“Don’t worry girl, you did a fine job. I think the readers of the post here will have their own opinion.”

I continue looking sad.

“Amelia. I knew your father. He was a fine owl.” he said sadly. “I was shocked by his death. But lift your head and look around.”

I oblige. Almost all the guards are nodding and whispering.

“The girls right, the board members are a bunch of cowards.”

“Eric’s got them under his wing.”

“You will be found. Owls believe you! Frogs too! Don’t fret, when Eric returns, they’ll regret their choices.

But a week passes with no news of Eric. Linton is still in a coma.

“I am beginning to think the girl was right.” says an older owl to Ipzitch.

“Pah.”

“Look fast!” thundered a voice. “Eric has returned. Three sick owls. I Need medical attention!”

Ethan hopped up beside me. “That idiot's back is he?”

Ethan is being very strange. He’s been spending hours fighting and sparring, and I even saw him buying new swords. I told him about the trial, in which he started swearing indignantly in my defence to a very much confused Ipzitch.

“It seems like Eric met some of the Southern Owls. And he’s limping. Best look at those owls.” mutters Ioannis and he sweeps past us.

“What happened to A-boreal and Limpus? Where are they?” demanded Ipzitch. “WHERE ARE THEY?”

“We were ambushed near the shore. They are amassing an attack. Idola, I suggest we start preparing for a siege, my lord.”

“Yes Eric, of course. Loreal,” and a tawny owl nods with a mask on, “Tell all the blacksmiths to start sharpening the blades.

“Ipzitch?” she asks.

“Hmmpf?” Ipzitch replies in acknowledgement.

“Tell our soldiers, ground and air, to prepare for an assault. Preparation starts at 0600 sharp.”

She turns to me.

“Amelia, it's best you stay inside the bunker.”

“But I want to fight!” me and Ethan say indignantly.

“Very well. Ipzitch?”

“Yes my lord?”

“After you tell our soldiers to skip their beauty sleep, teach these young ones how to spar.”

“Yes sir.” Ipzitch replies with a grin on his face.

In the morning we see the soldiers of the Arboc Owl at work.

I walk into the board meeting.

“I had an idea.”

“Yes?” Idola replies.

“While they attack, I would like to suggest a secondary plan for a small team to attack their fortress head on.”

“Hmm. Ipzitch, will you volunteer to lead the attack?”

“Yes my lord.”

“Gather up some troops.”

While at his house, I pleaded with him. “Take me and Ethan, please!”

“I’m sorry Amelia. But, you wouldn't last a second.”

“Please Ipzitch!”

“This is a war girl. Not some silly legend. Although we could use some cannon fodder.”

“I fought 20 eagles and 50 owls on my way here.”

His expression hardens and I bow my head once again.

“I saw him strike down my father in cold blood. Please.”

His expression softens.

“I’m sorry. But stay here. Linton needs you.”

And with that he leaves.

I go up to the hospital wing.

“He’s taken a turn for the worst.” Ioannis explains.

“We don’t know why, but he’s stopped responding to anything.” Ethan says earnestly.

“Linton. Please wake up. We need you. I want you.” I plead.

“You’d love it here on the islands. There's food! There's everything you need! And I want to fight you.”

When he doesn’t react, I cry.

“I'll play easy.” I sob.

At these words he awakens.

“That's the silver lining I was looking for.” he replies and pecks me on the cheek and I blush.

Ethan, oblivious to this, jumps on him and screams.

“Ethan, get down, you’ll give him a heart attack!” Ioannis says, but he too is smiling.

“Amelia, I need to tell you something. All of you.”

“What is it?” we ask.

“A owl. Called Eric. Was talking to Snow before I was knocked out.”

“But Snow was a traitor. Which means…”

“Eric is a traitor?” Ethan asks cautiously.

“No, that's impossible!”

“What’s impossible is that he was talking to Snow.”

“The Arboc Owl would be walking into a trap! We have to go help!”

“I’ll take you.” Ioannis said. “I used to be a combat owl. I resigned after seeing the true cost of war.”

At our confused expressions, he said, “Death my friends.”

“Where's the armoury, Ioannis?”

“I’ll go to it. What is it that you need.”

“Anything that's left.” I say.

I turn to the others. Ethan of course already has his sword out. Linton is standing up, awaiting orders.

“Lets take to the sky.”