Chapter 2: Castles in the Sky

Chapter 2: Castle in the Sky

For days, Dawn sat in a cosy room in the large flying castle. She was depressed about the lost of her family and the kidnapping of her dear friend. Under any other circumstance, Dawn would have been too excited to sit still and be exploring this grand castle. Too much had happened in one day. Upon arriving, Tito took her to the council and explained why she needed to be here. They didn’t quite believe it was the right thing at first so they put her in a nice room while the discussed it. The room was simple: stone walls with wood flooring. The bed was large and comfortable; built for royalty.

It had a silk red sheet on top then a thick white duvet. There were four beams from each corner holding up the tall wood canopy that had thick red curtains hung around it to block out the light during the night. Opposite the bed stood a tall wardrobe in the back left corner and a desk next to it with a small mirror. Along the right wall stood a full size mirror. Dawn sat in the extended window sill staring hazily at the clouds drifting beneath the castle through the tall plain window. A servant came along every few hours with food and drink for Dawn but she barely ever touched her food. It probably wasn’t very smart now that she had no home and probably wouldn’t get another meal if they kicked her out of the castle but she was still too disheartened.

A servant came around and brought Dawn some new clothing so she could blend in slightly more and get out of her dirty school uniform. Out of all the nice outfits, Dawn simply chose a nice white gown that had no details or ribbons; just a plain, yet elegant white dress. Whenever a servant came around, she barely spoke except for a quiet, “thank you.” Three days passed and Tito finally returned. Dawn looked up solemnly.

“Well, they said you could stay. After much arguing we came to the conclusion that the Dark Lord IS in fact after you.” Tito reported with slight happiness laced into his tone.

Dawn nodded, absent-mindedly.

“You should eat something.” Tito said noting the untouched trays of food. “You’re going to need your strength.”

“For what?” Dawn asked, curiosity sparking in her voice.

“You’re training of course. To become a Flyer.”

That caught her attention. She straightened trying to comprehend what she actually heard. Tito smiled then informed her training would begin the next day. Dawn sat dumbfounded, staring at the closed door for a brief second. Was this really happening? Was she really going to learn to become a Flyer? Her? These and other questions raced through her mind.

She just couldn’t believe it! Then she remembered how she swore she would never become a Flyer without Elva. She couldn’t break that now. Then she remembered Elva had been kidnapped. That’s it! She had to become a Flyer to save Elva. She had to become the hero. And as the first step of becoming a Flyer, Dawn got a whiff of herself and decided she needed a bath or shower…desperately.

Dawn wandered into through the bathroom door located on the left side of her bed. The bathroom was very similar to the ones back home. Dawn then looked at the bathtub. It was a normal bathtub except it had no faucets. It only had six different coloured toggles in the middle of the wall above the tub: Red, blue, green, white, yellow then orange. Never seeing such a thing before, Dawn tentatively, leaned over the tub, reached out and pulled the green toggle. Suddenly a hole in the ceiling opened dropping some strange, green, disgusting gloop on her head.

Note to self: avoid the green lever. She figured it must be some sort of solution to clean their wings. This WAS a Flyer’s castle. Then Dawn decided to use logic. The colours…

Red was hot meaning hot water, blue was cold water. Then she put herself in the place of a flyer. The first thing they’d wanna wash would be their wings so green was probably some strange substance for their wings. Next they probably would want to wash their body’s next so white must have been for soap. Then most normal people shampoo their hair then condition so yellow must have been shampoo and orange was conditioner. Now it was time to test her theory.

Not wanting another strange substance to ruin her clothes anymore, despite smelling absolutely rank she didn’t want to give the servants a hard time, Dawn slipped out of her dress and wrapped a long, white fuzzy towel around her chest. Tentatively, Dawn reached out and pulled the red lever then jumped back in case it would spray her with something gross. Nope, her theory was correct. A nozzle appeared from the ceiling and sprayed hot water.

A little too hot after a while. A closer look at the blue lever showed you didn’t pull it, you twist it. Avoiding the boiling water, Dawn began to slowly twist the blue lever and found that the water began cooling down to a comfortable temperature. Before she hopped in the shower, Dawn tested the last two levers. Shampoo was shot out of pipe to where she would be standing followed another pipe for conditioner.

Dawn punched the air with excitement. After a thirty minute relaxing shower, Dawn stepped out of the steamy bathroom wrapped in a warm fuzzy white robe. She wandered over to her wardrobe and picked out a nice, simple long sleeve, blue dress with golden swirls. It looked like blue fire. It felt soft like silk too. Dawn combed her long brown hair till it was nearly as soft as her dress.

She felt very refreshed and ready to explore. Dawn had found her goal to strive for and it gave her energy. No longer could she hide behind her friend. It was time she rose to the challenge…of course there was still those fears. She had no idea what she was going up against. Would she have to fight a Dark Creature? Or worse? Dawn breathed in then breathed out all her worries.

Elva stood up for her most of Dawn’s young life. It was her turn now. Tito said training would begin in the morning. She had some time to explore. Now that her depression had been shaken off, Dawn felt like exploring. Elva would want a full account of the castle. Dawn pushed the heavy, thick wood door and stepped out…and gasped. The hall was amazing! It was tall and narrow. The top arched very much like a cathedral.

A few Flyers roamed the hall. None of them flew around. That quite surprised Dawn. If this was a Flyer’s castle shouldn’t the halls be nice and wide for Flyers to fly through? Or maybe it was designed so Flyers could exercise their legs. Or maybe it was to prevent air traffic. Whatever the reason, Flyers were forced to walk the narrow halls. So many colours. Dawn stood out without wings.

She got a few strange stares from Flyers. She guessed most of them had never seen an Earthling up so close. Then again, if a Flyer were to walk amongst Earthlings, they’d be stared at as well. Probably worse with people wanting to touch their wings. Dawn was half tempted to feel the softness of their feathers but then remembered that would be really rude and embarrassing. Through the tall, glass windows Dawn could see Flyers whizzing around the castle either playing games or on patrol. At least, that’s what crossed Dawn’s mind. Could have been something completely different.

The halls snaked left and right leading Dawn deeper into amazement of this strange yet wonderful place. The walls and floor were made of smooth stone. But the castle was not bland or simple. Tall paintings and windows lined these astonishing halls. It was the ancient history of Flyers. Some were paintings of great battles, others tall, proud men or woman with large wings. Dawn couldn’t figure out if these were kings and queens of the past or just great heroes who got commemorated with a painting. Did Flyers even have Kings?

As Dawn walked along the red and gold carpet, one painting caught her eye. A tall figure wearing dark blue robes his stern face staring away from the painter. In his hand he clutched a huge broadsword. He stood against a snowy yard in which, Dawn could make out a small child playing between the feathers. But the most noticeable feature…was his silver wings and hair.

“That’s Xander, my Great Grandfather.” Tito informed startling Dawn a bit.

“Xander…that’s…that’s the Flyer who saved my life twelve years ago.” Dawn whispered in awe.

“Really? Huh, unfortunately though he died twelve years ago. After that picture was painted the painter said he keeled over.” Tito responded staring at the painting.

“Aw I’m sorry.” Dawn whispered.

Tito shrugged. “It’s fine. He was a great man. I only hope to one day be like him. Now, you’ve gotten around pretty well on your own. Would you like the grand tour?”

Dawn shook her head. “I’d like to explore this place on my own for a bit. If I get lost or need help, I’ll holler.”

Tito nervously gritted his teeth. “Um, I wouldn’t do that, Flyers have slightly enhanced hearing. Here, where this.”

Tito slipped a small necklace around Dawn’s neck. On the thin metal chain hung a blue, crystal tear drop. There seemed to be a small glowing light inside. Tito walked around to the front of Dawn and held up a matching red necklace around his neck.

“Its how Flyers communicate while flying.” Tito explained. We can’t always hear with the wind blowing over our ears. Plus when we’re really far away from the castle, it’s nearly impossible to hear or when we’re on missions.”

Dawn examined the crystal. It felt warm, like it was alive.

“Call me if you need me.” Tito said walking away in the opposite direction.

Dawn waited till Tito disappeared around the corner then continued her exploring. She walked around for nearly two hours before coming to a strange room. Unlike the rest of the rooms, it was completely dark. No windows to allow the sunlight in. For building a flying castle, the Flyers had no electricity. It was rather primitive but unique. But this room was different. It was pitch black; no colour, no warmth, no light.

Except for a single, stone blue ball sitting on top of a stone triangle.

The ball gave off some strange energy in the form of dim white light. Dawn closed the door behind her, keeping her eyes fixed upon the strange glowing orb. It seemed to be drawing her in with a strange, hypnotic humming. Dawn still had some control but her she was too curious. She approached the orb slowly; hand out in front of her.

Dawn glanced back at the closed door in case someone was to wander in and catch her. But Dawn felt she needed to touch it. So, taking a deep breath, Dawn placed her hand on top of the orb. The orb suddenly came to life in glorious blue light. Dawn quickly backed off terrified. The lights danced around the room very similar to the Northern Lights just faster and blue. Suddenly the door disappeared.

The walls became paved in images; images of Flyers soaring across the walls, dazzling Dawn. Slowly her shock died down. She stood up and slowly spun around. It was like a planetarium. As she turned, the orb seemed to brighten behind her. Dawn turned only to find a ghost of her self standing in front of the strange orb. The only thing was the ghost had a pair of large blue wings. That made no sense. All the Flyers Dawn had seen had matching hair and wings, colour wise.

The ghost nodded as if sensing Dawn’s presence. Dawn froze, breathing softly still slightly spooked by seeing herself appear as a Flyer. The ghost raised her hand and dramatically began walking towards her. Dawn screamed and ran to the wall. The ghost kept walking close; her glazed silver eyes piercing Dawn’s soul.

“Tito!” Dawn screamed into her crystal which was now burning blue.

Tito suddenly burst through the door a few feet away from Dawn. He gasped and stared at the glowing blue orb. The ghost was inches away from Dawn. She panicked and couldn’t move. She was like a deer in front of headlights. Tito didn’t seem to know what was going on either. He quickly slammed his hand down on the orb causing it to go red but then die down and gently float back down to the top of the triangle.

The room stilled but Dawn and Tito remained froze for a few minutes completely shocked.

“I think…I’ll be staying in my room tonight.” Dawn whispered.

Tito nodded slowly in response. He tenderly grabbed her arm and led her back to her room. They didn’t say a word the entire trip. Tito lead her back to her room then left. He had to inform the council. Dawn didn’t mind. She sat on her bed for an hour trying to comprehend what happened again. After a filling dinner, Dawn figured it was best to get some sleep.

Her mind was full of question making it nearly impossible to drift away into dreamland but she had to try. Tito said training would begin early the next morning. But after a few minutes, Dawn was out like a light dreaming of that strange ghost.