Guardians of Ga'Hoole 02 - The Journey

falls might be.”
    “Technically, the fire does that”—Otulissa had caught up with them—“because the fire climbs what is called, according to the literature, a fuel ladder.”
    “Yes, and think of me,” Martin now spoke. “I am on the ground, supposedly looking for the smallest embers. One of these crowning things happens, and at my weight I get sucked straight up the fuel ladder.”
    “We all have to spend time on the ground, not justyou,” Soren said. “It could happen to any of us. You don’t have to be little.” Martin cocked his head and blinked. He did not look convinced.
    Although they had yet to be in an actual forest fire, each member of the chaw had a type of coal or ember they were in charge of gathering. Ruby, being the best flier, would seek airborne embers that were dispersed to the highest parts of the thermal draft columns. Soren and Otulissa were assigned a midpoint position on various sides of the convection column and little Martin was on the ground. But, indeed, they would all have to do a certain amount of groundwork.
    Soren could not help but think about how different this flight across Hoolemere was from the time he had crossed the sea to the Great Ga’Hoole Tree nearly six months before. He remembered how the blizzard had raged, how the entire world had turned a swirling white, and the sky and water had melted into one indistinguishable mass. Today, the air was clear, the sea below calm with barely a white cap to ruffle the blueness. Seagulls dipped in the last rays of the setting sun. The silvery glint of a fish leaping to escape a larger fish sometimes flashed above the water’s surface. Yet as they drew closer to the opposite shore, the air did seem different. And although Soren, likeother owls, did not have the keenest sense of smell, the air seemed tinged with an acrid odor.
    They landed on the ridge of some high cliffs. Ezylryb was already pointing with his three-taloned foot to some clouds just beyond the ridge. “We call them Ga’Hoole clouds. You know why?”
    Otulissa’s talon shot up. “Because they are the shape of the seeds found in the Ga’Hoole fruits.”
    “Right-o, missy,” Ezylryb said.
    Martin gave a little sigh. “She never stops, does she?”
    It was clear that Martin was very nervous. More nervous than the others. Soren felt bad for him. He was the smallest owl in the chaw. It had to be scary. “Don’t worry, Martin. You’re going to be all right.”
    “Soren, that’s kind of you, but do you realize that I am the first Saw-whet to ever be in the colliering chaw?”
    “They must think you’re special, Martin,” Soren said.
    “But what if I’m not?” Martin said, a squeak of desperation creeping into his voice.
    Ezylryb continued speaking about the Ga’Hoole clouds. “The reason their tops are curved like that is because—well, you tell me.”
    Once again, Otulissa’s talon shot up. “It’s simple weather physics. I was reading about it in Emerilla’s, the renowned weathertrix’s book—she’s a Spotted Owl, Imight add.” Otulissa cast her eyes downward in what Soren thought was an outrageously phony show of modesty.
    “Just get to the point, darlin’,” Ezylryb barked.
    “Oh, yes, of course. It is because the winds atop the cloud are blowing much faster than the winds below.”
    Soren felt Martin begin to tremble. “I might become one of those burning airborne embers that Ruby grabs on the fly,” he said in a voice drenched with fear.
    “All right now, we camp here and we wait. We wait until the fire is safe for penetration and retrieval. Elvan and Bubo shall take over the mission at that point, directing you to the richest coal and ember beds. I shall remain here and watch the weather and fly in for periodic reports. You do as you’re told and no one will get hurt. Ruby and Poot fly top layer. Elvan with Otulissa will be mid-layer. Below them is Soren, who covers Martin on the ground. Bubo and I will be ready if anyone needs help. You are to keep your eye out for your mate.”
    It was close to midnight when Ezylryb announced that they would be taking off for the next ridge. He had already flown several reconnaissance flights with Poot. He now arrived back on the ridge.
    “There’s a possible temperature inversion at the east end of the valley. We’re not sending any owl down there.Temperature inversions trap smoke, and then do you know what can happen when the smoke starts to rise?” Soren thought that it must