The Capture

these years, not even to give notice. It really is not a proper way to depart."

    "I don't think you had much choice, Mrs. Rhiann."

    "No, I suppose I didn't."

    "Come with me. I've made some friends. We are on our

    way to Hoolemere."

    "Hoolemere!" There was a hiss of excitement in Mrs.

    Plithiver's small voice.

    "You've heard of it and the Great Ga'Hoole Tree?" "Oh, yes, my dear. It is just this side of Yonder!" Soren blinked. He felt a wonderful quiver in his gizzard.

    "She is NOT for dinner!" Soren glared at Twilight. He had just lit down on the branch that led into the hollow. Mrs. Plithiver was nestled in the feathers just behind his head and between his shoulders. "I want to make that perfectly clear. This is my dear friend, Mrs. Plithiver."

    "Mrs. Plithiver!" Gylfie hopped forward on a branch. "The Mrs. Plithiver? I am honored. Permit me to introduce myself. I am Gylfie."

    "Oh, a little Elf Owl, I believe." Mrs. Plithiver coiled up and raised her head in a greeting. It wavered slightly above Gylfie's head and she could sense her diminutive size. "I am*enchanted. Oh, my goodness, you're almost as small as me." Mrs. Plithiver giggled a bit. Laughter in snakes has a slight hiccuppy sound.

    "And this is Twilight," Soren said.

    "Charmed," Mrs. Plithiver said.

    "Likewise," replied Twilight. "Not used to servants, ma'am. Grew up on my own, more or less. Orphan school of tough learning. Not as polished as these two."

    "Oh, good manners cannot really be learned, young'un. They are bred."

    Twilight looked confused and stepped back a bit.

    "Mrs. Rhiann., don't worry," Soren said. "I have explained to everyone how I come from a non-snake-eating family, and I expect this rule to be followed." Twilight and Gylfie nodded solemnly.

    "Oh, good. I am sure we shall all get along fine."

    "Mrs. Rhiann. wants to go with us. She can ride between my shoulders."

    "I don't know what I'll do for references, of course, if I can find another position," Mrs. Rhiann. worried.

    "What about me?" Soren said.

    "Well, yes, I suppose they'll take the word of a youngster, even though I was actually with your family for much longer than you were. Alas!" She sighed deeply

    "Don't go getting emotional on us, ma'am. We got flying to do." Twilight spoke firmly but not unkindly

    "Of course, I'm so sorry." Mrs. Rhiann. gave a little shiver that coursed up her body as if she were trying to shake all such bleak thoughts away. It was almost as if she were shedding her skin.

    Then Twilight, perhaps feeling he had been too abrupt with her, added, "I can take you for a spell myself, Mrs. Rhiann. I'm bigger than you, Soren. She won't add much weight."

    "Oh, aren't you both dear," Mrs. Rhiann. said.

    "I'm afraid I can't offer any such service," said Gylfie. "I don't think I weigh much more than Mrs.
    Plithiver. Although I would welcome her charming conversation."

    "Oh, how sweet. And I have heard that Elf Owls are wonderful conversationalists." Twilight blinked and muttered something about little owls and big words. "But quite frankly, dear, serving snakes are not encouraged to engage in idle conversation with owls of your station."

    "Mrs. Rhiann.," Soren said, stepping forward. "Please stop all that."

    "All what, dear boy?"

    "All this stuff about serving and stations. We are all the same now. There are no stations, no nests, no hollows. We're all orphans. We've all seen horrible things. The world is different now. And part of that difference is that there is no difference between any of us."

    "Oh, no, dear boy. There shall always be servants. Don't say that. I come from a long tradition of service.
    It is nothing to be ashamed of. It is a most noble calling." Soren realized it would be useless to argue with her.

    And so the little band of owls, with the blind snake perched between Soren's shoulders, lifted into flight.
    The moon still rode high, although a halo of mist seemed to surround it.

    "Oh, this is glorious, Soren. I am in the Yonder. Who would have believed it? Oh, my goodness, you are a magnificent flier." Mrs. Plithiver's small voice rang out in sheer ecstasy.

    "Hang on, Mrs. Rhiann., I have to make a banking turn." Soren really didn't need to make such a turn, but he wanted to show Mrs. Rhiann. how gently he could carve the night sky with his wing and angle himself in a new direction. He soon made another one so that he could fall back in with the group.

    "Oh, Yonder! Yonder!" Mrs. Rhiann. exclaimed again and again. "I