Book One of the Altair Trilogy

Banishment

Chapter One

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Banishment, a raucous word to begin with. The littlest consequence banishment can bring is being shunned, which can kill a physique or drive someone into insanity. Full scale banishment, being sent into an inhabited wasteland, is worse then death. To be sent away knowing no one loves you, no one feels for you, no one will ever be there for you. Knowing you'll die alone with an emaciated life behind you and several regrets, what person deserves that hell? What race of people could do such an atrocious thing? The answer is simple, the Underland.

Altair the flier is not of malicious intent or ever was. Of course he was well known. His now deceased bond was the late Queen Luxa's youngest son. Everyone knew of the infamous Prophecy of Blaze, the one that predicted to annihilate nearly all of the royal family in an immense inferno. But no one predicted it would strike so suddenly, especially Altair.

In the thick smog that hung over the burning city of Regalia it was hard to even to tell which way is which. It was hard to tell what was in front of you, or even on you. Altair didn't know Prince Djion has passed out due to the fumes, he didn't know he was getting to low to the hundred foot monstrosity driven by burning carnage, he didn't know a wall of flame would shoot up and send him reeling an impressive corkscrew turn. But what he did know is that Djion's limp body fell and was swallowed by the flaming abyss.

When the flame was finally contained down to a smoldering pile of rubble and embers the scorched body of Djion would be found and his death blamed on innocent Altair. Queen Luxa was unfortunately also a victim of the fire. In fact, the only surviving member of the royal family, eldest son Prince Cameroon, would have the throne succeeded to him and would have the council pass judgment on Altair for the death of Djion. His punishment was already decided, banishment.

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Altair stood in the arena in an abashed position upon a podium, his long black and gold spattered wings draped over his chest and bound by rope. His back solemnly faced the horde of Regalians, his long gold stripe running down his back taking on a barrage of stones. He felt so distant, so solitary, so disparate and so loathsome. Around his somber stature odium howls echoed, but they didn't even make Altair quiver.

All of the sudden waves of silence filled the arena. Altair turned around and redirected his gaze upon the top sheltered section of the scorched arena. The head of the council and King Cameroon's lead advisor, Isodore, stood with his back hunched and his head facing out at Altair. His graying hair hung lackadaisically in a pony tail and stretched down to his waist. His hand was outstretched in the air making a, 'silence' symbol. Steadily he mouthed the words, "The verdict will be revealed."

The silhouette of King Cameroon appeared out of secures draped alcove. He came out with a limp in his leg, obviously hurt by the meaning of this proposed banishment. As he appeared small talk began to return to the arena. The king cleared his raspy throat to try and reclaim silence.

"Quite!" squawked Isodore dryly. Hush spread over the anticipating crowd. His head bowed quickly and he took his place beside his king.

Cameroon was obviously nervous; this was his first real ultimatum. He began a gargled sentence, "The council and I have debated quite some time, and not all of us believed what Altair said about the accident, but…" Cameroon took a pause and sighed.

Altair glared up at the looming figure. As of right now, his life was dangling by a thread, two courses, one leading to redemption, one to a living hell. For the first time since the trials began he quaked, but only a small shudder. Altair's fur began to bristle as he saw Isodore's lips press onto Cameroon's ear as he whispered.

Strength returned to Cameroon as his temples began to bulge. His eyes turned a disturbing red as his voice began to bellow, "Altair the flier! You have been found guilty for betrayal and murder of your bond Prince Djion of Regalia! Your punishment is banishment into the uncharted lands for life!" He twisted abruptly around as his royal robe swung loosely to and fro. For his final words he rotated his head and proclaimed, "Friendship and love was once burning for you in the form of my brother, and you killed it. To kill love, an absolute abomination would only dare to do that. May you rot in hell?! I say so!" Once again he twisted around and disappeared into his alcove.

Stunned, Altair cried out at the king, "Cameroon, why do you not trust me!! You must believe me!! Cameroon!!"

Around the pitiful flier roars of sentences such as "You heard the king, rot!" and "Loveless bastard!" drilled into Altair's mind. He collapsed on the ground and began to ball out in deep sobs. He began to beat his wings under the thick rope as a desperate last attempt at flying around. His body writhed around in the dirt and covered himself in dust.

Soldiers surrounded Altair and snatched up patches of his black fur. Their nails dug deep into his skin leaving small craters of blood. Altair howled as the soldiers began take him away. "Wait, please! I'm innocent, I swear! I don't deserve this! You know how chaotic the inferno was! I didn't even know where I was going! He passed out and fell! Please, believe me! Please!!"

A fist pelted the flier's gut. "Shut your trap, traitor. Your fate is sealed," he spat at him. The blow was soon followed by several others as the soldiers began to snicker. All of Altair's words became gargled by his heavy sobs. For a moment he actually wished for death, slow death. If it were to come now he wouldn't even have to face the horrors of banishment. With relentless tears he bit down on his tongue.

"Don't even try. You'll live or die in the uncharted lands; not here," sneered a soldier as he whacked the back of Altair's head.

What the soldier said registered in Altair's head. Live or die. He didn't even have to die there, he could flourish there, he could prosper there, and he could survive. His tears began to dry up and his voice steadied. In a nonchalant tone he said, "I will not let this event haunt me. I'll move on, I swear here. I'll get retribution for Djion. But for now, I'll await banishment. Take me away guards!"

One soldier howled in laughter and said, "What do ya' think we are doing." Altair remained silent at the remark.

Darkness began to enclose over Altair as the top of his body disappeared out of the arena. Moments later he had left the arena for good, unsure of what hardships and struggles awaited him.

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OOC: Paths is unfortunately on hold. My laptop which had the chapter 2 document still on it and was nearly complete crashed. I'm sorry to anyone waiting for an update.

OOC 2: Most of my work has a song influence. For this chapter it is One by Metallica.