Night of the Autumn Harvest

Summer was coming to a close; the heat of the days becoming less and the warm evenings cooling with a fog settling the dried grounds and winds bringing the new season as the nights passed. An owl gives a haunting call in the moonlight night sky, wing beats barely audible as it glided through the trees. The owl, of a Tyto class, perched on a low branch just above a sitting Mantlebeast. Warden of the Niche Tyto Owls, Wattson watched the stars with a soft smile over his face as he was sitting on a large log.

The first full moon of the Autumn Harvest was rising and with it, an expected visit from an old friend.  The old Tyto Warden adjusted his sitting position by crossing one long spindling leg over the other and holding his decorated cane before him. His ears twitched as he heard a sound of scurrying behind him but his eyes never left the face of the moon.

"Rezart... what are you doing up so late...?" He gave a small chuckle. From behind a large tree, a smaller Mantlebeast of the crew niche Dandelion crept out a bit shy and bashful. 

"I..uh.. Just wanted to see where YOU were going. You came to see Master Maize didn't you?" The younger Mantle looked up to the warden with a curious gaze before it was diverted to the full moon. His eyes were wide and he sat on the log beside Wattson, "Will he appear tonight?"

"Of course young Rezart...as the Warden of the Autumn Harvest... It would make sense we'd be seeing the very Warden to ensure our Autumn Harvest be plentiful." He held a warm smile and lowered his head to close his eyes only momentarily. Rezart took a deep breath and in his exhale, a cloud of his breath formed. Visibly he had shook and rubbed his arms over his shoulders and ruffled his cape around him.

"Its much colder these days." He was shaking for only a moment before he felt a warm cape come over him. He looked up and seeing that Wattson shared his feather like cape over the younger Mantlebeast. 

"We'll go back home soon enough, my son. Watch." The Tyto Warden smirked through a side glance and looked up to the moon once again. Rezart's gaze followed suit and looked to the moon. 

In a glimmering orange and yellow light the moon seemed to open up with a silhouette shooting through. Rezart realized there was a portal and through it, the Warden of the Autumn Harvest emerged. In a glamorous flip forward and tumbling twirl, He landed before the pair of Mantelbeasts, swinging his scythe in a  low sweep to rest his sharpened blade up behind him and settling its head on the ground. The Mantle before them in a full corn husked cape and brightened fall colors smiled contently in greeting. Wattson uncrossed his legs and with the help of his cane, stood up which also uncovered Rezart from its warmth. Almost instantly, the young one shivered with a sharp inhale. He also stood up to stand beside the Tyto Warden and to give greeting to the Warden of the Autumn Harvest. Wattson was first to speak with a light chortle.

"Good to see you again Maize. It has been quite some time."

"Indeed old friend. Autumn has come to our lands and as always I have returned to see to our traditions." Maize was much older than Rezart but not nearly as old as the old Tyto Warden. Maize's tail gave a wiggling twitch and  he looked down at Rezart. It appeared Rezart had come down with his shyness again and lowered his gaze.

"Dandelion huh...A good niche to have. They are quite nice this time of year."

"They store a lot of energy before the winter...t-to e-ensure great blooming come spring." Rezart's ears lowered with a smile. More so as Maize seemed to glow in praise to Rezart's passion and commitment to his niche.

Wattson cleared his throat, catching Maize's attention briefly.

"Maize...In your travels across the lands, should you be about, you are welcomed to our humble abode atop the high trees just north of here." 

The Warden of the Autumn harvest perked his ears up and his smiled turned toothy. His whiskers quivered curiously and he nodded.

"While the night is young... I must go and make preparations. Tomorrow though...I'd be delighted to join you and the young crew." He flashed a toothy smile down at Rezart and at the Tyto Warden. From the husk of his cape, he pulled out a corn freshly picked and offered it to the young Mantlebeast, "The first of this year's harvest. May it bring you and your dandelions nourishment."  The young mantlebeast took the offering and held it in his hands. He smiled gratefully and bowed just slightly in respect to the warden.

"Thank you very much Master Maize." 

"Maize will be quite fine."

"Rezart is quite a spry young crew. Perhaps he can join you in your harvests early tomorrow? Along with the other crew you oversee." Wattson smiled proudly. Rezart seemed to bean with joy himself and holding his new gift in hand.

"Of course, we'd love to have him." Maize nodded and began to turn, raising his scythe in hand, " Join us down in the southern fields. The rest of the crews will be picking corn, squash and more."

"O-Of course Maize! Thank you!" Rezart turned and started running off. Wattson and Maize each exchanged a look and started to laugh.

"Off with the wind again, probably to get a good night's rest for tomorrow. Well, back to the nest for me as well Maize. You have a good night and don't overwork yourself too much in the coming months."

"Winter will come soon enough and my time is short old friend. Rest among your feathered friends and I'll see you tomorrow for a feast." He turned and swung his scythe, his hair like tendrils swaying in cool breeze and he opened another portal and disappeared within. Wattson gripped his cane and gave a delighted sigh. 

"Seems we'll have a great Harvest this year." He turned and started walking off into the forest, disappearing through the undergrowth and humming a small tune.