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"I have redeemed myself by giving belief to the wings of the young. Blessed are those who believe, for indeed they shall fly."
-Grimble as he dies, The Capture
Grimble was a male Boreal Owl, or Aegolius funereus, that falsely served St. Aegolius Academy for Orphaned Owls. He taught Soren and Gylfie how to fly and was killed by Skench while helping them escape from the library of St. Aggie's.
History[]
Before the Books[]
Grimble, returning from hunting with his mate, found a St. Aggie's patrol trying to snatch his favorite owlet, Bess. The owl who had attempted to snatch Bess was Ork, a cousin of Jatt and Jutt, and a deadly enemy of Skench and Spoorn. Grimble pursued and killed him with his bare talons, saving his daughter. Skench and Spoorn saw his superb fighting skills and made a deal with him, saying that they would never touch his nest again if he chose to come and join them at St. Aegolius. Grimble was allowed three visits to his nest per year, but the longer he stayed at St. Aggie's, the less his own family recognized him. He had become semi-moon-blinked, which he considered worse than being fully moon-blinked.
The Capture[]
Grimble was forced to serve St. Aggie's when he killed Ork, and Skench, the Ablah General, threatened to harm his family. He was instrumental in helping Soren and Gylfie escape St. Aggie's, but was killed by Skench. As he fought Skench, Grimble encourages Soren and Gylfie to fly to freedom, calling them "my children" and expressing with his final breath his joy that they had escaped.
The Burning[]
As the Guardians set about destroying the flecks in the library, Soren thinks of Grimble, remembering how the Boreal Owl that had been like a father to him and Gylfie had died defending them from Skench. Grimble's death was one of the sources of Soren's loathing towards Skench, who he had been forced to join forces with, but ultimately, it was also Soren who avenged Grimble by killing the Great Horned when she betrayed them to fight with the Pure Ones, sending Skench plummetting to her death.
The Golden Tree[]
Grimble is mentioned as the father of Bess, who is also known as the Knower, whom the Band had discovered during their journeys. With the exception of Soren's mentor, Ezylryb, the wise Strix Struma and the Band's close friend, Otulissa, they initially told no one of Bess's existence.
The War of the Ember[]
Grimble appeared to his daughter in a dream and told her to "wake up", indicating of a hidden danger and that she should step out of staying at the Palace of Mist.
Quotes[]
"The life I live is worse than death, I assure you." - Grimble to Soren and Gylfie