THE CHOSEN ONES ( PART FORTY )

A stranger was standing there, arm outstretched and
perched on his arm was the most beautiful owl Nathen had ever seen, infact he had never been that
close to an owl before.

"Wow!" said Nathen, "how do you do that? he's such
a beautiful bird."

"Lotsa hard training," said the man.

"Do you think I could learn?" said Nathen with interest.

"It can take many Summers and Winters, to train, I
trained this Owl from a baby, he's my friend."
The Owl stared, with his huge eyes.

"What's his name?" said Nathen.

"His names Tawny, cause of his colouring." said the
man.

Suddenly breaking the moment Martha approached.
"Why hello Brad me boy, what you be doing in these
here parts?"

Brad turned to Martha, "hello Ma, I thought it was
about time I came to visit you."

"You must have smelt me stew. Howzat Owl of yours
doing?" enquired Martha.

"Oh! he's fine," replied Brad.

Martha turned to Nathen, "so I see you two have met, this be me son Brad and his Tawny Owl...Brad
this be Nathen and young Ben, we picked them up
some time ago, they been with us ever since."

"Good to meet you," said Nathen, Ben just smiled.

"Yep same here," replied Brad.

"So will you be staying long Brad?" said Martha.

"Well if it be okay with you Ma, I'd like to stay
the Winter."

"Well I never!" said Martha, "all this coming from
the son, who never stays with his Ma, very long."

Brad laughed, "O'come on, I'm not that bad." Brad
set his Owl down on the branch of a tree and followed Martha into her Wagon.

The Wagon had wooden steps leading up in to it, there wasn't any door, but a skin hung from the entrance. The roof was made of wood, which wasn't
very appropriate if it rained hard, but the Wagon
was well sheltered under the trees of the forest.

"So come on then, what you been up to, since last
we met?" said Martha.

"Been digging up North," replied Brad, looking
nerves.

"What you been digging for?" Martha was curious.

"Same as always, same as you, Crystals."

"Let's see em then!" said Martha.

Brad took from his pocket some beautiful green Crystals and put them down, to show Martha.

"Well...well!" said Martha studying the Crystals.
"I ain't seen these afore, wherever did you get
them?"

Brad stood up and went over to the entrance of the
Wagon, he looked out.

"What you be doing Brad?" Martha looked puzzled.

"Just checking to make sure there ain't nobody
listening."

"Oh! don't be silly, Nathen and Ben, don't know
nothing about Crystals." Martha said getting agitated.

"This ain't about Crystals Ma!" Brad was acting very mysterious.

To be continued ..........