Earthbound

[Kale Allerion]

Kaedan's Travel Log - Day One

Having one's throne taken away from one is easy. Surrendering an attitude of royal superiority is much more difficult. Even though I am, according to the standards of the more "dignified" classes of my people, a nobody, I still can't make the snobbish voice of the man I was before today go away. Although I am free of the oppressive culture that bound me mere days ago, I can still hear the voice of Prince Daermod complaining that he has to sleep on the floor of a cave instead of the soft bedding he is so accustomed to.

But I won't listen. Prince Daermod is no more. I am a new person - I am Kaedan, a free man. I am a man with no plan, no future, but a dream. A dream that could never have been fulfilled had I stayed in Maz'hasen. For a long time I lived under the delusion that I could be a radical abolitionist and a prince at the same time, but I was sorely mistaken. I wish I had known how wrong I was before my banishment.

I wish I had known a lot of things. No matter, though. I must try to put the past behind me. Right now I need to concentrate on learning how to sleep without pillows.

Sincerely,

Kaedan

[Kale Allerion]

After hours of tossing and turning on her cot, Rayne finally surrendered to her restlessness. Grunting angrily, she threw the covers off and rolled out of bed. Rubbing what little sleep she had in her eyes, she walked toward the window facing the eastern horizon.

Sun's just coming up, she observed. I might as well get my work done early.

____________________________

The dew-soaked grass felt good underneath Rayne's bare feet as she scanned the forest floor for globeflower seeds. Globeflowers only opened their petals at dawn, and it was Rayne's responsibility to gather as many as possible until the shy plants closed their flowers for the day.

Even though she didn't much like having to wake up early in the morning - especially after a sleepless night - she enjoyed the solitude of this chore. Only a few other slaves were assigned the seed-gathering task, and they were easy to avoid in the vastness of the forest. It was mornings like this that she'd plan the rest of her day, look ahead to upcoming events in the week, and occasionally allow her mind to travel back in time.

As much as it hurt, Rayne couldn't help but think of her father after the restless night she'd had. Memories of the only family member she was really close to flooded her mind; her father - the man who had accepted her despite the fact that she was considered cursed by society. It was he who kept her safe from slavery for six years of her life.

I'll never forget you, Dad, Rayne promised. Especially when times are hard.

_____________________________

As she journeyed from the castle to the manor she served at, she saw a small, winged figure dart across the slowly lighting sky.

Probably Faiyah, she thought with a smile thinking of the youngest child of the manor and her only friend among the members of the upper class. She usually flew out on her own, for no other reason but to enjoy the beauty of the day.

Rayne scratched an itch in the middle of her back - the place where her wings should have been. She'd been unlucky enough to be born without the very things that could have kept her from a life of unjust slavery and discrimination.

There was a time when she was younger that she constantly asked herself why? Why had she been so unfortunate?

Now that Rayne was older and accustomed to her fate, she rarely asked that question. There was nothing that she could do to change her circumstances.

Might as well make the best of them.

[Kale Allerion]

Kaedan's Travel Log - Day Two

Upon waking up this morning I discovered that my hiding place overlooks the exact city I wanted to avoid - Highdale, capital city of Viranaea; a city full of the same oppression I left behind in Maz'hasen.

I know I'll have to go into the city sooner or later. I'll need to find food somehow, and as you could imagine I'm not much of a hunter or a gatherer. Hopefully in this state I can pass as a slave. There's no way I could roam the streets of Featherwing territory without being actually pressed into slavery. At least, that is if people are as discriminatory as they are in the place I used to call home.

Dirty and ragged as I am chances of anyone recognizing me as the former prince of Maz'hasen are slight, to say the least. Problem is, none of the slavemasters in Highdale will be able to recognize me as their slave. The constant nagging of my empty stomach is impossible to ignore, though. I'll have to take my chances now.

Sincerely,

Kaedan

[Kale Allerion]

About noon that day as I was milking one of the cows, I felt someone's finger tap my shoulder. Startled, I jumped and wheeled my head around to see Ada standing behind me, twirling a strand of her blond hair nervously.

"Oh...hi, Ada," I said, relieved that she wasn't one of ths slavemasters. "Don't sneak up on me like that. You nearly gave me a heart attack!"

The young woman's eyes widened and she began wringing her hands. "Oh, I'm terribly sorry," she said softly. "I didn't mean to frighten you. I had forgotten your name, though...so...I, um..."

"Don't worry about it, Ada," I interrupted, instantly feeling bad. The poor lady was at least four years older than I was, but she was more timid than anyone I had ever met. I don't think she had any confidence in herself, despite the fact that she was beautiful and had the voice of an angel.

I wondered at her coming here. She and I were only acquaintances, and she didn't talk to people unless it was absolutely necessary. Obviously now she was on a mission.

"So, what do you need?" I asked, in a softer tone than I'd used before.

"Um...well, Jezz...Jezzimine? That's her name right? The name of the girl who serves the Queen, right?" I nodded, and she continued. "Well, I was supposed to tell you...um...she's having a dance by the pond tonight. And...well, y'know. All the slaves around here are invited...she ran into me and said to remind you."

Jezzimine was not my favorite person in the world. She was a slave just like I was, but for some reason she thought that the fact that she served in the palace made her better than the rest of us. She was about as spoiled as a slave could get, and she was desparate for attention...which was one reason she held so many dances.

I still planned to attend. Dancing was one of the few amusements allowed the slaves of Highdale, and although I wasn't much of a dancing the social atmosphere would do me some good.

"What time does it start?" I asked. "I was told about this earlier, but I forgot."

"Seven," Ada answered.

"Okay, I'll be there," I said smiling, trying hard to make poor Ada more relaxed. "Will you be joining?"

"Oh, no!" she said emphatically.

I wasn't surprised at her answer, although it saddened me. With her beauty she would have been sure to attract the attentions of more than one handsome young man at the dance.

"That's a shame," I said, knowing trying to persuade her was useless.

"Yeah, well...I'll be busy..." she said - lied, probably. "Um...well, I've gotta go," she said backing away from me and the cow I had forgotten I was supposed to milk. "Bye."

"Bye, Ada!" I called as she turned away, the sun sparkling on the feathers of her solitary blue wing. "And thanks!"

[Kale Allerion]

Kaedan's Travel Log - Day Two, Continued

I was fortunate enough to meet a one of the palace kitchen-slaves, Agnar, who needed help chopping meat. Seizing the opportunity, I offered to trade my assistance for a hot lunch, a deal which he gladly agreed to.

Once the chore was done and I was sitting down to a bowl of hot soup, Agnar and I talked a long time. I began to wish I had more thoroughly invented my new identity, for I found myself making up things about myself on the spot. I honestly don't remember how I answered all of the chef's questions, so I hope not to run into him at the ball tonight.

According to Agnar, there will be a ball near the pond a few miles from the palace tonight. What perfect timing! I need to get a feel for this place, get to know some of the people who live here - maybe I can find someone in whom I can trust enough to share my story with...someone who might come along with me and help me in my fight for freedom.

If not, at least there will be free food.

Sincerely,

Kaedan

[Kale Allerion]

Exhausted from dancing, I collapsed next to Faiyah. She technically wasn't supposed to be at the dance tonight - in fact, she wasn't supposed to associate herself with earthbound slaves at all. Yet she often sneaked out of her house on nights when we were holding dances.

"Oh, Rayne," my friend breathed, also tired from dancing. "These dances are always better than the ones we have."

I nodded in agreement. I had served at a few of those stuffy, formal affairs and had never been very impressed. "Ours are more lively," I said. "Not quite as uptight as the ones you have to go to."

"The men here are better-looking, too," Faiyah added in a lower tone, winking.

"You're probably the only courtier who thinks that," I said. "It seems like in the eyes of most people in your class, if a man loses his wings he's lost all his beauty."

"We're not all like that," Faiyah said, pretending to be offended.

"I know that," I said. "You're not. Everyone else is, though."

"Shut up," she said, playfully swinging the sash tied around her waist at my face.

I closed my eyes and just absorbed the atmosphere around me - the smell of the crackling bonfire, the incessant chatter of the crowd, and the lively dance music.

The music...

My eyelids fluttered open. Something was wrong.

"Excuse me," I said to Faiyah, getting up suddenly.

"What's the matter?" she asked, perfect eyebrows knit together in concern.

"Nothing," I lied, wrapping my black shawl around me. "I just need to ask someone a question."

________________________

Tespar wasn't here. I knew this because although the music was beautiful as usual, there was just something not right about it. A dance was not complete without Tespar's skillful fiddle echoing through the trees.

Toma, Tespar's towering older brother, sighed at the mention of his name. "Got himself in trouble with Usara."

"Again?"

He nodded sadly. "This time it was actually partially his fault, though."

"Shocker there," I said. Mistress Usara was infamous for her mood swings and her tendency to take her emotions out on her slaves - especially Tespar, for whatever reason. "What did he do?"

"She wouldn't stop nagging him about the way he was preparing the food," Toma explained. "He finally snapped - said some things he shouldn't have said."

I shook my head and sighed. I knew the rest of the story already. She had him beaten - again - and forbade him to attend the dance. Poor Tespar.

As much as I hated my own master and mistress, I was always grateful that they were nowhere near as cruel as Mistress Usara. I pitied anyone who had to live daily in fear of her wrath.

[Kale Allerion]

Still thinking about what had happened to Tespar, I started back to the tree where I had left Faiyah. But before I had covered a good deal of distance, I noticed she had already stood up to dance again. I smiled at my friend, now flirting with of the handsomer male slaves, wishing I had the confidence she displayed.

I should have been wishing I was more coordinated, for as I was staring off into space, I bumped right into someone - a Leatherwing I had never seen before.

"Oh!" I cried as I bumped into him. "I...I'm so sorry!" I smiled nervously, feeling heat rise into my cheeks.

"No, I'm sorry," he chuckled, seeming a little awkward himself. "I didn't see you. I guess I wasn't paying attention."

"Neither was I," I admitted, slowly beginning to feel at ease.

There was a long silence. I didn't look up at the stranger, still embarrassed of my clumsiness. I could feel his eyes on me, however, and I wasn't sure how I felt about that. Eventually the silence became too much to bear - I had to break it.

"So," I began, clearing my throat. "Are you originally from Highdale?"

"No." The stranger shook his head uncomfortably.

"Oh," I said. "Well...do you live around here?"

"Kind of," he answered, as if unsure of himself.

The guy looked like he wanted to change the subject, but I wasn't going to let him off the hook so easily. "Where are you from?" I asked.

Now this guy looked irritated. "Not too far from here," he said. "Don't ask, okay? It's a long story."

"Okay," I gave up. The brown-winged stranger smiled, relieved. "Well, will you at least tell me your name? Or is that a long story too?"

"Name's Kaedan," he chuckled, shaking my hand. "And you are...?"

"Rayne," I answered. "Pleasure to meet you."

"Likewise."

The song that had been playing ended, and after a short pause a new song began to play - a fast, lively tune.

"Do you dance?" I asked Kaedan.

"A little," he replied, grinning. "I'm afraid I'm not very familiar with the type of dancing you do."

I just smiled and nodded, not sure how else to respond.

"May I have the pleasure?" Kaedan asked, one hand outstretched toward me. "Perhaps you could teach me."

I hesitated a little before taking the strange man's hand, then finally answered, "I'd be happy to."

[Kale Allerion]

Kaedan's Travel Log - Day Three (Midnight!)

I am only slightly winded from the day's events, but will still go to sleep shortly. Agnar did manage to meet me at the slaves' dance, and he asked me to continue working for him in the kitchen. I guess he got the feeling that I had no one, even without my revealing much about why I came to Highdale in the first place.

Speaking of which...I nearly blew my cover. This girl, Rayne, kept questioning me. She was actually an attractive girl, so it was hard to withhold the information she wanted os badly.

Why was she so interested, I wonder. Well, I guess she has a right to be. After all, I'm a stranger here, and a Leatherwing. She has a right to be suspicious - as much so as I do.

It's strange. Before a few weeks ago, I wasn't so suspicious of people. I guess when my brother betrayed me, my subconscious told me to trust no one ever again.

It doesn't matter, though. I doubt I'll be seeing her much. She serves a mile or two from where I am going to, and our paths may never cross in this huge city.

Speaking of which, I should go to bed now. I'll need to wake up at the crack of dawn.

Sincerely,

Kaeden

[Kale Allerion]

The next morning found me running through the forest, frantically searching for any lazy globeflower that happened to have stayed open throughout the hours I'd wasted.

I had slept in. I'm an idiot! I chastised myself as I stooped down and tried to pry the tightly closed petals of one of the purple flowers.

It's no use, I finally realized, collapsing on the forest floor from exhaustion. I'm at the mercy of Lady Vithica now. I hope she's in a good mood.

________________________

I dragged my feet into the kitchen, preparing to confess to the other kitchen-slaves that I had failed to bring in my quota of seeds for the bread. No sooner than I'd walked through the arched doorway did Brana, the head chef, take me aside.

"I'm so sorry," I said, looking down at my feet. "I slept in."

Brana smiled, much to my surprise, and shook her head, graying red curls bouncing. "You owe Jespar a thank you," she said. "He noticed that you had slept in and gathered your share of the seeds. Saved your miserable hide."

"Jespar," I echoed, surprised. He was a shy boy, a year or two younger than me, who rarely spoke a word to me. I hardly knew him, and yet he saved me from a lot of trouble. "Yeah...I will have to thank him."

[Kale Allerion]

Kaedan's Travel Log - Day Four

I experienced far more disgusting city life than I had hoped or intended to when I woke up this morning. Agnar had me running errands practically all morning long, so I was forced to relive the same scenes that drove me to wreak the havoc I'd caused while in Maz'hasen...just before my banishment.

On my first trip out today, I saw two girls with pretty white wings pointing and snickering at a girl whose wings were at least ten times too small for her body. On the way back to the palace I saw a rough-looking man cursing at a small, wingless slave boy. Although the abolitionist inside me wanted to give those cruel, self-centered Featherwings a black eye, I restrained myself - my job right now was to blend in, which was hard enough since the material my wings are made of already makes me an outsider.

I don't know I kept myself together on my second trip out. I nearly lost control when I happened to pass by a slave auction in which Leatherwinged children were the "items" on sale! I swear, if I'd had a sword in my hand at the time, every one of those worthless morons would have been dead.

Well...if I'd had a sword and the skills necessary to strike them down. I can usually hold my own in a fight, but never very well when my wrath was burning within me. Just through a town filled with such oppression without striking out was a test of self-control - one that I just barely passed.

I don't know how long I can stand to stay in Highdale, but so far it doesn't look like I'm going anywhere soon. Although I'm technically a slave, I have a roof over my head and three square meals a day. And my "master" hasn't noticed the fact that he has a new slave working in his kitchen, so I can leave whenever I want - whenever I get the chance.

Problem is, I don't know where I'd go next. I guess that's the problem with being free - I have to make decisions like this on my own. It's a lonely business, but I'll survive.

Sincerely,

Kaedan