4. The Invitation

Owlspook arrived home just before dinner time. She was surprised that none of her guest were waiting for her at the door. Well never mind she thought as she put away the supplies she had bought at the market. Coming into her house she placed the velvet bag on the table. and promptly forgot about it as she busied herself in the kitchen making dinner. The food was cooking on the stove when her visitors returned. Warm greeting and talk about the day filled the moments and soon dinner was brought out and all sat down to eat.

One of her guests, a small hobbit named Fancy found the velvet bag on the table and asked owlspook about it .. owlspook explained to everyone what happened that day at the market. Questions flew left and right and owlspook answered the best she could. None of her guests had heard of the amulet or it's treasure in that lay in the land of Zazz so the hours flew by as they discussed the possibilities. The night of storytelling became lost to their ruminations.

Later into the night owlspook realized that she was quite exhausted and took her leave. She carried the velvet pouch with her placing it inside her pouch. After such a long time discussing it she wanted nothing more than to think no more of it. And so she did. She climbed into her bed and fell fast asleep.

The sun rose as usual that next morning but owlspook slept on and it was after lunch before she awoke. The sun was hiding behind the clouds and the rain ran off her windows. A miserable day, she thought as she got herself up. The house was quiet and her guests had already left leaving their things hidden behind the couch as they had the night before. Guess I ought to fix something to eat, she thought and headed off to the kitchen to make herself some breakfast.

Just as she was ready to sit down and eat the doorbell rang. It was the PostOwl. A letter from a cousin, a note from a friend and an invitation to an art show. Now that is curious she thought as she noticed the return address on the envelope. It was from the land of Zazz! 'Such coincidence!' she said out loud while she opened the envelope. It read, 'You have been invited to attend the first ever Zazz Art Show to be held on the mall.' As owlspook read on she realized the art show was today! 'oh my oh my' she said. She quickly ate, got dressed, cleaned up the kitchen, grabbed her pouch and ran out the door.

The rain slapped against her as she closed the door behind her. Ugh she thought. She really hated to fly in the rain but there was no other way to get there that would get her there in time. As it was it would take a hours even on a good day. Oh well, she thought and off she flew into the rain.

3. Market Day

It didn't take long for owlspook to reach the market. Busy as it was she was able to make her with ease through the narrow streets and between all makeshift booths. Usually she would meet a few friends out and about on market day but she saw no one she cared to speak with. Finally she arrived at the booth she was looking for. The old owl who manned the booth was new to her. She bought the few things she came for and was about to leave when from behind the hanging blanket out came Tara. Now she and Tara were not friends but they got along ok. Tara called out to owlspook asking her to come back behind the curtain with her so owlspook obliged her.

Once inside Tara began rummaging around the room digging through baskets, boxes and backpacks strewn about. From a old box Tara pulled out a small velvet bag ... the kind one stores one's treasures in and handed it to owlspook. She then told her that it was an amulet that she had acquired years before from a wandering trader. owlspook was about to open the bag when Tara stopped her. 'You must not remove the amulet unless you accept the quest that goes with it.' owlspook said nothing but motioned for Tara to continue. 'In the land of Zazz there is a treasure that is well valued by those who understand such treasures. Unfortunately I am not one of those that do. The trader who brought me this amulet told me of it but he could not explain to me what the treasure is. He also told me that one would come that would accept the quest, open the bag and see the amulet and that person would understand the treasure.' Tara became quiet for a time fussing around the room. owlspook stood waiting .. looking at the bag .. her thoughts to herself ... Tara spoke again 'Now mind you I have looked into the bag and saw nothing. I was curious enough and willing enough but I guess I wasn't the one. Before you I have showed this bag to others and the same has occurred ... if you accept the quest for this lost treasure there is no way for sure to know if you are the one until you look into the bag. Regardless I cannot keep it anymore. I have told you the story and now it's up to you. Give it away or sell it .. do with it what you wish it is now yours.' owspook thanked Tara and left the backroom and went out into the street. Her thoughts kept drifting back to what Tara told her although she was unsure whether or ot she wanted to go on a quest or that the quest was hers to go on ... Well never the mind ... the day was still young and she still had more things to do before heading home.

A few rows down from Tara's place was Zak's. Although she had no need for another of whatever he sold she wanted to met with him. It was a long time since she had a good chat with her friend. She had known him since he was a young one. Hmm she thought she hadn't seen him since he had left his mother's tree years before but had heard that he had a booth at the market and thought it was a good time to stop by and say hi.

It only took a moment to reach the booth. Zak was busy selling a blanket to an old crow who was obviously trying to haggle down the price. Zak was firm and eventually the old crow paid up and left. owlspook had stood and watched not interrupting her young friend in his business but now with a sweep of her wings she walked up and gave Zak a big hug. This surprised Zak who was going to rebuff this old owl until he noticed it was owlspook. The next few hours were spent in catching up and telling tales of this that and all thing that had happened to them since they last met.

By that time it was already mid-afternoon and owlspook took her leave. Then suddenly the bag she got from Tara dropped onto the floor. Zak reached down to pick it up and stopped abruptly. 'Where did you get that from?' he sputtered. Picking up her bag owlspook replied that Tara had given it to her just hours before. Zak went onto explain that he knew it, it's supposed contents and of the quest but thought it a legend. He also told owlspook that a curse also went with it but the curse had to do with the treasure not the bag. owlspook chuckled and said she didn't believe in curses and that just because she had the bag did not mean that she was going on the quest. 'So what do you plan to do with it?' Zak asked. owlspook just shook her head ... she didn't have a clue. Zak told her to be careful and advised her to get rid of it as soon as possible. As a joke owlspook offered it to him and he paled as he backed away. A bit curious owlspook asked him why he was so afraid of an unopened bag. Zak replied, 'The curse.' They talked a few more minutes about it and owlspook left considering the thought of destroying the bag and all that it contained. It might have been better if she had.

With her shopping done and her company soon to be returning owlspook left the market and headed home. Thoughts of the amulet flew from her mind and all she thought about was how she was going to continue her story of the King of Cats and the Gathering of Ten.