Plain of the Fourteen Pillars - Book 1

A fl is just one of many particularly odd creatures indigenous to the plains of Bradley. Being of the insect variety it is roughly the size of a topey’s bottom two segments and pretty much the same colour as well. It has a single concaved wing attached behind a pair of bulbous black eyes; which incidentally make up approximately three quarters of its entire body. The wing is so shaped as to capture any present air currents, thus propelling it randomly within the grips of the wind. If the wind were to die down at all the fl, being filled with a gas lighter than air, would remain suspended. This of course is not without its flaws, being that its wing is not particularly designed for flying but more so for sailing. If the fl were in a position where the flapping of its single wing was its only means of propulsion, it would quickly tire from the effort, lose the will to live, and die. Also, if it were unfortunate enough to come into contact with the ground at any time its two, oddly shaped and stumpy legs are so incapable of doing anything that might help its very survival that again, it would simply lose the will to live and die. In turn, with all this losing the will to live and dying going on, the mortality rate of the fl is indeed very low; so it appears to be a positive attribute for the insect that its entire reproductive cycle takes place over a single day. In fact, shortly after conception the larvae themselves are able to conceive even within the host’s abdomen before birth, which gives rise to babies popping out babies.

  In this particular instance, and on this particular day, occurring at a rather small outcrop of stone and shrubbery atop one of Bradley’s higher plains, a tiny band of five young fl had recklessly become entangled within the vortex of an uncompromising cross wind and suddenly found themselves hurtling toward a bright blue sky over an horizon that seemed awfully close.

  Each fl had been taught the fundamentals of a concept known as evasive action, but with only one wing, a pathetic pair of useless legs, and no actual ability to steer themselves, such knowledge seemed quite trivial. On the other hand, the very idea of gliding dangerously into the unknown was so exciting that when they finally curled over the edge of the cliff to plummet with the downward rush of air, their tiny screams proved to be the product of thrills rather than fear.

  In the ensuing moments our tiny team of five experienced a quick succession of the many and varied rock formations that could be found in the side of a cliff; but far more extraordinary was the whole sensation of having their eyeballs feel as though they were about to pop out through their backsides.

  As they continued to dive they each felt a sense of freedom, a contented sense of having conquered the mountain and defeated the Hump. Indeed, they felt invincible; so as they approached the bottom of the cliff they cheered a tiny cheer and were safely scooped forward by the curved ledge banking the sandy plain. From there they sped quickly, up and over the dunes, a moment of blue sky and then a moment of yellow sand, rising and falling, propelled by the rapids of wind.

  How striking the terrain was, how wonderful the experience as they rode the dune toward the sky, lifting their eyes toward the sun and smiling with gladness in their hearts. Only at the very top did their excitement wain, for after the striking glare from the sun had blinded them for just the briefest of moments, so then suddenly there was only darkness.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN