An Owl's Rise

Immediately everyone could tell that something was different about Verrader.

Normally he felt like he was exuding and aura of self-importance, but now he seemed more reserved.

There was also the fact that he now stood closer to Evelyn when before there was a constant distance between them. Clearly something major had changed. Something more than just what Evelyn had explained.

In fact, the way that Verrader was sticking close to Evelyn as if to use her as a shield between him and everyone else showed that he was afraid that the others would rebuke him.

However, after a short private conversation with Evelyn he relaxed and did not seem as afraid of approaching Bylur, Rehni, and Aralee.

Evelyn had just told him that she kept his connection to humans as their spy a secret and did not plan on telling the others until their group had greater cohesion.

There was still a bit of tension in his expression that showed he was conflicted about something, but Verrader was grateful for Evelyn's consideration. He was not sure what would have happened if the others new he originally meant to give Evelyn up. Though he also felt a bit bad about continuing to deceive them.

"Now that Verrader is awake, we can return to the Roost. Everyone, get ready to move out." Evelyn said, moving things along.

Swiftly they all gathered up their belongs into their storage devices and left the abandoned desert burrow.

The journey back to the nearest warp point took them a few hours. It was in the middle of the desert in a completely unimpressive area. Much like all of the warp points Evelyn had been to before.

"Okay Otis, this is where we will be saying goodbye for now. I imagine you will be fine setting up camp around here for at least a little while. We will be back no later than three days, but I do not believe it should take that long. Hopefully we can welcome you into the Roost tomorrow." Evelyn said to Otis.

"I have lived my entire life int his desert, so I am certain I can go another few days here. Though I cannot lie and say that I am not looking forward to finally seeing your home." Otis responded.

After that they all said their temporary farewell to Otis and activated their return tickets. Being swallowed up by the light of the warp portal and being whisked away back to the Roost.

When the light finally faded from her eyes, Evelyn looked around and found the warp hall to look the same as ever.

Swiftly she and her companions were ushered off of the platform and exited the warp hall.

"Let us head to Melisandre's estate. It is time that I introduce the two of you to my master." Evelyn said to her siblings.

The two of them had known that one of the higher-ranking owls in the Roost had been mentoring Evelyn, but it was not until recently they had learned it was Melisandre, master of the Alchemy Hall and one of the pillars of the Roost.

Naturally both Aralee and Verrader were nervous to meet such a powerful and influential member of the Roost. One that sat multiple ranks above them, only one away from the very top.

"Here we are." Evelyn said, landing in front of an imposing door that was big enough for a jumbo jet to pass through.

With the wave of her identification cuff the door unlocked and began to open. Revealing the massive hall that was the entrance to Melisandre's estate.

Shuffling inside, Evelyn led her companions into her home.

It was not long before the other three residents, Anneli, Katrina, and Melisandre arrived. Alerted by Evelyn's return.

"Welcome back Evelyn. I am glad to see that you have returned in good health. Oh, and these two must be your siblings." Melisandre said, turning her gaze towards Verrader and Aralee.

Suddenly having Melisandre intently looking at them caused both of them to shudder slightly. The two of them could feel her analyzing them and the immense power she had.

"Yes, I can see the family resemblance. It is a pleasure to meet both of you. My name is Melisandre, though I am sure you already knew that." Melisandre said with a friendly smile.

With her demeanor having softened, Verrader and Aralee were able to feel some of their tension release.

"I am Aralee, Evelyn's sister it is a great honor to meet you Melisandre." Aralee said, bowing her head.

A moment later, Verrader followed suit and gave the same greeting, and Melisandre gave a satisfied nod.

She then introduced Anneli and Katrina to Evelyn's siblings before moving everyone to a parlor where they could speak.

"It sounds like everything went mostly as planned. I will want to see this Otis myself before recommending he be allowed to join the Roost and getting the other Hall Masters involved, but I doubt there will be any problem since he is a tyrant rank beast. I already have all of the paperwork filled out and just need to submit it." Melisandre said after Evelyn told her that Otis had successfully evolved.

But before they left to head back to Otis quicker than Evelyn had expected, she needed to discuss something else with Melisandre.

"Actually, I need to speak with you alone about something important Melisandre." Evelyn said, a deadly serious look in her eyes.

"Very well. Anneli, Katrina, take Evelyn's siblings and friends to the kitchen. I am sure that they must be hungry and could use some food." Melisandre said, waving everyone else.

"Now. What is it. I can tell from your expression that this is no small matter." Melisandre said once they were alone.

After taking a deep breath Evelyn told Melisandre everything she had learned from Verrader and explained his circumstances.

As she did Melisandre's face grew darker and darker, and Evelyn felt a murderous aura flare up from her master.

When Evelyn had finished her explanation, Melisandre pulled out a magic notepad meant for sending messages and hastily wrote a message down and sent it off.

"I have informed Katrina to send your brother back. This is something that I need to make sure to deal with immediately. I trust your judgment Evelyn, but it is possible that this is still all just part of some elaborate trap he is setting. If your brother is truly a threat to you, I will not even be leaving ashes." Melisandre said, a scarry look in her eyes that Evelyn had never seen before.

In her mind she wished Verrader luck. If Melisandre decided to kill him here, then there was little she could do about it.

Soon Verrader returned wearing a ghastly expression. He certainly knew why Evelyn had stayed behind, and why he was being summoned now.

"Come here. If you are truly repent for what you did and do not plan to betray Evelyn anymore you have nothing to fear." Melisandre said with a commanding tone.

Verrader gulped loudly in response, and slowly crept towards Melisandre.

When he was within reach, Melisandre put her hand on him and channeled her magical energy into Verrader.

This caused him to seize up his body trying and utterly failing to block the foreign magical energy. Especially since Melisandre was being rather forceful about it.

"I can feel the echoes of enslavement magic inside you. But whoever sent you was smart enough to remove it before sending you here. You never would have made it into the Roost if you still had it on you." Melisandre said.

Naturally the Roost was wary of spies being sent from the outside, and whenever an owl used a warp portal to enter the Roost, they were scanned to detect any sort of magic that could control them.

For several minutes Melisandre carefully expanded Verrader's body, until her eyes suddenly flung open in surprise.

Immediately she took out a shimmering light blue potion and handed it to Evelyn.

"Once I am done splash that on your brother." Melisandre said, leaving Evelyn confused by what was going on.

In her left foot she was holding a powerful healing potion and was not sure what Melisandre meant for her to do. At least, not until her master jammed her right hand into Verrader's chest.

Wide eyed and mouth agape, Evelyn had surely not been expecting this.

Yet when she got her thoughts together she realized that Melisandre was not attempting to Kill Verrader. If she were, there were certainly easier and less bloody method. Plus, there would be no need for Evelyn to be holding onto to a healing potion in that case.

"Got it." Melisandre said after a few seconds.

With a forceful yank she pulled a black diamond shaped object out of Verrader's chest and motioned for Evelyn to use the healing potion.

With the flick of her foot, she splashed the contents onto Verrader's chest and the wound began to rapidly close.

Verrader, who had been seized by Melisandre's magical energy was now free, and he let out a pained scream before collapsing onto the ground. Like a marionette that had its strings abruptly cut.

"Don't worry, he will be fine. Taking this out caused him an immense amount of pain, but he will recover." Melisandre said, holding up the black diamond shaped magical device that had been imbedded inside of Verrader.