The play starts at sunset with these weird bird noises all around, owls hooting and other birds chirping. A sad flute playing in the background. Its Osogo the weaverbird making that sound, he’s grieving because thirty-three of his kind got killed by owls in something called the Weaver Massacre. He keeps saying that every bird deserves to live, even if some call them cunning or whatever.
Red String shows up quietly, he’s a big deal owl and advisor to the king. Osogo right away calls him out for being a hypocrite, since owls are supposed to stay out of sight until dark but here he is early. Red String says sorry for the loss but talks about how rights go with responsibilities. Osogo pushes back, wondering when telling the truth turned into something bad, and he even says change is on the way, like its bound to happen.
It seems like the owls think they run things because of their eyes, the biggest ones so they see better at night or something. Red String brings that up, and also how they protect everyone from stuff like snakes. But Osogo isnt buying it, he points out that owls kill day birds, make laws just for themselves, and use animals like python to execute birds the parliament condemns.
Then Tel Tel comes in and acts surprised to see Red String before its fully dark. He gets all arrogant, saying as the kings advisor he can show up whenever with technical appearances. Osogo gets mad and leaves, yelling that Red String just makes up rules as he goes.
Tel Tel sticks around though, shes planning to join other birds protesting the owls, things like stealing eggs and using scary animals to mess with day birds. Red String drops this big reveal about the Moonlight Law theyre pushing, it stretches their watch from ten at night to six in the evening, limits moving around and making noise after that, but owls get a pass of course.
Hes got her supposed to spread the word that its for safety against some attack coming, and theres a tax too to pay for more guards. If birds complain, she should lie and say its a tithe for the gods, carried by Falcon or something. Tel Tel says no way, calls him out for betraying promises, like he said Osogo would be safe but they went after him anyway.
Shes in a tough spot because earlier she spread lies about Osogo on Red Strings orders, so now day birds dont trust her much. Things heat up when Arum Tidi walks in, hes got this sly advice for Red String, if you cant convince them just confuse them. Tel Tel gets disgusted and storms off, threatening to get back at them, while the two owls laugh it off.
I think Arum Tidi is warning against trusting day birds like Tel Tel, who stirs emotions and bangs on trees to warn others. Red String sees her as useful for that, but Arum suggests taxing or banning it, maybe arresting. So Red String gives him the job of pushing the Moonlight Law propaganda, with rats as a reward every night at the royal trees.
Arum agrees, hell say its divine if anyone asks, like a revelation straight from above. He worries about owls turning against them, but Red String says deal with enemies one by one, using strategy sixty-six from that book on hooting strategies. Osogos flute is still going in the distance, kind of creepy, but Red String figures the law will shut down all that noise with its curfew.
Red String leaves feeling pretty sure of himself. Arum Tidi talks up the law like its all about peace and security for the kingdom, even though really its just the owls tightening their grip more. That part feels a bit unresolved, like whats next for the birds pushing back.