Valkyrie (Kate O'Hearn) - By Kate O'Hearn Page 0,40

was going to come with us this morning, but she couldn’t get a baby-sitter for my little sister. But you can call her if you want. She knows Cousin Greta needs Orus with her.’

Freya looked at Tamika in a new light. She knew the girl didn’t like Orus and was frightened of birds, but yet she was speaking bravely on the raven’s behalf.

‘I don’t know about this,’ Mrs Bergquist said. ‘I’ve never heard of a raven as a service animal before.’

Before Freya could speak, Archie pulled out another paper. It was from the Illinois General Assembly website with the statute he’d found on the Internet the previous evening. ‘It says here they have just allowed miniature horses to be service animals. If they can enter schools, so can ravens.’

Mrs Bergquist became flustered as she read the document. ‘Wait here.’ She disappeared into the Principal’s office.

She returned moments later. ‘Dr Klobucher would like to see you.’ The secretary directed Freya, Archie and Tamika into the Principal’s office.

‘That’s fine, Cheryl,’ said the Principal gently. ‘You can leave us now.’

Dr Klobucher rose and closed the door after the secretary. She stepped closer to Freya with her eyes lingering on Orus. ‘You have a raven as a service animal?’

She was average height with short, styled hair that reminded Freya of fine birds’ feathers. But it was her kind eyes and warm smile that struck her most. They revealed a deep caring for her students. Freya’s senses confirmed this. Archie had told her that Dr Klobucher was ‘cool’. But as the woman stood before her, she wondered if Archie knew just how good she really was.

‘Yes,’ Freya agreed. ‘He tells me when people are behind me and warns when they get too close.’

‘Is he friendly?’ Dr Klobucher asked.

Freya nodded. ‘He’ll let anyone touch him. He just caws if they get to close. Here, you can hold him if you like. He loves to be stroked.’

Orus gave Freya a sharp, accusing look, but allowed himself to be handed over to the Principal and endured her hand stroking the smooth black feathers on his back.

‘Well, he seems friendly enough,’ Dr Klobucher said, ‘but I must consider the safety of all the students in the school.’

‘Orus is my companion,’ Freya said. ‘We’ve been together for a very, very long time. He poses no danger to anyone here.’

The Principal handed the raven back to Freya and shook her head, laughing. ‘Well, this is a first for me! Legally, I can’t say no to a service animal, though this is very unorthodox. Let’s try it for the rest of the week and see how it goes. But if there is a problem with the teaching staff or students, we may have to look at it again.’

‘Thank you for letting Orus stay.’

‘Just keep him under control and there shouldn’t be a problem.’

Moments later the first bell rang. ‘I’ll escort you to your first class to let the teacher know what’s happening and then I’ll inform the others,’ said Dr Klobucher.

Freya’s morning classes went without a hitch. After the initial shock each class got used to the presence of the large raven on her shoulder at the back of the room.

At lunch Freya and Archie met up with Tamika and Leo Max. Orus remained on Freya’s shoulder, but was glad for the treats he was handed by the others. Throughout the lunch period, students from Freya’s music class came up to her. She was invited to a birthday party and asked to join the after-school Glee Club.

‘You’ve become really popular,’ Leo Max commented.

Freya shrugged. ‘It’s not me – it’s Orus they like.’

Leo Max laughed. ‘You’re not serious! Greta, boys I’ve never met before are coming up to me and asking questions about you. They would never have done that before. But because we’re friends, they want to meet you and have asked me to introduce you.’

‘Why do they want to meet me?’ Freya asked.

‘Are you kidding?’ Leo Max cried. ‘You’re beautiful and mysterious; everyone wants to meet you.’

Freya looked over to Archie. He said nothing but had a big grin on his face.

‘I’ve heard Jim Gardner was asking about you,’ Tamika added. ‘He’s the most handsome boy in school. I bet he asks you out to the dance.’

‘What dance?’ Freya asked.

‘You know, the winter dance next month,’ Tamika said. ‘Everyone’s going.’

‘Except me,’ Leo Max said sadly.

‘And me,’ Archie agreed.

Freya turned to Archie. ‘Why aren’t you going?’

‘JP says if any of us show up, he’ll pound us into the ground.’ Archie paused and