Each Tuesday, I will be sharing a short story, over several parts.  When one ends, I will begin another the following week.  I hope you enjoy!   🙂

The Owl (part one)
The Owl (part two)

In front of him, the coast and water had disappeared, replaced by forest trees, and darkening skies. No longer did the light betray his vision. What he saw before him was no illusion.

She transformed before his eyes. A maiden with long locks, feathered, like wings, but her wings were gone. The owl was confused a bit, not really knowing what it was he was experiencing. Trying not to stare, as her feathers became a cloak, now draped across her shoulders, she was more human than owl. Except for her eyes. They pierced through him, never blinking.

He tried to back away, more and more, as she became less and less an owl. Standing before him was a woman. Now he knew, the tales of the Owl Queen were true. For centuries, a story of how the Greatest Owl took a human as his wife, would pique the interests of tourists, who traveled through the small town. He watched her carefully, then bowed, though never taking his eyes off her. She had a slight smile across her lips, one that made him quiver. He didn’t know why until she spoke. It seemed she had come there, seeking a new king. The Greatest Owl had flown off into the dark night, never again to return. His reign had ended, cut short by a hunter’s arrow. The Queen searched endlessly until she was able to take her revenge. She had decided it was now time to find another Greatest Owl, to lead the parliament once again.

I found my stature here quite enthralling. She had chosen me as the Greatest Owl. The Queen, however, decided to remain human, wanting to live out the rest of her life in the forest, and appearing only in the darkest night. And when she did, I was by her side, standing proud, as King of the Owls.

The End.

©2018 Dorinda Duclos All Rights Reserved
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