Talons and Feathers || Chapter 2

Instructions

Cattail sniffled as he flew back with his siblings. His father was dead. Sunflower, their aunt, Mint’s sister, would be devastated. Cattail would look at Fern, who was flying right next to him. “What are we gonna do?” He said, his voice barely above a whisper. Oak flew closer, and the siblings were flying side by side. “We’re gonna have to power through it.” Fern finally said. After a while of flying, they were finally near the city. Tall spires rose from the ground, so tall that they pierced the clouds. Cattail stared at the tallest one. That’s where the council stayed, and with some of the wisest librarians. ‘Would the council kick us out?’ He thought suddenly, worried. Mint had been a general, and often helped General Albatross in battles. He was gone now. That destroyed feeling hung around in Cattail’s chest. He’d sigh, and he realized that they were splitting up to head to separate spires. He’d fly with his siblings, and they spun, quickly diving and gliding over to the tallest spire. Each spire looked like a twisted horn, small, organized holes dotting them. He knew exactly which one was the healer’s hole. He’d take the lead, flying up to a hole that was covered in medicinal plants and vines. As their paws and talons thumped onto the ground, a familiar griffin stepped out from another room. “Cattail! Your back!” Aurora said, smiling. The blind griffin would trot over to all three of them, her pale grey, clouded eyes staring out blankly. “Any injuries?” She asked. “Oak has a bad venom burn on his left hind talon, and Fern has a few claw marks and a sprained wing.” Oak said. He’d learned how to recognize any injuries by just studying a griffin. Fern gave him a proud look. “Nice job little bro.” She said with a smile. Oak smiled back at her, going into another room to grab herbs. The healers cave that he and Aurora shared was huge, and they had three greenhouses inside of it, each for a different herb selection. He went into the greenhouse labeled ‘CUTS, VENOM, AND SKIN DAMAGE’, in big neatly painted letters. He’d grab various herbs, including moss, and some thyme. He knew how stressed Oak became after a battle. He walked back out from the greenhouse, giving Oak thyme while Aurora ushered him to a rock ledge with soft moss on top of it. There were dozens of other healers in each spire, including this one, so Oak and Aurora didn’t get many patients. Of course, an entire cavern of patients was shared between the healers, so that work could be distributed. “Oak just needs some rest for a while.” Aurora said, walking towards the door in the back of the entrance cave. “Mangrove wants me to take care of some sick cublings.” She said, walking into the passageway. Cattail waited until her paw steps were completely gone and then he turned to face Fern. “What’s wrong? You have that look on your face.” Cattail asked, flicking his ear. Fern sighed. “Very perceptive.” Fern said, and then paused. “While we were flying back, I could have sworn a pair of eyes were staring at me.” Fern shook herself. Cattail paused. “As soon as Oak is done resting we can go back and check it out.” He offered, and Fern nodded. “Thanks little brother.” She smiled at him, and pulled him into a hug, wrapping her wings around him. After a while, Oak was ready to go. Cattail told Aurora where they were going, and she understood. All three siblings flew off at the same time, Fern quickly taking the lead. They would glide down, and shifted their wings to dodge passing griffins. Cattail would look down at the city, watching the tall buildings grow further apart and shorter, and soon trees took over, dotting the passing landscape. He’d look around at the vast land that sprawled out before them. To the North, behind them, was the city, and past that, the peninsula. To the south, the direction they were facing, was Corvus Peak. The tallest mountain range on the continent. To the west, plains would span for miles and miles, and towards the edge of the continent, the jungle would cover the land, running up to the shoreline. Fern dipped suddenly, down below. It caught Cattail off guard, and he’d spin after her. As he dove down, he could have sworn he saw eyes glittering from the trees.