Read Online A Guide Book to the Great Tree by Kathryn Huang - Free Book Online

nothing.
    That made sense, I supposed. I thought back to some of the books that I had read on other species of birds. There was one species whose males would puff out these great big bubbles on their chests to attract females. Another would make their tail feathers stand straight up in the air. I supposed plucking one’s whiskers wasn’t so farfetched. Lil was a cultured owl and a descendant of one of the oldest lines of Whiskered Screeches in the Northern Kingdoms. Perhaps she would be moved by such a gesture.
    The night ended with more “male bonding” as Lyze called it. Despite all the teasing, it was a nice respite from the training and fighting. Just before Loki flew off, he lifted a foot toward his face, and with a wink he whispered, “Don’t forget about the whiskers.”
    I would not forget about the whiskers. I knew that I had an opportunity to see Lil during my next leave. That’s when I would do it.
    I knew it would smart. I thought I would be prepared having pulled out all those feathers for quills in the past. Apparently, I was not so prepared. It hurt ! My eyes teared up with every yank. It wasn’t a simple task, either—I had to borrow a pair of tongs from the blacksmith to get at my whiskers. Afterward, I looked at my reflection in a puddle. With the bald patch around my beak, I looked ridiculous. Nevertheless, I was pleased with myself. If this is what it takes, then so be it. I planned to surprise Lil with my “cosmetic improvements” the following night. What I didn’t realize was that it would be one of the worst nights of my life.
    â€œBWA-HA-HA-HA-HA! Wha? Why? Ah-ha-ha-ha-ha! Oh, dear…Ha-ha-ha-ha!” Lil could not stop laughing long enough to catch her breath. “Oh, dear! Ifghar! That’s…Ah-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!”
    It was clear that she did not interpret my gesture as it was intended. What was I to say? I did this to impress you? I stood there, stunned. Then, it dawned on me. Pay no attention to him, Ifghar, he’s just a joker. Wasn’t that what Lyze had said? What a fool I was! I’m going to kill that frinking Great Gray.
    To make matters worse, I saw my brother circle above me and Lil, coming in for a landing.
    â€œWhat’s so…?” Lyze stopped mid-sentence as he saw my face. “Oh, Ifghar. You didn’t!”
    I was humiliated. I could not meet my brother’s gaze. How I wished for the tree we perched on to be swallowed by the earth right then. “I…I thought…”
    â€œWait, is this because of what Loki said? You took Loki seriously ? He’s the biggest trickster in the division! I told you that! He was just hazing you!”
    At that moment, I hoped against all hope that Lyze would not tell Lil of how easily I had been bamboozled. My gizzard was convulsing. I was still trying to think of a plausible explanation that I could give to Lil when Lyze said the words that I had least expected to hear.
    â€œSo, I see you’ve met Lil, my soon-to-be mate.” He hugged her close to him.
    A thousand ice daggers pierced my heart. His soon-to-be mate? Had I been in the air I would have certainly gone yeep. Almost immediately, I could feel my gizzard fill up with rage. I was angry at Lyze for not telling me the truth behind Loki’s “advice.” I was angry at him for stealing Lil from me. I was angry at him for utterly failing to watch out for his little brother. But I was most angry at myself for being such a mooncalf.
    Lil had finally stopped laughing now. “Oh, Lyze, Ifghar and I have known each other for ages, ever since the Academy. I just didn’t know he was your brother. Well, I guess we’ll be family soon, Ifghar!”
    She looked so happy, so radiant. That only devastated me more.
    I can’t remember what happened after that. It was as if time stopped and the world became a blur.
    For the next several weeks, I threw myself into combat. Evidently,