Jayhaven Chronicles
Metal

Sedge tried not to scream as she fell into the tree and felt the freezing limbs whip her face. She threw her front paws about like a maniac to try and get a grip on one of the branches, and managed to dig her claws into the bark. It slowed her fall but didn’t stop it, and she kept tumbling through the air.

After what seemed like forever, solid ground collided with her lungs and her breath left her in a huff. That feather brain! Where the heck am I now?

She raised her battered head and looked around. It was clear this was some kind of meeting hall, the floor the same kind of shimmering material that the exterior of the palace was, the walls a pearly white. Sconces hung from them, containing the same fascinating wisps of lights. But this was the inside of a tree, right? What?

Sedge gave herself a good shake to try and regain her wits. She blinked away disorientation, and as soon as she could see straight, Kiirion was lighting down next to her, looking aggravatingly proud of himself. “I’ve always wanted to use that joke.” His beak twitched a little, but Sedge didn’t know if he was smiling or not.

They scanned the room for signs of other owls, but it seemed to be empty. Though a massive throne, the same color as the walls, rested at the end of the hall, no one was sitting there.

“Huh.” Sedge puzzled at the lack of life. “Maybe this’ll be an in-and-out trip after all.”

Kiirion suddenly looked troubled, his facial disk twisting into what seemed like a worried expression. “Don’t count on it.”

Sedge followed his gaze, and before she could think, dozens of other feathered fiends were swooping down at her, talons bared. Sedge instinctively took a defensive position, but kept her teeth and claws hidden so she wouldn’t look threatening. “Look, I don’t want a fight-”

Sedge was cut off when a Burrowing owl got close enough to slash at her eyes. She ducked away, but not quite in time, and a gash started to well on her cheek. More birds bore down on her, and soon she was pinned to the ground, one owl grinding her face into the cold floor, blood from her wound pooling. Twisting and hissing, she tried to escape, but to no avail. She shot a desperate look at Kiirion, but he was shuffling his feet awkwardly, not seeming to be in a helping mood.

“Well, well.” A high-pitched hoot sounded from the throne in front of her. Sedge tried to crane her neck to see who was speaking, but the two Great Grays holding her down didn’t seem much for relenting. “What have we here, another one of Panther’s minions here to make a mockery of themselves?”

Sedge spat onto the tile. “Minion, my tail! My name is Holly, and I am here to negotiate!” She mumbled through the throbbing pain in her face and the grip one owl had on her muzzle. “Unhand me now.”

Kiirion who was a few feet back, spoke up as well. “Wilkka, listen to her. She’s only here to talk-” But he was silenced by two rapid clicking noises. “Nevermind.” The snowy peeped.

The high-pitched owl started speaking again. “Well, I suppose you can at least let her sit up. Come on, up!”

Sedge was lifted up into the air and then back down painfully onto her hindquarters. She could see the assumed Wilkka now, and suddenly, she couldn’t help but giggle.

Sitting very improperly, the so-called “Empress” was about the height of a newborn hatchling, her feathers ruffled and her yellow eyes flashing with indignation. Despite looking and sounding like a baby, Sedge could tell by the little Elf owl’s graying coverage that she was well grown.

“DON’T YOU LAUGH AT ME!” Wilkka screamed, her feathers rising even higher. “Kiirion, my son, do you perhaps know why there is another cat in our midst?”

Kiirion stepped forward sheepishly. “I brought her here, mum.”

Sedge gawked at him. “This thing is your mother?”

Wilkka fluffed up even more. “Adopted.” She squawked briskly. “Sometimes, he’s an absolute disgrace. But, if he has succeeded in bringing me another captive, one that will be more...” Wilkka tilted her head upwards and looked down her beak at Sedge. “Useful…”

Kiirion seemed to regain his confidence. “But, mum, I told you, she’s no captive! She just wants to talk.”

Sedge glared at him again. “I can speak for myself, thank you.” She turned her gaze back to the Empress. “Look, I’m here to rescue my friend. His name is Peak, and you have taken him for interrogation. May I see him please, so that at the very least I may return with the news that he lives?”

Sedge had to admit, she was a mighty fine negotiator.

Wilkka gave a prolonged groan. “UGH! Fine, fine. You cats will be the death of me, I swear. Yottik, bring out the pitiful thing!

Sedge strained to see through the crowd of owls, and could spot a barn owl pushing through, a reluctant tabby at his heels. At first, Peak seemed completely normal, and unharmed. But that’s when Sedge saw that his front paw, once deformed and twisted, was completely straight.

And made of metal.

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