A Pixie’s Quest

CHAPTER 5 Touching The Sky

Rianne again looked up at the darkest parts of the ceiling in search of her small Demi Pixie friend. Somewhere in the emptying hall she heard someone yell “who opened that window?!” Right before a blast of wind went through them. A small but familiar thud was felt at Rianne’s back as her loosed hair settled back down.

“There you are, Poky. I was starting to think you were still sleeping.” giggled Rianne to the little bee now hiding under her wind blown hair.

“Yeah sorry I was waiting for beef cake one and two to leave. I thought it best not to startle the long horned one.” Poky mind buzzed while breathing hard from exertion.

“Oh you were here that long? Where were you at, exactly?” Rianne asked.

“Yes and hiding behind the little bee cherub above the stair entrance. Figured it was a fitting place to hide even if it is utterly ridiculous.” She buzzed back.

“It was one of those things the first royals had carved into the architecture. It is a part of history.” Rianne teased.

“Hmph. Does not make it any less ridiculous. Anyway, when are you going to give that message to Cleo?” Poky inquiringly buzzed.

“Probably after flight training. She should be on a shift change about then.” answered Rianne as she began to descend the stairs.

After stopping by the buffet area of the kitchens, they found a quiet table out on one of the landings of the dining hall. Poky used an extra cup as a chair and had a menu propped up to hide behind. She did not like to be seen on palace grounds, saying it was part of her incognito training, but Rianne guessed it was more along the lines of not wanting to be mistaken for a wasp pixie. Rianne sympathized at the thought of being mistaken for one of those lowly creatures. Rianne then began on her midge eye salad (mostly midge least amount of salad) as Poky pulled out a couple pieces of hardened honey. Once they had finished eating in silence Rianne ordered tea for digestion with one of the waiters milling about. After that was served and drank, Rianne sat back full and content. As she looked beyond the wooden wall that surrounded the sandstone palace grounds she noticed the main roads looked very congested. Even with the Spring festivals on the horizon she had never seen so many Beings within the city’s limit.

Rianne blinked back her thoughts as she observed Poky carefully picking through her fuz checking for any stray crumbs then asked “Have you heard anything about any special event being planned before the Spring’s Rebirth festivals, during your spying around Poky?”

“No, which is strange being that we are having a massive influx of Beings coming into the city. It is honestly creeping me out that there isn’t even a misleading rumor going around. All anyone says is that it is probably related to the Spring Festivals. But at the same time I haven’t really looked into it” she buzzed back.

“Hmmm. Do you think something bad has happened in the Outlands and they are just keeping it super hush hush?” Rianne puzzled out loud.

“ Doubt it. If something has happened they would go public with it to start preparing rather than keeping it on the down low.” Poky answered.

“Then it’s something else but what?” Rianne said, still puzzled.

“At this point unless we are meant to know then we probably won’t. Too bad we do not happen to know a super pretty and totally awesome secret spy bee that could dig a little deeper into the mystery” Poky pointedly looked at me as she replied.

Rianne realized what she was getting at and burst out with laughter as she said “I get it. Poky would you, the super pretty and totally awesome secret spy, go poking around for some better information please.”

“Yes! Absolutely! I’ll meet you after class to deliver Cleo’s message” she way too excitedly answered and fluttered off in a rush.

Which left Rianne to sit and contemplate on the last few days' events, alone. She could not shake the feeling that they were all connected in a weird way. The college’s Dean not at his post, Outlanders streaming into the city all at one time, and now the Roaming tribes dignitaries showing up. A breeze brushed across Rianne’s wings sending a shiver down her spine. After pondering for a minute longer Rianne cleared the table just as the bells tolled her doom once again and she scurried off to fight and flight training.

Rianne skidded to a stop as she entered, just making it before the last toll ended. The few students that noticed giggled or made comments about how it never fails that she was late so they never had to worry if they did not see her there. Rianne thought about how rude some Beings could be as she collapsed with exhaustion into a seat on the carved out benches, stretching her wings out to let them cool down. The arena-like space that was used for fight and flight training was said to be modeled after the inside of a famous colosseum from one of the bygone eras. Though this one had a ceiling that was made of dandelion wood and it was retractable. The only times it was ever closed was when they had bad weather.

As Rianne looked across the arena she noticed birds were being lined up. Bird Companion Training was the newest program added to their roster. Though it was strange that they were out this early. The class usually did not start until after the fight and flight classes finished. So the “birds wouldn’t want to eat you” is what had been said. For obvious reasons it was not a very popular class but if a Being was brave enough it was worth taking especially for the wingless ones.

The Dragonfly Pixie professor who taught the class was missing a leg, one lower wing, most parts of his fingers and had a scarred face. All of which used to intimidate most Beings out of his class before they even brought out the birds. He had been brought on from a traveling circus about ten years ago, which surprised the entire city when it arrived. Explorers were considered extremely brave because 90% of the new world had yet to be remapped and all the new dangers that came with being so tiny had not been completely categorized. They would travel in small tight knit groups with maybe one camouflaged beetle drawn wagon. Even Explorers that turned mercenary never had more than two passenger wagons to protect the Outlanders coming into or going out from the city. So seeing a brightly colored traveling caravan was unheard of and then they brought out their tamed lizards, frogs, and a bird. Orlick’s Family Bonanza is what they called it. Professor Avery Orlick was the younger brother of the Bird Boys. After one of their air acrobatic performances Queen Alexandra took a liking to Avery. She asked him to stay and make a name for himself teaching his art to those who wished to learn. Up until this year the class was only the taming and domestication of the beasts for the Entertainment apprenticeships. This year the class was offered to the Messenger Apprenticeship. The Provost said it would change the way they could get messages or news to the villages farthest from Alvania and vice versa.

Queen Alexandra decreed Professor Orlick’s class to become a requirement to graduate a month ago. They had lost one Being within the first week because he had gotten too cocky with one of the tamest birds and fluttered a little too close with a spear and poked its beak. He had his wings ripped from his back and a hole pecked into his chest before he could be pulled out from under the bird's foot. The Cutworm Moth Fairy survived but he would never be able to hold a pen or walk upright again. After that Professor Orlick made a new rule to have wings strapped down and tails wrapped around waists for those who had them. He himself had done as much, claimed that it was also a good way to train in balance if those appendages were to ever not work or were damaged. Professor Orlick had us grooming, feeding, and saddle sitting to gain the birds trust and get them accustomed to more than their round the clock caregivers. Flying was for advanced students. As the rest of the students took their seats, Professor Orlick hobbled across the arena to stand in front of them. Raised one of his mangled hands to his mouth and used the two remaining fingers to whistle. Both beings and birds had went quiet at the sharp sound.

“We are starting a new training regimen today, Beings and Beingettes. And for a select few of you it will be mandatory. However, any extras are always encouraged. You all will now have another hour tacked onto your daily schedules. Those mandatory names will be called at the end of the other training classes” P. Orlick said with the authority of a ring master.

He looked pointedly at some when he said mandatory and if Rianne hadn’t been mistaken she was one of them. A sinking feeling started in her stomach as he went on.

“Today will begin Bird flight training as well as Bird acrobatic training.” He paused and let the gasps subside before continuing “Bird flying will be offered to any of you willing to take the plunge early. Bird acrobatics will be for the mandatory candidates only and will begin after flight classes end. A 15 minute break in between to allow any students who wish to volunteer for bird flying to come forward and have their names recorded by my assistant Janice. Those students who do not wish to volunteer will be made into temporary squires and will report to Captain Jordan after the mandatory candidates are named. This will also be part of the new system. The birds will need to get used to their “prey” flitting about and stay in control. Now off you get” he finished with a terrifying smile and a wave of his finger deficient hand.

Battle training was more subdued than usual to the ire of Lieutenant Rainherd. Then flight training turned into a mess because no one wanted to get too close to the birds and ended with everyone crashing into one another. Once they untangled, they were told to line back up and stand at attention as Professor Orlick carefully switched out with Lieutenant Rainherd. He leaned on his crutch as he grabbed the clipboard from his assistant who always seemed to come out of nowhere then began to list names.

“And last but certainly not least Rianne Heartwing! Now disperse.” Professor Orlick finished with a whistle that seemed to echo in Rianne’s head as the class separated into groups.

Still not believing her bad luck Rianne went up to Professor Orlick and asked “Professor, are you sure you want me to be a part of the acrobatics group?”

Looking at me with a confident smile he answered “Yes. That is what mandatory means young Heartwing. You have been one of the top students in my class. Besides Cloud and I have a tremendous amount of confidence in you. Even if you had not been voted for by the Queen, I would have recommended you myself.”

As Rianne blinked with surprise he turned her and finished “Go on then my dear, Cloud awaits you. Oh and between you and I, she has been a bit prickly with the others because she likes you best. Therefore you should make sure to bring her favorite treats. Hmm… but perhaps not very many. She seems to not quite fit into her nest like she used to.” As he patted Rianne on the back he tottered passed and headed for Captain Jordan with Janice trailing behind scribbling madly.

Rianne had been so thrown off by his nonchalance that the only thing she could think of was “Did he just say Cloud was getting fat?” At that moment Rianne heard a very loud trill from one of the more energetic birds and her heart once again sank into her stomach. Rianne strapped her wing belt under her chest and above her double trochanter joint of her lower arms as she walked towards the feeding bags. She caught sight of Bert the human, Cloud’s other preferred Being. He was also the only one she would let groom her tail feathers.

As Rianne went up to him she asked “Hey Bert, do we have any dried mealworms?”

“Yeah, at the back of the bunch. I brought some of the fatter ones. She has almost bitten a few Beings today so watch yourself” Bert said as he grabbed Cloud’s tack and showed another student where the grooming buckets had been placed.

Only once all of Cloud’s things were brought over and sat in front of her did Rianne go up with the hefty mealworm bag. Emptied it into the food bowl and soothingly coaxed the jittery bird from the back of the hastily set up covered stall. She slowly backed away once Cloud was close enough to the bowl to eat but not close enough to peck off an arm. After she had finished Rianne walked slowly back up to her, stopped a few steps away and let the beautiful blue jay use their special call. Rianne repeated the call, outstretched her hand and waited for Cloud to put her beak in her palm. After the greeting was established Rianne petted the bird’s head and gave her a gentle squeeze around the neck. Bert had grabbed the saddle, and bridle, then laid it over the railing and handed her an ocarina. He then stepped back to continue his supervision of the squire taking inventory of what was being used. Rianne tied the string around her neck and had Cloud nestle all the way down with a low short tute of the oval shaped flute. She let Rianne throw the saddle over her back without fuss. Rianne had the bird lift each wing and leg as she strapped down the harness and pulled the briddle on using different tunes for each command. After a double check she had Cloud sit again, rubbed her beak for reassurance, carefully climbed up to sit and hold the reins, then walked her a few paces out of the small cage. Rianne had been the first student to complete everything they had learned up to this point, so she waited for her next instruction. Once the last rider was saddled in, Professor Orlick shuffled around the stadium checking everyone’s work and bird’s behavior. Rianne unfortunately ended up on the farthest side from him and was last to be checked.

“Very good dear Miss Heartwing. I would actually like you to be the first one in the air today” Professor Orlick stated, with a sly grin. If he had not been a pixie she would have believed him to be a Fox Fae.

“Professor Orlick?! Are you serious?! I don’t think I’m quite ready for that”

Rianne said, slightly panicked.

“Oh pish posh. That is nonsensical. You were the first one to get into the saddle. Not just today but every day. Cloud is comfortable and confident with you. If we thought you couldn’t do it then I would not have you do so. Now you will be alone on the ride, yes, but as long as you follow instructions and be attentive of the behavior of your bird you should be perfectly fine” He said still with that grin and then handed her a small book.

The small book was called Bird Training and Maintenance. It held everything they had been taught up to this point and instructions for flying. Rianne studied it as quickly as she could after asking Bert to give some water to Cloud so she didn’t get bored and impatient. Once Cloud was done drinking, she prepared for their first flight together. They practiced a few wing exercises before settling back down to wait for Professor Orlick to hand the rest of the riders their own books.

With a nod from the Professor, Rianne wrapped the reins around one set of arms and held the ocarina to her mouth with the other. Bracing herself as she blew the takeoff command. Cloud leaped into the air with a force that had Rianne squashed over the saddle. Luckily she had the ocarina tied around her neck because she had immediately lost her grip on it. As Cloud made it past the roof she evened out and flapped her wings in a hovering position. Collecting herself, Rianne got hold of her ocarina and situated her body to lean over the saddle instead of being crushed into it. She then bravely looked about and below. This was the highest she had ever been in her life. The view of the city was marvelous. Crystal, wood, stone, or metal ore made homes, businesses, and public buildings scattered in, on, under, or between the massive trees of old. Garden Parks made up of flower bushes, early mushrooms, geodes of almost every color, grass blade hedges that lined the paths and mossy picnic fields, dotted Alvainia like an earth made constellation. Exhilarated Rianne wanted to see more so she had Cloud climb higher into the tree’s canopy until they burst through the top. Blinded by the unshaded sun Rianne almost slipped from the saddle. She tightened her grip on the reins and pulled herself back into position. Then as she shielded her eyes she carefully swiveled in her seat and took in her newest view. From this height the tree tops were almost endless and the city looked small. Then she caught sight of a great body of water and began to tear up at its beauty.

Rianne was so dazzled by this sight that she had almost forgotten how she was able to see it as a strong breeze had Cloud struggling to keep steady. With a shake Rianne had gathered her thoughts back up and set them back towards her task. With another whistled command after another she had Cloud fly down in wide circles and land on a branch closest to the roof of the East Tower. Rianne decided to give the bird a quick breather and threw up a small berry she grabbed out of a small cantle bag for Cloud to catch and eat. She unsaddled and walked to the edge of the branch and looked down over her beautiful home. After she had procrastinated long enough she gave the bird a little beak rub before she climbed back into the saddle. With another whistle from Rianne they were back in the air. She had Cloud circle one more time before they dove back into the building and landed with a thud. As Rianne slid from the saddle once again she heard clapping behind her. She turned and saw that Professor Orlick was the one who clapped as he walked towards her.

“Courageous Miss Heartwing! Wonderfully done! Bravissimo!” He said as he clapped me on the back. “Now that you have had a successful first flight and with the unprecedented bravery to go beyond the treetops you are now promoted to Apprentice Bird Tamer. Rianne Heartwing you now have the honor of being the owner of this magnificent specimen of a blue jay. As of now you are the sole caregiver of Cloud. Hubert Golman you will continue to help train Rianne on the responsibility of Tamer until she graduates. Afterwards you may choose to become her official Bird Squire or stay until Cloud lays the next generation.”

A few disgruntled comments about Rianne being a teacher’s pet and getting special treatment were hurled out after the Professor paused for dramatics. He raised three of his arms for silence before he continued “I do not say these things lightly, for if a student fails their first flight they will immediately be dropped from this class and will not be allowed to graduate or worse. You all are being trusted with the responsibility of being the first of hopefully many generations of Bird Messengers. Rianne has shown remarkable skill and dedication, thus has earned the respect of her feather companion and earned her new title. I pray that the rest of the Flyers today have the same magnificent bond with their birds.”

After glaring at the assembled students for a good long minute Professor Orlick turned back to her and calmly said “ Go get this girl another treat for her efforts today. After that you can take her to the bird barn for a feather fluffing. When she is settled, come back to watch the rest of today’s fliers.”