Balion, (Just practise)

Balion awoke to the sound of birds singing their morning prayers. Streaks of sunlight filtering through the thick canopy of forest leaves, setting the surrounding area alight with a warm, resplendent glow.1

Running a hand through his messy black hair, he took a deep breath.2

For a moment, as Balion took in the beauty of what lay before him, he felt at peace, content.3

He watched the Birds who were flying to and fro. All looking for the perch that would best give them the chance of being noticed by a potential mate. Trees were dancing fluidly in the morning breeze, bringing to life the stationary insects who had stopped for a quick moment of rest, hoping to go unnoticed by their larger predators. The rustle of leaves on the forest floor could be heard as small game made their way out of their night time dens in search of the food and water they would need to replenish themselves for the coming day.4

Everything was as it should be. All was natural. Everything had its own place in the world.5

From the giant oak trees that were a refuge, home, and hunting grounds to multitudes of birds and insects. To the small game that fed off the plants and shrubbery, and in turn were food for the larger hunters of the bush.6

It wasn’t until he stretched out both arms and leaned his head back that Balion saw the large owl perched high above him, Just visible past the edge of the rock covering.7

It sat silently. 8

Balion was pretty sure it was the same owl he had seen before falling asleep the previous night.9

In the daylight the large bird looked almost gold. Its huge wings folded in, the owl watched him with striking blue eyes.10

“Good morning to you, hunter of the woods.” Said Balion cheerfully. He had no one else to speak too, and was feeling in a particularly good mood. 11

“A beautiful day, don’t you think?”12

He wasn’t sure if the owl gave a small bob of his head, or was just trying to set his balance in a more comfortable position. Balion thought the former highly unlikely.13

It was nearing mid morning, and the plants and herbs which he was told to collect were sitting comfortably in his bag. He wasn’t expected back at the monastery until tomorrow, which meant he had a couple of hours to practise his gift before he had to set out for the barge.14

Balion got to his feet, slung the bag over his shoulder, and started to make his way through the dense trees. He was heading towards the small lake he stumbled across yesterday by accident. It would be a perfect place for him to relax while he practised.15

He was used to the unsteady footing of the forest, and was stealthy in movement. As he walked, pass tree after tree, with only the sun to guide his way. He calmly concentrated on his Gift.16

The more he practised, the easier he found controlling the well of power that surged through his body, ready at any moment to erupt.17

In the first month when he realised he had the Gift, Balion shunned it. He thought the gift more a curse than blessing. He knew what would happen if discovered by the priests, it would more likely than not mean expulsion from the ranks. They would send him away. Away from his home, his friends, his life. 18

But as time went by, the pressure within built. He knew it was only a matter of time until it manifested itself. And that when it did, he would have no control over what happened.19

The second month Balion began to spend his free time practising, then the third. It wasn’t long before he started to feel the joy the gift brought him. It wasn’t a force at odds with nature, as the priests insisted, but was a conduit to link with nature. And many more things.20

Balion moved sedately, swinging his head from side to side he tried to take in all that was around him.21

As he did so, he was submerged in health and vitality. The trees were like glowing beacons of nature. To his now heightened awareness, the life force that raced through their veins was like balm to his soul. 22

How could the priests possibly understand what it was like to have the Gift?23

To be able to reach out and touch nature, be one with it.24

Whatever they said about the Gift, Balion knew they were wrong.25

The bush in front parted as he gave a little nudge from his mind, and Balion stepped through into the opening. 26

With the full glare of the sun reflecting from its surface, trees looking as if to bow over and scoop water with their tangled arms, and the abundance of wildlife sprawled about, the lake looked a thing of wild stories.27

The most amazing thing, noticed Balion as he looked around this magical place, was that all the creatures seemed to be in a harmony.28

Both hunter and hunted were relaxing placidly side by side. Not seeming to notice the presence of their bitter enemies.29

A faint shimmer of gold in the corner of his eye, he turns.30

And stumbles back a foot. 31

For standing tall at the centre of the lake, feet braced firmly on a large silky black rock, wings spread royally to encompass the clearing, was the large golden owl he had seen earlier. 32

The connection with his gift was shocked out of him at the sight of this magnificent creature standing before him. But Balion didn’t need his gift to sense the forces rippling around the centre of the lake, drawing all to its call. Including him.33

With a nonchalant push of his wings the owl rose gracefully and glided its way to a few meters from where Balion was standing.34

Once landed, It looked Balion in the eye and tilted its head to the side quizzically.35

Balion was too shocked to do anything more than stand there with his mouth open and gape. Who ever heard of an owl so big? 36

It was near enough the same size as him, and he was close to six foot. 37

He stood dumb, eyeing the strange creature with a mixture of awe and fright.38

It was most definitely the most beautiful thing he had ever seen, without a doubt. But its ferocious looking beak, and piercing black claws were enough by themselves to make any sane person worry. Not to add being able to use the power.39

The owl let out a slow rhythmic call that set the wildlife in the clearing alert.40

They rose slowly to their feet, totally disregarding Balion as he stood watching on amazed. 41

Each animal gave one longing look filled with adoration in the direction of the golden owl before moving of through the trees silently. 42

Balion stood trance like as the creatures in the clearing left one by one.43

A small doe that seemed intent on staying put, until the owl chanted again, was the last to leave. Her hind legs bouncing disjointedly behind as she bounded through the trees.44

Balion looked from the bush still swaying gently were the doe had exited, to the owl standing on his left.45

Bright yellow eyes met his gaze. Intelligent and cunning were the eyes of the wise owl.46

“You are welcomed by all in my forests young Balion. For I am Edder, and I have spoken.” a swirl of light, a flash. And Balion rubbed his eyes as luminescent colours raced across his vision.47

The clearing was now empty. The only sign of what had passed showing in the trampled grass at the foot of the lake, and the large black rock sitting eternally in the middle of the lake.