A Flight of Fancy

Chapter 1: A New Home

     I woke up, but I didn’t get out of bed for at least an hour. I couldn’t bring myself to get up. Or maybe I just didn’t want to. I just wanted to sink into my bed and disappear for the rest of eternity.

     But that wasn’t an option for me because the job I was just assigned was much too important. As the one chosen to be sent to the mainland, my purpose was much greater than to lay in my bed all day. But it was not a responsibility I asked for nor was it one that I wanted, but I knew there was no way for me to argue against it. I accepted and went to bed, hoping the next time I woke up I’d realize it had all been a nightmare.
I was not so lucky.

     I begrudgingly got out of my bed and put on my gambeson before getting out my old leather bag and started packing my things. I put on my leather armor then pulled my bag shut, slinging it over my shoulder. This would be my first time off of the island. My first time away from my family for more than a few days.

     I felt guilty. Many of the others in my tribe would die for this kind of opportunity. They’d fell the most wild of beasts for a chance at just a glimpse of the mainland. But I was not them. I know how they look at us. How they feel when they see a corvid polluting their sight. Now was not the time to back down, though. Not that I had much of a choice.

     I stepped outside, where everyone was gathered. They were ready to send me off. My Minotmin was the first to approach me.

     “You will do well. We know it.” She pulled me into a tight hug, which I gladly leaned into. It was the last time I would feel her warmth. It was the last time I’d be touched by someone who didn’t see me as a wild beast.

     The next one to approach me was the clan leader. I met his gaze out of spite. He was the whole reason I was being cast off. It was the least I could do to thank him.

     He huffed. “You are a bold one. You will do well on the mainland. Make us proud. Give them a reason to remember the Kirino Tribe.” I gave him a nod. I would not be able to give such a pleasant response if I had opened my mouth.

      Then came the clan children. They had grown so much bigger this past season. I admit, I was sad I wouldn’t be able to see them progress further. I know they will be capable of great things.

     Each of them presented me with a gift. For a child it was the most they could give, thus it was the best way to show their respect. I ended up with a golden chain, a brass coin, and a small crystal that had been shaped into a perfect sphere. I bowed my head in thanks before putting the little trinkets in my bag.

     The rest of the clan bowed their heads as I walked past them. This was it. The last time I would be seeing my home or my family. I started following the muddy dirt path out of the village. I wanted to turn back. I wanted to run back to my Minotmin's warm arms and never leave them. But I don't have much of a choice, do I? No, I need to press onward. I need to make something of myself. If I do well enough, we will not be forgotten. And when memory is all we have, it means everything.

     I followed the path for a long while, taking up most of the day, before coming to the edge of the island. It would be days of flying before I made it to the mainland. But I had no other choice. What would they think of me if I turned back now?

      It didn't matter. It wasn't a choice I had. I sat down on the beach and had one last meal. Once I took off it would be several days of flying, and I needed to be prepared. I took some time to clean my wings. It wasn't long before it was dark out.

     I laid down on the sand and stared up at the sky. Would I be able to see the same stars when I went to the mainland? Would those signs of my home still be visible to me?