near there recently?" He responded, "Yes! They have left their western side unguarded! Do whatever you want there, just don't kill anyone who is innocent in there," Ryth stepped torwards the exit, she was let out, she took a quick glance at the masked owl with a small smirk on her face.

[Battias]

Chapter 33

Ryth studied the Moon, it was almost time. It was months after her injury. She waited rather impatiently, she felt the need to move but couldn't, it might give her away. She watched the moon until it finally hit the horizon, she was confused at first, they weren't there yet. She scanned the area looking for them, they were nowhere in sight. She shrunk back closer to the tree she perched on, she was nervous. She looked around for Kyraa and the others, she could only spot one other Pure one hiding across the way. She noticed he was looking at her, he looked confused as well and shrugged. Ryth spotted movement below, a small group of owls, some unarmed and some with battle claws. Ryth noticed two of them had javelins, she was wary, hoping they weren't skilled at throwing. She breathed slowly, hoping not to get heard or spotted. As they passed, she took off quietly and started to follow, unable to see them through the trees but using the loud flying of the elf owl in the group.

Ryth stopped and landed, hiding nearby. This was definitely a new colony. She listened, "Are we setting up the community here?" one asked. They scanned before the eldest looking owl answered, nodding. A Pure one in her group approached Ryth, whispering "It's time to welcome them to this area, go on," Ryth breathed, hoping to be backed up. She exited the cover of the trees and landed on the group behind the community, they turned bearing their weapons, "Drop your weapons, don't hurt me, we won't hurt you." They refused to drop what they had, they stayed quiet as Pure ones broke their cover to be revealed. "Welcome, you will be safe for now if you don't try anything stupid and follow what we demand," Their weapons lowered, but stayed ready, "We need slipgizzles and weapons. You look to have a smith," Ryth said, noticing the botkin in their possession filled with coals. "No," The eldest owl, a screech, managed to get out weakly. "Are you sure? You endanger yourselves by saying this," Kyraa called from nearby. Ryth sighed and looked at them, she focused on the eldest. She noticed something was up, one of the owls with the javelins was gone. Ryth called out immediately, "One of them isn't here! They're armed with a throwing weapon!" Some of the Pure ones became more alert and started scanning. The colony began to break up, half of them began to flee, mostly the unarmed owls, and the rest stayed to fight. Most of them were put down quickly, but a few held themselves pretty well. Ryth needed to finish off the last owl with the javelin, he was a threat. She couldn't find him until after he Impaled a Pure one with it, Kyraa, who fell to the ground. Ryth finished him off and looked to Kyraa, she was gone. Ryth sighed as the sun began to peek over the horizon.