02 The Library

CHAPTER 2 THE LIBRARY The four friends spent all day in the library. Tag, Blaze, and Claw searched through the higher shelves. Skyla looked through scrolls on the floor.

"We've been here forever, and we've found nothing!" Tag grumbled. "Look at this book," Blaze replied. "It has some interesting things about my family. And about the Owls of Valor in Perodia too."

Skyla, Tag, and Claw came over to listen. "Since the beginning of time, the Owls of Valor and the firehawks have worked together," Blaze read. Tag sighed. His heart felt sad at the thought of the Owls of Valor. It was his dream to become one someday and protect Valor Wood. If we can't find a magical object, he thought, I might never become an Owl of Valor. "The Owls of Valor protected the first firehawk egg," Blaze continued. Skyla wrinkled her nose. "What was the first firehawk egg?" she asked. "I've never heard of it," Tag added.

Blaze read on. "All firehawk eggs are magical, but the first firehawk egg is the most magical of them all. After the first firehawk hatched, the egg shell didn't turn to ash. Instead, it repaired itself and became filled with the most powerful magic in the world. But like all magic, this egg could be used for good or for evil." Tag shivered. He knew what terrible things evil magic like The Shadow could do. Skyla gasped and pointed to the bottom of the page. "Some say that the first egg could open a permanent portal between lands," she read.

Tag Jumped into the air. "This is what we've been looking for!" he cried. "We could use the egg to open a portal and get home!" Claw added. But Blaze shook her head as she read on. "The first egg was lost hundreds of years ago. Nobody knows where it is now." Tag put his head in his wings. Blaze patted his shoulder. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "We'll come back tomorrow and keep reading. I know we'll find a way to open a portal." They walked back to the temple and found the great hall. The tables were piled high with delicious food and drinks.

Tag's tummy growled. "Feeling hungry?" Skyla laughed. They sat with Talia. And Tag ate until he felt like he might burst. When Tag, Skyla, Blaze, and Claw had all finished eating, Talia took them to a large beach hut. "You can stay here," she said. "For as long as you need to. Good night." The hut was full of snuggly blankets and soft cushions. In the center was a bowl of nuts and fruit.