The Betrayal of a Barn Owl

The brisk night air flows throughout the plumage that decorates my wings. I glide effortlessly through the branches and trees. Careful to not hit a single one. The moon shines a muted yellow. Much like the teeth of the man who lives in the cabin near my home. My heart is pounding. I keep a lookout for my prey. I see small mice and creatures. I hear insects scuttling along the bark of nearby trunks. Creatin a rhythmic soundtrack to my hunt. What I am after is much larger than any of these meager meals. I stretch my four toes. I have been airborne for quite some now. Perhaps a small snack would be a welcome break.

The remains of my midnight bite glide down my gullet. I can now think with better clarity and focus on the task at hand. I perch on a low hanging branch, and listen intently for my target, I turn my head side to side to correctly discern the direction the sound is coming from. There! Southwest from here. I hear the voice I’ve been searching for.

As I approach I try my best to be unnoticed. Landing upon a thatched roof appearing to be minding my own business. There she is. A tall slender human. She has olive skin and course black hair. She dons violet robes and speaks with the ringing of bells in her throat. As beautiful as her voice is, her words cut like my talons did that poor mouse earlier.

“Have you heard about Oveus?” The female seethed. Her golden eyes darting around for what I assume to be eavesdropping ears. Hmm I chuckle to myself. If only she knew.

I heard the sound of wood dragging along sand and saw the shadow of a man with three legs. Ah yes, I forgot that men of an older age needed to use walking sticks.

“ Yes, I heard he betrayed the king and killed the crown prince,” another voice quivered, “he surely will meet his doom when they find him. Surely the kingdom will turn to chaos as this gets sorted.”

This voice seemed strange. Raspy. A bit cowardly. It must have come from the old man I have seen before. He was nice. Always offering his scraps. What is he doing with the likes of that woman?

No matter, I have found my target. I am desperate to get the true alimentation I need: information.

The woman continues in a rather haughty tone, “well, whenever they do find the criminal, surely it will settle the matter and they will not come looking for the true culprit. I shall walk a free woman.”

The old man’s eyes awoke in horror. The wrinkles in his forehead deepened. The gears turned in his head as he realized he was in the presence of the truly guilty party. He took a shaky step backwards. reflexively nervous to be any nearer that witch.

“ Oh don’t be so surprised,” she cackled. Then a crackling of vibrant flames left her hands as she burned the man in front of her. The man crumpled to the ground. Burnt and writhing in pain. Until he stopped. No movement. No evidence of breath entering or leaving his body.

The woman scrawled on a piece of parchment and crumpled it into the man’s hands. And quickly fled the scene as she heard guards alarmed by the loud booming that her magic evoked. I swooped down after she was out of sight to investigate the paper. It has one word.

My name:

Oveus.

It seems I will stay a barn owl for a while now. At least until I can leave the kingdom. Or clear my own name.