Guardians of Ga'Hoole 14 - Exile

sure.”
    “They agreed?”
    “Yes,” Coryn replied.
    “Well, that’s good.”
    “Yes, it is.” Coryn nodded his head vigorously, almost as if he was trying to convince himself. “It is. Yes, I’m sure it is. But…”
    “But, what?” the Striga asked.
    “Well, it’s a change—this new way of celebrating the Harvest Festival. I promised them that we were just trying this. That we’d still have Punkie Night.”
    “Of course,” the Striga said quickly, although he had no idea what Punkie Night was. He felt that now was not the time to push.
    “I think Soren felt a little bad about Blythe not singing.”
    “She will sing better when she has achieved simplicity. Then it will not be a vain art.” The Striga paused. “I was having a most interesting conversation in the library with Otulissa.”
    “Really?” Coryn looked up.
    “She is a very intelligent owl.”
    “She’s practically a genius!” Coryn said.
    “Yes, well, you know she has embarked on a very—very interesting research project.”
    “Oh, yes. Her study of windkins and the currents in the River of Wind. She and Soren are veterans of the weather-interpretation chaw, and were taught by the old master Ezylryb himself.”
    “I think these studies are good. Practical. Would it not be a benefit to the tree if she were allowed to pursue them further?”
    “Well, yes. She had talked about going out and performing some experiments, some feather-drift trials.”
    “Feather drift?” Striga asked.
    “Yes. It is done with wind and air currents. Feather buoys are set out, then tracked to measure variations in speed and drift.”
    “And who does it? Just the weather chaw?”
    “Well, it’s mostly under Otulissa’s direction but, you know, it’s fun. So, oftentimes, the rest of the Band goes. I mean, that is one thing that is special about the Band. They are so talented that they can really serve in any chaw when called upon. Gylfie, she’s chief ryb of the navigation chaw, so she can take instant fixes on the positions as the feathers drift. Digger is a skilled tracker, as is Twilight. Both come in handy.”
    “Might I propose something, Coryn?”
    “Certainly.”
    “Do you think it might take their minds off this simplified Harvest Festival if they were on a mission?”
    Coryn’s eyes suddenly brightened. “You mean, perhaps Otulissa and the Band should go on a research expedition for her study of windkins?”
    “Precisely. A service that they will rise to joyfully and it might…oh, how should I say, distract them from their regrets about the Harvest Festival.”
    “It’s a wonderful idea. I’ll send for them right now,” Coryn said.
    The Striga raised a talon in the air as if to caution him. “And when you tell them about this experiment, try to convey to them how essential this is to the well-being of the tree. How they are really the only owls who could do this because of their extraordinary expertise, brilliance, and depth of knowledge. Impress upon them that they are the best and that these studies are crucial. As a matter of fact, why not make the announcement in the parliament to give it the dignity it deserves?”
    “You’re absolutely right. The parliament! That is where it should be announced.”
    Coryn regarded the Striga with even deeper respect. It was a splendid idea, but more moving to Coryn was that the Striga valued Otulissa’s research. That truly surprised him. He wished that the Band could have heard the Striga’s concern for their feelings. I think they judge him too harshly , Coryn thought. Had they only been here! But give them time, give them time. They will see, as I have, that this is an owl of many parts. Good parts, all of them!

CHAPTER FIVE
Windkins, Advanced Study of
    I ’ve called this meeting of the parliament tonight to put forth a proposal,” Coryn began.
    “If this has anything to do with scrapping Punkie Night, I’m out of here!” Twilight muttered.
    “Hush!” Soren said, and shot the Great Gray a severe look.
    “As we know, Otulissa is our greatest scholar.”
    The Striga noticed that the Spotted Owl swelled a bit. Good!
    “Her intellect,” Coryn continued, “is renowned throughout the kingdoms of owls, including the Middle Kingdom. But the Band, as well, are fine students of our natural world, and that is why I have brought you together to approve this plan.”
    Something about all this just did not sound right to Soren. He couldn’t put his talon on it, and so