Forgotten by the Realms

Chapter 4: The Desert

"So we pick up the hammer and lightly tap on this section of the gold, then take your chisel and carve in the Flight design onto the flattened wing."
Báye pounded out the malleable gold lump, shaping it into the traditional wing design popular among residents around the wind paths. Working quickly to carve the swirling graceful patterns, he blew off the excess dust and carefully shone the finished product with a polishing cloth.
"Well done Aryonwyn! That's the finest I've seen, may I use it as an example for the rest of the class?" The teacher popped up behind him, examining the work. Báye jumped at the sudden realisation of her presence, his face turning bright red in embarrassment.
"Ummm... cosa dico! I mean... Well, shaa, sure go ahead!" He blundered, anxiously scrubbing with the cloth to buy some more time.
"Great, EVERYONE, come over here so I can show you how to complete the swirl technique!" Báye flung his cloak over his face as the entire class walked over. He slipped towards the back of the crowd and watched as the teacher pointed out the patterns, wishing the bells would ring so he could fly home.
The Prairie council had received a mandate from the Elders to institute schooling among the realms about 5 years ago, but it hadn't been enforced since the stone age and grumbles of protest were getting louder. All residents 17 and under were strongly encouraged to go and learn trade because of the economic boom in resources, now that they learned a new way to transport goods over the poisoned water. The main hub was around the Ark which developed an eroding resistant boat that was able to transport supplies to be taken overseas, and used to export rare materials and artefacts out of the Abyss. Báye's class was making a shipment of flight signs, which would be used around the realms for directions to flying paths and updrafts.
But there had been a change in the past few weeks, he noticed the class was starting to hold a grudge against him every time the teacher would show his carvings. Not many were skilled enough as the schools were just instituted, but Báye had carved and shaped metals and wood with his father from a very young age, and continued it just for fun. He didn't want to be an outlier and tried to go as slowly as possible with his work so he could keep in pace with everyone else. Nothing helped. As the class dispersed back to their work benches he received glares and exasperated looks from many.
He slid his cloak over the prone sign hiding it from his view as hot tears threatened to fall from under his mask. Báye hurriedly packed the gold into a box and sealed it up to put on the stack they were making, just before the bells chimed on top of the hill.
Birbs scattered in different directions away from the sudden noise as the students chatted loudly grabbing their belongings. Báye packed up quickly and jumped up the stairs to wait for the school manta to take him home. The grassy open cave was breezy and shaded from the sweltering heat outside, he leaned back against the cool rock and lowered his head to hide behind his wide brimmed hat. Other classes from other realms studied here, and the cave got pretty cramped as more and more kids showed up. The bold colors of The Valley kids, soft pastels of the Isle residents, and fun volatile hairstyles of the Vault children mingled together to create an harmonious picturesque view, as the classes mingled and chatted swirling their cloaks and waving their arms. Báye's ears pricked up as two people stood loudly in front of him talking.
"You coming to the party? I think that Quino got invitations to everyone, well except for Mr. Perfect. I tell you if he keeps doing so well, Teacher is going to keep increasing the amount of work we have to do. It's embarrassing!"
"Don't I know it! I'm getting tired of having to go over every stinking time he does something a little extra that wasn't even in the instructions, why doesn't he just stay home and let us learn the basics?"
"Well at least it's the weekend, and we can try and catch up on all this extra work.... Ohhh— ummm, hi."
They turned around to see Báye still standing behind them, quietly trying to muster the courage to speak.
"Hi Báye! We didn't mean any harm by it, it's just... well... Quino is a jerk not inviting you right?!" They laughed it off and Báye laughed as well, to alleviate the pain and not be a crybaby Moth.
"Umm, yeah!.... It's no big deal guys.... I have a lot to do this weekend too! Have fun."
The manta arrived and they dashed to the front to sit next to Quino. Báye filed onto the back seat and flopped down, flinging up his cloak in defeat. It was no use. The manta glided majestically through the clouds and picked up speed as it glided into an updraft. The realm entrances rushed past as different numbers of kids leaped off towards the entrances and glided quickly towards home. The entrance to Sanctuary Islands was looming closer and Báye stood and prepared to jump off. He jumped and gilded serenely down until another object collided with him from the right. He careened sideways face planting in soft sand.
Groaning he picked himself up slowly spitting out the grainy sand. The day just got worse. Brushing the sand off his cloak and wide brimmed hat, he glared over at the flailing creature a few metres away which must have crashed into him. Báye sighed and stomped over to release what he thought was a birb, but instead turned out to be a boy with a feathered cloak.
"Oh, hi... sorry." He muttered, realizing his mistake. "I thought you were a birb..." Báye's face heated up in embarrassment, this was exactly the kind of thing that they would pick on him in his class for. Surprisingly, the boy chortled loudly spinning around to get the sand off of him.
"I'm a much larger size then a birb!" He grinned, sticking out his hand and vivaciously shaking Báye's.
"I'm Coventini Graxielli, but you can call me Coven! What's your name, crashing buddy?"
"Báy... Báyedolune... Aryonwyn." He stuttered surprised, and entranced. The boy called Coven, was unusually tall, and had on an elegant golden eagle mask. His hair was swooped up in a fluffy owl style bobbing up and down with every shake, but the most enchanting thing was his eyes. A light firey amber color, which reflected so much joy it was impossible to be sad looking at them. Baye smiled back at Coven's friendliness, Eden knows he needed a friend right now.
"You can call me Báye."
"Hiya Báye! I haven't seen you around these dunes, do you live in the Starlight Desert?"
"Starlight Desert?! No! I live in Daylight Prairie, I must have blown off course and missed my stop!" He started to panic, flitting his eyes back and forth at the dreamy sky and the dark clouds.
"My siblings are going to be so worried!"
Coven patted his shoulders, his touch grounding Báye and bringing him back to reality.
"You can come with me until the next manta is scheduled to arrive. It's my fault you ended up crashing! I'm as clumsy as a Moth learning to fly!"
Báye nodded reluctantly as Coven led him away towards the warm light of many twinkling candles in the distance. The desert was calming, purple light glowing past from the moon and a large mountain in the distance casting a dark shadow. The gently swooping dunes punctuated by a small oasis or bonfire breaking the consistency.
"Is it always this dark here?" Báye asked.
"Yep, haven't had sunlight since the stone age!"
Coven grinned, flapping his cloak and grabbing Báye's hand suddenly, leading him up to a floating island.
"Welcome to my home!"
They landed on a soft rock surface, covered in stacks and stacks of books. Lit by candlelight the numerous texts lay open wide, dust settling on volumes bigger than him. A small earthen roofed home awaited off to the side, smoke swirling out of the chimney.
"MAMAAAAA! I'm BACKKK!" Coven yelled, pulling Báye behind him.
Báye blinked in shock at the sudden brightness from inside. As his eyes adjusted to the light he stared around at the stately interior. The walls were darkly stained to contrast the blazing fire, and several arching windows allowed the pale moonlight to pool through. A woman even taller than Coven was flipping through the pages of an old dusty book. Her hair was plaited back and her wren mask rested on the table nearby allowing Baye to see her attractive dark features. Her eyes darted up, the same colour of fiery amber as Coven's, boring holes into his as she snapped the book shut with her deft fingers.
"Hello Báyedolune Aryonwyn, you finally showed up."