[The White Raven, Chapter 10, Demonic Angels] [Clapper Province, House Eagle, Planet Darai] “Cala, hurry up.” “I am, shut-up… hey, here’s some Nightshade.” “We’ll use that next time if she doesn’t leave,” says Kata. “Just find the poopy plant, it has green leaves and little tiny white flowers that look like daisies.” “I know what it looks like… umm… does it have a purple dot in the center?” Kata shifts nervously on her feet at the door of the Greenhouse watching for anyone that might walk past and discover them stealing from Ring’s greenhouse. “The purple dot one is the sleepy plant, we want the one without the purple dot.” “Hey!” shouts Cala jumping backward. “What?” “This orange plant tried to bite me.” “Stop messing around.” “Well it did.” Cala moves silently between the rows of tables stacked with Ring’s exotic plants, a clipboard hangs at the edge of the table with notes on each one. The sun is starting to go down and shadows criss-cross through the greenhouse casting eerie images on the ground. Cala stops at a table and inspects the plants growing there. He finds one that looks like the plant they are looking for and pulls several of the white daisies from the green leafs. “I got it,” says Cala. “Okay, lets get out of here.” Cala hurries back to the door and Kata pushes the door closed and latches it carefully. “Do you know how to make it?” asks Cala. The two hatchlings run between the trees and head back towards their cabin. “Yea, you boil it and make a tea,” replies Kata. The White Raven is at the Dining Cabin telling stories to groups of hatchlings, and the two white clad acolytes have the cabin to themselves for now. A pot of water is hanging over the fireplace and has come to a boil while they were pilfering the needed plants. “I told you to put more water in the pot, it’s almost all boiled away.” “There’s plenty, give me the white flowers.” Cala hands the white flowers over, and Kata drops them into the water to steep. A pleasant aroma rises from the pot while Kata counts out the correct amount of time. “Hand me the tea pot.” “Careful, you’re spilling it.” “Get the tray and the cup.” “We should put some cookies on the tray to make it look good,” suggests Cala. “Good idea,” says Kata. Cala retrieves some cookies from the little cookie jar over the mantle and arranges them on the tray while Kata places the tea pot and a cup on the tray. “I’ll carry the tray, you’re clumsy.” “Am not.” “Then why is there only five cups on the shelf?” asks Kata. “Like nobody noticed the broken cup you hid in the trash.” Kata pushes Cala away and carries the tray. Cala, grumbling, opens the door and then follows his partner. The two miscreants hurry towards the Dining Cabin where the Hawk Priestess that arrived three days ago is sitting on the porch. A steady stream of new arrivals from all over Darai have been arriving since the visit by Lady Clapper. “Well, what do we have here?” asks the Hawk Priestess setting her book down. “Hello, Priestess,” says Kata. “We thought you might like some tea.” “That is very kind of you, acolytes,” replies the Priestess. Kata sets the tray down and pours the tea into a cup and hands it to the Hawk Priestess. “It smells divine,” says the Priestess raising the cup to her lips and then pauses. “Oh, I think I should like one of those cookies with my tea.” “I knew they were a good idea,” says Cala picking the tray up and offering a cookie to the Priestess. Cala glances sideways at Kata and grins. The Priestess reaches for the tray, and then grabs Cala by the wrist and pulls him into her, the tray with the cookies and tea pot fall from Cala’s hands as he tries to pull away. The Hawk Priestess twists the hatchling around and holds him tight against her. Cala opens his mouth to cry out and the Hawk Priestess shoves the tea cup to his lips and begins pouring it down his throat. Cala chokes as he swallows involuntarily and hot tea spills down his face and shirt. The heat of the tea makes Cala cry out louder and even more tea goes down his throat. Kata screams and Mergan jumps up from her usual seat on the porch. “What are you doing!” shouts Mergan. “Let him go.” “I’m sharing a cup of Raven eye tea these wonderful hatchlings prepared for me,” says the Hawk Priestess calmly releasing the hatchling to fall back against the railing of the porch. “What?” Mergan kneels, picking up the tea pot and sniffs at the remaining contents. “Kit, I need my medical bag, Cala has ingested Raven eye,” whispers Mergan on the Com-link. “ “I do believe he should hurry,” says the Hawk Priestess sitting back in her chair with a pleasant smile on her face. “Raven eye kills within three minutes.” “It’s not Raven eye,” cries Kata. “It’s Swan sage.” “If that was your intention, dear,” says the Hawk Priestess. “You have made a terrible mistake, and I’m sure you are aware of what the penalty is for attacking a Priestess whether by Blade or Poison.” The door of the Dining Cabin bursts open and Vas storms out with the White Raven. “What the hell is going on out here?” demands Vas. “She killed Cala,” screams Kata holding the trembling Cala. Vas pulls his Talon Dagger. “No, stop,” shouts Mergan holding her hand up. “This isn’t the time.” “Put your blade away, General,” orders the Hawk Priestess. “You’re under-arrest for attempted murder,” says Vas. “I don’t think I am,” says the Hawk Priestess. Kit runs up onto the porch carrying Mergan’s Medical Bag. “We need to induce vomiting,” says Mergan looking through the Medical Bag and producing a small brown bottle. Mergan opens the bottle and tips Cala’s head back and makes him drink the dark liquid. The reaction is immediate and he starts violently vomiting the contents of his stomach. “No, Doctor, stop!” shouts the White Raven kneeling and scooping up the flowers that spilled from the fallen tea pot. “The tea isn’t poisonous.” “What?” says Mergan holding the now violently ill hatchling. “This is Raven eye, but the leaves are ruined,” explains the White Raven. “Raven eye has to be steeped for an hour until the edges of the flowers have turned red. These flowers are curled and still pure white, that only happens when they are added to water that is too hot.” The White Raven looks up at the Hawk Priestess still sitting calmly in her chair. “But you knew that already,” accuses the White Raven. “Of course I knew that,” says the Hawk Priestess. “The only thing wrong with that hatchling is the incompetent medical treatment of your Doctor.” The Hawk Priestess stands and stares down at the White Raven and then at Vas trying to decide what to do next. “If I were a guest of Raven House, I would expect an attack by poison,” says the Hawk Priestess. “Is this what Eagle House is to be all about, just another branch of murderous Ravens?” “You are a guest here, how dare you,” screams the White Raven standing. “I do dare,” replies the Hawk Priestess. “House Eagle is a fledgling mess, and you are not ready to be the High Priestess of a House, child. Your General stands uncertain what action to take because House Eagle has no laws or constitution, and to make matters worse, your leaders foolishly left the planet when they should have sent a proper trade envoy. Your school system has no structure, guidance, or goals, and you are squandering your limited food supply by giving free food to all these new worthless scavengers arriving from other Houses.” “You have no authority here,” shouts Vas. “Silence, General,” shouts the Hawk Priestess. “This House will fall within two weeks because none of you have any idea what you are doing. General, you will place guards on that greenhouse immediately. You should have done that long ago, but you are not even aware of just how many plants are being pilfered from there to make drugs. These orphans are not the innocent creatures you would like them to be, they are coming from a background requiring them to engage in every possible illegal and immoral activity to survive. They have been crying out for help and you have not heard them.” A group of orphans have been gathering around the commotion and watching. “It’s true, Vas,” shouts one of the older orphans. “You’re always gone at that college, you don’t know.” “Yea,” shouts another orphan. “My gang and I have been thinking about leaving, the bullying is getting bad.” “Gang?” asks Vas. “There would be more food if the older kids weren’t selling it to those smugglers,” shouts another orphan. “What smugglers?” asks Peli. “I’m tired of having to give up my dinner every night so I don’t get beat up,” shouts a younger orphan. The Hawk Priestess stands and unfolds her wings. “White Raven, you will appoint me as the High Priestess of House Eagle. General, you will secure that greenhouse and prepare your alliance for battle. I want that smugglers camp destroyed by morning. And this young male that foolishly attacked a Priestess will be punished.” “I will not allow the chair to be brought here,” insists the White Raven. “Nor should it be,” agrees the Hawk Priestess. “These are Eagles and the punishment should be far more severe. His wings will be taken from him and hung on a pole of shame in the center of the camp for one year.” Cala looks up, his face pale. “I would rather go to the chair.” “Vas?” asks the White Raven. “I’m not sure I like her methods, but she’s right,” says Vas. “I’m sorry, we do need an experienced Priestess, and the punishment is fair.” “I agree,” says Mergan. “She could have insisted Cala be put to death for attacking a Priestess. Her punishment is hard, but it would mean no more killing hatchlings or chirps for mistakes.” “I feel anger and hatred towards you for hurting Cala,” says the White Raven. “My emotions are too clouded, I need to speak with my mother first.” “Your mother is one of the finest High Priestesses of all the Temples,” says the Hawk Priestess. “I will accept her wisdom.” “Will you set aside your title as a Hawk Priestess?” asks Vas. “We might not survive two weeks, as you said.” “I will cast my fate with yours and swear loyalty to House Eagle.” “Lets lean on the side of caution both ways,” says Vas. “Make her the interim Eagle High Priestess until the Raven High Priestess can advise us.” “I won’t be the Spiritual Leader of House Eagle anymore,” whispers the White Raven. “Child, that is the reason you are not ready to be a High Priestess,” says the Hawk Priestess. “You can not lead until you follow in the steps of humility.” “I appoint you the interim Eagle High Priestess,” declares the White Raven. “But, touch my acolytes again and I’ll kill you.” Vas bends down and unfastens the wings from Cala. The White Raven picks the hatchling up and carries the crying boy away. Kata follows along holding Cala’s hand. “I don’t like you,” says Vas to the new High Priestess. “But Little Missy wasn’t ready, and we are desperate. Betray us and I’ll kill you myself.” “I would expect nothing less, Master Eagle,” says the High Priestess. “My title is Master Raven,” says Vas. “Not anymore, unless you are still a member of House Raven,” says the High Priestess. Peli lays her hand on Vas’s arm. “She’s right, these are the kind of decisions we should have been making but haven’t.” “I’ll go find a place to hang these wings,” says Vas. “Maybe I’ll look for a place to hang her too.” “I’ll come too,” says Peli. “I saw a nice tree we can reserve, just in case she is playing us.” ***** [Hawk Province, Western Forest, Planet Darai] Cody’s stomach growled and hurt from being hungry too long. He could smell the apples, a rich scent rising from the orchard in front of him. The scent made him even more hungry. Cody lay next to Daeger watching the orchard, the other boys of the gang were spread out waiting for Daeger’s order to go. “Okay, lets keep this simple,” says Daeger handing Cody a sack. “This is Cody’s first time, so he gets to prove he’s got the apples to do this.” Daeger laughed at his own joke and the other boys laughed with him. Cody didn’t understand the joke and only stared at the older boy. Daeger shook his head and patted him on the head. “Don’t worry about it, you’ll get the joke someday,” says Daeger. “All you need to do is run down there and distract the farmer while we fill our sacks. I’ll whistle, the farmer will start chasing us, and then you fill your sack and run back into the forest.” “Okay,” says Cody. “Well, get going,” says Daeger. “Okay,” says Cody getting up and walking towards the apple orchard. The shiny red apples hanging from the trees make Cody’s stomach grumble again. There are apples lying on the ground, and that is a temptation, but he didn’t want to disappoint the other boys. Cody had never been with any other hatchlings, it was a new experience. He wanted to do it right. The farmer was easy to find, he just walked between the rows of trees until he found a man beating on a tree with a long stick. The man looked busy and the woman that used to take care of him always said he needed to wait to be told to speak. So Cody waited. The man must have sensed someone was standing there and spun around, visibly startled. He was a big man, a scarred face, not the kind of face you would expect on a farmer, but maybe on a soldier. “Where did you come from?” asks the farmer. “Over there,” says Cody pointing. The farmer looks the direction Cody is pointing and then back at Cody. “And what’s that sack for?” asks the farmer. “You’re supposed to chase me, then chase the other boys, then I get to fill up the sack with apples,” explains Cody. “Is that so?” says the farmer. “So you’re a thief and you plan on robbing me.” “I don’t know,” says Cody. “Isn’t this where you get food from?” The farmer stares at Cody for a long time and then back at where Cody pointed. “How long have you been an orphan?” asks the farmer. “The woman told me to wait on the corner and then left, then a policeman took me to a bridge, and then some boys brought me here.” “Great ancestors, boy,” says the farmer. “You were at the bridge and they let you live?” Cody shrugs. “I’m hungry, is this where I’m supposed to get food?” “To make it across that bridge alive the ancestors must be watching out for you,” says the farmer. “I think you’ve fallen in with a bad crowd, come with me.” “Aren’t you going to chase me?” asks Cody. “Not today, come along.” Cody follows the farmer, he has a limp, and Cody watches the man walk for awhile. “What’s wrong with your leg?” asks Cody. “Wasn’t always a farmer, things happen.” “I like it.” “What?” “I usually have to run to keep up with big people, you walk at my speed.” “Precocious little thing, aren’t you.” “I don’t know.” The farmer stops at a truck where another man is loading crates of apples. “Saeker, there’s a group of boys hiding at the south end, take the Needle gun and put down as many of them as you can, and take Makae with you.” “You got it, Boss,” says the man. “Better to give ‘em mercy now before the snow comes.” The man that had been loading the crates gets something out of the truck and runs off. The farmer motions for Cody to get into the truck, but the last ride didn’t work out so well and Cody hesitates. “Good instincts, boy,” says the farmer picking an apple from one of the crates and handing it to Cody. “Now hop up in there and eat your apple.” Cody’s stomach wins the argument and he crawls up into the truck. The farmer follows him in and Cody devours the apple while the farmer drives the truck. The truck bounces along the little dirt path between the apple trees and then onto a bigger dirt road. Cody is only vaguely aware of other trucks and workers loading the crop. The farmer stops the truck in front of a house and looks at Cody. “Where’s the apple core?” asks the farmer. Cody grins shyly and points at his stomach. “Well done, that’s a good Hawk, never waste the Goddesses gifts. Apples are where we get our strength from, remember that.” “Okay.” “Proper way of replying is, yes sir.” “Yes, sir.” “Say it like a Hawk.” “Yes, Sir!” shouts Cody. “Good boy, come on, lets see if luck is still on your side.” Cody follow the farmer up the stairs of the farmhouse, but instead of going through the front door the farmer walks around the porch to a door on the side. The smell of food cooking hits Cody like a hammer. The farmer puts his hand on Cody’s head and leads him through the side door into a kitchen, the smell of the food is intoxicating. A woman looks up from a table in the center of the room and stands. “What have you found, you old war bird?” asks the woman pleasantly, her eyes a piercing but warm gaze. Something about the woman feels right to Cody, his instincts tell him she’s safe. The farmer stands behind Cody, his hand on Cody’s head. Cody leans into the farmer, the comfort of the affection welcome after the horrors of the day. “Found him,” says the farmer. “Figure the house has been too silent for too long. Needs the screeching of a young Hawk running around, and this one has all the markings of a good Hawk.” “You want him?” asks the woman smiling. “Yep.” “This isn’t like you,” says the woman. “What are you really doing?” “Look what he has in his hand.” The woman walks over and kneels down in front of Cody and holds her hands out. “May I see your toy?” asks the woman. Cody holds the stuffed animal out to the woman. She takes the toy, inspects it carefully, and then hands it back to Cody. “You think it’s a sign from the Goddess?” asks the woman standing back up. “Yes, I do,” says the farmer. “There’s an ancestor here, can’t you feel it? I’ve been sensing someone watching me all day.” “The news says the Ravens founded his House in Clapper Province.” “We can’t let the Ravens raise him.” “I agree,” says the woman. “If he is who you think he is, then there is no better war-bird to teach him honor and sacrifice.” “We are in agreement then,” says the farmer. “We tell no one, and we raise him as a Hawk until the ancestors tell us different.” ***** [Sparrow Province, Sparrow Academy, Planet Darai] Dear Jaco. I’m so glad you are okay, I was getting worried. I’m at the Academy now, and it’s hard. I live in a library. Seriously! It’s a library. Every Host lives in their own library. The basement is labs, the first floor is the library, the second floor is classrooms, and our rooms are on the third floor. The only time we ever leave our building is to eat or do Co-ops with other Hosts. The basement is locked, so we haven’t been in there yet. All we are doing is reading. I’ve never read so much in my life. Every day a Priestess comes in and sits down at a table. She puts a strange device on the table and we each have two minutes to give a summary of our reading assignments. We don’t know what the device does, and everyone is scared to ask. After everyone gives their summary, the Priestess never says anything, she just leaves. Our reading assignments - oh yea, and the occasional lecture - is on the class schedule they gave us when we got here. Sometimes I go outside and read in the study area in front of our building. I wish you were here. Well, I better go. I have so much reading to do. We don’t get much sleep. Yours truly, Pesa. Dear Pesa. I’m doing okay. I went out to search for food and found their Dining Cabin. They are so wasteful, I found a whole pot of stew just left out on the stove. I don’t think anyone would notice that I ate some of it. My mission is harder than I thought. I haven’t found the right Gunslinger to tell yet, but I’m having fun watching them. Their new chirps showed up yesterday. I think I’ll keep an eye on them. Thanks for writing me. I’m so lonely. Oh, and if the device the Priestess has is the same as the one they use at the Raven Temple, then it's a voice stress analyzer. Expect them to start switching your reading assignments without warning. The device is recording your stress levels to see how well you deal with stress. Yours truly, Jaco.